First India-Mumbai Edition-31st March 2023

HOURS BEFORE RAM NAVAMI, CLASHES GRIP CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR

10 cops injured as mob hurls stones, petrol filled bottles!

First India Bureau

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: At least 12 persons, including 10 policemen, were injured after a mob of around 500 people went berserk and hurled stones and petrol-filled bottles when the cops tried to control the situation following a clash between two groups near a Ram temple in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, officials said on Thursday.

The incident, in which 13 vehicles were torched by the miscreants, occurred during the intervening night of Wednesday and

READ Crucial

US CANDIDATE AJAY BANGA SOLE NOMINEE TO LEAD WORLD BANK

Thursday in the city’s Kiradpura locality that houses the famous Ram temple, they said. Ram Navami is being celebrated on Thursday.

The police used tear

gas and fired some plastic bullets as well as live rounds to control the mob, the officials said, adding that eight teams have been formed to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

The situation is now under control and security personnel have been deployed across Aurangabad, now named Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Deputy Commission-

er of Police (DCP)

Shilwant Nandedkar said an offence has been registered at Jinsi police station against 400 to 500 people.

The offence has been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 307 (attempt to murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 147 and 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly) and others, as well as the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, he said.

‘UNWELL’ STEPWELL!

Washington: Ajay Banga, the American pick to lead the World Bank, was the only candidate nominated for the position, the bank confirmed Thursday. ‘Our Directors will conduct a formal interview with candidate in Washington DC, and expect to conclude selection soon,” bank said.

GERMANY FOLLOWS

US, SAYS WATCHING

RAHUL CASE CLOSELY

New Delhi: Germany said on Wednesday the “standards of judicial independence, fundamental democratic principles” should apply in case of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi following his disqualification as a LS MP after his conviction. P5

INDIA WILL UNVEIL NEW FOREIGN TRADE POLICY ’23-28 TODAY

14 KILLED AFTER FALLING INTO WELL AS THE INDORE TEMPLE FLOOR COLLAPSES, PROBE ORDERED

Moni Sharma

Indore: Fourteen people lost their lives and several were rescued after the floor covering a well at a temple in Indore cave in while Ram Navami celebrations were underway on Thursday. The incident was reported from the Shri Baleshwar temple in the Sneh Nagar area of the city.

MP Home Minister Narrotam Mishra said that 14 people were killed in the mishap. 12 bodies (11 female and one male) have been recovered from the spot while 19 were rescued.

Among the rescued people, 2 people succumbed to injuries. According to the information, the covering of the well collapsed while worshippers were standing over it inside the temple.

New Delhi: Last extension was given in September 2022 till March 31, 2023.

India will unveil its new Foreign Trade Policy 202328 today, with a view to boost exports amid slowing global trade. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will announce foreign trade policy, officials said.

FSSAI ALLOWS

LABELLING CURD IN REGIONAL NAMES

Chennai: The Food safety regulator FSSAI on Thursday revised its order and allowed the use of regional names in printed labels of curd packets amid political controversy in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, official said in a statement.

INDIA SEES BIGGEST

SINGLE-DAY SPIKE IN COVID IN 6 MONTHS

New Delhi: India saw a single-day rise of 3,016 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly six months, while the active cases increased to 13,509, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Thursday. A total of 3,375 cases were recorded on October 2 last year.

CM CHOUHAN

The eyewitnesses said around two dozen people were standing on the step well at the time of the incident. Locals said ambulances and fire brigade services did not reach the spot in time.

TRAGEDY HAPPENED DURING RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATIONS AS THE TEMPLE WITNESSED A RUSH

It started after two groups, each comprising around five persons, clashed near the Ram temple. After an hour, a mob gathered there, bringing stones and petrol-filled bottles along, which they threw at the police personnel.

—Nikhil Gupta, CP

The incident that happened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is very unfortunate and efforts are on to maintain peace in the area. However, some people are trying to vitiate the atmosphere there by making provocative statements. If anyone is trying to give political colour to this incident, then it is unfortunate.

—Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM

Is this an attempt to create hatred between two communities? The police should inquire and find the mastermind. The police should work without any political pressure.

Imtiaz Jaleel (of the AIMIM), Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Bhagwat Karad (who hails from Aurangabad) are friends. It is their plan. The violence is aimed at disturbing our (MVA’s) rally scheduled on April 2. People are also saying that the AIMIM is a ‘B’ team of the BJP.

MODI’S SURPRISE VISIT!

Next Ram Navami, Ram Lalla will be in Ram Temple: Shah

ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA,

URGES TEAM TO EXPEDITE OPERATIONS

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an ex-gratia amount of `5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased while `50,000 will be given to the injured. Chouhan directed authorities to expedite the rescue operations at the temple. The CMO said they were in constant contact with the Indore district administration.

PM MODI EXPRESSES ANGUISH AT INDORE TRAGEDY, SPEAKS TO CM SHIVRAJ SINGH

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed anguish at the mishap in Indore. “Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore. Spoke to CM Shivraj Chouhan Ji and took an update on the situation. The state government is spearheading rescue and relief work at a quick pace. My prayers with all those affected and their families,” he tweeted.

MoD’s `32,000 cr deal for BrahMos & vessels

First India Bureau

New Delhi: In a flurry of deals a day before the ongoing fiscal ends, the defence ministry on Thursday inked major indigenous contracts worth over `32,000 crore for six next-generation missile vessels, 11 offshore patrol vessels and 2 BrahMos missile coastal batteries for Navy as well as 2 more Akash missile regiments, 12 weapon-locating radars for Army.

Rajnath Singh

CENTRE INKS DEAL WORTH `19,600 CR FOR 17 NAVY VESSELS

The defence ministry on Thursday signed contracts with Indian shipyards for acquisition of 11 next Generation offshore patrol vessels and six next generation missile vessels at cost of Rs 19,600 crore for Navy.

Amit Shah

@AmitShah

The accident that happened in Indore, Madhya Pradesh is very sad. I express my condolences to the bereaved families. Local administration is engaged in rescue work, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured.

First India Bureau Haridwar: Union home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday, when the entire country celebrated Ram Navami, that he is confident that by the next year, Ram Lalla (Lord Ram) will no longer be celebrated in a temporary tent, but rather from the Ram Temple, which is currently under construction in UP’s Ayodhya.

He made this statement while inaugurating Patanjali University at Uttarakhand’s Haridwar. Earlier in the day,

in his address to 113th convocation of the Gurukula Kangri here

Shah praised the central govt’s New Education Policy for empha-

CM Shinde appeals for peace, says situation is under control

First India Bureau Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday appealed for calm after mob violence left at least 12 persons, including 10 policemen, injured in Aurangabad city.

He said the situation was under control in Aurangabad, where a mob of around 500 people hurled stones and petrol-filled bottles

when cops tried to restore peace following a clash between two

groups near a Ram temple on Wednesday night.

Speaking to reporters at the famous Mumbadevi temple here, Shinde said he has taken updates from the Aurangabad police commissioner as well as the director general of police about the violence.

“The situation there is fully under control and the police are doing their work,” Shinde said. The Chief Minister

appealed to citizens to maintain calm so that law and order is quickly restored in the city.

“Today (Thursday) is Ram Navami and the month of Ramzan is also going on. People of all communities and castes have always celebrated festivals together. We expect peace is maintained in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (new name of Aurangabad),” said Shinde.

sising mother tongue learning and universal education based on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Dayanand Saraswati. More on P5

Riot control police in WB after clash, Didi assures action

First India Bureau

Howarh: Several vehicles were set on fire after two groups clashed in WB’s Howrah amid Ram Navami celebrations on Thursday. The violence broke out soon after a Ram Navami procession crossed the area. CM Mamata Banerjee assured strict action against perpetrators of violence in Shibpur and asserted that usage of unauthorised route led to clash.

—Chandrakant Khaire, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader

—Ajit Pawar, Leader of Opposition

CCTV grab of mob attacking vehicles.

Eknath Shinde —FILE PHOTO

PM Narendra Modi makes a surprise visit to the new Parliament building, in New Delhi on Thursday. Sources say PM spent more than an hour at the site and inspected various works. He was accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The new building is in its final stages & likely to be inaugurated soon.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Patanjali University in presence of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Yog Guru Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and others, in Haridwar on Thursday.

Rescue operations in progress after a roof of an ancient stepwell (bavdi) situated in Beleshwar Mahadev Jhulelal Temple collapsed during the Ram Navami festival in Indore on Thursday.

Do not give political colour to Aurangabad incident: Fadnavis

Dy CM termed mob attack against police personnel on Wednesday night to be ‘unfortunate’

First India Bureau Nagpur: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the incident of a mob allegedly attacking police personnel in Aurangabad city, now named Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, was unfortunate and ap pealed to leaders to avoid making provoca tive statements and giving political colour to it.

A mob of more than 500 people al legedly attacked policemen on Wednesday night after some youth clashed among them

I feel that political leaders should know how to behave in such situations. Everyone should maintain peace. If anyone is trying to give political colour to this incident, it is unfortunate.

—Devendra Fadnavis, Home Minister, Maha

CRUCIAL READ

FIVE KILLED, EIGHT

INJURED AS TRUCK

COLLIDES WITH AUTORICKSHAW

Aurangabad: Five persons were killed and eight injured in a collision between a truck and an autorickshaw in Nanded district on Thursday, an official said. The accident occurred around 10 am near Mugat village. The truck was going from Mudkhed to Nanded, while the auto was coming in the opposite direction at the time, he said. Four persons died on the spot. A 37-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries while being taken to the hospital, the official said.

DUMPED MAN SHOOTS DEAD FATHER-IN-LAW

Jalna: A man allegedly shot his father-in-law dead in Jalna district after the former’s wife ran away with her lover, a police official said on Thursday. The incident took place in Sharda Nagar in Ambad on Wednesday, the official said. “The accused is a resident of Adool in Paithan. His wife eloped with her lover and moved to Aurangabad. Enraged, he confronted his fatherin-law. An argument ensued during which he shot the older man dead. Efforts are on to nab the accused,” Inspector Shirish Humbe said.

Land to be allotted in Bandra for new Bombay HC bldg

First India Bureau

CO-OP OFFICIAL HELD FOR TAKING ` 20 LAKH BRIBE

Nashik: A cooperative societies department assistant registrar was booked by Maharashtra Anti Corruption Bureau for allegedly seeking and accepting a bribe of Rs20 lakh in Nashik district, an official said on Thursday. The 32-year-old accused, an assistant registrar, was caught red-handed while he took a bribe of Rs20 lakh in Mumbai Naka area here on Wednesday for not taking action in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act probe against the complainant’s father, the official said.

JEWELLER ROBBED OF `2.08 CR IN GOLD, ` 5.15L CASH WHILE ON BUS IN RAIGAD

Thane: A jeweller was robbed of Rs2.08 crore worth of gold and cash in Raigad district, a police official said on Thursday. The incident is on March 28 when the victim was travelling from Hyderabad to Mumbai and his bus halted at a food court along the expressway, he said. “He realised sometime later that gold worth Rs2.03 crore and Rs5.15 lakh cash was missing from his bag,” Assistant Inspector Rakesh Kadam of Khopoli police station said.

