28 minute read

SUNVILLA SAMACHAR

LEADING ENGLISH DAILY MORNING NEWSPAPER, AHMEDABAD

Delhi: 6 found dead after mosquito coil catches fire in Shastri Park

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Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings look to make positive start in upcoming clash

This April, don’t miss MX Player’s exciting slate of international shows

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Rashmika Mandanna, Tamannah Bhatia, Arijit Singh kick start IPL 2023 Opening Ceremony

Not Hindus Or Muslims, BJP And Bajrang Dal Behind Howrah Ram Navami Violence: Mamata

Agency News: Kolkata

Ex-Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu To Be Released From Patiala Jail Tomorrow

Bobby Deol seen at the airport.

Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad

Rashmika Mandhana, Tamannah

Bhatia and Arijit Singh kick-started the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 opening ceremony with multiple performances at the Narendra Modi

Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The King of melody, Arijit Singh serenaded the crowd with songs like ‘Ai Mere Watan’, ‘Lehra Do’ and ‘Vande Matram’. The crowd hummed along with Arijit Singh as he sings ‘Kesariya’, ‘Jhume Jo

Rupee rises by 24 paise to 82.10 in early trade against US dollar on FII flows

Agency News: New Delhi

The rupee appreciated by 24 paise to 82.10 in early trade on Friday following foreign fund inflows and a fall in crude oil prices. Gains in the local stock market and weakness in the US dollar in early Asian trade also boosted the rupee sentiment. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened

Fierce fire breaks out in more than 800 textile shops in Kanpur, 6 complexes completely gutted

Agency News: Kanpur

A fierce fire broke out at 1.30 pm due to a short circuit in the AR Tower located in Bansmandi, Kanpur. About 800 shops in 6 complexes were completely gutted in the fire. Due to which billions of rupees are expected to be lost. As soon as the fire was reported, the entire administration swung into action. Army, Air Force, Police and Fire Brigade personnel have taken charge. More than 50 fire brigade vehicles from many nearby districts including Kanpur, Unnao, Lucknow are engaged in dousing the fire. The fire in the wholesale market could not be controlled even after 9 hours. A person staying in the complex has been reported missing. The fire first broke out in the goods kept outside the shops in AR Tower.

Many shops were engulfed in flames due to strong winds. After this, the entire three-storied tower caught fire. The fire then spread to Hamraj Complex, Nafees Tower, Arjun Complex, Masood Complex-1 and Masood Complex-2. Flames and smoke are still billowing from these 6 complexes. According to the information received, around 500 shops were burnt to ashes, causing a loss estimated at crores. However, it is not yet known how the fire started. It is being said that the fire may have started due to short circuit. Hamraj Market is the largest market for readymade garments. Shops in AR Tower, Arjun Complex, Masood Complex and Nafees Tower were also gutted due to the fire. higher at 82.12 and stayed in the green in early trade. It moved in a range of 82.16 to 82.10 in early deals. The rupee had closed lower by 18 paise at 82.34 to a dollar on Wednesday. The forex market was closed on Thursday for Ram Navami. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures declined by 0.24 per cent to USD 79.08 per barrel.

Pathaan’, ‘Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage Hum’, ‘Ghungroo’, ‘Ilahi’ and ‘Channa Mere Aa’. Later the stage was taken over by the gorgeous diva, Tamannah Bhatia and she performed on multiple Bollywood and regional songs. The national crush, Rashmika Madanna also joined the stage and gave a firey performance on the famous song ‘Saami’. Sharing her excitement on performing live for the opening ceremony, Tamannah said, “Performing on stage is something that I have enjoyed from start of my career. In addition to that, performing for IPL, which has been through so much after COVID-19 is really very exhilarating. I will be performing with Arijit and Rashmika Mandhana and I am really looking forward to it”.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged that the BJP and Bajrang Dal were behind the Ram Navami violence in Howrah and assured that the state government will help all those whose properties have been vandalised. “Howrah’s incident is very unfortunate. Neither Hindus nor Muslims were behind the violence in Howrah. The BJP along with Bajrang Dal and other such organisations were involved in the violence with arms,” Mamata Banerjee told “We will help all those whose properties have been vandalised in Howrah violence,” the Chief Minister assured. “Thirtyone people have been arrested in connection with Thursday’s violence in Howarh,” she informed.

