18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf

BARRING BJP, ALL PARTIES IN INDIA CONTROLLED BY
FAMILIES AND ARE DEVOID OF IDEOLOGICAL BASE: NADDA
First India Bureau
Hosapete (Karnata-
ka): Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) National
President JP Nadda said
on Sunday that all par-
ties in India except the
BJP are controlled by
families and are devoid
of any ideological base.
While delivering his
valedictory speech at
party’s Karnataka State
Executive Meeting in
Hosapete, the BJP chief
enlisted state after state
how different political
parties are centered
around specific politi-
cal figures.
Nadda who is on a
two-day visit to Karna-
taka, arrived in Torana-
gallu on late Saturday
evening.
In his speech, Nadda
gave a detailed narra-
tion of how different
political parties in
states are rooted in
their family associa-
tions - Jammu and
Kashmir (Abdullahs in
National Conference
and Muftis in PDP),
Punjab (Badal dominat-
ed SAD), Haryana
(Chautalas ruling
INLD), Assam (Gogois
running the INC), Tel-
angana (K Chan-
drashekar Rao run
TRS), Andhra Pradesh
(Jagan Mohan Reddy),
West Bengal (TMC),
Odisha (Biju Janata
Dal), Karnataka (JDS),
Maharashtra (Shiv
Sena, NCP), Uttar
Pradesh (Yadav family).
The BJP chief took a
jibe at the Grand Old
Party saying, “The Con-
gress party is now rel-
egated to less than a
regional party with
Chief Ministers in just
two states. They are
neither national nor In-
dian. It’s only the BJP
that is growing faster
by the day based on a
specific ideology. We
are a cadre based party
with a battery of lead-
ers accompanied with a
strong rank and file
structure.”
Nadda appealed the
party workers, while
Karnataka progresses,
it should also be made
as the centre of develop-
mental transformation
in Southern India.
BJP CHIEF IN KARNATAKA
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
ON 3-DAY GUJ VISIT FROM TODAY
New Delhi: Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi will
be on a three-day visit
to his home state of Gu-
jarat from April 18, dur-
ing which he is sched-
uled to attend a number
of programmes. The
Prime Minister’s Office
said Modi will visit the
command and control
centre for schools in
Gandhinagar on April
18 and, the next day,
he will dedicate to the
nation and lay the foun-
dation stone of multiple
development projects at
Banas Dairy Sankul in
Diyodar in Banaskantha.
The same day, he will
lay the foundation stone
of WHO Global Centre
for Traditional Medicine
in Jamnagar. On April
20, he will inaugurate
the Global AYUSH In-
vestment & Innovation
Summit at Gandhinagar
and will later attend the
Adijati Maha Sammelan
in Dahod and inaugu-
rate and lay the founda-
tion stone of various
development projects.
More on P8
JP Nadda being felicitated by party leaders including BJP
National General Secy Arun Singh, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi,
former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, Karnataka CM Basavaraj
S Bommai and others during Karnataka BJP State Executive
Meeting, in Hosapete on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI
New Delhi: Congress
leader Rahul Gandhi
Sunday claimed that at
least 40 lakh people
succumbed to Covid-19
in India due to the
“negligence of the gov-
ernment” and urged it
to give each victim’s
family Rs 4 lakh as
compensation.
Sharing a screenshot
of a New York Times
report that claimed that
India is stalling the
World Health Organiza-
tion’s (WHO) efforts to
make its Covid-19 death
toll public, the Congress
leader tweeted in Hindi:
“Modiji neither tells the
truth himself nor does
he allow anyone else to
speak it, ” he said.
NEW DELHI l MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 228
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD, LUCKNOW NEW DELHI
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will arrive in Ahmedabad on April
21 to “deepen” the long-term partnership amidst the global economic
challenges and “threats” from autocratic states. The British PM will
then travel to New Delhi to meet PM Narendra Modi next day. P7
UK PM JOHNSON
TO ARRIVE IN A’BAD
ON APRIL 21, HOLD
TALKS WITH MODI
As Russia and Ukraine enter day 53 of the war, Moscow renewed air
strikes on Kyiv on Saturday and claimed to have taken over Mariupol.
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that peace
talks will be scrapped if the last Ukrainian troops in Mariupol killed.
RUSSIA CLAIMS
MARIUPOL SEIZURE,
ZELENSKYY WARNS
END OF TALKS
INCESSANT CLASHES DURING RELIGIOUS YATRAS..
In his letter to PM Modi,
Pak PM raises Kashmir
POPE CALLS FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE
Pope Francis on his popemobile drives through the crowd of faithful at the end of the
Catholic Easter Sunday mass he led in St. Peters Square at the Vatican on Sunday.
40 lakh Indians died due
to ‘govt negligence’: Rahul
‘WHO COVID REPORT
METHOD INCORRECT’
India questioned the World
Health Organisation’s
methodology to estimate
COVID-19 mortalities in the
country, saying using such
a mathematical model-
ling cannot be applied to
estimate the death figures
for such a vast nation of
geographical size and popu-
lation. The Union health
ministry issued a statement
in response to a New
York Times article published
on April 16.
Islamabad: Pakistan
primeministerShehbaz
Sharif has written a let-
ter to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, pitch-
ing for a meaningful en-
gagement between two
countries.
Sharif’slettercamein
response to a letter sent
by PM Modi who con-
gratulated the latter on
becoming the 23rd Paki-
stan PM, and had also
conveyed to him that In-
dia desired constructive
ties with Pakistan.
Accordingtotheagen-
cy
, Sharif in his letter
alsocalledfortheresolu-
tion of issues including
Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharif said that Islama-
bad was in favour of
peacefulandcooperative
tieswithIndia.More on P8
KEEP THE COMMUNAL
POT BOILING
BJP councillor alleges int’l conspiracy at the
Aman panel meet; 2nd shooter still at large
New Delhi: A meeting
of Aman Committees to
discuss the way forward
after a clash broke out
between two communi-
ties following a shobha
yatra organised to mark
Hanuman Jayanti at
Delhi’s Jahangirpuri
ended abruptly Sunday
after a BJP councillor
blamed Illegal immi-
grants for the violence.
Tensions prevailed in
the area even as compa-
nies of the Central Re-
serve Police Force
(CRPF) and Rapid Ac-
tionForce(RAF)manned
the streets in full riot
gear.Inthemiddleof the
chowk, where riots
broke out, broken stones
and shards of glass were
swept away as the police
erected a white tent.
Senior police officers
from Northwest district
flanked by deputy com-
missioner of police
(DCP) Usha Rangnani,
Aman Committee mem-
bers from Mahender
Park, Jahangirpuri, and
Adarsh Nagar, and BJP
councillor Garima Gup-
ta attended the meeting
to talk about the way for-
ward after the clash,
whichleftmanyinjured.
The incident is signifi-
cantly sensitive as simi-
lar clashes broke out in
several states during
Ram Navami too.
More on P2
21 arrested on rioting, attempt to
murder charges after Jahangirpuri
violence on Hanuman Jayanti
K’taka: 46 held, 12 cops
hurt in stone pelting
over social media post
Hubballi: In a stone-
pelting incident on Sat-
urday, 12 policemen in-
cluding an inspector
were injured. Miscre-
ants hurl stones at Old
Hubli Police Station.
After a case was regis-
tered late at night, 46
persons involved in the
violence were taken
into custody on Sunday,
said Hubballi-Dharwad
police commissioner,
Labhu Ram, as quoted
by news agency ANI.
A complaint was filed
against a person for up-
loading a video on so-
cial media and he was
arrested then it racked
up to scuffle, said the
police official. After the
scuffle police have im-
posed section 144 to
bring the situation un-
der control. Police used
tear gas and lathi
charge to disperse the
mob. See also P3
SOMEONE IN CROWD FIRED 7-8
ROUNDS: INJURED SUB-INSPECTOR
SHAH MONITORING
SITUATION: HANS
PROBED: KARAULI,
KHARGONE ANGLE
THAKUR: KEJRIWAL
SHOULD TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY
Medalal Meena, the Delhi Police Sub-Inspector injured
in last night’s violence during a religious procession,
said the police had initially separated the two communi-
ties when altercation broke out between them outside a
mosque in Jahangirpuri. The Hanuman Jayanti proces-
sion was made to go one way and the Muslims another
but they came face to face after a while and the police
were caught in between. Meena was shot in the arm.
BJP MP from North-West
Delhi Hans Raj Hans in
the wee hours of Sunday
visited the violence-hit
Jahangirpuri area in the
national capital, where a
clash broke out during a
Shobha Yatra on Saturday
and said that Union Home
Minister Amit Shah is
keeping every minute’s
track. Many agencies and
forces are on the case.
The central probe
agencies are examining
whether the violence at
Jahangirpuri in Delhi has
any links with the recent
communal clashes in
Karauli in Rajasthan and
Khargone in Madhya
Pradesh. The agencies
claim that the modus
operandi of all these inci-
dents is similar, hinting at
a larger conspiracy.
Union IB Minister Anurag
Thakur accused CM Arvind
Kejriwal of failure in admin-
istration and passing the
“blame” on others. Refer-
ring to Kejriwal’s recent
campaign rallies in Gujarat
and Himachal Pradesh,
Thakur said, “The Delhi CM
visits other states when he
can’t run his own govern-
ment. This vote bank politics
won’t work. The opposition
cannot keep doing this.
People are watching and will
teach them a lesson.”
Charred remains of a scooter after violent clashes broke out
during a Hanuman Jayanti procession at Jahangirpuri.
Rapid Action Force personnel keep vigil after clashes broke out between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession on
Saturday at Jahangirpuri in New Delhi, on Sunday. —PHOTOS BY PTI

