First India-Mumbai Edition-26th March 2023

SAWEETY BOORA beat China’s Lina Wang to clinch India’s second gold medal at the Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023. Boora beat Wang via a split decision to win gold in the 81kg category event. It was a cautious start in the first round.

SAWEETY, NITU CLINCH GOLD FOR INDIA

NITU GHANGHAS secured an unanimous decision win against Mongolia’s Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg to clinch a gold in the 45-48 kg category finals at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi on Saturday. The two-time World Youth champion carried on her rich vein of form to get the better of the Mongolian.

50 YEARS OF PROJECT TIGER

SOON, OUR BIG CATS TO ROAR IN CAMBODIA!

z India and Cambodia signed MoU recently with focus on tiger reintroduction in Cambodia in presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen z Prime Minister Narendra Modi may make the announcement in a conference at Mysore next month to mark the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Project Tiger

3,000-MARK COUNT TO BE ACHIEVED SOON IN INDIA’S 53 TIGER RESERVES

6%

Annual growth of Tiger seen in all these years

Crucial

READ

SHAH LAUDS EFFORTS OF CRPF ON INTERNAL SECURITY OF NATION

BJP eyes ‘Modi Magic’ in K’taka

K’TAKA HAS DECIDED TO BRING BACK THE DOUBLE ENGINE GOVT: PM

PM MODI IN POLLBOUND KARNATAKA FOR 7TH TIME THIS YEAR

Jagdalpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, on the occasion of 84th CRPF Day, lauded the contributions of CRPF to the internal security of the nation and for carrying out the responsibility of safely conducting the democratic process. P6

MISSISSIPPI TORNADO

KILLS 24 AND BRINGS DEVASTATION TO US

Mississippi: Over 24 people died and dozens injured as a tornado and strong thunderstorms swept across Mississippi, destroying buildings and knocking out power as severe weather that produced hail size of the golf balls.

TEJASHWI QUESTIONED BY CBI FOR 8 HOURS IN LAND-FOR-JOBS SCAM

New Delhi: CBI questioned Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav at its HQ for over 8 hours on Saturday in an ongoing investigation concerning land-for-jobs scam case, officials said. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Lalu’s daughter Misa Bharti was also questioned by the ED. P6

PAK COURT GRANTS

EX-PM IMRAN BAIL IN

3 TERRORISM CASES

Lahore: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted prearrest bail to ousted PM Imran Khan till April 4 in 3 terrorism cases registered against him by Lahore police. Khan appeared before ATC with scores of his supporters.

Moni Sharma

Devanagere: Amid attempts by Opposition leaders to rally in support of Congress leader Rahul following his disqualification as a member of LS on Friday, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday said the BJP has transformed the 'Politics of Perception' in

the country into the 'Politics of Performance', adding that the country had been mired in "dirty politics" for years.

"Karnataka has made up its mind to bring back the double-engine govt in the state. The BJP has put development on fast-track. Therefore, the need of

MODI

BENGALURU

70%

India harbours global wild tiger population

Royal Bengal tiger takes a rest inside its enclosure at Tata Steel Zoological Park (TSZP), in Jamshedpur.

DISQUALIFIED RaGa HITS BACK

Rahul Gandhi & CM Ashok Gehlot during a press conference at AICC HQ in Delhi on Saturday. Cong will stage day-long ‘Satyagraha’ today.

BJP wants to make Karnataka the driving force for a developed India. However, the Congress sees Karnataka as merely a means to fill the pockets of some of its leaders.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

the hour is for the BJP to return to power in the interest of taking

Karnataka to development and prosperity," he added.

"Congress says 'Modi Teri Qabr Khudegi' but they don't know that the people of Karnataka have a dream, which is 'Modi Tera Kamal Khilega," PM added. Modi also held a mega road show during which a huge crowd lined the streets chanting his name and showering him with petals.

RAHUL: MY NAME IS GANDHI, NEVER SPOKE AGAINST INDIA AND SO I WON’T APOLOGISE

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi held his first press conference on Saturday after being disqualified from LS. He said that he was speaking for democracy in India and would continue to do so. He said, "The disqualifi-

cation is a part of the plan to conceal the relationship between PM Modi and Gautam Adani". Rahul said, "The disqualification is a desperate move. In fact, he added, this is a weapon in the hands of the Opposition. He said that Modi is afraid of my speeches in Parl, this resulted in my disqualification." He said, "Modi may jail me for life but it won't stop me from speaking for people."

After CAG report, Aaditya demands audit of civic bodies

The CAG report studied Rs12,023.88 crore expenditure made by 9 BMC depts between Nov 28, 2019 and Oct 31, 2022

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Shiv Sena — UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday hit back at the Maharashtra government over the Comptroller

and Auditor General of India (CAG) report which pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over its functioning and use of funds and sought similar audits of civic bodies in Thane, KalyanDombivali, Nashik and Nagpur.

Talking to reporters, Thackeray, whose party controlled the BMC for 25 years, said people were aware of the work done by the (undivided)

Shiv Sena through the civic body.

“They (government) can probe. Whom does the municipal commis-

sioner listen to? Who was the Urban Development minister? We welcome this because Mumbaikars know about our

work,” he said.

“But similar audits must be carried out in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Nashik, Nagpur municipal corporations. If they (government) have guts, then they should be transparent,” Thackeray added.

Thackeray’s reference to the civic bodies of Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali civic bodies was aimed at attacking Chief minister Eknath Shinde who indirectly

controlled them, while the Nagpur civic body was controlled by BJP.

A report prepared by the CAG on the functioning of Mumbai’s civic body has highlighted the lack of transparency and planning as well as careless use of funds and flagged non-sharing of COVID-19 management expenditure records.

The CAG report, which was tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly

on Saturday by Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, scrutinised expenditure of Rs 12,023.88 crore made by nine departments of the BMC between November 28, 2019 and October 31, 2022. Several works were awarded without tendering or choosing proper contractors, including one case of an influent pumping station in which, report said, malafide intentions cannot be ruled out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Karnataka Health Minister Keshava Sudhakar and others during inauguration of Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research, in Chikkaballapur on Saturday. —PHOTO BY PTI

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & MUMBAI

OPPN WALKS OUT OF HOUSE OVER RAHUL POSTER ISSUE

6 MONTHS INTO 75TH YEAR, NO RESOLUTION ON MARATHWADA MUKTI SANGRAM

Breach of privilege: Sanjay Raut’s reply ‘unsatisfactory’

Woman files sexual abuse case against hubby, in-laws

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Opposition on Saturday staged a walkout in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, accusing Speaker Rahul Narwekar of delaying action against members who hit a poster of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with footwear on the legislature premises on Thursday.

The MVA has sought the suspension of MLAs Yogesh Sagar and Ram Satpute (both of the Bharatiya Janata Party), Bharat Gogawale (Shiv Sena) and BJP MLC Prasad Lad.

Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders met Assembly

Speaker Rahul Narwekar during the day and made it clear it was firm on the demand of suspension of these legislators.

“If the demand is not met, we will boycott the (legislative) proceedings,” Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said.

Speaker Narwekar said he needs to take

CM lays foundation stone for MLA hostel renovation

Mumbai (PTI):

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the renovation work at an MLA hostel in south Mumbai.

Situated in Colaba area, the Majestic MLA Hostel is a Grade 2A heritage building. It had been in a dilapidated condition. The modernization and renovation of the premises will be completed in 18 months, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe into confidence while preparing guidelines for members’ conduct at the legislature and in the House.

Narvekar urged the Opposition to allow Question Hour to proceed.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan raised

the issue when the House assembled for the day, and was supported by Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar, Balasaheb Thorat and others.

Thorat called the incident of slapping Gandhi's poster with footwear unfortunate.

“You should remember that it has happened

during your tenure and the decision you give will have a far-reaching impact on legislature proceedings,” Thorat said, asserting that he expects the chair to be unbiased.

Nationalist Congress Party member Jayant Patil asked the Speaker to adjourn the House proceedings and give his ruling after consulting the deputy chairperson of the Upper House. When Narwekar told the Opposition that sporting black bands in the House was not in accordance with legislative norms, Patil said it was a sign of their protest, and added that they were walking out in protest.

Process to revoke Sena MLA’s arms licence begun: Fadnavis

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday told the Maharashtra Legislative Council that the process has been initiated to revoke the arms licence of Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar.

In September 2022, a case was registered against Sarvankar, who represents the Mahim constituency, after a round was fired from his licensed weapon during an altercation between rival Sena groups in Mumbai’s Dadar area.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Sena alleged that it was Sarvankar who used the weapon, while the MLA

‘He shouldn’t have gone against norms and kept weapon in his car,’ Dy CM says

Mumbai (FIB): On Saturday, Ashok Chavan lamented that a resolution to mark the 75th anniversary of the Marathwada Mukti Sangram (Marathwada Liberation Day) had not been taken up despite being discussed by the business advisory committee.

Chavan said the 75thyear celebrations began in September last year and nearly three months have passed in the new year. Still, there is no resolution in the legislature to mark the occasion and pay homage to the freedom fighters, he said.

BJP’s Haribhau Bagade supported Chavan on this.

Marathwada Mukti Sangram is celebrated on September 17 to mark the anniversary of Marathwada’s integration with India when the Indian Army liberated the state of Hyderabad and defeated the Nizam on September 17, 1948, 13 months after India got independence.

State Congress chief Nana Patole demanded a special session of the legislature to mark the occasion.

Narvekar said he would convene a meeting of all group leaders before the Monsoon Session and a resolution will be moved in the first week of the next session. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said a Cabinet sub-committee has been formed to plan and arrange the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Marathwada Mukti Sangram.

Mumbai (PTI): The presiding officers of both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Saturday said they found the reply given by Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut to the breach of privilege notices issued to him unsatisfactory. The matter has now been referred to the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Raut, a member of the Rajya Sabha, was served breach of privilege notices last month for calling the state legislature “chormandal” (council of thieves).

Legislative Council

Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe said Raut, in his response, raised questions about the composition of the House’s privilege committee, its impartiality and style of functioning.

“Being a senior member of Rajya Sabha, it is not expected that he should raise questions about the functioning of the privilege committee. So I do not completely agree with his response and I do not find it satisfactory.

Therefore, I am referring the breach of privilege notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President (Jagdeep

Dhankhar) for appropriate action,” she told the Council.

In the Assembly, Speaker Rahul Narwekar too said that Raut’s explanation was unsatisfactory.

“I feel his statement caused a breach of privilege. But as per the rule, it has been referred to the Rajya Sabha secretariat since Raut is a member of the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Narwekar also said the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for the conduct of members in the state legislature and legislature complex will be prepared in two weeks.

