India Archives - Page 16 of 16

‘If you have guts then…’: Uddhav Thackeray challenges Modi govt to kill Dawood Ibrahim, defends Nawab Malik

Nawab Malik, the chief of NCP’s Mumbai unit and also the Guardian minister for Parbhani and Gondia districts, is currently in judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case related to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The Special PMLA court has extended the judicial custody of Malik till April 4. BJP has been pressing for Malik’s resignation.

If you have guts then kill Dawood Ibrahim, said Uddhav Thackeray | Credit: ANI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has challenged the Narendra Modi-led BJP government to kill Dawood Ibrahim.

Speaking in the state Assembly, the CM defended NCP leader Nawab Malik saying if he had a connection with Dawood Ibrahim for years then what were the central agencies doing.

Reacting to protest by BJP MLA’s outside Maharashtra Assembly demanding the resignation of Nawab Malik, Thackeray asked why the Union government supported Mehbooba Mufti who had sympathy for Afzal Guru and terrorist Burhan Wani.

“The way you have attacked my family and want to put me in jail…What is the use of exposing all these things? Court sees proof and decides…Put me in jail, I am not Krishna but can you say that you are not Kans,” the Maharashtra CM said.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/if-you-have-guts-then-uddhav-thackeray-challenges-modi-govt-to-kill-dawood-ibrahim-defends-nawab-malik-article-90444421

Developer Supertech’s ₹ 432 Crore Default Led To Bankruptcy Order

The default involves the loan given by the Union Bank of India to Supertech’s Eco Village II project at Greater Noida (West) in Uttar Pradesh, which was being developed for ₹ 1,106.45 crore.

Supertech: This is the second major setback for the Noida-based developers in the last year.

The non-payment of around ₹ 432 crore in dues led to India’s bankruptcy court ordering insolvency proceedings against real estate firm Supertech Ltd, one of the companies of Supertech group, documents showed on Friday.

Supertech Ltd on Friday was declared bankrupt by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), a move that could have a bearing on 25,000 home buyers of the firm’s ongoing projects in the Delhi and NCR region.

Ruling on a petition filed by the Union Bank of India, the NCLT said: “There has been a default in payment of the financial debt” and appointed Hitesh Goyal as the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) superseding the board of Supertech Ltd.

A two-member NCLT bench comprising PSN Prasad and Rahul Bhatnagar said the documents submitted by the financial creditor Union Bank of India as well as the corporate debtor Supertech had “substantiated” the former’s claim that there was a debt on which the builder had defaulted.

“In light of the above discussion, after giving careful consideration to the entire matter, hearing arguments of the parties and upon the appreciation of the documents placed on record to substantiate the claim, this tribunal admits this petition and initiates CIRP on the corporate debtor with immediate effect,” the NCLT said. CIRP refers to Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).

Apart from this, Supertech is also barred from transferring, encumbering, alienating, or disposing of any assets.

The default involves the loan given by the Union Bank of India to the Eco Village II project at Greater Noida (West) in Uttar Pradesh, which was being developed for ₹ 1,106.45 crore.

In 2013, Supertech Ltd had approached various financial institutions to avail a credit facility of ₹ 350 crore from a consortium of banks, and out of them, Union Bank of India, the lead bank, had an exposure of ₹ 150 crore. A loan agreement was executed between the banks and Supertech on December 30, 2013, but the company repeatedly failed to make payments on time since then.

This is the second major setback for the Noida-based developers in the last year.

On August 31 last year, the Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of Supertech Ltd’s twin 40-storeyed towers, which are part of the under-construction Emerald Court project in Noida for violation of building norms.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supertechs-rs-432-crore-default-led-to-bankruptcy-order-2843684

SC allows people with disabilities to opt for the IPS provisionally

The petitioner, a non-profit called National Platform for Rights of the Disabled, told the court that the option to exercise the choice of joining the IPS and other central police services for this selection cycle expired on Thursday.

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed physically challenged candidates who have cleared the civil services exam to provisionally opt for the Indian Police Service, the Railway Protection Force, and the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (Danips), after a petition filed by a disabled rights organisation challenged a rule that denied them entry into the country’s elite police forces.

“We direct the secretary general of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to accept hard copies of applications from the concerned candidates, such as the petitioner and similarly placed persons, if submitted physically or through courier on or before April 1 in the office of the secretary general, Union Public Service Commission before 4pm,” a bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and AS Oka said in their interim order.

The petitioner, a non-profit called National Platform for Rights of the Disabled, told the court that the option to exercise the choice of joining the IPS and other central police services for this selection cycle expired on Thursday. Its counsel, senior advocate Arvind Datar, therefore, proposed that the disabled candidates be allowed to apply for the time being, and these applications could be taken up for consideration subject to a final decision taken by the court.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-allows-people-with-disabilities-to-opt-for-the-ips-provisionally-101648231046189.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

US calls India’s position over Ukraine ‘unsatisfactory’ but unsurprising

Even before the Ukraine crisis erupted, Delhi upset Washington with its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system

A senior White House official said on Friday India’s position at the United Nations over the crisis in Ukraine has been “unsatisfactory” but was also unsurprising given its historical relationship with Russia.

Mira Rapp-Hooper, director for the Indo-Pacific on the White House National Security Council, told a panel discussion it was necessary to provide India with alternatives to continued close ties with Russia.

“I think we would certainly all acknowledge and agree that when it comes to votes at the UN, India’s position on the current crisis has been unsatisfactory, to say the least. But it’s also been totally unsurprising,” she said.

India has developed close ties with Washington in recent years and is a vital part of the Quad grouping aimed at pushing back against China. But it has a long-standing relationship with Moscow, which remains a major supplier of its defense equipment. India has avoided condemning Russian actions in Ukraine and abstained in UN Security Council votes on the issue.

Rapp-Hooper said India had cleaved closer to Russia as a hedge as its relationship with China worsened, but it was thinking “long and hard” about its defense dependency on Russia.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/us-calls-indias-position-over-ukraine-unsatisfactory-but-unsurprising-1094634.html

Nehru should not have taken Kashmir issue to the UN, says Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha

In response, Congress MP Anand Sharma said: “I would like to set the record straight. If the matter was taken to the UN Security Council, the issue was whether there would be a cessation of the military conflict or not. India did not accept the plebiscite.”

Rape is rape, even if man is husband: Karnataka HC

In a ruling that could help shape the debate on marital rape, the Karnataka High Court Wednesday refused to quash rape charges filed by a wife against her husband, defying the exception in law, and, instead, called on lawmakers to hear the “voices of silence.”

“A man is a man; an act is an act; rape is a rape, be it performed by a man the ‘husband’ on the woman ‘wife’,” a single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court said. The “age-old…regressive” thought that “husbands are the rulers of their wives, their body, mind and soul should be effaced,” the court said.

While the court did not explicitly strike down the marital rape exception, it forced the married man to face trial for rape charges brought by his wife. The husband had moved the High Court after a trial court took cognisance of the offence under Section 376 (rape).

IPC Section 375 that defines rape carries a crucial exemption: “Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.”

In 2018, a similar case was brought before the Gujarat High Court in which a married man sought quashing of the rape case against him filed by his wife. Although the HC quashed the FIR to remove the rape charges, it gave a lengthy reasoning on the need to criminalise marital rape.

The Constitutionality of the marital rape exception is currently under challenge before the Delhi and Gujarat High Courts.

India Rejects Chinese Minister’s Remarks In Pakistan On Jammu And Kashmir

“Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment,” the foreign ministry said.

Wang Yi had made a reference to J&K at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Pakistan. (File)

India on Wednesday reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and said it rejects the “uncalled reference” to it by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his speech at a function in Pakistan. “Matters related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are entirely the internal affairs of India. Other countries including China have no locus standi to comment. They should note that India refrains from public judgement of their internal issues,” ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters today in response to queries on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s speech.

Mr Wang had made a reference to Kashmir in his opening speech at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Pakistan. “On Kashmir, we have heard again today the calls of many of our Islamic friends. And China shares the same hope,” he had said.

New Delhi’s rejection of Wang Yi’s comments came in the midst of hectic consultations between the two sides over a possible visit by him to New Delhi within two days.

China has time and again reiterated its support to the stand of Pakistan — its strategic ally — on the matter of Jammu and Kashmir.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-rejects-chinese-ministers-remarks-in-pakistan-on-jammu-and-kashmir-2839458

11 migrants burnt alive in Telangana godown blaze

HYDERABAD: Eleven migrant workers from Bihar were burnt alive in sleep after a fire swept through an unauthorised scrap godown in Secunderabad on Wednesday morning. Officials said a short circuit may have started the fire.
Fire officials said a short circuit in a switch board near the stairs on the ground floor may have started the fire which later spread to an LPG cylinder kept nearby, triggering a blast.
It took nearly three hours for five fire tenders to douse the blaze and reach the bodies on the first floor of the godown which were charred beyond recognition. Most of the bodies of the workers, who were in the age group of 20 to 40 years, were found in a heap.

On noticing the inferno and the loud sound, a watchman of a nearby timber depot informed his owner, who in turn called police at 3.59 am and alerted the fire department about the accident at the godown, located in one of the narrow bylanes of Bhoiguda.
When police officers reached the spot, they found the lone survivor lying on the road at some distance, with flames and thick smoke billowing from the godown. The survivor, who identified himself as Prem, said that his co-workers were trapped in the godown. He squeezed through the bars of a window and jumped from the first floor.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/11-migrants-burnt-alive-in-telangana-godown-blaze/articleshow/90407707.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIMobile

Delhi world’s most polluted capital; ranks fourth among cities, Ghaziabad 2nd

Delhi emerged as the most polluted capital and the fourth most polluted city in the world, according to a 2021 World Air Quality Report by Swiss organisation IQAir.

The report listed vehicular emissions, power generation, industrial waste, biomass combustion for cooking, construction and stubble burning as the major sources of pollution. (Image used for representational purpose only)

The report said Delhi saw a 14.6% increase in PM2.5 concentration in 2021, with levels rising to 96.4 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic metres) from 84 ug/m3 in 2020. This was nearly 20 times the WHO’s safety limit of 5 ug/m3.

Thirty-five of the world’s 50 most polluted cities were in India, the report said. None of the Indian cities met the prescribed WHO standards for PM2.5 while 48% of the country’s cities exceeded 50 ug/m3, or more than 10 times the WHO guidelines. The report named 63 Indian cities in the 100 most polluted worldwide.

According to the report, Bhiwadi in Rajasthan was the most polluted city in the word, followed by Ghaziabad in UP. Both fall in NCR. They were followed by Hotan (China), New Delhi and Jaunpur (UP), Faisalabad (Pakistan), Noida (UP), Bahawalpur (Pakistan), Peshawar (Pakistan) and Bagpat (UP).

“India’s annual average PM2.5 levels reached 58.1 ug/m3 in 2021, ending a three-year trend of improving air quality. Its annual PM2.5 averages have now returned to pre-quarantine concentrations as measured in 2019,” the report stated.
Pointing out challenges, the report said air pollution is the second-biggest risk factor for disease and its economic cost is estimated to exceed $150 billion annually.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-worlds-most-polluted-capital-ranks-fourth-among-cities-gzb-2nd/articleshow/90384152.cms

Nitin Gadkari: Delhi-Mumbai to Take 12 Hours, Mumbai-Srinagar to Take 20 Hours

In some very good news for those who travel by road, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has shared several updates regarding the road network in India. Amongst the updates, one of the biggest highlights has to be the fact that travelling from Mumbai to Delhi will soon be able to cover this distance in just a matter of 12 hours. And that’s not it, those wanting to travel all the way to Srinagar from Mumbai will be able to cover this distance in 20 hours.

On Tuesday, on the progress in the building of infrastructure, the minister said that road travel between Delhi to Jaipur; and Delhi to Haridwar now takes 2 hours. Similarly, the travel time from Delhi to Amritsar is now four hours. Gadkari said that connectivity between Delhi to Mumbai will be improved such that the travel time is reduced to 12 hours and added that “we will complete within this year”.