CAPITOL
NEW DELHI | MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2022
02
New Delhi (Agencies):
Heatwave conditions are
likely to return from
Monday to Wednesday
and India Meteorologi-
cal Department (IMD)
has declared a “yellow”
alert. There is a possibil-
ity of thundery develop-
ment on Thursday under
the influence of a west-
ern disturbance. The
Met department said no
station in the capital saw
heatwave conditions on
Saturday. According to
IMD, the maximum tem-
perature was 40 degrees
Celsius, three degrees
above normal, at Safdar-
jung, the city’s base sta-
tion. Most of the stations
recorded day tempera-
tures in the range of 40-
41 degrees Celsius, but
none met the heatwave
criteria. Sports Complex
in east Delhi was the hot-
test station at 41.8 de-
grees Celsius, followed
by Najafgarh at 41.4.
Ridge at 41.3, Pitampura
at 41.1, Ayanagar at 40.6,
Palam at 40.3 and Lodhi
Road at 40.
Brace for more heatwaves in the first part of next week
HOTTER DAYS
JAHANGIRPURI CLASHES DURING HANUMAN JAYANTI PROCESSION
HISTORY SHEETER AMONG 21 PEOPLE
ARRESTED IN JAHANGIRPURI VIOLENCE
New Delhi (ANI): Out of the
21 people who have been
arrested in the Jahangirpuri
violence, a history-sheeter
had been arrested, informed
the police. The accused had
been identified as Ansar and
was found to be previously
involved in two cases of
assault, added the police.
“During the probe of a case
in Jahangirpuri violence, one
of the conspirators namely
Ansar has been arrested. He
was found to be previously
involved in two cases of
assault and was also ar-
rested repeatedly under
preventive sections
booked 5 times under
Gambling Act Arms Act,”
said Delhi Police. Rapid
Action Force (RAF) has been
deployed in violence-hit
Jahangirpuri of northwest
Delhi on Sunday.
TWO HELD FOR
THREATENING
PATAUDI BIZMAN
FIRE BREAKS OUT
IN UPHAAR CINEMA,
NO INJURIES
Gurugram (Agencies):
The Gurugram police
have arrested two persons
three days after unidenti-
fied assailants allegedly
fired several gunshots
outside a liquor busi-
nessman’s residence in
Pataudi, police said. They
said the arrested persons
had threatened the busi-
nessman, Chanderbhan
Sehgal, the chairman of
the Pataudi Municipal
Committee, and demand-
ed a 50 per cent share in
his liquor business.
Gurugram (Agencies): A
fire broke out at Delhi’s
Uphaar Cinema Hall
Sunday morning, of-
ficials said. No injuries
have been reported in
the fire that affected the
theatre’s balcony and a
floor, the officials said.
A call about the blaze
was received at 4:46 am
and nine fire tenders
were rushed to the spot,
said Delhi Fire Service
Director Atul Garg.
IN BRIEF
—REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE
MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
SETTLES AT 21.7 DEG C IN CITY
‘MASK MANDATE BE BROUGHT BACK’
New Delhi: The minimum temperature in the
national capital settled at 21.7 degrees Celsius
on Sunday, normal for this time of the season,
the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The relative humidity at 8:30 am was 47 per cent,
they said. According to the India Meteorological
Department, the city will witness mainly clear
skies through the day with the maximum tem-
perature touching up to 41 degrees Celsius.
New Delhi (PTI): With the COVID-19 positivity
rate in Delhi breaching the five per cent-mark
again, doctors on Sunday said people developing
coronavirus-like symptoms should get them-
selves tested and authorities should make the
wearing of masks mandatory to help check the
spread of infection.The COVID-19 positivity rate
in the national capital has jumped from 0.5 per
cent to 5.33 per cent in two weeks.
‘COVID spread’ increased by 500%
in last 15 days in Delhi-NCR: Survey
New Delhi (PTI): The
number of people in Del-
hi-NCR reporting some-
one getting COVID-19 in
their close social net-
work has risen by 500 pc
in the last 15 days, a sur-
vey has claimed.
Around 19 percent of
residents of Delhi-NCR
responding to a survey
revealed they have one or
more individuals in their
close network who has
had COVID in the last 15
days. The ‘COVID net-
work prevalence’ marks
an over 500 percent in-
crease in the last 15 days,
said LocalCircles, the
firm that conducted the
survey.
Auto, cab drivers
to go on strike
from today
New Delhi (PTI): A
Commuters in Delhi
are likely to face prob-
lems as several unions
of auto, taxi and mini
bus drivers have decid-
ed to go on strike on
Monday demanding a
hike in fare rates and a
cut in CNG prices.
While most auto un-
ions said they will be
on a one-day strike, the
Sarvodaya Driver As-
sociation Delhi, which
has members who
drive for cab aggrega-
tors, said it will go on
an “indefinite” strike
from Monday. There
are over 90,000 autos
and more than 80,000
registered taxis in the
city.
40-yr-old man held
for killing wife, son
New Delhi (ANI): Delhi
Police arrested a 40-year-
old man, who allegedly
killed his wife and son in
Delhi’s Geeta Colony, po-
lice said. The accused is
identified as Sachin, who
worked as an accountant
in a private company and
ran a grocery shop along-
side. According to the
police, the accused ran
away from the house af-
ter committing the
crime. However, he con-
fessed his crime through
a message on a family
WhatsApp group.
“He confessed the crime
committed by strangula-
tion and smothering af-
ter a scuffle with his wife
due to financial prob-
lems,” said Deputy Com-
missioner of Police of
Shahdara, R Sathi-
yasundaram said. At
around 3.50 pm on Satur-
day, the police received a
call from the woman who
informed them about the
crime.
SCHOOLS TAKE
PREVENTIVE STEPS
New Delhi(PTI):
Schools across Delhi-
NCR have sprung into
action following a spike
in Covid cases and are
taking various measures
to restrict the spread of
the virus to a minimum
and thus avoid shut-
down of the campus.
The other measures be-
ing taken by the schools
include closing a par-
ticular classroom when
someone tests positive
and advising parents
to not send their kids
without masks.
Mukundpur depot to
be expanded: DMRC
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi
Metro has planned to
augment the capacity
of its Mukundpur De-
pot to cater to the addi-
tional requirements of
two of its upcoming
corridors on Ph-IV net-
work, officials said on
Sunday
.
The two new corri-
dors being built are Ma-
jlis Park-Maujpur (ex-
tension of Pink Line)
and Janakpuri West-R
K Ashram Marg (exten-
sion of Magenta Line).
Tenders have already
been awarded for the
expansion of most of
the depot components.
The revamped facility
at Mukundpur Depot is
expected to be made op-
erational by the end of
year 2024, they said.
“Some of the existing
stabling lines in
Mukundpur Depot will
be further expanded
and some new stabling
lines will be added to ac-
commodate more trains
for stabling and mainte-
nance,” the DMRC said
in a statement.
This depot currently
has 24 stabling lines. Of
these, 11 are being ex-
tended in length.
NATIONAL CAPITAL TENSE, 21 HELD
New Delhi (PTI): A
Delhi court on Sunday
sent two men, including
a 21-year-old who alleg-
edly fired a bullet that
hit a sub-inspector in
the violence during a
Hanuman Jayanti pro-
cession in the city’s Ja-
hangirpuri, to police
custody. The Delhi Po-
lice have arrested 21
people over the violence
during a Hanuman Jay-
anti procession.
Duty Magistrate Di-
vya Malhotra sent Md
Aslam and another co-
accused Md Ansar to
police custody till Mon-
day, while the other 18
accused were sent to
judicial custody for 14
days.
All the accused in the
case were produced be-
fore the court and the
police alleged that An-
sar and Aslam were the
main conspirators who
got to know about the
‘Shobha Yatra’ on April
15 and hatched up the
conspiracy
.
It said the custodial
interrogation of Aslam
and Ansar was required
to unearth the larger
conspiracy and involve-
ment of others.
Delhi Police said they
took the help of CCTV
footage to identify the
others involved in the
case.
Police said they re-
covered a pistol from
Aslam, a resident of a
slum cluster in Jahang-
irpuri’s CD Park, which
he allegedly used dur-
ing the commission of
crime. They further
told the court that there
was stone-pelting and
arson during the clash-
es between two commu-
nities that left eight po-
lice personnel and a lo-
cal injured Saturday
evening. Some vehicles
were also torched. An
FIR was registered un-
der sections 307 (at-
tempt to murder), 120 B
(criminal conspiracy),
147 (rioting) and other
relevant IPC and the
Arms Act sections in
relation to the case.
DELHI POLICE HOLDS MEETING
WITH AMAN COMMITTEES
New Delhi (PTI): A
day after clashes broke
out during a Hanuman
Jayanti procession in
the city’s Jahangirpuri
area, the Delhi Police
on Sunday held a
meeting with mem-
bers of Aman (peace)
committees and asked
them to appeal to the
people to maintain
peace in their area,
officials said. Accord-
ing to the police, a
meeting was organised
by DCP (Northwest)
Usha Rangnani with
the members of Aman
Committee of Jahang-
irpuri, Mahendra Park
and Adarsh Nagar to
maintain peace in the
area.
NOIDA POLICE ON ALERT
Noida (ANI): After the
incident of violence and
stone-pelting in the
Jahangirpuri area of
the national capital, the
Noida Police is on alert
and a flag march was
conducted with the goal
to create an atmosphere
of faith and security for
the public. “After Delhi’s
sensitive incident, a flag
march is underway by
police with the goal to
create an atmosphere
of faith and security for
the public. I appeal to
the public to maintain
peace and not pay heed
to rumours,” said Love
Kumar, Joint Police
Commissioner (Law and
Order). Clashes broke
out between two groups
after stone-pelting
incidents were reported
from the Jahangirpuri
area in Delhi on Saturday
evening during a proces-
sion on Saturday.
STAY UNITED
DELHI: CONG
‘BULLETS FIRED
FROM C-BLOCK’
Congress on Sunday al-
leged a lack of empathy
among those in power
and urged people in
Delhi to take it upon
themselves to stay
united after violence
during a Hanuman
Jayanti procession. In
a tweet in Hindi, Con-
gress’ chief spokesper-
son Randeep Surjewala
said, “Delhi be alert..
Delhi be safe…Delhi
stay united.”
Delhi (ANI): Delhi
Police Sub-Inspector
Medha Lal, who
sustained bullet injuries
during violence at Ja-
hangirpuri said on Sun-
day that bullets were
fired from the C-Block
side of the area during
the violence.“Yesterday,
a religious procession
was taken out. When
they reached a mosque,
an argument started
between two groups,”
said Lal to ANI.
I appeal to everyone to maintain peace
and brotherhood. There are
some bad elements in every
religion; they are responsible for such
incidents.
—Hansraj Hans, BJP MP from North-west Delhi
The stone pelting on the procession is very
sad. It is against the thinking and
the culture of Delhi. I appeal to all
the people to maintain peace and
the culprits should be punished severely.
—Gautam Gambhir, BJP MP
Arvind Kejriwal is just playing the blame
game. Why was security not pro-
vided when a procession was go-
ing? It is the responsibility of the Delhi gov-
ernment and the Central government.
—Anil Chaudhary , DPCC chief
People are requested to inform police
if suspicious activities take
place in their area or any
group indulge in argument.
—Dependra Pathak, Special CP, Law Order, Delhi Police
PRIME ACCUSED ANSAR, ASLAM SENT TO POLICE CUSTODY TILL MONDAY
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel patrol the site where violence broke out
between two communities during the Shobha Yatra procession on Hanuman
Jayanti at Jahangirpuri in New Delhi on Sunday —PHOTO BY ANI

