First India-Mumbai Edition-20th January 2023

MAHArashtra INFRA PUSH!

Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 38,000 crore in different sectors in Mumbai, giving a big push to infrastructure, urban travel and healthcare ahead of civic polls, where the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will seek to showcase these ventures to take on the political rivals.

This was Modi’s first visit to Mumbai after Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde took office in June-end las year after dislodging the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) govt.

At the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of development projects at the MMRDA ground in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of a string of projects worth more than Rs 38,000 crore aimed at developing infrastruc-

ture, easing urban travel, and strengthening healthcare in the financial capital.

He laid foundation stones for seven sewage treatment plants, a road concretisation project and redevelopment of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

The PM inaugurated Mumbai Metro Rail Lines 2A and 7 built at a cost of around Rs 12,600 crore. They comprise a 35km-long elevated corridor stretching from Andheri to Dahisar in suburban Mumbai.

Modi also inaugurated 20 ‘Aapla Davakhana’ (health clinics) named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

The 18.6 km-long Mumbai Metro Rail line 2A connects suburban Dahisar (East) with the 16.5 km-long DN Nagar (yellow line) while the metro line 7 joints Andheri (East) with Dahisar (East). The foundation stones of these lines were laid by PM Modi in 2015.

Related report P8

OUR GOVT IS NOT FOR VOTE-BANK POLITICS: PM MODI

PM Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various developmental projects related to irrigation, drinking water besides a National Highway development project at Kodekal in Karnataka’s Yadgiri district and said our government is not for votebank politics, it is for development.

Something is special about PM Modi, Luxembourg PM is Modi Bhakt: Shinde

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said Luxembourg prime minister had told him that he is a fan of PM Narendra Modi. Shinde recalled his encounter with the European country leader in Davos recently, at a public event in Mumbai in Modi’s presence on the stage.

Shinde, who returned from the World Economic Forum meet in Davos on Wednesday, said, “The PM of Luxembourg told me that he had clicked a photo with Modi and asked me to show it to him. He told me that he was a Modi

bhakt. Modi ji is popular not only in India but across the globe.

“I met people from Germany and Saudi (Arabia) who asked me if I was with Modi ji. I told them that I am with him. At Davos there was a lot of positivity about India and Modi ji,” he said.

Shinde claimed development took a backseat during the tenure of the MVA administration (November 2019-June 2022). ‘’We were able to free the people of Mumbai from suffocation under the MVA rule because of Modiji’s leadership,’’ said the CM.

Shinde went on to

heap praise on the PM.

“There is something special about Modi’s personality. I get a holy (pavitra) feeling,” said the chief minister, adding, that his government will transform Mumbai in the next three years and give a new identity to India’s financial capital and also Maharashtra. ”Let us pledge to create a new Maharashtra under Modi’s leadership,” he said.

Modi, who heard about his global popularity from Shinde, later referred to the Maharashtra CM’s remarks in his speech, and attributed his fan following to “rising positivity” about India.

“propa-

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

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

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

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

As I came to know that wrestlers had started protesting in Delhi, I didn’t know what the allegation was about. All the sexual harassment allegations are false, it was a well-planned conspiracy against him and I will commit suicide if they are found to be true.

First India Bureau

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

‘Due to Balasaheb’s true followers, our govt is back’

First India Bureau Mumbai: Addressing the gathering at BKC, Maharashtra’s deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that in 2019 Assembly polls, PM Modi had urged people to vote for a ‘double engine sarkar’ in Maharashtra. “But due to betrayal of some people, for two-and-a-half years (MVA regime) we did not have a propeople government in the state. However, because of true followers of Balasaheb Thackeray, our government is back now,” the BJP leader said, referring to CM Eknath Shinde.

“PM Modi is the only PM who inaugurated projects whose

Jacinda resigns as PM of NZ before elections

First India Bureau

Sydney: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a global figure head of progressive pol itics, shocked the coun try on Thursday by an nouncing she would re sign from the office in a matter of weeks.

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

Rakhi arrested after Sherlyn’s complaint

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

ground breaking ceremony I had performed,” Fadnavis said, adding, “this reflects beginning of a new culture. Those who ruled the Mumbai civic body for several years never worked to provide clean water to local residents.”

Fadnavis also thanked the Centre for providing railway land for re-development of Dharavi, a sprawling slum colony in Mumbai.

AI bans Mishra for 4 months

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

SCOOT AIRLINE

APOLOGISES

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

SC backs gay lawyer’s appt as Delhi HC judge

Apex Court refutes Centre’s objection

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

ORDER ON BAIL PLEA OF AJAY MISHRA’S

Sandeep Shukla

l Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis target Uddhav government

TO

JC ‘WOULD

LIKE ANJALI’

court on Thursday sent Harish

Chandra,

man accused of molesting and dragging DCW Chief Swati Maliwal, to 14-day judicial custody. 47-yearold was arrested and his car was also impounded.

Swati

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

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

Moni Sharma

Phogat says Brij Bhushan had been sexually harassing female wrestlers

Sports ministry headed by Anurag Thakur asks the WFI prez to resign

BJP MP Brij Bhushan refutes sexual harassment allegations

—Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik

‘IF I’M NOT SAFE, THEN...’ DCW chief Swati Maliwal dragged by a drunk driver

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

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Actress Rakhi Sawant was arrested on Thursday and brought to Amboli police station. Her anticipatory bail before Dindoshi Court got rejected on Wednesday. Sherlyn Chopra, who had filed a complaint against Rakhi Sawant last year for use of ‘objectionable language’, she tweeted about Rakhi’s arrest.