“From Ladakh, Leh to Srinagar we will go to Mumbai…. before the end of this year, we will try that from Srinagar you are able to reach Mumbai in 20 hours,” the minister said. Work is on in full swing for the Zojila tunnel in Kashmir and is expected to be completed by 2024, much before the scheduled target of 2026, he said. Gadkari said currently 70 per cent of goods and 90 per cent of the passenger traffic are travelling by road, as he highlighted the importance of becoming more competitive and reducing logistics costs.

Road projects worth Rs 62,000 crore have been undertaken in the national capital to ease traffic congestions, and tackle the problem of pollution, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday. Replying to a debate on the Demands for Grants for Road Transport and Highways Ministry, 2022-23, in the Lok Sabha, Gadkari recalled how he used to get stuck for an hour in Dhaula Kuan traffic every time he used to travel to and from the airport.

Zomato Has Promised Consumers Food in 10 Minutes, but Delivery Partners are Worried

Zomato has declared ‘Zomato Instant’, a model under which food will be delivered in 10 minutes. In a release, the food delivery platform’s founder Deepinder Goyal announced that ‘Zomato Instant’ is the first model of its kind in the world. Before delving into the details, Goyal made it clear that no pressure would be put on delivery executives to deliver the food in such a short time. This was being achieved by not revealing the delivery time (30 minute or 10 minute) to the executives. He said that the model relies more on data prediction than the performance of delivery executives.

“Each of our finishing stations will house bestseller items (~20-30 dishes) from various restaurants based on demand predictability and hyperlocal preferences. Luckily, the experience of having delivered 1.35 billion orders across India over the years makes our job a little easier,” he added. To know more, check the announcement here:

Announcement: 10 minute food delivery is coming soon on Zomato.

Food quality – 10/10
Delivery partner safety – 10/10
Delivery time – 10 minutes

Here’s how Zomato Instant will achieve the impossible while ensuring delivery partner safety – https://t.co/oKs3UylPHh pic.twitter.com/JYCNFgMRQz

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) March 21, 2022

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/zomato-has-promised-consumers-food-in-10-minutes-but-delivery-partners-are-worried-4898651.html

He Left MIT At 22 To Solve A Problem Investors Didn’t Get. Now His Company Is Worth $6 Billion

Ten years ago, Sajith Wickramasekara dropped out of the Computer Science program at MIT to build something new: a software company that helps life science researchers better organize their lab work. Today, Benchling is the “Google Docs for R&D” and serves over 200,000 researchers across 700 companies. But back in 2012, that value proposition was less clear.

Benchling co-founders Sajith Wickramasekara (CEO) and Ashu Singhal (President) BENCHLING

When Benchling first got started, software investors weren’t scrambling to fund digital notebooks in the cloud and, even more so, weren’t familiar with biotech’s problem spaces. That made the initial days especially difficult, but ultimately pushed Wickramasekara and co-founder Ashu Singhal to stay heads-down on engineering and product development.

The hard work wasn’t unwarranted; Wickramasekara knew there was something there. In high school and college, he spent his time outside of class working in research labs. And over time, he had become increasingly wary of how much the R&D industry relies on pens and paper.

While most investors didn’t get what Benchling was solving for and how big an opportunity it could be, Y Combinator’s Paul Graham did and became the first to back the company.

The rest is history. Since then, Benchling has raised over $400 million from the likes of Andreessen Horowitz, Menlo Ventures, and Altimeter Capital, and is valued at over $6 billion in its latest round of funding.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenli1/2022/03/21/he-left-mit-at-22-to-solve-a-problem-investors-didnt-get-now-his-company-is-worth-6-billion/?sh=42d7115e4eaf

Bengal Arson: 2 Kids Among 8 Killed in Birbhum, Amit Shah Seeks Report in 72 Hours; CID to Probe | Top Updates

Non-TMC parties in West Bengal are in uproar over the violence in Birbhum district’s Rampurhat, in which eight persons, including two children, were charred to death on Tuesday due to alleged intraparty feud in the ruling Trinamool Congress. While the BJP has formed a five-member fact-finding committee to look into the incident, union home minister Amit Shah has asked for a report from the state government in the next 72 hours.

Charred remains after some miscreants set houses on fire for allegedly avenging the killing of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh, at Rampurhat in Birbhum district on Tuesday. (Image: PTI)

Here are the top updates in the Birbhum violence incident, triggered soon after the alleged murder of a local TMC leader:

BJP forms 5-member team
National president JP Nadda formed a fact-finding team of the BJP to look into the Birbhum incident. The opposition party has also sought the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. A group of MLAs led by opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari will also make an attempt to reach ‘Ground Zero’. The BJP fact-finding team, meanwhile, will be reaching Kolkata on Wednesday, and will start for Rampurhat on Thursday.
Amit Shah demands report in 72 hours
Union home minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the West Bengal government in 72 hours. The Bengal government may submit the report by Wednesday. West Bengal chief secretary HK Dwivedi and director general of police Manoj Malaviya will apprise the ministry of home affairs of the case. The report is expected to list all facts, action taken so far and line of investigation
CID team to conduct probe
A team of crime investigation department (CID) is in West Bengal to investigate the Birbhum incident. The state government has formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by ADG (CID) Gyanwant Singh for the probe.
The toll, how it unfolded
Two children are among eight persons charred to death in the Birbhum incident. Eight houses caught fire in Bogtui village near Rampurhat town of Birbhum district. The incident took place soon after the alleged murder of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh, deputy chief of the local panchayat, Malaviya said. Police officers and firefighters reached the spot. “The situation is now under control, and a police picket was posted in the village. We are investigating how the houses caught fire and whether the incident is related to the death of the panchayat deputy chief of neighbouring Barshal village,” Malaviya said. The top police officer further said seven bodies were recovered after the blaze was brought under control while three injured persons were rescued, one of whom died in a hospital.
Mamata slams WB governor Dhankhar
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee slammed Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar after he said the state was in the grip of a culture of “violence and lawlessness”, describing the deaths in Birbhum as “horrifying”. In the absence of a formal statement by Banerjee concerning the incident, this was the only public statement she made on the day, requesting Dhankhar to refrain from making unwarranted statements and alleged that his comments have “political overtones”.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/india/bengal-arson-2-kids-among-8-killed-in-birbhum-amit-shah-seeks-report-in-72-hours-cid-to-probe-top-updates-4898789.html

For fourth consecutive year in 2021, Delhi declared world’s most polluted capital in world

Delhi has been declared the most polluted capital in the world in terms of air quality for the fourth year in a row in 2021, reveals a new report which says 35 out of 50 cities with the worst air quality were in India.

The World Air Quality Report released by Swiss organization IQAir is based on PM 2.5 data from 6,475 cities in 117 countries.

The dataset used to generate this report was derived from the IQAir real-time online air quality monitoring platform, which aggregates, validates, calibrates, and harmonizes data from air quality monitoring stations around the globe.

The report said that publicly available air quality monitoring station data continued to increase in 2021. India, New Zealand, and Canada, in particular, saw significant increases.

Air pollution has a massive impact on human health in India. The researchers said, “India was home to 11 of the 15 most polluted cities in Central and South Asia in 2021. Delhi saw a 14.6 per cent increase in PM2.5 concentrations in 2021 with levels rising to 96.4 ug/m3 from 84 ug/m3 in 2020. No cities in India met the WHO air quality guideline of 5 ug/m3. In 2021, 48% of India’s cities exceeded 50 ug/m3, or more than 10 times the WHO guideline.”

Air pollution causes and aggravates many diseases, ranging from asthma to cancer, lung illnesses and heart disease and in this age of COVID-19, researchers have found that exposure to PM2.5 increases both the risk of contracting the virus and of suffering more severe symptoms when infected, including death.

Source: https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/for-fourth-consecutive-year-in-2021-delhi-declared-worlds-most-polluted-capital-in-world-report-23219555

BJP MP calls Gadkari ‘Spiderman’ for building web of roads across country

BJP MP Tapir Gao on Monday praised Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, calling him a ‘Spiderman’, and said he has built a web of roads across the country.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Credit: PTI File Photo

Participating in the discussion on the ‘demand for grants of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ for 2022-23 in Lok Sabha, the MP from Arunachal Pradesh said, “I have changed Nitin Gadkari’s name to Spiderman. Like the web of a spider…Nitin Gadkari has been laying a wide network of roads in every corner of the country. Gadkari hai to mumkin hai (Gadkari makes it possible).”

With the Narendra Modi government in power, the speed of construction of roads in sensitive areas of the country especially on the India-China has border has picked up pace, Gao asserted.

“With Modi government coming to power, the pace of road construction near the China border has also grown. Today, under Modi’s leadership, a two-lane road is being constructed till McMahon Line in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/bjp-mp-calls-gadkari-spiderman-for-building-web-of-roads-across-country-1093392.html

Padma Awards: Late Gen Rawat, Ghulam Nabi Azad, SII’s Cyrus Poonawalla honoured

Padma Awards 2022: Late chairman of Gita Press Radhey Shyam’s son received the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous), in the field of literature and education. The other recipient of the Padma Vibhushan is General Rawat (posthumous).

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad receives his Padma Bhushan award from President Ram Nath Kovind. (ANI)

President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday conferred Padma awards to recipients at a civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Among the Padma Bhushan awardees were senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Serum Institute of India chairman Cyrus Poonawalla in the field of public affairs and trade and industry, respectively. Paralympic silver medalist Devendra Jhajharia was also conferred with Padma Bhushan.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/padma-prez-kovind-confers-awards-on-ghulam-nabi-azad-sii-s-cyrus-poonawalla-101647865119841.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

Zomato’s 10-min delivery bid catches Parliament’s attention over concerns about personnel

Within a few minutes of Deepinder Goyal, Founder and CEO, Zomato taking to Twitter to announce the company’s 10-minute delivery plan, the announcement has brought in strong reactions from every quarter.

Foodtech giant Zomato has announced that it will soon be launching a 10-minute delivery option on its platform. While most consumers may seem excited by the proposition of getting their meal delivered faster, many are wary about the impact it can have on delivery partners.

Karti P Chidambaram, Member of Parliament (MP), representing Tamil Nadu’s Sinvaganga constituency in the Lok Sabha, took to Twitter to express his concerns. He said that the quick delivery plan would cause undue pressure on delivery executives. He stated he has also written to the government and has even raised the issue in parliament.

This is absurd! It’s going to put undue pressure on the delivery personnel, who are not employees & who have no benefits or security, who have no bargaining power with @zomato I have raised this in Parliament & have written to the Govt. Will pursue this further. https://t.co/fH8yflloiY pic.twitter.com/PfQIe2nfR4

— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) March 21, 2022

Source: https://yourstory.com/2022/03/zomatos-10-min-delivery-parliament-mp-delivery-partners-foodtech/amp

Delhi: 2-month-old girl found dead, stuffed in oven

A police team that rushed to the spot where a two-month-old was found dead and stuffed into a broken microwave oven at a Chirag Dilli house was told by the neighbours that they heard the mother of the child thrashing her elder child, a four-year-old son, around 3pm.
“They said that when they went to check on the woman and her son, they found that the woman was not responding. The woman’s husband and other members of the family were at a grocery shop which they run close to the house. The neighbours then alerted the family members and all of them broke open the door,” said a senior police officer.
The officer said that when the neighbours went in, they found the woman lying on the floor, unconscious. She was then rushed to a hospital. Meanwhile, the family members realised that the infant was missing.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/woman-who-killed-her-2-mth-old-daughter-had-wanted-a-son-relative/articleshow/90362483.cms

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail Acquires Majority Stake In Online Retail Brand Clovia For $125 Million

The retail arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries purchased an 89% equity stake in Purple Panda Fashions, which owns and operates Clovia, for $125 million.

