It’s a baby shower for Jessica Alba
12/12/2017, tuesday Edition: Ahmedabad
RNI NO.: GUJENG/2014/59629
page no. 02
Include international medallists in CGHS scheme: Sachin to PM Narendra Modi page no. 03
ENGLISH DAILY MORNING REPUTED NEWS PAPER, AHMEDABAD Editor : Kapilkumar M. Hirpara
Short News CRPF constable accused of shooting colleagues in Chhattisgarh denies charges Raipur: CRPF constable Sant Kumar Yadav, accused of shooting dead his four colleagues at a camp in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, on Sunday said he was being framed in the case, a claim dismissed by an official who called it a “well calculated” killing. Yadav (35) was on Sunday produced in a Bijapur court which sent him to judicial remand for two weeks, police said. Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including two sub-inspectors, were killed and another injured on Saturday in a gunfire allegedly opened on them by Yadav at the force’s 168th battalion ‘G’ company camp in Basaguda, located around 450 km from Raipur. Yadav told the press on the court premises on Sunday that he was not involved in the fratricide.
Year : 03
Issue : 297
Pages: 04
Price : Rs. 1/-
Cancer survivor gangraped in UP, seeks help from passerby who rapes her too Lucknow: A 16-year-old girl suffering from blood cancer was allegedly gangraped by a group of men in Lucknow on Saturday. The Circle Officer (CO) of Sarojini Nagar, Lalta Prasad Singh, said that the victim had gone to buy groceries when an acquaintance convinced her to come along with him. He, along with his friend, raped her and later left her on the roadside. The victim was raped for the second time in the day when she sought help from a passerby. On the complaint of the victim’s family, an FIR was lodged against two people. While one accused, Virendra Yadav, has been arrested, the search is on to nab the other one, the police informed. Meanwhile, the third culprit is absconding. Last week, another case of gang-rape of a minor surfaced in the state, wherein a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped at gunpoint in Hamirpur’s Majhgaon.
8 locals arrested for attacking French tourists near UP’s Mirzapur Mirzapur: In yet another incident of its kind, a group of foreign tourists, including women, was allegedly beaten up and molested in Ahraura area of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday by a group of local boys. However, the Uttar Pradesh police has arrested eight local boys in this regard. The injured tourists were shifted to the Mirzapur hospital for further treatment. “Some of local boys abused, molested and thrashed all the tourists. When I tried to stop the attackers, they also started thrashing me. The attackers called more people to attack us. In defence, we also started attacking them,” Riya Dutt, an Indian friend of French tourist told news agancy.“We were going back suddenly some people came and started insulting us. These people start attacking us with sticks. One of my friend is badly injured,” one of the injured tourists said. Few days ago, a German national was beaten up by a man at a railway Station in Sonbhadra district of UP because he unintentionally ignored a man’s greeting. Also, a Swiss couple was thrashed at Fatehpur Sikri on October 26.
December 12, 2017, tuesday
Mo : 98250 98053
‘A total of 89 nomination proposals were received and all were valid,’ Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran says.
Rahul Gandhi is Congress President New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi has been National Congress, Congress Central Ramachandran announced on Monday. mantle of the 132-year-old party to her son handed over the certificate of his election the All India Congress Committee (AICC) nomination proposals were received and candidate…Rahul Gandhi was elected as Ramachandran said. View image on Twitter While pageantry would herald the the country for over half-a-century since Nehru-Gandhi family will face the daunting fortunes have been dwindling in the recent state since the 2014 Lok Sabha election
to take charge of party on Dec 16
elected as the President of the Indian Election Authority chairman Mullapally Sonia Gandhi will officially hand over the around 11 am on Saturday. “Rahul will be as the party president on December 16 at office,” Ramachandran said. “A total of 89 all were valid. Since there was only one the president of Indian National Congress,” TwitterView image on TwitterView image on dawn of a new era in the party which has ruled Independence, the 47-year-old scion of the task of restoring lost glory to the party whose past. The Congress has been losing state after with the exception of Punjab.
‘Pak meddling in Guj polls’ remark polarisation attempt, PM must apologise: Cong
Hyderabad student shot at in US; family seeks Swaraj’s help to visit son Hyderabad: The parents of an Indian student from Hyderabad, who was shot at in Chicago in the United States, have sought External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj’s help for an emergency visa to visit their son.The victim, who has been identified as Mohammad Akbar, has an injury on his cheek. He was injured on December 6 while he was walking towards his car in the parking lot. “While my brother was walking towards his car, a stranger approached and shot him without any reason. Our request is from the Government of Telangana and from the Central Government to take cognisance in this case,” elder brother Mohammad Shafi told news agancy. Mohammad Shafi also said that he has also contacted the EAM for an emergency visa to visit the ailing brother.
