SUNVILLA SAMACHAR

‘Sanatan Dharma Is the National Religion of India,’ Says Yogi Adityanath

South Africa beat England by 27 runs in first ODI

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Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Mughal Garden was renamed Amrit Udyan

Agency News: New Delhi

Mughal Garden near Rashtrapati Bhavan has been renamed by the Central Government. This garden has now been named Amrit Udyan keeping in mind the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav which is going on now. However, even before this, the names of roads in Delhi named after the Mughal rulers were also changed. In which the name of Aurangzeb Road was changed to APJ Abdul Kalam Road. According to a statement released from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the next date. Amrit Udyan will be open to the general public from January 31 to March 26. After this, it will be opened only for farmers on March 28 and for the disabled from March 29. Also after this on March 30, Amrit Udyan will

Grievance Appellate Committees to handle user complaints against social media firms from March 1

Agency News: New Delhi

Mehbooba joins Bharat Jodo, says Rahul’s yatra comes like a breath of fresh air in Kashmir be kept open for the families of police, security forces and soldiers. During this time visitors can enjoy here with beautiful flowers. Amrit Udyan Garden will be open from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets will be allotted for 7500 people from 10 am to 12 noon to go to Amrit Udyan. After that,

Sonam Kapoor arrives for the wedding bash of Masaba Gupta and Satyadeep Misra.

Water supply rates for consumers in Shimla were hiked by 10 per cent on Friday effective immediately, officials said here. The Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) notified the revised rates for different categories of consumers within and outside the Shimla Municipal Corporation limits, the body’s general manager Anil Mehta told. The new rates had been decided in September last year but could not be implemented as the Model Code.

India notice to Pakistan on Indus Waters Treaty

Agency News: New Delhi

India has issued a notice to Pakistan for modification of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) that was brokered by the World Bank to facilitate the sharing of water of the Indus River system between the two countries. Sources here said India was “compelled to issue notice of modification” under Article XII (3) of the IWT because of “Pakistani intransigence” on its technical objections to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs) in Kashmir.

While the Kishenganga HEP is operational, the Ratle project is under construction. Article XII (3) — under which the notice has been sent to Pakistan through the tickets will be allotted for another 10000 people from 12 noon to 4 pm. This arrangement will be done from Rashtrapati Bhavan. And this ticket will be available only through online booking. So you can get entry to Amrut Udyan Garden only after getting advance online ticket.

AP govt to introduce ‘family doctor’ concept from March 1 respective Commissioners for Indus Waters — states: “The provisions of this Treaty may from time to time be modified by a duly ratified treaty concluded for that purpose between the two Governments.” According to sources, the notice for modification provides Pakistan an opportunity to enter into intergovernmental negotiations within 90 days to rectify the material breach of the IWT. In 2015, Pakistan had requested the appointment of a neutral expert to examine its technical objections to the Kishenganga and Ratle HEPs.

Agency News: New Delhi

Starting March 1, the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh will introduce the “family doctor” concept all over the state as part of strengthening the public health system, officials said on Friday. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held by the chief minister during a review meeting with officials of the state medical, health and family welfare department on Friday. “It will be useful to strengthen public health system,” Jagan said. The family doctor system, which was being implemented as a pilot in Tirupati since October last, is aimed at providing medical services at the doorstep to 2,000 people every month. Under this concept, doctors visit a village twice a month with the coordination of the village secretariat.

The Grievance Appellate Committees set up by the government to look into users’ complaints against large social media companies like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will commence operation from March 1, the Ministry of Electronics and IT said on Saturday. The Centre on Friday notified three Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) under an amendment to IT Rules 2021 notified in October. ”Keeping in view of the transition period required for the intermediaries as per their requests and technical requirement, the online platform will be operational in one month of this notification of the Grievance Appellate Committee, i.e. from 1st March 2023,” an official statement said. According to the notification, each of the three GACs will have a chairperson, two wholetime members from different government entities and retired senior executives from the industry

GAC will be a virtual digital platform that will operate only online and digitallywherein the entire process will be conducted digitally for a term of three years from the date of assumption of office. “The GAC is a critical piece of overall policy and legal framework to ensure that the Internet in India is open, safe and trusted and accountable. The need for GAC was created due to large numbers of grievances being left unaddressed or unsatisfactorily addressed by Internet Intermediaries. GAC is expected to create a culture of responsiveness amongst all Internet Platforms and Intermediaries towards their consumers,” the statement said.