LEOPARD KILLS 5-YEAR-OLD BOY IN CHANDRAPUR

Chandrapur: A 5-yearold boy was killed in a leopard attack in Chandrapur district, a forest department official said on Thursday. Harshal Karmeghe was urinating near his home in Bormala village in Saoli tehsil, when the leopard attacked, Chief Conservator of Forests (Chandrapur) Prakash Lonkar said. “The incident took place on Wednesday evening. The boy’s body was found in the thicket some distance away. His family will be given compensation of Rs 5.25 lakh,” he added.

selves. The incident, which lasted around an hour, took place in Kiradpura locality, which has a famous Ram temple where a huge crowd is expected to celebrate the Ram Navami on Thursday, police officials said.

Speaking at his residence in Nagpur on the violence, Deputy CM Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said, "The incident that happened in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is very unfortunate and efforts are on to maintain peace in the area. However, some people are trying to vitiate the atmosphere there by making provocative state -

Police said some vehicles were damaged in the violence in Aurangabad and a combing operation was underway to nab those in-

was planned by BJP, AIMIM to hit MVA rally’

First India Bureau

Aurangabad: Shiv Sena - Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) leaders on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Majalis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) of orchestrating violence in Maharashtra's Aurangabad, where a mob attacked police personnel, and alleged that it was aimed at disturbing the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) upcoming rally in the city.

A mob of more than 500 people allegedly attacked policemen on Wednesday night following a clash among youths. The incident took place in Kiradpura

locality of Aurangabad, which houses a famous Ram temple, police officials have said. The incident occurred on the eve of the Ram Navami celebrations.

The opposition MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena - UBT. the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress, is scheduled to hold a rally in Aurangabad city, now named Chhatrapati

Holistic devt planned for Mumbadevi temple area

Mumbai (PTI): Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced that the area around the historic Mumbadevi temple in south Mumbai will be developed in an integrated and holistic manner and a redevelopment authority would be set up for the purpose.

Shinde made the announcement while speaking to reporters outside the Mumbadevi temple, which he visited during the day.

“Mumbadevi is considered the city's presiding deity and the local residents have been demanding that the temple be redeveloped on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor in Varanasi and Mahakaleshwar temple corridor in Ujjain,” he said.

Mumbadevi is an ancient temple and redevelopment of the area around it has been proposed keeping the requirements of the time in mind, Shinde said.

MAN HELD FOR SODOMIZING TEEN AT KALYAN LODGE

Thane: On Thursday, it was reported that a man was taken into custody for sodomizing a 17-year-old boy in Kalyan, Thane. According to a police official from Kolsewadi police station, the victim was attempting to flag down a rickshaw in the early hours of Wednesday when the perpetrator offered him a ride on his scooter.

“However, the man took him to a lodge, spiked his drink and sodomized him.

A case was registered for unnatural sex and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,” he said.

BY ANI

—PHOTO

Adjoining land owned by the Mumbai civic body will have to be developed on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temple corridors, CM says

Shinde offered prayers at the temple also inspected the shrine and its surrounding area.

“Everyone has faith and devotion towards Mumbadevi. Hence, if we have to carry out development of the temple in an integrated and holistic manner, the adjoining land owned by the Mumbai civic body, a

Sambhajinagar, on the coming Sunday. Targeting the BJP and the AIMIM over the incident, Shiv Sena - UBT leader Chandrakant Khaire claimed, "Imtiaz Jaleel (of the AIMIM), (Deputy Chief Minister) Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Bhagwat Karad (who hails from Aurangabad) are friends. It is their plan. The violence is aimed at disturbing our (MVA's) rally scheduled on April 02. People are also saying that the AIMIM is a 'B' team of the BJP."

Khaire visited the Ram temple in Kiradpura and performed rituals on the occasion of Ram Navami.

Mumbai: The state government has decided to allot 30.16 acres of land in suburban Bandra for the construction of a new building of the Bombay High Court, it said on Thursday.

A government resolution (order) to this effect would be issued soon, Maharashtra’s Advocate General Birendra Saraf told a division bench of Acting Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne.

Saraf said the proposed complex in the upscale suburb would also house central tribunals and chambers for lawyers.

The bench was hearing a petition seeking contempt action against the state government for non-compliance of a 2019 HC order on the issue of land allotment for a new building.

The petitioner, Ahmed Abdi, argued that the contempt petition has been pending for the last 6 years and

Himalaya FOB near CSMT opened four years after collapse

First India Bureau Mumbai: The reconstructed Himalaya foot overbridge near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai opened for the public on Thursday, four years after its crash claimed seven lives.

On March 14, 2019, a part of the bridge connecting the north end of the CSMT railway station to Badruddin Tayabji Lane collapsed

onto the D N Road below. Subsequently, a traffic signal was installed on the road at the spot which often led to traffic snarls.

According to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official, the girders of the reconstructed bridge are constructed from stainless steel, and it has a granite floor. An escalator will soon be added to allow access to the bridge from Badruddin Tayabji Lane.

the state government has not taken any action on the issue yet. Abdi claimed the state government was in contempt of the January 2019 HC order passed on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by him in 2012 seeking a new building for the High Court on a priority basis.

The High Court had, in January 2019, directed the state government to take a decision on allotting a large parcel of land at a convenient location for the construction of a new complex. However, the state has completely failed and “deliberately ignored” to take steps towards implementing the court order, the plea contended.

I&B

playground and temple area will have to be developed on the lines of Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temple corridors,” he said.

Facilities like a parking area, toilets, and 'darshan' lines need to be provided at the temple, but costs can be estimated only after a development proposal report.

GIGANTIC PROBLEM

Nagpur (PTI): Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting

Anurag Thakur will be speaking at the Lokmat National Media Conclave here on April 2. The conclave is on the topic `Is Indian media completely polarised?', said a release by Lokmat Media on Thursday. The event has been organized on the occasion of the birth centenary of freedom fighter and founder editor of Lokmat Media Group Jawaharlal Darda alias 'Babuji', it said. Chairman of the editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda will preside over the event.

‘Corrupt public servants impact nation’s functioning’

Special CBI court sentenced officer convicted for accepting ` 75K bribe to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment

First India Bureau Mumbai: Corruption by public servants has become a “gigantic problem” and has a “deep and pervasive impact” on the functioning of the entire nation, a special court here has said while sentencing an Income Tax Department officer after convicting her in a

Rs75,000 bribery case. Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court judge MR Purwar on Wednesday held Preetha Babukuttan guilty of the offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced the 52-year-old officer to four years of rigorous imprisonment. The prosecution said

the officer had initially demanded Rs1,30,000 in March 2015 to settle the tax liability of the complainant. She had told

the complainant that his tax liability was around Rs 5lakh and she would try to bring it down to Rs55,000, for which she

demanded Rs1,30,000. After negotiations, she reduced the amount, first to Rs1,00,000, and later to Rs75,000.

However, the complainant was not willing to pay the bribe and brought the matter to the notice of the Anti-Corruption Bureau unit of the CBI. Accordingly, a trap was laid and the accused was caught..

The court, after examining witnesses and evidence produced by the prosecution, held that it is clear that the accused

had demanded, accepted the illegal gratification. Noting that the prosecution had not produced any materials to show the accused’s antecedents, the court said, “The nature of the offence is serious. The dishonest intention and abuse of official position to grab money as gratification is alarming. Corruption by public servants has become a gigantic problem. It has a deep and pervasive impact on the functioning of the country.”

‘Violence

Chandrakant Khaire

CM Shinde met devotees during his visit to the Mumbadevi Temple on the occasion of Ram Navami, in Mumbai on Thursday.

Himalaya FOB

—FILE PHOTO

IIT BOMBAY STUDENT DEATH

Deceased’s dad writes to CM alleging harassment by cops

‘THIS IS TO INFORM YOU...’

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The father of deceased IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki has written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde alleging that his family was facing harassment from the police in the registration of an FIR into the death of his son, an official said.

The letter also said the family was “completely shocked and disheartened” by the attitude of the police and the members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), who have been “refusing” to register the FIR for almost two weeks now.

A copy of the letter is also addressed to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who handles the home portfolio, and Mumbai Police Commissioner

Vivek Phansalkar, the official said. His family has claimed he faced discrimination at IITB for belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community and suspected foul play in his death. However, the inquiry com -

mittee set up by the institute had ruled out caste-based discrimination and hinted at deteriorating academic performance as a possible cause of suicide.

In his letter, Darshan’s father Ramesh Solanki said, “This is to

Triple murder: Fearing death, killer cries as cops interrogate

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The man who killed three neighbours in a fit of rage, is now realizing the gravity of his crime, said police.

Chetan Gala, the resident of Grant Road who was remorseless during the initial days of his arrest is now crying endlessly to see his family, fearing the death penalty, police added.

Angered by his family’s refusal to stay back with him, Gala recently went on a killing spree, attacking his neighbours at Parvati Mansion, killing an elderly couple and a teenager. Two others, including Prakash Waghmare who ran errands for the society residents, were injured.

The DB Marg police produced Gala in court on Wednesday after his custody ended, and sought an extension. The court remanded

He has been nervous for the past two days. He has now realized the seriousness of his crime and believes that he will be either hanged or sent to jail for life.

—Nitin Mahadik, Police Inspector

him in police custody until March 31.

Inspector Nitin Mahadik said, “We have all the evidence, like vide-

os and witness statements in the case. We don’t have to take Gala to the crime scene and it would be too risky.”

He added, “During the first three-four days in custody, Gala was happy and excited. However, he has been nervous for the past two days. He has now realized the seriousness of his crime and believes that he will be either hanged or sent to jail for life. Since this revelation, he has been crying a lot.”

inform you that I along with my family had travelled from Ahmedabad to visit the Powai police station for registration of FIR on the basis of my complaint dated March 16 in the case of my son’s death. However, in spite of our re-

Kidnapped child saved in 4 hrs, accused held

First India Bureau

Thane: A 30-year-old man was arrested in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on Thursday for kidnapping a fiveyear-old girl, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Dahane. The child was taken from near her home in Taloja on Wednesday.

Upon receiving the complaint by the child’s parents, a four-member team of police started the investigation. The search led to an abandoned scooter belonging to the suspect, a dog squad and personnel from the RAF was deployed in the area to look for the missing child.

“Accused fled after leaving the child close to a metro bridge in the vicinity. She was united with her parents within four hours of going missing. Sometime later, 30-year-old accused was also held,” DCP added.

2019 COMPLAINT

I n his letter, Darshan’s father Ramesh Solanki said, “This is to inform you that I along with my family had travelled from Ahmedabad to visit the Powai police station for registration of FIR on the basis of my complaint dated March 16 in the case of my son’s death. However, in spite of our requests the Powai police station refused to register the FIR stating that since the SIT has been constituted to investigate the case, they cannot register the FIR and they will forward the complaint to the SIT for necessary action.”

quests the Powai police station refused to register the FIR stating that since the SIT has been constituted to investigate the case, they cannot register the FIR and they will forward the complaint to the SIT for necessary action.”