Hindu doctor shot dead in Pakistan, second targeted killing in a month

Agency News: Islamabad

The retired director of Karachi Municipal Corporation and ophthalmologist, Dr Birbal Genani, was shot dead near the Lyari Expressway today, the local media reported. His assistant, Dr Quratul-Ain, was injured in the attack. The two were travelling in a car, CCTV footage showed. Based on

8 AAP workers arrested: “Remove Modi, save country” posters were put up in Ahmedabad

Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad

On March 30 last Thursday late night in the city of Ahmedabad, posters of ‘Modi Hatho, Desh Bachao’ were seen all over the place. The police immediately became active after learning about the posters. Posters were removed by searching different areas and the accused were nabbed within hours. The arrested accused are AAP activists and are currently being interrogated. In the city of Ahmedabad, a sudden controversy started late last Thursday night when posters with slogans such as the CCTV footage of the attack, it is being suspected to be a case of targeted killing. This is the second case of an attack on a Hindu doctor in Pakistan this month. Earlier this month, a doctor from Pakistan’s Hyderabad, Dharam Dev Raathi, was allegedly killed by his driver inside his house. The police told Pakistani news outlet The Nation that the driver slit the doctor’s throat.

The Chief Minister claimed that there was “laxity in a section of the administration” and stressed that strict action would be taken against those involved in the clash. Large numbers of police forces remained deployed in the Shibpur area on Friday. Earlier, CM Mamata claimed that the BJP had hired goons from other states to orchestrate communal riots. The incident occurred when the procession was passing through the Kazipara locality. a police officer as saying. Several vehicles were torched and shops were ransacked in the area.

Agency News: New Delhi

Former Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu will be released from Patiala jail on Tuesday, April

1. The official handle of the leader put out the confirmation in a tweet,

“This is to inform everyone that Sardar Navjot Singh Sidhu will be released from Patiala Jail tomorrow.

Sidhu was sentenced to one-year imprisonment by the Supreme Court in a 1988 road rage death case and was brought to Patiala jail after he surrendered.“He has surrendered himself before Chief Judicial Magistrate. He is under judicial custody. Medical examination and other legal procedures will be adopted,” Surinder Dalla, media advisor to Sidhu had told in May, last year. Notably, the Congress leader was acquitted in connection with the culpable homicide charges but was convicted for voluntarily causing hurt. The court had imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on him. His associate, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, was acquitted in the case. On September 22, 199, the Sessions Court Judge of Patiala had acquitted Sidhu and his associate, due to lack of evidence in the case and giving the benefit of the doubt. The verdict was challenged by the victim’s families before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

US’ Relationship With India Its ‘Most Important’ Partnership In 21st Century, Key Biden Official Says

Agency News: New Delhi

The United States of America’s relationship with India is the “most important” partnership that the country has with any country in the 21st century, and Washington finds it “deeply concerning” that Beijing has created disturbances along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), according to

Chhattisgarh Government to provide Rs 2500 per month to unemployed educated youth from April 1 onwards

Agency News: Raipur

Kurt Campbell, Indo-Pacific Coordinator at the National Security Council, The White House. at an event organised by the Center for a New American Security, a Washington based think-tank, Campbell said: “I believe we are destined to work more closely together… The relationship is deeper, richer and more strategically important.”

Punjab Police detained Joga Singh from Ajnala

Agency News: Ajnala

Modi Hatho Desh Bachao were put up in different areas of the city. On coming to know about this, police and crime branch teams became active in different areas and immediately investigated who put up such posters against the Prime Minister. On the other hand, due to this controversy, the police formed different teams to nab the posters.

Congress Workers Injured in Clash with Police During Protest Over Rahul’s Disqualification

Agency News: Manipur

Chhattisgarh Government has announced that it would be provided educated youth, who are currently unemployed, with an allowance of Rs 2500 per month. This allowance would be given to the youth from April 1, 2023, onwards. As per the official notification issued by the state government, those who have passed Class 12th and are unemployed would be entitled and eligible for a monthly allowance of Rs 2500. However, only those whose family income is less than Rs 2.5 lakhs per annum would be eligible for this government scheme. Only one member from each family would be able to apply for the monthly allowance. Youth who are family members of

Amritpal Singh’s alleged accomplice Joga Singh has been detained by the Punjab Police. The police have detained Joga Singh from Sahnewal. This is being said to be a very close companion of Amritpal Singh.