Annual Subscription : 300/-
Stop dragging us into your poll debate: Pak on Modi accusing Cong of collusion New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that Pakistan was interfering in the Gujarat elections and accused the Congress of colluding with Pakistan to defeat the BJP in the Gujarat polls, Islamabad on Monday hit back and asked not to be dragged into electoral debates. Islamabad further said Modi’s allegations - of a recent “secret three-hour meeting” attended by Congress and Pakistani officials - are “fabricated conspiracies, which are utterly baseless and irresponsible”. Pakistan’s foreign affairs spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted While addressing an
election rally in Gujarat’s Palanpur on Sunday, Modi raised questions over an alleged appeal by former directorgeneral of Pakistan army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, on making senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel the chief minister of Gujarat. Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel, hit out at Modi. “It’s a foregone conclusion that he has abdicated the politics of development in both action and words. But does it befit the stature of the Prime Minister to rely on canards, rumours & lies just for an election? This is very sad,” Patel tweeted.
New Delhi: The Congress Party on Monday came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleging that Pakistan was meddling in the Gujarat assembly polls and supporting Congress leader Ahmed Patel to have him elevated as the chief minister of the state. Dubbing Modi’s statement as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘outrageous’, Congress leader Anand Sharma demanded an apology from him. “Ex-Pakistan Foreign Minister was here to attend a wedding. There was a dinner organised for him in which there were former diplomats, former army chief among other dignitaries. Does the Prime Minister think they were all conspiring with Pakistan? This is reprehensible. It’s expected of the prime minister to use a language which is equivalent to his post. He should retract his statement and should apologise to maintain the decorum of his post,” Sharma said. He further said that Modi’s remarks show that the BJP has realised it was going to lose the Gujarat elections.
No one, including Modi, can question my public service: Manmohan Singh New Delhi: Coming down heavily on the Prime Minister for accusing him of “not showing courage” to order a surgical strike after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Manmohan Singh on Monday said “no one, including Narendra Modi, can question my public service to the country… to gain lost political ground”. “My track record of public service to the country over last five decades is known to everyone. No one, including Modi, can lamely question it to gain lost political ground,” Singh said in a statement. Modi, while addressing a public rally at Vadodara in Gujarat on Sunday, said: “Someone who served at a high position in the Air Force has said that after 26/11, they went to the then prime minister with a plan for surgical strikes.
‘China and India have far greater shared strategic interests than differences,’ Wang Yihas said.
India-China strategic ties greater than partial friction: Wang Yihas
Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yihas said India and China’s strategic interests outweigh “partial frictions” and handling of the Dokalam standoff through diplomatic means reflects the importance of bilateral ties. Ahead of his visit to India to attend the RussiaIndia-China (RIC) foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi, Monday during which he would also hold talks with top Indian officials, Wang said China always values good neighbourliness and friendship between the two countries as “we
are each other’s big neighbours and ancient civilisations”. He said India-China strategic
interests outweigh differences and “partial friction”. “We have handled the issue of cross-
border incursions by the Indian border troops into China’s Donglang (Dokalam) area through diplomatic measures,” Wang told a symposium here last week, maintaining Beijing’s stand. “Through diplomatic means, the Indian side withdrew its equipment and personnel which reflected the value and importance of China-India relations and demonstrated sincerity and responsibility of maintaining regional peace and stability,” he said in his speech in Chinese posted on the website of the foreign ministry.
Goa CM Parrikar backs MoU with Central body over river development
Panaji : Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday defended the Centre’s move to accord status of “national importance” to six rivers, saying doing so will allow the state to get back rights on them from the Union government. The Centre’s move has drawn flak from social activists and also the opposition Congress. Parrikar said rights over these rivers are vested with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) through an act of Parliament. “If you don’t sign an MoU with the IWAI (for development of the rivers), powers over these rivers will remain with the Centre which has already declared them as national waterways,” he said here. “We will have to approach the Centre even for smallest of permissions (related to development of these rivers,” the
chief minister said. It is wrong to say these rivers in Goa have been nationalised, Parrikar said. He was addressing a gathering of MLAs, other elected representatives and NGOs over the issue of according national importance to six rivers from Goa. A handful of protesters held a demonstration outside the venue where the event was organised. Congress leader Ravi
Naik said the state should not go ahead with the signing of MoU with IWAI. He suggested the state should generate funds on its own to develop these rivers rather than getting them from the Centre under the proposed MoU. The chief minister said the centre will fund the development of the rivers, while the Mormugao Port Trust would be the implementing authority. A state government agency, Captain of Port, will monitor the works. The Union government has declared certain stretches in six rivers — Mandovi (44 km), Zuari (50 km), Cumbharjua (17 km), Chapora (33 km), Mapusa (27 kms) and Sal (14 km) — as that of “national importance”. Parrikar said rights of fishermen and other communities will be safeguarded under the MoU.