PM Modi reviews march past at Delhi NCC event, releases a ₹75 coin

Agency News: New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inspected the Guard of Honour and reviewed the marchpast by National Cadet Corps (NCC) contingents, demonstrating their skills, microlight flying, parasailing. Cultural programmes were also held. The rally is the culmination of NCC Republic Day Camp and is held on January 28 every year at Delhi’s Cariappa Parade Ground. A total of 196 officers and cadets from 19 foreign countries were invited to be a part of the celebrations, according to a government statement. During the event, PM Modi also released a special day cover and a commemorative and specially minted coin of ₹75 denomination, marking the 75 successful years of the NCC. While addressing the rally, PM Modi lauded the “determination and spirit” of NCC cadets in serving the nation for over the last 75 years. “NCC is celebrating 75 years of its formation. Those who have represented NCC over the last 75 years have been a part of it, I appreciate their contribution to nation-building. India is proud of the

Agency News: Srinagar

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the Bharat Jodo Yatra was like a breath of fresh air in Kashmir as it allowed people to come out of their homes in numbers for the first time since 2019.

The Centre, on August 5, 2019, revoked Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. “Rahul Gandhi’s yatra comes like a breath of fresh air in Kashmir. It is the first time since 2019 that Kashmiris have come out of their homes in such massive numbers. It was a great experience to walk with him,” the Peoples Democratic Party leader tweeted. The former chief minister had joined the Rahul Gandhi-led march at Chursoo in Pulwama district of south Kashmir earlier in the day.

IAF’s Sukhoi, Mirage Fighter Jets Crash in MP’s Morena, One Pilot Dead; Aircraft Debris Falls in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur

Agency News: Bharatpur

A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Madhya Pradesh’s Morena, killing a pilot and injuring two during a routine training mission on Saturday. Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Bagri said that the pilots of Sukhoi-30 ejected the aircraft on time and were traced. They have been sent to a hospital for treatment. Defence sources said that the IAF court of inquiry will establish whether it was a mid-air collision or not. “Su-30 had two pilots, while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest two pilots are safe while the third one was killed,” sources added.

“Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near determination and spirit of service of the NCC cadets,” the Prime Minister said. PM Modi yet again hailed the contribution of youngsters and asserted that Yuva Shakti is India’s driving force. He further emphasised that the youth of India is the main reason why the entire globe is now looking towards our country. “The youth of the country are benefiting from India’s defence sector reforms. In the last eight years, the number of our daughters in the police and paramilitary forces has doubled. Today, we see deployment of women in all three wings of the armed forces,”

Gwalior today morning,” the IAF said in a statement. “The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission. One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident,” it added. The deceased pilot was identified as Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi, the IAF said. “The IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family,” it stated.

UN General Assembly president to visit India from Jan 29-31

Agency News: New Delhi

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Csaba Korosi will make his first bilateral foreign visit since assuming the position to India during January 2931 for discussions on multilateral and regional issues. Korosi, a career diplomat from Hungary who served as his country’s permanent representative to the UN, is visiting at the invitation of external affairs minister S Jaishankar. He became president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in September 2022. Besides holding talks with Jaishankar on key multilateral and

89806 69994 regional issues of mutual interest, Korosi will interact with senior officials of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 presidency team to explore the scaling up of the country’s best practices, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