Photo :https://www.forbes.com/profile/mukesh-ambani/

Purple Panda Fashions’ flagship brand Clovia is a direct-to-consumer online retail innerwear and loungewear brand for women. Clovia offers over 3,500 product styles that have been purchased by over 3 million women, according to its website.

Based in Noida, India, Clovia was cofounded in 2012 by husband and wife Pankaj Vermani and Neha Kant, Abhay Batra, Soumya Kant and Suman Choudhary. The founding team and management will own the remaining stake in the company, according to a statement.

“Through this partnership, we will benefit from Reliance’s scale and retail expertise, extending the presence of the brand and bring together stronger value proposition through world class quality, design and fashion in the intimate wear category,” Pankaj Vermani, Clovia’s founder and CEO, said in the statement.

Reliance Retail has been expanding its apparel and innerwear portfolio, it also acquired online intimate wear brands Zivame in 2020 and Amante in 2021.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/simranvaswani/2022/03/21/mukesh-ambanis-reliance-retail-acquires-majority-stake-in-online-retail-brand-clovia-for-125-million/?sh=551305de301e

Like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Will Aim for Swayampoorna Goa, CM Pramod Sawant Tells News18

After a delay of 11 days, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday announced incumbent Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as the Goa CM again. Sources in the party confirmed that the central leadership had a tough time picking between Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane and Sawant.

Pramod Sawant met PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

In an exclusive interview moments after he was named the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant spoke to News18.com, touching upon the delay in the announcement and the road ahead.

This is a question you must ask our state and central party leaders, not me.

How did you see your prospects?

The elections were fought under my leadership. The campaign put together by PM Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and BJP state president JP Nadda helped us win 20 seats. Three Independents extended their support to us.

You fought the elections on the poll plank of development…Do you have plans to build Goa on the lines of the Kashi corridor, with six megacities, etc?

Goa has never seen the kind of development we brought in with the help of the central government and the BJP’s double engine governance. We have been ahead in infrastructure development. We have converted PM Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ into ‘Swayampoorna Goa’. We are confident of making Goa self-reliant.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/politics/like-atmanirbhar-bharat-will-aim-for-swayampoorna-goa-cm-pramod-sawant-tells-news18-4880192.html

Sadhguru Begins 30,000 km Ride From UK To India On BMW K1600 GT Motorcycle

The Save Soil Movement, launched as part of the spiritual leader’s Conscious Planet initiative, is aimed at turning the world’s attention towards dying soil and growing desertification.

Sadhguru’s motorbike journey ends in time for the Summer Solstice on June 21

London: London’s Parliament Square was the flag off point for environmentalist Sadhguru’s 30,000-km motorbike tour on Monday, as he set off on his Save Soil awareness campaign across Europe and the Middle East en route to India.

The 64-year-old yoga guru donned his biking gear for the 100-day tour ahead, which will take him to Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague over the course of this week on a BMW K1600 GT motorcycle.

After a series of events scheduled in key cities along the way, he is aiming for a homecoming in New Delhi in 75 days in honour of India’s 75th year of independence.

“It’s extremely important that we act now. I’ve been talking about this for over 24 years, but solution can only happen when there is positive policy in every nation,” Sadhguru told reporters at the Indian High Commission here before setting off on his bike tour.

“It is still snowing in many parts of Europe and we’ll be going through that on a two-wheeler. At this age, it’s not really a joy ride. So why am I doing this? Because over 300,000 farmers have committed suicide in the last 20 years. Not just in India, across the world this is happening… one of the main concerns is soil depletion,” he said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sadhguru-begins-30-000-km-ride-from-uk-to-india-on-bmw-k1600-gt-motorcycle-2835044

Mortal remains of Karnataka student killed in Ukraine arrives in Bengaluru; CM pays homage

Naveen went to Ukraine to pursue a degree in medicine as his family could not afford medical education here due to high admission fees. Credit: Twitter/@CMofKarnataka

The mortal remains of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, the Karnataka student who was killed during shelling by the Russian forces in Ukraine’s Kharkiv city on March 1, has reached the Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Monday.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with his Cabinet colleagues reached the Bengaluru International airport and paid homage to Naveen.

Received & honoured body of our student Naveen Gyanagoudar killed in indiscriminate bomb shelling in Russia-Ukraine war.

Thanks to PM @narendramodi Ji & @DrSJaishankar Ji for getting his mortal remains. pic.twitter.com/s8YTh2gUqP

— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) March 20, 2022

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mortal-remains-of-karnataka-student-killed-in-ukraine-arrives-in-bengaluru-cm-pays-homage-1093180.html

Breaking News | Newly-Elected Members Of Uttarakhand Assembly To Take Oath Today

Breaking News : Follow this page for all the updates and Breaking News from India around the world.

The BJP legislature party meeting decided to select the next chief minister of Uttarakhand is expected to be held in Dehradun on Monday.

“All newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly will take oath at 11 am in Vidhan Sabha, tomorrow,” Uttarakhand BJP chief Madan Kaushik said.

“The meeting of Legislative Party will be held in the evening. Thereafter, the Chief Minister’s name will be announced,” Kaushik had said.

Meanwhile, Pramod Sawant, Goa’s interim Chief Minister, announced on Sunday that the decision on the swearing-in ceremony will be made during the Legislature Party meeting Monday evening.

He stated that Bharatiya Janata Party observers will travel to Goa on Monday to attend the Legislature Party meeting, news agency ANI reported.

“I went to Delhi yesterday, BJP observers will be coming in Panaji tomorrow for the Legislature Party meeting. The decision about the swearing-in ceremony will also be taken in the evening tomorrow,” Sawant informed ANI.

Source : https://news.abplive.com/news/india/breaking-news-live-mlas-of-uttarakhand-assembly-to-take-oath-russia-ukraine-war-goa-cm-pramod-sawant-president-volodymyr-zelensky-coronavirus-1520684

“Bhagwant Mann Set Targets For Every Minister And If…”: Arvind Kejriwal

New Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal said, has already “removed the security of old ministers and gave security to the public”.

“The party’s mantra is an MLA will roam among the people,” Arvind Kejriwal said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has set targets for each minister in his cabinet and if that is not met, the people “can demand that the minister be removed,” Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today. Bhagwant Mann has “covered a lot of ground within just three days”, he said, pointing to the initial announcements by the new government.

Mr Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party won a massive mandate in Punjab in the recently concluded assembly elections and Mr Mann took oath as the Chief Minister earlier this week.

The new Chief Minister, Mr Kejriwal said, has already “removed the security of old ministers and gave security to the public”.

Compensation was given for wasted crops. “He also announced Anti-Corruption Action Line, after which the people in Delhi started getting calls… improvements have started on their own,” he added.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bhagwant-mann-set-targets-for-every-minister-and-if-arvind-kejriwal-2832327

Gulf CEOs on 4-Day Jammu and Kashmir Trip to Explore Business Opportunities

The CEOs landed in Srinagar on Sunday. (News18)

Two months after Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Dubai visit, where several important memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with multiple UAE companies were signed, a high-level delegation of businessmen from Gulf countries landed in Srinagar on Sunday evening.

The CEOs of 30-plus companies, including Indian businessmen, will be in the Valley for the next four days, during which they will be looking at business opportunities in the Union territory.

As part of the four-day programme, Sinha, along with the principal secretary of industries and commerce and other government officials, will showcase investment opportunities, with focus on entrepreneurship, tourism and hospitality sector.

The CEO of Century Financial, Bal Krishen is heading the high-level delegation of Gulf businessmen, along with CEOs from Saudi.

A CEO of a Dubai-based Company told News18 that the delegation will take part in some business events in the Valley, one of which is scheduled on March 22 at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).

Source : https://www.news18.com/news/india/jammu-and-kashmir-gulf-ceos-on-four-day-trip-to-explore-business-opportunities-4891886.html

The 5 Best High-Return Investments

With inflation now likely an enduring presence, it’s more vital than ever to devote financial resources to vehicles with the most robust returns.

When investing, everyone wants maximum returns. Weighing in only to make 1% to 2% on your money just isn’t as exciting as getting back 8%, 10% or more, and during periods of inflation, high returns become even more essential (as it will make that 1% to 2% a net negative). The question, of course, is which investments with high returns are the best? In my experience, after analyzing the data, there are five you should consider. (It’s worth imparting the disclaimer here that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. All investing involves risk of loss.)

1. Real estate syndications

A strategy in which a number of investors pool resources to purchase a property, real estate syndications are arguably one of the best ways of achieving high returns. Investors typically get about 8% to 10% per year, plus they enjoy appreciation as the building increases in value (while appreciation varies, it’s not uncommon to see increases of 30% to 50%). Since the investment period is five years, these instruments have the potential to double your money or more: A $100,000 investment may make $50,000 over five years in rental income, plus $50,000 in appreciation.

Pros: Easy to start (totally passive), high ROI and you can pick your investments and projects.

Cyclone Asani: Heavy rain, wind alert in Andaman & Nicobar – 10 updates

Cyclone Asani: The depression over the Andaman Sea is set to develop into a deep depression in the next 12 hours.

Andaman, Mar 20 (ANI): NDRF team clearing trees in vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure for the Cyclone Asani, in Andaman on Sunday. (ANI Photo)(ANI)

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to see heavy rain amid alert over Cyclone Asani – which is set to form over the Andaman Sea on Monday- with rescue teams deployed. This is the first cyclone this year that has prompted alerts from the weather office. However, no landfall point is mentioned. Strong winds with speed reaching 55-65 km per hour are likely to cause damage and disruption apart from rain.

Here are the updates on Cyclone Asani set to form over Andaman Sea:

1. In a late night tweet, the weather office said the depression over the Andaman Sea, 250 km north-northeast of Nicobar Islands and 80 km south-southeast of Port Blair, is set to move towards northwards along the islands, and intensify “into a deep depression in the next 12 hours”.

2. Several teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have been deployed in Port Blair, the government has said. Army and Navy are also on standby.

3. No landfall point has been mentioned. “We have not mentioned or predicted any landfall point. It will move along and off Andaman and Nicobar Islands and then over the east-central Bay of Bengal and along and off the Myanmar coast and gradually reduce and becoming squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph over the same region from Tuesday evening. When moving along and off Andaman and Nicobar it is likely to bring extremely heavy rains and strong winds to the region,” a senior IMD scientist said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyclone-asani-heavy-rain-wind-alert-in-andaman-nicobar-10-updates-101647822350430.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

Delhi records 97 new Covid cases, 1 death

Delhi recorded 97 fresh Covid-19 cases and one fatality linked to the disease, while the positivity rate stood at 0.41 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department on Sunday.

The number of tests conducted a day ago stood at 23,766.

The new fatality pushed the death toll from the pandemic to 26,147 in Delhi, the bulletin stated.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/delhi-records-97-new-covid-cases-1-death/articleshow/90342592.cms

PM Modi Chairs Meeting Over Govt Formation in UP, Goa, U’Khand; CM Names Top Agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting at his official residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi on Sunday evening over government formation in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, party national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh and national president JP Nadda were present at the meeting, sources said.

Sources also said the key agenda of the meeting was to discuss the names of the chief ministers and cabinet ministers in the three states.

While Yogi Adityanath will take oath as the CM of Uttar Pradesh for a second term on March 25, there’s still no word yet on the composition of his cabinet. The BJP is now in the process of making last-minute tweaks to the list of cabinet and council of ministers.

