First India-Mumbai Edition-20th February 2023

RAHUL CHAIRS MEETING OF THE PARTY LEADERS IN KASHMIR

Kashmir: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday chaired a meeting of party leaders of Kashmir and slammed BJP for the ongoing eviction drive in J&K and termed it as a deliberate move by BJP to divert the attention of the people from real issues.

MAHA CM SHINDE THANKS MODI, SHAH FOR SUPPORT

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for supporting him in forming the government. “Narendra Modi is the number one leader not only in India but, the world,” he said.

2000 CR DEAL `

TO 'PURCHASE' SHIV SENA DEAL NAME AND SYMBOL, SAYS RAUT

The Rajya Sabha member said his claim was backed by proof which he would disclose soon

First India Bureau Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay

Raut on Sunday claimed a “deal of Rs 2000 crore” has taken place so far to “purchase” the Shiv Sena party name and its ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, two days after the Election Commission allotted them to the group led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Raut in a tweet claimed the Rs 2,000 crore was a preliminary figure, and that this was 100 per cent true.

He also told reporters that a builder close to the ruling dispensa-

I

tion shared this information with him.

The Rajya Sabha member said his claim was backed by proof which he would disclose soon.

Raut on Sunday said Rs 2,000 crore is not a small amount to “purchase” the name Shiv Sena.

“The EC’s decision is a deal,” he alleged. “I have reliable information that there has been a deal of Rs 2000 crore to get the Shiv Sena name and its symbol. This is a preliminary figure and is 100 per cent true. Many things will be revealed shortly. Never before this has happened in the country’s history,” Raut tweeted.

However, BJP leader Mungantiwar said such comments were an attempt to malign independent institutions like the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India.

People will teach a

Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61)

A SNEAK PEEK INTO PM MODI’S SUNDAY TWEETS...

PM NARENDRA MODI CONDOLES TDP LEADER NANDAMURI RATNA’S DEMISE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the passing away of Nandamuri Taraka Ratna, the grandson of legendary film actor and former AP CM late N T Rama Rao. “Pained by the untimely demise of Shri Nandamuri Taraka Ratna Garu. He made a mark for himself in the world of films and entertainment. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” PM Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by his office.

lesson to those who make such comments which disrespect democracy, he said.

‘’Hope better sense prevails,” he added. Legislator Sada Sarvankar from camp led by Shinde dismissed the claim and asked, “Is Sanjay Raut a cashier?”

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar also hit back at Raut saying such baseless comments were an attempt to malign independent institutions like the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, to a ques

IS SANJAY RAUT A CASHIER?: SADA BJP LEADER SUDHIR HITS BACK AT RAUT

MLA Sada Sarvankar from the Sena camp led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was quick to dismiss the allegations by Sanjay Raut. “Is Sanjay Raut a cashier?” Sarvankar dismissed the claim and asked on Sunday.

Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar also hit back at Raut saying such baseless comments were an attempt to malign independent institutions like the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India.

DON’T WANT TO GET INVOLVED: SHARAD

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he has clarified his stand on the Election Commission’s decision to recognise Eknath Shinde-led faction as the real ‘Shiv Sena’ and allocation of the ‘bow and arrow’ poll symbol to it, and will not get involved in the controversy over it.

current chief minister has no right to take

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s name.” Shah on Saturday said those who chose to “lick the soles” of site ideologies have found which side truth was on after harashtra CM Eknath Shinde as

HM AMIT SHAH SOUNDS LOK SABHA POLL BUGLE IN MAHA

Pune: Sounding the bugle for Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress saying that the UPA regime left the country in a mess, riddled with corruption and multiple security issues.

Be cautious, what happened to Shiv Sena can happen to you too: Uddhav Thackeray

First India Bureau Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said all political parties need to open their eyes and remain cautious in wake of Election Commission’s decision of recognising faction led by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde as real Shiv Sena. “What has happened to Shiv Sena, how we have been treated, can happen to you too. All parties should keep their eyes open and be cautious,” Thackeray said during an interaction with members of north Indian community here.

“You want my father’s face, but not his son. I was ready to come along. If you ditch me when I wanted to implement a promise given to my father, what should I do?” he asked while targeting the BJP.

“I never wanted to be a chief minister, but was asked by Congress and NCP to take over because otherwise a government could not have been formed. Had BJP honoured the com-

DELHI EXCISE POLICY CASE

Busy in budget preps: Sisodia; CBI accepts request for time

India’s wildlife diversity has received a boost with 12 cheetahs arriving in Madhya Pradesh from South Africa.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi

@narendramodi

I pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. His courage and emphasis on good governance inspires us.

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Citing budget duties, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to defer his questioning till the last week of February. Following that, the CBI accepted the request seeking more time to join the probe. The CBI will now issue a fresh summon to Sisodia with a new date to join the investigation.

12 cheetahs brought to India from South Africa, you read it on February 19, 2023.

Manish Sisodia speaks to the media in New Delhi on Sunday.

I have always cooperated with them and will continue to do so. This time, however, is crucial for the budget, each day is important, and a disturbance can affect budget preparations and this is why I have sought more time.

—Manish Sisodia, Delhi Deputy CM

What has happened to Shiv Sena, how we have been treated, can happen to you too. All parties should keep their eyes open and be cautious. I never wanted to be a chief minister, but was asked by Congress and NCP to take over because otherwise a government could not have been formed. Had BJP honoured the commitment given, both Shiv Sena and BJP would have got their chief ministers for two-and-a-half years each.

—Uddhav Thackeray, Former Maharashtra CM

mitment given, both Shiv Sena and BJP would have got their chief ministers for twoand-a-half years each,” he said.

Those who want to leave can go, but they should merge with another party. However, they want to throw me

out of my house and take it over, he alleged. My father groomed these people and Shiv Sainiks supported them. But now they want to become owners and our institutions are such that they have made a thief the owner of the house, he said.

BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY

Indian bowler Ravindra Jadeja celebrates with teammates after the wicket of Australian batter Matthew Kuhnemann at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis mocks Uddhav over

WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO MAKE LIFE IN LADAKH EASY: PM

Modi asserted that his govt will leave no stone unturned to make life easier for people of Ladakh. He made the comment tagging a tweet by Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in which he said Modi govt approved `1,681.51 crore for 4.1-kmlong tunnel to be completed by 2025 to provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.

Actor-politician Nandamuri Taraka no more Bengaluru/Amaravati: The Telugu film industry and the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh were left in shock and mourning as news broke of the sudden demise of actor-politician Nandamuri Taraka Ratna. The grandson of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and legendary

actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao and Jr NTR’s cousin, Taraka Ratna passed away at the age of 39 due to cardiac arrest on Saturday. Taraka was taking part in a procession called the Yuvagalam Padayatra of TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh in Chittoor (Andhra Pradesh).

Sena split after alliance with NCP, Congress

Shiv Sena can’t be a property, it is a school of thought, Fadnavis said

First India Bureau Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray claimed the Shiv Sena had rotted during its 25-year alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, while it has been decimated in its two-and-half-year alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party and

Congress, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis quipped on Sunday.

Speaking at a ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally in Kolhapur in the presence of Union Home Minister and senior colleague Amit Shah, he said the “traitors” had been taught a lesson and shown their place six months ago, apparently a reference to the split in the Shiv Sena, which brought down the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi gov-

ernment.

Taking a swipe at Thackeray, the deputy CM said, “Those who said they rotted in the 25year alliance with the BJP have now seen their party finished in twoand-half years after joining hands with the NCP, Congress (to form the Maha Vikas Aghdi post the 2019 Assembly poll results). They have been brought to the streets.”

In an apparent attack on Thackeray’s repeated utterances that the party was founded by his fa-

ther late Bal Thackeray, who groomed its leaders, Fadnavis said “the Shiv Sena cannot be a property”.

Speaking at a ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally in Kolhapur Dy CM said the “traitors” had been taught a lesson and shown their place six months ago.

“It is a school of thought. There can be a heir to a property or to some assets but not for thoughts. You have to put them in action and live up to these thoughts,” Fadnavis said.

Sanjay Raut

Devendra Fadnavis

Never take his words seriously: Sanjay Raut’s dig at Amit Shah

Shiv Sena MP lashes out after UHM’s ‘Satyameva Jayate’ remark after EC’s decision on party name, poll symbol

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah by saying that he has never taken the latter “seriously”.

The Rajya Sabha MP’s statement comes after Shah remarked that the formula of “Satyameva Jayate” became significant following the Election Commission’s decision to allocate party name Shiv Sena and the bow and arrow poll symbol to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction.

“What Home Minister Amit Shah says has never been taken seriously. What can we say about people who believe in buying justice and truth? Who has won and lost Maharashtra; we’ll show when

the time comes. We will not say anything now,” said Raut on Sunday. He further claimed that the ruling Maharashtra government along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “bought” Shiv Sena party MPs, MLAs and councillors.

“(It is) the party, the leader & the dishonest group that bids Rs50 crore for MLAs, Rs100 crore for MPs and Rs50 lakh to Rs1 crore to buy our councillors,” Raut said.

Addressing a gathering in Pune, UHM Shah had said, “The Election Commission made ‘doodh ka doodh, aur paani ka paani’ (established the difference between truth and lie). The formula of ‘Satyameva Jayate’ became significant yesterday. Shinde ji got the bow and arrow symbol and the party name Shiv Sena.”

While granting the

‘Shivaji Maharaj’s followers stopped from visiting fort’

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Sambhaji

Raje Chhatrapati, a member of the former Maratha royal family of Kolhapur, on Sunday claimed police stopped Shivaji Maharaj’s followers from going to the Shivneri Fort in Pune, to accommodate the visit of some VIPs. The followers were at the site on the occasion of the warrior king’s birth anniversary.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who visited the fort along with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, said they would take steps so that the followers of Shivaji Maharaj do not face any hurdles while visiting the Shivneri Fort next year.

Incidentally, Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Shivneri Fort in 1630.

Former Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Chhatrapati, who could not attend the official function at the fort, claimed several “Shiv bhakts” were stopped by police in the wake of the visit of some VIPs to the fort. Addressing a gather-

Won’t get involved in Sena name, symbol allocation row, vows Sharad Pawar

First India Bureau

ing at the fort, he said, “When I was near the fort, some Shiv bhakts approached me and complained of police restricting them from visiting the fort. They told me that police were objecting to their visit, citing crowding which may lead to an untoward incident such as stampede.”

“This is highly unfair. The followers should not face any discrimination when it comes to visiting the Shivneri Fort. Had I gone ahead, people would have followed me and this could have led to a stampede,” he added.

While addressing a function on Shivaji Jayanti, CM Shinde said he heard Sambhaji Chhatrapati’s comments.

