Not Democracy, It Is Dynasty That Is In Danger: Amit Shah On Rahul Gandhi

Agency News: Kaushambi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today claimed that people would not forgive the opposition parties for disrupting Parliament proceedings over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha based on a legislation brought by the Congress-led UPA government. Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Kaushambi Mahotsav, he exhorted people to elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister once again in 2024 for the allaround welfare of all sections of society. “The country will not forgive opposition parties for disrupting Parliament proceedings over Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification... Democracy is not in danger, it is casteism and dynastic politics (‘parivarwad’) which are in danger,” Amit Shah said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, and state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhry also attended the event. In a big blow to the Congress, its leader Rahul Gandhi was on March 24 disqualified from Lok Sabha, nearly 24 hours after a Surat court convicted him in a defamation case, an action the opposition party slammed as BJP’s

Yogi to perform Ram Lalla’s ritual with water from rivers in 155 nations

Agency News: New Delhi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on April 23, will perform the ‘jalabhishek’ of the deity of Ram Lalla with water from rivers of 155 countries, said the Shri Ram Janmabhoom Teerth i Kshetra General Secretary Champat Rai in Ayodhya. A team led by Vijay Jolly, a Delhi-based devotee of Lord Rama, will hand over water from rivers of the 155 countries to Adityanath.

“vindictive politics” and vowed to fight legally and politically. The court in Surat sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail in a defamation case, filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for his remark, “How come all thieves

GCPL to invest Rs 100 cr in earlystage consumer startups in India

Agency News: New Delhi

Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) on Saturday said they will invest Rs 100 crore in Early Spring, a new Rs 300 crore early-stage consumer fund being set up by Spring Marketing Capital (Spring). GCPL said it will anchor the fund in addition to offering its expertise and experience to help founders build strong, sustainable companies. Spring’s first fund of Rs 150 crore continues to invest in companies at Series A and beyond. The Early Spring Fund will invest Rs 5- Rs 20 crore in each company, from seed to pre-series A stage. “We intent to leverage our understanding of consumer space and learnings over the last decades to enable early-stage founders focused on building strong offline as well as online presence by offering differentiated products in India,” said Omar Momin, Head M&A, GCPL. Spring is run by Raja Ganapathy.

WHO tracking VOI XBB.1.5, six other variants under monitoring: Centre to states, UTs

Agency News: New Delhi

The Centre on Friday told the states and Union territories that currently the World Health Organisation is closely tracking one variant of interest (VOI), XBB.1.5 and six other variants are under monitoring BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF and XBB.1.16.

During a review meeting on the Covid-19 situation, Union Health

Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually interacted with the health ministers of the states and union territories and advised them to ramp up vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the elderly and vulnerable population group. It was highlighted that while Omicron and its sublineages continue to be the predominant variant, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape. The prevalence of XBB.1.16 increased from 21.6 per cent in February to 35.8 per cent in March, 2023. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalisation or mortality has been reported. It was also informed that while India has achieved over 90 per cent coverage of primary vaccination, the coverage of precaution dose is very low.

False dog bite case deprives 30-year old career in judiciary, SC issues notice

Agency News: New Delhi have Modi as the common surname?” The disqualification will bar 52-year-old Gandhi, a four-time MP, from contesting polls for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.

A false case of dog bite was foisted on 30-year-old Apoorva Pathak, jeopardising her aspiration of having a career in judiciary.

Agency News: New Delhi

Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is currently lodged at the Tihar Jail over his alleged involvement in an excise policy scam, has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s educational qualifications in an open letter. In his hand-written letter in Hindi, the AAP leader raised doubts about Modi’s educational qualifications and emphasised the importance of having a highlyeducated individual in the country’s top elected post. “Whenever I hear the Prime Minister’s claims that we can prepare tea or cook food using dirty gas from a drain by inserting a pipe, it saddens me deeply. It is impossible to cook food using dirty gas from a drain. His statement that radar cannot detect an airplane flying behind clouds has made him a laughing stock in the global community. Even students in schools and colleges mock him for his remarks,” Sisodia says in the letter. The former Deputy Chief Minister asserted that the Prime Minister’s “lack of education and basic understanding of science is common knowledge worldwide”. He further pointed that other heads take advantage of this by demanding a high cost for every hug they give the Prime Minister. He also expressed uncertainty about the documents that the Prime Minister signs, as he believes that latter’s lack of education renders him incapable of understanding them. The AAP leader claimed that the closure of 60,000 schools in recent years is a clear indication that the government does not prioritise education.