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

Rakhi Sawant

Jacinda Ardern

Sherlyn Chopra

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

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

The external affairs ministry on Thursday slammed a recent BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a

ganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative.”

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

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

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

LEOPARDESS MISSING FOR PAST WEEK FOUND DEAD

Nagpur: Chandni, the leopardess that went missing last week from her enclosure at the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park in Nagpur has been found dead within the zoo premises, an official said on Thursday. “Chandni may have died in a fight with a wild leopard from nearby Gorewada forest, which, incidentally, has been caught in the trap set for the former on Sunday. This wild leopard has been released in the forest,” zoo director Shatanaik Bhagwat said. Chandni’s corpse was discovered on Monday morning, he said.

COPS SUSPECT RAPE IN MURDERKIDNAPPING CASE

Mumbai: In the kidnapping case of the 22-year-old MBBS student, police now suspect that the woman may have been sexually assaulted before being allegedly killed at Bandra Bandstand. One of the five witnesses reportedly told the cops about overhearing a conversation between the two arrested accused which involved unusual sex and the woman. Despite hinting at evidence, Crime Branch officers have not revealed any details of the case yet.

The student went missing from Bandra Bandstand on November 29, 2021.

Investigators have arrested two accused--Mittu Singh and Abdul Jabbar Ansari— but not invoked murder charges yet.

ONE KILLED, ONE INJURED IN FAMILY FEUD

Mumbai: Three persons were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly murdering a man while injuring another after a fight broke out between two families.

According to the police, Ijaz Supariwala, along with his family showed up to confront Rihan Qureshi over an old fight related to his wife. The altercation soon turned violent, resulting in the death of one person while three others were severely injured. Within the next three hours, three accused were traced and located by the police. However, the family of Ijaz had fled the scene by then.

LOR ISSUED TO 1.6

LAKH HAWKERS

BY CIVIC BODY

Mumbai: The BMC has issued a letter of recommendation (LOR) to 1.16 lakhs hawkers eligible for a loan of Rs10,000 under the “Prime Minister Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi Scheme ‘’ (PM SVANidhi scheme) from any nationalised bank. The amount will be disbursed by cheque at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in Mumbai. The BMC had set up one centre each in the city’s 24 administrative wards. Around 2,301 camps were organised to reach a maximum number of street vendors.

RTOs FINE OVER 1K

AUTORICKSHAW, TAXI DRIVERS

Mumbai: In the last three days, four RTOs in Mumbai have fined 1,011 drivers. Rickshaw-Taxi drivers were given an extension till January 15 to recalibrate the meters of their vehicles after the implementation of new fares. Earlier the deadline for the same was set to be November 30, 2022, but was extended as only 40% of the metres were changed. A penalty of Rs50 per day and a maximum of Rs5,000 is being charged as a part of the penal action.

MLC POLLS: Cong suspends Satyajeet Tambe for 6 yrs

` 300 CR CRYPTO SCAM BUSTED

Jalna (PTI): The police in Jalna district received 101 complaints in one day claiming loss of nearly Rs300 crore in connection with a cryptocurrency scam, said an official on Thursday.

Mumbai: With the state Legislative Council polls drawing ever nearer, the Congress on Thursday suspended Satyajeet Tambe, who rebelled against the party and filed nomination as an independent candidate from the Nashik division graduates’ constituency, for six years.

The move comes days after the Congress sus-

pended Satyajeet’s father and three-time MLC Sudhir Tambe for failing to file his nomination papers, despite having been named as the party’s candidate for the Nashik division graduates’ seat.

“You have rebelled in the Nashik division graduates’ constituency polls of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. This is in violation of party discipline. As per

Shinde faction MLA slams Aaditya for road works claims

Mumbai: After Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that good quality roads are being built in the city to provide relief to Mumbaikars, Thackeray faction MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticized the work of these roads claiming that there is corruption in it. Reacting to his statement, MLA Bharat Gogaawle has said that Aaditya Thackeray as a person still has time to mature.

“Aaditya Thackeray should have understood what he failed to do. Road works have not even started, and how did they see corruption? Bills will be made once the work begins,” said Gogawle.

Thackeray should first look at what he has done before criticizing and insulting others. You had the municipality in your hands for so many years and Uddhav Thackeray was the

chief minister of the state. So at that time, did someone stop you from doing development work? Has it ever happened that you started a job and someone went to court? asked the Sena (Shinde faction) leader.

On being asked about Sanjay Raut’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating projects Sena laid the foundation stones of, Gogawale said, “When was the foundation laid? Tell me in chronological order. After laying the foundation, what was done next? Nothing.”

the orders of the state president Nana Patole, you have been suspended from the party for six years,” Maharashtra Congress general secretary Devanand Pawar wrote to Satyajeet Tambe on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Patole announced the names of five candidates whom the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which comprises the Congress, Nationalist

Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT), will back and expressed confidence that they will win the polls.

The term of five members of the Legislative Council two from the Graduates’ and three from the Teachers’ constituencies is expiring on February 07. Voting to elect new members of the Upper House will be held on January 30 and

counting will be taken up on February 02.