“We will take necessary steps so that people do not face any hurdles next year when it comes to visiting the Shivneri Fort,” he said.

Echoing his sentiment, Deputy CM Fadnavis also said there will be better arrangements next year to manage the crowd properly.

party name Shiv Sena and bow and arrow party symbol to the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena faction on Saturday, the EC had observed, “The current constitution of Shiv Sena is undemocratic and has been mutilated to undemocratically appoint people from a coterie as officebearers without any election at all,” adding that such party structure fails to inspire confidence.

QUICK RECAP

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena experienced a split in June last year when 40 MLAs led by incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde rebelled against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. As a result, the state government collapsed and CM Thackeray had to resign from his post. Following this, a new government was established by the Shinde faction and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

What Home Minister Amit Shah says has never been taken seriously. What can we say about people who believe in buying justice and truth? Who has won and lost Maharashtra; we’ll show when the time comes. We will not say anything now. —Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena

Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he will not get involved in the controversy over allocation of Shiv Sena party name and poll symbol to Eknath Shinde-led faction. He clarified his stand on the Election Commission’s decision after Shiv Sena – Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray camp leaders and even his daughter, NCP’s Supriya Sule expressed shock at the ruling. In its decision on Friday, the EC allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to retain the name Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the flaming torch poll symbol, till the conclusion of upcoming Assembly bypolls in the state. It was given to it in an interim order in October last year.

Pawar on Friday said the loss of “bow and arrow” will not make any difference to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction as

‘MAHA’ CELEBRATION ON SHIVAJI JAYANTI!

NCP supremo had advised Thackeray to ‘start from beginning’ after EC announced decision on Saturday

people will accept its new poll symbol.

To a query from reporters over the issue on Sunday, the NCP chief,

who was in Pune’s Baramati town, said, “I do not want to get involved in the controversy regarding the name and symbol given to Eknath Shinde.

I have already clarified my stand on the same.” Uddhav Thackeray had termed the EC’s order “dangerous for democracy” and vowed to challenge it in the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had described it as “the victory of truth and people”.

Maha sugar production to fall in 2022-23 due to rainfall

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: Maharashtra's sugar production is expected to drop from 137.28 lakh tonne in 2021-22 to 124 lakh tonne in 2022-23 due to adverse weather conditions. Continuous rains have impacted sugarcane cultivation, confirmed Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad.

ON SHIVAJI JAYANTI, LATUR DOC COUPLE DISTRIBUTES CYCLES TO 38 UNDERPRIVILEGED GIRLS

Latur (PTI): On Sunday, a doctor couple in Latur celebrated the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by distributing 38 bicycles to girls from poor and rural backgrounds to help them reach school and prevent them from dropping out. This is their yearly celebration of the Maharaj’s birth anniversary. “We have been distributing cycles every year on this day. This is our true celebration of the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” said Dr Harshwardhan Raut.

LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW ON SHIVAJI’S LIFE AT RAIGAD FORT ON JUNE 05

Aurangabad (PTI): The first ‘light and sound’ show based on the life of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be held at the Raigad Fort in Maharashtra on June 05 this year. Preparations for it are in full swing, Raigad Development Authority Chairperson Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati has said. The Raigad Development Authority has undertaken conservation work on parts of the fort and

is also working to hold a light and sound show, a day before Shivaji was coronated as the emperor (on June 06, 1674), Sambhaji Raje said on Saturday.

‘DESTROYED TEMPLES REBUILT BY SHIVAJI MAHARAJ, OTHER MARATHA RULERS’

Pune: Hailing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for rebuilding temples destroyed during the rule of Mughals and other foreign invaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the restoration work is being taken forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah was speaking

after inaugurating the first phase of “Shivsrushti”, a theme park based on the life of Shivaji Maharaj at Narhe-Ambegaon in Pune. “Several temples were destroyed during the rule of Mughals and other foreign invaders. Last week, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant did the redevelopment of

Saptakoteshwar temple, which was reconstructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Similarly, the temples in south India were also redeveloped by the Maratha warrior king. Shivaji Maharaj constructed grand gates in front of the temples and tried to restore these structures,” Shah said.

The script of the light and sound show has been approved by the authorities concerned, he said.

“The show will cover incidents from the birth of Shivaji Maharaj till his death. The rocky surface behind the Holicha Maal area will be used by the audience to watch the show. They will have a 180-degree view of the show from Rajsadar (the court of Shivaji) to the samadhi,” he said.

Union Home Min Amit Shah offers prayers at Ambabai temple in Kolhapur on Sunday.—ANI PHOTO

Continuous rains rendering the ground wet for longer periods to blame, says official

“As a result, the production will be going down in Maharashtra in the ongoing season. Earlier, we estimated 138 lakh tonne of production when the crushing season started. Now, it should be around 124 lakh tonne. We have conveyed the updated figures of production to the Central government,” he said.

“The crushing season will be over early as compared to last year. In the last crushing season, factories worked till the start of the monsoon. Now, it will end by April-end. A total of 199 factories are currently operational in the state,” the official said. Sugarcane crushing in Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur will be over by March-end and by Aprilend in Marathwada.

Shiv Sena –UBT leader Sanjay Raut addresses media persons in Mumbai on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Sharad Pawar —FILE PHOTO

–UBT MP

CM Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis attend Shivaji Jayanti celebrations at Shivneri Fort in Pune on Sunday.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari poses for a picture during the birth anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, at Gandhi Gate, in Nagpur on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis pay tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary at Shivneri Fort in Pune on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Governor Ramesh Bais pays a floral tribute to the statue of the warrior king at Shivaji Park in Dadar area of Mumbai. —PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE People take part in the birth anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Shivaji Square Mahal in Nagpur city on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

‘HEINOUS CRIME’

Mumbai court to try minor as adult for rape

Saying ‘aaja aaja’ to minor sexual harassment, rules sessions court

First India Bureau

Mumbai: A special court in Mumbai is set to try a 17-year-old teen as an adult and not a minor, after taking se rious cognizance of the “heinous nature of the crime” he committed. The minor stands accused of repeatedly raping and threatening a 7-year-old girl.

While reading out his order, special judge SA Takalikar said, “The mental and physical capacity of the Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) (accused) is that he understands the nature of serious allegations made against

“The CCL is participating in various programmes. He has undergone counselling sessions and training and is also pursuing further education.

Thus, he needs to be considered as ‘child’ and not an adult,” he said.

However, after going through the victim’s statement, which stated that the accused

along with others had sexually assaulted the minor more than once, the judge declined to try him as an adult.

“The CCL and other accused threatened the girl by saying that they would commit the same act with her sister too,” he observed.

In his order, judge Takalikar noted, “The allegations of forcible

sexual intercourse, unnatural sex, outraging modesty of the victim have been made against this CCL and other accused. The case is that of gang rape and nature of offence is heinous. Therefore, the court directs the JJB to send the accused for trial after making a preliminary assessment.”

—SA Takalikar, Special Judge

First India Bureau Mumbai: A sessions court in Dindoshi has convicted a 32-year-old man under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for repeatedly saying “aaja aaja” (come, come) to a minor.

The court observed that following a girl and saying “aaja aaja” to her despite her clear indication of disinterest in him, was sexual harassment.

The incident took place in September 2015, when the victim was a 15-year-old Class X student. Appearing before the court, she said that she was followed by the man on a bicycle when she was going to attend French tuition class. He uttered the words ‘aaja aaja’ re-

Investors duped over high returns; 2 held, `19 cr seized

First India Bureau

Thane: The Navi Mumbai police have arrested two persons for allegedly cheating people by promising lucrative returns on their investment plans, said an official. The team has recovered nearly Rs19 crore from the accused. They were carrying

Rs9.99 crore cash in 10 suitcases in a cab when they were nabbed on Friday. Another sum of Rs9 crore was recovered after freezing their bank account, he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone II Panvel) Pankaj Dahane told reporters on Saturday that the police took suo motu action (on their

CRUCIAL READ

THANE COURT ACQUITS 22-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMAN FRIEND

Thane: A court in the Thane district has acquitted a 22-yearold man who had been accused of raping and deceiving a female friend. On Friday, Additional Sessions Judge Dr Rachana gave the man the benefit of the doubt. The prosecution informed the court that the accused and the victim had a love affair. The accused allegedly raped the woman on different occasions under pretext of marriage. Later, he married someone else without any warning, said the prosecution.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING ` 7 LAKH IN PALGHAR HELD

Palghar: A man was arrested at Surat airport in Gujarat for allegedly stealing Rs7 lakh from Nalasopara in Palghar. He was named as the suspect by the brother of the accused’s employer, Shailendra Nagarkar, senior inspector of Tulinj police station said. “We nabbed him from Surat airport on Friday. He was planning to flee to Nepal. We have recovered Rs5.65 lakh from him,” he added.

FEMALE CONSTABLE SUSPENDED FOR HIDING INFO

Thane: A woman constable in Thane, has been suspended for allegedly hiding the fact that two of her sisters were taking part in a police recruitment drive, an official said on Sunday. She is accused of trying to hide this information by submitting a false undertaking and helping her sisters during the recruitment drive. Her suspension order was issued on February 17.

MAKE-UP ARTIST ON BIKE COLLIDES WITH LEOPARD IN MUM’S GOREGAON FILM CITY

Mumbai: On Friday night, a make-up artist, Shravan Vishwakarma (23), was on a motorbike when he collided with a leopard in Goregaon Film City. The leopard had been chasing a pig when the accident occurred, causing the motorbike rider to fall off and lose consciousness, an official said. The rider was taken to a hospital and is now recovering. According to the state Forest Department, the incident appears to be an accident as the leopard left the spot without harming the victim.

DOCTOR DIES BY SUICIDE AT HIS MUM RESIDENCE

Mumbai: Pawan Laxman Sable (46), a doctor by profession, allegedly died by suicide at his residence in Thane district, the police said on Saturday. A suicide note was also recovered from the spot. The dean of KEM Hospital, where he was employed, informed that the deceased had earlier applied for resignation, but his wife had requested the management not to accept it, the police said.

MAN KILLS MINOR FIANCE IN JALNA DIST, ABSCONDS

Jalna: A 24-year-old man from Warud in Buldhana district is suspected to have killed his 17-year-old fiancée in Jalna. The duo were set to get married on March 17. It is reported that the accused raped the teen before slitting her throat. Authorities are currently searching for the suspect.

“The girl was found in a pool of blood by kin. The accused had fled the village by then,” said an official.

own) against the accused and seized the money. The police received information that the accused had sought investment worth crores from a number of people in a circulation scheme. After promising them a return of 40% within 50 days, they did not pay the money, he said.