It has been reported that Joga Singh’s mobile phone was used by Amritpal Singh several times.

Agency News: Manhattan

Former US president Donald Trump on Thursday was indicted over hush money payments to an adult film actress to avoid a scandal ahead of the 2016 US election, making him the first former US president to face criminal charges. The lawyer for porn star Stormy Daniels has welcomed the indictment, saying that “no one is above the law.” In a tweet, Stormy Daniels thanked people for the “support and love” extended to her. “I have so many messages coming in that I can’t respond...also don’t want to spill my champagne#Teamstormy merch/autograph orders are pouring in, too! Thank you for that as well but allow a few extra days for shipment,” she tweeted. Trump denies all wrongdoing in connection with the payments made ahead of the election that sent him to the White House. “This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history,” the 76-year-old Republican said in a statement released within minutes of the indictment news breaking. “Even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats -- the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country -- have been engaged in a WitchHunt,” he said. The former US President also took to social media soon after his indictment.

Four Congress workers were injured in a clash with the police in Imphal during a candlelight march over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Parliament, officials said. State Congress president K Meghachandra said that party workers, including women, had assembled near Kangla Gate on Thursday night for a candlelight march but were stopped by the police. “Not just tear gas shells but smoke bombs were thrown at the protesters,” he alleged. “How is a candlelight march a harmful activity?” he questioned. A huge contingent of police was deployed in the area as Congress workers gathered for the march. A scuffle between the two sides broke out after a woman Congress worker pushed a female police officer, officials said.

President Murmu Meets Director, Producer Of Oscar-Winning ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

Agency News: New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu met the makers of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga today. The official Twitter handle of the President of India shared the pictures of the meet and the caption read, “President Droupadi Murmu met the makers of Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, Kartiki

Gonsalves and Guneet Monga. She congratulated them on winning the award and praised them for showcasing India’s tradition of conservation and living in harmony with nature.” ministers, former ministers, members pf parliament, legislative assembly, chairman and former chairmen of municipal corporations and municipal councils are NOT eligible for this government scheme. If the eligible youth does not secure a job a year after receiving the monthly allowance, the government would extend the payment for one more year.

EC’s flying squad stops Karnataka CM Bommai’s vehicle to check, Video

Agency News: Bengaluru

Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s vehicle was stopped by the flying squad team of Election Commission on Friday while he was on his way to Sri Ghati Subramanya Temple in Doddaballapur. As the model code of conduct came into force ahead of the assembly elections in the state, the flying squad conducted checks in Bommai’s vehicle and later it was allowed to go. The Election Commission of India on Wednesday announced that polling for assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 10 in a single phase and the model code of conduct must be followed by the elected leaders. The authorities have already recovered the government vehicles of the chief minister and other elected representatives in the state. The officials on Wednesday were also seen recovering the official vehicle of opposition leader and former CM Siddaramaiah, soon after the ECI announced the polling dates. The assembly elections in Karnataka will be held on May 10 and the results will be announced on May 13. All 224 constituencies will go to polls in a single go and the election battle will be majorly fought between the Congress, BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) party. The ECI will also set up 58, 282 polling stations across 224 assembly constituencies in the state, marking the average number of voters per polling station at 883.

When Amritpal Singh evaded the police by changing his disguise, he used Joga Singh’s mobile phone.

The police are now expecting a lot of revelations from Joga Singh, the police can interrogate him and reach the location of Amritpal Singh. According to the police, Joga Singh was a very close friend of Amritpal Singh. In fact, wherever Amritpal Singh went, Joga Singh went with him. Let me tell you that Amritpal Singh is constantly being searched for by the Punjab Police. Amritpal Singh released a video earlier in the past after which he released an audio and after releasing the audio he released the video and informed the Sikh Sangat that he will soon be exposed to the world. . Along with this, he has also appealed to call Sarbat Khalsa.

Excise Policy Case: Ex-Deputy CM Manish Sisodia Denied Bail by Delhi Court

Agency News: New Delhi

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday dismissed the bail plea of former deputy CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case. The AAP leader will now move to the Delhi High Court against the Rouse Avenue Court order.