Solapur, Sangli top nCoV positivity chart

First India Bureau

Mumbai: Solapur and Sangli districts have topped the state’s chart for March with COVID-19 positivity rates of 20.05% and 17.47%, respectively, even as cases continue to rise across Maharashtra, the health department said on Thursday. Positivity rate indicates the number of cases detected per 100 tests. “Four weeks back, the state had a positivity rate of 1.05% but between March 22 and 28, it reported 6.15%. The districts with a rise in positivity rate include Solapur (20.05%), Sangli (17.47%), Kolhapur

While 9,16,70,759 persons have taken the first dose of vaccine, and 7,66,25,098 have taken second dose, only 96,56,664 people have taken booster dose so far

(15.35%), Pune (12.33%), Nashik 7.84% and Ahmednagar (7.56%),” the department said in a statement.

The daily reporting of COVID-19 cases is high in districts such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad, Nashik and Sangli, it added.

The department confirmed the new COVID-19 variant--XBB.1.16-

-has been found in swab samples of 230 patients in the state so far.

“Of the 230 cases, 151 are from Pune followed by 24 in Aurangabad, 23 in Thane, Kolhapur and Ahmednagar 11 each, Amravati 8 and one each in Mumbai and Raigad. Out of the 230 cases, one patient has succumbed to the infection while others have recovered,” said the statement. Despite several efforts from the state government, not even one crore people have taken the COVID-19 booster dose, officials said. The state government has appealed to people to avoid gathering in crowded places.

RAM NAVAMI: DEVOTION AND CELEBRATIONS

HC relief for Salman, bodyguard in case of misconduct

Single bench of Justice Bharati

Dangre also quashed the summons issued to the duo by a lower court

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday quashed a complaint filed by a journalist in 2019 accusing actor Salman Khan of misbehaviour.

Allowing the applications filed by Khan and his bodyguard Nawaz Shaikh, a single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre also quashed the summons issued to the

duo by a magistrate’s court in March last year.

The lower court had directed Khan and Shaik to appear before it on April 05, in a complaint filed by journalist Ashok Pandey alleging the duo had threatened and assaulted him for filming the actor while he was cycling on the road.

In April last year, Khan approached HC challenging the sum-

In April last year, Khan approached HC challenging the summons.

mons. On April 05, 2022, the HC stayed the summons pending hearing of the actor’s petition.

Shaikh too later filed a petition challenging the summons, which was

also stayed by HC.

Pandey had filed a private complaint before the magistrate seeking action against the actor.

In his petition, Khan

had claimed there were contradictions and improvisations in Pandey’s complaint and that he had not said anything to Pandey at the time of the alleged incident in April 2019.

Metropolitan Magistrate RR Khan had issued process (summons) to Khan and Shaikh after noting a police report submitted in the matter stated that offences involving intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal intimidation are made out against the accused persons.

Pandey had alleged the actor snatched his mobile phone while cycling on a Mumbai street when some media persons started clicking his photos. The actor had allegedly entered into an argument and threatened him, Pandey said in his complaint.

The issuance of a process marks the beginning of criminal proceedings before a metropolitan or judicial magistrate based on a complaint lodged by an individual. Once the process is issued, the accused persons have to appear before the court.

Devotees in the city celebrated Ram Navami by offering prayers and performing rituals at various temples. At the Ram temple in Wadala, devotees were seen rocking a cradle while offering prayers. Meanwhile, at the Asthika Samaj in Matunga, devotees performed 'Abhishek' to the idol of Lord Rama. The celebrations were marked with great enthusiasm and devotion.

—PHOTOS BY BHUSHAN KOYANDE

Soon, Mum to get 238 brand new AC locals

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The ease of commuting in Mumbai metro is becoming a possibility as the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) is finally ready to float a tender for the procurement of 238 brand new air-conditioned (AC) suburban trains for Mumbai.

The project is part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project –which is jointly funded by the Centre and state.

The tender was supposed to be floated last year but got delayed as the state didn’t give its

monetary share despite several meetings with the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, said sources.

“After the change of government in Maharashtra, the State Government’s approach has completely changed hence the Union Railway Ministry has decided to go ahead now,” said the senior rail official.

Chetan Gala being detained by the cops.

—FILE PHOTO

Students with placards seeking justice for deceased Darshan Solanki. —FILE PHOTO

Family is completely shocked and disheartened by the attitude of police and SIT, said the letter

MALNUTRITION IN WOMEN AND GIRLS HAS SOARED 25% IN CRISIS-HIT COUNTRIES

WHY IS THE PROBLEM GETTING WORSE?

Every mother wants the best for their child. But a nutrition crisis means that many children are seeing their life opportunities negatively affected before they are even born. More than a billion adolescent girls and women suffer from undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and anaemia. It’s amplifying gender inequalities, curbing learning and wage-earning potential, and shaping lives.

We have made scant progress on targets to improve nutrition, and many of the countries most affected are those already grappling with poverty, conflict and climate change. Now, the global food crisis is deepening the problem, a new report from UNICEF finds, with maternal acute malnutrition rising by a quarter between 2020 and 2022 in the worst-hit countries.

HOW BAD IS THE PROBLEM?

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

l More than a billion women and adolescent girls are malnourished, which has broad health, economic and well-being impacts.

A series of local and global crises could combine in 2023 to exacerbate the problem for women and girls in several regions of the world. The pandemic had a devastating impact on food security, which disproportionately affected women and girls. Indeed, the gender gap for food insecurity more than doubled between 2019 and 2021 as girls and women found their livelihoods, income and access to nutritious food all hit. In southern and eastern Africa, for example, up to four in five pregnant and breastfeeding women were food insecure as a result of the pandemic.

Coordinated action which brings together multiple sectors and unites policies is needed to widen access to good nutrition. This includes improving access to and education about affordable, nutritious food, as well as expanding access to essential nutrition services for pregnant and breastfeeding women in particular

Poor nutrition and the issues associated with it can have major and long-lasting implications throughout a person’s life. These include poorer defence against disease and infection, reduced learning ability and stunted growth. Poor maternal nutrition can increase the risk of stillbirth, newborn death, and preterm delivery. It can also affect foetal development, creating lifelong impacts. Globally, 51 million children under two, have stunted growth, about half of which will have become stunted during pregnancy or the first six months of life, when they are fully dependent on their mother for nutrition, the report says.

WHERE IS THE PROBLEM MOST ACUTE?

Over two-thirds of adolescent girls and women who are underweight live in

South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with these regions also home to 60% of women and girls with anaemia. But there is significant variation between countries and regions – less educated, poorer and more rural women and girls are significantly more likely to be affected by issues related to nutrition. Rising poverty and inequities increase the chances that

people will turn to cheap, ultra-processed, unhealthy foods. In Sudan already only 10% of girls and women have diets that meet the minimum dietary diversity to provide sufficient nutrients. The story is similar in Burundi, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan, where fewer than one in three have a sufficiently diverse diet. Rising poverty and inequities increase the chanc-

es that people will turn to cheap, ultra-processed, unhealthy foods. In Sudan already only 10% of girls and women have diets that meet the minimum dietary diversity to provide sufficient nutrients. The story is similar in Burundi, Burkina Faso and Afghanistan, where fewer than one in three have a sufficiently diverse diet. In the 12 countries that are most affected by the cur-

l We are making slow progress and issues like soaring food prices, climate change and the lasting impact of the pandemic risk making the nutrition crisis an even greater problem in 2023.

l Nutrition is a widely overlooked issue, and coordinated access and policy intervention is urgently needed.

rent food crisis (Mali, Niger, Kenya, Nigeria Northeast, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen and Ethiopia), the number of acutely malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women increased by 25% between 2020 and 2022. These countries alone account for almost 7 million acutely malnourished mothers, according to UNICEF’s report.

“Addressing malnutrition in women and girls is essential to reduce the gender health gap,” says Amira Ghouaibi, Project Lead, Women’s Health Initiative, Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare, World Economic Forum. “For too long, women and girls have deprioritized their own needs impacting their health and wellbeing- they eat least, less and inadequately. Access to good nutrition will not only improve health outcomes for women and girls but will create equal opportunities, increase economic empowerment and promote gender equality.”

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The scale and consequences of the problem are being widely overlooked and underrecognized by families, society, governments, researchers, humanitarian agencies and the private sector, UNICEF says. The challenges facing women and children, particularly in the worst affected areas, continue to mount and much faster progress is needed. But only 8% of countries had all of the eight policies UNICEF considers key to tackling the problem. And there is also a lack of data to inform the problem and actions being taken.

Source: World Economic Forum

TOP TWEETS

Jagat Prakash Nadda @JPNadda

AND COULD JOKOWI STAY IN POWER LONGER?

decade ago, Joko (Jokowi)

Widodo was an outsider candidate whose carefully cultivated “everyman” persona swept him into Indonesia’s presidential office. To get there, he had to overcome Opposition from many rich and powerful figures. However, he soon built a formidable political coalition, and he and his family are now firmly part of the oligarchic ruling elite. So much so, that many mem-

bers of that elite fear their access to political and economic power could be disrupted if he leaves office.

By law, Jokowi’s time in office is limited. In 1998, Indonesia’s longest-serving president, Soeharto, was forced to step down after 32 years in power. One of the constitutional pri-

ELECTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY AND LEGISLATURE ARE NOW DUE ON FEBRUARY 14, 2024, AND, BECAUSE JOKOWI HAS ALREADY BEEN ELECTED TWICE, HE CANNOT RUN AGAIN

orities after his fall was to prevent a repeat of his long rule, which had become associated with military repression and corruption.

In 1999, the Constitution was amended to prevent presidents serving more than two five-year terms. This was seen as a non-negotiable part of the reforms

that delivered Indonesia’s transition to democracy.

Court decision causing election uncertainty

The idea of Jokowi staying in power just won’t go away. In fact, it is dominating headlines again after the Central Jakarta District Court issued a shock decision in early March

ordering the General Election Commission to postpone the 2024 elections.

THE POTENTIAL FALLOUT FROM A POSTPONEMENT

Will Indonesia’s presidential election be delayed? A

The run-up to elections is always a time of intense political manoeuvring in Indonesia. Presidential and parliamentary candidates for next year’s elections have also not yet been finalised.

It’s a fair point. Many observers already believe Jokowi’s time in office has led to democratic regression, with Indonesia slipping in the Freedom House rankings. Jokowi himself has publicly said he thinks Indonesian democracy has “gone too far”.

Source: The Conversation

He is the delight of the worlds, the brave on the battlefield, the lotuseyed, the lord of the Raghu dynasty. I take refuge in the merciful form of Sri Ramachandra who is merciful. Happy Rama Navami to you all. I pray that this festival brings good fortune and prosperity to all. May the grace of Lord Sri Rama rest upon all. Jai Shri Ram!