PE/VC Investments

Decline by A Third To $54.2 Billion in 2022

Agency News: New Delhi

Investments by private equity and venture capital funds declined by nearly a third to USD 54.2 billion in 2022, which was characterised by a ‘funding winter’ after consecutive years of surge. Even after the decline, the year was the second best for India in terms of bets taken by such long-term investors on growing Indian companies, a report by industry lobby Ivca and the consultancy firm EY said. The investments by value were down 29 per cent as compared to USD 75.9 billion in 2021, while by volumes there was a 4.6 per cent decline at 1,211 transactions as against 1,269, the report said, adding that a sharp fall in large deals resulted in the decline. The firm’s partner Vivek Soni said investor interest has been weighed down by inflation woes, recession fears, the rising cost of capital and elevated levels of uncertainty driven by geostrategic challenges. He added that 99 funds dedicated to India raised USD 17.4 billion in 2022, and there is a high level of dry powder available.

SUNVILLA SAMACHAR Editorial

Modi’s victories have nailed the canard on 2002 riots. BBC should worry about its credibility

‘Sanatan Dharma Is the National Religion of India,’ Says Yogi Adityanath

Agency News: Bhinmal

‘Women Should Not Wait Too Long...’: Here’s Why Assam CM Wants Girls to Marry at An ‘Appropriate Age’

Agency News: Guwahati

BJP May Lose Upcoming Karnataka Assembly Polls, Says Sharad Pawar

Agency News: Kolhapur

The two-part BBC documentary, India: The Modi Question, through claims of having investigated certain (missing) aspects related to the 2002 Gujarat riots, has tried to project the riots and then-chief minister in a poor light. Reacting quickly, the Ministry of External Affairs has trashed the documentary as a “propaganda piece” that lacked objectivity and reflected a “colonial mindset”. The central government has also clamped down on it with a ban and asked social media platforms to remove videos and website links to the film. While the government’s move to ban the documentary has been criticised by the opposition, especially the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC), the government has received support from unexpected quarters. Congress veteran and former Defence Minister A. K. Antony’s son Anil Antony has slammed those using the BBC documentary as a stick to beat the BJP with. A day after his social media post on the documentary, he resigned from the party alleging “intolerant calls to retract a tweet”. The Modi Question raises more questions than it seeks to answer. Going by the content, intent and the timing of the documentary, the BBC seems to be rushing on a path where angels would fear to tread. According to the channel, the first part reportedly tracks Modi’s ascendancy to power in Gujarat and the 2002 riots. If the BBC had obtained previously unpublished reports from the British Foreign Office as it claims, more serious questions arise on the nature of the documents and the timing and manner in which they have been publicised. The 2002 riots were investigated by a Special Investigation Team followed by the Supreme Court upholding its closure report.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said, ‘Sanatan Dharma is the national religion of India’ and that every Indian citizen must respect this. He was speaking at an event at the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Bhinmal, Rajasthan. The Chief Minister was presiding over the restoration and consecration of the idol programme at the temple and urged people to run a campaign to restore desecrated religious places on the lines of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Yogi Adityanath is heard saying, “Sanatan Dharma is India’s Rashtriya Dharma. Rising above selfishness, we connect to Rashtriya Dharma. Our Country remains secure, if a campaign begins for restoration of religious places that were desecrated.”

The statement was instantly met with criticism by the Congress.

Former MP, Udit Raj tweeted, “Yesterday, I got a call from some buddhist friends asking if Sanatan Dharma is the national religion,

- Kapilkumar M. Hirpara Editor

Kharge Writes to Shah, Seeks Intervention to Ensure Adequate Security for Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K

Agency News: New Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun

Kharge has written to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention in ensuring adequate security to the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. His letter to Shah comes after the Bharat Jodo Yatra was suspended for the afternoon session on Friday following a “security lapse”, with the Congress alleging that the J and K Police had withdrawn security around its leader Rahul Gandhi in the wake of surging crowds during the foot march in Qazigund. “We are expecting a huge gathering to join the yatra over the next two days and also the function that will be held on 30th January at Srinagar. Many senior Congress leaders and leaders of other important political parties are attending the culmination function to be held on the 30th of January. “I shall be grateful if you could personally intervene in this matter and advise the concerned officials to provide adequate security till the culmination of the yatra and the function on the 30th January at Srinagar,” the Congress president said in his letter to the home minister. He said he is writing after the “unfortunate security lapse” during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. On the advice of the security officials in charge of the security detail of Rahul Gandhi, the Yatra had to be suspended, Kharge said.