QUESTIONABLE CHOICE

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis

—FILE PHOTO

from the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led group denied opening fire and claimed his rivals were trying to malign him.

In his response to the Opposition's last-week motion in the Upper House, Fadnavis said 14 witnesses have been examined in connection with the case so far.

“Sada Sarvankar, his son Samadhan Sarvankar and 11 people were given notice. He should not have kept his licensed weapon in his car as he was supposed to carry it with him,” Fadnavis said, adding: “Action has been taken under the Arms Act. He violated licence norms. The process to revoke his licence has been initiated.”

SLAP ON THE WRIST

House condemns BBC over its documentary on Gujarat riots

A resolution on the issue was moved by BJP member Atul Bhatkhalkar, passed by a voice vote while the Oppn was protesting outside

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Legislative Assembly on Saturday condemned the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for its documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying it had tried to ma-

lign the country’s judiciary and create a religious divide.

A resolution on this was moved by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Atul Bhatkhalkar and was put to vote by Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The resolution condemned the UK broadcaster for the documentary, saying it had tried to create a religious divide and malign India’s judiciary. The House passed the resolution by a voice vote. The Opposition was not present in the

Resolution alleged BBC tried to create a religious divide

House when the resolution was taken up.

Opposition members had staged a walkout alleging delay in the Speaker’s decision on taking action against those who had slapped a poster of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with footwear on the legislature premises.

BBC recently sparked controversy and protests in India after it aired a two-part series titled ‘India: The Modi Question’, claiming it investigated certain aspects relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots when Modi was the chief minister of the state.

India dismissed it as a “propaganda piece” and said it is designed to push a particular “discredited narrative” and that “the continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible” in the series.

Mumbai: A woman has filed a complaint accusing her husband and inlaws of rape, harassment and black magic, in Bhoiwada area of central Mumbai, police said on Saturday.

As per the complaint filed on Friday, the woman was allegedly harassed by her husband, in-laws and other members of his family between November 2001 and May 2022, he said. She was also raped and sexually harassed by six persons, including her husband and in-laws.

The victim has also alleged that her motherin-law tried to perform black magic on her, the official said.

The victim has made some serious allegations against her husband and other family members and the police are verifying those, he said.

An FIR has been registered under sections 376 (2) (f) (commits rape on a woman when she is under 12 years of age), 354 A (sexual harassment), 498 A (husband or relatives of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code, he added.

Govt neglecting slum fire victims, Uddhav faction MLA claims

First India Bureau Mumbai: Shiv SenaUddhav Balasaheb

Thackeray MLA Sunil Prabhu on Saturday accused the government of neglecting the victims whose shanties were gutted in a fire that broke out nearly two weeks ago inside the Appapada slums in the Malad (east) suburb in Mumbai.

On March 13, a leveltwo fire broke out inside the Appapada slums in Kurar village in Malad (east) in the western suburbs of

Mumbai. Luckily, no loss of life was reported in the incident.

“About 1,155 shanties were gutted due to the fire. People who lost their homes are not being rehabilitated by the state government,” Sunil Prabhu alleged.

“This government only shows off since it has not compensated the fire victims,” he claimed.

Prabhu questioned the Shinde-led government on why the people of his constituency were being neglected.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus is illuminated ahead of Earth Hour—the annual ‘Light’s out’ global event meant to show united support to the planet—on Saturday. Ironically, the act of switching off all non-essential lights for 60 minutes is meant to encourage people to take accountability for their ecological footprint and engage in a dialogue on finding real solutions to challenges including environmental degradation.

—PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

MVA firm on suspension of legislators who hit Rahul’s poster with footwear

Governor Ramesh Bais, CM Eknath Shinde, Speaker Rahul Narvekar and others arrive at the State Assembly on the first day of the Budget session on February 27. The Assembly was prorogued on Saturday at the end of the Budget session. —FILE PHOTO

Sanjay Raut —FILE PHOTO

The matter will now be referred to the Rajya Sabha

Hindu Sena activists protest outside the BBC office amid the IT Department’s survey operation, conducted as part of a tax evasion investigation in New Delhi on

CAG report pulls up BMC on transparency, fund utilization

Investigators flag civic body’s non-sharing of COVID-19 expenditure records

First India Bureau Mumbai: A report prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has called out the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for a careless use of funds, and also flagged a lack of transparency and nonsharing of COVID-19 management expenditure records.

The report, tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly on Saturday by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, scrutinized expenditure of Rs12,023.88 crore made by nine BMC departments between November 28, 2019 and October 31, 2022. Several works were awarded without tendering or choosing proper contractors, and records relating to the expenditure for the

WHAT NEXT?

management of COVID-19 pandemic were not produced despite repeated requests to the civic body by the Office of the Accountant General (Audit)-I, Maharashtra.

The non-production

Roadside vendor couple booked for beating up minors

ALLEGATIONS

Four persons posing as NCB officers, staffers held

of these records--apart from impinging on constitutional responsibilities devolved on the CAG--also deprived the BMC of crucial audit inputs, which would have been beneficial for any course correction

and systemic improvements, the report said. It said the BMC did not allow inquiry into expenditure of funds to the tune of Rs3,538.73 crore citing the Pandemic Act. No confirmation can be made in

the audit on the propriety, efficiency, economy and effectiveness of BMC's expenditure for COVID-19 management at this juncture due to the absence of these records, the report added.

First India Bureau

Akola: Four people have been arrested for allegedly posing as Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officers and its employees in Akola district’s Dahihanda village, where they had been acting against “paan” shop owners and other vendors for a month, an official said.

The main accused in the case, who posed as an officer, is a native of Akola and holds an MTech degree, the police said.

Dahihanda police station inspector Surendra Raut said, “We had received information that some persons were posing as NCB officers and employees and operating here since the past one month. We were told

that through their fake identity, they were acting against ‘paan’ shop owners and others.”

Some local people grew suspicious about their activities and informed the police, he said.

“The police detained the four persons. They were found using a private vehicle bearing the national emblem on the front and rear sides as well as on the number plate with ‘Deputy Zonal Director-NCB’ written on it. An amber beacon light was fitted atop the vehicle. They were also found possessing fake letterheads, visiting cards and stamps,” Raut said.

“Following their detention, the Dahihanda police mailed the NCB office in Mumbai to verify their identity.

Accused were acting against ‘paan’ shop owners and other vendors; their car with govt logo and amber beacon seized in Akola

The agency confirmed that they are not its employees. NCB officer from Mumbai Amol More then lodged a complaint against them,” he said, adding that the accused were later placed under arrest and their vehicle was seized. A case has been filed and the investigation is underway, Raut said.

Farmer sentenced to life for killing 2, injuring another

First India Bureau

Palghar: A local court here has sentenced a 33-year-old farmer to life imprisonment after convicting him for killing a woman and her son and seriously injuring her daughter-inlaw--all of whom were his relatives.

Additional Sessions

Judge Dr MS Deshpande also fined Sharad

First India Bureau

Thane: A man and his wife have been booked for beating up two minor siblings--aged 14 and 16--with sticks in Thane, officials said on Saturday.

Following the incident, which took place on Friday night, the accused woman’s 14-yearold niece--was admitted to hospital for treatment.

“The couple sells footwear at a small roadside stall in Indira Nagar locality. Last night, water from a nearby locality started flowing on the road, damaging their inventory to some extent.

Enraged by this, the couple asked the minor

siblings, who are children of the woman’s sister, why they did not save their goods from getting damaged,” an official of Srinagar police station said.

The accused couple then beat up the minor siblings with sticks and also slapped them, he said.

Due to the assault, the 14-year-old girl suffered injuries on her face. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and a first information report (FIR) was registered against the couple early on Saturday, he added.

The minors’ mother lodged a complaint, in which she said that the couple frequently quarrelled with her over petty issues.

Devu Katela Rs9,000 while pronouncing the judgement on Friday.

According to Additional Public Prosecutor SB Sawant, the convict and his victims, all residents of Farlepada, Manor, in the district, had differences over many issues. The victims had also complained to the police against Katela, said Sawant.

Police inspector caught taking `40,000 bribe

First India Bureau Mumbai: The AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday said it has caught a police inspector in Mumbai taking a bribe of Rs40,000 from a man in exchange of helping him in a criminal case filed against him. The ACB apprehended the 53-year-old inspector of Dharavi police station on Friday night, it said.

The inspector had initially demanded Rs1 lakh or an iPhone from complainant to help him in a cheating and for-

gery case registered against him and his mother in November last year. Complainant was arrested in that case and bail was granted to him later, official said.

The inspector had assured to drop some sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) from the case to provide some relief, he said. After negotiations, the inspector agreed to reduce the bribe amount to Rs40,000, he added.

On the morning of August 04, 2017, Katela attacked the male victim, Sakharam Laxman Katela, with a cudgel. When his mother Laxmi and wife Suchita intervened, he assaulted them too, the court was told. While Sakharam and Laxmi died, Suchita was seriously injured. The defence sought leniency on the grounds

Katela is a poor farmer and has young children to take care of, while the prosecution sought capital punishment. After hearing the arguments, the court sentenced Katela to life imprisonment saying the case did not fall in the “rarest of rare” category. It said some leniency can be shown over fine and limited it to Rs9,000.

Convict and his victims, all residents of Farlepada, had differences over many issues; they had also complained to the police

6 staffers booked for stealing `22L from investors in Dighi post office

First India Bureau Pune: Offences have been registered against six employees of India Post in Pune for allegedly siphoning off more than Rs22 lakh from investments under Term Deposits (TD) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna, police said on Saturday.

Three cases were registered on Friday against employees of Dunkirk Lines sub-post office, Dighi Camp subpost office and Viman Nagar sub-post office in

the city, an official said. No arrests have been made in these cases so far, he said. The fraud had occurred at Dighi Camp sub-post office between July 2018 and August 2020, the official said.

At least 274 people had deposited Rs 9.62 crore in the TD scheme. However, four officials siphoned off the agent’s commission from the deposits to the tune of Rs18 lakh and distributed it amongst themselves, he said.

Similarly, Rs2.47

THREE CASES

crore were collected from 59 depositors at Dunkirk Line sub-post office under TD scheme, of which Rs 4.95 lakh were siphoned off, the official said.

The third case has been registered against the deputy postmaster of

Viman Nagar sub post office, who allegedly failed to keep a record of 19 people who had invested Rs45,000 under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna, he said.

Villagers to boycott families practising child marriages in Palghar

People in Khuded (Bilal Pada) and Vijay Nagar in Vikramgad have vowed not to allow marriages of girls below the age of 18

First India Bureau Palghar: In an attempt to put a stop to child marriages, several villages in predominantly tribal Palghar district of Maharashtra have decided to boycott families that indulge in the illegal practice, police said on Saturday.