‘Just to win elections anyhow’: Shatrughan Sinha takes potshots at PM Modi for alleging Pakistan hand in Gujarat elections
New Delhi : BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who is the saffron party’s in-house critic, on Monday whipped up yet another controversy after he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his reference that “Pakistan is interfering in the Gujarat election” and opposition party members met Pakistani officials at Mani Shankar Aiyar’s house. The 72-year-old actor-turned-politician took to Twitter this morning and posted two tweets without naming anyone in particular. However, his tweets did not leave much room for doubt, inviting a flurry of reactions from Twitterati. Modi, while addressing an election rally in Banaskantha district on Sunday, had referred to a purported tweet by a former Pakistan army director general, who allegedly said Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, should be made the chief minister of Gujarat.
2 / Dt. 12-12-2017, tuesday, Ahmedabad
tuesday, 12 December, 2017
Of X’mas & Meghan’s ‘humble cottage’
Ten inches of snow! This is going to be a picture perfect, blitzed-out white weekend as dire predictions of snow are making us shiver. It’s already very cold — but temperatures threaten to fall to minus nine degrees. Bring out the woollies and the eggnogs. Personally, I love a white Christmas, but undoubtedly this year might be a little extreme. So a good time to catch up on your reading by the fireside. Am piling up the books. Even if it is going to be cold — Londoners never desist from going out. Nor are they worried about (ever) spending too much on theatre tickets. The latest theatrical production to zoom beyond £200 per head is the hit musical, Hamilton: An American Musical, which is surprisingly about the person whose face you find on the US $10 notes. Hmmm — it would be difficult to think of a hip-hop/rap production on someone who should be put on a pedestal and left there — but the foot-tapping musical about an “immigrant… son of a whore and Scotsman” as the title number puts it (I am paraphrasing, since the language used to describe him is a little more risqué) has taken America by storm, and has just arrived to rave reviews in the UK. And so it should, because Alexander Hamilton is the founder of the US banking system, and even wrote a large part of the American Constitution. It was his hard work that made him into a high achiever — till his unfortunate assassination by a political rival. What makes the production even more special is the fact that the lead role is played by 25-year-old Jamael Westman, the British grandson of a black immigrant. There has been a deliberate use of actors of “colour” — which of course will also fly in the face of the official pronouncements both in the UK and the US about immigration. To see a mixed cast on stage — not just singing, but also enacting how an immigrant was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, sends a very strong message indeed. The writer of this unique production, Lin-Manuel Miranda, has already won the Pulitzer Prize for drama, and the production won 11 Tony awards. Obviously, there would have been ripples in the Trump administration as in an earlier show in the US one of the actors spoke up about the anti-immigrant policy, when vice-president Mike Pence was spotted in the audience. The actor stated that there were anxieties that diversity was under threat. US President Donald Trump could not resist a retaliatory tweet, calling the show “overrated”. The show is a slice of history, but also very contemporary. At least now all of us will know why Hamilton is on that $10 bill! One remarkable quality of the British press is that they track everything down — specially if you are a royal — or, in Meghan Markle’s case, a royal-to-be. Unsurprisingly therefore, amongst the mine of information being published about her — we find details and photographs of the house in Canada where Prince Harry possibly met the actress, who was working on a prime time TV show.
- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara
Editor
Aamir Khan to spend 10 years on ambitious franchise, may even direct films from it
Here’s the reason why Aamir Khan opted out of the Rakesh Sharma biopic. It’s not the script or the budget of the astronaut’s biopic, to be produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur that’s the problem. It’s Aamir’s commitment to one particular project, for the next 10 years of his life! According to sources in the know, Aamir has decided to stay out of all other projects, as he wants to concentrate on working on a franchise that his production house has been developing for the last six years. Says a reliable source, “Yash Raj Films’ Thugs of Hindostan will be Aamir’s last film from the outside. For the next 10 years, Aamir will devote his entire attention to a franchise, which will stretch into several films, all to be produced by him. Some of them will also be directed by Aamir.” The first film in the franchise, to be launched in 2018, will be helmed by Secret Superstar director Advait Chandan. Initially, adds the source, five films are planned by Aamir in the franchise. These will stretch into the coming decade, with the promise of more to follow. “This essentially means that Aamir will be seen only in his home production for the next 10 years, playing the same character each time,” says the source. And while more details on Aamir’s franchise are awaited, it’s definitely not something Marvel or DC has thought of!
www.sunvillasamachar.com
Hollywood - Bollywood Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri to star as an Afghan girl who runs an NGO in Sanjay Dutt starter Torbaaz. The film will soon go on the floors.