After flip-flops and a lack of coordination, Shiv Sena - UBT leader Ambadas Danve and NCP's Jitendra Awhad jointly addressed the press conference with Patole. “He (Satyajeet Tambe) is in the fray and has started campaigning. He will be suspended today,” Patole had said at a press conference earlier in the day.

A man approached the city police on Tuesday against one Kiran Kharat and his wife Dipti Kharat alleging that the couple had persuaded him to invest in “GDC” crypto promising high returns but he suffered losses, said the official.

Sensing that there could be many more like him, the Jalna police on Wednesday issued a public notice asking people to file complaints if they had lost money in the scheme promoted by the Kharat couple.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhagwan Funde, said 101 people from across the district

approached them in just one day. Police sources said the department suspects the scam could run up to Rs700 crore with about 10,000 investors. Funde said the case has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which will freeze the accounts of the Kharat couple that comes from a politically connected family.

The case also took a political turn after the police booked former state-level cricketer, Vijay Zol, who had apparently invested about Rs10 crore in the “GDC” digital currency.

Sex abuse scandal: ‘Singh should resign’

Mumbai (PTI): The Nationalist Congress Party on Thursday demanded the resignation of Wresting Federation of India president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually exploiting women wrestlers for years, a charge vehemently rejected by the sports administrator.

Top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and many other grapplers are on a silent sit-in in New Delhi for the second day

First India Bureau

Washim: The crop insurance company has cheated the farmers of the district as despite paying the premium, the farmers are being provided minimal help. Commenting on the matter, Ravikant Tupkar, leader of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana alleged that the government does not have time to talk about the issue of farmers but are more concerned about actor

A crop insurance rights march was organized by Swabhimani Shetkar Sangathan at Risod to demand crop insurance compensation for the farmers of the Washim district.

While leading the farmers, Tupkar said that after Eknath Shinde became the chief minister, farmers’ suicides should have stopped, however, they have increased in West Vidarbha after Shinde took charge.

Tupkar also warned the government that if crop insurance compensation is not paid to the farmers, the “office of the crop insurance company in Mumbai would be destroyed.”

SPECIAL PERMISSION

tar in Delhi to seek justice for themselves for all the wrongdoings

against them by the Wrestling Federation of India,” Clyde Crasto, NCP's national

spokesperson, said in a statement. Although the sports ministry has asked WFI to respond to the wrestlers on the allegations levelled by them, it is not enough, said Crasto.

“The President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh should also step down, pending enquiry because if he stays and continues in that position, there are chances that he could influence this inquiry,” he said.

Palghar: Officials have rejected allegations from activists in Palghar district, who on Thursday said that the recent deaths of two children aged between four and 11 months was caused by malnutrition.

The deaths took place on December 30 and January 11 in predominantly tribal Mokhada taluka here, activists said. The children died of severe pneumonia and septicaemia, said

HC allows use of Cross Maidan for Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

lll

Non-sporting events are not typically allowed at the venue, since it is officially a playground, as per the development plan of the city

Mumbai: In relief to the Kala Ghoda Association (KGA), the Bombay High Court on Thursday allowed the nine-day Kala Ghoda Arts Festival to be held at Cross Maidan in south Mumbai but stipulated that no refreshment and commercial stalls could be set up at the public ground.

A division bench of Justices RD Dhanuka and MM Sathaye heard the application filed by the KGA seeking permission to use Cross Maidan to display art

installations and hold performances February 04-12.

During hearing of a public interest litigation, which opposed non-sporting activities in the open space, the HC had in 2017 directed the Mumbai Collector to not allot Cross Maidan to any third party without its permission. This was because the Maidan is a playground as per the development plan of the city.

In its petition, the association claimed that the festival was not for profit and that a nominal fee is charged for

entities to set up their stalls. The entry to the festival is also free of

cost, said the organisers, adding that they were in the process of

The court allowed the application and said it was doing so only on the condition that the association would submit an undertaking that it would not erect commercial and refreshment stalls at the Maidan. The association agreed to adhere to the condition.

obtaining permissions from the civic body, police and the Collector.

The Kala Ghoda precinct in south Mumbai houses a number of institutions like the Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, and Bombay Natural History Society.

First India Bureau

Son of party veteran Sudhir Tambe filed nomination as independent after his father stepped aside for his benefit

Satyajeet Tambe Sudhir Tambe

‘ALL 5 MVA CANDIDATES WILL WIN’

First India Bureau

The Kala Ghoda area in south Mumbai houses a number of institutions of artistic and cultural importance.

First India Bureau

Cottage Hospital medical superintendent Dr Ramdas Marad. However, activist Sheetal Gharat said the administration was trying to cover up the malnutrition in the area by giving such reasons,

DID MALNUTRITION COST TWO INFANTS THEIR LIVES?

First India Bureau

against WFI and its chief Singh. “Women wrestlers

who have won laurels for our country are protesting at Jantar Man-

meted

Grapplers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and others addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Bharat Gogawale

BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Uorfi Javed’s clothes.

‘Govt not worried for farmers, but what Uorfi Javed wears’

Cops bust medical college admission racket

First India Bureau

Thane: Navi Mumbai

police claimed to have busted a big racket cheating students to the tune of Rs3.30 crore under the pretext of facilitating admission in med -

ical colleges and have arrested five persons in this connection. The accused had cheated students from Navi Mumbai town in Thane district, neighbouring Mumbai, Gujarat and other places, Milind Bharambe, Police Commissioner, Navi Mumbai said.