The CM face in Uttarkhand is, however, still under suspense. The BJP has scheduled a meeting of the party legislature in Dehradun on Monday evening where the CM name will be announced. Central observers Rajnath Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi will reach the Uttarakhand capital on Monday and announce the name of the new legislative party leader.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/politics/pm-modi-chairs-meeting-with-amit-shah-nadda-among-others-over-govt-formation-in-up-goa-uttarakhand-4891802.html

This state becomes first paperless Assembly by implementing National e-Vidhan Application programme

NeVA is a Unicode compliant software having provision for easy access to various documents like List of Questions, List of Business, Reports etc. bilingually viz. English and any regional language

NeVA is a Unicode compliant software having provision for easy access to various documents like List of Questions, List of Business, Reports etc. bilingually viz. English and any regional language

The north eastern state of Nagaland created history by becoming the first State Assembly in the entire country to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) programme to become completely paperless.In the ongoing Budget session of the state the Nagaland Assembly Secretariat has attached a tablet or e-book on each table in the 60 members’ assembly.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi tweeted, “Nagaland becomes India’s 1st Legislative Assembly to successfully implement National e-Vidhan project. Now members can use electronic devices to participate in House proceedings. This initiative encourages paperless operations and reflects government’s commitment towards Ashta Lakshmi.”

Source: https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/nagaland-becomes-first-paperless-assembly-by-implementing-national-e-vidhan-application-programme-11647736023475.html

How to adopt a child in India

Adoption practices in India are primarily informed by the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA) and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act).

Both legislations have different provisions and objectives. HAMA is the statute that governs the adoption of and by Hindus. The definition of ‘Hindus’ here includes Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. It gives an adoptive child all the rights of a natural-born child, including the right to inheritance.

Until the JJ Act, the Guardians and Ward Act (GWA), 1980 was the only means for non-Hindu individuals to become guardians of children from their communities. However, since the GWA appoints individuals as legal guardians and not natural parents, guardianship is terminated once the ward turns 21 and the ward assumes individual identity.

The year 2015 also saw a moment of transition in the adoption process with the introduction of the Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Central Adoption Resource Authority is an autonomous and statutory body of Ministry of Women and Child Development in the Government of India. The system acts as a centralised digital database of adoptable children and prospective parents. It functions as the nodal body for the adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the 1993 Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, ratified by Government of India in 2003.CARA primarily deals with the adoption of “orphaned, abandoned and surrendered” children through recognised adoption agencies. In 2018, CARA has allowed individuals in a live-in relationship to adopt children from and within India.

Source: https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/how-to-adopt-a-child-in-india20220320081800/

Hijab verdict: Two arrested for threatening Karnataka HC judges

The accused have been identified as Kovai Rahmathullah and S Jamal Mohammed Usmani, members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ), an Islamic religious outfit.

Chennai: Two people from Tamil Nadu were arrested on Saturday for allegedly issuing death threats to the Karnataka High Court judges who delivered the verdict in Hijab case on March 15, police said.

Karnataka High Court

Tamil Nadu police arrested Kovai Rahmathullah from Tirunelveli and S Jamal Mohammed Usmani from Thanjavur. Both the accused are members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ), an Islamic religious organisation, reported the Times of India.

The accused were arrested after a video went viral, showing TNTJ auditing committee member Kovai Rahmathullah purportedly saying that a judge who pronounced a “wrong” verdict was killed in Jharkhand. “There are some emotional people in our community. If something happens to them (judges), BJP is waiting for an opportunity to blame us,” he was quoted as saying in the video by TOI.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/hijab-verdict-two-arrested-for-threatening-karnataka-hc-judges-article-90330159

LIC Policyholders: Revive Your Lapsed LIC Policy by Next Week; Know More Details

The headline to revive lapsed LIC policies for policyholders is ending next week, that is on March 25. The Life Insurance Corporation of India, or LIC, had in February brought in a significant grant to its policyholders to battle with the pandemic and the financial and health risks associated with it. The state-run insurance giant is in the process of offering its policyholders to revive their lapsed policies in the current financial year, the company has said in a press release. This is for the second time the LIC is running this campaign.

LIC is running a special policy revival campaign till March 25 for individual lapsed policies. The campaign had started on February 7. Policies, which are in a lapsed condition during the premium paying term and not completed policy term, are eligible to be revived in this campaign.

“In view of the prevailing circumstances, concessions are being offered in late fee for other than Term Assurance and High Risk Plans, depending on the total premiums paid. There are no concessions on medical requirements. Eligible Health and Micro Insurance plans also qualify for the concessions in late fee,” LIC had said in a press release.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/business/savings-and-investments/lic-policyholders-revive-your-lapsed-lic-policy-by-next-week-know-more-details-4886714.html

India, Japan Discuss Rs 3.2 Lakh Cr Investment Plan, Clean Energy, Ladakh Standoff With China

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first visit to India brought with it an investment plan of Rs 3.2 lakh crore in the next five years, indicating that the India-Japan partnership will only deepen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the massive boost that such an investment target would provide to the country’s economy and said India was committed to providing “all possible support to Japanese firms”.

Part of Quad, Kishida and Modi, in their bilateral meeting on Saturday, also discussed China’s presence in the South China Sea as well as India’s standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. The two leaders agreed that strong India-Japan ties will encourage peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Part of Quad, Kishida and Modi, in their bilateral meeting on Saturday, also discussed China’s presence in the South China Sea as well as India’s standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. The two leaders agreed that strong India-Japan ties will encourage peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Part of Quad, Kishida and Modi, in their bilateral meeting on Saturday, also discussed China’s presence in the South China Sea as well as India’s standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. The two leaders agreed that strong India-Japan ties will encourage peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/world/modi-kishida-discuss-rs-3-2-lakh-cr-investment-plan-clean-energy-ukraine-highlights-from-india-japan-summit-4890347.html

Delhi Man Stabbed To Death During Fight Over Playing Loud Music On Holi

Inquiry revealed that the fight broke out over playing loud music.

All accused have been arrested, the police said. (Representational)

A 22-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death in a fight over playing loud music on Holi in west Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh area, police said on Saturday.

His brother was also injured in the attack by some neighbours when the two had come at their sister’s home to celebrate Holi, they said.

The police were informed about the incident that took place in Manohar Park area, East Punjabi Bagh at 2.42 pm on Friday.

During inquiry, it was found that the victims Manoj and his brother Laxmi Parsad (20) had already been taken to Acharya Bikshu Hospital, a senior police officer said.

Manoj was declared brought dead while Prasad received stitches on his scalp and was discharged after treatment. The body of Manoj had stab wound on the chest and a blunt injury to his head, the officer said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-man-stabbed-to-death-during-fight-over-playing-loud-music-on-holi-2831977

10 in Punjab Cabinet, 8 first-time MLAs

First decision: 25,000 govt sector vacancies to be filled immediately | Anmol Rattan Sidhu appointed Punjab AG

India subtly changes stance on Ukraine crisis, joins Japan to assess ‘broader implications’ in Indo-Pacific

Unlike fellow members of the Quad alliance — Japan, Australia and the United States — India has abstained in three UN votes condemning Moscow’s actions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sign agreements, during the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit, at Hyderabad House. Credit: PTI Photo

India on Saturday signalled a subtle change in its stand on Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in assessing “broader implications” of the conflict, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region — the scene of growing belligerence of China.

India has so far been dismissing any attempt to draw a parallel between Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and China’s belligerence in the Indo-Pacific region. It has also been rejecting the argument put forward by the United States that if Russia could get away with its aggression against Ukraine, it would encourage China to ratchet up its belligerence in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi on Saturday continued to avoid directly calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering military operations in Ukraine. Kishida, however, condemned Putin for aggression against the East European nation. The two prime ministers together called for “immediate cessation of violence” in Ukraine, noting that dialogue and diplomacy was the only path for resolution of the conflict.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/india-subtly-changes-stance-on-ukraine-crisis-joins-japan-to-assess-broader-implications-in-indo-pacific-1092826.html

Dozens injured as football gallery collapses at Kerala’s Wandoor

Dozens of football lovers were injured when a makeshift gallery collapsed during a sevens football match at Wandoor in Malappuram on Saturday night.

People run to rescue the victims after a makeshift gallery collapsed at the Poongodu football ground at Wandoor in Malappuram on March 19, 2022. Photo: Video grab/Special Arrangement

The accident occurred at the Poongodu football ground on the Kalikavu-Wandoor road. The injured were admitted to different hospitals in and around Wandoor, while three people were admitted to Government Medical College Hospital at Manjeri.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/dozens-injured-as-football-gallery-collapses-at-keralas-wandoor/article65241621.ece

Hot Oil Burns 8-Year-Old Girl As Mumbai Puri-Bhaaji Sellers Fight

A kadhai of hot oil fell on the girl as the two street food vendors fought in Kurla.

The girl suffered severe burn injuries. (Representational)

Mumbai: An eight-year-old girl suffered serious burn injuries when boiling hot oil fell on her during a fight between two puri-bhaaji vendors in suburban Kurla in Mumbai, the police said on Saturday.

Waseem Khalil Ansari (31) and Mustakeem Hakim Ansari, who are related, were arrested following the incident, said a police official.

The Ansaris run a food stall in Kasaiwada area. Two days ago, when Aafseen Sheikh (8) and Munawwar Ali (76) were waiting in front of their stall to buy puri-bhaaji, the Ansaris suddenly started fighting with each other over some domestic issue.

One of them banged against the kadhai (wok), and boiling hot oil fell on Aafseen and Ali.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/mumbai-news/hot-oil-burns-8-year-old-girl-as-mumbai-puri-bhaaji-sellers-fight-2831922

‘India has the right to buy Russian oil’

Among the top buyers of Russian oil and gas are Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. India’s dependence on imported energy should not be politicised, says source

India on Friday strongly justified its right to go ahead with purchase of Russian energy after theU.S. urged the country to stop buying Russian oil and gas.

An informed source said India’s energy sector was dependent on large imports and that the country’s dependence on imported energy should not be “politicised.”

“Countries with oil self-sufficiency or those importing themselves from Russia cannot credibly advocate restrictive trading,” said the source, indirectly responding to the growing Western pressure to stop import of oil and gas from Russia.

The Hindu had earlier reported that India’s energy majors had moved ahead with purchasing oil and gas from Russia being supplied at a “discount.”

The assertion of India’s position came as international demand increased on India to stop purchase of Russian energy. The issue is expected to feature in talks during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s March 19-20 visit for the 14th India-Japan summit. In a statement issued on Friday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, Ukraine will be in the agenda during his virtual meeting with Prime Minister Modi on March 21. The issue is expected to arise also during the visit of British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss which is likely later this month. All the three countries — Australia, Japan and the UK — have imposed sanctions on Russia.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-has-the-right-to-buy-russian-oil/article65237183.ece

India-Japan summit: PM Modi to hold talks with Fumio Kishida today; Indo-Pacific on agenda

14th India-Japan summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida will hold talks on Saturday.

PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida

New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is set to visit India from Saturday for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit. Kishida will hold summit talks with PM Narendra Modi to review and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in diverse areas as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest so as to advance the partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The Summit would be the first meeting of the two leaders. The previous India-Japan Annual Summit took place in Tokyo in October 2018.

PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart will hold talks on Saturday.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Japanese PM will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Saturday.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-japan-summit-narendra-modi-fumio-kishida-meeting-article-90312617

India At UNSC Raises Concern Over Use Of Biological Weapons Amid Russia-Ukraine War

As Russia continues to level serious allegations against United States over “biological weapons in Ukraine”, India on its part has addressed the issue in UNSC.

As Russia continues to level serious allegations against the United States over “biological weapons in Ukraine”, India on its part has addressed the issue in United Nations Security Council (UNSC). During the UNSC briefing on Friday, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) R Ravindra stated that India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention. The same prohibits an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, DPR Ravindra further noted.

Furthermore, he asserted that it is crucial to ensure full and effective implementation of the BTWC in letter and spirit. Moreover, India has also asserted that any matter relating to obligations under the BTWC should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention and through consultations and cooperation.

India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention, prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction: R Ravindra, DPR at UNSC briefing pic.twitter.com/tALHYqlGPg

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2022

Source: https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/india-at-unsc-raises-concern-over-use-of-biological-weapons-amid-russia-ukraine-war-articleshow.html

Discounted crude oil from Russia: Oil-sufficient countries need not advise on Russian imports, says India

India’s sharp reaction comes at a time when Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country’s top oil firm, has bought 3 million barrels of crude oil that Russia had offered at a steep discount on prevailing international rates.