On March 24, Special Judge M K Nagpal reserved his order on the Aam Aadmi Party leader’s plea seeking regular bail in the case after the CBI handed over a short note regarding its contention in the case. “A brief written submission on behalf of CBI has been filed in opposition to the regular bail application of the accused. Copy thereof as well as case law has been given to the counsel of accused. Copy of part of case diary and statements of some witnesses have been also made available,” the special judge said.

Senior JD(S) MLA at Ramaswamy Resigns as Legislator

Agency News: New Delhi

Senior JD(S) MLA from Arkalgud AT Ramaswamy on Friday resigned as legislator, ahead of the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka. Ramaswamy submitted his resignation to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretary at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, as Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri is in his hometown of Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district.It is not yet clear as to whether he will join the BJP or Congress. Ramaswamy is the second JD(S) MLA to quit as legislator this week. On March 27, another MLA of the party S R Srinivas resigned and joined the Congress on Thursday.

SUNVILLA SAMACHAR Editorial

Bhutan’s Doklam stand raises questions on security, diplomacy, india needs to be cautious

Delhi: 6 found dead after mosquito coil catches fire in Shastri Park

Agency News: New Delhi

Fire Breaks Out At Revolving Restaurant In Haryana’s Panchkula

Agency News: Panchkula

Bulldozers to roll again like UP in Vadodara: Survey of rioters’ properties

Agency News: Vadodara

- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara Editor

Doklam is a junction point between India, China and Bhutan. It is not up to Bhutan alone to solve the problem,” the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is reported to have said in an interview to a Belgian daily. China is eager to settle its border dispute with Bhutan though it does not suit Bhutan to do so. Officials from both countries held a meeting in January 2022 and agreed to “push forward” a three-step roadmap as an expert group meeting held boundary talks in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming. A joint release said the two sides “had an indepth exchange of views on implementing the MOU on the Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations, and reached positive consensus.” Bhutan and China have held 24 rounds of border talks beginning 1984. The 24th round appears to have come much closer to resolution, signalling the urgency on the part of China. The talks have focussed mainly on settling two areas – Doklam and other nearby ridges and valleys on the western border near the trijunction, and Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys along Bhutan’s northern borders. Incidentally, there are reports that China has also laid claims to Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Bhutan. In June 2020, Bhutan sought an international grant for this sanctuary spread over some 750 square kilometres bordering Arunachal Pradesh. China, a member of the global institution, opposed the grant saying the sanctuary is a disputed territory. A terribly puzzled Bhutan held that Beijing never mentioned this in the last 36 years of border talks and strongly protested China’s mention of border disputes in ‘western, middle and eastern sections”. While the area of Chinese claims on the northern side of Bhutan are much larger compared to Doklam, the strategic significance of Doklam is what makes it indispensable for Beijing. The Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys along Bhutan’s northern borders with Tibet measure 495 sq. km.

Jailed conman Sukesh issues statement against Kejriwal, says delivered bribe on his behalf

Agency News: New Delhi

Jailed Conman Sukesh

Chandrasekar on Friday released a letter, through his counsel, claiming that he is having a total of 700 pages of WhatsApp and Telegram chats with Arvind Kejriwal and that he had allegedly delivered ₹75 crores on Kejriwal’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) office in 2020. However, there is no independent verification to these claims and many allegations Sukesh had levelled recently. The letter has been issued through Advocate Anant Malik.

“Kejriwalji, I am going to show a trailer of the chat related to 2020 in which 15 kg ghee - code word for Crore set by you and Mr. Jain, which was delivered by me personally i.e ₹15 Crore paid on your behalf at a political office, party office of TRS to one of the accused of the ongoing Liquor Case”, stated the statement issued. The statement further claimed that Kejriwal wanted him to drop this 15 kg Ghee aka ₹15 Crore at Hyderabad because he mentioned there were 5 cases of Ghee which is 15x5 Crore which was already at Hyderabad. He further stated “The amount was being converted for you as you had suggested that 15 was to be delivered to Hyderabad at the TRS party office to the person “AP” in a Range Rover parked inside the office.” Recently, Sukesh Chandrasekhar while produced in the court had told media that Kejriwal’s countdown has started, and soon Kejriwal will be welcomed in Tihar Club. And next week he will make a significant disclosure.