Considering magnitude of crime, case may be transferred to Economic Offences Wing (EOW)

However, none of the victims from Pirkon and Bondkal villages

came forward to file a complaint.

The police held meetings in the villages to inform locals of such fake investments and asked them to file a complaint, but they were reluctant.

On Friday, the Uran police got a tip-off that one of the accused was to come to Koproli vil-

lage in a car with the money taken from the investors, he said.

Accordingly, the police laid a trap and intercepted the cab. The two passengers, Satish Vishnu Gavand (32) and Shashikant Anant Gavand (34), were arrested. A case has been lodged and further probe is underway.

Mumbai police registers case of accidental death; wife alleges his brothers killed him

Mumbai (PTI): City police have registered a case of accidental death of a 42-year-old real estate agent in Mumbai, while his wife has alleged that he was beaten to death by his two brothers and their wives over a property dispute, said an official.

In a video surfaced on social media, the deceased’s wife alleged that he was killed by his two brothers and their wives in front of her and her two children.

A minor son of the

deceased was also seen alleging in the clip that his uncles and aunts severely hit his father and strangled him, to which he was a witness. The boy further says that his father was rushed to a nearby hospital but he was declared dead.

“Based on the primary information, we have registered an accidental death report in the case. On the wife’s complaint, we have sent the body for postmortem and are waiting for the medical report,” he said.

COPS FILE CASE AGAINST TWO MEN FOR KILLING FRIEND SIX YEARS AGO

Thane (PTI): Six years after a man from Thane district went missing, the police have registered a case of murder against two of his friends following a court directive, an official said on Sunday. On January 11, 2017, the two accused came to the house of the 18-year-old victim, Parvesh Chouhan, in Kalwa area and informed him about a catering job for him, Police Inspector (crime) Gajendra Patil said. The two accused took the victim along with them and the latter did not return, he added. When the victim's family enquired about it, they gave evasive replies. After a couple of days, Dombivili police called up the victim's family and informed them that his body was found on railway tracks and that it was a case of accidental death, the official said.

FEASIBILITY CHECK

peatedly, said the then minor.

He continued to harass her for a few more days, following which, the girl narrated her ordeal to her parents and tuition teacher. She later found out that he worked as a security guard at a local building. A police complaint was lodged against him by the

girl’s parents. During court proceedings, the man had sought leniency on grounds of being married with a child and underprivileged. Additional sessions judge AZ Khan sentenced him to the period he had already served as an undertrial between September 2015 and March 2016.

Child found in drain 5 years ago adopted by couple from Italy

First India Bureau

Thane: A newborn found abandoned in a drain in Ulhasnagar in Thane district in 2018 has been adopted by an Italian couple, said a functionary of a local organisation that rescued him and registered a police complaint at the time.

On December 30, 2018, the child was found severely injured and had consumed contaminated water. A local organization, led by Shivaji Ragade and his wife Jayshree, rescued the infant and registered a police complaint.

The couple appealed for money for the infant’s treatment at Wadia Hospital in Mumbai, and in just 24 hours, they collected Rs10.42 lakh.

The Ragades wanted to adopt the child, but due to legal issues, they could not. So, the infant was given to Vishwa

We wanted to adopt the child but could not do so due to come legal issues, so he was given in the care of Vishwa Balak Ashram. He was named Tiger due to the resolve with which the child survived being thrown into a drain.

—Shivaji Ragade

Balak Ashram and was named Tiger due to his strong will to survive.

On Friday, Tiger was adopted by an Italian couple, who flew to Europe with him. Everyone involved in his rescue is delighted that he was given such a wonderful life, said Ragade.

MahaMetro looking at ‘Neo’ system for smaller cities

state government are viewing this development positively, Dixit said at the foundation day programme of the MahaMetro on Saturday.

“We have full faith that we will be successful in this task as well,” he said.

First India Bureau Nagpur: MahaMetro is working on the feasibility of implementing the Metro Neo system in cities having a population of up to 20 lakh, with Nashik being the frontrunner, its Managing Director Brijesh Dixit has said. The Centre and the

The ‘Metro Neo’ is a trolley bus system with overhead electric traction and rubber tyres, and has the capability of being upgraded to a light metro system.

Dixit said the second phase of Nagpur Metro rail will be completed in the next five years, with work set to begin from April.

The 44.5km second phase comprises a 19km

stretch till Butibori, a 7km stretch from Lokmanya Nagar to Hingna, a 13km route from Automotive Chowk to Kanhan and 5.5km stretch from Prajapati Nagar to Kapsi, he said.

In December 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Nagpur Metro rail project here and travelled in the train with students. He had also laid the foundation stone of Phase-II of the Metro project. There are 36 stations under Phase-I, which covers a distance of 40km. This project has been developed at a cost of more than Rs8,650 crore, officials said.

Accused mature enough to understand the consequences, and nature of offence, says special judge

The mental and physical capacity of the Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) (accused) is that he understands the nature of serious allegations made against him. He is mature enough to understand the consequences and nature of the offence.

Maha Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis look on.

It is a bus trolley system with overhead electric traction and rubber tyres, can be upgraded to light metro

IMMORTAL SAGA

THE BOOK, THE IMMORTAL SAGA: CELEBRATING INDIA’S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM BY RAMOJI GROUP WITH THE FOREWORD BY RAMOJI RAO, HEAD OF RAMOJI GROUP, IS A LIFE-CHANGING BOOK WHICH CELEBRATES SPIRIT WHICH UNITES US, A MUST FOR ALL INDIANS TO READ, OVER AND OVER AGAIN...

The Immortal Saga — India’s Struggle for Freedom, released by the Ramoji Group as part of it’s tribute to the nation on the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a book each one of us should not only read but keep with oneself and read it to our children and grandchildren. This simple action will be a ‘seva’ towards our Motherland as it will instil a deeprooted pride and love for the nation in the coming generation. This book holds in it’s pages the immense power to show the way ahead to each one of us. On the other hand, the detailed factual information, dates, places and timeline give an insight into the amount of detailed research that must have gone into this book. A treasure not just for the daily reader and history buff but also for the teachers and students of history.

The sanyasis, the fakirs, the poor, the rich, the illiterates, the highly educated, the mothers, the young men and young women and people belonging to all religions and castes became the symbols of fighting spirit. They all have contributed to the sunset over the British empire.

The power of this book is set out in it’s elegant and thought-provoking Foreword by Shri Ramoji Rao, the iconic head of the Ramoji Group, which will stir powerful feelings of patriotism and fill you with the need to sit quietly in a corner and lose yourself in the lives and times of our heroes because of whom we breathe freely today. Like Ramoji says, the Immortal Saga does not carry stories, but heart beats of the heroes who remain buried in the dark recesses of history, truly as you read the pages will hold the smiles of the great Martyrs who happily give their lives for the cause of the motherland.

Making this book a true manifestation of the spirit of patriotism, love for the Motherland and also the power of humanity, it carries in the words of Ramoji, ‘live sketches of our foreigner friends who developed attachment with the soil of India, and stood by our side in the struggle for freedom.’

Ramoji pays a strong tribute to the freedom fighters,

The Immortal Saga does not carry stories, but heart beats of the heroes who remain buried in the dark recesses of history, truly as you read the pages will hold the smiles of the great Martyrs who happily give their lives for the cause of the motherland

who united regardless of caste, religion, community, gender or region to fight for freedom, as he says, ‘The sanyasis, the fakirs, the poor, the rich, the illiterates, the highly educated, the mothers, the young men and young women and people belonging to all religions and castes became the symbols of fighting spirit. They all have contributed to the sunset over the British empire. They have proved that great deeds cannot happen without involvement of common people. The footsteps of those martyrs should not be erased by the waves of the ocean called time. The tears of blood they had shed for the future of India should never be forgotten. I hope this effort by ‘Eenadu’ will help younger generations to draw inspiration from the great deeds of our freedom fighters.”

The content is set out in a unique way — 351 stories,

each story on one page, and the titles to the stories are an amalgamation of explanatory and cryptic but so penetrative that you will prefer to read all the titles first before opening page 1 for reading. The one-page stories are well-researched with simple language which is engaging and holds the reader giving insights and setting out the rich history of the times with amazing facts and figures. The stories beckon you to immerse yourself in the book and once you start reading time will fly past with no meaning as you lose yourself in the heart-rending stories. You will enjoy reading how Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel swept the roads of Ahmedabad sweeping away untouchability and showing the way and how Durga Devi helped Bhagat Singh escape from Lahore after the gunning down of JP Sanders.

You will be devastated by how the British abandoned Indians during the global epidemic of Spanish flu and reading about Kalapani, truly a Veritable Hell. I read about the Chapati movement for the first time in this book and also about the Vagrant Europeans, makes a very interesting read. Readers will learn selfless devotion as they read the story of Annapurna Devi who donated all her jewellery for the freedom struggle and of Amarchand Bantia who supported Jhansi ki rani Laxmibai financially through a secret treasure fund. We will learn how Sevagram became the unofficial capital of the national movement and the heartrending story of Vidurashwatha village in Karnatakathe Jallianwala of South. I could go on and on but this is journey each one us should traverse for its learnings and our own, for us to grow within, become stronger and better humans.

So many times, I looked up, dazed, fists clenched, eyes bright with unshed tears to a modern day India, which breathes and lives due to our martyrs- these brave souls who walked into the sunset with head held high.

Ramoji Group has done a great service to the nation with the release of The Immortal Saga and a service to us also…showing us the path to tread ahead, head held high with Vande Mataram in our hearts and on our lips with the power of New India to shout it aloud for the entire universe to hear.

VANDE MATARAM! JAI HIND!

CELEBRATING THE 75TH “AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV”

The Immortal SagaIndia’s Struggle for Freedom, released by the Ramoji Group as part of it’s tribute to the nation on the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a book each one of us should not only read but keep with oneself and read it to our children and grandchildren.

The power of this book is set out in it’s elegant and thought-provoking Foreword by Shri Ramoji Rao, iconic head of Ramoji Group, which will stir powerful feelings of patriotism and fill you with need to sit quietly in a corner and lose yourself in lives and times of our heroes because of whom we breathe freely today.

The content of this book is set out in a unique way — 351 stories, each story on one page, and the titles to the stories are an amalgamation of explanatory and cryptic but so penetrative that you will prefer to read all the titles first before opening Page 1 for reading.

Ramoji Rao

—Ramoji Rao

‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj not just name but an ideology’

Shah said while addressing inauguration of 1st phase of theme park ‘Shiv Shrishti’

Pune (ANI): Home Min-

ister Amit Shah on Sunday said Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a name but an ideology as his inspiring lifestory taught generations to practice ones’s language & religion with pride and be prepared to lay down one’s life in discharging his moral duties & defending ‘Swaraj’.