Yogi Adityanath To Take Oath As UP CM For Second Term On March 25 In Grand Ceremony: Report

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning a grand swearing-in ceremony for Yogi Adityanath, who will take over as chief minister for a second consecutive term on March 25.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister-Designate Yogi Adityanath. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister-designate Yogi Adityanath likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of the state on March 25 at 4 pm, news agency ANI quoted official sources as saying.

Uttar Pradesh CM-designate Yogi Adityanath likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of the state on March 25 at 4pm: Official Sources

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/xZUGQgKtGo

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2022

According to official sources, the swearing-in event will most likely take place in the Ekana stadium, with tens of thousands of people expected to attend, news agency IANS reported.

The BJP is compiling a guest list for the event, which will include beneficiaries of different government initiatives known as ‘labharti,’ who played a key role in the party’s re-election.

Around 200 VVIPs will also be accommodated at the stadium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and others, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, and several significant personalities, including those from the opposition, will be invited.

Officials in charge of the preparations stated that the event will be “unrivalled” in terms of beauty and magnificence.

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/yogi-adityanath-to-take-oath-as-up-cm-for-second-term-on-march-25-in-grand-ceremony-report-1520418

‘Will stand by Lanka’: India approves $1bn line of credit

India announced a $ 1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka on Thursday as part of its financial assistance to help the island nation deal with its economic crisis.

After an agreement to extend the line of credit was inked, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and will continue to extend all possible support to the country.

At a weekly media briefing, he said the assistance will be used for importing food, medicines and other essential items. “India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and we will continue to extend all possible support at this juncture. I think we are cognizant of the economic difficulties the country is facing,” Bagchi said.

Visiting Sri Lankan finance minister Basil Rajapaksa witnessed the signing of the agreement for the $1 billion line of credit being extended through the SBI.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/will-stand-by-lanka-india-approves-1bn-line-of-credit/articleshow/90301371.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TOIMobile

Congress ‘Rebels’ (G-23) Meet For Second Time In 24 Hours

A group of 18 leaders — a mix of G-23 dissidents and some ‘newcomers’ — had met yesterday to discuss the way forward after the party’s latest drubbing in five states.

The core group of Congress’s G-23 dissidents met again at the home of senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad this evening — their second gathering in 24 hours. Among those attending were Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma and Bhupinder Hooda. The meet is expected to be a feedback session — with Mr Hooda meeting Rahul Gandhi earlier today. A few leaders have also indicated that the meeting will discuss concrete steps to move ahead and such meetings will be held regularly from now to keep up the pressure on the top leadership.

Upset with the stance of the loyalists at the Working Committee, which insists on reaffirming the leadership of the Gandhis despite serial losses, the dissidents have been having a series of meetings since Friday. This time, the CWC, the party’s highest decision-making body — had turned down Sonia Gandhi’s offer to step down from all posts with her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Yesterday 18 leaders — a mix of dissidents and some newcomers from across six states — met to discuss the way forward after the party’s latest drubbing in state elections. The Congress has lost Punjab and had been practically wiped out in Uttar Pradesh and the other states.

But the response of the leaders had been toned down, with a statement saying they were in favour of a “collective, inclusive leadership” and demanded that the Congress be proactive and create a platform with other like-minded parties to take on the BJP in 2024.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-rebels-g-23-to-meet-this-evening-second-time-in-24-hours-2828792

India open to buying crude oil from Russia on discount

India on Thursday did not rule out buying crude oil at discounted rates from Russia, with external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi pointing out that several European countries were still importing energy from Russia.

Moscow has reportedly offered crude oil and other commodities at a discount to New Delhi, at a time when the Russian economy has been hit hard by sanctions imposed by the US and its allies over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. As the West seeks to isolate Putin, US officials have acknowledged India’s dependence on Russia for military hardware but said they would like to see New Delhi distancing itself from Moscow.

Asked about reports that India had taken up the Russian offer of crude at discounted rates, Bagchi did not deny the development but said: “India does import most of its oil requirements… So we are always exploring all possibilities in global energy markets because of this situation that we face of importing our oil requirements.”

Noting that Russia has not been a major supplier of oil for India, Bagchi said: “On imports of energy from Russia – let me just highlight that a number of countries are doing so, especially in Europe, and for the moment I’ll leave it at that.”

“We are a major oil importer and we are looking at all options at all points, we need the energy.”

State-run Indian Oil Corporation has reportedly bought three million barrels of crude oil that Russia offered at a steep discount on prevailing global rates. European powers such as Germany have faced criticism for continuing to procure energy from Russia while putting pressure on other countries to reduce oil purchases and economic ties with Russia.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-open-to-buying-crude-oil-from-russia-on-discount-101647541528953-amp.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_AMP

Fraud Case Against Maria Sharapova, Michael Schumacher In Gurgaon

Gurgaon: Sharapova and Schumacher as promoters of an apartment project conspired with the buyers, the complainant alleged.

The complainant accused Sharapova and Michael Schumacher of being part of a fraud. (File)

Police in Gurgaon have filed a case against former Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, former Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher and 11 others for fraud and criminal conspiracy following a court order. The FIR was registered on the complaint of a Delhi woman, who accused them of fraud.

Shafali Agarwal, a resident of Chattarpur Mini Farm in New Delhi, complained that she had booked an apartment in a project named after Sharapova. A tower in the project was named after Schumacher, she said. The project was to be completed by 2016 but never took off, the complainant added.

She accused the international celebrities of being part of the fraud through their association and promotion of it.

Earlier, she had filed a complaint in a Gurugram court against M/S Realtech Development and Infrastructure (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd, other developers, Sharapova and Schumacher for duping her of around ₹ 80 lakh.

The complainant stated before the court that she and her husband booked a residential apartment in the project named after Sharapova in Sector 73, Gurgaon, but the developer companies cheated them by alluring them to put money into their project, which was never meant to be delivered.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/case-against-maria-sharapova-michael-schumacher-in-gurgaon-heres-why-2827148

AAP could nominate Harbhajan Singh as its Rajya Sabha candidate

AAP would like to send an icon from the state to the Upper House of Parliament and one of the foremost names to have emerged is that of 41-year-old off-spinner.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh could follow the footsteps of his illustrious teammate Sachin Tendulkar as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha as he is likely to be Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) candidate for a seat in the Upper House.

AAP, after sweeping the polls in Punjab, formed the new government with Bhagwant Mann being sworn in as the Chief Minister on Wednesday.

AAP would like to send an icon from the state to the Upper House of Parliament and one of the foremost names to have emerged is that of 41-year-old off-spinner.

“The top leadership of AAP, including the new CM has approached Harbhajan with an offer to become their nominated candidate for next Rajya Sabha term. The new CM wants Harbhajan to work towards lifting the standard of sports in the state, which has gone down considerably in past few years,” a source close to the cricketer told PTI on Wednesday on conditions of anonymity.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/aap-could-nominate-harbhajan-singh-as-its-rajya-sabha-candidate-article-90277523

‘Will stall flight of youth abroad’: Bhagwant Mann takes oath as Punjab CM

Will work together for Punjab’s growth and welfare of its people: PM Modi

Getting Timing Right: Inauspicious ‘Holashtak’ Delaying Swearing-in Events in 4 States, CM Hopefuls Anxious

Despite securing a majority in four states in the recent assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party is understood to have delayed the announcement and oath-taking of its chief ministers due to the period ahead of Holi that is considered inauspicious.

The party is expected to give the go-ahead for the swearing-in of CMs in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur after the end of this duration.

As per pandit Amarjit Dubey from Varanasi, this unpropitious period is called ‘Holashtak’.

“Holashtak is considered an inauspicious time for any good work to begin and good muhurat (time) begins post-Holika Dahan and with the beginning of Rangotsav,” he explained.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/politics/getting-timing-right-inauspicious-holashtak-delaying-swearing-in-events-in-4-states-cm-hopefuls-anxious-4881827.html

PM Modi Interacts With Embassy Officials, Hails ‘Team Spirit’ In Evacuating Students From Ukraine

The PM appreciated Indian community leaders, volunteer groups, companies, private individuals and government officials for their tireless efforts towards operation to evacuate Indians from Ukraine.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with various stakeholders, including community organisations and embassy officials from Hungary among other countries neighbouring Ukraine, for their involvement in Operation Ganga on Tuesday.

During the virtual interaction, he asserted that India has always acted with alacrity to assist its citizens during any international crisis, reported news agency PTI.

PM Modi referred to the age-old philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, and said that the country has also extended humanitarian support to nationals of other countries during emergencies while attaching high priority to the safety of Indians abroad, according to an official statement.

The PM appreciated Indian community leaders, volunteer groups, companies, private individuals and government officials for their tireless efforts towards the success of the operation to evacuate Indians from war-hit Ukraine.

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/pm-modi-interacts-with-embassy-officials-hails-team-spirit-in-evacuating-students-from-ukraine-1519822

The Kashmir Files: Police warn against clicking on download links sent on WhatsApp

Police said that clicking on malware sent on WhatsApp could end up hacking phones and emptying bank accounts linked to the mobile numbers.

Police have cautioned against clicking on suspicious links sent on social media and WhatsApp on the pretext of providing free access to the newly-released movie “The Kashmir Files”. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Ranvijay Singh said that clicking on malware sent on WhatsApp could end up hacking phones and emptying bank accounts linked to the mobile numbers.

“There has been no specific case here yet in which the movie’s name has been used but there are inputs regarding such methodology being used by conmen for hacking into people’s phone or duping them of money,” PTI quoted Singh as saying.

However, Singh said, there have been cases where gullible phone users have ended up losing their savings after a few clicks on the links sent to them on WhatsApp.

“Most recently, three people approached the police within a period of a 24 hours from just one police station with similar complaints of cyber fraud, in which they ended up losing a combined ₹30 lakh,” the officer said, as quoted by PTI.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-kashmir-files-police-warn-against-clicking-on-download-links-sent-on-whatsapp-101647390265335-amp.html

Zee founder wants fresh start in media: Lenders must allow me to move on in life, says Subhash Chandra

Subhash Chandra is no stranger to corporate battles, but the 71-year-old chairman of the Essel group and founder of Zee TV wants to move on from the current set of controversies by offering an olive branch to lenders.

Chandra, who ceded control of flagship Zee Entertainment Enterprises to Sony Pictures Networks India, says he wants to “move on in life” and carve a new niche in the media space. “I started Zee in 1992 with just Rs 9 crore and made it a billion-dollar company. I still have a lot of fire left to begin afresh. In any case, digital ventures don’t need a lot of money,” he said.

In an extensive conversation with FE on Tuesday, Chandra said that he’s willing to walk out of his DTH venture, Dish TV, if the company’s largest stakeholder Yes Bank decides which role it wants to play – that of a shareholder or a lender – and allows him to settle his dues honourably.

“My brother (Jawahar Goel) is willing to step down as chairman and managing director of Dish TV if that’s what Yes Bank wants, but then they need to decide what they are, a shareholder or lender,” Chandra said. “If they feel that we are not running the company well, they should take over, but then they have to be clear that they are a shareholder, not a lender,” he added.

Chandra said that he’s reached out to Yes Bank and asked them to suggest the way forward but has not got a satisfactory response from them so far. He said that he’s even willing for a third-party mediation to resolve the Dish TV problem as he wants to move ahead.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/zee-founder-wants-fresh-start-in-media-lenders-must-allow-me-to-move-on-in-life-says-subhash-chandra/2462192/

Hijab Row: Plea Filed In Supreme Court Challenging Karnataka High Court Verdict

Challenging the verdict of the Karnataka High Court in the Hijab controversy, six Muslim girls knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court on Tuesday

Challenging the verdict of the Karnataka High Court in the Hijab matter, six Muslim girls knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court on Tuesday alleging that the court had passed the order without applying its mind.