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp

Lawless Odisha is a reality. High-time people in power recognise the faultlines in the law and order situation in the state. Murder of young Samarth exactly within two months of the broad daylight killing of Minister Nabha Das exposes Odisha govt’s tall claims on rule of law.

SPIRITUAL SPEAK

As person abandons worn-out clothes and acquires new ones, so when the body is worn out a new one is acquired by the Self, who lives within. Bhagavad Gita

India’s NEP based on teachings of visionaries like Gandhi: Shah

Union Home Minister addresses 113th convocation of Gurukul Kangri in Haridwar

Haridwar (PTI): Un-

ion Home Minister

Amit Shah on Thursday

hailed the Central government’s New Education Policy for its emphasis on learning in mother tongue and universal education based on the teachings of Indian visionaries such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dayanand Saraswati and Lala Lajpat Rai.

Addressing the 113th convocation of the Gurukula Kangri here, Shah credited the university (deemed to be) for the revival of vedic education in India and combining it with modern education.

Shah paid tributes to the university’s founder Swami Shraddhanand saying he set India’s education system free from the stranglehold of the British and revived the country’s vedic education

system, all the while emphasising on culture and modern education. The Union Home Minister praised the NEP brought by the Narendra Modi-led central government saying it

COURTESY MEET!

Rijiju slams Rahul over foreign powers’ ‘help’

NEP contains the visions of four great people. Accessible education as propagated by Maharshi Dayanand, combining vedic education with modern as propagated by Swami Shraddhanand, Mahatma Gandhi’s education in mother tongue, & Lala Lajpat Rai’s principle of education for all are at the core of NEP.

—Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

represents the combined visions of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Shraddhanand, Mahatma Gandhi, and Lala Lajpat Rai.

“The new education policy, which is the

Israel stands by India in fight against terror: Ohana

Jerusalem (PTI): The planners of “abominable” 2008 Mumbai terror attack should pay a heavy price for it, the Speaker of Israel’s Parliament has said ahead of his maiden visit to India, asserting that the fight against terrorism is common concern for the two countries.

Amir Ohana, a close confidante of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will travel to India for four days starting March 31, on his first official visit abroad after assuming office in

December last year. Amir Ohana said the fight to counter it requires all the progressive countries to come together.

country’s third, contains the visions of four great people. Accessible education as propagated by Maharshi Dayanand, combining vedic education with modern as propagated by Swa-

Reddy

mi Shraddhanand, Mahatma Gandhi’s education in mother tongue, and Lala Lajpat Rai’s principle of education for all are at the core of this policy,” the Union Home Minister said.

New Delhi (ANI): Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday criticized Congress and Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers to interfere in India’s internal matters and said “remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is Narendra Modi.”

“Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji,” tweeted the Minister.

Rijiju reacted to Digvijay Singh’s tweet which thanked German Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker over Rahul’s matter.

SITHARAMAN RAPS CONG FOR ‘FOREIGN INTERFERENCE’

New Delhi: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday hit out at Congress over “foreign interference in our affairs” after MP Digvijaya Singh thanked the German foreign ministry for taking note of Rahul Gandhi’s matter.

“Apparent that @INCIndia wants foreign interference in our affairs. Sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Communist Party of China with opaque contents,” Sitharaman said.

meets Shah, urges release of funds

New Delhi (Agencies):

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here and urged him to resolve several long-pending issues since the bifurcation of the state.

Chief Minister Reddy requested the Home Minister to immediately release a grant of Rs 10,000 crore on an adhoc basis to expedite Polavaram project. He added that pending issues have pushed Andhra Pradesh backwards in terms of devel-

ENHANCE ANDHRA

PRADESH’S CREDIT

LIMIT: CM TO SITHA

opment and revenue. He also requested for Rs 2,020 crore to fill the scourge pits formed at the main dam site due to the washing away of the diaphragm in flash floods, said a statement

THANK YOU GERMANY FOR TAKING NOTE OF RaGa MATTER: DIGGY

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh on Thursday thanked Germany for “taking note” of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Parliament as the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament. Taking to Twitter, Singh said, “Thank you German Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker for taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi.”

Tripura BJP MLA watches porn on mobile in House

Amaravati: Andhra CM YS

on Wednesday night.

This is Reddy’s second visit to Delhi in a month. On March 17, Reddy had met with Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shah.

Cong is corrupted, BJP will get absolute majority in Karnataka: BS Yediyurappa

Bengaluru (ANI): Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yediyurappa on Thursday said that BJP will get an absolute majority in Karnataka assembly elections and added that Congress is making false allegations because they are corrupted.

Addressing a press briefing, Yediyurappa said, “Under PM Modi’s leadership, we’ll come back to power. Congress is corrupted and that’s why they’re making

false allegations of 40% commission and such others, these things will be kept away by voters.”

“Only BJP has leaders like Amit Shah and

SIMMERING RESENTMENT

Narendra Modi, who are welcomed in a large manner by the people of Karnataka. So BJP will 100 per cent win with a clear majority in

the state”, he said.

Yediyurappa added that lakhs of people gathered in the road shows, Vijaya Sankalpa Yatra and other public events organized by BJP and this gives a clear message.

“I have already spoken to Amit Shah. MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been asked to be present and work in their respective constituencies. A parliamentary committee meeting will also be held in Bengaluru soon,” he said.

Why are the MPs of Nitish Kumar’s party upset?

Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: The leaders of Grand Alliance i.e. RJD, JDU and Congress in Bihar are determined to defeat BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections. But before that the big question is how will there be coordination between the three parties? How will the seats be distributed? Will the seats be swapped and if so what will happen to the sitting MPs? The MPs of Nitish Kumar’s

party are troubled by these questions. Keep in mind that no Lok Sabha MP of RJD has won, so there is no problem there. Congress also has only one MP and that too from Kishanganj seat. In the alliance, that seat is sure to go back to the Congress account. So, the real concern is of JDU MPs. Its 16 MPs won while contesting in alliance with BJP, in which at least half of the MPs are worried about changing the seat.

Keep in mind that JDU had got all such seats in the BJP alli-

ance, where RJD is strong. JDU MPs have won the seats affected

by RJD. Madhepura is the traditional seat of RJD, from where JDU’s Dinesh Chandra Yadav hails from. Similarly Siwan is the seat of Shahabuddin’s family, who is the Muslim face of RJD. There is Vita Singh from Bhagalpur which has been a strong seat of RJD, from where Ajay Mandal of JDU has won. Ranjit Ranjan and Pappu Yadav are with the Congress, whose areas of influence are Madhepura,

Supaul and Purnia.

JDU MPs have won all these three seats. Similarly, there are JDU MPs in seats like Gopalganj to Jhanjharpur, Sitamarhi, Banka. Katihar is the traditional seat of Congress’s Tariq Anwar, which is won by JDU’s Dulal Chand Goswami. Thus, JDU MPs are restless on these seats and feel that his seat in the alliance may change. So, many MPs are being told to be in touch with the BJP.

Jagan Mohan Reddy called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Thursday and urged her to increase state’s credit limit and release pending funds. He appealed to her to enhance credit limit of Rs 17,923 crore which was reduced from Rs 42,472 crore in 2021-22 for no fault of the state govt.

Agartala (Agencies): In a major political embarrassment to the BJP, a party MLA Jadab Lal Nath was allegedly caught on camera watching a pornographic clip in the Tripura assembly. A video has gone viral on social media where the legislator from the Bagbasa constituency can be seen watching obscene clips playing on his phone when a session to discuss issues related to the state budget was underway.

IN THE COURTYARD

SC SEEKS RESPONSE ON FAVOURITISM IN APPOINTMENTS IN J&K JUDICIAL COURTS

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Registrar General of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to file its response to a plea which alleged that relatives of former judges and staff were favoured in the appointments in judicial institutions and courts in the Union territory. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud initially suggested to a counsel, representing petitioner NGO ‘Jammu and Kashmir People’s Forum, that it should approach the high court with the plea.

NO RELIEF FOR BUS DRIVER ACCUSED OF MOLESTING MINORS

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has upheld a five-year jail term to a school bus driver for sexually assaulting two minor students in 2014. The accused had challenged a 2020 trial court decision holding him guilty of section 354A (sexual harassment) IPC and section 10 of POCSO Act on grounds that there were contradictions in the prosecution case and both the victims could not give the exact date and narration of the event.

CHARGES FRAMED AGAINST 3 IN 2017 ROAD RAGE CASE

New Delhi: A local court recently framed charges against three persons for beating a person and injuring him grievously in a road rage case of December 2017 near Tilak Nagar Flyover. However, the court discharged the accused persons of the charge of attempt to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hem Raj framed charges against Mandeep Singh alias Raja, Ashmeet Singh and Tarun Sharma.

DELHI EXCISE ‘SCAM’: INTERIM BAIL OF LIQUOR BIZMAN MAHENDRU EXTENDED

New Delhi: A Delhi court has extended the interim bail granted to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru on medical grounds in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. The court granted the relief for a week after the Enforcement Directorate said it needed time to reply to the application seeking extension of the bail. ED’s Special Public Prosecutor told the court that the agency has emailed all medical documents of the accused to the doctors/ hospitals concerned, but some of the reports are still awaited.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses at the 113th convocation ceremony of Gurukul Kangri University, in Haridwar on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with the team associated with 2023 Oscar Awardwinning documentary short film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju. —FILE PHOTO

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy with Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday.

BS Yediyurappa (R) with Karnataka CM Bommai. —FILE PHOTO

Israeli Knesset’s (parliament) speaker Amir Ohana.

Nitish Kumar

Life of Lord Ram an inspiration for humanity in every era: PM Modi

New Delhi (ANI):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday wished people on the occasion of Ram Navami and said that the life of Lord Ram will remain an inspiration for humanity in every era.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, “Many best wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.”

He also added that the life of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ramchandra, based on sac-

348 held during Amritpal crackdown freed: Govt

Akal Takht Jathedar had given an ultimatum to the Punjab govt

Chandigarh (PTI):

The Punjab government has informed the Akal Takht that 348 of the 360 people taken into preventive custody during a police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh have now been freed.

The Akal Takht Jathedar’s personal secretary Jaspal Singh on Thursday said a message was received from the state government that the rest would also be released soon.

Earlier this week, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had given an ultimatum to the state government to release all Sikh youths held during the police crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his aides.

The Jathedar had also condemned the state government for invoking the National Security Act against a few people during the police crackdown.

A few days prior to the Jathedar’s ultimatum, the Punjab Police had said that out of those detained, nearly 30 were hardcore criminals. The rest would be released after verification, a senior police official had said.