As a result of Palghar police’s ‘Jan Samwad Abhiyan’ initiative, several villages in Wada

and Vikramgad talukas of district have now decided to boycott families that practice child marriages, police official said. District Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil has through his meetings appealed to villagers to prevent child marriages in their areas, he said.

Several gram panchayats and social organisations have taken a lead to prohibit child

marriages, which often lead to underage pregnancies, premature de-

liveries among other problems among women, the official said.

It is to be noted that Woman and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha told the Maharashtra Legislative Council just last week that the government had come across 15,253 adolescent mothers in the past three years in 16 tribaldominated districts of the state. Child marriage is traditional among certain tribes, making it difficult to

identify such cases, the minister had added.

During a function earlier this week, villagers of Khuded (Bilal Pada) and Vijay Nagar in Vikramgad took an oath to not allow marriages of girls below the age of 18, he said. The villagers also decided that those who violate this norm will have to face social boycott and legal action, Patil said. This was a welcome

move and such decisions are also being taken in several gram panchayats in their special gram sabhas, said Lahu Dinda, sarpanch of Manivali village in Wada taluka.

Many initiatives implemented through the Janasamvad abhiyan were of public interest and they have received tremendous support from villagers, inspector Pradeep Gite of Wada police station said.

LETTERS EXCHANGED BETWEEN BOSE AND NEHRU IN 1939

IN-DEPTH ELIMINATING TB FROM INDIA BY 2025 AMBITIOUS BUT ACHIEVABLE

March 24 was World TB Day. The fight against the scourge has been global and relentless, ever since the discovery of bacterium causing tuberculosis in 1882. The bacterium is yet to be vanquished as it has survived all human endeavour mainly because of its late detection and lack of awareness and proper nutrition. Otherwise TB is totally curable. India has now fixed a target of eliminating the disease by 2025, which is five years before the global deadline of 2030. The goal is very ambitious because India has the highest incidence of TB with 28 percent global cases and is way ahead of Indonesia (9.2 percent) cases and China (7.4 percent).

PERSONAL AND PRIVATE

Allahabad, April 3, 1939

During the nineteen thirties, apart from Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose were the leading lights of the Congress. Temperamentally they were like cheese and chalk. Subhas Bose wrote thirty nine page letter to Nehru. In some way Bose over did functioning of Nehru and was too personal. Nehru’s reply was restrained and more statesman like. Bose lacked Nehru’s element style.

I HAVE BRIEFLY QUOTED FROM EACH LETTER...

My dear Jawahar,

Jealgora

I find that for some time past you have developed tremendous dislike for me. I say this because I find that you take up enthusiastically every possible point against me; what could be said in my favour you ignore. What my political opponents urge against me you concede, while you are almost blind to what could be said against them. In the course of what follows I shall try to illustrate the above.

What you should have developed this strong dislike for me remains a mystery to me. On my side, ever since I came out of internment in 1937, I have been treating you with the utmost regard and consideration, in private life and in public. I have looked upon you as politically an elder brother and leader and have often sought your advice. When you came back from Europe last year, I went to Allahabad to ask you what lead you would give us. Usually, when I approached you in this way, your replies have been vague and non-committal. I am sorry that my letter has become so long. It will no doubt tire your patience. But I could not avoid it-there was so many things to say.

If I have used harsh language or hurt your feeling at any place, kindly pardon me. You yourself say that there is nothing like frankness and I have tried to be frank-perhaps brutally frank. I am progressing steadily though slowly. Hope you are all right.

Yours affectionately Subhas

RAHUL GANDHI HAS FEW OPTIONS LEFT

My dear Subhas, Your long letter of the 28th March has only just reached me and I hasten to reply. First of all I should like to say how glad I am that you have written to me fully and frankly and made it clear to me how you feel about me and about various incidents. Frankness hurts often enough, but it is almost always desirable, especially between those who have to work together. It helps one to see oneself in proper perspective from another’s and a more critical viewpoint. Your letter is very helpful in this respect and I am grateful to you for it.

It is not an easy matter to answer a letter which runs into 27 typed sheets and is full of references to numerous incidents as well as to various policies and programmes. I am afraid therefore that my reply will not be as full and detailed as it might be. To endeavour to deal with all these matters properly one would have to write a book, or something like it.

Your letter is essentially an indictment of my conduct and an investigation into my failings. It is, as you will well realise, a difficult and embracing task to have to reply to such an indictment. But so far as the failing are concerned, or many of them at any rate, I have little to say. I plead guilty to them, well realising that I have the misfortune to possess them. May I also say that I entirely appreciate the truth of your remarks that ever since you came out of internment in 1937, you treated me with the utmost regard and consideration, in private as well as in public life. I am grateful of you for this. Personally I have always had, and still have, regard and affection for you, though sometimes I did not like at all what you did or how you did it. To some extent, I suppose, we are temperamentally different and our approach to life and its problems is not the same.

I dare not now, in the early hours of the morning, write about my views in regard to national or international affairs. I am not silent about them as a rule. As you have observed, I talk rather a lot and write even more. I shall leave it at that for the present. But I would add that while I champion lost causes frequently and condemn countries like Germany and Italy, I do not think I have ever given a certificate of good conduct to British and French Imperialism.

I sent you, a day or two ago, some of the series of articles I contributed to the National Herald before Tripuri. One was missing. I am now sending the full set separately. I have not written any article for the Free Press Journal or any other paper recently.

Yours Jawahar

Shri Subhas Chandra Bose Congress President, PO, Jealgora, Dt. Manbhum

The India TB report of 2022 said that 18 states have committed to Ending TB by 2025 by implementing State-specific Strategic Plans and have devised a District-specific Strategic Plan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced “TB Mukt Panchayat” which, together with the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative, would indeed help.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Bible

TOP TWEETS

R

ahul Gandhi stands disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha and chances of his return to the House look remote. One reason for which is the will of the Speaker and the government. Keeping Rahul Gandhi out of Parliament may not damage the BJP politically as it has quickly turned the issue into Other Backward Classes versus the upper castesp. Two, there is little possibility of the Gujarat High Court staying the trial court’s judgment which, barring in one case, have normally been upheld in such cases. Three, even if the sentence is stayed the Speaker is unlikely to overturn his decision as has happened in the case of Mo-

Rahul Gandhi stands disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha and chances of his return to the House look remote. One reason, which is the will of the Speaker and the government

hammed Faizal, the Nationalist Congress Party MP from Lakshadweep. Faizal remains suspended in spite of being cleared by the high court. Lastly, any intervention by the Supreme Court would be deemed a challenge to Parliament’s supremacy, a contentious issue

which has been raised by the Speaker Dhankhar and Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju. They have both warned the judiciary not to cross the Lakshman Rekha. In a speech in Madurai on Saturday Rijiju denied any clash between the government and the judiciary yet speculations about a confrontation between the two arms of judiciary remain.

In all probability the latest developments have sealed Rahul Gandhi’s political future.

The Gandhi scion said in a tweet that he is “ready to pay any price” as he is fighting for “the voice of India”. These statements will hold value only if his sentencing acts as glue to unite the Opposition.

The outburst of support may dissipate by 2024.

Glad to inaugurate Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Madurai in Tamil Nadu along with Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, CM Thiru. @mkstalin, Supreme Court Judges, Acting CJ Justice T. Raja, High Court Judges and other esteemed dignitaries.

P.O, Dt. Manbhum, Bihar, March 28, 1939

K NATWAR SINGH

The author is Former Minister of External Affairs of India

PM inaugurates new Bengaluru Metro line in poll-bound K’taka

13.71-km Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line comprises 12 stations

PRIME MINISTER PURCHASES TICKET BEFORE TAKING RIDE

Cong announces list of 124 candidates for K’taka

First India Bureau

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Rs 4,249 crore, 13.71 km Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line here which comprises 12 stations.

Officials said this section is the eastern ex-

tension to the operational East-West Corridor (Purple Line) from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield Station.

Out of the 15.81 km extension under construction, the 13.71 km section from KR Puram to Whitefield was inaugurated on Saturday, they said, adding it would cut down journey

FM reviews public sector banks amid volatility in the US

time on this route by 40 per cent and reduce road traffic congestion.

The new line of Bengaluru Metro is beneficial for five lakh to six lakh Bengalurians serving in information technology parks, export promotion industrial areas, malls, hospitals and several Fortune 500 companies, it was noted.

Bengaluru (ANI): PM Narendra Modi purchased a ticket and took a ride in the Metro and interacted with people from different walks of life. During his journey, he also interacted with the workers and staff of Bangalore Metro. Upon arriving at Whitefield (Kadugodi) Metro Station, the PM first purchased a ticket at the ticket counter and saw the exhibition put up on the occasion. The PM then unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of the White Field Metro Line and proceeded towards the platform to board the Metro. PM Modi was accompanied by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot and state CM Basvaraj Bommai. The PM has had a special focus on the development of world-class urban mobility infrastructure across the country and the 13.71 km stretch from Whitefield (Kadugodi) Metro to Krishnarajapura Metro Line of Reach-1 extension project under Bangalore Metro Phase 2 was unveiled as part of this vision.

New Delhi (ANI): The Congress on Saturday announced the first list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections. The names of former CM Siddaramaiah and State party president DK Shivakumar are included in the first list of 124 candidates.

Siddaramaiah will be contesting from the Varuna constituency and DK Shivakumar from Kanakapura.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah had expressed interest to contest from Kolar constituency but the party high command instructed him to drop the plan following disagreements between the party’s local leaders in the constituency. The party has fielded M Roopakala from the Kolar Gold Field seat.

DK Shivakumar, earlier, on March 6, talked up his party’s prospects in the upcoming elections, claiming that the ruling BJP would not be able to secure more

KPCC chief DK Shivakumar from Kanakapura. —FILE PHOTO

than 65 seats.

Shivakumar claimed that all the people in his state, including farmers, were saying this.

“We have almost finalised 75 per cent of seat allotments. A decision on all seats will be taken soon after we will send the names of candidates to the high command for its approval,” he added. On March 2, in an interview with ANI, Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai said the BJP will win the Assembly elections.

On Congress’s prospects in polls, Bommai said the party was mak-

RAHUL GANDHI’S DISQUALIFICATION FROM LOK SABHA

ing a desperate attempt to win the polls but it would succeed as its track record while in power was bad. He Csaid the Congress, during its tenure, did nothing and only worked to create divisions in society.

“They did nothing for the SCs and STs. That is why they are not in the govt. Now they are trying to wrest power by making promises that are impossible to meet. They are saying they will give Rs 2,000 to each household and for that, they require Rs 24,000 thousand crores,” Bommai had said earlier.