INDIA
03
Rakesh Ranjan
New Delhi: Senior IRS
(Customs Indirect
Taxes) officers have
turned apprehensive
about their candida-
ture for foreign post-
ings (COIN postings)
ever since they applied
for the same over 18
months back.
The Centre had in
August 2020 invited ap-
plications for six COIN
posts. Dozens of Addi-
tional/Joint Commis-
sioner rank IRS (CIT)
applied for the post-
ings. However, even af-
ter more than one and
half years, no decision
is said to have been
made, making the ap-
plicants nervous and
apprehensive.
It is pointed out that
the Directorate of Rev-
enue Intelligence had
in August 2020 written
to all Principal Chief
Commissioners, DGs,
and chief departmen-
tal representatives in-
viting applications for
six COIN postings in
Singapore, New York,
Brussels, Moscow,
Kathmandu, and Bir-
gunj (Nepal).
The posts covered
First Secretary (Com-
merce), High Commis-
sion of India in Singa-
pore; Consul (Trade),
Consul General of In-
dia in New York; First
Secretary (Trade),
Brussels; First Secre-
tary (Trade), Moscow;
First Secretary (Eco-
nomic), High Commis-
sion of India, Kath-
mandu; and Consul
(Commerce), CGI, Bir-
gunj (Nepal).
A section of officials
says that the proposals,
after due diligence,
were moved to the ACC
for ratification. The
Government’s silence
on the issue has made
officials believe that
the government may
have a second thought
about sending off half
a dozen officers on for-
eign postings.
IS THE GOVERNMENT HAVING A SECOND
THOUGHT ON FIVE COIN POSTINGS?
40TH EDITION OF HUNAR HAAT
Union Minister Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, former
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar during the
inauguration of Hunar Haat in Mumbai on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI
Guwahati/Kolkata
(Agencies): Veteran
Congress leader from
Assam and the party’s
former state President
Ripun Bora on Sunday
quit the party and
joined the Trinamool
Congress.
After his switch,
Bora, a former Assam
Minister and ex-Rajya
Sabha member, tweet-
ed: “From today I have
started my new politi-
cal journey!”
In his resignation
letter to Congress’ in-
terim President Sonia
Gandhi, he alleged
that a section of Con-
gress leaders in Assam
have been in clandes-
tine link with the rul-
ing BJP leaders and
Chief Minister Him-
anta Biswa Sarma.
The Congress leader,
accompanied by his
wife and son, met Tri-
namool’s national Gen-
eral Secretary Ab-
hishek Banerjee in Kol-
kata and formally
joined the party. Trina-
mool MPs Derek
O’Brien and Susmita
Dev, who was also in the
Congress earlier, were
also present.
Banerjee later tweet-
ed: “Extending a very
warm welcome to Shri
Ripun Bora, a stalwart
and skilled politician,
who joined the AITC
family today
. We are ex-
tremely pleased to have
you onboard and look
forward to working to-
gether for the well-be-
ing of our people!”
CONGRESS’ VETERAN ASSAM LEADER
RIPUN BORA QUITS PARTY, JOINS TMC
‘Senior Cong leaders have ‘secret’ links with BJP’
Ripun Bora with TMC national secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
Pune (ANI): Raising
the pitch for Hindutva,
Maharashtra Navnir-
man Sena (MNS) presi-
dent Raj Thackeray on
Sunday said he will
visit Ayodhya on June 5
to take darshan of Lord
Ram and appealed to
“Hindu brothers” to “be
prepared” if loudspeak-
ers are not removed
from mosques by May 3.
Stating that loud-
speakers relaying the
‘azan’ call is more a so-
cial issue than a reli-
gious one, Raj Thacker-
ay said they don’t want
peace in the society dis-
turbed, “but if the use
of loudspeakers contin-
ues then they (Muslims)
will also have to listen to
our prayers on loud-
speakers”.
“On May 1, I will ad-
dress a public gathering
at Sambhajinagar (Au-
rangabad). On June 5, I
will visit Ayodhya for
darshan along with
MNS volunteers. I also
appeal to others to come
to Ayodhya,” the MNS
president told a press
conference in Pune.
Patna (PTI): A day af-
ter the ruling NDA lost
a by-election to the op-
position RJD, Bihar
Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar on Sunday as-
serted that the will of
people is supreme.
“Janata Malik hai”
was his terse reply to
journalists who sought
his reaction on the Bo-
chahan assembly by-
poll, which saw the
BJP losing to the
Tejashwi Yadav-led
party by a big margin.
The RJD stunned
the ruling NDA on Sat-
urday after its young
candidate Amar Pas-
wan defeated his near-
est BJP rival Baby Ku-
mari by a massive
margin of 36,658 votes
in the by-election.
The outcome has
come as a jolt to the
ruling coalition, more
so to the BJP, for which
a victory would have
been a vindication of
sorts in the wake of
recent moves like
sacking Nishad leader
Mukesh Sahani from
the cabinet and evic-
tion of Chirag Paswan
from the house of
his late father Ram Vi-
las Paswan.
Lucknow (PTI): Asa-
duddin Owaisi’s party,
the All India Majlis-e-
Ittehad Muslimeen
(AIMIM) on Sunday
urged senior Samajwa-
di Party leader Azam
Khan to join the party,
this amid reports of the
former Uttar Pradesh
cabinet minister being
upset with the Akhilesh
Yadav-led party
.
“You are requested to
join the AIMIM so that
BJP and the SP could be
eliminated from Uttar
Pradesh,” read a letter
by AIMIM state spokes-
person Mohammad
Farhan sent to Khan.
The AIMIM spokes-
person said, “When
you were fighting for
life in Medanta Hospi-
tal, the whole nation
was concerned about
your well-being and
praying. On your safe
return to the Sitapur
jail, Akhilesh Yadav
did not consider it nec-
essary to meet you.”
The rumours of
Azam Khan being up-
set with the SP top
brass came to the fore
after his media in-
charge Fasahat Ali
Khan accused Akhile-
sh Yadav of ignoring
the leader and not visit-
ing him in jail.
Raj Thackeray to visit
Ayodhya on June 5
Says, will retaliate if
loudspeakers on
mosque not
removed by May 3
Janata malik hai,says
Nitish post bypoll rout
AIMIM urges Azam
Khan to join party
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv
Sena MP Sanjay Raut
on Sunday said a con-
ference of non-BJP
chief ministers is like-
ly to be held in Mumbai
soon to discuss the pre-
vailing political situa-
tion in the country
.
West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Ba-
nerjee has written to
the chief ministers of
States where the BJP
is not in power under-
lining the need to dis-
cuss the current situa-
tion in the country, he
told reporters.
“NCP (Nationalist
Congress Party) presi-
dent Sharad Pawar and
Maharashtra Chief
MinisterUddhavThack-
eray have discussed this
andeffortsareontohold
such a conference in
Mumbai,” Raut said.
He said various is-
sues including unem-
ployment, inflation, the
“misuse” of Central
probe agencies, at-
tempts to create com-
munal discord etc. will
be discussed in the up-
coming meeting.
Notably
, leaders of 13
Opposition parties on
Saturdayexpresseddeep
concern over the recent
incidents of hate speech
and communal violence
inthecountryandurged
peopletomaintainpeace
and harmony
.
In a joint statement,
the leaders including
Congress president So-
nia Gandhi, NCP chief
Sharad Pawar, West
Bengal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee, and
her Tamil Nadu and
Jharkhand counter-
parts M.K. Stalin and
Hemant Soren, also
raised concern over
how issues relating to
food, dress, faith, festi-
vals and language “are
being used” by the rul-
ing establishment to
polarise society
.
Raut alleged that re-
cent attacks on proces-
sions taken out to mark
Ram Navami and Hanu-
man Jayanti were “po-
litically sponsored” to
polarisevoters,especial-
ly in the States where
elections are due in the
next few months.
Non-BJPCMslikelytomeetinMumbai
todiscusspoliticalsituation:Sena’sRaut
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray with its Telangana
counterpart, and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut. —FILE PHOTO
MNS chief Raj Thackeray
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
SP leader Azam Khan
Vijayanagara (Kar-
nataka): In a clear
message to elements
aiming to foment
trouble in the state,
Karnataka Chief
Minister Basavaraj
Bommai warned
that no one should
dare to take law into
their hands.
A large number of
people allegedly
went on a rampage
damaging many po-
lice vehicles, a near-
by hospital and a Ha-
numan temple in the
old town of Hubballi
in Karnataka and in-
jured some police of-
ficers on duty over a
social media post in
the early hours of
Sunday, police said.
“No one should dare
to take the law into
their hands. The
State government
would not tolerate
that. The law would
take its course,”
Bommai warned all
the organisations
which try to foment
trouble after the inci-
dent on Sunday
.
Speaking to media
persons before the
BJP Executive meet
he was responding to
questions from the
media on the Hubba-
lli incidents.
Reacting to the
communal tension
that erupted in Hub-
bali on Saturday
night, the CM said
that the State Gov-
ernment would not
tolerate it.
“The police are al-
ready taking action.
Police will not hesi-
tate to take stringent
action against those
who take law into
their hands. We will
act against those who
instigated it too. Let
us not give political
colours to it. We
should look at it as a
law and order issue.
Then only such inci-
dents will stop,” he
said.
“In Hubballi yes-
terday, some ele-
ments took the law
into their hands.
Though the police
had arrested the per-
son who had posted a
Whatsapp message,
some people assem-
bled in front of a po-
lice station and in-
cited trouble. Some
policemen too were
injured in the inci-
dent,” Bommai said.
In 1994, Hubballi
had made it to the
headlinesoverthecon-
troversy around hoist-
ing of national flag on
the premises of the
Eidgah maidan here.
Don’t dare to take law
into your hands: CM
No alliance
with TRS,
clarifies Cong
Hyderabad (Agen-
cies): The Con-
gress on Sunday
made it clear that it
will not have an al-
liance with the TRS
in Telangana.
Party MP Man-
ickam Tagore dis-
missed rumours of
an electoral alliance
with the ruling TRS
for the next year’s
Assembly elections.
“The rumours of
coalition are totally
false.Congresswon’t
move back an inch
from our commit-
ment to save Telan-
gana from TRS
BJP
. Let this be crys-
tal clear to those
spreadingrumours,”
he said in a tweet.
Karnataka CM Bommai
China has constructed
three mobile towers at
Hot Springs in eastern
Ladakh very close to
the LAC, local council-
lor Konchok Stanzin
said on Sunday
.
“After completing the
bridge over Pangong
lake,Chinahasinstalled
3 mobile towers near
China’s hot spring very
close to the Indian terri-
tory
. Isn’t it a concern?
We don’t even have 4G
facilitiesinhumanhabi-
tation villages. 11 vil-
lagesinmyconstituency
have no 4G facilities,”
Stanzin,whoisthecoun-
cillor from Chushul,
said in a tweet.
In January
, India had
strongly objected Chi-
na’s illegal construction
of a bridge on part of
the Pangong Lake in
Eastern Ladakh and
said that it is monitor-
ing the situation.
Ministry of External
Affairs spokesperson
Arindam Bagchi had
stated: “Government
has been monitoring
thisactivityclosely
.This
bridge is being con-
structed in areas that
have been under illegal
occupation by China for
around 60 years now. As
youarewellaware,India
has never accepted such
illegal occupation.”
The bridge to connect
north and south banks
of the Pangong Lake
will allow the Chinese
PLA quick access to
both sides.
Chinahassetup3mobiletowers
nearHotSprings:Localcouncillor
India and China have been engaged in the border face-off for
around two years now. —REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