Nargis Fakhri to play an Afghan girl in Sanjay Dutt starrer Torbaaz
Nargis Fakhri has been away from the silver screen for a while now. But it seems the wait for her fans has got over. The actor has bagged an interesting project opposite none other than Sanjay Dutt. Nargis will be seen playing an Afghan girl who runs an NGO in Sanjay’s next titled Torbaaz. The news was shared by trade analyst Taran Adarsh who took to Twitter and wrote, “Nargis Fakhri to star as an Afghan girl who runs an NGO in Sanjay Dutt starter #Torbaaz… Directed by Girish Malik and produced by Rahul Mittra… Presented by Raju Chadha of Wave Group.” Torbaaz is based in Afghanistan and is a story about child suicide bombers there, who have been trained to believe that killing is a virtue and glory is in an afterlife. The film is produced by Raju Chadha and Rahul Mittra.
John Abraham announced these four movies but didn’t speak about them again
Mumbai: John Abraham ventured into production in 2012. His debut production films ‘Vicky Donor’ (2012) and ‘Madras Café’ (2013) were widely appreciated as well. Post that, John announced various movies and things seemed to turn bright for the actorturned-producer. Little would he have thought of the stumbling stones that were going to come his way. JA Entertainment has now 10 movies to its credit, but out of them, 4 movies are stuck in the rut. These films are ‘Banana’, ‘Agra Ka Dabra’ (originally titled ‘Hamara Bajaj’), ‘Satra Ko Shaadi Hai’ and ‘1911’.
Salman Khan calls Dabangg 3 bigger than the first two films
‘Dabangg’ was one of the films that revived Salman Khan’s career and ‘Dabangg 2’ took his career to another level. Salman recently said something that is sure to get his fans excited. He said that ‘Dabangg 3’ will be bigger than the first two films. “I believe this is going to be bigger than the first two films,” Times Of India reported Salman saying at an event. Further revealing some details, Salman said, “We will start working on ‘Dabangg 3’ in March... Sonakshi is with me in the film. And the best character of the film Makhanchand Pandey will also be back. Chulbul Pandey is incomplete without Makhanchand Pandey.” “I have recently got the narration of the script and it has got everything. It has fun, heroism, drama and emotions. It will be full of entertainment,” he added. ‘Dabangg 3’ will retain the ‘Dabangg’ cast except the late Vinod Khanna, who played Salman and Arbaaz’s father in the ‘Dabangg’ franchise.
Deepika’s personal bodyguards, cops clash; actress enters event via kitchen Padmavati is a film Deepika Padukone will never forget. Not just for the role and the controversies attached, but never before has she been surrounded by so many security guards and policemen constantly. What’s important is that Deepika is also unable to get a moment of privacy with her friends and loved ones, because the policemen and her bodyguards are swarming around. Obviously, her fans too are not allowed to come close to her any longer. “There have been times when the policemen and her personal bodyguards have almost clashed with each other, as they want to make sure that no one comes near Deepika when she is at public places
like the airport. When Deepika went for a recent awards function, she had to enter from a different area, and chose to enter and exit through the kitchen, as the security would have hindered the event otherwise. Even when she has been hanging out with friends, the security cordon is around. Obviously, she is disturbed by the security after having them around for over three weeks now,” says a source. When Deepika went to London earlier this week, she was seen surrounded by around nine policemen and bodyguards, who were keeping everyone at more than an arm’s distance.
She says although the situation is difficult, one cannot give in and settle for a lesser remuneration than what they deserve.
It’s a baby shower for Jessica Alba We shouldn’t pull each other down: Sonam calls pay gap ‘difficult upward climb’
Jessica Alba seems to be all set to welcome her third child. She glammed up with her girlfriends for a baby shower on Saturday, which took place in the afternoon and she was surrounded by her close friends and family. TMZ.com reports that the actress wore a suede black dress for the occation and headed to an eatery in Beverly Hills which is known for its macarons. Jessica and her husband Cash Warren are parents to two kids already, nineyear-old Honor and six-year-old Haven. It is still unclear as to when the baby boy is due.
Sonam Kapoor on Sunday said it is important for female actors to collectively take a stand when it comes to pay disparity and not try to pull each other down. The 32-year-old actor said although situation is difficult, one cannot give in and settle for a lesser remuneration than what they deserve. Asked about the pay disparity in Bollywood, Sonam said, “I make my choices because I have the privilege to do that. I can afford the courage of working in a film like ‘Neerja’ or ‘Khoobsoorat’. I know what my box office numbers are, I know what I deserve... “There’s too much competition. If I am saying ‘I am not going to do this’ and take a stand, there’ll be another woman who will say, ‘it’s okay I’ll do it for this much.’ The point is, we need to stick together. That is not going to happen if you’re constantly trying to pull each other down. It’s a difficult upward climb.” The actor was speaking at a panel discussion at ‘We the Women’ event, where she was joined by Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, cricketer Mithali Raj, among others. Citing an example, Sonam said, not long ago she turned down a film as the makers offered her “bad” money. “Recently, I was offered a project which I was excited for, but the money being paid was bad. I made a call and said, this is very disrespectful. There was shock on the other side. “I told them, you put me in a position after being 10 years in the industry, after giving the most profitable film ‘Neerja’ a year ago, so please tell me why is it that this is what you decided to give me?” she said.