Consequences of RaGa’s arrogance: Sarma

Guwahati (Agencies): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is facing the consequences of being arrogant instead of apologising for the remarks on Modi surname in Karnataka in 2019, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.

New Delhi: Union

Finance Minister

Nirmala Sitharaman

on Saturday chaired a meeting to review the performance of government-owned banks. Various financial, efficiency and health parameters in the banking sector were reviewed. This meet comes amid volatility in the US banking system due to the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and some other banks. For the record, prominent global lender in the world of technology startups, the Silicon Valley Bank collapsed on March 10 after a run on the bank, forcing

the US govt to step in.

Regulators shut down the tech lender and put it under the control of the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Currently, the FDIC is acting as a receiver, which typically means it will liquidate the bank’s assets to pay back its customers, including depositors and creditors.

“Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the meeting to review performance of Public Sector Banks #PSBs on various financial, efficiency and health parameters,” Ministry of Finance tweeted.

Interacting with media, he said, “If only Rahul Gandhi had tendered an apology, the matter would have been closed there and then. Not only did he refuse to comment but not even once in the past five years did he say that the comment was ‘unintentional’. This proves that his intent was to target that community.”

He said that BJP did not need any apology but he should apologise to the OBC community.

“Rahul Gandhi could have issued an apology to the OBC community. But he has not done that and behaved arrogantly.

Hence the court has to draw a balance between his arrogance and pride of the OBC community,” Sarma commented.

He said the Congress leader was not disqualified by the Centre but convicted by a court of law for insulting the OBC community. He said, “Rahul used unparliamentary and defamatory words against OBC community. Now, the court has held him guilty, and as a consequence of the pronouncement of the judgment, he has been subsequently disqualified as MP.”

BATTLEGROUND BIHAR

RaGa TORE ORDINANCE THAT COULD HAVE SAVED HIM: ANNAMALAI

Chennai: Rahul Gandhi had on September 28, 2013 torn an ordinance that shielded the MLAs and MPs from instant disqualification, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said on Saturday. He said Rahul had on September 28, 2013 torn an ordinance that gave three months time for MLAs and MPs from disqualification.

RAHUL’S QUESTIONS WILL NOW RESONATE ACROSS INDIA: PRIYANKA

New Delhi: Criticising the Narendra Modi government, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi said that the voice of the people cannot be suppressed and the questions raised by Rahul Gandhi will now resonate across the country. Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Priyanka posted a video of the Parliament proceedings and wrote: “Rahul Gandhi is being attacked because of these questions. When the public servant elected by the people raised questions on their behalf, the Adani-servant conspired to suppress his voice.” She added that the Modi government would have to be answerable to the people. Priyanka had attacked the Modi govt in a series of tweets on Friday too.

INSULTING OUR INTELLIGENCE WITH ‘ABSURD ALLEGATION’: KAPIL SIBAL

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a swipe at 2 BJP ministers for accusing Rahul Gandhi of insulting OBCs with his “Modi surname” remark in 2019, saying they were “insulting” people’s intelligence by making such an “absurd allega tion”. Gandhi was on Friday disquali fied from Lok Sabha, 24 hours after a Surat court convicted him in a defamation case.

ALL ARE EQUAL BEFORE LAW: BOMMAI ON RAHUL GANDHI’S DISQUALIFICATION BJP, CENTRE HAVE NO ROLE IN VERDICT ON RAHUL: SUDHA YADAV

Bengaluru (Agencies): A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Parliament, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai on Saturday said all are equal before law. Bommai said: “Law is common for everyone. There is no separate law for Rahul Gandhi. A legal system exists in the country and everything goes as per law.” “The Congress leader had a feeling that he can talk about anything, and he had the opportunity to correct himself but he failed to do so,” Bommai added. The Chief Minister said Rahul not only spoke against an individual but also a community and this has hurt the people. A case was filed in the court which gave its verdict. On party’s probable candidates for the Karnataka polls, the Chief Minister said: “Wait and watch for list of candidates.

Alliance is top priority for all parties in Bihar!

Sharat K Verma

New Delhi: In Bihar, whether it is BJP, Congress, RJD or JDU, everyone’s priority is alliance. Everyone has been hurt at one point or the other, so no one is ready to take the risk.

Last time i.e. in 2019, RJD contested with Congress and could not win even a single Lok Sabha seat. Prior to that i.e. in 2014, JDU contested the Lok Sabha polls alone and got only two

seats. BJP had contested assembly elections in 2015 without JDU and got a total of 54 seats. Upendra Kushwaha fought with the RJD

last time leaving the BJP and could not win a single Lok Sabha seat.

So, all the parties are giving priority to alliance on the basis of

their past experience. Everyone has to form such an alliance in which they can win the elections.

That’s why RJD lead-

er and Deputy Chief Minister of the state Tejashwi Yadav has given a blunt message to all the leaders of his party that they do not

need to say anything about the alliance.

Tejashwi said that neither Nitish Kumar is in a hurry to become the Prime Minister nor he himself is in a hurry to become the Chief Minister of Bihar and that there is no problem in the Grand Alliance and everything is going well. So, he has paved the way for Nitish Kumar. There is no threat to the alliance. But JDU leaders have started feeling threatened.

Gurugram: BJP’s Parliamentary Board member, Sudha Yadav, has said that Rahul Gandhi’s two-year sentence and cancellation of membership from Parliament were due to the wrong statements given by Rahul. She said that there is no interference from the BJP and the Central government in the matter.

IN THE COURTYARD

DELHI COURT FIXES APRIL 5 AS NEXT DATE FOR HEARING SISODIA’S BAIL PLEA

New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday fixed April 5 for a hearing on the bail plea of former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of Delhi. The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday filed its lengthy reply opposing bail plea in the court.

SHRADDHA’S DAD SEEKS EVIDENCE NORA FATEHI CASE: NEXT DATE MAY 22

New Delhi: Shraddha Walkar’s father Vikas Walkar has moved a plea in Delhi’s Saket court in connection with the murder of his daughter by her live-in partner Aaftab Amin Poonawala, who allegedly killed her.

New Delhi: A court on Saturday adjourned Nora Fatehi’s plea against Jacqueline Fernandez alleging that the latter made defamatory allegations against her for “malicious reasons” and to destroy her career in Rs 200 crore extortion case for May 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to students during Metro ride in Bengaluru, on Saturday.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs a meeting, in New Delhi on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with his sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi arrives to address a press conference at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, on Saturday. —PHOTO BY PTI

All the parties are giving priority to alliance on the basis of their past experience

Siddaramaiah will contest from Varuna assembly seat and

SHAH: VICTORY OVER LEFT-WING EXTREMISM LOOKS IMMINENT

Jagdalpur (PTI): Un-

ion Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the fight against Left-wing extremism (LWE) seems to be in the final stage of victory in the country and the supreme sacrifices made by the CRPF personnel while battling the menace has a big role in it.

Speaking at the 84th Raising Day event of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), he said security forces have put up a strong fight against the LWE in the last nine years and achieved success on all fronts. Highlighting the role of CRPF in the fight against Naxalism, he said the credit of wiping out hindrances in the path of development in Maoist-hit areas goes to the CRPF personnel.

“The fight against Left-wing extremism seems to be in the final stages of victory and the supreme sacrifice made by your family members has a huge contribution

G20: India’s traditional water management tech on display

Uttarakhand on alert over Amritpal’s likely entry from Haryana

New Delhi (PTI): India will showcase its traditional water management techniques and the ability to implement mega water projects during the G20 environment and climate sustainability working group, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad next week.

India, during its presidency of the G20, had asked member nations to share their best practices in the area of water management to enable knowledge exchange and cross learning.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Union Minister for Home Amit Shah accorded a Guard of Honour on the occasion of 84th CRPF Day, at CRPF Camp, Jagdalpur, in Bastar on Saturday.

in it. The victory saga will be written in golden letters remembering their sacrifices,” Shah said, addressing the relatives of martyred personnel present on the occasion. “As I am in Bastar today, I want to tell you that our security forces have fought strongly against LWE in the last nine years and achieved success on all

CRUCIAL READ

PRIMARY SCHOOL LOCKED, STUDENTS FAIL TO APPEAR FOR ANNUAL EXAM IN ODISHA

Odisha: Over 30 students of classes 1 to 5 of a primary school in Odisha’s Koraput district have failed to appear for the ongoing annual examination as the institute remained locked. The incident occurred on Friday in Turli primary school under Narayanpatna block of the district. None of the two teachers of the school was present. I will inquire into the matter. If the examination has not been conducted, action will be taken against the teachers concerned,? Block Education Officer Raghunath Pangi said. After waiting for nearly two hours, the students returned home without appearing for the exam.

SANDEEP BADWASNIA

GANG’S 3 MEMBERS ARRESTED IN DELHI

New Delhi: The police on Saturday said they have arrested three alleged members of the Sandeep Badwasnia gang from west Delhi’s Uttam Nagar area. The accused have been identified as Gaurav Rana (32), Ankit Chaudhary (32), residents of Mungeshpur, and Rohit (30), a resident of Qutab Garh village, they said. Two pistols and 12 live cartridges were recovered from their possession, they said. The trio was previously involved in several cases including murder, they said.

CBI QUIZZES TEJASHWI YADAV, SISTER MISA BHARTI FACES ED HEAT

New Delhi: As he reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in New Delhi for questioning in the landfor-jobs scam on Saturday, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said he and his family had decided to fight back. “We have always cooperated with the agencies but the situation in the country is that it has become very difficult. We have now decided to fight against this and we will win,” the RJD leader said speaking to the reporters.

GUJARAT: DGFT OFFICIAL ALLEGEDLY DIES BY SUICIDE AFTER ARREST IN BRIBERY CASE

Rajkot: A senior official of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) died by suicide on Saturday morning in Rajkot hours after he was detained in a bribery case, police said on Saturday. Sudhir Desai, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), said that the incident took place around 10am on Saturday when a raid was being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the office of DGFT joint director Jawri Mal Bishnoi. “A search operation by the CBI was underway at the DGFT office in Rajkot when he jumped off the window of his chamber,” said the DCP.

fronts. They have not only attained victory in pushing them (LWE elements) to the back foot, but also facilitated development to reach to tribals...,” he said.

Extremists were hindrances in the construction of schools, roads, hospitals and fair price shops and installation of mobile towers. As a home minister I wanted

to say the credit to wipe hindrances to these development works in Maoist-hit areas only goes to the CRPF personnel, he added. Shah said the CRPF has also displayed an example of organisational skill by establishing coordination with the local police and carrying out joint operations against the activities of Naxalites.