Meanwhile, the Punjab police have stepped up security in and around Amritsar and Bathinda amid reports that Amritpal Singh may surrender after entering any of the two Sikh shrines – the Golden Temple in Amritsar or the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Bathinda. Vehicles are being

Total 5 ‘Khalistanis’ held since Jan for violence in Australia

Melbourne: Three men were arrested in connection with violent brawls that broke out between pro-Khalistani supporters and Indian demonstrators in late January in Melbourne, Australian state Victoria’s police said on Thursday. The arrests were made by the Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team “in relation to an alleged affray” at the Federation Square on January 29, Victoria Police said in a statement. With the latest arrests, police have so far rounded up five suspects in connection with the incident. “Police were in attendance at a Khalistan Referendum

checked at several places in other districts, including Hoshiarpur, in search of the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’. Amritpal, who has

event at Federation Square on 29 January when it’s alleged two fights broke out, one at about 12.45pm and the other at about 4.30pm,” it stated. Police said that the investigation remains ongoing and they are making enquiries to identify and

been on the run since March 18 when the police crackdown was launched, appeared in a video on Wednesday. In the undated clip,

Narendra Modi @narendramodi

Many best wishes to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

rifice, austerity, restraint and determination, will remain the inspiration for humanity in every era.

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in order to honour the birth of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Rama. This day marks the end of the nine-day ChaitraNavratri celebrations, which are celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra which falls on the cusp of spring and summer.

CBI raids to bust doctors and middlemen nexus in Delhi

New Delhi: The CBI raided locations in Delhi on Wednesday evening to expose a corruption case involving Safdurjung hospital doctors and middlemen. “After the agency had received complaints related to a doctor and middlemen, raids in Delhi were conducted last evening to expose the nexus between them. During raids, CBI found increment documents related to corruption. Documents have been seized,” a CBI official said. “A few people including a doctor from the neurosurgery department and middlemen have been apprehended by CBI,” official said.

PM MODI TO ATTEND COMBINED COMMANDERS’ MEET IN BHOPAL

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will attend the Combined Commanders’ Conference-2023 in Bhopal on April 1, said an official press release on Thursday. The PMO statement said, “At around 10 AM, Prime Minister will attend the Combined Commanders’ Conference-2023 at the Kushabhau Thakre Hall in Bhopal. Thereafter, at around 3:15 PM, Prime Minister will flag off the Vande Bharat Express train between Bhopal and New Delhi at Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, Bhopal.” The three-day conference of Military Commanders will be held from 30th March to 1st April 2023 on the theme ‘Ready, Resurgent, Relevant’. During the Conference, deliberations will be held over a varied spectrum of issues pertaining to national security, including jointness and theaterisation in the Armed Forces.

Vehicles burnt, cops on alert in WB’s Howrah

Kolkata: Several vehicles were set on fire after two groups clashed in West Bengal’s Howrah amid Ram Navami celebrations on Thursday. The violence broke out soon after a Ram Navami procession crossed the area. Visuals showed several vehicles engulfed in flames and heavy police deployment - including riot control force - in the area. A police van and a car with their glasses smashed were also seen in the videos from the spot.

CM Mamata Banerjee assured strict action against the perpetrators of the violence in Howrah’s Shibpur and asserted that usage of

SWACHHOTSAV 2023

unauthorised route led to the clash. “They have been hiring goons from outside the state to orchestrate communal riots. Nobody has stopped their processions but they do not have the right to march with swords and bulldozers,” said Mamata Banerjee.

MAMATA RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLENCE: BJP

The BJP attacked Banerjee for the violence. “As Bengal’s CM and home minister, Mamata Banerjee is directly responsible for violence. When over 10,000 processions were taken out, she was on a Dharna. When she should have looked after police management, she was doing politics,” BJP said.

CRUCIAL READ

apprehend any further alleged offenders from the day.

According to Victoria Police during the fight it is alleged flag poles “were used by several men as weapons which caused physical injuries to multiple victims.”

he urged the Akal Takht to summon a “sarbat khalsa” – a congregation of Sikhs to discuss issues concerning the community.

IPL TURNS ‘SWEET 16’

New Delhi: As many as 1000 cities are targeted to become 3-Star Garbage Free by October 2024” said Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on the occasion of International Zero Waste Day 2023 in New Delhi on Thursday.

Highlighting the progress in the GFC-Star rating, launched in January 2018 to encourage a competitive, missionmode spirit among ULBs, he further said that the certification has increased exponentially sinceinception.

Puri said that urban India has become Open Defecation Free (ODF), with all 4,715 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) com-

pletely ODF, 3,547 ULBs are ODF+ with functional and hygienic community and public toilets and 1,191 ULBs are ODF++ with complete faecal sludge management. Further, waste processing in India has gone up by over four times from 17% in 2014 to 75% today.

Dhoni’s CSK, Rohit’s MI remain main contenders

New Delhi (PTI): The never-ending speculations about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s impending ‘last dance’, Virat Kohli’s endless pursuit of an elusive silverware and Rohit Sharma’s customary nonchalance are things that make the IPL starting Friday a heady cocktail of cricket and entertainment.

Megastars Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit have been the IPL’s driving force in the past 15 sea-

sons, getting the cricket crazy Indian fans hooked on the event for nearly two months every year.

As it enters the 16th season, innovations introduced in the form of potential game changer like the ‘Impact Player’

rule, DRS on wides and waist-high no balls, and two broadcasting giants locked in an ugly war of ‘TV vs Digital’ act as in-

gredients garnishing the mouth-watering dish, which will be devoured by millions for more than 50 days.

However, the product will remain the driving force and players the main stakeholders, as the likes of Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit set the narratives for their respective franchises with amazing fan bases.

Nearing 42, Dhoni has defied the law of diminishing returns when it comes to his manic following among CSK fans, who thronged the Chepauk to see their ‘Thala’ hit towering sixes at his spiritual home.

New Delhi: Delhi Police has arrested a 52-yearold man impersonating as a journalist and extorting money from businessmen by threatening them to defame by posting fake news against them, police said adding that his son has also been arrested.

VANDE BHARAT TRIAL BETWEEN CHENNAI & COIMBATORE HELD

Coimbatore: The Vande Bharat Express, which was on a trial run from Chennai to Coimbatore, reached here 22 minutes ahead of its scheduled time of 11.40 AM on Thursday, officials said. The train left Chennai at 5.40 AM and reached Coimbatore at 11.18 AM, in record five hours and 38 minutes.

CAR CATCHES FIRE ON NOIDA EXPRESSWAY, OCCUPANTS JUMP OUT TO SAVE THEMSELVES

Noida: A fire broke out in a moving car on Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and its driver and passenger had to jump out of the vehicle to save themselves, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night. The fire engulfed the vehicle within a matter of minutes, leaving it completely gutted. Eyewitnesses told the fire department, after which fire brigade vehicles reached the spot and extinguished the blaze. The burnt car was moved to the roadside. The fire officials said that traffic slowed down for some time after the incident and barricades were put up to allow other vehicles to pass safely.

MAN ARRESTED FOR IMPERSONATING AS JOURNALIST IN DELHI ALCOHOLIC MAN SLAUGHTERS WIFE & DAUGHTER WITH AXE

Hyderabad: An alcoholic man murdered his wife and daughter in Telangana’s Jayashankar Bhupalapally district. The incident occurred in Bhupalapally municipality limits on Wednesday night. According to police, the accused killed his wife and daughter with an axe after an argument.

NOIDA: FIRE AT ADANI GROUP’S IN PROCESS DATA CENTRE

Noida: A fire broke out at the under-construction data centre building of Adani Group located in Noida Sector 62, which was later brought under control. The fire broke out on Wednesday night. According to the fire department, no casualties were reported in the incident, officials said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Akal Takht Jathedar Harpreet Singh. —FILE PHOTO

1000 cities to be 3-star garbage free by Oct 2024: Puri

A priest performs ritual on the occasion of Ram Navami at Sree Seeta Rama temple, at Nampally, in Hyderabad on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

Pro-Khalistani supporters had indulged in violence against the Indian demonstrators in Melbourne on January 29.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at the event on Thursday.

The police personnel at the area where clashes broke out.

COMMODITIES

business BRIEFS

NET OFFICE LEASING DROPS 34% IN JANMARCH: JLL INDIA

CURRENCIES

Indian economy likely to grow at 6.5%: CEA

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian economy is likely to grow at the rate of 6.5% in the coming decade on the back of the turnaround in financial and investment cycle, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said.

probably see us growing on an average of six and a half per cent in the coming decade,” he said.

TOP TALKING POINTS

New Delhi: Net leasing of office space fell 34% in January-March to 7.63 million square feet across seven major cities as corporates were cautious on expansion amid global uncertainties, according to JLL India. The net leasing fell to the lowest in six quarters, as per the data by real estate consultant JLL India. Net leasing stood at 11.55 million square feet in the yearago period across seven cities — Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. —PTI

ROSNEFT, IOC JOIN HANDS TO BOOST OIL SUPPLIES

He also added that going forward, global exports growth volumes may be somewhat tepid in terms of their growth rates due to the kind of uncertainties the world is facing.

“So, I think the restoration of the financial, credit and the investment cycle in the commercial sector and the real estate sector will

The Asia’s third-largest economy recorded year-onyear growth of 4.4% in October-December, down from 11.2% a year back and 6.3% in the preceding quarter.

Nageswaran attributed the slowdown in India’s economic growth just before COVID-19 pandemic to the classic financial cycle distress that India went through.

“If you look at data from 2012 onwards, so basically pre-pandemic period itself, we went through a period of

Direct selling industry’s growth declines 5.3%

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian direct selling industry’s growth has declined 5.3% to ` 19,020 crore in FY22, impacted by a devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report.

classic financial cycle repair, credit cycle repair, which is what brought down a slowdown in the construc-

z CEA V Anantha Nageswaran that going forward, global exports growth volumes may be somewhat tepid in terms of their growth rates due to the kind of uncertainties the world is facing

tion sector, and real estate sector,” he opined.

According to Nageswaran, in the second dec-

z The Asia’s third-largest economy recorded yearon-year growth of 4.4% in October-December, down from 11.2% a year back

z He attributed the slowdown in India’s economic growth to the classic financial cycle distress that India went through

New Delhi: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has signed a deal to raise oil imports from Russia’s Rosneft as it looked to capitalise on the discounted oil available post Ukraine war. “Rosneft Oil Company and Indian Oil signed a term agreement to substantially increase oil supplies as well as diversify the grades to India,” the Russian firm said. IOC had in December 2021 signed a deal to buy up to 2 million tonnes of crude oil from Rosneft in 2022. —PTI

UNACADEMY TO SLASH 12% OF ITS TOTAL WORKFORCE

Nearly 60% of the direct selling companies reported negative growth due to multiple challenges faced by them during the pandemic, said an Annual Survey Report released by the industry body Indian Direct Selling Association.

The direct selling industry stood at `18,067 crore in the FY 2021, reporting a 7.7% growth.

“The industry is correcting itself from the COVID period and returning to pre-COVID times,” it said.

IDSA believes that India has a “vast untapped market potential” for the industry and the rising mid-

dle class, estimated to comprise more than 25 crore, “has higher disposable income and is more receptive to purchasing premium products”.

Now, technology-driven offerings, especially in the wellness and personal care space, have been witnessing great traction among consumers.