3 / Dt. 12-12-2017, tuesday, Ahmedabad
Sports Special
Include international medallists in CGHS scheme: Sachin to PM Narendra Modi
Mumbai: Legendary Sachin Tendulkar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to include all international medallists in Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). Talking about the plight that elite sportspersons go through when facing health issues, Tendulkar in his letter cited the example of Hockey Olympic gold medallist Mohammed Shahid’s last days. “I am writing to you as a concerned sportsperson on behalf of all the sportsperson in our country requesting your kind intervention for inclusion of all sportsperson who have won medals internationally in the list of sportsperson eligible for CGHS facilities,” Tendulkar wrote to Modi on October 24, a copy of which is in possession of news agancy.CGHS is availed
by all Central Government employees who have access to medical centres which is associated with this scheme. Tendulkar, in his letter to PM Modi, informed him that he had earlier taken up the issue with both sports ministry and health ministry. “They (Health Ministry) were supportive of the idea but shared their inability to consider wider range of
sportsperson under CGHS scheme through their reply dated September 14. I completely appreciate and understand their position basis our original request,” Tendulkar wrote. Tendulkar has requested PM to at least consider inclusion of international medallists (non Govt employees) on a “pilot/ test’, whose cost benefits can be assessed by the sports ministry.
www.sunvillasamachar.com
UEFA Champions League: Twitter reacts to lip-smacking draws for knockout stage
Nyon: The 2017-18 UEFA Champions League draws for the knockout stages threw some exciting surprises on Monday. The luckiest of them were Premier League teams Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool and Serie A outfit AS Roma who topped their respective groups.Three top sides were pitted against each other with Juventus drawing Tottenham Hotspur, defending Real Madrid drawing PSG and Chelsea squaring off against Barcelona. Twitterati came up with some amazing reactions to the draw. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid will continue their bid for a first European Cup treble in 40 years against
Neymar’s Paris Saint-Germain after the bigspending duo were on Monday drawn together in a mouth-watering Champions League last 16 clash. No club has won the European title three years running since Bayern Munich in the mid-1970s, underlining how big an achievement it would be if Madrid -- 12 times winners overall -- won the trophy again in the final in Kiev in May. They know exactly what it takes to be European champions, and in Ronaldo have the most prolific goal-scorer in the competition’s history. Real’s La Liga rivals Barcelona were drawn against Chelsea, while English Premier League leaders Manchester City play Basel.
Ranji Trophy 2017: Gautam Gambhir shines as Delhi seal semis berth Dubai : Delhi booked their place in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy after Gautam Gambhir struck a fine 95 run knock from 129 balls to take the side over the finishing line against Madhya Pradesh in Vijaywada with plenty of overs to spare. Seven-time champions Delhi chased down the 217 run target at the cost of three wickets in just 51.4 overs to reach the final-four for the first time since 2009-10 season. Delhi began the day at 8/0 and lost Vikas Tokas
(6) early to suffer a jolt right in the morning. Gambhir and Kunal Chandela (57) steadied the chase with a 98-run stand for the second wicket. Chandela was dismissed by legspinner Mihir Hirwani. Dhruv Shorey (46) then joined the middle alongside Gambhir to stitch together another crucial stand of 95 runs. However, Gambhir wasn’t able to take Delhi home while scoring a 42nd first class century as he fell midway to a run out. Nitish Rana and Shorey ensured there were no
business
Some economist also recommended imposition of long term capital gains tax on equity.
Increase social security pension in budget: Experts to Jaitley New Delhi: Economists on Monday suggested a range of measures, including increasing social security pension, to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as part of prebudget consultations. “The amount (for social security pension) has been Rs 200 per month. This is totally unacceptable. There is no reason to keep it so low. So, make it at least Rs 500, I would say even Rs 1,000, if possible and increase the coverage,” noted economist Jean Dreze said after the meeting here. Asked if social security pension is raised it would result in stress on fiscal deficit, he said, “this is peanuts. This is nothing”.
He also suggested full-fledged implementation of maternity entitlements. This has been pending
for four years. Former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Virmani said the government should carry out customs and exim duty reform as the sector has not seen reforms for 10 years. According to Rathin Roy, member Economic Advisory
Council to the Prime Minister, the government is expected to stick to fiscal deficit target. “I think there is a political commitment (to do this). I reinforced that. I am sure they will. I said that we understand that there is a genuine commitment to maintain the fiscal deficit and revenue deficit targets. Operational constraints may vary but political commitment is there,” Roy said. Besides, some economist also recommended imposition of long term capital gains tax on equity, sources said, adding interest rate also figured during the meeting along with rural distress and job creation.