❍ HUBBALLI VIOLENCE

PERSPECTIVE
04
l Vol 1 l Issue No. 228
l RNI TITLE NO. DELENG/2021/19840
Printed and published by
Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of
First Express Publishers. Printed at
Impressions Printing and Packaging
Limited, C-21, 22 Sector-59,
Noida-201301. Published at G-20,
3rd Floor, 309, Preet Vihar, New
Delhi-110092. Phone 011-49846474.
Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra.
Editor: Sharat K Verma
responsible for selection of news
under the PRB Act
Dharmendra Pradhan
@dpradhanbjp
The responsibility of all of us has
increased in the 21st century. Instead
of job seeker, our youth should become
job creator, we have to make this effort.
It is the priority of the Modi government
to prepare ‘Vishva Manavs,’ who along
with fulfilling their needs, can also
solve the problems of the world.
Shashi Tharoor
@ShashiTharoor
While our “mainstream media” was
distracted by hijab, halal azaan,
India’s labour force shrank by 3.8
million in March. Unemployment rose
across sectors: 76 lakh jobs were lost
in industry, 41 lakh in manufacturing,
and 29 lakh in construction.
#IndiaNeedsJobs@ProfCong
SPIRITUAL SPEAK
Perform all thy actions with
mind concentrated on the
Divine, renouncing attachment
and looking upon success and
failure with an equal eye.
Spiritualityimpliesequanimity.
—Bhagvad Gita
IN-DEPTH
NYT REPORT ON
COVID DEATH TOLL
IN INDIA HELPS
RAGA TO ATTACK PM
he number of Cov-
id-19 deaths in India
has been a subject of
debate with few tak-
ers for the official
tally
. What’s more, the New York
Times has claimed that India
was stalling efforts of the WHO
to make the global Covid death
toll public. The WHO estimates
that 40 lakh people died of Covid
in India, compared to 5.21 lakh
deaths as recorded by the Union
Health Ministry
. India has ques-
tioned the methodology used by
WHO to arrive at the Covid
death numbers. One may not
find WHO numbers credible but
there’s no reason to rely on the
government’s figures either.
The NYT report has given
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
an opportunity to attack Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, even
though there’s no way to con-
firm the veracity of the high
tally. Yes, there were bodies
floating in the Ganga and there
was an attempt to conceal the
gravity of the situation but one
doesn’t, and probably wouldn’t,
know how many died of Covid.
TOP TWEETS
T
ennsylvania Uni-
versity’s law pro-
fessor Amy Wax,
who is also a neu-
rologist, has been
roundly criticised for her
strong anti-racist comments
targeting immigrants, mainly
India and Indians. The re-
marks were unbecoming of a
professor, but they reflect her
racist mindset of a white su-
premacist. Among the obnox-
iousremarksmadeinaninter-
viewtoanAmericanTVchan-
nel with known Republican
tilt, Prof Wax described India
as a “sh..hole” even as Indian
immigrants were critical of
everythingAmerican.Particu-
larly attacking Indian doctors
she said they are “on the ram-
parts for the antiracism initia-
tive for dump on America”.
No matter how qualified
Prof Wax may be, she herself
is unable to take the “out-
sized achievements and con-
tributions of the Indian com-
munity” to American society
and not the other way round.
It is also she and those with a
similar bent of mind who
have “resentment, shame and
envy” against Blacks Asian
immigrants who dominate
theAmericansocietythrough
their hard work.
Quite rightly Prof Wax drew
outright indignation from Indi-
ans with many of them wonder-
ingwithhowmuchcontemptshe
must be treating students of
otherracesinherclass.Shemust
also detest President Joe Biden
for entrusting Indians Blacks
withkeyassignments.Butthatis
the twisted way the Pennsylva-
nia University professor looks at
immigrants. Last year she de-
manded stricter race-based im-
migration.
Prof Wax deserves strong
condemnation but there’s also a
lesson for those preaching hate
in India. Whether on grounds
of race or religion, what’s good
for geese is good for gander.
Some people tend to forget that.
US PROF PREACHES
WHAT SHE SHOULDN’T
Prof Wax deserves
strong condemnation
but there’s also a lesson
for those preaching hate
in India. Whether on
grounds of race or
religion, what’s good for
geese is good for
gander. Some people
tend to forget that
P
THE FRUIT OF THE PUDDING
IS IN THE EATING!
t the end of the day
, the ambi-
tious MissionKaramyogipro-
gramme can only be as effec-
tive as the operational plat-
form for courses relevant to
the ‘ role- based -competen-
cies’ of the employees .This is
a special challenge for andra-
gogy ( adult learning ) – for
unlike the pedagogic tools
which pass muster for the
young, adult learning is
fraught withseveral challeng-
es: felt need, incentive to
learn, reluctance to change
and a degree of scepticism for
many an ambitious pro-
gramme has been tried out in
the past as well. Moreover, in
ageneralsense,organizations
and individuals are also grap-
pling with ‘information over-
load’ as a vast majority of
universities which teach pub-
licpolicy
,publicmanagement,
and development issues, as
well as think tanks and librar-
ies have put up content on
every aspect of governance,
especially in the key sectors
of HR, Education, health, ag-
riculture, rural development,
social inclusion etal on their
websites. The big issue is to
separate the wheat from the
chaff by selecting content,
whichiseithertailormade,or
most suited for a few pilots
before it can be replicated at a
pan India level.
Contextualising the con-
tent is equally, if not more
important. The global best
practices have to be rooted in
our specific socio economic
and cultural environment. It
is imperative that in the first
instance, a good Hindi tran-
screation is available for all
the content/ Later this will
have to be extended to all the
languages in the Eighth
schedule of the Constitution.
With regard to the actual
delivery, one has to under-
stand the range – there are
courses on process, on con-
tent as well as on behavioural
skills. Some have to be taken
by everyone in the organiza-
tion – others by the equiva-
lent functional tiers of all
organizations in the wider
ecosystem, and finally do-
main specific courses which
are meant for officers hold-
ing a particular assignment.
Let me illustrate with an
example. There will be one
training for all officers in the
Health department – from the
Assistant Section Officer to
the Health Secretary
. Another
is the training for all the un-
der-secretaries of this depart-
ment, along with those of
other MDOs to understand
the process of how a depart-
ment should function, and
how it should engage with
multiplestakeholders. Third-
ly, there would be courses on
preventive health which are
specific to individual offices
connected with this aspect.
Different training institu-
tions will have a specialisa-
tion in their respective do-
mains: thus, the ISTM will
offer training to all under-
secretaries, the aspects of
Health policy may be deliv-
ered by the LBS National
Academy of Administration
in collaboration with John
Hopkins, and those working
in the administration of hos-
pitals may do a distinct set of
programmes on hospital
management and logistics.
This also means that each
MDO will have to identify the
strategic objective of the or-
ganization, the policy regime
which guides the objectives,
andthespecifictaskswhichan
individual officer has to per-
form in terms of deliverables
and outcomes. Many MDOs
may be doing this internal ex-
ercise for the first time, and
this would be quite revealing
in and by itself. Training or-
ganizations will have clarity
onwhatkindof coursesshould
be on offer to meet the specific
requirements of each cohort.
This is certainly very posi-
tive news for training institu-
tionslikeLBSNAAandISTM.
Most of the information driv-
en classroom teaching can be
placed on iGOT platform, and
the quality time in class de-
voted to structured engage-
ment with the faculty and re-
source persons, as well as
with the peers. In fact, LBS-
NAA has been able to shift
much of its FC syllabi – to the
iGOT- thereby giving more
time for Aarambh and other
innovativeprojects.Likewise,
in the MCTPs: the readings
and case studies have been
moved to electronic platforms
thereby encouraging partici-
pants to engage with the fac-
ultyandeachotherinsharing
perspectives issues of criti-
calimportance.Civilservants
will have to take online cours-
es they will be evaluated on
their performances in each
course across their service
span. Along with the online
courses, services like confir-
mationafterprobationperiod,
deployment, etc would also be
integrated on platform.
What then is prognosis?
This author is optimistic
about adaptive skills of civils
services. In fact, the FRAC ex-
ercise will give an officer
greater clarity about the role,
as well as the resources that
are required to ensure effec-
tive delivery
. In fact, when
they sit together for the FRAC
exercise to identify their new
roles, there will be greater
clarity about ‘who needs to do
what ‘as well as the time
frame in which the task has to
be accomplished.
Once the system has been
in place for a few years, politi-
cal discretion will become
lesser, and finally only those
who have trained in the spe-
cific sectors would be selected
by the HRMS for tasks and as-
signments related to that sec-
tor. An officer who has taken
multiple courses in education
for example is more likely to
be posted in Education, HR,
and Skills ministry, just as
those who have specialised in
infrastructure are more like-
ly to join the NHAI or the
power sector. In fact, based on
their performance in both on-
line and offline training pro-
grams, officers will also get
an opportunity to work in
their chosen field specializa-
tion, which will also help
them in their professional
growth trajectory
.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
A
With regard to actual
delivery, one has to
understand the range –
there are courses on process,
on content as well as on
behavioural skills. Some
have to be taken by
everyone in the
organization – others by the
equivalent functional tiers
of all organizations in the
wider ecosystem, finally
domain specific courses
SANJEEV CHOPRA
The writer is Distinguished Fellow,
USI Delhi and Historian Policy
Analyst. Also former Director,
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy
of Administration, Mussoorie
RAJ DHARMA 7
YOU READ RAJ DHARMA 6
IN FIRST INDIA ON
APRIL 9, 2022
CIVIL SERVANTS WILL
HAVE TO TAKE ONLINE
COURSES THEY WILL
BE EVALUATED ON THEIR
PERFORMANCES IN EACH
COURSE ACROSS THEIR
SERVICE SPAN. BESIDES,
OTHER SERVICES WOULD
ALSO BE INTEGRATED ON
THE PLATFORM
Professor Amy Wax

To Receive Free Newspaper
PDF Daily
Whatsapp:
http://bit.ly/whatsappdelhi
Telegram:
https://t.me/firstindianewdelhi
Click the above link☝ subscribe us on your
preferred platform.

INDIA
05
Bhubaneswar (Agen-
cies): Language ex-
perts from Odisha have
raised a strong voice
against Union Home
Minister Amit Shah’s
controversial state-
ment on imposition of
Hindi language on non-
Hindi speaking states.
Presiding over the
37th meeting of the
Parliamentary Official
Language Committee
in New Delhi recently,
Shah had said that Hin-
di should be the alter-
native to English for
communication among
Indians drawing ire
from all.
This statement from
a tall leader like Shah
has left the people of
Odisha a worried lot as
they have an emotional
attachment with Odia
language and feel
proud of it.
The roots of Odisha
begun from the Odia
language. Odisha was
declared as a separate
state on April 1, 1936
(pre-independent) for
its language. In fact,
Odisha is the first state,
which has been de-
clared as a separate
province on linguistic
basis.
“We strongly oppose
the forceful imposition
of Hindi on us. We had
raised our voice in the
past and we will never
allow imposition of
Hindi language on the
Odia people,” said Dil-
lip Dashsharma, from
Utkal Sammilani,
which had played a ma-
jor role in the forma-
tion of Odisha.
In the National Edu-
cation Policy (NEP),
the Union government
says that the medium
of teaching at primary
level will be in the
mother tongue. How-
ever, the union home
minister is contradict-
ing the policy, he said.
Odia language experts oppose Hindi imposition
LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY
lll
“Hindi should
be an optional
language.
Mother tongue,
in Odisha, it is
Odia, must
remain the first
language for the
people of
our state”
UKRAINE-RETURNEE STUDENTS
PROTEST AT JANTAR MANTAR
Urge Central Government to provide admission in Indian medical institutes
New Delhi (Agen-
cies): Indian students
evacuated from war-
torn Ukraine along
with their parents
gathered at Jantar
Mantar here on Sun-
day to press for their
demand for their ad-
missions in Indian
medical institutes.
Around 300 parents
and students from
across the nation un-
der the Parents Asso-
ciation of Ukraine
MBBS Students de-
manded the govern-
ment ensure the evac-
uees enrollment in
the Indian institutes
to complete their re-
maining education.
Talking to media,
the Association Presi-
dent R.B. Gupta said:
“The government was
planning to admit
these students in Po-
land, Hungry, and Eu-
ropean countries
where the fees are
much higher and
more or less similar to
Indian private medi-
cal colleges... we all
are from middle class
families who can’t af-
ford the fees.
“So we gathered
here to request Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi that these chil-
dren should accom-
modate in Indian
medical colleges.” He
said that the govern-
ment should save
their children’s ca-
reers the way they
saved their lives and
brought them back
from Ukraine.
Students who returned from Ukraine gather along with their parents at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
demanding admission to Indian institutions. —PHOTO BY ANI
UNSETTLED!
Haridwar hatemonger
Narsinghanand delivers
hate speech in Himachal
Hatemonger Yati Nars-
inghanand, out on bail
in the Haridwar hate
speech case, has deliv-
ered yet another hate
speech at a ‘religious’
conclave in Una,
Himachal Pradesh, vio-
lating the conditions of
his bail. At the meet, the
organisers gave an open
call to Hindus to pick up
arms. The speakers
called for targeted kill-
ings of Muslims.
Satyadeva Saraswati,
one of the organisers of
the meeting, told media
that it was a private pro-
gramme and there is no
need to “get permission
from the administra-
tion here”.
“We don’t believe in
the law... We are not
afraid of anyone... here
we are telling the truth,
not giving any hate
speech,” he added.
Arrested in January
for organising an event
in Haridwar that fea-
tured calls for genocide
of Muslims, Yati Nars-
inghanandwasreleased
on bail on February 18.
One of his bail con-
ditions is that he can-
not “participate in
such events”, sources
have said.
Earlier this month,
however, Yati Narsing-
hanand gave a hate
speech in Delhi’s Bura-
ri, reiterating the call
for use of weapons
against Muslims.
Yati Narsinghanand
New Delhi (PTI):
Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi paid tributes
to former prime minis-
ter Chandra Shekhar
on his birth anniversa-
ry on Sunday, saying he
was a towering person-
ality who was widely
admired for his com-
mitment to democratic
values and efforts to
remove poverty
.
Chandra Shekhar,
who served as prime
minister from Novem-
ber 10, 1990 to June 21,
1991, headed a govern-
ment of a breakaway
faction of the Janata
Dal with outside sup-
port from the Indian
National Congress.
“Chandra Shekhar Ji
was a towering person-
ality who was widely
admired for his com-
mitment to democratic
values and efforts to re-
move poverty,” Modi
said in a tweet.
BURNING FOREST
Smoke billows after a fire broke out in the forest in Dohra Nala area of Kullu district
on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI
Lohaghat (Agencies):
Uttarakhand chief min-
ister Pushkar Singh
Dhami is likely to con-
test the bypoll for the
Champawat assembly
seat, sources told media.
According to sources,
the top Bharatiya Jana-
ta Party (BJP) leader-
ship has given its nod to
the plan. After losing
the assembly polls from
Khatima, Dhami needs
to be a legislator within
six months of taking
oath as the CM. The cur-
rent MLA of Cham-
pawat, Kailash Gahtodi,
is likely to resign soon,
said sources.
Earlier, too, Gahtodi
had proposed to vacate
his seat for Dhami. Kap-
kot MLA Suresh Gadiya
and four other BJP
MLAs, too, had offered
to give up their seats for
Dhami, BJP state media
in-charge Manveer
Chauhan had said.
UP FARMERS’ KILLING
Supreme Court decision on
bail for Minister’s son today
Supreme Court is
scheduled to deliver on
Monday its order on a
plea seeking cancella-
tion of bail to Ashish
Mishra, son of Union
minister Ajay Mishra,
in the Lakhimpur Kheri
violence case.
A bench headed by
Chief Justice NV Ra-
mana is likely to pro-
nounce its verdict at
10:30 am on Monday
.
The SC on April 4 had
reserved its order on a
plea of farmers seeking
cancellation of bail to
Ashish Mishra.
The Court had earlier
raisedquestionsoverthe
Allahabad High Court
verdict granting bail to
Ashish Mishra, saying
unnecessary details like
postmortem report and
natureof woundsshould
not have gone into when
the trial was yet to com-
mence. The special
bench, also comprising
Justices Surya Kant and
Hima Kohli, had also
taken strong note of the
fact that the state gov-
ernment did not file an
appeal against the high
court’s order as suggest-
edbytheSupremeCourt-
appointed SIT.
The bench had taken
note of the submissions
of senior advocate Du-
shyant Dave and
Prashant Bhushan, ap-
pearing for farmers,
that the high court did
not consider the exten-
sive charge sheet and
rather relied upon the
FIR where it was al-
leged that one person
received bullet injuries.
Court cannot act as expert
in field of education: SC
New Delhi (PTI): A
court cannot act as an
expert in the field of
education and it should
be left to the institu-
tions to determine
whether a candidate
possesses requisite
qualification or
not, the Su-
preme Court
has said.
A bench of
Justices MR Shah
and BV Nagarathna
said there cannot be
any deviation from the
educational qualifica-
tions mentioned in an
advertisement of job.
“In the field of edu-
cation, the court of
law cannot act as an
expert normally, there-
fore, whether or not a
student/candidate is
possessing the requi-
site qualification
should better be left to
the educational insti-
tutions, more particu-
larly, when the Expert
Committee consid-
ers the matter,”
the bench said.
The observa-
tion came while
dismissing a
batch of appeals
challenging the order
of the Jharkhand High
Court with regard to
the selection process
for appointment to the
post of postgraduate
trained teachers in the
high school of
Jharkhand for differ-
ent subjects under dif-
ferent categories.
Kashmir PhD scholar arrested for
‘provocative and seditious’ article
Srinagar (PTI): The
Jammu and Kashmir
State Investigation
Agency (SIA) on Sun-
day arrested a PhD
scholar of the Univer-
sity of Kashmir for a
“highly provocative and
seditious” article in an
online magazine, an of-
ficial said.
Abdul Aala Fazili
was arrested from his
Humhama residence
as the SIA conducted
searches at several lo-
cations in the city as
part of its crackdown
on terror and anti-na-
tional networks, the of-
ficial said.
The SIA, assigned
with the duty of inves-
tigation and prosecu-
tion of terror-related
cases, carried out the
searches in connection
with an FIR registered
under various sections
of the Unlawful Activi-
ties (Prevention) Act
and the IPC against Fa-
zili and the editor and
other associates of
monthly digital maga-
zine ‘The Kashmir Wal-
la’, the official said.
A view of Kashmir University at
Hazarat Bal in Srinagar.
CBI to examine DNA samples from
3 accused in Nadia gangrape case
Kolkata: The Central
Bureau of Investiga-
tion (CBI) on Saturday
collected samples for
DNA testing of the
three accused in the
Nadia gangrape case.
According to sources,
DNA test samples have
also been collected
from the parents of the
victim.
The agency will use
the DNA test reports as
the main tool to convict
the accused in the case.
Blood samples of the
three accused, Sohail
Gayali, Prabhakar Pod-
dar and Ranjit Mallik
were taken on Saturday
night in a hospital.
Samples from the
victim’s parents were
taken on Saturday af-
ternoon in the hospi-
tal. The samples will
be sent to Delhi for the
DNA test.
The third accused,
Ranjit Mallik, was ar-
rested by the CBI on
Saturday. He will be
taken to court on Sun-
day. The CBI will inter-
rogate the witnesses in
the case who gave
their statements to the
police.
Security personnel produce
the third accused arrested in
connection with the Hanskhali
rape case at the ACJM court.
In JK’s Kokernag,
militants escape
after killing jawan
Srinagar (Agencies):
Militants gave the slip to
ajointteamof policeand
army during a gunfight
in which a soldier was
killed in south Kash-
mir’s Anantnag district,
a report said on Sunday
.
The Army soldier of
19 RR was killed in the
initial phase of the en-
counter which broke out
in Watnar Kokernag
area of district on Satur-
day afternoon.
A police officer told
mediathattheoperation
has now been called off.
U’khand CM Dhami may
contest Champawat bypoll
Modi pays tribute
to former PM
Chandra Shekhar
on his birth anniv
Birla-led Parl
delegation to
visit Vietnam
New Delhi: An Indian
Parliamentary Delega-
tion led by Lok Sabha
Speaker, Om Birla will
visit Vietnam on April
19 to 21. The Delegation
consists of CP Joshi,
MP; Riti Pathak, MP;
Rahul Ramesh Sh-
ewale, MP; Rajani Pa-
til, MP; Harnath Singh
Yadav, MP; Mitesh
Rameshbhai Patel, MP
and Utpal Kumar Sin-
gh, Secretary – Gener-
al, Lok Sabha.
Pushkar Singh Dhami