The gang members, operating for the last

students getting less marks in the pre-medical National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and offer them admission in medical colleges by charging a hefty amount, he said.

The accused persons claimed to have influence in the management of seven prominent medical colleges in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and also produced fabricated admission letters before the victims to gain their confidence and get money in cash or through the digital mode, the official said.

They used to get the details of students from the websites where they had applied for admissions, he said.

The accused would take the students to the medical colleges and the office of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to show their influence and get them fake admission let-

ters, the official said.

Bharambe said the police got the first complaint when the accused allegedly cheated a student from Chhattisgarh and took Rs33.5 lakh from her by promising to get her admission in a medical college in Nerul area of Navi Mumbai. The accused also gave her a fake admission letter, he said.

The Nerul police registered an offence in this connection. They worked on various intelligence and technical inputs and nabbed the five accused, identified as Saurabh Krishna Upadyaya (39), Iftekar Ahmed Mustaq Ahmed alias Abhay Singh alias

The gang members, operating for the last five to seven years, would contact students getting less marks in the premedical National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and offer them admission in medical colleges by charging a hefty amount.

—Milind Bharambe, Police Commissioner, Navi Mumbai

Gautam (31) (both from Noida), Lav Avadkishore Gupta (35), hailing from Mumbai, Akib Naushad Ahmed (28) and Abhijyat Radhesyam Singh (41), both from Ghaziabad, he said.

Fraudster rips off student of ` 21 lakh

Thane (PTI): Police in Thane have registered a case against three persons for allegedly cheating an aspiring medical student of more than Rs21 lakh, an official said on Thursday. A complaint in this connection was lodged by the victim’s father, a welder, at the Kapurbawdi police station on Wednesday, he said.

“The victim, who has cleared her Class 12 exam with 95 per cent marks, aspired to pursue an MBBS course. She came across a career consultancy firm, which had its office at Kapurbawdi. When victim approached firm, its operators promised to arrange for her admission for which

Victim came across a career consultancy firm, which asked her to arrange money

they quoted certain fees,” an official said. They assured her that she would get admission to a Bengalurubased medical institute. On that promise, they demanded money from her on several occasions with the collective amount of Rs21,41,800, he said.

Side hustle: Cabbie held for ‘renting’ bank accts to online fraudsters

Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Thursday quashed a 2008 case filed by actor Priyanka Chopra against her former secretary Prakash Jaju on charges of criminal intimidation and insulting the modesty of a woman after both the parties told the court they have amicably resolved their dispute.

Chopra appeared before the division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and PK Chavan via video conference on Thursday. She said she had no objection for the case to be quashed.

The bench then quashed the first information report (FIR) and directed Jaju to deposit a sum of Rs50,000 towards the Maharashtra police welfare fund within a period of two weeks.

Jaju’s advocate Shyam Dewani told the court that the parties have resolved their dispute and hence no purpose would be served in keeping the case pending. In the petition filed

Charges were filed over criminal intimidation & outraging modesty of woman; both the parties told court they have amicably resolved the dispute

in December 2022, Jaju sought for the FIR lodged against him by Chopra in 2008 to be quashed as they (Jaju and Chopra) have amicably settled the dispute. According to the petition, Jaju was working as Chopra’s secretary from 2001 to 2004.

VIDARBHA

First India Bureau Mumbai: A speeding truck collided with a van on the MumbaiGoa highway killing 10 people. The incident happened in the Raigad district on Thursday morning, police said. The victims, all relatives, were residents of Hedvi village in Guhagar. They were going towards their home in Ratnagiri district, when around 4.45 am a truck hit their vehicle head-on, Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge said. Ten people were killed, including a 12-year-old girl and three women, and a four-year-old boy who succumbed to injuries at a hospital, offi cials said. After be ing alerted, police rushed to the spot and started the rescue op eration. The truck driver, aged 48, was ar rested and an FIR was registered against him under rele vant provi sions, an official said.

2 killed, 30 injured as bus overturns Mumbai (PTI): A luxury bus going from Pune to Goa overturned in Sindhudurg district on Thursday, two persons were killed and 30 others received injuries in the accident, an official said. The accident took place at around 5.30 am when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle during a sharp turn near the Gad river bridge in Kankavli, located 480 km from the state capital Mumbai, an official said. Out of the 36 passengers on board, two were killed and 30 others were injured. All the injured persons were rushed to the civil hospital in Kankavli for treatment, he said.

Bus destroyed in fire, passengers safe

Thane (PTI): A bus operated by the Navi Mumbai civic body, caught fire while going to Kalyan in Thane district on Thursday, All 20 passengers on board narrowly escaped with their lives in the accident, an official said. “The bus was on its way from Navi Mumbai to Kalyan when the blaze erupted. The driver of the bus noticed it and raised an alarm, following which all 20 passengers stepped out immediately and escaped unhurt,” said Yogesh Kaduskar, chief fire officer of the Navi Mumbai

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A 26-year-old cab driver has been arrested by the Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) for allegedly providing bank accounts on rent to online fraudsters. The accused has been identified as Shobha Mandal. During investigation, the police came to know that he opened more than 16 bank accounts in Mumbai, mostly in Dharavi, Mahim and Matunga.