Shah while addressing the inauguration of the 1st phase of theme park ‘Shiv Shrishti’, which is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji said, “This will not just depict inspiring lifestory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but will also convey life lessons and teachings to future generations. His teachings inspire people to practice their own language and religion with pride and be ready to sacrifice one’s life for ‘swaraj’,”.

Erode East bypolls: Political parties kick start drive

Erode East (ANI): Political parties have started campaigning on Erode East roads ahead of the February 27 byeelection in the assembly constituency. Since the bye-election date was announced for Erode East, the constituency is in Thiruvizla mode.

Political parties captured their places with their flags on the every nook and the corner of the roads. All the lodges in Erode got full with political top to bottom level leaders halted for campaigning.

To check cash supply, vehicle checkups are in full swing by setting up various check posts. Different troops of the CISF, RPSF and ITBP are conducting vehicle checks and guarding strong rooms. Tamil Nadu Special Force units are also involved in patrolling and security in Erode East.

‘Nitish not able to handle Bihar but wants to be PM’

First ever grand celebrations his birth anniv in Agra Fort

Patna (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday hit out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that the latter’s dream to become the Prime Minister would never fructify because the people of the country believe in PM Narendra Modi and his leadership.

The theme park would also help realise the dreams of Babasaheb Purandare, an author and poet better known for his works on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The theme park would feature holography, project mapping, miniature motion simulation, 3d-4d technique, & sound technique. —Amit Shah, Home Minister

Agra (ANI): For the first time ever, the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is going to be celebrated inside Agra Fort. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will attend the celebrations to mark the 391st birth anniversary of the great Maratha warrior on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the event virtually.

Telangana is Afghanistan of India, KCR is Taliban, says YSRT chief YS Sharmila

Hyderabad: YSR Telangana Party President Y.S. Sharmila on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, terming him “Taliban”.

“Telangana is Afghanistan of India and KCR is its Taliban,” Sharmila told reporters in Hyderabad, hours after she was arrested by the police in Mahabubabad and her padyatra stopped.

Sharmila, who was brought to Hyderabad by police after arresting her at Mahabubabad on allegations of making

Hindus became poor under BJP rule: Mufti

Jammu (ANI): Peo-

ple’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP & alleged that the party does not want to build a nation but only intends to make India a “BJP Rashtra”.

The PDP chief alleged that the BJP considers J&K its “laboratory” where it conducts “experiments”. She alleged that the Hindus have become poor under the BJP regime.

“The BJP sold the entire country including Railways, airports, and banks. This is not na-

‘VIRTUAL HEARINGS HAVE INCREASED EFFICIENCY’

New Delhi: Virtual court hearings have increased efficiency and it is necessary to utilise this system for which a vast infrastructure has been created, SC Judge Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said. Justice Kaul said when the world was hit by pandemic, the international arbitration community shifted to the virtual system and gradually virtual or hybrid hearings will become a norm & physical hearings will become an exception.

tionalism. They only talk about Hindu-Muslim.

During the UPA regime, 26 crore people were lifted above the Poverty Line, the BJP again pushed them back to BPL, are they all Muslims? Are only Muslims the victims of the drug menace in J-K?” she said.

TELANGANA LEADER YS SHARMILA IN CUSTODY FOR ‘DEROGATORY’ REMARKS

Mahabubabad: Telangana Police on Sunday detained Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Telangana Party (YSRTP) chief YS Sharmila for allegedly making inappropriate remarks against the Mahabubabad MLA and BRS leader Shankar Naik. The police moved her to Hyderbad to avoid any law and order problems in the town of Mahabubabad. They registered a case against her under section 504 of the Indian Penal Code [Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace] and section 3(1)r of the SC ST POA Act.

inappropriate remarks against a local MLA of ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), also termed KCR a dictator

and a tyrant. “There is no Indian constitution in Telangana. There is only the KCR Constitution,” she alleged.

While talking to ANI, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Nitish Kumar has requested and pleaded to make him the prime ministerial candidate while he is unable to manage the state of Bihar. Be it Nitish Kumar or any other leader they should know that under the leadership of PM Modi the country has progressed significantly.” He further said that the country has changed, and the people of the country have changed and they believe in PM Modi and his leadership, while Nitish Kumar has not been able to build political credibility.

“What has happened to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar? He isn’t able to handle Bihar, the state is in trouble. There is chaos in his party. Congress isn’t giving him any lift. Nitish ji, you want to become like Deve Gowda or Inder Kumar Gujral (former PMs),” added Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Earlier on January 18, Union Rural Development Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that Nitish Kumar is desperate to become Prime Minister.

TMC protests near min’s house for man shot dead

Kolkata: A day-long sit-in was organised by the Trinamool Congress on Sunday near the residence of Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik at Bhetaguri in Cooch Behar district, seeking justice for an “innocent Rajbanshi youth who was branded as cattle smuggler and shot dead by the BSF”.

According to local officials, Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed over a 150 metre-radius around the minister’s residence, with heavy security arrangements

made in the area to prevent any untoward situation.

The TMC, protesting over the death of 24-year-old Prem Kumar Barman in Dinha-

SP UPS THE ANTE IN BID TO WEAN NON-YADAV OBCS FROM BJP

Lucknow: History seems to be repeating itself in UP politics over social justice, which has flared up afresh in the wake of the Ramcharitmanas row kicked up by senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and MLC Swami Prasad Maurya’s remarks that certain sections of Tulsidas’s epic were disrespectful towards women, tribals, backward castes and Dalits.

‘WE KNOW OUR ROLE VERY WELL’, SAYS CONGRESS DAY AFTER NITISH REMARKS

New Delhi: A day after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said he was waiting for a signal from Congress to work towards bringing all Opposition parties together, Congress said the party knows its “role” very well & argued that Opposition unity would be neither possible nor successful without it. Cong slammed Oppositions, saying it was not like some of the parties that attend opposition meetings.

KC VENUGOPAL ADDRESSING A PRESS CONFERENCE

New Delhi (ANI): The 85th plenary session of the Congress will be held in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur from February 24 onwards and around 15,000 delegates have been invited to attend the session. The plenary session will discuss the roadmap for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a joint press conference party General Secretary KC Venugopal said the that the session will be called ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ and will be attended by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi.

UP CM inaugurates Digital Gallery at Vidhan Bhavan

Lucknow (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Legislative Digital Gallery at Vidhan Bhavan in Lucknow on Sunday.

ta block, sought immediate action against those involved. The agitators raised slogans against the BJP-led Centre, the BSF, and Mr Pramanik.

During this, the CM observed the digital screen installed in the gallery, and then also learned about the legislative history of Uttar Pradesh through a short film. In a short film it was seen that on January 8, 1887, the first meeting of the Council was held in Allahabad under the chairmanship of the Governor.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath at the inauguration of Legislative Digital Gallery at Vidhan Bhawan, Lucknow —PHOTO BY ANI

In 1892, the powers of the Council were increased and in addition to the legislative functions, the members got the right to ask questions.

RAHUL GANDHI ON J-K EVICTION DRIVE IN THE COURTYARD

GOOGLE’S $168 BILLION IN AD REVENUE AT RISK IN SUPREME COURT CASE

Washington: The US Supreme Court is poised to hear a case that could spell danger for the internet’s most lucrative business: online advertising. The case, Gonzalez v. Google, will be argued Tuesday and centers on whether internet companies are liable for the content their algorithms recommend to users. The tech industry says it’s protected by a legal shield contained in communications law known as Section 230. The social media companies view the case as an existential threat.

HC REJECTS PETITION SEEKING CANCELLING OF FIR AGAINST CONVERSION ACCUSED

Prayagraj (PTI): The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging an FIR lodged against 37 people accused of coercing a man to undergo a religious conversion from Hinduism to Christianity through inducements. The writ petition was filed by Jose Prakash George and 36 Others seeking quashing of the FIR lodged on January 23, 2023, under sections 420, 467, 468, 506, 120-B IPC and section 3/5 (1) of UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act at Police Station Kotwali, District Fatehpur.

HC ISSUES BAILABLE WARRANT AGAINST IAS OFFICER

Bilaspur (ANI): The High Court of Chhattisgarh has issued a bailable warrant against an IAS officer for failing to respond to a contempt notice within the stipulated time period. The court has issued the bailable warrant to IAS S Prakash, the then director in the panchayat department, for a sum of Rs 5,000 and directed the officer to appear before the court in person on March 24, said advocate Abhishek Pandey. As application was not disposed of, lawyer filed the petition in the High Court.

‘BJP’s deliberate move to divert attention’

Kashmir (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday chaired a meeting of party leaders of Kashmir & slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for the ongoing eviction drive in Jammu and Kashmir & termed it as a deliberate move by BJP to divert the attention of the people from real issues.

Notably, the administration of the Union Territory launched an eviction drive against illegal encroachment by ‘big land owners’ and ‘influ-

ential’ people and nearly 23,000 hectares have been retrieved during the ongoing anti-encroachment drive in the

Jammu division. During the meeting, the former Congress chief exhorted party leaders to work for the betterment of peo-

ple. Gandhi expressed serious concern over the difficulties confronting people in absence of the democratic system in J&K while slamming the government for snatching the rights of people.

Slamming the eviction drive in J&K, Gandhi said, “BJP’s deliberate move to divert the attention of the people from real issues especially rising unemployment, unprecedented price hike and other developmental issues concerning people.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the inauguration of the first phase of the theme park ‘Shiv Srishti’ based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his birth anniversary, in Pune on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad during a procession of ‘Maha Shivratri’ festival, in Patna.

Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed over a 150 metreradius around the minister’s residence.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today chaired a meeting of party leaders of Kashmir.

YSR Telangana Party President Y.S. Sharmila

India announce squad for 3rd and 4th Test, ODIs against Aus

Bumrah was not named in squad for third & fourth matches of the high-profile

New Delhi (ANI): Despite woeful returns in his recent outings in Test cricket, opener and vice-captain KL Rahul retained his spot in Indian Test squad for the final two Tests against Australia in Indore and Ahmedabad next month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the same 17-member squad as The All-India Senior Selection Committee had opted for the first two Tests.

Jaydev Unadkat was also named back in the squad after having been allowed to leave the team for the domestic season final in Kolkata, which coincided with the Delhi Test. Unadkat was also added to the 18-member three-match ODI squad against Australia. The Indian cricket governing body revealed that captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first ODI in Mumbai on March 17 ‘due to family commitments’.