In yet another tragic incident that took place in Delhi’s Shastri Park, six people including a toddler died due to suffocation after a mosquito coil overturned and sparked a blaze at a house in Delhi’s Machhi market, Shastri Park, police said on Friday.

According to the information from police, there are three other who were injured in the incident. Police then rushed to the spot, the injured were been taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital. “Six people in a family were found dead in their house in the Shastri Park area after they inhaled carbon monoxide produced from the burning Mosquito coil that had fallen over a mattress sometime during the night. The toxic fumes caused inmates to lose consciousness and later died due to suffocation,” said DCP North East district Joy Tirkey.According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the injured are being treated for burn injuries. “The deceased include four adult males, an adult female and a half-year-old child. The injured include a 15-year-old girl and an adult male,” said Joy Tirkey. Investigation is underway and more details are awaited.

Two dogs attack a five -year-old girl in Surat

Agency News: Surat

In Surat’s Althan village, two dogs attacked a five-year-old girl and bit her on the side. So the girl was immediately shifted for treatment. There has been an increase in stray dog attacks in recent times. Two children have died in dog attacks in the last 40 days. Dog terror has come to light in Althan village of Surat. Five-year-old girl Mehek Rathore was attacked by two dogs while playing near the house. In which the child’s foot was severely bitten. However, the girl was rescued from the clutches of the dogs after people from around came to rescue her. After that, the girl was immediately shifted for treatment.

7 Dead, 2 Injured After Car Falls Into Canal In Odisha

they met with an accident, how the accident occurred will come out after enquiry”. Seven people have died in the accident, one person is rescued and two are injured, he confirmed.

A fire broke out in a revolving restaurant at Amravati mall in Haryana’s Panchkula on Friday. This comes as a massive fire that broke out in the early hours of Friday in AR Tower near Hamraj Market in Bansmandi, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh has now been brought under control after nearly seven hours. Around 16 fire tenders had reached the spot to douse the fire. The fire engulfed the AR Tower and spread to the nearby buildings present inside Masood Complex. In another incident, six people, including a toddler, suffocated to death after an overturned mosquito coil sparked a blaze at a house in northeast Delhi’s Shastri Park, police said on Friday.Three others were injured in the incident, The police received information around 9 am that a fire had broken out in a house at Mazar Wala Road in Shastri Park’s Machhi Market, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northeast) Joy Tirkey said. Upon reaching the spot, the officials found that nine people had been taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Tirkey said. Of them, four men, a woman, and a one-and-ahalf-year-old child died. A 15-yearold girl and a 45-year-old man are being treated for burn injuries while a 22-year-old man was discharged after first aid, the police said.

Massive blast inside house in UP’s Bulandshahr, 4 bodies recovered

Agency News: Bulandshahr

In the city of Vadodara, the atmosphere was shaken by rioters pelting stones on the two processions that were taken out during the Ramnavami festival.

In order for the communal riots to take a severe form, the home minister of the state called an urgent meeting and issued orders for strict action against the rioters.

After that, when bulldozers were arranged at the corporation office late last night, the issue that grandpa’s bulldozers will now roam the field like UP, has become a topic of discussion. On the other hand, currently the Corporation has carried out survey operations in sensitive areas. On the occasion of Ram Navami, processions were organized in various places in Vadodara. The processions that took place at dawn made the atmosphere devotional. In Tewa, the atmosphere was shaken by rioters pelting stones on Uparachhapari Bay Shobha Yatra near Fatepura Char Road. And the atmosphere in the entire Vadodara became tense. And so that the echoes of the incident in the entire state do not escalate into communal violence, Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi convened a meeting of high officials including the DGP and arranged to teach the rioters a permanent lesson.

Virgin Orbit: Sir Richard Branson’s rocket company cuts 85% of workforce

Agency News: Sambalpur

At least seven persons have died in an accident when a car fell into a canal in Sambalpur District, on Friday. As many as 14 persons were present in the car when the incident took place around 2:00 am today. They were returning after attending a marriage function.

At 02:30 am Sambalpur Police and Administration received the information about the accident.

The officials rushed to the spot.