According to the GRP, Mandal hails from Jharkhand, lived in Dharavi and was a cab driver. The officials were investigating an online fraud case that was registered in the month of July last year where an unknown fraudster allegedly duped 23-yearold Virar resident Roshan Singh of Rs44,000 on the pretext

of updating the KYC of his bank account.

Singh, working in an insurance company, was on the way to office in Kandivali when he received a message with a link on mobile and asked to update KYC otherwise his account would be blocked.

He clicked the link and filled in the required details. He later received an OTP and when he entered it, two messages of a transfer of Rs44,715 from his bank account popped in.

NAGPUR BLUES

With this Vidarbha defended the lowest score --73-- successfully in first-class cricket in India. It bettered Bihar’s 78 against Delhi in Jamshedpur way back in the 1948-49 season.

again running through their line-up with stunning figures of 15.3-617-6 to complement his first innings 5/64.

First India Bureau

Nagpur: Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate grabbed a match haul of 11 wickets as Vidarbha pipped Gujarat by 18 runs, on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Group D match at Jamtha here.

At a venue where India’s opening Test against Australia is slated to be played in less than a month’s time, the match witnessed 15 wickets tumbling on day one, followed by 16 on the next day.

The Ranji Trophy game was played on a side pitch, while the

Test would be played on one of the centre strips.

Chasing a paltry 73, Gujarat resumed their second essay on six for one as they were shot out for 54 inside 31 overs on the third day with Sarwate once

Sarwate, who returned with a careerbest match haul of 11/81, was complemented well by another leftarm spinner in Harsh Dubey (9-1-11-3).

Siddharth Desai, who batted at number three, was the only Gujarat batter to reach a doubledigit score (18) and was dismissed by a run-out.

Gujarat notched 256 in their first innings taking a first innings

lead of 182 runs.

Vidarbha put up a strong fight in their second essay with Jitesh Sharma leading the show with a 53-ball 69, while number 9 batter Nachiket Bhute also contributed a significant 42 off 66 balls. A win seemed like a formality for the visitors with a small target of 73. But Sarwate had other ideas as Gujarat batters fell like nine pins on an eventful third day as Vidarbha bagged six points from the match to move to joint-second place with Punjab.

5 persons have been arrested for allegedly duping people of a whopping `3.90 crore

EVEN REACHED GOVT BODY TO LOOK LEGIT

ONLY BATSMAN

lowest score in India

The accused opened more than 16 bank accounts in Mumbai, mostly in Dharavi and Matunga

Priyanka’s FIR against ex-secy quashed in HC

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

WOMEN GRAPPLERS DESERVE JUSTICE IN THEIR BOUT AGAINST WFI CHIEF

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

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

ADETUNJI The writer is Editor, The Conversation UK

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

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

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

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

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

FRAGMENTED OPPN CHARGES AT BJP

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

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

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

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

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

The participants included Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Min-

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

JACINDA ARDERN’S REPLACEMENT COULD BE KNOWN WITHIN DAYS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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

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

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

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

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

TOP TWEETS

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

MAHENG/2022/14652

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Editor-In-Chief: Dr Jagdeesh Chandra

Editor: Kartikey Dev Singh responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

Amit Shah @AmitShah

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

Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

Buddha

A GAME CHANGING MOVE BEFORE THE ELECTION

JO

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

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

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

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

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

New

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AIADMK demands explanation from TN govt on health scheme

Chennai (Agencies):

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

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

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

The Bihar CM’s comments come a day after

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ANURAG THAKUR SAYS...

er this month.

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

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

“Education getting digitized in villages”

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

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

Thakur said that issues related to employment, migration and

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

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

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

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

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

Rahul Gandhi-led foot march enters J&K

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

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

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

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

FAROOQ ABDULLAH RECEIVES BJY

Lakhanpur:

RAHUL TRAINS GUNS AT BJP, RSS KHARGE JOINS BJY IN PATHANKOT

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

❍

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

CALCUTTA HC RUCKUS ISSUE

Mamata slams BCI for sending probe team

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

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

she questioned.

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

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

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

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

THE COURTYARD

“SPECIAL PLAYERS DESERVE EQUALITY”

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

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

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

have to be treated equally and cannot be discriminated against each other. Court was dealing with petitions by four sportspersons having 100% speech and hearing disability.

First India Bureau

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

of the penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

New Delhi: The New Delhi district consumer disputes redressal commission has directed online travel company Make My Trip to pay over Rs 35,000 to a man, who had made a booking in a resort but found it locked, for deficiency in services. The commission was hearing a complaint which acccused Make My Trip application for being deficient in services.

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Centre to take a decision on extending certain benefits available to para-sportspeople to deaf athletes as well while observing the two

TN Guv sues suspended DMK man after controversial remark

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. —FILE PHOTO

Do

—Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal

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

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

India to bail out debt-ridden neighbour

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

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

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

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

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

CRUCIAL READ

2 LEOPARD SKINS SEIZED IN SEPARATE CASE IN

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

‘FOOD POISONING’: EATERY’S HEAD COOK ARRESTED

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

1 KILLED IN TAMIL NADU FIREWORKS FACTORY BLAST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INDIA TO BOOST SPORTS INFRA IN MALDIVES: EAM

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

“INDIA FUNDING 45 INFRA PROJECTS IN MALDIVES”

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

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREZ CSABA KOROSI TO VISIT INDIA

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

Keeping watch on situation: Dhami

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

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

MIGHTY SWORD!