Following the dominant victory in the series opener in Nagpur last week, where India won by an innings and 132 runs inside three days, India has now retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by securing a 6-wicket win over Australia in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday afternoon. With this latest triumph, India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. In the second innings, the Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja showcased their prowess once again, when Australia seemed to be in a relatably stable position at 85/2 with Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne at the crease. —Garvit Narang

Water cannons used on Haryana staff near chief min’s home

Panchkula (Haryana) (ANI): Hundreds of Haryana government employees protest near Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's residence in Panchkula on Sunday demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme in the state.

The government employees were seen protesting amid heavy police force deployment.

The police could be seen using water cannons on the protesting employees.

A spokesperson of the Pension Bahali

Paramilitary Force personnel shoots self with service rifle

INDIA NEARS FINAL SPOT, AUSTRALIA DROPS PCT WITH DELHI LOSS

The win ensured that India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and also recorded its 100th win over Australia across formats in international men’s cricket. India’s points percentage climbed from 61.66 to 64.06 with its 10th win in 16 matches in the 2021-23 WTC cycle. Meanwhile, tabletopper Australia saw its lead diminishing from 70.83 PCT to 66.66.

Skipper Rohit Sharma has refused to give up on KL Rahul. Speaking to the media at the press conference, Rohit pledged his support to ‘talented players' like KL Rahul, suggesting those with such potential will get a long rope by the team management. “Of late, there has been a lot of talk about his batting. For us, as team management, we always look at the potential of any individual, not just KL. I was asked in the past about a lot of players. If a guy has potential, he will get an extended run. Not just KL. If you look at the couple of hundreds he got, especially at Lord's, batting on that damp pitch. Centurion was another win. Both came in India winning both games. That's the potential he has,” Rohit said in the press conference on Sunday.

Dantewada (PTI): A jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service weapon in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, police said on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday night at the headquarters of the CRPF's 195th battalion in Barsoor police station area, around 400 km away from capital Raipur, an official said. The jawan succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Raipur at 1.40 am on Sunday, he said.

"Constable Gunin Das, belonging to CRPF's 195th battalion, shot himself with an Insas rifle at his barrack in the unit. On hearing the gunshot, his colleagues rushed there and found him seriously injured," he said. He was immediately taken to the unit's hospital, from where he was shifted to Dantewada district hospital.

Fleet expansion necessity for other carriers too: Former Air India chief

New Delhi (PTI): Nearly two decades ago, the then governmentowned Air India had an "extremely small fleet" of aircraft that was also prone to frequent breakdowns. Then, aircraft were taken on lease and later the airline placed orders for 111 planes.

Sangharsh Samiti, Praveen Deshwal claimed, "Around 70,000 employees have gathered today to protest. In Rajasthan, the Old Pension Scheme has been implemented. This Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government does not talk to the employees. We will continue our peaceful protest."

So far the Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand governments have shown intentions to go back to the Old Pension Scheme, quashing the new pension scheme.

In the wake of Air India placing firm orders for 470 planes, V Thulasidas, who was the airline's chief from December 2003 to March 2008, said there was a necessity for fleet augmentation that will also help address the long-standing grievance that most of the Indians travelling international are carried by foreign airlines.

Prior to the latest order, the last time Air India placed orders for aircraft was in 2005 for 111 aircraft during the time of Thulasidas.

He also said India can have many such hubs as there are now worldclass airports and strong airlines.

AIR INDIA’S JUMBO ORDER BARES PILOT PINCH

Jumbo of air india group order for 470 planes

The spotlight has shifted to a major problem plaguing India’s roller-coaster aviation industry –the current pilot shortage that is about to widen. The big question on everyone’s mind within the airline and the larger industry is, “Where will the 7,000-8,000 pilots needed to fly these planes come from?”, especially at a time when India’s airlines have been plagued by delays and cancellations and have even been forced to find parking space for their planes due to lack of cockpit crew to fly them. And flight crew shortages are already taking their toll with pilots complaining of rising levels of fatigue, a less-than-reassuring trend in an industry where the margin for safety is negligible.

SURPASSING PREVIOUS RECORD OF 2015

AIR INDIA EXPRESS

FLIGHT FROM DUBAI SEEKS ASSISTANCE DURING LANDING

An Air India Express flight from Dubai to Thiruvananthapuram sought assistance from the airport after the pilot experienced some problem during landing, an airline source said. "The pilot felt something uneasy during landing and sought assistance from the ATC. It was a normal landing at the scheduled arrival time of 6.30 AM.

Shimla records highest minimum temperature

Shimla (ANI): At 14.4 degrees Celsius, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, recorded highest-ever minimum temperature on Saturday.

The mercury has been inching up in the hills and across the North Indian belt over the last few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a western disturbance across the North Indian belt over the next 24 hours, with the mercury set to drop in the region after a few days.

Agra: Two women were charred to death and another was injured when an LPG cylinder caught fire during a wedding preparation, police said on Sunday. The incident took place in the Sikandra locality of this Uttar Pradesh district. “One person was injured and is being treated at a hospital in Agra. The cylinder caught fire due to loosening of the pin and due to which it caught fire.

THREE MEDICAL STUDENTS DROWN WHILE BATHING

Budaun: Bodies of three students from Government Medical College, Budaun, who had gone missing after they ventured into deep water while bathing in Ganga, were fished out on Sunday, officials said. NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) was pressed into search operation late Saturday night after the incident, and it resumed its operation Sunday morning.

New Delhi: Delhi Metro will soon launch an app which will enable commuters to buy a range of products and book various services, including those for last-mile connectivity. ‘Momentum 2.0’ India’s first virtual shopping app for the metro will also include features such as instant recharge of smart cards and payment options for other utility services, officials said on Sunday.

SATELLITES MADE BY STUDENTS LAUNCHED

Chengalpattu: The Martin Foundation in association with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation and Space Zone India on Sunday launched the APJ Abdul Kalam Satellite Launch Vehicle Mission-2023 from the Pattipolam village of Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu. Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan was also present to grace the event.

ruary 26, 2021,” said Surender Paul, head of IMD, Himachal Pradesh.

“The highest maximum temperature at Solan (located at 1,550 metres above sea level), as per our records, was 28.5 degrees Celsius on February 26, 2021. However, the record was broken on February 16 when the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius,” he added.

WITH WINTER ON RETREAT, MAXIMUM TEMP RISING ACROSS NORTH INDIA

T

he maximum daytime temperature is on the rise across North India, including Shimla, is on the rise over the last few days, with areas in the NCR region recording the highest temperature of 29.6 on February 18, according to data shared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). No rainfall is expected in the North Indian belt over the next few days, the IMD said, adding that a minimum temperature of 11.4 degrees Celsius was recorded on Sunday.

IMD FORECASTS RISE IN TEMP IN COASTAL AREAS OF KONKAN

Bhopal: An argument over offering prayers during Shivrathri devolved into an all-out battle between two communities in southwest Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, leaving at least 14 people injured. Members of the Dalit community alleged that some people from a so-called “upper caste” allegedly stopped them from entering a temple in the Khargone district.

NOTORIOUS

DRUG PEDDLER HELD IN J-K’S KULGAM

Kulgam: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday said that it has arrested a notorious drug peddler and recovered 700 grams of Charas-like contraband substance from his possession in Kulgam district. The drug peddler has been identified as Shakir Gulzar Bhat. A case has been registered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Kulgam Police Station.

“The

in most places of Himachal

“Both the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state are currently 4 to 5 degrees above normal,” he said.

Chennai: President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the Defence Staff College, Wellington in Tamil Nadu on Sunday was cancelled due to inclement weather, officials said. The President was supposed to reach Coonoor, lay a wreath at the War Memorial and deliver a talk at the college.

New Delhi (ANI): The IMD on Sunday issued a warning for heat wave in the isolated coastal region specifically in Konkan and Kutch area of Gujarat for the next two days.

IMD Scientist Naresh said, “Presently, one Western Disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar with his wife Sudesh Dhankhar during the Rann Utsav, in Kutch on Sunday.

Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur and Bhupender Yadav on the Vande Bharat express from New Delhi to Chandigarh, on Sunday.

The final NDRF team under Operation Dost returns from Türkiye, on Sunday. Three teams of 151 NDRF personnel and dog squads extended assistance to the earthquake-affected country.

Tourists seen at Mall Road as the temperature rises in the region, in Shimla. —PHOTO BY ANI

PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO DEFENCE STAFF COLLEGE CANCELLED

ROHIT SHARMA HINTS AT 'EXTENDED RUN' FOR RAHUL DESPITE POOR RESULTS

JADEJA WREAKS HAVOC AS INDIA RETAIN BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates a wicket with teammates during the third day of the second test match against Australia, at Arun Jaitley Stadium, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Flying crew shortages are already on the rise as pilots complain of rising levels of fatigue, a less-thanreassuring trend in an industry where the margin for safety is negligible. —PHOTO BY REUTERS

FPIs SHIFT FOCUS BACK ON INDIAN MKT; INVEST `7,666 CRORE

SAYS FORMER NITI VC

INDIA’S ECONOMY TO GROW @ 6%

New Delhi: Foreign investors seem to have shifted their focus back on the Indian equity markets as they turned net buyers last week with an investment of over `7,600 crore. This came following a net outflow of `3,920 crore by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) from equities in the preceding week (February 7-12), data with the depositories showed. As per the data, FPIs have purchased equities worth a net sum of `7,666 crore in the week ended February 17. —PTI

MCAP OF FIVE OF TOP-10 FIRMS JUMP `95,337 CRORE

New Delhi (PTI): India is likely to clock 6% growth rate next fiscal and the country can persevere with a high growth rate because of several reforms undertaken during the last eight years by the Narendra Modi government, former Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday.

Kumar further said major risks going forward will emerge from a synchronized downturn in the North American and European economies.

“India has a good opportunity to persevere with a high growth rate because of the reforms undertaken during the last eight years. We will manage to grow at 6 per cent in 2023-24,” he said.

According to Kumar, there are several downside

risks, especially in the context of an uncertain global situation.

“These will have to be tackled through careful policy measures designed to support our export efforts and at the same time improve the flow of private investment both from domestic sources as well as from foreign sources,” he said. The Reserve Bank has projected India’s economic growth at 6.4% for 2023-24, broadly in line with the estimate of the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament.

GDP growth is estimated at 7% in 2022-23, according to the first advance estimate of the NSO.

The Economic Survey 2022-23 projected a baseline GDP growth of 6.5% in real terms for the next fiscal.

FOR PSPs Power Min proposes tax sops, green clearances

New Delhi: Five of the top 10 valued firms together added `95,337.95 crore in their market valuation last week, with index major RIL contributing the most. While Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, HDFC, ITC and Bharti Airtel were the gainers, TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever and SBI were the laggards. RIL continued to rule the chart of the most valued firms followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, HUL, HDFC, ITC, SBI & Bharti Airtel. —PTI

GAIL IMITATING RELIANCE WITH US ETHANE PLANS?