Convict serving life sentence in Batla House encounter dies during treatment in AIIMS hospital

Agency News: New Delhi

A convict serving life sentence in the Batla House encounter died on Saturday morning at AIIMS hospital during treatment for pancreatitis, officials said. A resident of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Shehzad Ahmed alias Pappu (33) was admitted in Tihar Jail on February 6, 2010. He was transferred to central jail number 15 in Mandoli on July 7, 2022, from central jail number 8/9 in Tihar, they said. He was serving life sentence in the 2008 Batla House encounter in which one inspector Mohan Chand Sharma was killed, officials said. Ahmed was facing trials in six other cases, one of which was registered in

Bengaluru, they said. “The convict was admitted to GTB hospital on December 8, 2022, for diagnosis of gallbladder stone-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis with modified CTSI and referred to Safdarjung hospital on December 27,” an official said. Thereafter, he was referred to AIIMS hospital on January 11. On Saturday, the authorities informed that Ahmed has died at AIIMS hospital at 7.42 am, the officials added. Special cell Inspector Sharma was killed during the encounter between the police and alleged terrorists in South Delhi’s Jamia Nagar, following serial bomb blasts in the national capital in which 39 people were killed and 159 were injured.

ED arrests four in Chhattisgarh coal levy ‘scam’, money laundering

Agency News: New Delhi

A “close confidant” of bureaucrat Saumya Chaurasia, two mining officers, and an alleged conman who impersonated as an ED officer are among the four people arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the coal levy ‘scam’ of Chhattisgarh, an official statement said Saturday. The ED arrested the four under the antimoney laundering law and a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur and sent them to the agency’s custody till January 30, it said. The agency had conducted fresh raids in the case on January 13 in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Pune which led to these four arrests. Among those arrested is Deepesh Taunk, who, the ED said,

Case

The money laundering case stems from an Income Tax department complaint that was registered following raids made by the department in June, 2022 is a “close confidant” of Saumya Chaurasia, a deputy secretary in the office of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and a key accused. The agency claimed Taunk was “knowingly involved in money laundering.” Chaurasia was arrested in the matter last year after the ED. what will happen to us? Who can deny the existence of Sanatan Dharma? I thought that Yogi ji should be asked whether there are other religions or not, that’s all. There must be an intellectual discussion.” In his speech, Yogi also called for a campaign for the restoration of desecrated temple on the lines of Ayodhya where the construction of a grand temple of Lord Rama is going on after 500 years with the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “All of you devotees contributed to the construction of this grand national temple of Lord Rama, representing national sentiment,” the UP CM said.

Collaborate in Nation Building to Make India No. 1 in Every Field by 2047: Amit Shah

Agency News: Karnataka

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asked the youth to join hands in nation building and ensure that when the country celebrates its centenary year of independence in 2047, India is number one in every field. He also called on the youth to take a resolve for progress in their personal lives and also to contribute towards nation building in some field, in this 75th year of independence.

“When we celebrate the centenary year of independence in 2047, in every field this great nation of ours should be number one. To build such a nation, you the youth must join hands on the appeal of PM Modi and contribute in building a great India,” Shah said.

Speaking at the platinum jubilee celebrations of B V Bhoomaraddi College and after inaugurating an indoor stadium at the campus, he listed out progress made by the country in various fields and strong foundations laid by the government for development in a number of areas. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is also an alumni of the college; Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, several ministers, and legislators were present at the event. Asking students and youngsters to read about the freedom struggle and sacrifice made by the people for the country to attain independence.