According to Pravash Dansena, Sub Collector Sambalpur, “Last night they were returning to their destination after attending the marriage function, near the canal

”They were returning after attending a marriage function, their vehicle falls into the canal even after rescuing 6 people have died and information of 1 more death is confirmed. The bodies will be sent for Post-mortem. All the people present in the vehicle are men, around 20-30 age” said Ramdas Panda, Social Worker. The driver of the car died during rescue and the car was drowned in the canal, he added.

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake hits off coast of Central Chile

Agency News: Sambalpur

A magnitude

6.3 earthquake struck the coast of Central Chile on Thursday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. According to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres at 11:03 pm (IST).

“Earthquake of Magnitude:6.2, Occurred on 30-03-2023, 23:03:12 IST, Lat: -35.66 & Long: -73.05, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: Off Coast of Central, Chile,” tweeted the NCS. No loss of life or property has been reported yet. More details are awaited.

A massive blast took place in a house located in the middle of farms in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on Friday, killing at least four people. A police team has reached the spot and rescue operations are underway. “A major blast took place at a house in the middle of farms in UP’s Bulandshahr on Friday, leaving four people dead. The blast reportedly occurred in a cylinder,” police said, adding that further investigation is underway. Locals are helping the police with rescue operations. Police have so far recovered four bodies. The victims have been identified as Abhishek (20), Raees (40), Aahad (05) and Vinod. The house where the blast took place was taken on rent by the victims. A call was received in the afternoon regarding a cylinder blast in a house built in the middle of the fields in Nayagaon in Kotwali Nagar area, SSP Shlok Kumar told. He also said that some cylinders have been found and police, district administration, fire brigade and CMO teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.

India records 3,095 fresh Covid cases in 24 hours, highest this year

Agency News: New Delhi

India on Thursday reported 3,095 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day rise in infections in 2023. The active caseload stands at 15,208, according to data shared by the city health department. The country has witnessed an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days amid a sharp rise in the figure of H3N2 influenza cases. On Wednesday, 2,151 fresh Covid-19 cases were recorded. Active cases stand at 0.03 per cent while the recovery rate is currently at 98.78 per cent. A total of 1,390 recoveries in the last 24 hours took the total recoveries to 4,41,69,711. Two patients succumbed to the infection, each in Goa and Gujarat. Delhi recorded 295 fresh Covid cases on Thursday with a positivity rate of 12.48 per cent.

Bihar man caught smoking cigarette onboard Indigo flight, arrested

Agency News: Gorakhpur

A passenger has been caught smoking a cigarette in an Indigo flight. In the flight coming from Mumbai to Gorakhpur, the passenger was smoking a cigarette in the toilet. A fire alarm went off in the flight due to smoke while lighting a cigarette. Because of this the crew members along with other passengers were alerted. The captain and crew member put out his cigarette.

Agency News: New Delhi

Virgin Orbit, the satellite launch company founded by the billionaire Sir Richard Branson, is cutting 85% of its workforce after failing to secure fresh funding, raising fears that the firm may be on the brink of collapse. The Californiabased company said in a US filing that about 675 staff would lose their jobs as part of efforts to cut costs, leaving about 100 employees to run what is left of the business. This was because of an “inability to secure meaningful funding”, the filing explained. The chief executive, Dan Hart, is making last-ditch efforts to clinch a deal with financial investors but told staff on Thursday that the company would halt operations indefinitely, Virgin Orbit had already paused operations and put staff on furlough earlier this month as it tried to secure a funding lifeline. Branson has reportedly promised to inject almost $11m (£9m) to cover severance payments for workers, covering most of the $15m costs the company is set to incur as a result of the job cuts.

Under-construction bridge collapses in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur, no casualties

Agency News: Hamirpur

An under-construction bridge in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district collapsed, officials said on Friday. However, there were no reports of injuries as the construction workers were not present at the site when the bridge collapsed on Thursday night, they said. The construction workers had laid three slabs of the bridge on the Kot-Jahoo Road. The bridge ostensibly collapsed a few hours after the shuttering of one of the slabs was removed, the officials added. The 75-metre-long bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 2,423 crore. Public Works department assistant engineer Anil Kumar said technical deficiencies were discovered during inspection of the bridge by senior officials and the contractor was directed to rectify those. Vijay Chowdhary, the department’s superintending engineer in the district, said a report had been sought from the executive engineer and added that he would visit the spot again. The work was allotted in 2020 and construction began in 2021. The government has already paid 35 per cent of the total cost to the contractor.