Despite being selected as a civil judge, her name was deleted from the merit list, though she secured an acquittal on merits in the case. However, there is some respite for Pathak from the Supreme Court, which earlier this week issued notice to Madhya Pradesh High Court and state government on her plea. Pathak’s plea contended that denial of appointment to her on the ground of previous criminal case in which she stands acquitted is violation of the fundamental right as prescribed under Article 14 of the Constitution, as she has not been treated equally and at par with other candidates. “Material irregularity has been committed by the respondents while passing the impugned order whereby the name of the petitioner has been deleted from the list of selected candidates of civil judge without giving any reasonable opportunity of hearing on the basis of mere registration of matter registered against her under s.289 of IPC in which she has been acquitted on merits by the JMFC court,” said the plea. Advocate Namit Saxena, appearing for Pathak, submitted that the removal from the list is violative of the rules

Pathak from the Supreme Court, which earlier this week issued notice to Madhya Pradesh High Court and state government on her plea of the state government and the high court on the administrative side ought not to have overlooked the same while removing the name of the petitioner from the select list. After hearing the arguments, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said: “Issue notice, returnable in four weeks.”

Agency News: New Delhi

Microsoft has announced that its OpenAI’s DALL-E-powered AI image generator is now available on desktop for Edge users around the world. The company introduced the feature to the new Bing and

Edge preview last month. Image Creator allows users to create an image simply by using their own words to describe the picture they want to see. This feature will help you create images that don’t yet exist, right from the Microsoft Edge sidebar, the company said. “If you’ve ever found yourself in need of a very specific visual for a social post or even a PowerPoint, Image Creator can help you find exactly what you need,” Microsoft said in a blogpost. To use the feature, users need to simply navigate to the sidebar on the right side of their browser, and then tap on the Image Creator icon, enter their prompt, and then they will see four different image options to choose from. After selecting the one that fits their needs, they can download it and add to their document or upload it to social media. When using Image Creator in Microsoft Edge for the first time, they will need to enable it in the Edge sidebar by clicking the “+” icon and turning on the toggle key for Image Creator, the company explained.

Agency News: New Delhi

India has recorded 6,050 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. With 3,320 recoveries in the same time span, the total number of recoveries reached 4,41,85,858. The recovery rate currently at 98.75 per cent. The daily positivity rate stood at 3.39 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate at 3.02 per cent. The active caseload currently stands at 28,303. With 1,78,533 tests onducted in the same time span, total number of tests reached 92.25 crore.A total of 2,334 doses have been administered in last 24 hours, taking the total number of inoculations to 220.66 crore

Editorial

Sunvilla Samachar

Congress to BJP, Ambedkar cartoons to 2002 riots, NCERT syllabus’ run-in with political axe

After 7 yrs, Rangeelu Gujarat to be held in London in September GPCB slaps closure notice to textile chemical unit

Agency News: Surat

Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad

After a seven-year gap, the second edition of Rangeelu Gujarat, a cultural exhibition, will be held in London’s Brent from September 1 to September 3. The event will showcase various established and emerging artists from Gujarat. Workshops on music, dance, fabric and various other art forms will also be conducted. The three-day event is expected to see

- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara Editor

New books with “rationalised” syllabus have been introduced in schools around the country with the start of the new academic session this week. This rationalisation — in the name of “easing the burden” on students in the wake of Covid-19 — has led to some crucial deletions from the History textbooks, including an entire Chapter on Mughal history, references to caste and inequality, mention of 2002 Gujarat riots, and a portion about MK Gandhi’s life and his assassination by Nathuram Godse. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) had in June 2022 released a list of the rationalised portion from their textbooks for Classes 6 to 12. However, when the printed books finally hit the market early this month, some silent deletions have also been made in the textbooks. While the NCERT maintains that the rationalised textbooks will only be used for one year, until the syllabus is changed as per National Curriculum Framework, the fact remains that the batches currently in schools will be devoid of learning some very important lessons in history. This is why NCERT is ThePrint’s Newsmaker of the Week. NCERT is the top academic body in India. It designs syllabus that are used in schools around the country. Although some private schools allow textbooks from private publishers, all CBSE-affiliated schools and government schools only allow NCERT books. Hence, what is mentioned in NCERT books is an important part of a child’s learning. This is the third syllabus change/ revision under the Narendra Modi government, which has been adding or removing portions in school textbooks to suit its political position.The first syllabus change happened in 2017, when Hrishikesh Senapathy was the director of NCERT. At that time, however, the changes were called “revision”. Senapathy had said that the books needed to be updated to add a lot of new information. These included the Modi government’s policies such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and demonetisation.

a footfall of 50,000 people.“There is no particular theme for the event. It is a larger version of the one organised in 2016. But there is addition as well in terms of cinema and literature, which will be showcased and discussed, because Gujarati cinema has developed so much since then,” said Mira Salat, director of Red Lotus Events, a community interest company, at the Ahmedabad Management Association Thursday.The event

Mumbai records 216 new Covid cases, one death

Agency News: Mumbai will be held at Brent borough in London, where most of the Gujaratis live, informed Salat. The event is being supported by the Council of Brent and the British government. In its previous edition in 2016, the two-day event had seen a footfall of 27,000. “We showcased and held workshops for Bandhni work, Ajrakh work from Kutch and about 40 artists of Gujarat performed in the event,” said Salat.