Crane’s hook hits front portion of local train at Palghar’s Naigaon station

Agency News: Mumbai

The motorman of a suburban train suffered a minor head injury after the metal hook at the tip of a crane’s arm dashed the local’s front portion at Naigaon station in Palghar district in the wee hours of Saturday, an official said. The incident occurred around 12.55 am on platform number one at Naigaon station when the last Virar-bound local from Mumbai was arriving there, Sumit Thakur, chief spokesperson of the Western Railway told. ”During the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, a block was planned at Naigaon station’s platform number one for erection of lift

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday advised women to marry at an early age citing complications in embracing motherhood. He also said the “appropriate” age for motherhood is 22 years to 30 years. “Women should not wait too long to become mothers as it leads to complications. The appropriate age for motherhood is 22 years to 30 years. Women who have not married yet should do it soon,” he said. “We have been speaking against early motherhood. But at the same time, women should not wait too long either as many do … God has created our bodies in a manner that there is an appropriate age for everything,” he added. Speaking at a government function in Guwahati, the Chief Minister iterated his government’s commitment to stop underage marriages and motherhood.

“Thousands of husbands will be arrested in the next five-six months as it is a crime to have sexual relations with a girl below 14 years of age, even if he is her legally wed husband,” Sarma said. “The legal age for the marriage of a woman is 18 years and those who marry younger girls will also be brought to book. Many (men who marry girls) could face life imprisonment,” he said.

BJP Ensured Land Rights for Tribals and Respect for Women: Union MoS & Tripura Nominee Pratima Bhoumik

Agency News: New Delhi

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik is gearing up to contest the Tripura election from Dhanpur seat on February 16. Bhoumik’s rise up the ranks to the Centre is a story of humble beginning that’s coming full circle with the poll battle in Tripura, where she worked hard to build the party organisation. Bhoumik expressed confidence that the Narendra Modi government’s welfare schemes for women and tribals will see the party through in the state where the Left ruled for decades. It is good that they have been exposed in front of the people. Both parties know that they can’t fight us separately. Hence the alliance. Also, the ground level worker doesn’t believe in this alliance. Only the top leaders have aligned as per the politics of convenience.

Delhi records minimum temp of 6.1 degrees Celsius, air quality poor

Agency News: New Delhi Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6.1 degrees Celsius, three notches below the normal, the India Meteorological Department said on Saturday.The maximum temperature in the city is expected to settle at around 22 degrees Celsius. The weatherman has forecast mainly clear skies during the day and becoming partly cloudy towards evening or night. The humidity was recorded at 89 per cent at 8:30 am. The city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 224 at 9 am, which was in the poor category, officials said. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

Karnataka is slipping out of the ruling BJP’s control and may see a change of power after the next Assembly elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said here on Saturday. “There are clear indications that the BJP will not retain power in Karnataka after the upcoming state electionsa We are making attempts to unite the Opposition parties and forge a united front, but all states have different local issues which need to be tackled,” said Pawar.

Addressing mediapersons in this erstwhile royalty town, Pawar said that the results of a recent public opinion survey have revealed that the mood of the masses is going against the BJP and it could suffer major setbacks in the next elections. “The people will no longer vote on religious issues. The masses are being divided on religious lines, which will not work anymore.” Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Pawar pointed out that it has secured the support of the ordinary citizens, as can be seen from the response he is getting. Besides, the misleading image of the Congress leader (Rahul) that was sought to be created has been shattered through

Sharad Pawar said that the results of a recent public opinion survey have revealed that the mood of the masses is going against the BJP the nationwide march, he said. Slamming the Centre’s decision to ban the BBC documentary, the NCP supremo and the leading light behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) termed it as an “assault” on democracy. Referring to the comments of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar that the Centre is not misusing federal probe agencies like ED, CBI, Pawar countered that the government is targeting Opposition leaders and peoples’ rights are being crushed.