New Delhi (PTI): To promote pumped storage hydro-power projects in India, the Ministry of Power has proposed giving incentives such as tax breaks, easy environment clearance and providing land at concessional rates.

The ministry has released draft guidelines on pumped storage projects (PSPs) to seek comments from states and state-run companies as well as private firms within a fortnight till March 2, 2023.

Keeping in view the immense utility of the PSPs in grid stabilisation as well as meeting the peaking power demand, a need for formulating separate guidelines

ACC. TO EX-NITI VICE CHAIRMAN

z India is likely to clock 6% growth rate next fiscal and the country can persevere with a high growth rate because of several reforms undertaken during the last eight years by the Narendra Modi government

z Major risks going forward will emerge from a synchronized downturn in the North American and European economies

z According to him, there are several downside risks, especially in the context of an uncertain global situation

Global trends to guide stock market this week

Replying to a question on high inflation, Kumar said the Reserve Bank has said that it will ensure that inflation rate is brought under control.

“Also a good winter crop will help in keeping the food prices low,” he noted.

The RBI lowered the consumer price inflation (CPI) forecast to 6.5% for the current fiscal from 6.7%.

India’s retail inflation in January was 6.52%.

To a question on India’s rising trade deficit with China, Kumar suggested that New Delhi should reengage with Beijing on finding greater market opportunities and access in the Chinese market.

“There are several products which India can export more to China.

Adani credit facilities expose collateral web full of red flags

First India Bureau Mumbai: Financing arrangements across the Adani Group conglomerate have sent a fresh chill through ESG markets as investors wake up to a new risk.

rectly supporting the dirtiest of fossil fuels.

New Delhi (PTI): With the third quarter earnings calendar coming to an end and no major domestic trigger in sight, equity investors will focus on global trends and foreign fund movement this week, analysts said.

Markets may face volatile trends amid derivatives expiry during the week, they added.

New Delhi: India’s largest gas firm GAIL is imitating billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd in planning to import ethane from the US to replace natural gas and naphtha as feedstock at its petrochemical plants.

“In a bid towards diversification of the feedstock, GAIL is looking to import ethane from ethane-surplus countries with matured export terminal infrastructure through water borne transportation to India and transport it further through GAIL’s pipeline systems to demand centres,” the company said in a tender document. —PTI

MF COLLECTION THROUGH NFO DROPS 38% IN 2022

to promote PSPs was felt to set the direction of its development, the minsitry said in the guidelines.

The CEA estimates regarding on-river pumped storage potential is 103 GW in India. Apart from this, a large number of off-river pumped storage potential is also available.

A Feb 10 public filing has since made clear that Adani is using stock from its Green companies as collateral in a credit facility that’s helping to finance the Carmichael coal mine in Australia, via Adani Enterprises Ltd.

KLP has blacklisted coal from its portfolio, so any indirect financing of the Carmichael project would represent a “breach of our commitments,” Kiran Aziz, KLP’s head of re-

sponsible investing, said in an interview. Since short-seller Hindenburg Research published its critical report on Jan 24, investors have responded to its allegations of fraud and market manipulation by selling Adani shares. But for investors with environmental, social and governance mandates, there’s an added layer of pain as they realise their green dollars were indi-

AI fleet expansion a necessity, says ex-chief

New Delhi (PTI): Nearly two decades ago, the then government-owned Air India had an “extremely small fleet” of aircraft that was also prone to frequent breakdowns. Then, aircraft were taken on lease and later the airline placed orders for 111 planes.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHT

z Prior to the latest order of 470 planes, the last time AI placed orders for aircraft was in 2005 for 111 aircraft

In the wake of Air India placing firm orders for 470 planes, V Thulasidas, who was the airline’s chief from December 2003 to March 2008, said there was a necessity for fleet augmenta-

tion that will also help address the long standing grievance that most of the Indians travelling international are carried by foreign airlines.

Prior to the latest order, the last time Air India placed orders for aircraft was in 2005 for 111 aircraft during the time of Thulasidas.

While stressing the importance of international aviation hubs, he said India can have many such hubs as there are now

DIFFERENT APPROACH FROM OTHERS

New Delhi: Mutual funds’ collection through new fund offerings (NFOs) remained subdued in 2022, with asset management companies (AMCs) garnering over Rs 62,000 crore through new schemes, which was 38% less compared to 2021. However, higher number of NFOs were launched in 2022 compared to the preceding year. A total of 228 new schemes were floated last year, which was way higher than 140 launched in 2021. —PTI

world class airports and strong airlines.

“It is us who gave away the (international) hubs to Singapore, Dubai and other places. This was because we did not have good airports and did not have large, strong airlines.

“Now, we have world class airports which can act as hubs and we are now gradually seeing very strong airlines coming up. With this combination, there can be international hubs in India.

TCS NOT CONSIDERING ANY LAYOFFS

Mumbai (PTI): Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is not considering any layoffs as it believes in grooming talent for longer careers once it hires an employee, a top official has said.

The country’s largest IT services exporter is also looking to hire startup employees who have lost their jobs, its chief Human Resource officer Milind Lakkad said.

“We don’t do that (layoffs), we believe in grooming talent in the company… (there will be) no layoffs,” Lakkad said, replying to a specific question on wheth-

er there will be layoffs or involuntary attrition. He said many companies are forced to take such a

step because they hired more than they wanted while the “cautious” TCS believes that once a staff

ACCORDING TO CHIEF HR OFFICER

z The country’s largest information technology services exporter is also looking to hire startup employees who have lost their jobs

z The company, which employs over 6 lakh people, will be announcing hikes which will be similar to earlier years

member joins, it is the company’s responsibility to make them productive and derive value.

“Investments in other parts of the Adani Group are leaking into the funding of Carmichael,” said Ulf Erlandsson, chief executive of Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute, which has been tracking the Adani Group since mid-2020. “Investors who have restrictions on funding greenfield thermal coal mining should revisit potential exposures across the whole of Adani Group.”

More than 500 funds registered in the European Union as “promoting” ESG goals hold Adani stocks, either directly or indirectly, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

OTHER STORIES

“Global cues and F&O expiry may cause volatility this week. Although FIIs have shown some interest in purchasing over the past few days, there were a few block purchases last week, so their flow will be crucial,” said Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart Ltd. Brent crude oil movement and the trend in the rupee would also be in focus this week.

“With all major events behind us, the performance of the global markets, especially the US, will be in focus for cues. Besides, crude and rupee movement will continue to offer indications in between,” Ajit Mishra, VP Technical Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.

The BSE benchmark last week climbed 319.87 points or 0.52%.

The lack of major triggers in the domestic market will attract global cues to dictate the market’s trend going forward, Nair added.

HERO MOTOCORP PLANS TO EXPAND ELECTRIC TWO-WHEELER RANGE OVER NEXT 12-18 MONTHS

New Delhi: The country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp plans to expand its electric two-wheeler range over the next 18-24 months as it looks to cater to demand across multiple customer segments, according to a senior company official. The company, which has already commenced sales of its electric scooter under Vida brand across Delhi, Bengaluru and Jaipur, plans to introduce the existing range in other cities as well in the next fiscal before it starts to roll out the new products. —PTI

GOVERNMENT MAY AUCTION 6 MINERAL BLOCKS IN FEBRUARY

New Delhi: The government is likely to put on sale six mineral blocks, including four iron ore mines, in the current month. The move would give a boost to mining sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product. The notice inviting tenders for the mines -- Chhitpuri B iron ore block, Gomter – Wakeli, Bijapur, Hahaladdi, North Bastar Kanker, Lohhater, North Bastar Kanker -- were floated last year. —PTI

FINANCE MINISTRY TO MEET HEADS OF BANKS ON FEBRUARY 22

New Delhi: The finance ministry has called a meeting of heads of public sector banks and top four private sector lenders to review the progress of the emergency credit line guarantee scheme to help businesses affected by COVID-19. The meeting is scheduled to be held on February 22 to review progress on ECLGS and Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVIDAffected Sectors (LGSCAS), sources said. —PTI

BANKS’ NET INTEREST INCOME SOARS BY A RECORD 25.5% IN THIRD QUARTER: ANALYSIS

Mumbai: Net interest income of banks grew by a record 25.5% to `1.78 lakh crore in the December 2022 quarter on-year, driven by a healthy credit off-take and higher yield on advances, according to an analysis. The quarter saw banks booking higher yields on advances as the system-wide core profitability metric net interest margin (NIM) rose by 17 basis points (bps) to 3.28%. This was possible as banks repriced existing loans higher at a faster rate and also increased the new loan pricing, but kept deposit rates almost unchanged, according to an analysis.

Don’t put off doing the important things in life and in business, in favour of the easy and immediate tasks.

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

SHARAD PAWAR AGREES WITH AMIT SHAH

HM’s views on cooperative sector are ‘appropriate’

We have no differences on the issues raised by him, our policy issues were discussed, he said

First India Bureau Baramati: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday agreed with Home Minister Amit Shah’s views that the cooperative sector in the country should introspect in order to improve its systems.

“Yesterday, Amit Shah was in the Cooperative Council, which was inaugurated by me on the day before yesterday[Friday]. We have no differences on the issues raised by him, our policy issues were discussed, and the ones raised by him [Amit Shah’s] seemed appropriate,” NCP chief Sharad Pawar said talking to ANI. The NCP chief was talking about Amit Shah’s ad-

Aim must be to win all 48

Maha LS seats, Shah tells BJP workers, slams Uddhav

First India Bureau

eties, urban banks and district cooperative banks are concerned, a lot needs to be done. We had a series of meetings with the Reserve Bank of India and I can say about the issues that were brought before me here on this platform, we will ensure all these institutions do not face any injustice,” he added.

Talking further about the ongoing ‘bow and arrow’ issue in Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar termed the matter a “separate topic”.

Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday set the BJP and its allies a target of winning all 48 seats in Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Kolhapur, he also lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for “surrendering at the feet of (Nationalist Party Congress chief) Sharad Pawar” to become chief minister.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah —FILE PHOTO

“By deceit you can attain power for few days, but when it comes to the battlefield, you need courage to win,” Shah said without naming Thackeray

Yesterday, Amit Shah was in the Cooperative Council, which was inaugurated by me on the day before yesterday(Friday). We have no differences on the issues raised by him, our policy issues were discussed, and the ones raised by him (Amit Shah’s) seemed appropriate.

dress during an event in Maharashtra where he had pointed to the drop in the number of cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra and the rise in the number of private ones.