BIZ BUZZ
06
Promoted by
AU Small Finance Bank
Oil Min freezes gas allocation,
leading to CNG, PNG price rise
Oil Ministry has
stopped making a new
allocation of natural
gasfromdomesticfields
to the city gas sector,
threatening the viabili-
ty of `2 lakh crore in-
vestmentplannedinthe
sector besides leading
to a hike in CNG and
piped cooking gas pric-
es to record levels,
sources said.
Despite a decision of
the Union Cabinet to
give100percentgassup-
ply under ‘no cut’ prior-
ity to the city gas distri-
bution(CGD)sector,cur-
rent supplies have been
maintained at March
2021 demand level.
Besides, allocating
gas on a six-monthly av-
erage drawl is also pun-
ishing the CGD entities
driving growth.
CGD operators have
been requesting the
ministry to maintain
the gas supply to the
sector under the no-cut
category with the last
two months’ average to
ensure the demand for
both CNG and piped
natural gas (PNG) for
homes is fully met. Still,
the ministry has not
made any new alloca-
tion for over a year now,
three sources aware of
the matter said.
Besides the shortfall
in the allocation, the
prices of APM gas for
CNG and PNG have
been revised from $2.90
permillionBritishther-
mal units to $6.10, an
increase of 110 per cent.
While the demand
has snowballed in exist-
ing cities with CNG net-
works and supplies
starting in newer areas,
lack of allocation from
domestic fields meant
that operators bought
imported liquefied nat-
ural gas (LNG) at prices
at least six times the
domestic rate.
Govt amends FEMA rules
to allow 20% FDI in LIC
New Dehi (PTI): The
government has
amended rules of the
Foreign Exchange
Management Act
(FEMA), paving the
way for up to 20 per
cent foreign direct in-
vestment in the insur-
ance behemoth LIC.
The government is
planning to dilute its
stake in LIC through
the the Initial Public
Offering (IPO). LIC in
February had filed the
Draft Red Herring Pro-
spectus (DRHP) before
the markets regulator
Sebi for the IPO.
Last month, Sebi
gave approval to the
draft papers and the
insurer is in the pro-
cess of filing a request
for proposal with
changes.
Following the Cabi-
net approval, the De-
partment for Promo-
tion of Industry and
Internal Trade (DPIIT)
on March 14 had
amended the Foreign
Direct Investment
(FDI) policy to facili-
tate overseas invest-
ment in LIC ahead of
the mega public offer.
FEMA notification
was required to opera-
tionalise the provi-
sions DPIIT issued
through a press note,
including FDI policy
changes that will allow
large foreign portfolio
investors to subscribe
to shares of LIC.
‘’These rules may be
called the Foreign Ex-
change Management
(Non-debt Instru-
ments) (Amendment)
Rules, 2022,’’ said a ga-
zette notification is-
sued recently
.
The notification has
inserted a paragraph
in the existing policy,
allowing up to 20 per
cent FDI in LIC
through the automatic
route.
DILUTED LIC
FPIs pull out over `4,500
cr from equities last week,
turn net sellers again
Mumbai (PTI):
Adopting a cautious
stance, foreign inves-
tors pulled over `4,500
crore from the Indian
equity market last
week on fears of an ag-
gressive rate hike by
the US Federal Re-
serve.
This comes follow-
ing a net investment
of `7,707 crore by for-
eign portfolio inves-
tors (FPIs) during
April 1-8 as a correc-
tion in the markets
provided a good buy-
ing opportunity, data
with depositories
showed.
Before that, FPIs
remained net sellers
for six months to
March 2022, with-
drawing a massive
net amount of `1.48
lakh crore from equi-
ties.
These were mainly
on the back of antici-
pation of a rate hike
by the US Federal Re-
serve and the deterio-
rating geopolitical en-
vironment following
Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine.
GST Council may do away with 5%
rate; move items to 3%, 8% slabs
New Delhi (PTI): With
most States on board to
raise revenue so that
they do not have to de-
pend on Centre for com-
pensation, the GST
Council at its meeting
next month is likely to
consider a proposal to
do away with the 5%
slab by moving some
goods of mass con-
sumption to 3% and the
remaining to 8% cate-
gories, sources said.
Currently, GST is a
four-tier structure of 5,
12, 18 and 28%. Besides,
gold and gold jewellery
attract 3% tax.
In addition, there is
an exempt list of items
like unbranded and un-
packed food items
which do not attract the
levy
.
Sources said in order
to augment revenue the
Council may decide to
prune the list of exempt
items by moving some
of the non-food items to
3% slab.
Sources said that dis-
cussions are on to raise
the 5% slab to either 7
or 8 or 9 %, a final call
will be taken by the GST
Council which compris-
es finance ministers of
both Centre and States.
As per calculations,
every 1% increase in
the 5% slab, which
mainly includes pack-
aged food items, would
roughly yield an addi-
tional revenue of ₹50,000
crore annually
.
Although various op-
tions are under consid-
eration, the Council is
likely to settle for an 8%
GST (Goods and Ser-
vices Tax) for most
items that currently at-
tract 5% levy
.
Under GST, essential
items are either ex-
empted or taxed at the
lowest rate while luxu-
ry and demerit items
attract the highest tax.
Mutual funds
add over 30
million folios
in FY 2022
New Delhi (PTI): In-
creasing awareness
about mutual funds,
ease of transactions
through digitisation
and sharp surge in
equity markets have
aided asset manage-
ment companies to
add a staggering 3.17
crore investor ac-
counts in 2021-22,
with experts saying
the trend is likely to
continue this fiscal
as well.
This was a signifi-
cant rise from 2020-21
when 81 lakh ac-
counts (or folios in
mutual fund par-
lance) were opened,
data with the Asso-
ciation of Mutual
Funds in India
(Amfi) showed.
The ongoing fi-
nancial year too ap-
pears to be promis-
ing in terms of folios
as increase in inves-
tor accounts will en-
able people to move
beyond fixed depos-
its and savings ac-
counts, said Priti
Rathi Gupta, found-
er of LXME, a finan-
cial platform for
women.
'Return to office, large scale hiring to drive office space demand in 2022'
New Delhi (PTI): Bull-
ish on the growth po-
tential of India’s office
market, TATA Realty
and Infrastructure MD
and CEO Sanjay Dutt
said the total leasing of
office space across ma-
jor seven cities is ex-
pected to rise to more
than 30 million square
feet in 2022 compared
to 26 million square
feet in 2021 on better
demand from corpo-
rates.
In an interview with
PTI, Dutt highlighted
that hiring at a large
scale is already hap-
pening with many sec-
tors bouncing back af-
ter the adverse impact
of the COVID-19 pan-
demic.
“Commercial activi-
ties have gone up al-
ready with a sharp fall
in COVID cases. ‘Re-
turn to office’ will in-
crease going forward.
Early signs indicate
that the total net leas-
ing of office space in
2022 across seven
major cities will cross
last year’s
number,” he said.
The to-
tal net absorption of
o f f i c e
space will
cross 30
m i l l i o n
square feet
in 2022 as
against 26
m i l l i o n
square feet
in the pre-
vious year.
“Hiring
on a large
scale basis
is happen-
ing already. Many sec-
tors are bouncing back.
We think there is no
threat rather the op-
portunitiesare even
better,” Dutt said.
Going forward, he
said the company
would develop office
parks that are more rel-
evant to the needs of
the tenants.
“Everybody wants
touchless, everybody
wants properties
where employees feel
safe, secure and more
motivated to perform
their work. We will be
designing buildings
which are sustainable,
wellness certified and
more engaging for em-
ployees,” Dutt said.
Tata Realty Infra-
structures office parks,
under the brand name
‘Intellion’, would be
smart, sustainable and
dynamic buildings, he
added.
Tata Realty has
formed a partnership
with CPPIB to develop
and own commercial
real estate assets.
CHIP MANUFACTURING
PUSH TIMELY AMID
GLOBAL SUPPLY WOES:
HCL CO-FOUNDER
UPI TO STAY ON TOP;
DIGITAL CURRENCY
TO DRIVE PAYMENTS
IN NEXT 5 YEARS
New Delhi (PTI): India’s
manufacturing push,
backed by favourable
policies, is timely and
positions the country
strongly to grab a
massive opportunity in
the electronics hardware
space amid COVID-
induced supply chain
disruptions and global
trust deficit around China,
according to HCL co-
founder Ajai Chowdhry. He
said that India can emerge
as a “reliable partner” for
world when it comes to
hardware production and
chip-making.
New Delhi (PTI): Retail online
transaction platform UPI will likely
continue to dominate the digital
payments space in the country
even as newer methods such as
BNPL and digital currency are
expected to define the future
of payments, a study has said.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI),
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL),
Central Bank Digital Currency
(CBDC) and offline payments will
drive growth of digital payments
in India in the next five years,
PwC India said in a report. UPI
is expected to continue to be the
major contributor in the digital
payments space, followed by
BNPL, it said. In 2020-21, UPI
transactions reached a record 22
billion (2,200 crore).
7 of top 10 firms lose
` 1.32 trn in m-cap;
Reliance biggest drag
New Delhi (PTI):
Seven of the 10 most
valued firms suffered
a combined erosion of
Rs 1,32,535.79 crore in
market valuation last
week, with Reliance
Industries emerging
as the worst hit.
In the holiday-trun-
cated week, the
Sensex tumbled
1,108.25 points or 1.86
per cent.
While Reliance In-
dustries Ltd (RIL),
TCS, HDFC Bank, In-
fosys, HUL, Bajaj Fi-
nance and HDFC
were the laggards
from the top-10 pack,
ICICI Bank, SBI and
Adani Green Energy
were the gainers.
WILL RESPOND STRONGLY TO
FRAUDS: SEQUOIA CAPITAL ON
CONTROVERSY-HIT BHARATPE
HEALTH INSURERS TAKE
20-46 DAYS TO SETTLE
PATIENTS’ CLAIMS: REPORT
TATA STEEL BOARD TO CONSIDER
SUB-DIVISION OF SHARES ON MAY 3
New Delhi (PTI): Breaking its silence
over controversy at fintech firm
BharatPe, Sequoia Capital India on
Sunday said it has zero tolerance
towards proven wrongdoing and will
continue to respond strongly to wilful
misconduct or fraud so that a few errant
founders do not create big setbacks
for startup ecosystem. Sequoia, which
is the largest shareholder in BharatPe
where co-founder Ashneer Grover
was virtually sacked from his role,
in a blog on its website said it won’t
hesitate to act to protect the interest of
shareholders and employees even if it
costs it financially. “We will take tough
calls where needed in the interest of
doing what is right,” it said without
directly mentioning BharatPe.
New Delhi (PTI): Settlement of expense
reimbursement claims under health
insurance policies on an average takes
about 20 to 46 days from the date of
intimation to the insurer, said a study
conducted by insurtech platform
SecureNow. The company said the
industry data tabulated by it also shows
that patients are quite prompt in informing
the insurers about claims with most of
them intimating the concerned insurance
firms within a week of hospitalisation.
“However, on the other hand, the
insurance companies take on an average
between 7 to 108 days to settle the claims
related to maternity. Caesarean sections
take the longest time 9 to 135 days and
chemotherapy the shortest period 12 to
35 days,” the insurance broker said.
New Delhi (Agencies) Tata Group’s
steel manufacturing company, Tata Steel
is going to meet on May 3, 2022 to
consider a stock split. Additionally, the
company’s board of directors will also
look into dividend recommendations for
the financial year FY22. The company’s
stock has surged over five-fold from
the lows of March 2020. In a regulatory
filing on Sunday, the company said
its board will meet on May 3, 2022 to
“consider a proposal for sub-division of
the equity shares of the company having
a face value of Rs 10 each, in such
manner as may be determined by the
Board of Directors.” It will eventually be
subject to regulatory/statutory approvals
as may be required and the approval of
the shareholders of the company, the
steel maker added.
Before that, FPIs
remained net sellers
for six months to
March 2022
Prices of APM gas for CNG and
PNG have been revised from $2.90
per million British thermal units to
$6.10, an increase of 110 per cent.