Two doctors among five killed in Dhanbad nursing home fire

Agency News: Dhanbad

At least five people, including a doctor couple, were killed in a fire in a nursing home in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad on Saturday, an official said. The deceased include the medical establishment’s owner Dr Vikas Hazra (64), his wife Dr Prema Hazra (58), the owner’s nephew Sohan Khamari and domestic help Tara Devi. The pet dog of the doctor couple also died in the incident. A fire broke out in the storeroom of the nursing home-cum-private house in Bank More area of Dhanbad, 170 km from Ranchi, around 2 am, he said. Six fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire, which was brought under steel columns. The crane was being positioned parallel to the track for that work. But suddenly there was heavy stone pelting by transgenders, due to which the crane driver suffered an injury on his right thumb,” he said. At that time, a Virar-bound local train was entering the station. But since the crane driver had suffered an injury on his hand, he found it difficult to operate and control the machine and its hook hit the glass frame of the local train. There was a slight bend in the frame due to it, he added. The motorman received a minor injury and was administered first-aid. Subsequently, the train was emptied and taken to Virar car shed, the official said.

Seven arrested for smuggling endangered animals

Agency News: Bangalore

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested seven passengers, including a woman, for allegedly smuggling 18 endangered animals in their baggage at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru a few days ago. Initially, three people were arrested. Their interrogation resulted in the arrest of four more people, the DRI said in a statement on Friday. The recovered animals include extremely rare and threatened species like the Yellow and Green Anaconda, Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot, Nile Monitor, Red Foot Tortoise, Iguanas, Ball Pythons, Alligator Gar, Yaki Monkey, Veiled Chameleon, Racoon Dog, White Headed Piones, etc. which were handed over to Bannerghatta Biological

Work on one of two tunnels of Airoli-Katai Naka road project complete, CM Shinde attends daylighting

Agency News: Mumbai

The recovered animals include extremely rare and threatened species like the Yellow and Green Anaconda, Yellow Headed Amazon Parrot and more

Park, according to the DRI. The passengers had arrived from Bangkok (Thailand) at the airport on January 22 when their baggage was checked following a tip-off and the animals were found in it, the DRI said. “Upon examination of their checked-in baggage, it resulted in the recovery of 18 non-indigenous animals with the assistance of Karnataka Forest Department officials,”.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday attended the final blast for ‘daylighting’ of one of two tunnels of the AiroliKatai Naka road project that is being constructed beneath the Parsik Hills in Thane district. The left side tunnel is now complete and the right side will be completed soon, MMRDA Commissioner SVR Srinivas said. Daylighting is the engineering term used when a tunnel is complete and open from both sides. The AiroliKatai Naka project comprises two tunnels being built as per the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), an on-ground road stretch and an elevated corridor, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority officials helming the work said. “The blast was a controlled one. Some 67 per cent of the overall tunnelling work is complete. The Airol-Katai Naka project will cut the distance between Kalyan-Dombivali and Navi Mumbai by 7 kilometres and will greatly benefit passengers who have to take a long detour from Mahape or Thane,” an official said. It will greatly help residents of Airoli, Navi Mumbai, Mumbra, Kalyan, Dombivli, Thane and Mumbai, and the state government is committed to completing such projects quickly to give relief to motorists and bring about development, said CM Shinde.

Stray dog bites over 100 people in Ara

Agency News: Patna

A stray dog, suspected to have gone mad, went on a rampage in Ara town in Bihar’s Bhojpur district and bit more than 100 people on Republic Day eve. As the victims and their family members rushed to hospitals to get anti-rabies shots, others started hunting for the animal.

Unidentified people killed it during the wee hours of Thursday. “This dog started biting people out on the streets around 8pm on Wednesday night. It bit anybody it could see and reach. The biting spree continued till 11pm and it created terror in the town. The situation was such that we had to dispatch teams of our officials to nab it,” Bhojpur district magistrate Raj Kumar told. Ara, located around 50km west of Patna, is the district headquarters of Bhojpur. The Sadar (district) hospital in the town was flooded with dog bite victims and their family members who had come for treatment and anti-rabies injections. control in a one-and-a-half-hourlong operation. Dhanbad Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) Prem Kumar Tiwary told. , “At least five people, including the owner and his wife, died due to suffocation following a fire in the store room. One person is also injured. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained and further investigation is underway.” Four deceased have been identified, while the fifth person is yet to be identified, he added.