Mumbai reported 216 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday and one death linked to the infection for the second consecutive day.

The number of cases reported was slightly lower than the 221 cases reported on Wednesday.

However, on Thursday, the test positivity rate — positive cases for every 100 tests – rose to 13.9 per cent in Mumbai as against 11.6 per cent on Wednesday.

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board on Thursday slapped closure notice to the textile chemicals manufacturing unit Prakhar Estates company at Sachin GIDC in Surat for violating the pollution norms under Section 33 (a) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. Acting on a complaint, the GPCB officials of Surat Zone had

Gujarat HC disposes of Mevani’s plea to quash FIR

Sunvilla News: Ahmedabad

carried out a surprise checking at Prakhar Estate Pvt. Ltd a couple of days ago.The officials found wastewater coming out from the company flowing to the road. Apart from this, flexible pipeline was found near MVR (Mechanical Vapour Recompression) effluent feed collection tank. The officials also found punctures in the MVR effluent collection tank and from this tank, the wastewater was found flowing on the roadside.In the closure notice, the Surat unit head of GPCB M R Macwana mentioned the unit owners to prohibit the manufacturing activities.Giving further details, Surat GPCB regional officer Jignaben Oza said, “With the order of the Surat unit we have slapped closure notice. We have also written to DGVCL (power supply company) to disconnect the electricity (except single phase) with immediate effect.”

Sudanese leader vows to establish civilian rule despite delay in signing political deal

Agency News: Khartoum

Agency News: Geneva

On the eve of its 75th anniversary, the WHO marked the occasion by calling for a renewed drive for health equity in the face of unprecedented threats. Seventyfive years ago, after years of war, the nations of the world agreed to set up a new organisation and “debated and agreed what this organisation would be and do in a document called the Constitution of the World Health Organisation,” the organisation’s Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recalled at a press briefing here on Thursday. “Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the day that Constitution came into force. It was, and is, a landmark document,” he said. The past decades have witnessed extraordinary progress in protecting people from diseases and destruction, including smallpox eradication, reducing the incidence of polio by 99 per cent, saving millions of lives through childhood immunisation, declines in maternal mortality, and improving health and well-being for millions more, “And for the past three years.

WHO turns 75, calls for health equity World Bank downgrades

Agency News: Kiev

The World Bank has lowered its estimate for Ukraine’s GDP growth this year to 0.5 from 3.3 per cent estimated in January, state media reported. The economic toll caused by the RussiaUkraine war was the main factor behind the downgrade, the bank said in a report on Thursday. According to it, the reopening of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and resumption of grain trade, as well as substantial donor support, will help support economic activity in Ukraine this year, the InterfaxUkraine news agency reported.

The bank estimated the cost of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and recovery at $411 billion, Xinhua news agency reported.

The World Bank projected that the Ukrainian economy will grow by 6.5 per cent in 2025 after rising 3.5 per cent in 2024.

The patient who succumbed to Covid-19 was 36 years old and also had tuberculosis. This took the total toll of Covid-19 deaths in Mumbai to 19,749 as of April

6. In Maharashtra, a total of 803 patients were detected with novel coronavirus on Thursday, with total three fatalities.Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry held a video conference with the state.

The ministry said a nationwide mock drill is scheduled from April 10 to 11, 2023, and all health facilities (public and private) are expected to participate.“As per the instruction from the government, to assess the readiness of hospitals, BMC has started collecting data from hospitals for checking the preparedness of health infrastructure to tackle the situation if the number of cases start rising again,” read the statement of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.In total, the city has 4,022 beds for Covid-19 patients, of which 1,995 are isolation beds, 1,316 are oxygen supported beds, 711 are ICU beds and 649 are ventilator beds.