07
NEWS
Bengaluru (PTI):
Striking a note of har-
mony
, amidst the recent
flare-up of communal
issues in Karnataka, the
historicChennakeshava
temple at Belur in Has-
san district kick-started
the annual rathotsava
(chariot festival) cele-
brations this year, after
verses of Quran were
recited in keeping with
the syncretic tradition
followed there for years.
Following the tradi-
tions, which according
to locals have been prac-
tised for centuries, Syed
Sajjad Basha, Khaji of
Dodda Meduru, chanted
verses from the Quran
on Day 1 of the two-day
rathotsava festival on
April 13, following
which the chariot was
pulled.
According to authori-
ties there, it is not clear-
ly known as to when the
tradition of reciting
Quranic verses began at
the fair in the temple,
which was built by Hoy-
salarulers.However,the
temple manual, which
dates back to 1932, has a
mention about the tradi-
tion, which is followed
to this day
, they said.
Belur was the erst-
while capital of the Hoy-
salas and referred to as
Velapur, Velur and Bela-
hur at different points
in history
. The temple,
which is known for its
sculptural extravagan-
za, was consecrated by
the famous Hoysala
kingVishnuvardhanato
mark his victories in
1116ADagainsttheCho-
las.Thousandsgathered
at the rathotsava that
saw Lord Chennake-
shava, one of the incar-
nations of Lord Vishnu,
being carried out in a
chariot after Basha read
out the verses from the
Islamic scripture.
Basha recited the
verses in the presence
of temple authorities,
with local leaders and a
large gathering of peo-
ple.
Amid flare-ups, Karnataka temple keeps alive syncretic tradition
COMMUNAL HARMONY
MUSLIMS SHOWER PETALS, OFFER SHARBAT
DURING HANUMAN JAYANTI PROCESSION IN KOTA
First India Bureau
Kota: Amid incidents
of communal clashes
in parts of the country,
Muslims in a locality
here welcomed a Hanu-
man Jayanti procession
by offering sharbat
and showering petals.
Giving the message of
communal harmony,
several Muslim youths
exhibited their tradi-
tional martial art skills
when the procession
halted in front of a
mosque while passing
through the Kherabad
area of Ramganj Mandi
town. The procession
started from the Hanu-
man temple in Kherabad
village on Saturday
evening and covered
around two kilometers,
passing through a
Muslim-dominated
area, with two mosques
on its way. The SDM
said the administration
had held a meeting
with representatives of
the Muslim and Hindu
communities ahead
of the procession.The
Muslims enthusiasti-
cally welcomed the
procession, he said.
—With PTI inputs
First India Bureau
Hyderabad: Vice Pres-
ident M Venkaiah
Naidu on Sunday
called for a change in
people’s mindset to-
wards the Divyangjan
community or the dif-
ferently-abled and as-
serted that it is the re-
sponsibility of the gov-
ernment and society at
large to prevent any
kind of discrimination
against them. He
stressed the need for
creating an environ-
ment for them to thrive
and excel. “They do not
need our sympathy,
they rightfully deserve
every opportunity to
develop to their full po-
tential”, he added.
The Vice President
was speaking at the
National Institute for
the Empowerment of
Persons with Intellec-
tual Disabilities (NIE-
PID) in Hyderabad
during his visit to the
institute. Naidu appre-
ciated NIEPID for its
work in empowering
persons with Intellec-
tual Disability and
their families. Under-
lining that accessibili-
ty is an important area
of intervention for the
d i f f e re n t ly - abl e d ,
Naidu noted the posi-
tive impact of the ‘Ac-
cessible India’ cam-
paign and called for
more interventions in
the areas of environ-
ment, transport, infor-
mation and communi-
cation systems.
Emphasising the
need to make public
spaces, transport and
private buildings more
accessible, Naidu said
that it was also impor-
tant to sensitise teach-
ers and non-teaching
staff in schools to the
needs of the different-
ly-abled children.
Suggesting that it
was important “to en-
sure that technology
does not exclude dif-
ferently-abled people”,
he urged national in-
stitutions and univer-
sities in India to accel-
erate their work relat-
ing to accessible smart
technology.
The Vice President
called for all-round ef-
forts to make the Divy-
angjan people finan-
cially independent by
identifying and hon-
ing their skills from a
young age.
Naidu visits National Institute for
the Empowerment of Persons with
Intellectual Disabilities in Hy’bad
Vice Prez stresses on making public spaces for differently-abled
VP LAUDS NIEPID
UK PM to arrive in Ahmedabad,
hold ‘in-depth’ talks with Modi
Investment announcements in key industries in both the UK and India: Downing Street
London (PTI): Boris
Johnson will become
the first British Prime
Minister to visit Guja-
rat when he lands in
Ahmedabad this week
for a two-day visit to In-
dia for in-depth talks
with his Indian coun-
terpart Narendra
Modi, according to
Downing Street.
Johnson’s first visit to
India as UK Prime Min-
ister will begin on April
21 with a trip to
Ahmedabad in Gujarat,
which is Prime Minister
Modi’s home state.
Investment an-
nouncements in key in-
dustries in both the UK
and India will take
place, Downing Street
said in a statement on
Saturday. Johnson will
then proceed to New
Delhi to meet Modi on
April 22, where the fo-
cus will be on India-UK
strategic defence, diplo-
matic and economic
partnership.
According to officials
on both sides, Johnson
will also use his India
visit to drive progress in
the ongoing Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) nego-
tiations launched earli-
er this year.
“My visit to India will
deliver on the things
that really matter to the
people of both our na-
tions - from job creation
andeconomicgrowth,to
energy security and de-
fence,” said Johnson,
ahead of the visit.
As we face threats to
our peace and prosperi-
ty from autocratic
states, it is vital that de-
mocracies and friends
stick together. India, as
amajoreconomicpower
and the world’s largest
democracy, is a highly
valued strategic partner
for the UK in these un-
certain times, he said.
While in Ahmedabad,
Johnson is scheduled to
meet with leading busi-
nesses and discuss the
UK and India’s thriving
commercial, trade and
people links.In Gujarat,
the Prime Minister is
expected to announce
major investment in key
industries in both the
UK and India, boosting
jobs and growth at
home, as well as new col-
laboration on cutting-
edge science, health and
technology, the Down-
ing Street statement
said.
The Prime Minister
will then travel to New
Delhi to meet Prime
Minister Modi on Fri-
day (22nd April). The
leaders will hold in-
depth talks on the UK
and India’s strategic
defence, diplomatic
and economic partner-
ship, aimed at bolster-
ing our close partner-
ship and stepping up
security co-operation
in the Indo-Pacific, the
statement said.
KEY AGENDAS
Razing of
properties:
Muslim body
moves SC
First India Bureau
New Delhi: Jami-
at Ulama-i-Hind, a
re presentative
body of Indian
Muslims, has filed
apetitionintheSu-
preme Court
against the danger-
ous politics of bull-
dozers that have
been started to de-
stroy minorities
especiallyMuslims
under the guise of
crime prevention
in BJP ruled states
on the special di-
rective of Presi-
dent Jamiat Ula-
ma-i-Hind Maula-
na Arshad Madani
to stop this dictato-
rial and oppressive
trend, in which
Gulzar Ahmad
Azmi, Secretary of
Jamiat Ulama-i-
Hind Legal Aid
Committee has be-
come the plaintiff.
The petition
asks the court to
orderthestatesnot
to demolish any-
one’s home or shop
without the court’s
permission. It is
noteworthy that
the politics of bull-
dozers is already
going on in Uttar
Pradesh, but now
this nefarious act
has started in Gu-
jarat and Madhya
Pradesh as well.
Recently
, during
a procession in
Khargone city of
Madhya Pradesh
on Ram Navami,
riots were started
by chanting highly
provocative slo-
gans and then by
order of the state
government, hous-
es and shops of
Muslims were de-
molished.
FreeentrytoTajMahal,
alltouristsitesonWorld
HeritageDay today
First India Bureau
Agra: The good news
for the tourists who
visit the monuments on
the occasion of World
Heritage Day is very
special on 18th April.
Tourists will be able to
see all the monuments
including Taj Mahal,
Agra Fort, Fatehpur
Sikri for free on April
18. No ticket will be ap-
plicable on this day.
This is being done espe-
cially on the occasion
of World Heritage Day.
The Archaeological
Survey of India has is-
sued an order to make
all the monuments free
of cost on 18 April.
On the occasion of
World Heritage Day on
April 18, tourists will
not have to stand in line
at the ticket window to
see the heritage. No fee
is charged from the
tourists on this day, so
on this day tourists will
be able to see the world
heritage sites for free.
Free entry will be avail-
able to all monuments
on World Heritage Day
on 18 April. To make
people aware of these
heritage, Archaeologi-
cal Survey of India is
organizing photo exhi-
bition and awareness
program for children
on 18th April at
Fatehpur Sikri.
Tourist awareness
banners will be put up
at all the monuments,
in which appeal will be
made not to scratch the
monuments, not to
write names, not to
damage the stones.
LS SPEAKER OM BIRLA ALL
PRAISES FOR SURAT ON VISIT
First India Bureau
Surat: Lok Sabha
Speaker, Om Birla, vis-
ited diamond city and
textile hub Surat on
Sunday
. He was there to
meet with party leaders
at the Surat Circuit
House and also attend
various events.
Upon his arrival, he
was given a warm wel-
come at the airport by
office-bearers from the
Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) as well as local
businessmen.
Praising the city for
its industrial develop-
ment, Birla told media
persons, “Surat is a
very colourful city. A
large number of people
come here to conduct as
well as establish their
businesses. This influx
of industries has led to
economic progress in
Surat. I would like to
thank PM Narendra
Modi and Gujarat CM
Bhupendra Patel for
their contribution to
the industrial develop-
ment in Gujarat.”
Haryana to start courses for speech
and hearing impaired students
First India Bureau
Chandigarh: Haryana
Technical Education
Minister Anil Vij has
said that on the lines of
Mahagyani Rishi
Ashtavakra Institute,
Sector-26, Panchkula,
various diploma cours-
es for speech and hear-
ing impaired students
will be started in vari-
ous polytechnic institu-
tions of the state.
Vij shared that he has
granted approval to
start various courses for
the academic year 2022-
23 in the State Polytech-
nic and Polytechnic In-
stitutes of Government
Society for such stu-
dents. In this series,
courses in Library and
Information Science,
Computer Engineering
and Hotel Management
and Catering Technolo-
gy will be started in
various polytechnics.
He said that for the
year 2022-2023, 30 seats
each have been reserved
for Library and Infor-
mation Science courses
in Government Poly-
technic, Ambala City
and Government Poly-
technic, Sirsa. Similar-
ly, provision has been
made for 30 seats each
in Government Poly-
technic, Jhajjar and
Government Polytech-
nic, Sonepat in Comput-
er Engineering course
for the year 2022-23. He
said that 30 seats have
also been reserved for
Hotel Management and
Catering Technology
course in Government
Polytechnic, Nilokheri.
He said that the state
government is making
every effort to ensure
the youth of the employ-
ment oriented and in
this direction Diploma-
in-vocation courses are
being run in Govern-
ment Polytechnic, Utta-
war and Government
Polytechnic, Mandkola.
Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson
Birla (center) with local businessmen.