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

MAN BURNT TO DEATH IN GURUGRAM FLAT

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

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

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

Dr Ahtesham Siddiqui

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

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

Meanwhile, IAS Ara-

vind Mallappa Bangari has been made the new DM of Muzaffarnagar.

Prior to the new appointment, Bangari was posted in Western Electric Supply Nigam from 11 October 2019 as its MD.

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

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

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

Yeti Airlines crash: Report hints failure to deploy full flaps

Kathmandu (PTI):

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

CAQM ADVISORY

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

LAND SUBSIDENCE HITS BIZ DREAMS

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

Gadkari inspects A’bad-Dholera Expressway work

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

Birla bats for joint efforts to address global issues

HUGE FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HYDERABAD HIGH-RISE

BUILDING

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

Use of coal stands completely banned in NCR

First India Bureau

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

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

Moreover, the Com-

—Pic for representational purpose only

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

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

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

Statutory directions

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

ODISHA’S TRIBAL DOMINATED DISTRICTS

DELHI GOVT SCHOOLTEACHER STABBED BY STUDENT; JUVENILE ACCUSED DETAINED

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

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

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

NOW, CRACKS IN GMVN GUEST HOUSE

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

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

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

—PHOTO BY VIJAYKUMAR HARISHCHANDRE

EAM

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

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

INDIA AIMS TO BECOME

Key semiconductor supplier for world

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

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

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

TOP TALKING POINTS

z

z

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

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

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

SBI CHIEF KHARA SAID

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

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

pand financial inclusion,” Khara said.

INDIA BETTER OFF THAN MANY

ECONOMIES,

SAYS GOPINATH

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

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

z

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

BUDGET WISHLIST

Pharmaceutical and healthcare industry seek simplified regulations

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

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

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

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

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

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

IRF SEEKS REMOVAL OF GST ON HELMETS

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

going to be huge,” he added.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

60,858.43. During the day, it tumbled 329.19 points or 0.53% to 60,716.55.

The broader NSE Nifty dipped 57.50 points or 0.32% to end at 18,107.85.

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

Doing my utmost to ensure FTA with India: Scholz

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

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

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CONFIRMS

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

RUPEE FALLS 7 PAISE TO CLOSE AT 81.37

AGAINST US DOLLAR

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

OTHER STORIES

IFFCO, AMUL, NAFED, KRIBHCO, NCDC TO PROMOTE NATIONAL EXPORT COOP SOCIETY

gotiations last year with India for a Free Trade Agreement.

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

Adani group has no plans for telecom sec

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

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

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

cost services since its debut in 2016.

“We have no plans or ambitions in telecom,”

STAYING FAR AWAY

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

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

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

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

LEASING OF RETAIL

EIGHT CITIES

3.9 million square feet across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. —PTI

DOMESTIC PASSENGER TRAFFIC GROWS 13.69%

TO 127.35 LAKH IN DECEMBER 2022: DGCA

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

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

MARUTI SUZUKI

BEGINS EXPORTS OF GRAND VITARA

GOLD PRICES FALL BY `52; SILVER ALSO SEES A DIP OF `850

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

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

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

BUSY DAY FOR PM IN MUMBAI

z Launched Mumbai metro lines 2A and 7 worth `12,600 crore

z Launched MUMBAI 1 Mobile App

z Launched National Common Mobility Card (Mumbai 1)

z Launched 400km road concretization project worth `6,100 crore

z Launched 20 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhanas

z Laid foundation stone for 7 sewage treatment plants cumulatively worth `17,200 crore

z Laid foundation stone for `1,800 crore redevelopment of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

z Laid foundation stone for redevelopment of Bhandup Multispeciality Municipal Hospital, Siddharth Nagar Hospital, Goregaon (West) and Oshiwara Maternity Home

z Started transfer of approved loans of over one lakh beneficiaries under PM SVANidhi Yojana

Big dreams, courage to realize them’

COPS ASK OFFICES TO RELIEVE STAFF EARLY FOR PM’S VISIT

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that for the first time since Independence, “New India” has big dreams and the courage to realise them.

Addressing the public in Mumbai after launching Rs38,000 crore worth of infrastructure projects, Modi said there was a “long period” of the last century that was lost discussing poverty and seeking help from foreigners. “Many cities across India are going to power the growth story of the country,” he said. "Therefore, making Mumbai futureready is one of the commitments of the double-

engine government," he added.

Mumbai will be transformed in the next few years, he said.

While the world’s biggest economies are in turmoil, India continues to provide free rations to 80 crore people, Modi said.

Amid the global slowdown, India continues

to invest in infrastructure which shows its commitment towards being a developed nation, the PM said.

Earlier, the money meant for the welfare of the poor used to be embezzled by middlemen, he said. “In the last eight years, we have removed this approach, and are moving with

Several cities across India are going to power the growth story of India. Therefore, making Mumbai future-ready is one of the commitments of the doubleengine government. The duo of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will help people realize their dreams.

Sad to see Modi is BJP’s only big leader: NCP’s Supriya Sule

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule expressed concern about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Mumbai on Thursday.

Sule remarked that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) did not have another leader like Modi to field in elections.