Uber joins hands with Gujarat’s Chief Electoral Office to drive voter awareness
Ahmedabad : Uber, the world’s largest on-demand ride-sharing company, has partnered with Gujarat's Chief Electoral Office to support its efforts to create voter awareness. By collaborating with the SVEEP department, the joint effort is aimed at encouraging eligible voters in Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara to exercise their right on election day.Appealing to thousands of Uber riders and driver partners in these cities to get involved in the electoral process, a series of communication channels ranging from In-App notifications to blogs are being used to sensitize voters
about the option of NOTA and the presence of VVPAT linked EVMs in polling stations. Voter registration information through SVEEP's voter guide is made available through emails and notifications to riders and at support centres for driver partners. Link to Blog Commenting on the joint initiative, Sunny Sapra, General Manager, Gujarat, Uber India said "Uber celebrates the cities we serve and this collaborative effort is aimed atengaging with our communities to encourage them to cast their ballots for a better future of their cities. As we reach out to lakhs of riders and thousands of driver
partners on our platform who are eligible voters, we are focussed on doing our bit in educating them about voting and its importance" In addition to providing riders and driver partners what they need to know about registering to vote and where to go on election day, on their fingertips, Uber's safe, affordable, reliable transportation solutions take voters to their polling stations at the push of a button. Popular and ongoing discounted fares on Pool rides at Rs 29 upto 5 kms are one of the convenient and affordable travel options by Uber among others for voters to go to and from polling stations.
further hiccups to the chase. Delhi’s comfortable win was set forth by all-rounder Manan Sharma in the first innings as he picked up four wickets to help Delhi bowl out MP for 338. Chandela, Himmat Singh and Shorey came back by scoring fifties to ensure Delhi gained a lead of 67. Harpreet Singh then scored his second fifty of the match to give Madhya Pradesh an outside chance but Gambhir made sure that wasn’t to be the case on the fifth and final day.
India proposes USD 1 billion credit for connectivity with ASEAN New Delhi: India has proposed USD 1 billion line of credit to promote sea, air and road connectivity projects with ASEAN, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said om Monday. Apart from this, India has set up a project development fund of USD 77 million to develop manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, he said. “The ASEAN India maritime transport cooperation agreement is being negotiated... An Asian India civil aviation task force has been established to see optimisation of air connectivity. “India has proposed to commit a line of credit of USD 1 billion to promote projects that support physical and digital connectivity,” Gadkari said. He was addressing the ASEANIndia Connectivity Summit jointly organised by CII and ASEAN India
Centre. The minister said ASEAN and India have also agreed to establish a maritime transport working group among India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam to examine the feasibility of shipping networks. Asserting that connectivity is the pathway to shared prosperity, he said better connectivity is the core factor for strengthening ASEAN-India relations. “Connectivity projects such as the IndiaMyanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway (TH), extension of TH to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project are being planned and at different stages of implementation,” he said. India is already working with Myanmar in the areas of border area development, capacity building.
Sensex rises 205 points, up for 3rd day Mumbai: Rising for the third straight session, benchmark Sensex finished over 205 points higher at 33,455.79 on Monday on persistent buying by domestic institutional investors amid positive global cues. The broader NSE Nifty too closed above the 10,300-mark. Optimistic buying in blue-chip stocks ahead of release of industrial production and retail inflation data later this week drove stocks higher. Participants are also betting on a favourable result for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Gujarat assembly polls, which added to the buying momentum, brokers said.The Sensex opened strong at 33,317.72 and touched a high of 33,535.97, but settled at 33,455.79 due to profit-booking, still showing a gain of 205.49 points, or 0.62 per cent. This is its highest closing since November 29, when it had closed at 33,602.76. The gauge had risen by 653.12 points in the previous two sessions. The 50-share NSE Nifty ended 56.60 points, or 0.55 per cent, higher at 10,322.25 after shuttling between 10,329.20 and 10,282.05.
4 / Dt. 12-12-2017, tuesday, Ahmedabad
Arvind Ltd offers incentives to promote voting
Ahmedabad:As a good corporate citizen and part of its corporate social responsibility(CSR) initiative and to create awareness about the democratic right to vote, the city based company Arvind Ltd has initiated a campaign to to create 100 percent voting by its staff and workers. The company has also announced that it would give token gift to its employee after they exercise their voting right on December 14. Arvind Ltd in its campaign is persuading its workers by putting up banners and posters across its four units in Ahmedabad as well as in its unit near Gandhinagar. As many of the educated urban voters adopt lazy attitude towards elections despite being well equipped to make an informed and enlightened choice, the Arvind Ltd initiative throws light and shows the healthy for democracy. The lead taken by Arvind Ltdfor the cause of democracy, inclusiveness and its participatory nature will go a long way in educating workers about prime responsibility and showing their faith in democracy. Theinitiative taken by the company will also make all employees aware of the value of their vote.