Jagdalpur (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday lauded the contributions of CRPF to the internal security of the nation and for carrying out the responsibility of safely conducting the democratic process. During his address on the 84th CRPF Day, Shah said, “For the first time CRPF Day is being celebrated in a Naxalite area. CRPF has contributed to the internal security of the nation. The nation salutes women CRPF personnel. CRPF’s contribution is significant.” He said that CRPF has shown its best during past elections in the country. CRPF has fought against Naxals and has brought them down in many areas of the country, he added. He further added, “Democracy can survive only if it is protected in a reliable manner. Along with other CAPFs, the contribution of CRPF is essential in the peaceful conduct of elections in the country.”

Briefing media about the meeting, Union Jal Shakti Ministry Special Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said the technical sessions during the three-day meeting beginning Monday will focus on five areas — climate resilient infrastructure, groundwater management, water sanitation and hygiene, climate change mitigation and resource efficiency and circular economy.

The delegates from G20 countries will visit the famous Adalaj Stepwell to showcase traditional water harvesting techniques.

Dehradun (ANI): An alert has been sounded in Uttarakhand over the possibility of absconding pro-Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh entering the State, said Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) V Murugesan on Saturday morning.

Murugesan added that he had received inputs from the Punjab Police that the Khalistan supporter who fled from Punjab, may enter Uttarakhand from Haryana. He told ANI that checking and monitoring are being done and an alert has been kept at the possible places.

The police official said that that the district police have also

been alerted and that the border has also been placed under an alert.

On Friday, an alert was issued in the Dehradun, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts of Uttarakhand as a precaution in view of the possibility of Amritpal Singh entering the State.

On Friday, teams of Delhi Police and Punjab Police launched a search operation for Amritpal Singh in Delhi and its border in view of the possibility of him entering the national capital.

Delhi Police said that the head of the proKhalistani outfit Waris Punjab De is suspected of having left the national capital.

2 terrorist associates arrested in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar (Agencies):

The security forces have arrested two terrorist associates linked with terror outfit Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) in Sumlar area of Bandipora and recovered incriminating materials and two Chinese grenades from their possession, an official said on Saturday.

“Acting on specific information regarding the movement of terrorist associates, the police along with Army (14RR) and CRPF at a checkpoint intercepted two suspected persons

A case has been registered and further investigation is initiated.

identified as Abrar Ahmad Wani a.k.a Abu Qadir and Danish Pervaiz, both residents of Sumlar in Bandipora,” a police officer said.

“During checking, two Chinese grenades

ARMY FOILS BID TO SMUGGLE NARCOTICS NEAR LOC IN POONCH

1 DEAD, 3 INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT SCRAP FACTORY IN SAMBA

and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. They have been arrested and shifted to a police station where they remain in custody,” the official said.

Poonch (ANI): The Army on Friday foiled a bid to smuggle narcotics and recovered 10 packets of narcotics near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector here, an official said. “Indian Army foiled yet another attempt of narco-terror smuggling by recovering 10 packets of narcotics near Line of Control in Poonch Sector,” a White Knight Corps statement said. Officials on March 12 said the Army during a search operation near the Line of Control at Jhangar and Naushera sectors recovered two sophisticated pistols, two kg narcotics, and two kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The operation had averted a major incident that could have been initiated by perpetrators using the weapons and the IED, funded by the narco-terrorists.

Indian-Americans rally in support of India at San Francisco Consulate

Washington (PTI): A large number of IndianAmerican community members held a peace rally in support of India in front of its consulate in San Francisco that was andalized by separatist Sikhs early this week.

A group of pro-Khalistan protesters on Sunday attacked and damaged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters

broke open the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-

called Khalistani flags inside the Consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon re-

moved these flags. Scores of Indian Americans drove from in and around San Francisco and waived the tri-colour flag to show solidarity with India on Friday.

They condemned the destructive activities of separatist Sikhs, who were also present there in small numbers. Local police were present there in sizable numbers to prevent any untoward incident.

Project Cheetah in line with PM’s vow to environmental protection & wildlife conservation, says Bhupender Yadav

First India Bureau

New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate

Change, Bhupender Yadav said that Project Cheetah is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to environmental protection and wildlife conservation at the meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parlia-

ment on Project Cheetah, chaired by the Union Minister.

The Union Minister expressed his gratitude for steps taken by the Government of India for bringing the Cheetah back to India and restoring its lost glory. Yadav said that this will lead to enhanced livelihood opportunities for the local communities through eco-develop-

ment and ecotourism activities.

The Consultative Committee held de-

tailed discussions about Project Cheetah and appreciated the efforts of the Government for

successful translocation of Cheetahs in India from African countries.

Further, the Members of Parliament flagged issues related to forest and wildlife in their constituencies and the issues which have larger interest for the society and wildlife conservation.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav thanked

the members of the committee for their suggestions and assured the Committee that all the issues raised would be addressed in the right earnest.

The Union Minister stated that the Government is determined for conservation and protection of wildlife and environment with active participation of all stakeholders.

Samba (ANI): A person was killed and three were injured in an explosion at a scrap factory in J&K, officials said on Saturday. The explosion took place at Bari Brahmana in the Samba district. Ambulances were at the spot and the injured were rushed to a hospital, officials said. Further details are awaited. Earlier, on March 22, six people were killed and several injured in an explosion at a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district. After the incident, two fire tenders and 10 ambulances rushed to the factory at Kuruvimalai village. Kanchipuram Collector M Aarthi said, “Six persons lost their lives and several more were injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory at Kuruvimalai village.”

Jammu-Srinagar rail link will be opened by year-end: Vaishnaw

Srinagar (Agencies):

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday that J&K will have Vande Bharat train by 2024 as the Jammu-Srinagar rail link will be opened by this year-end.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official function in Baramulla district, the Railway Minister said that two more destinations in addition to Kupwara district will be connected by the Railways soon.

“Rail link across J&K will be improved by year-end. Telephone connectivity, double lines, apple trade, cement and pharmaceutical trade and parcel ser-

Srinagar (Agencies): The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway that was closed for vehicular traffic due to shooting stones and mudslides at Mehar Cafeteria Ramban on Friday evening, has reopened, officials said on Saturday. “After clearing the debris on NH-44, stranded vehicles are being allowed to move to their destinations,” Jammu and Kashmir Traffic police said. The highway is the lifeline of the Kashmir valley and the main road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. Kashmir-bound trucks laden with essential supplies and other vehicles pass through the highway.

vices will be ensured through rail link by the year-end,” the Railway Minister said.

Radical Amritpal is on the run since March 18. —FILE PHOTO

UNION HM LAUDS CONTRIBUTION OF CRPF TO INTERNAL SECURITY OF INDIA

Union HM attends 84th Raising Day event of CRPF in Jagdalpur

Says the Modi govt is focusing on the modernization of CRPF

Indians gather in solidarity outside Indian consulate in San Francisco after attack, on Saturday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Union Environment & Forests Minister Bhupender Yadav speaks to media in New Delhi on Saturday. MoS Meenakshi Lekhi also seen.

business BRIEFS

FOREX RESERVES OF INDIA RISE SHARPLY TO $572.80 BILLION

What are AT1 bonds and why do banks issue them?

New Delhi: India’s foreign exchange reserves rose sharply by USD 12.798 billion to USD 572.801 billion in the week ending March 17, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s latest data. During the prior week that ended on March 10, India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by about USD 2.4 billion to USD 560.003 billion. According to RBI’s latest data, India’s foreign currency assets, the biggest component of the forex reserves, rose by USD 10.485 billion to USD 505.348 billion. —ANI

CATERING TO UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS OF STARTUPS: BOB

Mumbai: State-owned Bank of Baroda announced that it is providing a range of solutions to cater to the unique requirements of Indian startups. This announcement comes when a number of Indian startups have funds parked in the failed US-based Silicon Valley Bank and likely looking to transfer their money and derisk their assets. According to a release by the bank, these services are provided through its IFSC branch in Gujarat’s GIFT City. —ANI

CENTRAL VISTA’S WORKMEN AWARDED UNDER NIPUN

AT1 BONDS: WE LEARN NOTHING FROM HISTORY

The German philosopher Georg Hegel famously said, “The only thing that we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history”. This quote perfectly summarizes the AT1 bond saga.

lieved that banks should operate with a bigger percentage of their own capital as opposed to borrowed capital to prevent a recurrence of this issue.

Hence, banks were permitted to issue an exclusive class of bonds known as AT1 bonds or perpetual debt to investors in order to strengthen their Tier 1 capital (permanent capital) and thus comply with the Basel III norms.

FEATURES OF AT1 BONDS

THE UGLY TRUTH

The real casualty of the UBSCredit Suisse deal were these bond holders. In all such cases of storm be it Yes Bank or Credit Suisse, these bond investors have sufferred the most. They got zilch on their investments. The problem is this may not be all. It could impact price of similar bonds issued by other banks. However, the exposure of Indian banks to AT1 bonds is relatively low. Private sector banks have an exposure of around 0-1% to AT1 bonds, while

PSU banks have an exposure of 1-2%. Also, the spread between normal bonds and AT1 bonds have reduced now to just 80-150 basis points (100 bps = 1%) and are therefore not as attractive as they were 6 months ago. But ignorance is a bigger problem. Retail investors typically take the word ‘bond’ for safety and assume that they get the money back on maturity. It is about time we understand the risk versus return tradeoff well before we put in our hard earned money.

New Delhi: The National Initiative for Promoting Upskilling of Nirman workers (NIPUN) has recently completed its training programme for construction workers engaged in the Central Vista project in New Delhi. To celebrate the success of the program, a felicitation ceremony was held at the Kamani Auditorium, where the certified workmen of the Central Vista project were awarded their certificates along with insurance coverage of Rs2 lakhs and an assurance of reward money of Rs500, provided by the Government of India under the NIPUN scheme. —ANI

NEPAL GETS $120 MN EDUCATION LOAN FROM WORLD BANK

Thanks to the latest Credit Suisse fiasco, there is a big debate going on among market participants about how equity shareholders got back some money while bondholders were wiped off. Additional Tier 1 bonds or AT1 bonds are again in news as investors in Yes Bank AT1 bonds experienced déjà vu when Credit Suisse wrote them down this week. What are these bonds and why do banks issue them in the first place?

ORIGIN OF AT1 BONDS

The issue of excessive bank leverage was exposed by the global financial crisis of 2007–2008. It was be-

No maturity date: Since they are a permanent component of the bank’s capital, similar to equity, they do not have a maturity date. After five years, banks can give a call option on these bonds, at which point they may or may not decide to redeem them.

Higher returns: They offer higher returns vs. plain vanilla debt instruments. They pay regular interest that is typically high yielding.