“As PM Modi has come to Maharashtra, we welcome him. Big leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Arun Jaitley, Yashwant Sinha, and Sushma

Swaraj have been seen in the BJP. But today, the party does not have leaders like them. (I am) sad to see this. Also, in every election, BJP has no other leader or alternative except Narendra Modi,” she said.

Meanwhile, state Congress unit chief Nana Patole alleged that PM Modi did bare-

ly any work in the last nine years.

“In the last nine years, Modi did nothing except campaign for the BJP. Why do farmers commit suicide in the state? Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and the state exchequer is being looted through advertisements,” Patole said.

futuristic thinking by increasing spending on modern infrastructure,” he said.

Maharashtra’s infrastructure development acquired speed after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis assumed office, he said.

Modi inaugurated Mumbai Metro lines 2A

The role of local bodies in the development of Mumbai is huge. There is no dearth of budget, just the money for the development of Mumbai should be spent at the right place. If that money is used for corruption, then how will the future of Mumbai be bright? This city yearns for development... This is not acceptable in the 21st century.

Traffic jams mark PM’s visit

Mumbai (PTI): Motorists faced heavy traffic jams in parts of suburban Mumbai on Thursday afternoon due to curbs imposed on movement of vehicles and diversion of routes in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

Heavy traffic snarls were observed at BKC (Bandra-Kurla Complex), Santacruz, Vakola and Andheri areas in the western suburbs, an official said.

Entry of heavy vehicles on key roads, including Western Express Highway, was banned from noon to 9 pm. The traffic police also made other arrangements to ensure hassle-free movement of vehicles on Western Expressway, Eastern Expressway and several arterial roads as a large number of people were expected to travel to BKC, the site of the main event on Thursday.

and 7, comprising a 35km long elevated corridor stretching from Andheri to Dahisar.

He also inaugurated 20 Aapla Davakhana health clinics named after Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

Later in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted his thanks to the PM.

Mumbai (PTI): In the wake of traffic restrictions in Bandra Kurla Complex, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in an event on Thursday evening, police advised offices and establishments in the area to allow their employees to leave early, an official said. The police also asked the establishments in the area to report immediately about any suspicious activity by a person, suspicious emails, or any other such cyber incident including hacking, he said. In view of the advisory, some of the offices permitted their employees

to leave after 12 noon. The police also issued instructions to offices situated in the area to provide a list of security personnel in their premises and also conduct their verification, the official said. The police also asked the establishments to check if their CCTVs were working properly..

According to police, flying activities, including use of drones, paragliders, and remote-controlled microlight aircraft, will not be allowed under the limits of police stations at BKC and nearby areas in Mumbai from noon till midnight in view of the PM's visit.

Mumbai and all of us are very grateful to Hon PM @narendramodiji for your support & gracing this momentous occasion and motivating us to work even harder to turn into reality the dream of all infra and facilities which Mumbai deserves & has been waiting for since decades! #MumbaiOnFastTrack

—DEVENDRA FADNAVIS @Dev_Fadnavis

Double-engine government is committed to giving better amenities to the poorest of the poor. So, even railway stations are being developed on the lines of airports. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, one the oldest railway stations, is being redeveloped. We plan to make it a multimodel hub with buses, taxis, and autos under one roof.

In our cities, for the first time, we started a scheme for street vendors, hand carts, street vendors, who are an important part of the city’s economy. We ensured cheap and collateral-free loans from banks for these small traders.

The double-engine government is committed to giving better amenities to the poorest of the poor. Dharavi redevelopment is the state government’s commitment.

Guv releases Marathi edition of PM’s book Exam Warriors

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Governor Bhagat Singh Koshy ari on Thursday re leased a new Marathi edition of the book “Exam Warriors” au thored by Prime Min ister Narendra Modi.

The governor ad dressed students and teachers at an event at Raj Bhavan, and appealed to them to become fearless and face the examination with preparedness.

Referring to PM Modi’s words, he asked the students to explore and understand “Incred ible India”. He also urged them to visit

PM takes a ride on new Mumbai Metro line

The PM had inaugurated lines 2A & 7 earlier in the day, during an event in Mumbai’s BKC

Mumbai (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in a Metro train in Mumbai on Thursday.

He travelled from Gundavali to Mogra stations and interacted with a group of youngsters, women and Metro Rail workers. These two stations are part of the Metro line 7

Phase 2, which he inaugurated earlier.

Mumbai Metro Rail lines 2A and 7 built at a cost of around Rs12,600 crore, comprise a 35km elevated corridor stretching from Andheri to Dahisar in suburban Mumbai. The 18.6km Metro line 2A connects suburban Dahisar (East) with the 16.5kmlong D N Nagar (yellow line), while Metro line 7 joins Andheri (East) with Dahisar (East).

Modi laid the foundation stone for these lines in 2015.

Shivneri, Raigad and Sinhgad forts as also modern monuments like the Statue of Unity, and draw inspiration from the lives of great leaders.

Koshyari also asked Kesarkar to make copies of the book, published by the National Book Trust, available in all school libraries in the state.

Minister of School Education and Marathi Language

Deepak Kesarkar, Principal Secretary School Education Ranjit Singh Deol, and several principals, teachers and students were present.

First India Bureau

PM Modi, flanked by CM Shinde and Dy CM FAdnavis, waves to the crowd in Mumbai.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Maharashtra’s infrastructure devt picked up speed after CM Shinde, Dy CM Fadnavis took office, PM says

Nana Patole

Supriya Sule

PM Modi was accompanied on his train ride by CM Shinde and Dy CM Fadnavis on Thursday.