www.sunvillasamachar.com
Local Hospital Employee Hailed As Hero for Saving a Heart Patient Ahmedabad : Mr. Jagdeesh recently turned hero when during a personal visit, he found Mr. Bhupendrabhai Patel suffering a heart attack before his eyes. Present at the right time and armed with hospital training, the 23-year-old general duty assistant at Columbia Asia Hospital, recognized the symptoms of heart attack correctly, about which the patient’s family had no idea whatsoever. Showing great presence of mind, Jagdeesh went out of his way by taking the patient to the hospital in the Golden Hour. Despite the patient turning unconscious and pulseless, Jagdeesh started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which he continued with for 20 minutes till they reached hospital. This played a vital role in saving the life of the patient asit helped the patient to revive. Upon reaching the hospital, the code blue team swung in to action as the patient reached hospital to find that the patient had revived. Mr. Patel was shifted to ICU and ventilated instantly. By the second day, the patient was fully conscious and was put on ventilator support. The commitment and excellent support extended by the Columbia Asia Hospital employee outside his occupation is highly praiseworthy.
Shah also accused Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani of accepting donations from an outfit linked to Popular Front of India — an organisation, he alleged, was trying to recruit for the Islamic State.
Congress leader asked PM Modi to apologise in Jama Masjid for Gujarat riots: Amit Shah
Ahmedabad : Accusing the Congress of “minority appeasement”, BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday said a spokesperson of the Opposition party — Charan Singh Sapra — has asked Narendra Modi to visit the Jama Masjid to seek forgiveness for the 2002 Gujarat riots. Shah also accused Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani of accepting donations from an outfit linked to Popular Front of India — an organisation, he alleged, was trying to recruit for the Islamic State. “Charan Singh, a spokesperson and vicepresident of Mumbai Congress, said in a
television channel debate that PM (Narendra) Modiji should go inside the Jama Masjid and apologise for 2002 . The entire country knows that allegations by Congress-backed NGOs against Modi regarding the 2002 riots were rejected by the Supreme Court. Yet, there can be no bigger example of appeasement than asking the PM to go
inside the Jama Masjid to apologise in 2017 for the riots of 2002,” Shah said during a press conference here. He was supposedly reacting to a comment by Charan Singh at an event organised by News18 India. According to the News18 India website, Singh was referring to the riots in 1992 after the demolition of Babri Masjid.
It is not caste but economic issues that dominate poll scene: Bharat Solanki
Ahmedabad : The BJP has failed miserably after ruling Gujarat for 23 years. Farmers are struggling with low MSPs and non-procurement… the education sector is in misery due to privatisation and high fees, healthcare is in a shambles because of privatisation… more than 30 lakh youth are unemployed… People are homeless and the government has not fulfilled the promise of 50 lakh houses… The workload of teachers and non-teaching staff has increased but pay has not gone up, and anganwadi and ASHA workers have been exploited. On top of these, atrocities on Dalits have gone
Tribal artistes of Ahmedabad village revel in boom season Ahmedabad : The small village of Motipura, near Sanand in Ahmedabad district, is relishing the season. Besides the elections, there is also a bonus in the form of the wedding season; each of these means more business for them. The entire population of 4,000 in the village is of Nat-Bajaniyas, a nomadic tribe that traditionally performs with musical instruments such as shehnai, bagpipes and dhol. During elections, various candidates have been hiring the services of NatBajaniyas of Motipura for their meetings in their respective constituencies. NatBajaniyas, who are among the many nomadic tribes of Gujarat, were settled in Motipura by the ruler of the then state of Sanand many years ago. It is now a centre where people come and hire performers for their social, religious or political functions. “Once they hire us during elections, around five of us in traditional attire reach a campaign site and play instruments, so that people know a campaign meeting is about to take place. Once the candidate arrives with his supporters, we welcome and guide them to the stage,” said Rajesh Nayak of Motipura.
international Nepal’s Leftist future: K P Sharma Oli expected to become PM
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Communist parties were headed Monday for a landslide win in elections seen as a turning point after two decades of conflict, political instability and disaster that have crippled the Himalayan country. The landmark elections for national and provincial parliaments capped Nepal’s 11-year transition from monarchy to federal democracy after a brutal civil war. Many hope they will usher in a muchneeded period of stability in the impoverished country, which has cycled through 10 prime ministers since 2006. An alliance of the main Communist party and the country’s former Maoist rebels is expected to form the next government, ousting the ruling centrist Nepali Congress. The Himalayan Times said the left alliance’s strong mandate meant the country “could experience political stability”,
which it has lacked over the last decade, but cautioned that a strong opposition was also crucial in the young democracy. With counting still going on, the leftist alliance has won 97 seats in the national parliament according to preliminary data from the election commission. That puts them on course for a hefty majority in the country’s first federal parliament, which comprises 275
seats, 110 of which are allocated on a proportional representation basis. They are also leading in six out of seven newly created provincial assemblies mandated in a new national constitution, which was finally agreed by parliament in 2015 in a rare moment of political consensus months after the country was devastated by a powerful earthquake.
up, tribals have not been given land and are beaten up by forest officials. This anger and disillusionment of people are the main factors the Congress wants to address. It is the economic situation and issues linked to it that dominate the election scene. The BJP has blamed the Congress of playing the caste card. That is a ploy to deny the reality. All sections of society are with us because of the crisis they are facing under BJP rule. While joblessness has led to the youth putting their hopes on the Congress, the distress faced by farmers has brought them towards the Congress.