17-year-old girl raped by two men posing as cops in Dombivali

Agency News: Thane

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two persons posing as policemen in Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said on Saturday. The incident took place around 1.30 pm on Friday when the minor girl was taking a stroll with her boyfriend near a creek in Dombivali town of Kalyan taluka, an official said. The accused allegedly accosted the duo claiming to be policemen and asked them not to wander in the area, he said. The men allegedly took the girl into a forested area near the creek and took turns raping her. One of them shot a video of the act and threatened to circulate it, the official said. The traumatised victim later approached the police and a complaint was lodged, he said. A case under section 376(D) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) and Information Technology Acts has been registered and efforts are on to nab the accused who are absconding, senior inspector PM Bhalerao of Vishnunagar police station said.

MP official: New policy for differently-abled persons to be ready in two months

At least 40 per cent disability have been identified and they are getting benefits of government welfare schemes, pension etc, says Commissioner for Disabled Persons Welfare

Agency News: Indore

“A policy is being prepared to bring differently-abled persons into the mainstream and make their lives easy and it will be completed in two months,” a senior Madhya

Pradesh official said on Friday. “A separate fund has been created for PwDs,” MP Commissioner for Disabled Persons Welfare Sandeep Rajak told. “Some 6.70 lakh persons with at least 40 per cent disability have been identified in MP and they are getting benefits of government welfare schemes, pension etc. We are mulling extending benefits in education and other fields to those with less than 40 per cent disability,” he said.

South Africa beat England by 27 runs in first ODI

Agency News : New Delhi

South Africa pulled off a thrilling 27-run win over England in the first ODI in Bloemfontein on Friday. Chasing 299, England looked to be cruising, but a flurry of wickets saw them finish on 271 in 44.2 overs. Jason Roy found form and hit a magnificent 113 off 91 and put on 146 with Dawid Malan (59) in an opening stand. However, they stumbled once Roy departed with Anrich Nortje (4/62) and Sisanda Magala (3/46) leading the South Africa fightback. Jofra Archer, returning to the team after nearly two years following stress fractures, struggled to find rhythm and ended up giving 81 runs from his 10 overs with one wicket. Earlier,

Hockey World Cup: Germany stun Australia, Belgium win in shootout

Agency News : New Delhi

Rassie van der Dussen’s 111 from 117 deliveries helped South Africa set a challenging target. This was Van der Dussen’s fourth hundred in the format, and second against Jos Buttler’s team. That innings, along with David Miller’s 53 at the back end — the pair putting on 110 in a fifth-wicket partnership — gave them something to defend on a pitch which looked comfortable to bat on. “Disappointed, I think we played some excellent cricket for the majority of the game,” said England captain Buttler.

Hockey World Cup: Need for mental strength, says Graham Reid

Agency News : New Delhi

India head coach Graham Reid has taken responsibility for not pushing for a mental conditioning coach for the team before the FIH Men’s World Cup began. India, the hosts, had a disappointing campaign as they failed to reach even the quarter finals. “Being in a home World Cup does bring extra pressure. Sometimes that’s difficult to process. So that was my thought process... I did not really think it (mental conditioning coach) was needed at that point. I thought I had enough experience to be able to impart the sort of stuff we have been talking about,” Reid said on Thursday, after India’s 8-0 win over Japan in a classification match. Reid added: “... it was always like when do we start that process (of having a mental conditioning coach) and then it did not happen. I take responsibility for that (for not having a mental conditioning coach).” The coach also said that the mental conditioning coach will have to be an Indian for the best results. “It is a big thing to have trust in your team, within the coaching group. I also need to feel we can trust that person and we need it to be the right person. I think it needs to be an Indian,” the Australian said. India play South Africa on Saturday in the 9th to 12th place classification match.