Higher risk: AT1 bonds are much riskier than regular corporate bonds. Let’s understand why. Take for example a bank like Credit

FOR INTRA-STATE FLIGHT SERVICES

Washington: The World Bank has approved USD 120 million loan to support the implementation of the Nepal government’s school education sector programme, a release said. According to a release from the multilateral development bank, this program builds on the government of Nepal’s previous school education sector programs and will put a greater focus on quality learning by establishing a teacher mentoring system at the local government level. —ANI

Suisse is liquidated, then the order of repayment is as below:

z FD investors Secured debt

z Unsecured or subordinate debt

z Perpetual debt or AT1 bonds

So you see, AT1 bonds ranks the lowest when it comes to repayment and hence carry a Principal Risk. Plus, banks have the option to either lower or totally forgo coupon (interest) payments on these bonds if it is not generat-

ing enough profits or is in trouble. In case of normal bonds or debentures, banks have to make coupon payments irrespective. So AT1 bonds also suffer from Coupon Risk. But you may ask that atleast these bonds should rank higher than equity shareholders. But even that was not the case.

YES BANK & CREDIT SUISSE: AT1 BOND CURSE CONTINUES

Yes Bank had a considerable increase in its non-performing assets between September 2019 and March

Assam Government signs MoU with Flybig

Guwahati (PTI) : In a bid to promote intra-state air connectivity, Assam government on Saturday signed a MoU with Big Charter Private Limited (Flybig) to facilitate air services in the non-Udaan sector.

Flybig will operate flights between GuwahatiDibrugarh-Guwahati and Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati routes on a daily basis, an official of the company said.

Assam Tourism Development Corporation managing director Kumar Padma Pani Bora and Flybig director Sanjay Natavarlal

Mandavia signed the agreement in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

CONNECTIVITY OF FLIGHTS

z Flybig will operate flights between GuwahatiDibrugarh-Guwahati and Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati routes on a daily basis

z The flight operations will be started in line with the Centre’s Udan scheme with the state government operating the flights under viability gap funding

2020. To contain the situation, the RBI enlisted SBI to inject equity into the bank as a rebuilding plan was being developed. As a part of the rescue plan, the RBI decided to permanently write-off the bank’s AT1 bond obligations.

Similarly, in March 2023, the struggling bank Credit Suisse’s AT1 Bonds or contingent convertible (CoCo) bonds worth $17billion were also written down by the Swiss regulator FINMA as it roped in UBS to buyout Credit Suisse.

PROBLEM WITH THE WRITE-OFF

We witnessed government intervention in both cases and while equity investors should be the first group of stakeholders to see their assets written off in times of bankruptcy, equity investors still received some value from their investments.

WHAT HAPPENED TO AT1 BOND INVESTORS?

Yes Bank AT1 bondholders cried foul play. They expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that they were not informed of the principal or coupon write-off characteristics when Yes

Bank employees sold them these AT1 bonds. According to SEBI’s investigations, Yes Bank employees misleadingly offered institutional investors’ bonds to retail customers and sold then as super FDs (Fixed Deposits) by relationship managers. Some of these investors had invested their retirement money in these bonds which got completely eroded in 2020. Ideally, this debacle would have been a lesson for retail investors to stay away from such risky instruments. HAVE WE LEARNT A LESSON?

Unfortunately no. The appetite for AT1 bonds are back. HNIs seem to have shrugged off the risk caused by the Yes Bank debacle and continue to show interest in these risky instruments. Between July to early September 2022, several banks raised funds totalling ` 18,376 crore through the issuance of these bonds ( ` 42,800 cr in FY22). The interest rates offered on these bonds varied from 7.75-8.75%. Reason is ofcourse higher return compared to FD rates of 5.5-6.5% back then.

According

Centre’s Udan

scheme with the state government operating the flights under viability gap funding.

Kolkata (PTI): Leading planters body Indian Tea Association (ITA) said climate change is threatening the industry globally which is resulting in lower yields and rise in production costs.

A spokesman of ITA said climate change is also threatening the long-term viability of tea industry, which is also causing increasing pest infestations making pesticide residue management surfacing as a major challenge.

To mitigate this, ITA said that the industry needs to adopt a multi-fac-

eted to address the climate change issue by way of sustainable farming practices and reduction in carbon footprint.

In this context, the association maintained the industry involving all the stakeholders to invest in research to come out with mitigating solutions.

Thanks to the latest Credit Suisse fiasco, there is a big debate going on among market participants about how equity shareholders got back some money while bondholders were wiped off. What are these bonds and why do banks issue them in the first place?

‘Climate change a threat to tea sector globally’

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

Mirch Masala

FIRST INDIA SUNDAY SPECIAL

BY TRIDIB RAMAN

The author is a journalist and political commentator and views expressed are his personal

WILL RAHUL CONVERT THIS DISASTER INTO AN OPPORTUNITY?

In this situation of political upheaval, Rahul Gandhi has lost his membership of Parliament, but it is an equal challenge for both Rahul and the Congress to try to convert this big political disaster into a new opportunity for themselves. As politics is an endless series of ambushes and counterattacks, the opposition has shown speed to seize this opportunity. Be it Mamata, Kejriwal or Akhilesh, their chorus echoes that ‘this big step of the ruling BJP has given the united opposition an excuse to assemble.’ When Mamata went to Odisha to meet Patnaik, all these initiatives were related to giving a new look to the face of the Third Front. Her effort was to keep the Congress out and create a wave of opposition unity. But in the new changed scenario, these op-

Savarkar is not only state’s deity but an idol for country: CM Shinde

CM seeks apology over RaGa’s ‘deliberate insult’ to Hindutva ideologue

position leaders also had to come forward in support of Rahul Gandhi. It is said that in their latest talks with these opposition leaders, Rahul and company have also made it clear that ‘in the states where the Congress is in a strong position, it will become the flag bearer of the opposition and in the states where the Congress is part of the coalition govts, it will be the junior leader and is also ready to be a partner.’

Now the Congress wants that ‘in response to the BJP, if only one candidate of the combined opposition is fielded in each seat, then the saffron party can be presented with a formidable challenge. Congress will not have any claim for the rest of the PM’s post as well, after the elections the opposition parties can decide on a name with mutual consent.

I f only Congress strategists are to be listened to, they firmly believe that ‘Rahul Gandhi has to pay the price only for raising the Adani episode prominently’. Congress leaders are trying to explain the chronology behind it. They say that Purnesh Modi had filed this case in the local Surat court in April 2019 regarding Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Modi remarks’ in his speech in K’taka in 2019. In Jan 2021, RaGa appeared in the court of CJM AM Dave to record his statement. After this, Purnesh said in the court of CJM Dave that ‘these 3 CDs of his should be played in front of Rahul so that he can hear what he finally said.’ Justice Dave rejected this demand outright. Purnesh then filed a petition in the Gujarat HC demanding that “since there is a lack of evidence, RaGa be asked to personally appear before the court”. A year later, Purnesh again went to HC. By then CJM Dave was transferred. After this, on Feb 16, 2023, the stay was lifted and the new CJM sentenced RaGa.

BJP

NOT WORRIED OVER RaGa’s ROW!

T he BJP is not at all worried about the general reactions of the public on the issue of Rahul Gandhi. The BJP leadership believes that ‘there is more than a year left for the general elections and they have a ‘magic man’ like Modi who has the ability to turn public sentiments anytime.’ Anyway, Modi has saved many such issues in his quiver which have the power to turn the game. For example, the opening of the grand Ram temple at the beginning of the new year, the possibilities of finding new temples from the archaeological survey that is going on continuously, the Central Government seems determined to implement the Uniform Civil Code are just a few examples. There is noise of G-20 in the country, which can be a big exercise to establish Modi as a big global leader on the world stage. Moreover, Modi is gradually strengthening the role of his peace ambassador in RussiaUkraine war. Apart from this, the BJP leadership is confident that a fragmented opposition is going to strengthen the BJP the most.

WHY SHARMA JI IS NOT HAPPY?

In Congress, Anand Sharma, an important member of G-23, is fast becoming a ‘forgotten chapter’. So in order to maintain his relevance, Sharma met Congress

Prez Mallikarjun Kharge recently. If sources are to be believed, Sharma informed Kharge that he had an invitation to the United Press Club of Pakistan. There is a promise, under which he has to go and speak on the issue of ‘freedom of expression’ and many leaders from all over the world are reaching Pakistan for this. Sharma had also prepared a list of 5 other party leaders with whom he wanted to go to Pakistan. If sources are to be believed, Kharge got very angry on this proposal of Anand Sharma and said, “You are not going to represent Congress but India as a country. So please don’t go there.”

So after a good ‘word’ he returned without much ‘impression’ on Kharge.

BJP TO LOOK FOR NEW FACE IN CHHATTISGARH?

I n view of the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh, the BJP has already started making efforts to unite its scattered family there. The former CM of the state, Raman Singh, has ended the suspense in a way about who will be the CM face from the BJP here. Raman Singh, who is struggling with his health problems, has clarified the situation saying that ‘the upcoming assembly elections of Chhattisgarh will be fought only on the face of Narendra Modi and only after the election the party high command will decide the CM here’. If sources are to be believed, this time the BJP high command is thinking of giving a chance to a new face other than Raman Singh.

The first name coming in this race is that of Nand Kumar Sai, the second name is of a bureaucrat of Modi’s choice. At the same time, former BJP minister Brijmohan Agarwal is also presenting his claim with a bang.

HOW CONNECTED IS SHARAD PAWAR?

No matter how hard NCP leader Sharad Pawar tries to become the new head of the opposition unit, but still playing political games somewhere, he is scoring goals in his own camp. Talk about Haryana, a state where Pawar’s party NCP hardly exists, but in the past, Pawar has declared Dheeraj Sharma of Karnal as the National President of the National Youth Nationalist Congress Party, as well as Sonia Dohan as the National President of the All India Students’ Union’s Chairman. At the behest of these two, Sharad Pawar reached Karnal to address a public meeting on March 22, where hardly even 100 people could gather. No matter how much Pawar praises Rahul and the Congress, whenever he gets a chance, he does the work of harming the Congress, as he is doing these days in Haryana.

...AND FINALLY

BJP has a young MP from Delhi who often gets injured while batting on the rough pitch of politics and has sometimes even been ‘hit wicket’. Even though he is a first-time MP, his eyes were on the Union Cabinet. Now that all his hopes dashed, now he has started thinking of changing the team. Raghav Chadha, the latest MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, is one of his old friends. So, last week he had a long meeting with Raghav Chadha. It is also heard that Raghav has promised to introduce him to his leader Arvind Kejriwal. The news of the meeting of these two has reached the BJP leadership and let’s see from whose side the first step is taken.