In FY22, the industry has also added more numbers of direct sellers, taking the total count to around 84 lakhs — registering a growth of 6%from 79 lakh over the previous year, the report said.

New Delhi: Unacademy is cutting 12% of its workforce in another round of layoffs, according to an internal memo sent on Thursday by CEO Gaurav Munjal. Munjal told employees that the Bengaluru-based test-preparation platform has taken “every step in the right direction” to make its core business profitable, but the efforts had not been enough. The decision will help the company meet the goals that it is chasing in the current reality, he added. The affected employees will be paid severance equating the notice period and an additional month’s pay. —FIB

‘IAS, IPS AND IFS OFFICERS MUST DISCLOSE D-ST’

New Delhi: The Centre has asked IAS, IPS and IFS officers to intimate it in case the total transactions in stock, share or other investments exceed their six months’ basic pay during a calendar year. This intimation is in addition to similar information that needs to be shared by them under Rule 16 (4) of AIS or All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. These rules are applicable to the members of three All India Services. —PTI

ade of the century, by the time India could start thinking of enjoying the repaired balance sheets, came the pandemic for two years.

“And then came the commodity price shock and later came the interest rate

India should dismantle ‘Big 5’:

Ex-RBI Deputy Guv Acharya

New Delhi (Agencies): India’s biggest conglomerates, which wield immense pricing power in the retail, resources and telecommunication sectors, are contributing to elevated inflation and should be broken up, a former central banker said.

The ‘Big 5’ consisting of Reliance Group, Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, Adani Group and Bharti Telecom have grown at the expense of smaller local firms, said Viral Acharya who was Reserve Bank of India deputy governor between 2017 and 2019. At the same time, the government’s “sky-high tariffs” have shielded these conglomerates from competition by foreign firms.

“Creating national champions, which is considered by many as the industrial policy of ‘new India,’ ap-

FTA talks with UK continuing; trade stands on its own legs: Min Goyal

TALKS ON WITH OTHERS AS WELL

z The Union Minister assured that talks are going on very well with the UK, Canada, with the EU countries, we are also in dialogue with Israel

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

z The ‘Big 5’ consisting of Reliance Group, Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, Adani Group and Bharti Telecom have grown at the expense of smaller local firms, said Viral Acharya

z The government’s “skyhigh tariffs” have shielded these conglomerates from competition by foreign firms

Telecom Cos recorded `4.17 lakh crore debt

New Delhi (PTI): Amid a diplomatic row following protests by secessionist groups near the Indian mission in London, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said talks on a Free Trade Agreement with the UK are continuing.

Talks are “going on very well” with the UK, Goyal said, adding, “trade stands on its own legs”. The Union minister, however, made it clear that

IN FY23 FROM FY22

India will take into consideration a respect for her sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will not tolerate any interference in her Indian affairs.

“I can assure you that talks are going on very well with the UK, Canada, with the EU countries, we are also in dialogue with Israel,” he told reporters here.

Goyal said there was no deadline to have an Free Trade Agreement with the UK.

pears to be feeding directly into keeping prices at a high level,” said Acharya. He suggested such conglomerates should be dismantled to increase competition and reduce pricing power. If that doesn’t work, “throw sand in the wheels by making it economically unattractive to remain a large conglomerate unless productivity gains are truly large,” Acharya wrote in a paper.

OTHER STORIES

New Delhi (PTI): Six telecom companies — including Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea — had a total debt of `4.17 lakh crore in fiscal 2021-22.

Data submitted by Minister of State for Telecom Devusinh Chauhan in the Lok Sabha shows Vodafone Idea had a debt of `1,91,073.9 crore, Airtel (` 1,03,408.1 crore), Reliance Jio (`42,486 crore), BSNL (` 40,400.13 crore), Tata Teleservices (`20,162.04 crore).

Fund raise through IPO more than halves

Mumbai (PTI): The total amount raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) more than halved to `52,116 crore in FY23 from an alltime high collection of `1,11,547 crore in the previous fiscal, according to an analysis.

According to Prime Database, just 37 companies hit the main board listing process in FY23, much lower than 53 IPOs in FY22.

Pranav Haldea, managing director of Prime Database Group, said ` 20,557 crore which is 39% of the total amount raised in FY23 was by LIC alone,

without which the IPO fundraising would have been just ` 31,559 crore in the year.

Yet, FY23 is still the third highest in terms of IPO fund-raise, he said. Overall public equity

MAJOR HIGHLIGHT

z While IPOs were worth `54,344 crore (including SME issues) in the year, total fund raising through the capital markets stood at `85,021 crore, of which `11,231 crore were from the OFS route, `9,335 crore were from QIPs/InvITs/REITs of which `1,166 crore were from InvITs/REITs, taking the total to `76,076 crore

fundraising also dropped by 56% to ` 76,076 crore in the reporting year from `1,73,728 crore in FY22.

shock in the second half of the 2022,” he said, adding that so naturally, some of these things do induce uncertainty in the minds of private investors and they may be a little bit more cautious than they might have been.

Adani hopes for 20% annual growth to repay $23 bn debt

New Delhi (PTI): Embattled Adani Group is looking at a 20% growth in earnings across businesses spanning from sea ports to airports, edible oil and commodities, energy, cement and data centres, to repay about $23 billion of debt over the next 3-4 years in a comeback strategy, sources said.

Sources said the company management told investors that once the revenue increases, the debt ratio will come down. Adani group’s cur rent EBIT DA stands at ` 61,200 crore while its net debt stood at `1.89 lakh crore.

IMPORT DUTY ON DRUGS, FOOD FOR SPECIAL MEDICAL PURPOSES EXEMPTED

New Delhi: The government has exempted basic customs duty on all drugs and food for special medical purposes imported for personal use for treatment of rare diseases. The import duty waiver will come into effect from April 1. Also, the government has exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), used in treatment of various cancers, from basic customs duty. Drugs/Medicines generally attract basic customs duty of 10%, while some categories of life saving drugs/vaccines attract a concessional rate of 5% or Nil. —PTI

INDIA NEEDS $540 BILLION TO MEET ITS RENEWABLE GOALS

New Delhi: India needs $540 billion of investment between 2020 and 2029 to meet its ambitious targets for electricity generation from renewable sources, S&P Global Ratings said on Thursday. In the transition to that, it is targeting 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil electricity capacity, half of the energy from renewables, a reduction of emissions by one billion tonne and an emissions intensity of the GDP by 45% by 2030. —PTI

SEBI PERMITS PE FUNDS TO SPONSOR MUTUAL FUNDS

Mumbai: Markets watchdog Sebi on Wednesday decided to allow private equity funds to sponsor mutual funds and do away with permanent board seats for individuals at listed companies, as well as proposed a regulatory framework for ESG disclosures and norms to curb fraud by stock brokers. The regulator also announced a fund-blocking facility for secondary market investors and a stricter regulatory framework for AIFs. —PTI

STRONG DEMAND TO BOOST PROFITS OF TRAVEL OPERATORS

BY 6-7% IN FY23, FY24: REPORT

Mumbai: Leading travel and tour operators are expected to witness 6-7% growth in operating profit and recover 90% revenue in this financial year, mainly driven by efficient cost structure, a report said.

After having reported losses for the past two fiscals due to Covid pandemic induced travel restrictions, travel and tour operators are expected to witness 6-7% operating profitability in FY23 and FY24, Crisil Ratings said. The revenue is likely to be 90% of the pre-pandemic levels or FY20, mainly buoyed by strong recovery in corporate and leisure travel segments.

SC remarks on hate speech a matter of shame’

First India Bureau

Nashik: Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Ajit Pawar on Thursday slammed the state government over the Supreme Court's remarks on hate speech and said many parties have repeatedly raised

The top court on Wednesday made strong comments during the hearing of a contempt petition seeking action against several state authorities, including Maharashtra, for allegedly failing to register first information reports (FIRs) against those who make

“We are hearing the contempt petition because states are

Aam Aadmi Party puts up posters against PM Modi

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday put up 'Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao' (Remove Modi, save the country) posters at several places in Mumbai.

“From today, the party will put up posters with the caption 'Modi Hatao Desh Bachao' across the country," AAP state convener Gopal Rai had earlier announced at a party meeting.

As per the allegations, some parts of Mumbai had red posters on walls and bus stands with the caption "Remove Modi, save the country," on Thursday.

Earlier, fresh posters questioning the educational qualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi surfaced in the national capital on Thursday.

As per the allegations, some parts of Delhi had blue posters on the walls and pillars on the roadsides with the caption "Kya Bharat ke pradhan mantri padhe-likhe hone chahiye (Should the PM of India be educated)?"

Posters in several languages had also been released in various states

It comes a day after the Aam Aadmi Party released 'Modi Hatao Desh Bachao' posters in 11 languages in the national capital.

Apart from Hindi, Urdu, English and Punjabi, the posters had also been released in Gujarati, Telugu, Bengali, Oriya, Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi. AAP on March 23 held a big public meeting at Jantar Mantar under the slogan 'Modi Hatao Desh Bachao', which was addressed by AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann.

Earlier on March 22, Special CP Deependra Pathak told ANI that the Delhi Police has registered over 100 FIRs while six people have been arrested for objectionable posters including those against PM Narendra Modi across the city.

not taking action in time. This is because the state has become impotent, powerless, and does not act in time. Why should we have a state at all if it is silent?” the SC asked.

“Yesterday, the Supreme Court called the Maharashtra government an impotent government. Isn't it an insult to Maharashtra? A matter of shame for the (Eknath) Shinde(Devendra) Fadnavis government? The Supreme Court has never uttered such words for any government,” the senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader told reporters in Nashik on Thursday.

The government should take the SC remarks seriously and those in power should introspect about why the apex court said so, he

said. “An immediate meeting should be convened on the issue,” he said. The Opposition has been raising the issue but the heads of the government do not like being told about it, he said.

“Earlier too, the court had pointed out that politics and religion should be separate. Precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of communal hatred and avoid situations that may lead to law and order problems,” he said.

The NCP leader also spoke about the problems being faced by onion farmers in Nashik, which produces a huge amount of the kitchen staple.

According to farmers, NAFED stopped procuring onions after the conclusion of the budget session of the state legislature last week.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court called the Maharashtra government an impotent government. Isn't it an insult to Maharashtra? A matter of shame for the (Eknath) Shinde-(Devendra) Fadnavis government? The Supreme Court has never uttered such words for any govt.

MLA T Raja Singh booked for hate speech

Mumbai (PTI): T Raja

Singh, suspended Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Telangana has been booked for allegedly delivering a hate speech at a rally in Mumbai on January 29, a police official said on Thursday.

A case has been filed by the Dadar police station after examining a speech given by Singh at a rally organized by the Hindu Sakal Samaj between Shivaji Park and the Labour Board office four days ago.

Singh, the MLA from Goshamahal in Telangana capital Hyderabad, has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 153A(I)(a) for allegedly making provocative statements aimed at a community, the official said.

The morcha was held to discuss various issues the Hindu community is facing.