Bengaluru Woman Dragged From Park, Gang-Raped In Moving Car

Agency News: Bengaluru

A woman in Bengaluru was allegedly dragged from a park and then gang-raped by four men in a moving car, the police said today. All four accused have been arrested and an investigation is underway. According to the police, the incident took place last week on March 25 when the woman was meeting a friend at the National Games Village Park in Koramangala. One of the accused approached the two, objecting to both of them sitting in the park late at night. When the woman’s friend left, the man called three of his friends who dragged the woman from the park into their vehicle waiting outside. The four men sped away in their car, and gang-raped the woman in the moving vehicle before dropping her near her house in the early hours of the next morning. The four accused threatened the woman with “dire consequences” if she reported the incident to the police. “We are investigating the matter. All the four have been arrested .

Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings look to make positive start in upcoming clash

Agency News : Mohali

Plagued by injuries and the unavailability of a few foreign players, both Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders would still look to put their best foot forward as they lock horns in their opening IPL encounter here on Saturday. These are the two franchises, which over the years have flattered to deceive. Inconsistency in team selections seemed to have also affected them badly. While PBKS finished sixth, two-time champions KKR ended a rung below in the seventh spot in the 10team competition last year. Both teams will be led by new skippers this season. While veteran Shikhar Dhawan will be at the helm of Punjab, domestic star Nitish Rana

Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants: All eyes on Mitchell Marsh

Agency News : New Delhi

Sensex Surges Over 700 Points, Nifty Above 17,250; Rupee Appreciates By 24 Paise

Agency News : New Delhi

IPO Update: Updater Services Files Papers With Sebi; Plans To Raise Rs 400 Cr Through Fresh Issue of Shares has replaced injured Shreyas Iyer as KKR captain.On paper, though, PBKS looks a tad more stronger than KKR. But Englishman Jonny Bairstow’s absence will certainly leave a big void in Punjab’s team composition.Bairstow has been ruled out of the entire IPL as he continues to recover from a leg injury he had sustained while playing golf last September.In Bairstow’s place, PBKS has roped in BBL’s player-of-the-tournament this season.

Last-8 challenge for Sindhu & Srikanth

Agency News : New Delhi

India shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth moved to the singles quarter finals of the Madrid Spain Masters badminton tournament with straight game wins here on Thursday. Twotime Olympic medallist Sindhu prevailed over Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia 21-16, 21-14 in a little over half an hour to enter her first quarter final in 2023. World no. 21 Srikanth pulled off a 2115, 21-12 second-round win over compatriot B Sai Praneeth. Sindhu, seeded second, has been struggling with her form this season since returning to action following a long injury lay-off. It is the first time in 2023 that the 27-year-old former world champion has crossed the second round. Sindhu, who has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since November 2016, will take on 25-year-old Danish Mia Blichfeldt in the last-eight stage of the Super 300 tournament. Srikanth, seeded fifth, has a tough contest ahead of him as the former world No. 1 is pitted against top seed Kenta Nishimoto of Japan in the quarter finals. Nishimoto was handed a walkover by France’s Arnaud Merkle.

Mitchell Marsh’s brute power with the willow will be Delhi Capitals’ lethal weapon as they brace up for life without Rishabh Pant while starting their Indian Premier League campaign against Lucknow Super Giants, here on Saturday. LSG, who will be playing at home for the first time, is an equally beleaguered outfit if not more, with skipper KL Rahul going through the toughest phase of his career and has been on a downward spiral for quite some time now. By the look of it, neither DC nor LSG look like outfits that give you the vibe of a champion side like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians or for that matter Gujarat Titans. However in the shortest format, equations could change at the drop of hat as the margin that separates a master-stroke from a harakiri is as thin as a thread. So when DC begins their journey on Saturday evening at the Ekana Stadium, it will be an Australian, who will hold the key to the kind of start that the franchise expects. And that Australian isn’t stocky New South Wales man David Warner, who is leading the side but the giant from Western Australia, who has provided some sort of a trailer during the ODI series against India with 12 sixes in three games -- 11 of which came in the first two encounters.