08
2NDFRONT
Artis‘Art’anywhereand
everywhere,beitagallery,a
museum,arestaurantorasidewalk.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO Editor-in-Chief, First India
Hunar Haat a push to Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Thakur
First India Bureau
Mumbai: Inaugurat-
ing the 40th edition of
the ‘Hunar Haat’ in
Mumbai, on Sunday,
Union Minister for In-
formation Broadcast-
ing and Youth Affairs
Sports Anurag Thakur
said initiatives like Hu-
nar Haat gives a push
to Aatmanirbhar
Bharat. Union Minori-
ty Affairs Minister
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
was also present at the
event.
“A a t m a n i r b h a r
Bharat is being
strengthened by initia-
tives like Hunar Haat,”
Thakur said.
“In this 40th edition
of Hunar Haat, more
than a thousand crafts-
men and artisans com-
ing from 31 states have
put up 400 stalls,” he
added.
The 40th edition of
Hunar Haat, a credible
platform to promote
‘Swadeshi’ products, is
being held at MMRDA
Ground, Bandra-Kurla
Complex in Mumbai
from April 16 to 27.
“There is no lack of
talent in India,” he said
recalling how India re-
sponded to PM’s clari-
on call for building an
Aatma Nirbhar Bharat
during the hours of cri-
sis. “We started produc-
ing PPE Kits, masks
and even ventilators,”
he added.
The Minister also
spoke about ‘One Dis-
trict One Product’,
where each district is
recognised for one
product. He said this
initiative not only al-
lowed people to gener-
ate their own income,
but also created job op-
portunities for a few
others in the vicinity
when economies across
the world were affected
by the Pandemic.
Thakur highlighted
the steps taken by the
PM in promoting Skill
India. “Skill training is
provided so that you do
not become job-seekers,
instead become job-giv-
ers.” He mentioned that
our culture and educa-
tional structure had not
focused much on the
pride of labour. “PM
Shri Modi has stressed
a lot on ‘Dignity of La-
bour’,” he said.
N Korea tests new weapon to boost tactical nuclear capability
Seoul (AP): North Ko-
rea has test-fired a new
type of tactical guided
weapon designed to
boost its nuclear fight-
ing capability, state me-
dia reported Sunday,
days after it passed its
biggest state anniver-
sary without an expect-
ed military parade,
which it typically uses
to unveil provocative
weapons systems.
The test, the 13th
round of weapons
launches by Pyongyang
this year, came amid
concerns that North Ko-
rea may soon conduct a
larger provocation like
a nuclear test in an ef-
fort to expand the coun-
try’s weapons arsenal
and increase pressure
on its rivals amid
stalled diplomacy
.
The official Korean
Central News Agency
said leader Kim Jong
Un and other top offi-
cials observed the
launch.
It said the weapon
tested has great signifi-
cance in drastically im-
proving the firepower
of the frontline long-
range artillery units,
enhancing the efficien-
cy in the operation of
(North Korea’s) tactical
nukes of and diversifi-
cation of their firepow-
er missions.
KCNA didn’t elabo-
rate, but the mention of
the word tactical nukes
suggested the weapon is
likely capable of carry-
ing a battlefield nuclear
warhead that could hit
strategictargetsinSouth
Korea, including US mil-
itary installations.
The KCNA dispatch
didn’t say when and
where the launch oc-
curred.
North Korea is trying
to deploy not only long-
range nuclear missiles
aimed at American cit-
ies but also tactical nu-
clear weapons to threat-
enSeoulandUSbasesin
Asia, said Leif-Eric Eas-
ley, a professor at Ewha
University in Seoul.
Pyongyang’spurposes
likely exceed deterrence
and regime survival.
Like Russia employs the
fear it could use tactical
nukes, North Korea may
want such weapons for
politicalcoercion,battle-
field escalation and lim-
iting the willingness of
other countries to inter-
vene in a conflict.
Some observers spec-
ulated the weapon test-
ed Sunday might be a
smaller, lighter version
of North Korea’s nucle-
ar-capable KN-23 mis-
sile that has a highly
maneuverable and low-
er-trajectory flight
aimed at defeating mis-
sile defense systems.
Otherssaiditcouldbe
a new missile that com-
bines the technical char-
acteristics of the KN-23
andanothershort-range
ballistic missile called
the KN-24.
Modi on 3-day Guj
visit from today
First India Bureau
New Delhi: Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi
will be on a three-day
visit to his home state
of Gujarat from April
18, during which he is
scheduled to attend a
number of pro-
grammes.
The Prime Minister’s
Office said Modi will
visit the command and
control centre for
schools in Gandhina-
gar on April 18 and, the
next day, he will dedi-
cate to the nation and
lay the foundation
stone of multiple devel-
opment projects at Ba-
nas Dairy Sankul in
Diyodar in Banaskan-
tha.
The same day, he will
lay the foundation stone
of WHO Global Centre
for Traditional Medi-
cine in Jamnagar. On
April 20, he will inaugu-
rate the Global AYUSH
Investment Innova-
tion Summit at Gandhi-
nagar and will later at-
tend the Adijati Maha
Sammelan in Dahod
and inaugurate and lay
the foundation stone of
various development
projects.
Giving details, the
PMO said the Com-
mand and Control Cen-
tre for Schools collects
over 500 crore data sets
annually and analyses
them meaningfully us-
ing big data analytics,
artificial intelligence
and machine learning,
in order to enhance
overall learning out-
comes for students.
The Centre helps
track daily online at-
tendance of teachers
and students, under-
take centralised sum-
mative and periodic as-
sessments of learning
outcome of students.
It has been deemed a
global best practice by
the World Bank, which
has also invited other
countries to visit and
learn about it, the PMO
noted.
The new dairy com-
plex and potato process-
ing plant at Banaskan-
tha have been built at a
cost of over Rs 600
crores. The new dairy
complex is a greenfield
project.
It will enable the pro-
cessing of about 30 lakh
litres of milk, produce
about 80 tonnes of but-
ter, one lakh litres of ice
cream, 20 tonnes of con-
densed milk (Khoya)
and six tonnes of choco-
late daily
.
The potato process-
ing plant will produce
different types of pro-
cessed potato products
like french fries, potato
chips and aloo tikki,
patties among other
things, many of which
will be exported in oth-
er countries. These
plants will empower the
local farmers and give a
boost to the rural econ-
omy in the region, the
PMO said.
Modi will also dedi-
cate the Banas Commu-
nity Radio Station to
the nation. This station
has been established to
provide farmers key
scientific information
related to agriculture
and animal husbandry.
It is expected that the
radio station will con-
nect with over 5 lakh
farmers of about 1700
villages.
BUILDING RURAL ECONOMY
Army to review operational readiness
along borders at 3 day conference
New Delhi (ANI):
Army commanders’
conference is scheduled
to be held from April 18-
22, 2022 in New Delhi
wherein senior leader-
shipof theIndianArmy
will review the opera-
tional situation along
the borders.
In an official state-
ment issued by the Min-
istry of Defence, it read,
“Army Commanders’
Conference is scheduled
from 18-22 April 2022 at
New Delhi. Army Com-
manders’ Conference is
an apex level biannual
event that is held in
April and October every
year. The conference is
an institutional plat-
form for conceptual lev-
el deliberations, culmi-
natinginmakingimpor-
tant policy decisions for
the Indian Army
.” “Dur-
ing the conference, the
senior leadership of the
Indian Army will re-
view the operational
situation along the ac-
tive borders, assess
threats in the entire
spectrumof conflictand
undertake analysis of
capability voids to fur-
ther focus on capability
development and opera-
tional preparedness
plans,” it read.
Discussions on as-
pectspertainingtoinfra-
structure development
in border areas, mod-
ernisation through indi-
genisation, induction of
Niche tech and assess-
ment on any impact of
theRussia-Ukrainewar
are also scheduled.
Various agenda
points sponsored by re-
gional commands will
be deliberated upon by
the senior commanders
apart from proposals
concerning improving
works, financial man-
agement, introducing
e-vehicles, and digitisa-
tion in the Indian Army
.
As part of the confer-
ence, Boards of Gover-
nors meetings of the
Army Welfare Educa-
tion Society (AWES)
and Army Group Insur-
ance Fund (AGIF) will
be organised, the offi-
cial release added.
Defence Minister Ra-
jnath Singh is expected
to interact with the sen-
ior commanders on
April 21, 2022.
Pak PM writes to Modi, pitches for
meaningful India-Pak engagement
New Delhi (PTI): Pa-
kistan Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif has
written a letter to his
Indian counterpart,
Narendra Modi, pitch-
ing for “meaningful”
engagement between
the two countries, peo-
ple familiar with the
development said on
Sunday
.
Sharif’s communi-
cation on Saturday
came in response to a
letter sent by Modi to
the Pakistani leader
congratulating him on
becoming the Prime
Minister, they said.
In his letter a few
days ago, Modi con-
veyed to Sharif that
India desired con-
structive ties with Pa-
kistan.
On April 11, the Pa-
kistan parliament se-
lected Sharif as the
23rd Prime Minister
of the country, a day
after Imran Khan was
ousted from power in a
no-confidence vote.
In a Twitter post,
Modi congratulated
Sharif on becoming
the prime minister of
Pakistan and said In-
dia desires peace and
stability in a region
free of terrorism.
“Congratulations to
H. E. Mian Muham-
mad Shehbaz Sharif
on his election as the
Prime Minister of Pa-
kistan. India desires
peace and stability in
a region free of terror,
so that we can focus on
our development chal-
lenges and ensure the
well-being and pros-
perity of our people,”
he tweeted on April 11.
In his response, Sha-
rif said Pakistan de-
sirespeacefulandcoop-
erative ties with India.
IMRAN CLAIMS
PAKISTAN GOVT
TRYING TO PUSH
HIM 'OUT OF
THE GAME'
Karachi (PTI): Former
Pakistan prime minister
Imran Khan has claimed
that the current “im-
ported government” led
by Shehbaz Sharif was
trying to push him “out of
the game” and called his
ouster a “fixed” match to
make Pakistanis slaves
to foreign powers. Ad-
dressing a huge rally here
on Saturday night, the
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) chairman sought
to know from the people
whether his government
was a victim of con-
spiracy or interference.
The 69-year-old cricketer-
turned-politician said that
the purpose of his visit
to Karachi was not in the
interests of his political
party but it was for the
sake of Pakistan and the
future of its children.
Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh is
expected to interact
with the senior
commanders on April
21, 2022
The test came amid concerns that
North Korea may soon conduct a
larger provocation like a nuclear test
WEDDING BELLS!
Home Minister Amit
Shah and former
Raj CM Vasundhara
Raje at the wedding
of Union Minister
Jitendra Singh’s son,
Arunoday Singh wiith
Parul in New Delhi
on Sunday.
Former Raj CM
Vasundhara Raje,
Dushyant Singh, Kailash
Choudhary bless the
newly weds,Arunoday
and Parul, the son and
daughter-in-law of
Union Minister Jitendra
and Manju Singh at
New Delhi on
Sunday.