SIT probe ordered into illegal lease, selling of temple properties in Kashmir

Agency News: Mumbai

On the basis of evidence provided by a JK Peace Forum, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered an SIT probe into the illegal lease of temple properties in Kashmir and the nexus in the said properties for illegal use. The Kashmir-based NGO has alleged that in the last 33 years no successive governments have taken any initiative to protect temple properties of minorities of Kashmir. Despite repeated court orders, temple properties have been illegally given on lease or sold.

Satish Mahaldar, Chairman, JK Peace Forum said, “The Jammu and Kashmir administration/ revenue department has failed to protect the temple properties and have been unable to vacate the temple properties /premises, which have been leased out by the respective managements illegally for personnel favours. We are thankful to the Honorable Governor for initiating the SIT probe. “We would like to draw your attention to the bitter truth that the earlier J&K governments have failed to protect Hindu minority properties in Kashmir,” Mahaldar said. Despite repeated court orders and The Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distress Sales) Act, 1997, the temple properties have been illegally given on lease. The Jammu and Kashmir administration/ revenue department has failed.

The Gujarat High Court Thursday disposed of a petition by Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani seeking quashing of a FIR over alleged defamation, after it was submitted that a Valsad magistrate court has discharged him of the offence and a Valsad district court subsequently upheld his discharge. Mevani had tweeted a video on May 20, 2019 showing a person in a room beating children with a foot ruler and kicking them, which inadvertently was claimed to have been a teacher of Valsad based RMVM School.

Subsequently, Mevani had deleted the tweet the next day after factchecking websites clarified on the video.An FIR was lodged against Mevani with Valsad police station for the offences punishable under IPC sections 505(2) and 500, based on a complaint by Valsad school teacher Bijal Patel. The Valsad magistrate while discharging Mevani from the offence in an order dated October 19, 2020, had observed that allegations made by the complainant were without basis and based on the said allegations, there isn’t sufficient evidence on record to conduct a trial. The state had subsequently appealed against his discharge before Valsad district court and the additionals district judge DK Soni had rejected the state’s plea and had upheld the discharge in and order dated March 10, 2021.

Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has vowed to move forward toward establishing the civilian rule and completing the political process in Sudan. His remarks came on Thursday after the postponement of the signing of a political agreement to end the political crisis in the country, while mass demonstrations took place on the same day in the capital Khartoum and other cities, demanding the restoration of civilian rule. “The postponement of signing the agreement tended to set solid frameworks to maintain the momentum and vigour of the revolution, and the parties were now working seriously to complete the discussion on the remaining issues,” AlBurhan was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Council.”We reaffirm our determination to proceed together on the same path to complete the ongoing political process as quickly as possible and in a way that closes the doors to all attempts to cripple this process,” he added. The military and civilian leaders were scheduled to sign a final political agreement on Thursday to end the political crisis in the country, but the signing has been postponed as the parties failed to reach a consensus regarding the security and military reform process and the integration of armed groups into the Sudanese Army.

Gaming companies welcome new online gaming rules notified by MeitY

Agency News: New Delhi

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) today, notified the amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 in relation to online gaming. Welcoming this move, Mr. Roland Landers, CEO, All India Gaming Federation, said: “As the oldest, largest, and most diverse industry association for online gaming in the country, we are grateful to MeitY for notifying the amendments to regulate online gaming under the Indian Information Technology Act, and acknowledging the long-standing demand of the gamers and the online gaming industry. We believe this is a decisive first step for comprehensive regulation for online gaming and, will propel the

Telangana Governor, CM remember sacrifices of Jesus Christ

Agency News: Hyderabad

, Telangana Govern Tamilisai ro Soundararajan remembered the sacrifices of Jesus Christ for the people on the occasion of Good Friday which marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Governor stated in her message that Good Friday is observed by Christians all over the world in memory of crucifixion of Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ showed great love towards all human beings and made the ultimate sacrifice for their welfare. On this day, His sacrifices are remembered with solemn hymns and prayers of thanksgiving. I pray for all people this Good Friday. May Lord always guide all of us through the way,” she said. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer said Good Friday is observed by Christian brethren all over the world, to commemorate crucifixion of Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ showed great love for the entire humanity and on this holy day, his ultimate sacrifice is remembered with solemn hymns and prayers of Thanksgiving.