In old bastion, Congress fights breakaway leaders
Kheda : In Kheda district, part of Charotar region that includes Anand district, the Congress’s caste calculations have come up against a challenge in the form of departure by prominent leaders. The Congress won four of Kheda’s six seats in 2012 but two of those MLAs have left — former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela (Kapadvanj) has formed his own party while Amul chairman Ramsinh Parmar (Thasra) has joined the BJP. And in Mahudha, senior Congress leader Bharatsinh Parmar has joined the BJP and won the ticket. Though not the incumbent MLA, he is a prominent leader well-known locally. He is, however, so closely connected with the Congress that many voters still identify him with his former party. Charotar was home to former chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki and the laboratory for his “KHAM formula” that sought to consolidate the nonPatel votes — Kshatriya, Dalit, tribal, Muslim — and brought the Congress 149 of 182 seats in 1980. Charotar has sizeable populations of both Patidars and Kshatriya-Thakor OBCs. Anand district is dominated by Patels. To try and consolidate the OBCs of Kheda, the Congress has sent its new recruit Alpesh Thakor, who addressed a rally there last week.
The Dalit lawyer-activist, along with Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore, has emerged as the face of resistance against the BJP, which has ruled Gujarat for the last 20 years.
In Vadgam, Dalit spearhead Jignesh Mevani in choppy waters
Vadgam: Men rush in and out of two small rooms in a double-storeyed hotel off the Palanpur-Mehsana highway. The floor is littered with campaign material– festoons, banners, posters – all bearing Jignesh Mevani’s bearded and smiling face, eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. The Dalit lawyer-activist, along with Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore, has emerged as the face of resistance against the BJP, which has ruled Gujarat for the last 20 years. Late last month, he announced he was standing for election as an independent candidate from the Vadgam constituency of north Gujarat’s Banaskantha district, prompting the Congress to swiftly withdraw its candidate from the seat, a traditional stronghold of
the party. The highway-side dhaba-cum-hotel is Mevani’s election headquarters where an assortment of young activists from in and around Gujarat and from faraway Jawaharlal Nehru University brainstorm to make the 35-year-old’s maiden foray into electoral politics a success.With around one lakh Muslims and Dalit voters in the 2.5 lakh-strong constituency, Mevani, who emerged as a Dalit spearhead
after organising movements against atrocities against the community in Una, was largely expected to sail through. But with a combination of local issues, Mevani’s prospects suddenly appear a little bleak, says a local Congress supporter. Three factors have been working against him. Mevani is being seen as an outsider, since he is from Mehsana and his movement was largely based out of Saurashtra.
World leaders congratulate Iraq for victory over IS Baghdad: World leaders congratulated Iraq on Monday following the Prime Minister’s declaration of victory over the Islamic State group. Saudi Arabia says the achievement is a big victory against terrorism in the region and the United Kingdom applauded Iraq’s security forces “for their courage and sacrifice.” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi declared victory in the more than three year fight against IS in a national address aired on Iraqi state television Saturday evening. Sunday was an official holiday in Iraq. A military parade attended by al-Abadi was held inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, a district that houses most of Iraq’s government buildings and foreign embassies. In the evening, the capital’s skies filled with
fireworks. “Daesh no longer hold significant territory in Iraq or Syria,” United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May said according to an official statement released by her office. “This signals a new chapter towards a more peaceful, prosperous country,” added May. In Saudi Arabia’s statement on Monday, the kingdom reiterated Saudi support for Iraq. Several thousand Saudis
are believed to have joined the ranks of Sunni extremist groups to fight in Iraq and Syria. However, the kingdom has also been a target of multiple attacks claimed by IS and carried out by local affiliates. The top US-led coalition commander US Lt Gen Paul E Funk II pledged that coalition forces would continue to support Iraq after the conventional military fight against IS is concluded.
Printed, Published & Owned by AKSHESHKUMAR S. SAVALIYA and “Sunvilla Samachar” (English Daily) Printed at “Sunvilla Samachar Daily Printing Press”, Shed No.36, Shreenath Sarthak Industrial Park, Near Torrent Power Sub Station, Ring Road, Nikol, Ahmedabad - 380049 and Published from A/24, Shardha Appartment, Thakkarbapanagar Road, Near Approach, Bapunagar, Ahmedabad-382350. Mo.: 9825098053, (* Responsible for selection of News under the PRB act) *Editor : KAPILKUMAR M. HIRPARA, RNI No. : GUJENG/2014/59629.