US industry urges FM to rationalise, simplify direct and indirect taxes in India

Agency News : New Delhi

Defending champions Belgium will take on Germany in the final of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. In entertaining semifinal contests on Friday, Germany made a sensational comeback after being two goals down to beat Australia 4-3, courtesy a hat-trick from drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat, while Belgium edged past the Netherlands 3-2 in a shootout after regulation time ended 2-2. Peillat scored from penalty corners in the 43rd, 52nd and 59th minutes, while ‘Player of the Match’ Niklas Wellen (60th) struck with just a few seconds left in the game to stun Australia, who squandered a

2-0 half-time lead at the Kalinga Stadium. Jeremy Hayward (12th), Nathan Ephraums (27th) and Blake Govers (58th) scored for Australia, who will now play for the bronze medal on Sunday. This was Germany’s second comeback win after being 0-2 down against England as well in the quarterfinal match. They had scored twice in the last three minutes to equalise and then beat England in the penalty shootout to enter the semi-finals. Two-time champions Germany recorded their first entry into the final after the 2010 edition in New Delhi, where they had finished runners-up. They had won the silver medal in 1982 as well before winning the titles in 2002 and 2006.

Best spinner in white-ball cricket, lucky to have him: Daryl Mitchell on Mitchell Santner

Agency News : New Delhi

New Zealand all-rounder

Daryl Mitchell believes stand-in

T20 captain Mitchell Santner is currently one of the best spinners in white-ball cricket after the leftarm tweaker’s impressive outing against India in the series opener here. Santner returned with miserly figures of 2/11 from his four overs to set up New Zealand’s 21-run win over India in the first

T20I of the three-match series on Friday. Santner bowled a splendid spell and kept India under check by bowling a maiden over to Suryakumar Yadav in powerplay.

“He is one of the best spinners in world cricket with the white ball at the moment,” Mitchell, who was adjudged man-of-thematch for his 30-ball unbeaten 50, said at the post-match media interaction. He picked up the wicket of in-form Shubman Gill, who inspired India to a 3-0 sweep over the Kiwis in the preceding ODI series. “He (Santner) keeps proving his class. It was a very special spell by him that put us in a good position to win. He has done it for a long time now, we are very lucky to have him,” Mitchell said.

Tata Motors hikes price of ICE range

Agency News : New Delhi

Ahead of the annual budget presentation, an India-centric top US strategic and business advocacy group has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to simplify and rationalise direct and indirect taxation system in India, a move it believes would increase the confidence of global investors and yield greater foreign direct investment. Direct taxes can be in the form of income tax, capital gains tax or securities transaction tax, while indirect taxes such as GST, Customs Duty or VAT are levied on all end-consumers to buy any goods or services.

“Rationalise corporate tax rates for foreign companies,” said the USIndia Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) in its submission to the finance ministry ahead of the annual budget presentations on February 1. It said that the rate for foreign companies, including banks be reduced to bring parity and sought to rationalise tax for new manufacturing companies.

Urging India to simplify capital gain tax reforms, USISPF sought harmonising holding periods and rates of different instruments.

“Reiterate India’s commitment to the global tax deal,” it said and urged the Union Finance Minister to extend the concessional tax regime to Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) from investment in securities.

Bajaj Finance net profit jumps 40 per cent to Rs 2,973 crore

Bajaj Finance on Friday reported strong numbers for the third quarter ended December 31 with consolidated net profit rising 40 per cent to Rs 2,973 crore from Rs 2,125.29 crore in the same period of the previous year. This is the highest ever quarterly profit reported by the non-banking finance company. During the quarter, core net interest income (NII) rose 24 per cent to Rs 7,435 crore from Rs 6,005 crore in the same period of the previous year. The loan losses and provisions during the quarter stood at Rs 841 crore against Rs 1,051 crore in the year-ago period. Bajaj Finance added that the percentage of gross non-performing assets (NPA) and net NPA as of December 31 stood at 1.14 per cent and 0.41 per cent, respectively, against 1.73 per cent and 0.78 per cent as of December 31, 2021. The company’s capital structure continued to remain strong with the capital adequacy ratio (including Tier-II capital) standing at 25.14 per cent at the end of the quarter. Of this, the core Tier-I capital was 23.28 per cent.