First India Bureau Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his derogatory remark, saying that Savarkar isn't only Maharashtra's deity but is an idol for the whole country and demanded an apology for his derogatory remark. Addressing a press conference in the national capital a day after he was convicted in a defamation case and subsequently disqualified from Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said “My name is not Savarkar, my name is Gandhi. Gandhis don't apologize to anyone.”

Eknath Shinde in the State Assembly on Saturday said that any criticism of Rahul Gandhi will be lesser for his statement.

“Savarkar is not only Maharashtra's deity but is an idol for the whole country and Rahul Gandhi has defamed him. Any criticism of Rahul Gandhi will be lesser for his this deed. Today also, he said that I am not Savarkar who will apologize. What does he think of Savarkar? He must be punished for this," said Maha CM Eknath Shinde in the Assembly.

Shinde alleged that Rahul Gandhi has not only criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi but has defamed the entire OBC community. “Rahul Gandhi has not only criticized PM Modi but has defamed the entire OBC community. He is continuing to speak in the same tone and I want to tell him

that if he continues to do so, it will be difficult for him to walk on the road,” said Shinde. “Rahul Gandhi has been suspended by the law which was made by Congress itself. Lalu Yadav and several others were disqualified but nothing of this sort happened then. Wasn't Democracy in danger then?" he said.

‘UDDHAV THACKERAY HAS NO RIGHT TO SPEAK ON HINDUTVA’

Mumbai (FIB): Chief Minister

Eknath Shinde y alleged the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena is supporting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has been "deliberately insulting" VD Savarkar which is "unfortunate". He claimed Rahul Gandhi has also insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community with his "Modi surname" remark and people will not let the Congress leader move on the streets.

Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the Budget session here, Shinde said the Uddhav Thackeray faction has no right to speak on Hindutva.

"When Rahul Gandhi said 'chowkidar chor hai' in the last elections, people defeated him. He insulted the country by targeting PM Modi and Indian democracy in the country and abroad. During his 'Bharat Jodo

Yatra', he was speaking of 'Bharat todo' (break the country)," Shinde said. He said it is "unfortunate that the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena is standing in support of Rahul who is insulting Savarkar".

Earlier in the day, Shinde told the Legislative Assembly that the law under which Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified as an MP was enacted by the Congress-led UPA government and the Modi government has implemented it.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Opposition members cooperated with the government in conducting the proceedings of legislature.

PROTESTS & COUNTER PROTESTS MARK LAST DAY OF BUDGET

Thane (FIB): The Congress held a protest against Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case and his disqualification as an MP, while the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena held separate demonstrations over his remark that allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Other Backward Class (OBC). The Congress held a protest near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The protest was led by the grand old party's city unit president Vikrant Chavan. The protesters carried placards and banners and shouted slogans against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After some time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers staged a protest at the same venue against Gandhi.

Oppn parties including Cong, NCP and Shiv Sena UBT staged protest at Vidhan Bhavan holding placards and black ribbons on face.

BJP LEADERS STAGE PROTEST AGAINST RaGa

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday staged protests here against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanding an apology from him for "insulting" the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The protests, with placards with messages that the Congress leader should apologize for insulting the OBCs, were held in places like Dadar and Lalbaugh. "The country will not tolerate insults of the OBCs. Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the OBCs," said Chandrakant Bawankule, state BJP president.

SESSION

CONG PROTESTS IN NASHIK; BJP SLAMS GANDHI FOR ‘INSULTING’ OBCs Nashik: The Congress held a protest on Saturday in Nashik against the disqualification of its leader Rahul Gandhi. He was disqualified because he was raising issues of the people and was getting their support as was witnessed in the Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, Nashik Congress chief Anil Chhajed said. Meanwhile, the OBC Morcha of the Bharatiya Janata Party also held a protest against Gandhi for his Modi surname and thieves remark, with participants torching an effigy of the Congress leader in Ravivar Karanja area.

Stabbing spree: Accused in custody till March 29

BY ANI

Mumbai (PTI): A 54-year-old man who killed his three neighbours in a stabbing spree at a building in south Mumbai has been remanded to police custody till March 29, police said. Chetan Gala, arrested on charges of murder and attempt to murder, was produced before a local court, which sent him in police custody, official said.

Accused, who was

SAFETY FIRST

mentally disturbed, allegedly attacked five neighbours at Parvati Mansion building on Friday.

Jayendrabhai Mistry (77), his wife Ila Bai (70) and 18-year-old Jenil Bhrambhatt were killed, while condition of Snehal Brahmbhat (44), who sustained serious injuries, remains critical and Prakash Waghmare (53), a house-help is out of danger, official said.

‘Dept making efforts to capture killer tigress’

T6 has killed 10 people living in the area around Wadsa Forest Division between July and December 2022

First India Bureau Mumbai: Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar informed the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on Saturday that the forest department officials are making all efforts to capture the female tiger known as T6 in Wadsa Forest Division forest department of Chandrapur district. Tigress T6 has killed

10 people living in \surrounding areas between July and December 2022, Mungantiwar said.

“At present, efforts are being made by the forest department to catch tigress T6 through trained forest personnel, trap cameras, tranquillizer guns and some other types of medicines. Along with this, a campaign has also been launched to create

awareness among the local people to avoid this tigress. The trained staff of the forest department have been placed in those regions

which are termed high risk,” the minister informed the Assembly.

This area of Chandrapur district is close to Tadoba Tiger Reserve,

which currently has 217 tigers. There is also apprehension that the two tiger cubs found dead in the tiger reserve of Tadoba in January this year were also killed in another tiger attack. The cubs’ remains have been sent to the CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) laboratory for examination. Mungantiwar gave this information in a written form inside the assembly in response to the question of Aatram Dharamraobaba Bhagwantrao.

The trained staff of the forest department have been placed.

Police personnel seen outside Minara Masjid during the holy month of Ramadan, in Mumbai.

Eknath Shinde —FILE PHOTO

—PHOTO BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

THIS IS HOW RAHUL LOST PARLIAMENT MEMBERSHIP AMID DEFAMATION ROW

LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN SILHOUETTES

The outstanding Fashion Connect presented by First India and Bharat24Vision of New India was held at Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai on March 19. City First highlights some glimpses of highly acclaimed designer Ishita Gupta’s collection showcased at the grand show!

KAVITA CHAUHAN cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, the crowned jewel of Dubai, hosted one of India’s premier single-day fashion events called Fashion Connect, season 14, Presented by First India News and Bharat24Vision of New India on Sunday, March 19.

Jagdeesh Chandra graced the evening and appreciated the designer, Ishita Gupta for her mystical collection. His Highness

Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum was present as the Chief Guest and Yakoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor in His Highness Office attended the show as the special guest. Designer Ishita Gupta took everyone on a ride to the mystical world of Botanic ‘its ISH’. While describing her gorgeous collection, the talented designer said, “My couture collection offers is a love affair between contemporary silhouettes and artisanal craftsmanship. The line-up today is a parade of multiple meanings of pret out -

fits in a world where glamour and leisure are entangled.”

“Our brand is built to celebrate the quin tessential occasion wear with modern ininity and ritzy aes thetics – its ISH’s intri cate close-up details are designed to make each woman in it spe cial. We love to create outfits for those who enjoy wearing trendy clothes and the re finement of luxury,” she added. Designer Ishita has interpret ed botanical motifs into handcrafted textures bringing a new life to the col lection. The collec tion features flowing silhouettes, intricate detailing, and light shades that evoke a sense of grace and sophistication.

Designer Ishita Gupta from itsIsh with models showcasing her collection

Elisabeth, Natalia, Ekleandra and ALINA T with others during the rampwalk

Anticlockwise: Elisabeth, Poppy, Irena, Alina T, Sophie and Nancy

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

YOUR DAY

Aries

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Spend time talking with likeminded people as it will make you feel good for now. You will feel financially comfortable and infant you are in position to invest money in some new venture. Your personality will attract many eligible bachelors. You will feel happy today.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

You need a break from day to tensions and the way to cope up with stress is to meditate. You must create an environment of understanding at home. You will succeed in any sort of examination if you put your heart and soul to it. Promotion can be expected even if other are not.

Leo

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

You care about you lover but somehow hesitate in expressing that care. Don’t make friends for money and status rather make friends who will stick with you forever. On social front, you may have to spend some extra money in buying gifts for someone for some specific occasion.

Libra

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 22

You give tough competition to people. Many people get inspired by you. You will get special treatment from your dear ones. Take stand where you need to, don’t run in the same direction where everybody else is going. Health remains perfect.

Sagittarius

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 22

You make sure to make things work your way. Never demotivate someone even if someone is not capable of doing something. You are most wanted by your friends. You can have romantic affair in office and a serious one. You will invest money in accessories today.

Aquarius

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

You always maintain cordial relationship with everyone. Scrumptious food is what you are craving for today. You workout daily to keep yourself fit. You may start a side business to earn extra money. You are not a jealous kind and you feel happy for others.

Taurus

APRIL 21 - MAY 20

You are very generous by nature and also you are the backbone of your family. Today is a favourable day for business. You may postpone your study plans. You are very fortunate to have a great friend circle. Be careful of the words that come out of your mouth.

Cancer

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

Your spouse may make you spend more than you expected. Fantastic day for investing money in stock market as you can make fortune. You need help on academic front and you should not shy away from asking. You miss your parents and somewhere fear to loose them.

Virgo

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

Best day to buy gold and silver or any precious metal for investment sake. You are a child at heart and never let this child die. You have a big heart and you always help someone if you can. Video gathering is possible as you miss your social circle like anything.

Scorpio

OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Visit a doctor if you have any doubts about your health. Don’t attack stress even if you don’t have any. Let go of things that are not in your control. You want to have your own house and car and you will work hard to make all your dream come true.

Capricorn

DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 20

You are opportunist and this will make you successful one day. Your spouse is someone who can do anything for your happiness. There may be delays in property possession and it won’t effect you. You are happy spending whole day at home.

Help your mothers at home today .

Pisces

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

Work on your limitations, there can be no better time than this.

Dance can benefit your health in so many ways, regardless of your age or ability. Check out these six compelling reasons to start dancing.

DANCE LOWERS THE RISK OF DEMENTIA

Dancing is primarily associated with physical health advantages, but when you dance, you are moving many parts of your body in a coordinated manner, which activates several sections of your brain. One small study even discovered that dancing is linked to a lower risk of dementia. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed 469 adults aged 75 and over who did not have dementia when the study began. The researchers studied the relationship between leisure and physical activities and the risk of dementia over time. They dis covered that the only physical activity related to a lower inci dence of dementia was dancing.

DANCE IMPROVES BALANCE AND STRENGTH

One of the reasons dancing is such a tremendous form of physical activity, according to professional dancer Jonathan Tylicki, the director of educa tion at AKT, a boutique fitness concept centred in dance, is that it incorporates motions on all planes of motion and from all directions.