‘Impotent’ Maharashtra govt must go: Nana Patole

First India Bureau Mumbai: Terming the Supreme Court’s comments on hate speech a “slap in the face” of the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis, Nana Patole, the state unit chief of the Congress on Thursday demanded that the state leadership “resign immediately”.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra government to respond to a contempt plea filed against it for failing to control hate speeches by rightwing organizations despite the orders of the top court.

Slamming the state government, Patole said, “Expressing displeasure, the Supreme Court has said that the

INTO

First India Bureau

Navi Mumbai: Airoli

MLA Ganesh Naik, during the hearing on the draft development plan of the city for the next 20 years published by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), made 245 objections and suggestions, highlighting the need of civic infrastructures in the city.

The demand for the provision of various civic and infrastructure facilities in different nodes, villages, MIDCs, and slums has been made by an influential figure. He emphasized that no node should be deprived of these facilities and they should be made available to all.

The individual stressed on the need for planning civic amenities

like schools, hospitals, playgrounds, parks, libraries, roads, footpaths, flyovers, skywalks, and subways for the next 20 years.

During the hearing, Naik criticized the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for selling plots reserved for civic amenities in the original development plan and urged the municipal administration to acquire the remaining 550 facility plots as soon as possible.

Maharashtra government is impotent, it is not doing anything, therefore religious disputes are deepening.

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led Shinde government in the state has dealt a major blow to the image of Maharashtra.”

He added: “Religious disputes are increasing in the state due to provocative speeches of some organizations, but the Shinde-Fadnavis government is not taking any action on it. The government should stop such organizations immediately, but the government itself does not have the willpower and such organizations are flourishing.”

The state Congress chief also alleged that some organizations have complained to the police but the police's hands are tied.

ISSUE AT HAND

A contempt petition was filed by Keralabased Shaheen Abdullah over a news report that said, “At least 50 rallies were held in the state in the last four months where hate speeches were allegedly made.” During the hearing on Wednesday, a bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna posted the matter for hearing on April 28 and said, “Hate is a vicious circle and the state will have to initiate action.”

Two orphaned 8-month-old tiger cubs rescued from the Pandharkawada forest range in Yavatmal district on March 14 have been moved to Pench Tiger Reserve for “rewilding”. Rewilding involves the reintroduction of a tiger cub into the wild when it becomes apparent that the big cat is capable of surviving in the jungle independently. —PHOTO BY PTI

Mum-Goa highway work to be done by Dec: Gadkari

Maharashtra’s Konkan region will get a huge boost to development, says Min

First India Bureau

Thane: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that Maharashtra Konkan region would see a huge boost in development once work on the much-delayed MumbaiGoa highway is finished this December.

Speaking in Panvel at the “bhoomi pujan” ceremony of the concretization of the

Palaspe-Indupur national highway stretch and some other routes, he said several works in the Konkan region were held up due to issues like land acquisition, permissions and contractor problems.

Gadkari also announced the construction of the Rs13,000 crore Morbe-Karanjade road, which will go through Jawaharlal Nehru Port and reduce travel time between be-

tween Mumbai and New Delhi to 12 hours.

Work on the Rs1,200 crore Kalamboli junction and Rs1,200 crore

Pagode junction too will begin soon, he said. “The Mumbai-Goa highway touches 66

tourism spots in the Konkan region. It will give development a high boost. It will also ensure quick transportation of fruits and other produce for which the region is famous,” Gadkari said.

He blamed the contractors who were given two stretches for construction in 2011 for the delay. The highway is being built and widened in 11 phases.

“However, all matters are resolved now and the highway, which also connects JNPT and Dighi port, will help in

the progress of the country,” Gadkari said. He also asked state governments to go in for roads with topping of six to eight inches (approx. 15-20cm) so that they have a life of 50 years, as well as periodic updating of black spots for proactive rectification. “India sees five lakh road accidents a year, of which 1.5 lakh are fatal, with many of those dead in the 18-34 age group. This is distressing. All efforts must be taken to curb accidents,” he said.

Shinde-Fadnavis should take SC remarks seriously and introspect: LOP slams govt

—Ajit Pawar, LOP, Maha Assembly

Nitin Gadkari

—FILE PHOTO

Arvind Kejriwal

Suspended BJP

MLA Naik makes 245 objections and suggestions

Ganesh Naik —FILE PHOTO

THE PERFECT STYLE

QUOTIENT

City First highlights the mindboggling collection of designer Hardik Patel showcased at the Jaipur Couture Show, held at The Palace from March 13 to March 15!

SHUBHANSHI PATHAK cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

The three-day Jaipur Couture Show, presented by First India and Bharat24Vision of New India was organised at The Palace on Ajmer Highway from March 13 to March 15. Jagdeesh Chandra graced the occasion as the chief guest and appreciated the designer, Hardik Patel for his exquisite collection designed under the brand Neelja. Neelja presented the very rare Dhabu print and Ajrakh collection with modernized design with an aim of promoting the arti-

sanal heritage to the next generation of youth.Neelja is a wellrenowned brand based in Akola, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. The brand is powered by Craftifly Producer Company Limited and sponsored by the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts. The brand specialises in Indigo Dabu Print ing and Block Printing techniques. It is also known for creating cre ative handcrafted ap parel and home décor items. The skilled arti sans at Neelja create exquisite handmade designs using tradi tional printing tech niques. Neelja’s cloth ing line showcased sa rees, kurtas, dresses and jackets all crafted with utmost care. Neel ja’s products are cher ished by customers worldwide for their beauty, durability and unmatched quality.

Arzoo, Harshita, Sheena, Karishma and Navya

Have you ever had to choose between flushing out one of your organs or keeping it just to struggle for mere existence?

And have you ever decided to go for the former option instead? That's exactly what a few women from a drought-stricken area of Maharashtra did. To cope with the intensive workload on sugarcane fields, these labourers got their wombs surgically removed to not let cramps, infections and unusual health complications hinder their meagre pay of 300 Rs/day. Such a gutwrenching decision to be made by anyone should be enough to highlight the urgency of calamity mitigation measures and policies to include a gender perspective in their formulation.

Instances of droughts, natural disasters and other environmental challenges aren't just purely 'scientific' or 'economic' challenges that affect everyone equally and can be solved by a single move. Gender, like other social factors, is embedded in their structure. According to UNFPA (ILOSTAT DATA, 2019) data, 85% of disaster victims are women and 70-80% of casualties in the 2004 tsunami were women. Thus, it’s imminent to address how climate change and disasters affect women disproportionately and how we have historically neglected them in our discussions and actions.

Gender inequality is rooted in our cultural attitudes, laws and institutions that govern activities causing environmental harm and mitigation.

This inequity gets manifested in three spheres: Representational and Financial Inequality, Research and Data Inequality and Education and Awareness Inequality.

Women are involved in and are responsible for various climate-sensitive tasks. Their representation is more than 50 per cent in profes sions most impacted by cli mate change, agriculture is one of them. With the femi nization of agriculture worldwide, specifically in India, we have 55 per cent of women employed in agriculture, yet only 6 per cent of women have ownership rights over agricul tural land com pared to 63 per cent of men.

The struggle for women doesn't end

here as they are additionally expected to shoulder the unpaid household work along with extra hours put in to fight the sweltering heat and dwindling water storage.

Though the Indian Government's MGNREGA scheme has financially empowered women impacted by natural calamities and COVID-19, the scheme’s active implementation is ensured only post events like cyclones and floods. Slow-onset events like droughts get ignored, affecting the rural women left behind to take care of the family farm.

In rural India, women are the ones who feed the household so they are often the first ones to notice when a variety of food is no longer growing. Them being at the helm of climate change demands meticulous and exten

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 20

Your innovative ideas on the professional front are likely to be well received. Good health will keep you fit and energetic. Spirituality will have a special allure for you. You are likely to expand your social circle. You are likely to get immense fulfillment in your current romantic relationship.

TAURUS

OF SIGHT, OF MIND

measure was highlighted in a study published in Nature magazine that talked about the link between air pollution and anaemia levels in women. Drawing from the NFHS survey and satellite data, the study showed that for every 10 microgram/meter cube increase in PM 2.5 exposure, the average anaemia prevalence in women increased by 7.3 per cent. The reason was attributed to indoor air pollution exacer-

knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject and how to avoid them.” Though these women are aware of their mistakes, the knowledge of how to avoid them is what they lack. And that's where our third sphere of inequality reveals itself, i.e., ‘Education and Awareness Inequality’. We must ensure that women have a seat at the table, not just at the global conferences but in the classrooms and panchayats too. This requires not just imparting education but also translating it, making the science easier to understand for the largely uneducated pool of rural and underprivileged women. The story of ‘Bageshwari Mahila Mandal’ of Sudhera village in Himachal Pradesh highlights exactly this. When a local NGO made the village women aware of the rules of solid waste management, they formed an advocacy group to protest against the illegal dumping of solid waste which polluted their streams and groundwater. It led to the point where half the women were suffering from skin diseases.

Alarmed by this, the group wrote a letter to NGT alleging how the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules were violated by the dumping site. This prompted NGT to issue directions to the Municipal Corporation and the state’s Pollution Control Board to take action. Even the Madhav Gadgil report on the ecology of Western Ghats recommends the need to make policy frameworks more inclusive of indigenous narratives for easy understandability.

APR 21 - MAY 20

You succeed in putting an ambitious project on the tracks and cross all hurdles in making it a success. Homemakers can exceed budget in doing up their homes. An old friend or a relative is likely to pay you a visit. Love beckons and promises to give immense joy and fulfillment.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

A job switch needs to be considered taking all aspects into consideration. It is one of those days when you will feel satisfied with whatever you do today on the social front. Those seeking love may not get lucky, but persistence will pay . A friend or relative can get you all upset.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You will put in extra efforts to complete a task entrusted to you. Your academic aspirations may take some time to get realised. A contentious property issue may not show any signs of getting sorted out amicably. Financial worries evaporate as new avenues of earning open up.

LEO

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

Support from the family may seem most encouraging for those aiming an academic pursuit. Sticking to workout routine may benefit you on the health front. Meeting relatives at a marriage or party cannot be ruled out. A passion-filled evening is foreseen, as romantic front brightens.

VIRGO

AUG 24 - SEP 23 Those not in a stable job can expect permanency.

LIBRA

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

Homemakers will get a chance to implement their ideas. You are likely to be recognised for your efforts on the professional front. Chance of a raise is possible for some. Timely and correct decision will help you in saving a lot of money. It’s time to change yourself for better.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

Speculation may not be profitable and you can very well burn your fingers. A major purchase may make a dent in your savings, but will help in keeping up with the flow .Some of you may get hard pressed to find a good match for someone eligible in the family. Overall a good day.

SAGITTARIUS

NOV 23 - DEC 22

A profitable day for entrepreneurs is envisaged. You may be played upon for spending on someone else’s needs and desires. Homemakers are likely to enjoy the day in the company of neighbors and friends. Fatigue threatens in a long journey, but adequate breaks will keep you going.