Filing a Special Leave Petition, the students alleged that the HC had ‘erred in creating a dichotomy of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience’. It also asserted that the order failed to note that the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, and the Rules made thereunder, do not provide for any mandatory uniform to be worn by students.

Source: https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/law-and-order/hijab-row-plea-filed-in-supreme-court-challenging-karnataka-high-court-verdict-articleshow.html

China’s new claim on PLA disengagement in eastern Ladakh’s Hot Spring area

China has said for the first time that soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have disengaged in the Hot Spring area of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

China has said for the first time that soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have disengaged in the Hot Spring area of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, though people familiar with the matter said not all areas of contention in this sector have been cleared. Line of Actual Control

The Chinese foreign ministry told HT that China is working closely with India to reach an acceptable solution to the standoff in eastern Ladakh “as soon as possible”, and claimed that troop disengagement has taken place at Galwan Valley, Pangong Lake and Hot Spring.

Despite numerous rounds of diplomatic and military talks over the past two years, the two nations have been unable to end the nearly 22-month standoff. India has only acknowledged disengagement of front line forces on the northern and southern banks of Pangong Lake and at Gogra.

Following the 15th round of talks between military commanders on March 11, HT had reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry for its response on the negotiations. The ministry responded with a brief statement in Mandarin.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/border-dispute-working-for-solution-as-soon-as-possible-says-china-101647366769533.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: External Affairs Minister To Issue Statement In Rajya Sabha Today

Jaishankar’s address to the parliament will be important as situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate due to Russian invasion.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (Getty Image)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will issue a statement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in Rajya Sabha at 2:30 pm today, reported news agency ANI. He will also brief the members on efforts being taken by the government to evacuate stranded Indian nationals from Ukraine under Operation Ganga.

Jaishankar’s address to the parliament will be important as situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate due to the Russian invasion, which could hamper rescue operations of the Indian government.

On February 24, Operation Ganga was launched by the Centre to bring back Indian nationals caught in the conflict in Ukraine. A team of four Union Ministers – Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia and General VK Singh – was formed to coordinate rescue efforts with Ukraine’s neighbours.

Source : https://news.abplive.com/news/india/russia-ukraine-conflict-external-affairs-minister-to-issue-statement-in-rajya-sabha-today-1519642

‘Milking On IIM Tag?’: Netizens Ponder On Use Of ‘IIM Alumni’ Endorsement On Milk Packet

With many mocking the idea of ‘flexing college name,’& ‘building brand trust by using name of a college’; some defended the strategy by asking ‘what’s wrong?’.

Fuelling the incessant desire of Indians to get their children into IITs and IIMs, brands selling milk products seem to be using this as a marketing strategy. After a Twitter user took to Twitter on Sunday to point out that a milk brand has been publicising their products by using the ‘IIM Alumni’ as a tag for their product branding, a fiery debate was witnessed among netizens.

With many mocking the idea of ‘flexing college name,’ and ‘building brand trust by using the name of a college’, some defended the brand’s strategy by saying: “What’s wrong in using the name of the world’s top colleges?”

Twitteratis debate on ‘IIM tag as a branding method’

As the debate stretched ahead, Twitteratis had a diverse set of opinions about the same. Some went on to call it a ‘Lazy business branding,’ referring that the milk company was using the founder’s IIM tag to built trust among people rather than emphasising the quality of their product. While another user pointed out that the milk brand is encashing people’s blind trust in IIM-IIT pass outs, as there is a belief in the society that the alumni of these colleges are extraordinary. A third also compared it with ‘Bollywood celebrities endorsing products.’

Source: https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/whats-viral/milking-on-iim-tag-netizens-ponder-on-use-of-iim-alumni-endorsement-on-milk-packet-articleshow.html

Karnataka: HC hijab ruling today, Sec 144 in Bengaluru, parts of state

In Bengaluru, Police Commissioner Kamal Pant issued orders prohibiting all gatherings, protests and celebrations in public places from March 15 to 21. High Court officials held meetings with senior police officials on Monday evening.

NSE ex-CEO Chitra Ramkrishna sent to jail for 14 days by CBI court in co-location scam

Ramkrishna, who was arrested last week, allegedly shared sensitive information regarding the business of NSE with an unknown and an unidentified person.

File photo of former NSE CEO & MD Chitra Ramakrishna | Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Former National Stock Exchange CEO Chitra Ramkrishna was sent to jail for 14 days by a CBI court Monday in connection with the co-location scam case.

Co-location refers to a setup in which the broker’s computer is located in the same area as the stock exchange’s server.

Ramkrishna was arrested in Delhi last week. A Delhi court had refused to grant her anticipatory bail. The CBI, in its application, had sought a 14-day remand and stated that Ramakrishna continued to provide evasive answers and misguide the investigation officer.

Her advisor and former Group Operating Officer Anand Subramanian was arrested by the CBI in Chennai on 25 February. Ramkrishna was the managing director and chief executive officer of NSE between 2013 and 2016.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India had slapped a penalty of Rs 3 crore on Ramkrishna in the co-location case. An order from the stock market regulator had stated that Ramkrishna shared sensitive information regarding the business of the NSE with an unknown and an unidentified person.

She claimed she had been taking advice from this individual — who she had allegedly never met — for the last 20 years while making business decisions.

Source: https://theprint.in/india/nse-ex-ceo-chitra-ramkrishna-sent-to-jail-for-14-days-by-cbi-court-in-co-location-scam/872764/

Delhi University to allow former students a chance to complete their final exams, obtain degrees

In reply to a question at the Lok Sabha, MoS for Education Subhas Sarkar also informed that the university has decided to conduct examinations twice during the centenary year.

Representational image of the Delhi University Arts Faculty | Photo: Commons

New Delhi: Delhi University will allow students who were unable to complete their degrees to return to the varsity and take their final exams, as a part of its year-long centenary celebrations starting 1 May.

In reply to a question at the Lok Sabha Monday, Minister of State for Education Dr Subhas Sarkar informed that the university has decided to conduct examinations twice during the centenary year.

“The University of Delhi has decided to give the centenary chance to all the ex-students of the University, who could not complete their degrees due to various impediments. It has been decided to conduct examinations twice during the centenary year of the university commencing from 01.05.2022 to 01.05.2023,” Sarkar said in a written reply.

Vikas Gupta, registrar of Delhi University, told ThePrint that the decision was taken as part of a special executive council meeting held in January.

“As part of our centenary celebrations this year we will set up a portal where former students who could not obtain their degree due to whatever reason will be allowed to register. After which two exams will be conducted wherein they can appear for the subject they could not clear and obtain their degree,” Gupta said.

In January’s executive council meeting, the varsity had also allocated Rs 10 crore from the university development fund and planned to set up a ‘coffee table book’ launch to mark the centenary celebrations.

The university development fund committee panel consists of former vice chancellor Yogesh Singh and registrar Vikas Gupta.

Vikas Gupta, registrar of Delhi University, told ThePrint that the decision was taken as part of a special executive council meeting held in January.

The university development fund committee panel consists of former vice chancellor Yogesh Singh and registrar Vikas Gupta.

Source: https://theprint.in/india/education/delhi-university-to-allow-former-students-a-chance-to-complete-their-final-exams-obtain-degrees/873401/

Gandhis should step aside, give some other leader a chance: Kapil Sibal

Slamming the party’s decision to hold a brainstorming session, he said the leadership is living in “cuckoo land” if it is not aware of the reasons for the party’s decline even after eight years.

Five Indian students killed in road mishap in Canada

In a heartbreaking tragedy, five Indian students were killed in a road accident in Canada, said India’s High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria on Monday, adding that two others were injured and were hospitalized.
The accident occurred on Saturday on the Ontario highway and two injured students were rushed to the hospital.
Taking to Twitter, Ajay Bisaria expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

Source: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/us/five-indian-students-killed-in-road-mishap-in-canada20220314063348/#.Yi6l5W9_FZ4.whatsapp

India To Resume Regular International Flights From March 27: Scindia

Due to the outbreak of COVID -19, scheduled international flight services were suspended on March 23, 2020.

New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that regular international flights will resume from March 27 as the coronavirus situation in India has improved now.

Due to the outbreak of COVID -19, scheduled international flight services were suspended on March 23, 2020. However, special international flights have been operating between India and about 35 other countries since July 2020 under air bubble.

“I have already given a direction that restrictions on international flights, which were imposed due to COVID-19, be lifted,” Scindia said on the sidelines of an event here.

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/india-to-resume-regular-international-flights-from-march-27-scindia-1519424

Madhya Pradesh: Police Arrest 3 Tribal Men For Alleged Sexual Harassment Of Women In Public

The arrests were made on the basis of a video of the harassment that went viral on social media. The police have detained two more persons who apparently shot the video and made it viral.

Madhya Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested three Tribal men for allegedly harassing women sexually in full public view in the Alirajpur district, news agency PTI reported.

The arrests were made on the basis of a video of the harassment that went viral on social media. Consequently, the police have detained two more persons who apparently shot the video and made it viral.

We have detained the man who made the video and another one who made it viral. Besides, we have arrested three accused who were seen misbehaving with women,” Alirajpur Superintendent of Police Manoj Singh told PTI. The police aim to arrest three to four more people in the case.

This video is from MP, India. tribal Women being sexually harassed & assaulted in full public view. This is horrifying. Such women are subjected to this daily, because they belong to the oppressed section of the society, Tribal. #TribalLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/vUein71imK

— Tribal Army (@TribalArmy) March 13, 2022

Source: https://news.abplive.com/states/madhya-pradesh-police-arrest-3-tribal-men-for-alleged-sexual-harassment-of-women-in-public-1519423

Sonia Gandhi to Stay on as Congress Chief, No Resignation in Party, CWC Decides After 4-hour Meet

Four hours after a key meeting on Sunday, the Congress Working Committee “unanimously reaffirmed” faith in president Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, as well as called for large-scale reforms and corrective measures for an organisational revamp. The CWC asked Sonia Gandhi to address weaknesses and effect necessary changes, as per a statement released after the meeting that was held to address the party’s election debacle in five states.

The top decision-making body of the Congress brainstormed over a way forward and will hold a ‘chinatan shivir’ immediately after the budget session of parliament and the CWC will meet again, said general secretary KC Venugopal.

“Every single member of the CWC wants Sonia Gandhi to guide party till organisational elections are held,” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said.

The Congress lost Punjab to the Aam Aadmi Party, could not wrest Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur from the BJP and the party’s tally in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh fell to its lowest.

Former party chief Rahul Gandhi, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Venugopal, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party’s leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and P Chidambaram were among those who attended the meeting.

The CWC said the election results were a cause of “serious concern” for the party, and that it accepted shortcomings in its election strategy. The party also said it could not overcome the anti-incumbency in Punjab in the short time after effecting a change of leadership. Captain Amarinder Singh was removed from the post of chief minister ahead of the assembly elections and replaced by Charanjit Singh Channi.

Venugopal said, “Including senior leaders, members openly participated in the decision to analyse the results. It was a sincere and fruitful analysis.”

Surjewala said state incharges took responsibility for the drubbing received by the party, sources said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/politics/cwc-meeting-on-poll-debacle-in-progress-sonia-rahul-priyanka-in-attendance-4870814.html

India to temporarily shift its embassy in Ukraine to Poland

India has decided to temporarily relocate its embassy in Ukraine to Poland, the government said on Sunday.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the decision to move the embassy from Kyiv was being taken in view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, including attacks in the western parts of the country.

“The situation will be reassessed in the light of further developments,” it added.

Earlier this month Ukraine’s government said that it had helped evacuate about 20,000 Indian students from areas of the country attacked by Russian forces following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but several were still trapped.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/india-temporarily-shift-its-embassy-ukraine-poland-2022-03-13/

Four JMB men arrested in Bhopal: Police

According to senior police officers investigating the matter, literature advocating the establishment of ‘khilafat’ were seized from the four arrested.