Talala APMC to start mango auction from April 18

Agency News: Talala

THE AGRICULTURAL produce market committee (APMC) in Talala town of Gir Somnath has decided to start auction of mangoes from April 18 marking the beginning of the harvesting season of the juicy fruit in Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts known for kesar variety of mangoes. Talala APMC chairman Sanjay Shingala chaired a special meeting of commission agents and whole-sellers of the industry to compete globally, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. We are especially grateful that the Government recognised the industry demands and provided light touch, but comprehensive regulations, which will support innovation, boost Create in India and Brand India, and propel India’s Techade. These rules will go a long way in promoting consumer interest while helping the industry grow responsibly and transparently and will also help in curbing the menace of anti-national and illegal offshore gambling sites, which have been proliferating in the last few Gaming companies welcome new online gaming rules notified by MeitY years. We look forward to assisting the industry transition to the self-regulatory model envisioned under therules and use learnings from the years of work that has been undertaken at the All India Skill Games Council (AIGSC), the oldest and largest voluntary self-regulatory body for online gaming. The Government has maintained a very open and transparent approach throughout this process and heard various stakeholders across the online gaming eco-system, since May 2022. At AIGF are committed to continue our engagement and provide complete support to the government in making online gaming a cornerstone of $1 trillion digital Indian economy

APMC on Wednesday.In the meeting, it was decided to start auction of mangoes from April 18 onwards.“In consultation with commission agents, whole-sellers and mango orchard owners, it was decided that auction of mangoes will start from April 18 this year. Last year, the auction had started from April 26. But this year, the date has been advanced as some mangoes which had set after flowering in November are expected to be ready for harvest early,” Shingala told.

KKR outplay RCB to register first win of IPL 2023

Agency News : Kolkata

Shardul Thakur smashed a counter-attacking half-century before the spinners played their part to perfection as Kolkata Knight Riders made a memorable homecoming with an 81-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL here on Thursday.KKR found themselves tottering for 89/5 before Thakur led a superb recovery with his 29-ball 68 to power his team to 204/7 after RCB opted to bowl. Coming in at No 7, Thakur hammered the joint-fastest fifty of the season off 20 balls and shared an entertaining 103-run wicket partnership off 47 balls with Rinku Singh (46 off 33).In reply, RCB failed to last the distance and folded up for 123 in 17.4 overs with the trio of Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and debutant Suyash Sharma sharing eight wickets between themselves.It was KKR’s first win of the season. Thakur also took one wicket in his all-round show in KKR’s first home match after almost four years.RCB were going great guns at 44 no loss in 25 balls in pursuit of the big chase before the Sunil Narine triggered the collapse, foxing Virat Kohli (21; 18b) with a beauty in his 150th IPL match.Chakravarthy then gave a double blow dismissing Glenn Maxwell (5) and Harshal Patel (0) in three balls before ending with splendid figures of 3.4-015-4. Thereafter, it was 19-year-old leg-spinner Suyash Sharma (4-0-30-3) who made a dream debut after being included as an impact player in place of Venkatesh Iyer.The long-haired

Babar Azam shares ‘Get well soon’ message for Kane Williamson after IPL knee injury

Agency News : New Delhi

Kane Williamson of the Gujarat Titans was injured during his debut appearance for the team in the Indian Premier League 2023 opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Following the New Zealand captain’s health reports, it was noted that he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and would undergo right knee surgery, and would miss ODI World Cup.

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam shared health greetings to his New Zealand counterpart noting Kane Williamson’s knee injury during the IPL. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, he shared a picture of hugging Kane and wrote, “Bounce back stronger. Get well soon Kane Williamson.”Earlier, Williamson expressed his gratitude for the support he had received since sustaining the injury. mystery spinner got two wickets in one over to have KKR reeling at 86/8.Suyash got his maiden wicket when he deceived Anju Rawat (1) with a tossed up delivery and in space of three balls, he grabbed the prized-scalp of Dinesh Karthik (9) with a fuller delivery.Fresh from his 82 not out against Mumbai Indians, Kohli teed off in style, scoring a boundary off the first ball of the innings against Umesh Yadav.At 42 for no loss, the RCB opening duo looked set for another easy chase when Narine triggered the collapse, cleaning up Kohli with a beauty.The star Indian completely missed the line as the ball sharply turned in to knock his stumps.Earlier, David Willey (4-1-162) and Karn Sharma (3-0-26-2) took wickets off successive deliveries in powerplay and middle overs respectively to give RCB the initial edge.Willey exposed KKR’s fragile top-order, when the England leftarm pacer knocked over Venkatesh Iyer (3) and Mandeep Singh (0) off successive deliveries.

Wayne Parnell returns to IPL after 9 years, replaces injured Reece Topley at Royal Challengers Bangalore

Agency News : New Delhi

Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a big injury blow on Thursday as fast bowler Reece Topley was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 after suffering a shoulder injury. Topley did not play the match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens due to the issue. David Willey replaced him in the RCB XI but they lost the match by 81 runs in Kolkata. Topley meanwhile, has been replaced by South African pacer Wayne Parnell for the rest of IPL 2023. Topley had dislocated