CAPRICORN

DEC 23 - JAN 20

Money coming from various sources will keep you in a happy state of mind. A new fitness regime that you have adopted promises to keep you in the pink of health. Getting an old furniture upholstered may be at the top of the mind of some homemakers.Overall health remains satisfactory.

AQUARIUS

JAN 21 - FEB 19

Something concerning property will work out in your favour. A lot of time may be wasted in socialising, but you will love every moment of it. You will succeed in surmounting the odds to get a stalled job back on the tracks. A romantic outing is on the cards and promises fun and frolic.

PISCES

FEB20 - MARCH 20

bated by the environment of their poorly ventilated homes.

But unfortunately, the Indian Government has come out saying that it has no conclusive data to establish this correlation. Such gaps in data collection and research are what are holding back women-specific interventions.

All of this requires the government's unfaded ‘Intention’ to translate our efforts into gender-inclusive policies planning the path of “NEEYAT (intention) se NEETI (policy) tak”. Women have been in a symbiotic relationship with the climate, carrying the inherent attitude of a caregiver, making them benevolent towards the environment. We can’t let 3.4 billion women of the world be termed as mere victims and leave them behind when they too can be the agents of change. Because once they are out of sight, they will be out of mind too. If nature's wrath doesn't differentiate then why should we?

You will manage to ignore distractions and interruptions at work to complete a pending task in time. Job prospects for those freshly out of professional institutes are set to brighten up soon. Health will be satisfactory.

YOUR DAY

You are likely to spend an enjoyable time with a close relation today. Satisfaction is foreseen for the image conscious people trying to achieve perfect figure and physique. Your efforts on the academic front will keep you in contention. Your helping hand to someone in need will be appreciated.

Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

HARSHIT BHURADIA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

MANDALA MURDERS SHOOTING BEGINS

Yash Raj Films (YRF) is one of the leading studios for the production and distribution of Indian films. The streaming arm of the studio is called YRF Entertainment, which recently produced the docu-series titled ‘The Romantics’.

They have returned to the OTT sphere with the crime thriller titled Mandala Murders. The show is created and directed by Gopi Puthran, who started his career in Hindi cinema under the YRF banner as a writer for the film Lafangey Parindey.

The multi-season series is helmed by Vaani Kapoor in the lead role. This will also mark the OTT debut of the actress. Vaibhav Raj Gupta will also make his debut as the leading man.

The actor has been part of several television shows and was recently seen in the hugely acclaimed show Gullak. The project will be co-directed by Manan Rawat, who has earlier worked as an Associate Director on several YRF films. Surveen Chawla and Jameel Khan have also been cast in prominent roles in Mandala Murders.

The show’s shoot will start tomorrow and will continue for about a month in Uttar Pradesh. The team will then head to Delhi and Mumbai. —Agency

BFF GOALS!

Two pods in a pea-like Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift sparking a BFF Alert when Gomez called out and gushed about Swift at the iHeartRadio Awards is something you shouldn’t miss out on.

As for anyone who is not aware of their friendship, which the gal pals have shared for quite a long time, from posting on each other’s birthdays to being there for each other, they have an unbreakable bond that the two industry mates share. Selena Gomez quotes in the video “She can represent what she’s walking through so well. As a role model, I don’t think that’s something you sign up for. I just think it’s something you inherently have inside of you, and I think that’s Taylor.”

Which filled Taylor’s heart with joy and gratitude. It is definitely a win-win to have friends like them. With Selena making headlines these days, it will be a treat to the eyes when the duo makes an appearance someday. —Agency

GIFT FULL OF LOVE!

Sonam Kapoor took to her Instagram story to share a picture of the gifts sent by Alia Bhatt for baby Vayu Kapoor Ahuja.

On Wednesday, Sonam Kapoor took to her Instagram story to share a picture of the gifts sent by Alia Bhatt for baby Vayu. The picture shows a beautiful personalized card in the shape of a house, with

Priyanka on foraying into business

As per a report in Cosmetify, Priyanka Chopra’s hair care brand has emerged as the second wealthiest celeb beauty brand after Rihanna’s cosmetic brand. Priyanka’s hair care brand debuted last year, in 2022. Speaking about foraying into the business side, PeeCee told Vogue India, “I’ve just recently taken to the business side of both, the beauty and the entertainment industry. That made me bifurcate the difference between sitting in the stylist’s chair and using a bunch of products, to actually having a say in the products going into my hair.”

Priyanka Chopra has been busy with the promotions of her upcoming series Citadel, which will premiere on Prime Video on April 28.

—Agency

‘Vayu’ written on it. The picture also showed a blue box with some beautiful outfits for Vayu inside them. The cute tees had slogans on them, one of which read, “Mama’s boy,” while another one read, “Just lion around.” The gifts are just too cute, and Sonam Kapoor thanked Alia Bhatt for sending the gifts for Vayu. —Agency

IS LANA DATING EVAN?

American singersongwriter Lana Del Rey is engaged to music manager Evan Winiker, according to a report by Billboard. The rumoured duo has been spotted together in public a couple of times over the last months, but questions arose when Del Rey was spotted with a ring on her left-hand finger at the 2023 Billboard Women In Music event. Continue reading to know more about the Summertime

Sadness’ reported fiance Evan Winiker. Winiker joined Range Media Partners as a music manager in 2021 and brought over clients like MAX, Daya, Disco Biscuits, Skyler Stonestreet, and Walk Off The Earth. “As a manager, it’s always my goal to surround my clients with the

best teams in all areas. This ecosystem is truly that. It’s an environment of forward-thinking people who look beyond the boundaries and walls that are categorically put in place, allowing them to open new doors and reach new peaks that we dream up. —Agency

Selena Gomez

Taylor Swift

Alia Bhatt

Vaani Kapoor

Lana Del Rey

Evan Winiker

Priyanka Chopra

I AM AN ALL-ROUNDER: RAJPAL YADAV

been tickling our funny bones for decades now. The Actor spoke exclusively with Ashish Tiwari of first India about his journey and more.

Rajpal Yadav is one of the best comic actors of this generation, Short in stature, but tall in talent, the actor fits in perfectly with the proverb 'good things come in small packages.' Known for his genius comic timing, Rajpal has

Speaking on his journey he shared, “In this industry, we are a family where we all have to succeed and fail at the same time. Initially, I even had to struggle a lot even with studying especially during travel. Today everything has evolved. I am a living example of the proverb that lotus blooms in the mud and I am grateful for the journey.”

He added, “I often ask my mom whether I was this

ADIPURUSH poster launch!

way in childhood, and she always tells me that I was different from others and today I realise that it was the actor in me that kept my entire neighbourhood entertained. I never told my family about being an actor, I keep giving them reasons but refrained to inform them that I was working in theatre and the entertainment Industry. In my village, the theatre was just a hobby and not a Profession. One thing assured that my parents and friends believed in me and that whatever I’ll do will be good for my family”

Sharing his family’s re -

action when he got into acting he shared, “When I got the role in Mungeri Ka Bhai Naurangilal I was shocked because it was also my father’s name, I told Prakash Jha Sir about this and he was quite excited about the same.

When I went to Bihar to shoot for my next the audience recognised me, that incident has been itched in my memory. That was my motivation to work better” Sharing his experience of working with the best directors he shared, “I have been working with David Dhawan, Priyadarshini Sir and Ramuji for the past 20

years, they have been the Tridev behind my journey. If they wouldn’t have been there then I believe Rajpal Yadav wouldn’t have been what he is today. I cannot thank them enough. For that fact all the directors that I have worked with I am very grateful for them.”

Concluding on working in different character roles he shared, “With Me, Madhuri Dixit Ban na chahti hu , my director opened all character roles for me , till date I keep trying that all acting ventures are opened for me . I love to be an allrounder the same way it’s in the cricket fields."

Bhushan Kumar announces his next with Allu Arjun

hree powerhouses of India - Producer Bhushan Kumar, Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Indian superstar Allu Arjun come together for a massive collaboration. The movie under this association will be produced by T-Series Films Production and BhadrakaProducer Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Co-Producer Shiv Chanana along with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and the superstar Allu Arjun recently met to for-

malize this huge collaboration. Headlined by Allu Arjun, the filming of this movie will commence right after the wrap-up of Sandeep Vanga’s Spirit which is also produced by T-Series Films Production and Bhadrakali Pictures. Yes, the official announcement has been done by the T-series official Twitter handle that read, “Brace yourselves from this massive collaboration between three powerhouses of India – Producer Bhushan Kumar, Director “Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Superstar Allu Arjun”.

It is known that director

Sandeep Reddy Vanga has already directed a film for T-series in Hindi titled ‘Kabir Singh’ a remake of his Telugu ‘Arjun Reddy’ and now he is making a Hindi film ‘Animal’ with Ranbir Kapoor for the same production house. In their third collaboration, Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has also announced a film with Prabhas titled ‘Spirit’ with the above production house and he will be kickstarting the shoot of it post his ‘Animal’ release. It will also be a fourth association for T-series with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

Sargun Mehta sizzles in a black Saree!

With the gleam of lights and the echo of the chants, the makers of ‘Adipurush’ released the glorious poster of the film on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The poster depicts Prabhas as Raghav, Kriti Sanon as Janaki, Sunny Singh as Shesh, and Devdatta Nage bowing down to them as Bajrang. The film carries forward the virtue of Prabhu Shri Ram which en-

tails Dharma, Courage and Sacrifice which rightly re flects in the elegant poster.

As Ram Navami celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ram and the beginning of goodness, the makers reveal a significant sym bol of divinity that marks the establishment of dharma to beat adharma.

Indian epic Ramayana, Ad ipurush is all set to hit the big screen on 16th June 2023 in IMAX and 3D.

Ajay on action scenes!

jay Devgn in an interview when he was asked how he ensures that the action in his films is so top-notch, Ajay credited his father Veeru Devgan.

"I have inherited it from my father (action director Veeru Devgan). I have learnt most of it from him. He used technology at a time when it wasn’t available. He took it to a point where people were amazed at how he did a particular scene at that particular point. Now that I have the support of technology, I can take it forward and create

something where even people who are exposed to technology will turn around and wonder how this was created," Ajay said.

Speaking about a scene from Bholaa, Ajay said, "Whenever I design my action scenes, I ensure that I don’t copy a shot from any Hollywood film. This action sequence that you are talking about was very risky. We needed

flew in some in ternational ones, and some from Pune and rehearsed for three months. To cap ture the chase, cam eras needed to be closer. It was riskier, and so we designed the equipment ac cordingly keeping safety in mind."

Besides promotions of her upcoming shows, movies and other projects, she has also been giving us major style goals. Her latest reels nic wear. Not only does she look fabulous, but the choice of songs as well as her dance in these

graphed dance reels, you are in for quite the treat. She posted one on the song ly viral. It was choreographed

After making a mark for herself on the small screen, ducer’s hat and started her own production house with her husband actor Ravie

ASHISH TIWARI cityfirst.mumbai@firstindia.co.in

Rajpal Yadav

Allu Arjun

Poster of the film Adipurush...

Ajay Devgn