CRPF Trooper On Leave Shot Dead By Militants In South Kashmir’s Shopian

The deceased has been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Dohi, a resident of Shopian.

A CRPF trooper was shot dead by some unidentified militants in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Dohi, a resident of Shopian.

Breaking News : कश्मीर के शोपियां में CRPF जवान की गोली मारकर हत्याhttps://t.co/p8nVQWYei7 #JammuKashmir #Breaking pic.twitter.com/S2GhayuuWz

— ABP News (@ABPNews) March 12, 2022

Source : https://news.abplive.com/news/india/crpf-trooper-on-leave-shot-dead-by-militants-in-south-kashmir-s-shopian-1519266

Flames engulf Kolkata tannery; 2 fire officials injured

The fire broke out at around 6.30 PM at a building, used as a tannery, on 3 Maher Ali Lane in the area. It is not yet known whether any person is stuck inside.

A major fire broke out at a tannery cum godown in the congested Tangra area of Kolkata on Saturday evening, a senior official of the fire department said. Altogether 15 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames that spread to an adjacent building which has been evacuated.

Two fire officials were injured while fighting the blaze and they were hospitalised, the official said. Several other nearby houses were also evacuated.

The fire broke out at around 6.30 PM at a building, used as a tannery, on 3 Maher Ali Lane in the area. It is not yet known whether any person is stuck inside. “The cause of the fire is not yet known. Our personnel are working on a war footing to douse it. There were chemicals, rexin, and clothes stored inside the building, which helped the fire spread quickly,” the official said.

Source : https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/centre-blackmailing-ec-into-keeping-delhi-civic-polls-on-hold-fearing-bjps-defeat-aap-8225501.html

Medical students, shop owners clash in Bihar, at least 10 injured

Several chemist shops were put on fire by a group of medical students of Darbhanga Medical College in Bihar on Friday.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Krishna Kumar said, “On Friday night, after an argument between a student of Darbhanga Medical College and the shopkeeper at the chemist, a group of students set several chemist shops on fire.” The fire at the chemist shops was so terrible that the whole sky turned red and a gas cylinder exploded that the entire area was shaken with the explosion, added Kumar.

On receiving information, the fire brigade reached the spot and started dousing the fire and four personnel have been injured during the incident.

SDPO further added, “When the neighbouring locals opposed the act of medical students, the students started pelting stones at the people, which turned into heavy stone pelting from both the sides.” According to the people present at the spot, during the fight, the sound of firing and bombs was also heard.

Source : https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/medical-students-shop-owners-clash-in-bihar-at-least-10-injured

After refuting claims of Gandhis resigning, Congress reschedules CWC meet to Monday

Rahul Gandhi had resigned as Congress president after the party suffered its second consecutive defeat in general elections in 2019. Sonia Gandhi who took over the reins of the party again as interim president had also offered to quit in August 2020 after an open revolt by G-23 leaders but the CWC urged her to continue.

Congress refuted claims of Gandhis resigning | Credit: ANI

The Congress Working Committee meeting set to take place today has been rescheduled. The meeting will now be held on Monday at 10 am to discuss the outcome of the assembly elections in five states.

This development comes after grand old party refuted reports that the Gandhi family members will resign from all organisational posts.

Dismissing a media report which claimed that the Gandhi family members will resign from all party positions, Randeep Surjewala termed it “wrong and mischievous”.

Questions being raised over leadership of the Gandhi family

The Congress lost Punjab to the AAP and could not wrest any of the four other states – Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur – from the BJP.

Questions have been raised over the leadership of the Gandhi family after the party’s poll debacle in five states.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/after-refuting-claims-of-gandhis-resigning-congress-reschedules-cwc-meet-to-monday-article-90178315

5 kids among 7 killed in northeast Delhi slum inferno

A cluster of 60 hutments in north-east Delhi’s Gokulpuri turned into a death trap for seven, including five children, early Saturday morning when a fire at the entrance of the settlement cut off their escape, sealing their fate. Having probably started from a heap of trash, the blaze spread across the entire area with people – jolted out of sleep – scrambling to get away in the dark as the power went off. Four people suffered burns.

The fire department received a call around 1am and it took them around 2-3 hours to completely douse the fire. Thirteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot and cooling operations continued till noon. The cause of the fire is still being investigated but prima facie it appears it started from that trash heap which had inflammable material.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal reached the slum cluster by noon and announced compensation for the victims – Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each adult who died, Rs 5 lakh each for families of the children who died and Rs 25,000 for each shanty that was gutted.

The first fire tender had reached by 1.18am. Around 1.50am, more fire tenders were pressed into service. The road leading to Gokulpuri village was uneven, making accessing the area difficult for the fire tenders. Senior fire official Rajesh Shukla explained that when a fire breaks out in a slum, it spreads in all directions and one cannot decide on the line of attack.

In this instance, since the fire started at the front and there are buildings at the rear, people found it difficult to get away. The lanes are anyway narrow and congested. The flames fed on two heaps of trash – one of tyres and discarded rubber material and the other of cardboard stacks – posing a big challenge to the firefighters. “Rubber flames not only rise quite high, but are also toxic,” said Shukla.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/5-kids-among-7-killed-in-north-east-delhi-slum-inferno/articleshow/90177964.cms

Auto firms will begin manufacturing flex-fuel vehicles within 6 months: Nitin Gadkari

Most vehicles in India to run on 100 percent ethanol soon, the minister said. Last year, the government had issued an advisory to carmakers to introduce flexible-fuel engines in vehicles.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said top officials of automobile companies have promised him that they will start manufacturing vehicles of flex-fuel variants within six months.

Addressing a summit virtually, Gadkari further said the government is working on a plan to shift public transport to 100 per cent clean energy sources.

“This week, I had a meeting with managing directors of all big automobile companies and SIAM representatives. And they promised me that they will start manufacturing flex-fuel engines for vehicles that can run on more than one fuel,” he said.

Flex-fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel with a combination of gasoline and methanol or ethanol.

The road transport and highways minister said companies like TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto have already started producing flex-fuel engines for their two and three-wheelers. He said now farmers are making bio-ethanol from rice, corn, and sugarcane juice.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/automobile/govt-finalises-over-70-firms-for-auto-components-under-pli-scheme-8208501.html

Actor Sonam Kapoor’s Father-In-Law’s Firm Cheated Of ₹ 27 Crore

Police said the cybercriminals had been duping the firm by misappropriating Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies licences, meant for the firm of Sonam Kapoor’s father-in-law Harish Ahuja.

The Faridabad police has busted a gang of highly-sophisticated cybercriminals involved in duping an export-import firm of the father-in-law of film actor Sonam Kapoor here of over ₹ 27 crore.

Police on Friday said the tricksters had been duping Ms Kapoor’s father-in-law Harish Ahuja’s Faridabad-based firm, Shahi Export Factory, by misappropriating Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies licences, meant for his firm, on the basis of his forged Digital Signature Certificate and encashing them.

Explaining the modus operandi of the highly innovative cyber fraud, Faridabad Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Nitish Agarwal said the government gives some incentives to export firms in the form of ROSCTL licences, entitling them to some rebate in the excise and customs duties.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/actress-sonam-kapoors-father-in-laws-firm-cheated-of-rs-27-crore-2818813

Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya Rai pose for Ambani-Bachchans group pic shared by Tina Ambani. See her post

Tina Ambani shared a photo from her son Anmol Ambani’s wedding on Instagram. In the photos, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were seen posing with the Ambani family.

Tina Ambani shares photos from her son Anmol Ambani’s wedding, in which the Bachchan family is also seen posing with the bride and groom.

On Friday, Tina Ambani shared a series of photos from her son Anmol Ambani and Krishna Shah’s wedding on her Instagram handle. In the pictures, apart from the Ambanis, the Bachchan family is also seen posing with the bride and groom. Anmol and Krishna tied the knot on February 20, 2022.

Sharing the pictures, Tina wrote, “A new chapter begins for Anmol and Krishna with blessings from friends and family.”

In the photos, Anmol and Krishna are seen performing pheras and other wedding traditions. In one picture, Tina and her husband Anil Ambani are seen posing with Anmol and Krishna along with other members of the Ambani family. In the same picture, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Navya Naveli Nanda, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan are seen posing for the camera.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-abhishek-bachchan-aishwarya-rai-pose-for-ambani-bachchans-group-shared-by-tina-ambani-see-her-post-101647010882217.html

7 die after fire breaks out in shanties of Delhi’s Gokulpuri area, CM to meet victims’ kin

Delhi fire: The Delhi Fire Services said a total of 13 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control. Around 60 huts were damaged in the fire.

At least seven people died in a fire that broke out in the shanties of the Gokulpuri area of Delhi early on Saturday.

The Delhi Fire Services said a call was received around 1am about a fire that had engulfed about 60 huts. The cause of the fire is yet to be known.

The department said a total of 13 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to bring the blaze under control. Seven charred bodies were found at the spot.

The fire was finally doused around 4am, said additional deputy commissioner of police (north-east) Devesh Kumar Mahla.

Delhi fire director Atul Garg said the deceased could not escape the fire that spread rapidly because they were sleeping.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/7-died-after-fire-broke-out-in-shanties-of-delhi-s-gokulpuri-area-last-night-101647055291644.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

Horn not OK please: Over 600 booked for unnecessary honking in Kolkata last month

According to the Kolkata traffic police, an average of 22 cases per day were registered during traffic police’s anti-honking drive last month.

Kolkata: A total of 615 motorists were fined by the city traffic police for honking unnecessarily in February. Police imposed a compounded fine of Rs 2,000 on such offenders.

According to the traffic police, an average of 22 cases per day were registered during traffic police’s anti-honking drive last month. Cops said an increasing number rule violations indicates that the general patience level is dipping among motorists, reported the Times of India.

“It was in July last year that special anti-honking drives were launched across the city, especially outside vaccine centres and hospitals. At that time, as many as 1,264 motorists were prosecuted in just 12 days, an average of 222 challans per day,” an officer of anti-pollution cell of the traffic police department was quoted as saying by TOI.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/kolkata/horn-not-ok-please-over-600-booked-for-unnecessary-honking-in-kolkata-last-month-article-90162124

Jammu and Kashmir: Sarpanch shot dead by militants in Kulgam; third local panchayat member killed in a month

On 9 March, an independent sarpanch, Sameer Bhat, was shot dead on the outskirts of Srinagar and on 2 March, an independent panchayat member, Mohammad Yaqub Dar was killed in Kulgam

Srinagar: Militants shot dead a sarpanch in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, officials said.

This is the third killing of a local elected representative by militants in Jammu and Kashmir this month.

One of the officials said, “At about 8:50 pm, terrorists fired upon Shabir Ahmad Mir near his residence in Adoura in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.” They said Mir was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Mir was an independent sarpanch.

The area has been cordoned off and a hunt launched to nab the attackers, the officials said.

The killing drew condemnations from political parties. National Conference vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah said, “Shocked by the targeted killing of Sarpanch Shabir Ahmed Mir. Political workers get killed, we offer our condolences, life goes on and then the same thing happens again. There is a mind-numbing pattern to these killings & our reactions. Sadly nothing changes.”

“I can only offer my condolences to Shabir’s family & my prayers that he finds place in Jannat. I wish his death was the last one we would see but sadly that will not be,” he added.

“Strongly condemn the killing of a sarpanch in Kulgam. May the killers rot in Hell, Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone said in a tweet.

The Peoples Conference said it was worrisome that public representatives were continuously being targeted to spread fear.

Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-sarpanch-shot-dead-by-militants-in-kulgam-third-local-panchayat-member-killed-in-a-month-10452881.html

Digital economy will jump to $800 billion by 2030: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

The country’s digital economy was worth about $85-90 billion in 2020, according to an estimate by consulting firm RedSeer.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said rising internet penetration, growing income and the high number of young people will likely drive up the size of India’s digital economy to as much as $800 billion by 2030.