“I will talk about Maharashtra since I am in Maharashtra. There

Shinde praises Modi, Shah for standing by his government

First India Bureau

Pune: Maharashtra

Chief Minister Eknath

Shinde showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for supporting him in forming the government and said that the Prime Minister has helped in the development of everyone in this country.

“At the time of the establishment of the government, PM Modi and Amit Shah said that we are with you. I remember the words of Amit bhai, who said, Shindeji, you move ahead, we are behind you like a rock,” said Eknath Shinde.

“Narendra Modi is the number one leader not only in the country but also in the world. I am fortunate that PM Modi’s blessings are with the state government,” added Shinde.

Speaking about the coalition with the BJP in the state, “What we did was right. We campaigned and fought the election together. However, the government was formed with someone else. Was it correct? No. That’s why we came back with the BJP.”

Talking about Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, “Balasaheb used to say that if he becomes the Prime Minister he would get Article 370 removed and would build the Ram temple.”

At the time of the establishment of the government, PM Modi and Amit Shah said that we are with you. I remember the words of Amit bhai, who said, Shindeji, you move ahead, we are behind you like a rock,” said Eknath Shinde. “Earlier, the poor were kept poor. Now Modiji has helped in the development of all.

—Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister

“His dreams are being fulfilled by Amit Shah under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

“This country runs on the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. We formed our government on the basis of that Constitution. The EC order that came today is on the basis of merit. I express my gratitude to the Election Commission,” he said.

were 202 cooperative sugar mills in Maharashtra. Today, the number is down to 101. There were 22 private sugar mills in the state, but this has now gone up to 93. They ate up our (cooperative) space.

The cooperative sector needs to introspect on

—Sharad Pawar, NCP chief

why this is happening,” Shah said. Shah had further assured full support to the cooperative sector in the country from the Central government asserting that the former needs to introspect to improve its systems.

“As far as credit soci-

“I do not want to say anything about the issue of bow and arrow that is going on at present, that is a separate topic. I had already put my views on that the day before yesterday,” Pawar said today.

The day before yesterday on Friday, Sharad Pawar remarked on the loss of the “bow and arrow” symbol of his ally Uddhav Thackeray’s faction stating that it would not have any major impact.

Thackeray had broken the alliance with BJP after the 2019 Assembly poll results were declared claiming the latter had reneged on its promise to share the chief ministerial tenure with the Shiv Sena.

“In 2019, the BJP and its allies won 42 out of 48 seats. This time, we should win all 48 seats,” Shah told his party workers.

Attacking Thackeray, Shah said, “Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena was surrendered at the feet of Sharad Pawar.

(Thackeray) contested Assembly elections with us with the largest cut-outs being that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But after the results were out, he (Thackeray) surrendered at the feet of Pawar.”

“We are not greedy for power nor have we ever sacrificed our principles. The last Maharashtra assembly election was contested

under the leadership of then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. PM Modi and I had openly said this during our rallies. Despite this, (Thackeray) joined hands with the opposition,” he added. “By deceit you can attain power for few days, but when it comes to the battlefield, you need courage to win,” Shah said without naming Thackeray.

Nagpur: Devkinandan

Thakur Maharaj has made a statement that every Sanatani family should give birth to five to six children until the Population Control Act comes into effect in our country. Thakur Maharaj visited Nagpur to narrate the story of Shri Krishna. He also said that the population explosion in India is so big that no one can even think about it. No one talks about four wives and forty children, he said.

“My point is that until the Population Control Act is enforced, every Sanatani family should have more children. There used to be 5-6 children. For this, boys and girls should get married on time and also give birth to 5 to 6 children,” said Thakur Maharaj.

“Don’t you know if our country does not become a Hindu nation

and follow orthodox religion in the next 10 years, what will happen in 25 years? Will this country remain secular after 25 years? What I have said will be understood only if you know the truth behind it. Do we have to think for the next generation or not?”, commented Thakur Maharaj. Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj has also demanded establishment

Maharaj has also demanded the establishment of Sanatan Mandal

of Sanatan Mandal. “Today, there are Waqf Boards in many places. Therefore, Sanatan Board should be established. The central government should keep it under its supervision.

We are a minority in at least 9 states, but nobody calls us that,” he added.

“Our country believes in eternal traditions. We became secular 75 years ago, but Sanatan culture is not over. I had demanded that Sanatan Boards should be established 5 years ago. The board needs to ensure that Sanatan tradition is passed on,” he said.

THACKERAY THROWS THE GAUNTLET

First India Bureau Mumbai: NCP state president Jayant Patil commented on the decision of the Shinde faction getting the name and symbol of Shiv Sena. While speaking in Sangli during the inauguration of development works in various wards of the Municipal Corporation, Patil said that Uddhav Thackeray submitted documents to the EC, but still, the decision was given in favour of Shinde.

Patil said, “Times have changed, justice has changed. People are saying that those who are expected to give justice are blindfolded. Now, justice will have to go to the people’s court. The EC has given the verdict in favour of CM Shinde. Tomorrow, the

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Election Commission has decided to give Shiv Sena’s name and bow and arrow symbol to Eknath Shinde. After this, Uddhav Thackeray and his leaders are making strong accusations against BJP and Eknath Shinde. Due to this, the political atmosphere has become more heated in the state. In con-

nection with the same, Uddhav Thackeray has given an open challenge to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP on Sunday. While speaking at a gathering of North Indians, Uddhav said, “Yesterday they snatched my bow and arrow, now Prabhu Ramchandra himself has come with me. I don’t know whether to call this coincidence,

but sometimes such things happen. I challenge those who have stolen my party’s name and bow and arrow that if you have the courage, face me with my stolen bow and arrow, let me come forward with my torch, and see what happens.”

“Today, I say that I am a Hindu, I have never left Hinduism and will never leave. I left BJP not Hindutva. BJP is

Supreme Court may say that since the party belongs to Shinde, there is no question of suspension.”

“The IT department took action against the office of the BBC channel as a videotape about Godhra massacre was shown by BBC. That means the action will be taken against those who speak against it. Citizens of India should be careful now,” urged Patil.

not Hindutva, and their Hindutva is not our Hindutva. I say openly that it is not acceptable to us. What my father taught me is not Hinduism. In my father’s language, nationalism is our Hindutva. Our Hinduism is connected with the country, but their Hindutva says to fight among yourselves, fight in a family, fight in a party, and get power,” added Uddhav.

If you have courage, face me with my ‘torch’: Uddhav

Before population Act, Sanatanis should raise 5-6 children each: Devkinandan Thakur

Devkinandan Thakur Maharaj

—FILE PHOTO

Today, action will be taken against the weak: Jayant Patil

MISS RAJASTHAN 2023

The 25th edition of Miss Rajasthan organised by Fusion Group which exuberantly celebrates and promotes the tradition, culture and

ASTOUNDING GLAMOUR!

o l everage its vast knowledge and expertise in transforming women into confident and prosperous winners in life, Rajasthan’s biggest and oldest beauty pageant Miss Rajasthan organised by Fusion Group duly announced with the unveiling of the 25th edition at Blue Pluto Restaurant, EP, Jaipur on Sunday.

The first look of the grand pageant was unveiled by Pandit Suresh Mishra, WTP Chairman Anup

Bhartaria, Bollywood Film Distributor Raj Bansal, Vivo’s Mudit Sharma, Deputy Mayor Municipal Corporation Jaipur Greater Puneet Karnawat, Event Group Arshad Hussain, Pawan Goyal, Rohit Agarwal, Olympic Player Ajay Singh Meena, Rotary Club Metro K President Jai Singh and Nutritionist Kirti Jain, President of Jaipur Vyapar Mandal Subhash Goyal. The unveiling ceremony was followed by an impressive trunk show, during which, Rajasthan’s top models Miss Grand India 2020 Simran Sharma, Miss Intercontinental India 2021, Mithali Kaur, Miss Rajasthan 2021 Manasi Rathore, Miss Rajasthan 2022 Tarushi Rai, Priyan Sen, Paridhi, Riya, Sanjana, Bhavna Vaishnav and top models of Jaipur showcased Saundh’s Indo Western collection. Meenakshi

Solanki, di rector of Diva & Debonair, draped the models into aston ishing outfits.

During the occasion, organisers Yogesh Mishra and Nimisha Mishra shared that in t 25th edition of Miss Rajasthan, more than 25 events will be or ganised in 9 cities of Rajasthan. In this series, Pageant Talks, a talk show will also be organ ised in which top models from the country will give in formation about beauty pageants. The registra tions for Miss Rajasthan have also started on MissRa jasthan.org and the audi tions will be scheduled in Jaipur in May and June.

UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in

(L-R) Sanjana Sharma, Paridhi Sharma, tarushee Rai, Priyan Sain and Riya Jakhar

(L-R) Sanjana, Paridhi, Sapna, Bhawna, Mittali, Nimisha, Raj Bansal, Pt Suresh Mishra, Yogesh Mishra, Simran, Mansi, Tarushee, Priyan and Riya

Clockwise: Tarushee, Mittali, Simran and Bhawna Riya Jakhar

DR TRUPTI SHIROLE

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Sleep is your body’s natural healing mechanism. A good night’s sleep prepares you for a productive day. You need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested and revitalized, yet getting adequate sleep can be challenging at times.

NATURAL HERBS CAN HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER

Eachnight.com’s sleep specialists have revealed how natural herbs can aid those who struggle to sleep at night. Dr Nayantara Santhi has assessed this study medically.

HOW CAN HERBS HELP YOU SLEEP?

Natural herbs provide potent sleep-enhancing qualities, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. They can help you sleep by calming your nerves and soothing your senses.

Sleep deprivation is frequently caused by a busy lifestyle, anxiety, and stress. Stress reduces the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, however, some herbal remedies can compensate.

Some natural herbs are abundant in tryptophan, an amino acid that improves serotonin synthesis. Increasing serotonin levels corrects the chemical imbalance that causes insomnia, the most prevalent sleep condition.

Natural Herbs for Sleep: How to Use Them

HERBAL TEAS

Make a herbal tea by combining 1 teaspoon of herbs with a cup of boiling water. Allow it to steep for 20 minutes before straining and drinking. You should have two to three glasses of herbal tea every day.

AROMATHERAPY OILS

Add herb-flavoured essential oils to a warm water bath before bedtime for a relaxing effect that induces sleep. Massage herb-infused oil blended with olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil into certain areas of your body, such as your forehead, neck, chest, wrist, chest, hands, or feet. If your skin is sensitive to essential oils, diluting them minimizes the likelihood of a reaction.

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy candles allow you to inhale the fragrance of natural herbs.

SUPPLEMENTS

Consume herbal extract supplements, which are sold over the counter in pharmacies. To find out how much to take per day, see the dosing recommendations on the product. “Sleep disturbances arise when the regular processes of waking and/or initiating sleep do not occur,” said a spokeswoman for Eachnight.com. This can happen because of a mix of genetic, environmental, sleep, and other psychobiological factors.

A spokesperson from achnight.com commented, “Sleep disturbances occur when the normal processes of waking and/ or initiating sleep do not happen. This can occur because of a combination of genetic, environmental, sleep habits, and other psychobiological factors. Most natural herbs have a long history of use for the treatment of insomnia. These herbal medicines were being prescribed by physicians since ancient times as natural sleep aids. Modern-day studies and research have supported the efficacy of taking these herbs for a great night`s sleep, so any of these options can be a good fit. Although many herbs are harmless and have no side effects it is worth talking to your doctor before making any drastic changes.”

SOURCE: https://www.medindia.net/news/lifestyleandwellness/top-5-natural-herbs-tobeat-insomnia-210391-1.htm

TOP 5 HERBS FOR BETTER SLEEP!

LAVENDER

Lavender’s anti-depressive, sedative, and soothing qualities aid with sleep. According to research, lavender herbs can help you relax, reduce anxiety, and stabilize mood problems. Reduced stress, anxiety, and a pleasant mood encourage daytime alertness and deeper sleep at night. Lavender is typically applied as a spray or inhaled.

PASSIONFLOWER

Passionflower contains nerve-relaxing flavonoids that aid in relaxation and sleep. This tropical flower has a pleasant flavour and is widely found in herbal, over-the-counter sedatives.

VALERIAN ROOT

The roots of the valerian herb are frequently used to alleviate patients’ sleeplessness, restlessness, and anxiety.

Valerenic acid, which is found in valerian roots, prevents the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA. This promotes greater sleep quality.

Valerian promotes deep sleep by using anti-anxiety medication principles.

Valerian is widely available and usually comes in the form of pills.

ASHWAGANDHA

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that is often used to treat insomnia since studies have shown that it improves sleep onset latency and quality of sleep. The true sleep-promoting ingredients of Ashwagandha are found in the plant’s leavestrimethylene glycol acts to decrease sensations of stress or anxiety, produce tranquillity, and assist you in falling asleep effortlessly. Because ashwagandha works with your body to naturally improve sleeping habits, it’s a terrific alternative to anxiety drugs or over-the-counter sleep aids.

Ashwagandha pills can be purchased and consumed.

CHAMOMILE

Chamomile is a centuries-old medicinal herb recognized for its sedative properties. Modern research supports the use of chamomile. It relieves anxiety, calms your nerves, and helps you sleep. One study, for example, discovered that drinking chamomile tea at night for two weeks reduced sleep inefficiency and sadness in women who had given birth and struggled to sleep. Chamomile tea is a popular tranquillizer due to the presence of nerve-relaxing flavonoids. Even breathing the aroma of chamomile might provide a relaxing effect.

SUNDAY BINGE’

Alia Bhatt recently took to her Instagram story to share a picture, giving a glimpse of her Sunday binge plans. The picture shared by the actress shows The Night Manager playing on the television screen.

The thrilling four-episode series stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Anil Kapoor, and Sobhita Dhulipala debuted on February 17th, and it is the official Hindi remake of the British TV series of the same name, starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. Sharing the picture, Alia Bhatt wrote, “Sunday binge,” and added a gif that featured a panda sitting on a couch. Check out her Instagram story below.

Alia Bhatt will next be seen in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani which also stars Ranveer Singh, Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra, and Jaya Bachchan. Alia will also make her Hollywood debut with Heart Of Stone, which stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. She also has Farhan Akhtar’s Jee Le Zaraa along with Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif.

Nikki Tamboli Goes Bold

KARISHMA TANNA OOZES OOMPH

Karishma Tanna is one of the most talented and popular actresses in the entertainment world and has a massive fan following as well. She has been a part of numerous projects over the years and stunned audiences each time with her acting prowess. Her gorgeous looks and amazing sartorial choices have also been the talk of the town for a while now and her social media handle is proof of this statement.

VAANI’S STUNNING APPEARANCE

Her post...

Nikki Tamboli, who primarily worked in the Tamil and Tel ugu film industry, gained fame after her stint on ‘Bigg Boss 14’.

A few days back, Nikki shared her bridal look wear ing heavy jewelry and a very chic and glamorous bridal couture photoshoot and her photos went viral in no time. On Friday, Nikki took to social media and dropped another urban-glam video of her.

The actor is seen dressed in a sheer green embellished lehenga and choli. Nikki is seen playing with her tresses as she blinks her eye and flaunts a kiss. Take a look at her viral video here:

The actor rules hearts with her bold and straightforward game plan. She is also known to be a fitness freak and often gets papped on her way to the pilate session.

Her

Karishma Tanna, who has main tained an active social media pres ence never fails to stun fans with their amazing photos and videos. The ac tress recently took the internet by storm when she shares her stun ning photos on her Instagram handle. In these pictures, Kar

LOVE

Anushka Sharma has always been touted as one of the most relatable Bollywood stars by her fans and her latest Instagram story is proof of the same. Speaking of which, this morning too, Anushka shared a picture of how her Sunday morning is going. A few minutes back, Anushka took to her Instagram stories and

shared a glimpse of this morning. In the photograph, she can be seen meeting her caf feine needs as she sips coffee from an unusual huge, red coffee mug. She was seen wearing a white tee shirt. Sharing the pho to, she captioned the post, “The coffee cup I need this morning.”

The diva is taking over the industry and has established herself as a fashionable and influential figure. When she provides enticing and engaging stuff on her social media profile to entice followers, the internet loses its cool and goes crazy. She’s extremely lovely and nice, and it’s no surprise that many divas around the country desire to appear as stunning as she does.

Vaani Kapoor wore a peach crepe saree with a sheer net and paired it with a V-neck fitted padded designer halfsleeves blouse. Vaani Kapoor styled her hair in a middle-parted wavy hairstyle. She accessories with a golden ring and a wristwatch. In the picture, she shows her curved waist posture with a starry gaze and a beautiful smile to the camera.

Alia Bhatt

Karishma Tanna

Vaani Kapoor

Anushka Sharma

Nikki Tamboli

Bollywood celebrities Jackie Shroff, Chunky Panday and Ayaan Ali Khan along with their families were

Chunky Panday

Jackie Shroff

Ayaan Ali Khan with his family

MY FATHER ENCOURAGED ME TO DISCOVER MY INNER SINGER ’

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Jannat Zubair is known for her roles in fictional dramas like 'Kashi - Ab Na Rahe Tera Kagaz Kora,’ ‘Phulwa’ and ‘Tu Aashiqui,’ as well as her participation in the stunt-based reality series

"Khatron Ke Khiladi 12,' recently released her most recent song, 'Babu Shona Mona,' which was curated by Zubair Rahmani and features music and lyrics by Vibhas.

In an exclusive interview with Ashish Tiwari, she opened up on her new track, talking about the same Jannat remarked, "Singing is something I have cherished, and I enjoyed singing the music. A track for millennials

Fashion for a cause!

Recycling sustainable fashion is something that designer Anjali Phougat has always believed in and her lines have always reflected that. Her latest show at the New York Fashion Week, which took place on February 10and 11, First time in history many mother-daughter duos walked on the

be inclusive of all shapes, ages and body type and there should be diversity and inclusion and bullying should never be tolerated at any level.

Talking about the line, Anjali said, “We feature recycled materials to showcase sustainability, an issue which has always been close to my heart.”

age music for Generation Z, 'Babu Shona Mona' has a new age sound. My father created the concept and the song since he knew how much I love to sing and constantly encouraged me to discover my inner singer. We will launch the video when we finish launching the audio today". She also spoke about returning to television after taking part in Khatron Ke Khiladi 12. According to Jannat, who took part in the reality series based on stunts created by Rohit Shetty, “After four years, it makes me very happy to be back on television. Khatron Ke Khiladi 12 seems to be the perfect programme for my television comeback. My first exposure to the reality genre hasn’t been good, and I don’t see how it could be much better. I’m very much looking forward to this opportunity, and I’m hopeful the viewers will like seeing me on the screens again after such a long time.”

Jannat Zubair has ruled the hearts of many with her creative brilliance, and now her voice will storm the music scene. Babu Shona Mona is a song for anyone who is nursing a broken heart; in

Junooniyat receives applause!

It is safe to say that Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta’s latest production Junooniyat is going to change the face of Indian television. The show, which went on air on February 13, has been loved by the audience.

Starring actors Ankit Gupta, Gautam Vij and Neha Rana, the show has received massive appreciation and applause.

The whole cast and crew had a celebration and screening of the first episode too, just to celebrate the moment.

In fact, the cast of Sargun and Ravie’s cult

show Udaariyaan also joined them in their celebrations. The fans of Sargun and Ravie have been flooding their social media with congratulatory messages. “We are beyond thrilled at the response we have seen after the first episode. It seems like people are really waiting to see such a concept on Indian television. People are also thrilled to see this star cast together and have been messaging us about how much they are looking forward to seeing the show,” says an elated Sargun.

INFINITY OF TOGETHERNESS!

ed their first wedding anniversary on Sunday, and to marked the event, Farhan wrote his wife Shibani a brief yet heartfelt note. Farhan Akhtar shared images from the event as well as memories of their wedding day. In the first photo, Farhan and Shibani can be seen laughing together candidly while posing. The next image depicts them exchanging a kiss during their wedding ceremony.

Sharing the wedding pictures, Farhan wrote, “Happy 365 @shibaniakhtar .. here’s to (infinity emoji).” Shibani commented on the post and wrote, “Foo.”

Sreejita De opens up about her marriage

Balraj talks about Kamaal Ho, sung by his wife

Actor-comedian Balraj Syal talks about the song Kamaal Ho produced by him and sung by his better half Deepti.

The song features popular faces Prince Narula and Deepti in it. He said, “Kamaal Ho is about love. It’s about how much you appreciate your love and

your partner and how blessed you feel when you are with them.

The USP for me is that this is Deepti’s song and Prince has featured in this.

Kunal, who is a very dear friend of mine, has composed it and I have produced it. It’s a very soothing and romantic song.“

The song was shot in Jaipur. Balraj feels the song has been shot beautifully in

such locations which are still unexplored. Initially, the song was planned by Prince and his better half Yuvika but her dates did not work out so Deepti stepped after Prince's suggestion.

“Lakhs of videos are made and I feel through this people can get work in the industry. Every person tries to create the best thing. I never worry about competition,” he further added.

Jannat Zubair Rahmani

Ravie Dubey and Sargun Mehta

Farhan’s post...

Shibani Dandekar

Balraj Syal

Glimpses of the event

Sreejita De