"Movements that we typically do in our daily life, like walking, taking the stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and cy cling, occur in the sagittal plane, but dance works your body from all planes, including lateral and

rotational, which turns on and conditions all muscles, meaning no muscle is left behind," he said. and improves balance.

DANCE IS A CHALLENGING

BRAIN EXERCISE

If you have ever at tempted tap dancing, you will know that dance challenges your brain. According to Tyl icki, the mental capacity required for dance de mands you to focus on both the constant shifting of move ment and retaining routines and patterns. This is a fantastic sort of brain workout for any one of any age.

of dance, as well as the relaxation it provides, may be responsible for some of its health

DANCE IMPROVES

"Movement and dance are incredibly expressive, allowing you to escape and let loose," Tylicki explained. This "letting go" improves your mental and emotional health by reducing stress, alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms and raising https://www. medindia.net/news/ healthwatch/top5-reasons-to-danceyour-way-to-goodhealth-210884-1.htm

NIKITA,

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

DR TRUPTI SHIROLE cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

EXCEPTIONALLY STYLISH Loving note for Bomma

Anushka Sharma’s fashion game is always on point! Just two days ago, she was seen arriving with her husband Virat Kohli at a sports award event. Anushka slayed in an off-shoulder violet gown, and fans couldn’t stop gushing over her beauty. Now, Karan Johar has given her a compliment on Instagram and has praised her individualistic approach to fashion.

Karan Johar took to his Instagram story and wrote how Anushka has been slaying every look, and that she is exceptionally stylish. “Anushka Sharma is exceptionally stylish and so individualistic in her approach to fashion...nailing every look...always! That’s all... ( #iykyk),” he wrote. Anushka Sharma reacted to Karan’s story and sent him love. She re-posted his Instagram story and dropped a heart emoji by tagging him. Check out her Instagram story below!

Meanwhile, Anushka Sharma shared a series of pictures of herself in the violet off-shoulder gown by Australian-based fashion designer Toni Maticevski. It had a figure-hugging silhouette, and the solid violet-coloured gown has a slit on one side. Her look was on point, and sharing the stunning pictures, Anushka wrote, “Lewk.” Virat Kohli also reacted to the pictures and dropped a heart emoji.

Endless conversations

Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover have been over the moon since they welcomed their first child, daughter Devi in November 2022. On Saturday she posted a video of her self enjoying conversations with her four-monthold daughter, and it is just too cute for words!

Bipasha Basu took to her Instagram account to post a video that shows Bipasha spending some quality time with Devi. The video has been captured by Karan Singh Grov er. Devi looks adorable in a blue floral frock, while Bipasha is seen in a yel low outfit. She is seen talking to her little one, while Devi’s tiny palms touch her face.

“Endless conversa tions with my Devi Priceless mo ments captured by Papa @iamksgofficial #mamalove #newmama #daughterlove #bliss,” wrote Bipasha, while sharing the video.

Royal Beauty

Rashmika Mandanna is one of the most popular actresses, who is known for her acting prowess and fashion sense as well. Today, the actress made a statement as she was clicked at the airport. Not casual, chic or anything, she went all desi with her airport look and totally killed it. The actress made heads turn with her stylish ethnic look in a sharara suit.

Rashmika Mandanna was clicked at the Mumbai airport in a desi avatar. She wore a red heavy mirror work sha rara suit with a matching dupatta around her shoul ders. The actress carried an ethnic outfit with subtle makeup, a black bindi, and a ponytail.

Sukesh Chandrasekhar has been making it to the headlines ever since his name came out in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case. With him, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez’ name also came to the forefront as it is said that the two were dating at

Bomma, I miss you a ton on this day of my birthday, I miss your energy around me, I have no words, but I know your love for me is never ending, is all over me. I know what is in your beautiful heart. I don’t need proof and that’s all matters to me, baby,” he wrote.

Dating Rumours

Selena Gomez and Zayn Malik, highly popular pop stars are now sparking dating rumours. The duo was recently spotted together, as they stepped out for dinner in New York City. If the latest updates are to be believed, Se lena Gomez and Zayn Malik walked hand-inhand at a restaurant in New York City recently, which immediately sparked rumours about their relationship. According to the latest updates published by People, the rumours regarding Zayn Malik and Selena Gomez’s budding romance started going viral on TikTok, after user @klarissa.mpeg shared a text message exchanged with a friend of hers, who claimed she was the alleged couple’s hostess at an unnamed restaurant in New York City. After explaining that both she and her friend work at celebrity favourite hot spots.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

rithik Roshan and Saba Azad are one of the coolest couples in Bollywood. The social media PDA of the lovebirds do not seem to end and on Saturday Hrithik could not stop himself from commenting on Saba’s pictures. Saba Azad dropped a couple of her pictures in a saree. In the pictures, we can see the actress sizzling in a sequined silver saree. She is wearing a-

quined blouse. She has left her hair open that falls perfectly to her waist. Her dewy makeup and red lips make her look beautiful. In the first picture, she plays with her hair and poses in quite a sultry way. In the next picture, she leans back and looks straight toward the camera and the third one is a closeup of her face. Taking to the comments section, Hrithik Roshan wrote ‘I see you’ with a red heart emoji.

Anushka Sharma

Her post...

Jacqueline Fernandez

Her post... Biapasha Basu

Saba Azad

Rashmika Mandanna

Her post...

Selena Gomez

S SARA REVEALS BLACKMAILING HER PARENTS

TUSHAR SHUKLA

ara Ali Khan admitted that she and her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan have played the victim card with their divorced parents, Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan. She said that since she and her brother were brought up by her mother after separation, they used to play the victim card and ask their father Saif to give them what they want.

Sara was questioned if she had ever gaslighted her parents when she was younger. The actress confesses that her date gaslights her parents, as there was a time when Saif wasn’t in contact with his kids after his divorce. She went on to explain that no matter what their age she and her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan always played the victim card so that their parents would buy them whatever they wanted. She quoted, “Sometimes, we played the victim card. In an obvious way, in my family dynam-

ic. Like, 'Abba is not here mummy, give this to us,' at the age of 11, or, 'Abba, you don't live with us, give this to us,' at the age of 15. Re place 11 and 15 with 26.”

Sara Added, “Even at the age of nine years old, I think I had the maturity to see that these two people living together in our home were not happy. And suddenly, they were much happier living in two new homes. For in stance, my mom, who I don’t think had laughed in 10 years, was suddenly happy, beautiful, and excit ed, like she deserves to be. Why would I be un happy if I have two happy parents in two happy homes?”

On the work front, Sara Ali Khan will be next seen in her up coming film Gas light, which also stars Vikrant Massey & Chitrangada Singh in lead roles.

Arjun pens a heartfelt note for late mother!

Arjun Kapoor and Anshula Kapoor paid tribute to their late mother Mona Shourie Kapoor on her death anniversary. They wrote heartfelt messages on Instagram, opening up on their feelings and letting everyone know how much they missed her. Arjun Kapoor posted a vintage photo of himself and his mother Mona Shourie Kapoor on his Instagram page.

The actor also stated that he didn't give a damn about what people thought or felt since he always had his mother in front of him to remind him of

Suniel appears in Shehnaaz’s talk show

ctors are often called by their nicknames in close circles. For instance, Anna is synonymous with Suniel Shetty. Suniel Shetty recently appeared on Shehnaaz Gill’s talk show Desi Vibes. The episode is full of fun and funny conversation and will surely make you laugh and you will also get to know some more details about Anna.

Suniel added that he is happy that he got the tag of ‘ac-

ly referred to as ‘Anna’. The actor said that the name took off after Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt started calling him that and said, “We were shooting for Kaante in LA, and a few of my staff would call me Anna. Then, Sanjay Dutt started this and called me Anna. He said, ‘Agar Sanjay Dutt ke haath mai kuch lag jaata hain na, toh woh chipak jaata hai.” Suniel will next be seen on the web show Hunter: Tootega Nahi Todega.

Alboe On His Upcoming Album 'Love Languages'

As the moniker suggests, A Little Bit of Everything or Alboe is an international music producer and Dj based out of New Delhi whose music has been growing exponentially since his launch in 2021.

For his next big release titled, Love Languages, Alboe dives deeper into the roots of Indian classical and regional music. The EP contains songs in Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi and English and it re-

volves around the theme of longlasting love. The title track of the project, Malx featuring Shrii is Alboe's first-ever music video set to release on 31st March 2023. Speaking of his upcoming album Alboe said, "The upcoming EP love languages essentially is a dive into love in its all forms be it self love or outwardly love. The EP focuses on showcasing the importance of love and how it can be such a huge driving factor in all our life decisions."

Kiara on husband SIDHARTH

idharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are one of the most loved couples in B-Town. They have not only amped up with PDA fest on social media but have also been vocal about their love for each other. Sid, who was being felicitated at a fashion event in the city, dedicated his big win to his wifey, Kiara.

In the clip that has been shared on Twitter by the actor's fan page, Sidharth took the stage to accept his award

try & handle all the hate but I really miss ur love which made me deal with every thing with a smile on my face & made me a bet ter person a hap pier person a calm er person perhaps maybe a more alive soul…,” wrote Ajun.

and said, "Thank you! This is actually my second award post my marriage... pehla wala acting ke liye tha aur dusra wala style ke liye hein, (the first one was for acting and now the second one is for style) so I think my wife will be happy... she has a good actor who is extremely stylish. This one goes to her and to all the stylists and designers everywhere who are making me look cool!" After which Kiara took to her Instagram Stories and reacted to Sidharth's speech. She shared the video and wrote, “This man has my whole heart (red heart emoticon).

It’s been an exciting few days for Natural actor Nani who is on a promotional spree for his Pan-India film ‘Dasara’ which releases on March 30. After an activity-filled tour in Ahmedabad, the superstar travelled to the Pink City and was welcomed by Jaipur with a thunderous response, speaking volumes for the kind of anticipation surrounding his film ‘Dasara’ up north!

Apart from visiting the monumental Hawa Mahal and exploring the city, the actor got a local taste of Jaipur’s signature paan. Nani has

been making headlines for his entry in different cities and after entering on a truck in Lucknow, a charade in Ahmedabad and a tractor in Nagpur, he made a grand entry in an open jeep at a college visit in Jaipur. Crowds gathered in large numbers to watch the superstar after the stupendous response the trailer received ever since it dropped.

Written and directed by Srikanth Odela ‘Dasara’ takes audiences through the socioeconomic condition, political ambition and power struggle of the Singareni collieries.

Sara Ali Khan Suniel Shetty Alboe

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra

Arjun Kapoor

Nani

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