ell us someell us
something about
Shivayu.
Our brand
S h i v a y u
started in
2018 in a sin-
gle room with one
machine. The name
Shivayu is the combi-
nation of two names
Shivani and Ayush.
I believe that togeth-
er we are siblings and are
the power of 11 people. We
are twins which is itself a bless-
ing and a wonder as we think
alike in everything, whether it is
about creativity, designs or any
new business idea.

z When did your love affair
with design begin? How
would you describe the emo-
tion?
Originally the brand was work-
ing as an online store and we
received many awards and
showcased our Indian
Ethnic attire in a dif-
ferent fashion shows.
Our work was high-
lighted in Columbo Fash-
ion Week where we were
recognized for our unique
dress collection and eventual-
ly we participated in many fash-
ion shows like Jaipur Couture,
Dehradun Fashion Week and
others. We created our offline
store to reach more public in the
market and to show our collec-
tion to other customers too. Dur-
ing the whole journey, my Big-
gest support is my sister and my
parents without them I could not
achieve anything this big.

z What do you truly enjoy
working with?
We create light lehengas, brides-
maids’ dresses etc. Our eloquent
collection embodies the fresh-
ness and vibrancy of modern
times combined with the ele-
gance and grandeur of the tradi-
tional styles.

z While the list of celebs who
have won your creations is
endless, who do you feel car-
ries off your clothes the best?
Till now big names like Chunkey
Pandey, Bhumika Chawla,
Himanshi Khurana, and almost
50 celebrities have presented
Shivayu in fashion shows as
Show Stoppers. It’s difficult to
choose one because they all are
really good.
AYUSH SONI AND HIS AVANT-GARDE
DESIGNS ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH
ALL THINGS GLITZ AND GLAMOUR.
THE ACE DESIGNER SHOWCASED
HIS FINEST COLLECTION AT
FASHION CONNECT HELD AT OAKS
IBN BATUTA, DUBAI ON MARCH
10. IN AN EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH CITY FIRST,
THE DESIGNER TALKS
ABOUT HIS JOURNEY
THE SUPREME
THE SUPREME
SHIVAYU
SHIVAYU
NEW DELHI, MONDAY,
APRIL 18, 2022
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/thefirst-
india facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
T
UTTKARSHA SHEKHAR
uttkarsha.shekhar@firstindia.co.in
—PHOTOS
BY
SANTOSH
SHARMA
Ayush and Shivani Soni walk the ramp with the models

10
ETC
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epapers/delhi I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
WEEKLY
WEEKLY
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20
Partnerships in business will be fruitful, and any
business travels will provide positive outcomes. Your
enthusiasm level will be high, and your excitement
will result in positive outcomes at work. Some of
you may also be eligible for government and senior
authority benefits. In terms of your personal life,
you will see positive results in your relationships.
Single natives have a great opportunity to start a new
relationship. Your relationship with your in-laws will
improve as well, which will benefit your relationship
with your spouse.
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 20
This week, your adversaries are likely to be
proactive, so it’s best to avoid direct conflict with
them. Avoid immersing yourself in any type of
office gossip. Life’s challenges can put you to the
test on every level. If you are in business, then
quarrels with partner can happen. Losses are likely
if you embark on any new endeavours or ventures.
Some of you may still be concerned about your
spouse’s health and well-being. Relationships
might suffer if there is a gulf in communication. So,
choose your words carefully.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
This week your creative tendencies will be
elevated. Your mentors or elders will provide you
with the much-needed affection and support that
is going to be a source of enjoyment for you. You
will receive money from numerous sources. This
could be the time that many of you finally obtain
that much-anticipated promotion. This is also a
moment when Some of you may potentially witness
an addition in your family. The ability to spend
quality time with spouse or significant other can
help enhance a committed relationship.
CANCER
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
This week, you will be presented with fresh options
to advance and advance in your chosen vocation.
You might even get promoted or assigned a new
role and title. For some, financial prosperity is also
in the cards. Previous investments are expected
to bear fruit, resulting in an enhanced financial
portfolio. You may spend on personal luxuries and
want to increase your assets through the purchase
of a home or vehicle. Personally, you’ll be in a
good mood. You’ll want to spend quality time with
your spouse and children.
LEO
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
This week, your communication skills will be
strong, allowing you to confidently present your
recommendations to the seniors. Additionally,
this time period denotes an increasing financial
growth. Profits are expected to accrue from your
entrepreneurial efforts. Domestically, some
important occasion is certain to be observed.
You may consider taking a short trip with your
sweetheart. Your connection with your immediate
family will generally stay amicable, and you will
likely spend significant time with your siblings.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23
Professionally, it seems as if things are a little
tense this week. You may be allocated work that
is incompatible with your abilities, which may
cause you aggravation. This may result in some
misunderstandings with your supervisor; thus, you
should maintain your composure and patience.
You will be able to progress slowly financially.
However, there is a possibility of a sudden increase
in your expenditures, and you are urged to rein in
your temptation to splurge. The stars suggest that
there will be some disruptions in your family life.
LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22
This week, you’ll be cooperative and adaptable,
which will enhance your social standing.
Professionally, this is an excellent time to go
on trips. You will be able to maximise the use
of your resources, which will result in increased
productivity and performance at work. Individuals
involved in the media and glamour industry may
find this time highly beneficial. In their romantic
lives, lovers are likely to feel ecstasy, contentment,
and harmony. Married couples are also likely to
experience a deepening of their bond.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
To reap the benefits of your efforts in the long
term, you’ll need to work hard this week. Working
professionals may obtain some possibilities to
work and reside overseas or receive a chance to
visit a foreign nation. In terms of finances, do not
go beyond to spend, otherwise, you may end up
borrowing money, which can be tough to return
later. You will be able to spend quality time with
your partner, which will further enhance your
relationship. This week might bring up some
worrying issues relating to health.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 22
You’ll be able to put your ideas into action
with ease this week, earning the respect and
admiration. In the eyes of your peers and superiors,
you’ll be able to come up with innovative answers
to difficulties. Those who have been waiting a
long time for a promotion are likely to get it soon.
Businesspeople active in import-export industry
may gain considerable rewards. Your personal life
will be revitalised, and this will have a positive
impact on your romantic connections. It is the
appropriate moment to grow your social network.
CAPRICORN
DEC 23 - JAN 20
This week, you may confront some ups and downs
and frequent challenges at your work. To get your
task completed, you’ll have to put in more effort
than usual. Avoid participating in any form of
workplace gossip otherwise it may turn out to be
harmful. Try to defer any form of investment in
financial problems since any hurried choice might
be unfavourable later on. Also, do not include any
debts or obligations in your calculations. When
you’re at home, don’t get into a fight with your
spouse. Do not engage in any transactions.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19
You’ll have fresh chances to excel at work this week,
and you should take advantage of them. There is
a good possibility that you may cross paths with
an important someone who can help you achieve
professional success. Those of you who work for the
government may soon be receiving instructions to
relocate. This is an opportune moment to develop
your own business. You may do travels that will
aid you significantly in cleaning out your ideas.
Personally, you will get the affection of siblings.
Single people are more likely to find a match.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20
This week, you will be progressive and demand
respect and dignity in your employment. Trade is
expected to grow in value for those in the business
world. Some of you may be able to collect on
previous debts, while others may be able to take
advantage of inherited assets. In terms of personal
life, you are likely to have some ups and downs in
your relationship. You are encouraged to be cool
and not be reactive when interacting with your
partner. Do your best not to engage into any heated
debates with your family members.
THIS YEAR IS LUCKY FOR KOURT AS LONG AS SHE DOESN’T GIVE IN TO
STRESS AND PROCRASTINATION, WHICH IS UNLIKE HER PERSONALITY IN
GENERAL AS WELL. SHE WILL DO WELL AT WORK. AS LONG AS SHE STAYS
ALERT WHEN MAKING TRANSACTIONS, ALL WILL BE GOOD. THERE MAY BE A
DIP TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR IN HER BUSINESS BUT THEY WILL BE
ABLE TO MANAGE WELL. THERE MAY BE A FEW HICCUPS AS SHE MAY FIND IT
DIFFICULT TO FIND TIME FOR HER PARTNER. KOURT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE
OUT TIME FOR HER PARTNER TO KEEP HER LOVE LIFE STABLE. IT IS ADVISED
THAT SHE LISTEN TO HER PARTNER BEFORE REACTING TO ANYTHING SINCE
IT COULD LEAD TO MISCOMMUNICATION AND HARSH FIGHTS.
APRIL 18 TO APRIL 24

18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf

18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to 18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf

Similar to 18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf (20)

More from FIRST INDIA

More from FIRST INDIA (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

18042022_ First India New Delhi.pdf