IPL 2023: Hazlewood likely to miss first 7 games of RCB, will reach on April 14, get fit by 3rd week

Agency News : New Delhi

Set to miss at least first leg of the IPL due to an Achilles (heel) problem, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood would reach India by April 14 but would take another week to be match-fit. While Hazlewood will miss at least seven IPL games, his Australian teammate Glenn Maxwell is doubtful for RCB’s opening match against Mumbai Indians on April 2 in Bengaluru as he is yet to fully regain strength post leg fracture. ”Everything is ticking along according to plan, so I’ll be heading over on the 14th depending on how the next two weeks go,” Hazlewood was quoted as saying by The Age. “I probably won’t be quite ready to go right then, but another week in India to touch things up skills wise I should be ready to go hopefully.”

Hazlewood, who had to opt out of Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, is hoping to get ready for the Ashes via the IPL. “You don’t need a lot of workload for T20. It’s more just ticking off those boxes of getting up to speed and pushing back in the run-up.

The domestic equity on Friday opened higher, with the BSE Sensex surging about 702 points or 1.21 per cent to 58,662.53 and the NSE Nifty trading up by nearly 200 points or 1.17 per cent up at 17,280.40 in the early trade. The rupee also appreciated by 24 paise to 82.10 against the US dollar in the early trade. In the 30-share constituent Sensex, 26 shares were trading in the green, while only 4 shares were in the red. Reliance, HCL Tech, ICICI Bank, Nestle and Tech Mahindra were among the top gainers rising by up to 3.27 per cent. However, Sun Pharma, Asian Paints, ITC and Bajaj Finance were in the red, down by up to 0.53 per cent. Broader markets also extended the rally, the S&P BSE MidCap rising 241.73 point or 1.01 per cent to 24,079.41 and the S&P SmallCap jumping 404.51 points or 1.52 per cent at 27,003.23. V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said, “There are signs of the global equity markets, led by the mother market US, coming out of the banking contagion fears. The fact that there has been no further bank failures or major stress in the system, is good news for equity markets. Nifty valuations are now reasonable and this has prompted FIIs to turn buyers in the last two days.”

Agency News : New Delhi

Integrated facilities management

Updater Services Ltd (UDS) has filed preliminary papers with capital market regulator Sebi to raise funds through an initial public offering. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) will comprise fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 400 crore and an Offer For Sale

(OFS) of up to 1.33 crore equity shares by a promoter and existing shareholders, according to the draft red herring prospectus. Those who will be selling shares in the OFS are Tangi Facility Solutions Private Ltd, India Business Excellence Fund-II and India Business Excellence Fund–IIA.Also, the company may consider a pre-IPO placement aggregating up to Rs 80 crore. If such a placement is completed, the fresh issue size will be reduced. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used for payment of debt, funding working capital requirements, pursuing inorganic initiatives and general corporate purposes. The company offers integrated facilities management services and business support services to its clients. It caters to customer segments across sectors such as FMCG, manufacturing and engineering, BFSI, healthcare, IT/ITes, automobiles, logistics and warehousing, airports, ports, infrastructure and retail.

India unveils Foreign Trade Policy 2023, eyes $2 trillion exports by 2030 Call to break up India Inc’s Big 5

Agency News : New Delhi

The government on Friday came out with Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 which seeks to boost the country’s exports to $2 trillion by 2030 by shifting from incentives to remission and entitlement based regime. Unlike the practice of announcing 5-year FTP, the latest policy has no end date and will be updated as and when needed, said Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Sarangi while briefing media about FTP 2023. Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled FTP 2023 which will come into effect from April 1, 2023.The DGFT also said India is likely to end this fiscal year with total exports of $760-770 billion as against $676 billion in 2021-22. The last five-year policy came into force on April 1, 2015. However, it was extended several times in the wake of coronavirus outbreak and subsequent disruptions in economic activities globally. The last extension was given in September 2022 till March 31, 2023.The new FTP identifies four new Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) -Faridabad, Moradabad, Mirzapur and Varanasi -- in addition to the already existing 39 TEEs.The FTP benefits have been extended to e-commerce exports, which are estimated to grow to USD 200-300 billion by 2030.

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