PM Modi with CM Shinde, Dy CM Fadnavis and others at the launch of development projects and transfer of benefits under PM-SVANidhi, in Mumbai on Thursday.

PHOTO BY PTI

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

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

economically weak.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Darling’

Filmfare-winning song

from the movie 7 Khoon Maaf.

Usha Uthup

Shashi Tharoor

—PHOTOS BY MUKESH KIRADOO & SUNIL SHARMA

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

Katherine Rundell during Biographers’ Ball session

The Launch of Dr Purohit’s Book Rediscovering Mewar

MRIDUL BHASIN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE PERFECT AMALGAMATION

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

Well played: from here to eternity

BY DR RAJEEV BAGARHATTA

MRIDULA SHARMA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

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

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

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

and unheard of.

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

However, writing about

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

The Queen of Indian Pop

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

a

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

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

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

LOVE BEYOND EMOTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

music production house, Lifafa.

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

is an amalgamation of Indian cultural heritage and its vibrant nature!

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

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

MITALI DUSAD mitalidusad01@gmail.com

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

Kannada

SALONI KHANDELWAL cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

ANANT & RADHIKA GET ENGAGED IN AN EXTRAVAGANT CEREMONY

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani got engaged today in a ceremony at the Ambani residence in Mumbai. According to a statement released by the family, The Ambanis, along with their close friends and family, were in attendance for the occasion.

Apart from the rituals, the family members also performed a surprise dance number, led by Nita Ambani.

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

“Age-old traditions such as the Gol Dhana and Chunari Vidhi – followed since

generations among Gujarati Hindu families were conducted with great enthusiasm in the family temple,” the Ambanis said in a statement. The evening’s festivities started with

members of the Ambani family, led by Anant’s sister Isha Ambani going to the Merchant residence to invite them and Radhika to the evening’s functions. Next, the couple and the

families headed to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna. The main functions began with an auspicious Ganesh puja. Radhika was wearing a stunning gold embellished lehen-

ga and Anant was seen donning a deep blue traditional kurta for the occasion. The rest of the family, too, were decked in shades of gold and blue. The dance performance by the Ambani family wowed the crowd who cheered them on. After the festivity and rituals, the couple exchanged rings among good wishes and blessings from the gathering.

Anant Ambani, will

lead the company’s new energy business. Reliance is vying to be at the forefront of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition to ramp up green energy capacity. The couple has known each other for several years now, and are slated to get married in the coming months. Anant is the son of Nita and Mukesh Ambani, and has been part of the Reliance industries family in various capacities. He studied at Brown University in the USA and currently leads the energy business of RIL. Radhika studied at New York University and is the daughter of Shaila and Viren Merchant. She is a Director on the Board of Encore Healthcare.

GREETINGS!

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

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

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

sented copies of his books 'Intervention' and 'Nazariya'.

Shahid finds a new Tenant in Kartik

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan’s hunt for a house in Mumbai has come to an end. The actor has found a new apartment in Juhu, which is owned by actor Shahid Kapoor. He used to live in the apartment until last year’s September, after which he shifted to his new palatial du-

plex overlooking the Bandra-Worli sea link, along with his wife Mira Kapoor and two children, Misha and Zain.

The apartment that Shahid has rented to Kartik for Rs 7.5 lakh is spread over 3,681 sq ft on the ground floor and basement. The actor had bought that house before tying the knot with Mira.

Awarding Journalism Par Excellence

The Expandable Awards 2023 was held for its fourth season. Touted as one of the most prestigious honours in the entertainment and journalism world. The Best of Bollywood and Television were present at the event to present the touted trophy to the journalist. Prominent names like Manoj Bajpayee, Rasika Duggal, and many more celebs graced the event with their presence. Ashish Tiwari a celebrated name in the field of Journalism who now stands strong as the Managing Editor ( Entertainment ) of First India Group with no doubt has brought a revolution in the world of media with his unfiltered interviews and conversations with our favourite celebrities add-

ahead to carve his name on the trophy of Expandable Awards 2023 for the most stylish Journalist of the year. Ashish currently heads A channel with a vision to be the best Media Agency by using their insights, experience, expertise, and creativity Bharat 24.

meeting,

Vidyut Jamwal might act tough, and beat goons to a pulp. But in real life, he is a charmer and possesses a heart of gold. Yes, the reason why we are saying it is because his recent gesture towards his fan has impressed us and many others. the actor leaves no stone behind when it comes to being vocal about others.

Recently in an exclusive conversation with Ashish Tiwari, Vidyut Jamwal opened up on his plans for all the actors who come from a small town but are waiting for that one break. Vidyut said, "I have been thinking about getting that one break a lot and after where I am today I have realised why not open our own production house and give these opportunities to someone who is

worth it but doesn't get that break we want. I have opened my own produc

right now."

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Bharat Express News Network

Chairman Upendra Rai met Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday. During this

senior journalist Upendra Rai presented the vision document of the soon to be launched Bharat Express news channel. Along with this, he also discussed about the future plans of the channel.

Shahid Kapoor

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

Bride Radhika Merchant and Groom Anant Ambani

Ashish Tiwari receiving the award...

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

Bride Radhika Merchant and Groom Anant Ambani and Nita Ambani

The lavish decor at Ambani house