The country’s digital economy was worth about $85-90 billion in 2020, according to an estimate by consulting firm RedSeer.

Highlighting India’s fast-expanding fintech eco-system, Sitharaman said of the 6,300 fintechs, 28% are into investment technology, 27% into payments, 16% into lending and 9% into banking infrastructure. She was speaking virtually at an event organised by the IIT Bombay Alumni Association.

She also stressed the growing number of retail investors in India on the back of several steps initiated by the government to ensure smooth and easy access to the stock markets. Consequently, the number of retail investor accounts has almost doubled, from about 45 million in March 2016 to 88.2 million in March 31 2021, she added.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/digital-economy-will-jump-to-800-billion-by-2030-fm-nirmala-sitharaman/2458559/

Pak JeM commander among four terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounters

Two terrorists of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed were killed after an encounter broke out at the Chewaklan area of Pulwama.

Police said that the counterterrorism operation is underway in Pulwama, Handwara, and Ganderbal.

Four terrorists have been neutralised in three separate overnight operations in Jammu Kashmir. Two terrorists of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed after an encounter broke out in the Chewaklan area of Pulwama, police said. One of them has been identified as Pakistani JeM commander Kamaal Bhai, who was active since 2018.

Another terrorist linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was gunned down after an encounter broke out in the Serch area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal. Police said that the counterterrorism operation in the area is underway.

One LeT terrorist has been killed in an encounter in Nechama, Rajwar area of Handwara.

The Kashmir Zone Police tweeted from its official Twitter handle, “#Encounter has started at Nechama, Rajwar area of #Handwara. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice.”

Vijay Kumar, inspector general of police, Kashmir, said that security forces launched joint operations at four to five locations on Friday night which led to the killing of two JeM terrorists and two LeT terrorists. The security forces have also caught one terrorist alive. Encounters in Handwara and Pulwama are over.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/four-terrorists-killed-in-three-separate-encounters-in-jammu-and-kashmir-101647048077061.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

Gujarat: PM Modi Meets His Mother Heeraben A Day After BJP’s Stunning Win In 4 States

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister reached his home state for a two-day visit which will end on March 12 (Saturday).

PM Modi with his mother Heeraben Modi. (Image: ANI)

A day after Bharatiya Janata Party’s spectacular win in four out five which went for Assembly polls between February and March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his mother Heeraben Modi at her residence in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister reached his home state for a two-day visit which will end on March 12 (Saturday).

Pictures shared by news agency ANI show PM Modi taking blessing from her mother and later dining for a meal.

Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his mother Heeraben Modi at her residence, in Gandhinagar pic.twitter.com/4CvlnsPQtm

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2022

Source:https://news.abplive.com/elections/gujarat-pm-modi-meets-his-mother-heeraben-a-day-after-bjp-s-stunning-win-in-4-states-1519149

Russia-Ukraine Conflict | No Alternatives Except Path Of Diplomacy & Dialogue: India At UNSC

India’s Permanent Representative to UN further said that it is important to ensure full and effective implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in letter and spirit.

New Delhi: At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Friday, India called upon the member states to adhere to the principals of the UN Charter and respect the sovereignty of states.

Speaking at the emergency UNSC meeting convened in the wake of Russia’s allegations that the US was funding research into the development of biological weapons in Ukraine, TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to UN, said, “We once again call upon member states to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law and respect the sovereignty and integrity of states.”

We sincerely hope ongoing direct negotiations b/w Russia & Ukraine would lead to cessation of hostilities. There's no other alternative except path of diplomacy &dialogue. The dire humanitarian situation needs immediate&urgent attention: TS Tirumurti, India's Permanent Rep to UN pic.twitter.com/j8VtvxDA8H

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2022

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/russia-ukraine-conflict-no-alternatives-except-path-of-diplomacy-dialogue-india-at-unsc-1519157

India Accidentally Fired Missile Into Pakistan, Says Defence Ministry

According to Pakistan, the missile flew more than 100 km inside their airspace, at an altitude of 40,000 feet and at three times the speed of sound, before it landed. There was no warhead on the missile so it did not detonate.

The missile launch was caused by a technical malfunction. (Representational)

A missile was fired accidentally from the Indian side into an area in Pakistan earlier this week, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday, blaming the incident on a “technical malfunction” that was “deeply regrettable”.

“On 9 March 2022, in the course of routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile. The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

“It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan. While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident,” it added.

But the country’s foreign office said it had summoned India’s charge d’affaires in Islamabad to protest what it called an unprovoked violation of its airspace. Pakistan called for an investigation into the incident, which it said could have endangered passenger flights and civilian lives.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/defence-ministry-on-missile-landing-in-pak-technical-malfunction-led-to-accidental-firing-incident-deeply-regrettable-2817638

Maharashtra Budget 2022: State angling for first $1 trillion tag

Presenting the budget in the backdrop of the revival of the state economy and also the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced a bunch of tax concession proposals to help the ordinary citizen, industry and business.

Buoyed by the 12.1 per cent growth in 2021-22 after weathering the Covid crisis, other natural calamities and the slowdown, the Maharashtra government presented the annual budget for 2022-23 on Friday with a resolve to make the state the first in the country with a $1 trillion economy in three years with the allocation of Rs 4 lakh crore towards the ‘panchasutri of development’.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-latest-updates-maharashtra-budget-for-financial-year-2022-23-to-be-tabled-today

RBI directs Paytm Payments Bank to stop onboarding new customers, orders IT audit

The bank has also been directed to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System Audit of its IT system, the RBI said in a release.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 11 directed Paytm Payments Bank to stop onboarding of new customers.

The bank has also been directed to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System Audit of its IT system, the RBI said in a release.

“Onboarding of new customers by Paytm Payments Bank Ltd will be subject to specific permission to be granted by RBI after reviewing report of the IT auditors. This action is based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the bank,” the RBI said.

Paytm Payments Bank commenced its operations on May 23, 2017. On March 9, Moneycontrol reported that Vijay Shekhar Sharma-promoted Paytm Payments Bank is likely to apply to the RBI for a small finance bank (SFB) licence by June.

Paytm Payments Bank Chairman Vijay Shekhar Sharma held a 51 percent stake in the company.

It is not immediately clear what are the exact reasons that invited the RBI action. The RBI said the action was based on certain material supervisory concerns observed in the bank.

According to Paytm Payments Bank website, the company has 100 million KYC customers and it is adding 0.4 million users every passing month. “We are also the largest issuer of FASTag with over 8 Million FASTag units issued,” the website says.

On December 9, Paytm Payments Bank said it had been included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. This enabled it to explore new business opportunities, the company said in a press release.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/rbi-directs-paytm-payments-bank-to-stop-onboarding-new-customers-orders-it-audit-8222121.html

It’s All Relative: Biren Singh Should Be Manipur CM Again, Says MLA And Son-in-law Rajkumar Imo Singh

Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in Manipur happened because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister N Biren Singh, says Rajkumar Imo Singh. The Sagolband constituency MLA feels that Biren Singh, who is also his father-in-law, should once again be the CM as he is the people’s choice. After defending his seat by a margin of 2,500 votes, Rajkumar spoke to News18.

Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh with his wife Anjubala Nongthombam, who is the daughter of state chief minister N Biren Singh. Pic/News18

Whom do you want as chief minister?

This victory is due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also this victory is for our present CM. It’s not only me, everyone in Manipur wants him to become the chief minister. They all want Biren Singh. Everybody knows what he has done for the state. We all want him as CM and I am sure the Centre will want that too.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/politics/its-all-relative-biren-singh-should-be-manipur-cm-again-says-mla-and-son-in-law-rajkumar-imo-singh-4862555.html

The Indian wrestling champion who inspired Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee was a versatile martial arts who was always eager to expand his knowledge about the world as well as his own discipline. A true icon of the last century, Lee managed to achieve the highly difficult task of bridging the cultural differences between the East and the West by making martial arts film projects that were unanimously celebrated by fans all around the world.

For Lee, martial arts was philosophical praxis and he often fixated on the importance of such a conceptualisation of violent self-defence. These ideas have had a huge impact on the thinking of many scholars as well as political leaders who have insisted that education in self-defence is always a crucial step towards the liberation of marginalised groups within the hegemonies of modern society.

Many cultural commentators even claimed that Lee was the primary force who ensured that Asians were represented more positively in American cinema. Behind Lee’s incredible on-screen charisma was his highly intelligent thought processes, fuelled by his voracious appetite for all kinds of books belonging to different domains.

Source: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/indian-wrestling-champion-inspired-bruce-lee/

LIC receives SEBI nod for IPO to sell 31 crore shares but IPO dates not determined yet

State-owned insurance behemoth Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has received market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) nod ahead to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO), according to several media reports.

The government is selling 31 crore equity shares through the IPO as per the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) while 10% of the LIC IPO issue size is reserved for policyholders. The IPO is special for the 29 crore policyholders of the life insurer, who would be getting a preference on the shares.

The final approval of the IPO comes after 22 days of filing the draft red herring prospectus.

The government will sell 5% of its stake in the company to the public.

However, the date of the IPO launch is yet to be determined as the government would be having second thoughts on its launch this month. Not only Indian but entire global markets are under pressure and extremely volatile since the last few weeks.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/lic-ipo-lic-receives-sebi-nod-for-ipo-to-sell-31-crore-shares-but-ipo-dates-not-determined-yet/articleshow/90092039.cms

‘Bed-ridden’ man in Jharkhand starts walking after receiving Covid vaccine

A man in Jharkhand has claimed that he started walking again after he received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

A man in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, who was reportedly bed-ridden for four years, claimed that he started walking again after he received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Dularchand, 44, a resident of Bokaro’s Petarwar village, reportedly met with an accident four years ago. He allegedly lost his voice and was bedridden following the accident.

On January 4, Dularchand received the first dose of Covishield vaccine on January 4. According to Dr Albel Kerketta, medical in-charge of Petarwar community health centre, Dularchand’s body started reacting a day after he received the Covid-19 vaccine.

Days after receiving the vaccine, Dularchand claimed that he could stand on his feet and regained his lost voice. “Glad to have taken this vaccine. There is movement in my legs since taking the vaccine on January 4,” Dularchand told ANI.

Bokaro’s civil surgeon Dr Jitendra Kumar said while the incident was surprising, it was no miracle. He also ordered the formation of a medical team to analyse the medical history of Dularchand.

News Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bed-ridden-man-jharkhand-walks-receiving-covid-vaccine-1900320-2022-01-15

Who needs to get tested for COVID-19? ICMR issues advisory on ‘purposive testing strategy’

New Delhi: As India’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Indian Council of Medical Research has released an advisory on “Purposive Testing Strategy”, suggesting that some individuals need not be tested for infection. The guidelines come even as India’s daily COVID-19 tally hovered near the 1.8 lakh mark on Monday morning. The ICMR document makes no mention of contact tracing norms.

According to the newly released advisory, asymptomatic individuals, patients being discharged from a COVID-19 facility as per revised discharge policy as well as those discharged in line with home isolation guidelines need not be tested. Contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 need not be tested unless identified as high risk based on age or comorbidities, the ICMR said.

Symptomatic patients and at-risk contacts of COVID-19 patients (senior citizens and comorbid individuals) will need to get tested.

While individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel do not need to be tested, the ICMR has said that international travellers will need to get tested. International travellers arriving at Indian airports and ports of entry as per laid down guidelines must also get tested.

New Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/who-needs-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-icmr-issues-advisory-on-purposive-testing-strategy/848147

1. Real estate syndications

2. Rental real estate

3. Real estate investment trusts

Twitteratis debate on ‘IIM tag as a branding method’

A man in Jharkhand has claimed that he started walking again after he received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine.