First india lucknow edition-19 march 2021

Vishal Srivastav
ne of the finest political
craftsman and an avid Ram
Bhakt Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath has come of
age. Today
, the people’s lead-
er attains the magnificent milestone of
being the longest serving CM from the
Bhartiya Janata Party in UP
. In the last
four years, the CM has been at logger-
heads with adversaries in varied forms.
From his predecessors, he got as herit-
age, an Uttar Pradesh that was low on
confidence, riddled with criminal forc-
es and public mechanisms that were
dying a slow death.
Cometh March, 2017 and Yogi takes
charge as CM. Ever since then, feloni-
ous forces have flung the corridors of
the state, the government machinery
seems well overhauled and the state has
gained back the confidence it lost.
Be it the ease of doing business rank-
ings, or the five mega expressways, or
the upliftment of the poor at the grass-
roots, or taking government to people
in the remotest parts of the state, Yogi
has been one man who has stood rock-
solid with the people of his state.
He has a heart of gold which beats for
the poor and the destitute. Going with
the flow, it won’t be incorrect to say that
there are many more tenures up and
waiting for the saint from the land of
Gorakhnath Temple.
O
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath
LUCKNOW l FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 l PAGES 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393 l VOL 1 l ISSUE NO. 125
YOGI’S SAINTLY
GUIDANCE
4 saal bemisaal!

l Vol 1 l Issue No. 125 l RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Amar Ujala Ltd. B-5 Amausi Industrial Area Kanpur Road Lucknow.
Published at 98, Friend’’s Colony, Raheem Nagar, Dudouli Road, Madiyaon, Lucknow (UP). Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act
PERSPECTIVE
LUCKNOW | FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021
02
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia
arendra Modi urged Indi-
ans to walk on the path of
unity led by Sardar Patel
who once rightly said,
“Manpower without Unity
is not a strength unless it
is harmonized and united
properly
, then it becomes a
spiritual power” when he
launched the world’s larg-
est vaccination drive ear-
lier this year on 16 Janu-
ary. As India prepared it-
self to vaccinate its citi-
zens, there were several
skeptics who were quick to
point out that the attempts
to launch a vaccine pro-
gramme in India would be
fraught with corruption,
underhand dealing, and
overpricing of the vac-
cines. Some even thought
there would be a possibil-
ity of a black market and
the lack of transparency
in the entire process.
I can say this with great
pride and happiness that af-
ter two months of the vacci-
nation drive, India has suc-
cessfully inoculated 29.74 mil-
lion doses, and around 24.31
million people have received
the first vaccine dose. This
means that 1.26 million doses
are roughly administered
every day
. This data alone sig-
nifies that the vaccination
programme in the world’s
largest democracy has been a
huge success. As per the lat-
est reports from the Health
Ministry, roughly 3.39 crore
vaccine jab has been given
and more than 1 crore benefi-
ciaries aged over 60 years
were covered within a span
of just 15 days. India’s inocu-
lation drive is now the largest
in the world ahead of UK.
The government aims to
utilise up to 50 million dos-
es to provide jabs to 250
million priority group, at
least by end of July
. In the
first phase, the Healthcare
and Frontline workers
were prioritised, where by
mid February
, that is, with-
in a month since the drive
was launched, the govern-
ment was fully able to vac-
cinate 3.24 lakh workers.
In the second phase, as
many as 9,29,359 aged 45
and above with specific co-
morbidities and 55,99,143
beneficiaries more than 60
years old were given their
first dose, within the first
ten days since the start of
the second phase.
PM Modi’s decision to take
the vaccine on 1 March to
kick-start the next step in the
vaccination drive proved to
be hugely beneficial in curb-
ing the fake propaganda
spread by anti-vaxxers and
encouraged people to be vac-
cinated safely. This further
gave a boost to the vaccina-
tion drive. This proved criti-
cal in eradicating the fear
over the safety procedure
and hygiene standards.
Many people also raised
concerns over the safety of
the indigenous covid vac-
cine, ‘Covaxin’, developed
by Bharat Biotech. Those
concerns were finally laid
to rest as the Phase 3 trial
results demonstrate 81 per-
cent efficacy rate. Prime
Minister Modi and Exter-
nal Affairs Minister, S Jais-
hankar were administered
a jab of Covaxin, which
gave a sense of confidence
among those wary of it.
The relatively lucid and
straight forward procedure
to get the vaccine dose has, in
my opinion, hugely ensured
the success of the drive. A
well thought out plan and an
effective system in place are
the main reasons for the
smooth functioning of the
vaccination process, which is
otherwise a daunting and
challenging exercise.
In my city, Surat, the
Municipal Corporation ad-
ministered roughly 56,950
doses of vaccine to the
healthcare workers and
around 36,336 to frontline
workers. Citizens aged
above 60 years received
60,384 doses and those
above 45 years with co-
morbidities got 11,481
jabs. In my personal visits
to the health centres and
the civil hospital, people
had a positive mindset to-
wards the vaccine drive
and expressed relief upon
receiving the jab.
India’s global standing in
the world has received a boost
by its vaccine diplomacy
. As
the world’s largest vaccine
manufacturer,wehavesentas
many as 586 lakh doses to 71
countries in 55 days. Follow-
ing a truly internationalist
approach, the Indian govern-
ment provided vaccine free of
cost to all its neighbours as a
“goodwill” gesture. Around
80.75 lakh doses were export-
ed as gift, while 165.24 lakh
doses have been delivered as
part of Covax mechanism un-
der the aegis of the Global Al-
liance for Vaccines and Im-
munisation. Saudi Arabia,
Morocco , and Brazil are the
few countries that got vac-
cines as the rest of the world
scrambles for vaccine sup-
plies. This also strengthened
our position against China
and paved the way for India
becoming a superpower.
Indian vaccine diploma-
cy is what led to the Quad
vaccine initiative. The vac-
cine diplomacy will fur-
ther see an increase in the
upcoming months and na-
tions in need of vaccines
can soon get more doses as
India’s Gland Pharma pre-
pares to produce and sup-
ply 25 crores of Russia’s
Sputnik V doses. The Rus-
sian vaccine has an effica-
cy rate of 91.6 percent
which will help contain the
spread of the virus.
Theinexpensiverateof vac-
cine dose which is Rs.250 at
private clinics and hospitals
andotherwisefreeatthestate-
run health centre has mas-
sively contributed to India’s
triumph in the vaccination
campaign. The government’s
generous budget allocation of
Rs.35,000 crore to fully vacci-
nate 50 crore citizens will cov-
er the entire expenditure.
The government’s ambi-
tious vaccination drive
has confidently defied its
sharpest critics and placed
India on the world map
ahead of many developed
nations in successfully
overcoming challenges in
its fight against Covid-19.
As India and the rest of
the world looks forward to
once again return to the
normal, pre-pandemic
life, it is heart-warming to
see conscientious citizens
and NGOs come forward
to work with the govern-
ment to defeat this deadly
virus. As a citizen, dedi-
cated to serve the people
of my country, I would
like to thank each and eve-
ryone who stepped up and
helped fellow Indians dur-
ing the lockdown and who
continue to play an active
role in society.
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY
THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL
‘INDIA TO THE RESCUE, AS MADE IN
INDIA VACCINE GETS GLOBAL APPROVAL’
INDIA’S INOCULATION DRIVE BECOMES LARGEST IN THE WORLD, SQUASHES CRITICS WHO CASTED
ASPERSIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO VACCINATE ITS PEOPLE
N
PM Modi’s
decision to take
the vaccine on 1
March to kick-
start the next
step in the
vaccination
drive proved to
be hugely
beneficial in
curbing the fake
propaganda
spread by anti-
vaxxers and
encouraged
people to be
vaccinated
safely. This
further gave a
boost to the
vaccination
drive. This
proved critical in
eradicating the
fear over the
safety procedure
and hygiene
standards
INDIAN VACCINE DIPLOMACY IS WHAT LED TO THE
QUAD VACCINE INITIATIVE. THE VACCINE DIPLOMACY
WILL FURTHER SEE AN INCREASE IN THE UPCOMING
MONTHS AND NATIONS IN NEED OF VACCINES CAN
SOON GET MORE DOSES AS INDIA’S GLAND PHARMA
PREPARES TO PRODUCE AND SUPPLY 25 CRORES OF
RUSSIA’S SPUTNIK V DOSES. THE RUSSIAN VACCINE
HAS AN EFFICACY RATE OF 91.6 PERCENT WHICH
WILL HELP CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
HARSH
SANGHAVI
THE WRITER IS AN
MLA FROM SURAT
ducation has
emerged as one
of the most con-
sequential cas-
ualties of the
pandemic. According to
estimates from UNESCO,
around 1.6 billion students
across more than 190 coun-
tries were forced out of
school at the peak of the
crisis.
In higher-income coun-
tries, school closures have
disproportionately harmed
students from socioeco-
nomically disadvantaged
backgrounds, raising con-
cerns about the long-run
implications for learning
and earnings inequality.
There is a visible and wid-
eninggapbetweenstudents
with educated parents and
access to computers and
the internet, and those
lacking such resources.
But the picture is even
bleaker in low-income set-
tings. In 2019, the World
Bank estimated that 53% of
children finishing primary
school in low- and middle-
income countries (and as
many as 80% in some low-
income countries) still
could not read and under-
stand a simple text. In light
of these findings, the bank
introduced a new concept:
“learning poverty
.”
Along the same lines, the
2018 World Development
Report found that in Kenya,
Tanzania, and Uganda,
three-quarters of third-
grade students could not
read a basic sentence such
as “The name of the dog is
Puppy
.” In rural India,
three-quarters of third-
grade students could not
solve a two-digit subtrac-
tion problem such as 46 – 17.
Worse, these learning
deficits seem to persist de-
spite impressive growth in
average years of schooling
in the past two decades, and
despite higher enrollments
in primary and secondary
education in most coun-
tries. Simply put, more
schooling has not translat-
ed into more learning. And
this divergence has become
so large in some settings as
to invite warnings of a
global “learning crisis.”
As my co-authors and I
show in a recent study, this
alarming pattern is not
confined to a handful of
poor countries; it is typical
of many middle- and low-
income countries. Simi-
larly, a recent study by the
Center for Global Develop-
ment documents learning
differences between high-
and low-income countries
that are much larger than
differences in years of
schooling would predict.
The middle of a pandem-
ic may seem like an inop-
portune time to tackle a
learning crisis, especially
in countries lacking fiscal
resources,butthelong-term
costs of the current educa-
tion gap are too large to ig-
nore. So, what can be done?
A strategy for tackling
the learning crisis must in-
clude two components.
First, policymakers in
countrieswithlowlearning
levels must be persuaded to
placeahighpriorityonedu-
cation. This may seem obvi-
ous, but education’s crucial
role in enabling economic
growth and development is
not always so apparent to
those who control the re-
sources.Governmentsoften
prioritize investments in
physical infrastructure
over investments in people.
Whereas roads and bridges
yield fast, tangible returns,
and often can help politi-
cians get re-elected, the re-
turns on education tend to
materialize only over the
long run – and usually after
the government that spear-
headed them is gone.
SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE
TACKLING THE GLOBAL LEARNING CRISIS
E
An idea that is developed
and put into action is more
important than an idea
that exists only as an idea.
—Buddha
Spiritual
SPEAK
Top
TWEET
Prakash Javadekar
@PrakashJavdekar
Reduction in pollution in Delhi
is largely due to Central Govt
initiatives like: Leapfrogging to
BS6, Eastern Western express
peripheral ways, closing Badarpur
plant, Shifting 3000 industries on
PNG many such efforts.
Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
@DrRPNishank
Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi
ji ensured that the #COVID crisis
does not affect our students.
Under his leadership, several
initiatives were taken to allow
students to continue learning from
home. Thank you Mr Eric Falt,
South Asia Head of @UNESCO for
recognizing India’s efforts.

LONGEST SERVING BJP CM IN UP
CM Yogi will break the record
of longest serving chief min-
ister in UP after completing
four years in office on Friday.
He took over as CM in March
2017 after the BJP come to
power in Uttar Pradesh with a
thumping majority.
His list of achievements is
long but he faces several
challenges when he enters
into fifth year ahead of 2022
UP assembly polls. So far the
saffron leader has managed
to turn the challenges into
opportunities and silenced
most of his critic.
His first challenge come from
his own constituency Gora-
khpur in August 2017 when
more than 60 children died
due to disruption in oxygen
supply at the BRD Medical
College. He came down heav-
ily against those responsible
for the tragedy and subse-
quently also managed to
contain the Encephalitis which
caused the death of hundreds
of children since the past four
decades
He pushed forward the state’s
economy with Investors Sum-
mit, Defence Expo
His biggest challenge which
later also turned out be his
biggest achievement was
the Corona Pandemic. Covid
hospitals were set up within
days and the safety protocols
were strictly enforced dur-
ing the lockdown. 1.75 lakh
Covid leds. Contact tracing
of about 16 crore people was
done.
The CM used his flagship
scheme of One District One
Product to mitigate the
problem of migration and
unemployment
More than 1.30 lakh teach-
ers were recruited under a
fair and transparent process.
135 lakh primary schools
hove boon rejuvenated and
equipped with base facilities.
Three State universities, 51
new government colleges,
194 new government
secondary schools, 2i
engineering colleges
16 polytechnics, 79
ITs, inter collages,
and 771 Kasturba
schools have been
set up in his regime
UP is on road to develop-
ment with construction of five
expressways, better rail and
air connectivity. At present,
8 airports are operational
in Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi,
Gorakhpur, Kanpur Prayegral,
Hindon, and Bareilly, As many
as 43 other airports and an
airstrips are being devel-
oped. The international
airport in Kushinagar
is almost ready The
process of construc-
tion of international
airports of Jowar
and Ayodhya is in
progress.
For better policing, 41 new
police stations and 13 new
check posts were established
in the state and 1.37 lakh po-
lice personnel were recruited.
The police commissioner sys-
tem has been implemented in
Lucknow and Gautam Budh
Nagar. While dacoity cases
decreased by 59.70 per cent
in 2019 as compared to 2016,
there was a decrease of 47.09
per cent in murder cases in
the same period.
By adopting a policy of zero
tolerance towards crime
and corruption, the police
system has been immensely
improved. Crime figures
have dropped to a consider-
able extent. While dacoity
cases decreased by 59.70
percent in the year 2019 as
compared to 2016, there was
a decrease of 47.09 percent
in murder cases in the same
period.
A DAY OF BLESSINGS
A bevvy of colourfully-attired bride and grooms
including some Muslim couples also, tied the knot at
a sprawling venue in Lucknow, amidst chants of Vedic
mantras as well as Nikah vows “Qubool Hai” (I accept),
even as the fragrance of dishes prepared in community
kitchens on the occasion wafted in the air. More on P2
Khela Hobe v/s Vikas Hobe: Modi
heats up Bengal battle with rally
Purulia: Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi,
campaigning in Bengal
days ahead of a make-
or-break election, on
Thursday used Chief
Minister Mamata Ba-
nerjee’s “Khela Hobe
(game on)” phrase to at-
tack her and said: “Didi,
O Didi - you played for
10 years. Khela shesh
hobe, vikas aarambh
hobe. (Now your game
will be over and devel-
opment will begin).”
PM Modi was speak-
ing in Purulia ahead of
the eight-phase Bengal
election starting March
27, for which the ruling
BJP has mounted an ag-
gressive campaign to
oust the two-time Chief
Minister and her Trina-
moolCongressfrompow-
er. The Prime Minister
targeted Mamata Baner-
jee over what he called
corruption and lack of
development, often
switching to Bengali in
the largely rural region.
“Didi says khela
hobe, BJP says jobs;
Didi says khela hobe,
BJP says education;
BJP says development;
BJP says the rise of
women; Didi says khela
hobe, BJP says jobs;
BJP says you will get a
pucca house, clean wa-
ter and taps in every
home,” said the PM.
Addressing a sizeable
crowd in the largely
tribal region, the Prime
Minister also accused
Mamata Banerjee of en-
couraging Maoists.
Turn to P6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign
rally in Purulia district of West Bengal on Thursday.
Atyachar onek
korechho Didi. Ebar Ma
Durgar ashirbadey
korbay tomaye
oporosto (You have
oppressed people for
long. Now with
blessings of Ma Durga,
you will be defeated)
—Narendra Modi
Prime Minister while addressing
a sizeable crowd in the
largely tribal region
CONG BETRAYS FOR SAKE
OF VOTES: PM IN ASSAM
Karimganj: Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
on Thursday lashed
out at the Congress,
alleging that the grand
old party can go to
any extent to mislead
people to get their
votes. He also blamed
the Congress of doing
“corrupt and vote-bank
based governance”
claiming that it has
resulted in Assam
being one of the most
disconnected states
in the country. “The
Congress has become
so weak that it can
align with any outfit
and mislead people
for the sake of getting
votes,” he said. Further,
he accused the party of
creating “disconnect”
between people and
places. “BJP, on the
other hand, has done
everything to connect
people physically,
emotionally and
culturally,” PM added.
PRIME MINISTER’S ASPIRATIONAL EAST EXTRAVAGANZA
Mamata calls BJP ‘party of
rioters arriving in choppers’
Maha reports 25,833 new corona
cases, highest since pandemic began
Kolkata: Addressing a
rally in Amlasuli in
West Midnapore dis-
trict, Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee on
THursday claimed that
BJPleaders“arrivehere
in choppers and planes
fromoutsidewithbagful
of cash to lure voters
and loot votes” just
ahead of elections.
Even as she admitted
that the relief doled out
after Cyclone Amphan
by her government
might have missed out
“one or two” beneficiar-
ies,sheclaimedthatBJP
leaders were nowhere to
beseenduringthecrisis.
“We gave thousands
of crores after Amphan.
BJP, where were you at
thattime?Theyonlydis-
tribute money for horse-
trading,” she alleged.
The CM further said
that the BJP govern-
ment at the Centre will
omit names of voters in
the garb of implement-
ing NPR but asserted
that it will not be al-
lowed in Bengal.
Turn to P6
Mumbai: Maharashtra
on Thursday recorded
25,833 new coronavirus
cases, the highest one-
day spike since last
March when the first
coronavirus infection
was detected.
It took the caseload to
23,96,340, said a health
official. With 58 fatali-
ties, the death toll
jumped to 53,138. The
earlier record was 24,886
cases, reported on Sep-
tember 11 last year.
On Thursday, 12,764
patients were dis-
charged from hospitals,
the highest in single
day this year.
The total of recover-
ies now stands at
21,75,565. There are
1,66,353 active cases in
the state. Nagpur city
on the second consecu-
tive day Turn to P6
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressing a rally in West
Midnapore on Thursday. —PHOTO BY PTI
LUCKNOW l FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 125
OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD LUCKNOW
Kolkata: BJP on Thurs-
day named candidates
for 148 of 159 West Ben-
gal Assembly seats
which will poll in the
last four phases. The list
includes heavyweights
such as national vice-
president Mukul Roy,
senior leader Rahul
Sinha, sitting MP Jag-
annath Sarkar, former
BJP MLA Samik Bhat-
tacharya as well as TMC
turncoats Sabyasachi
Dutta, Shilbhadra Dut-
ta, Jitendra Tiwari,
Sunil Singh and Sub-
hrangshu Roy (Mukul’s
son), among others.
Meanwhile, in a sepa-
rate development actor
Arun Govil, best known
for playing role of Lord
Ram in TV serial Rama-
yana, joined BJP in
presence of senior par-
ty leaders in New Delhi
on Thursday
. Turn to P6
Mukul Roy
BJP Bengal
2nd list has
Mukul Roy, son
and turncoats
SC SCRAPS MP
HIGH COURT’S
‘RAKHI’ ORDER
The Supreme Court on Thursday
set aside a judgment of the Madhya
Pradesh High Court wherein it had
asked a man, who was accused of
sexual assault, to get a “rakhi” tied on
his wrist by the victim as a prerequisite
condition of bail. While setting aside
the order, the bench of Justices AM
Khanwilkar and Ravindra Bhat issued di-
rections to be followed by lower courts
while dealing with bail petitions in mat-
ters relating to crimes against women.
The courts while adjudicating cases
involving gender-related crimes, should
not suggest or entertain any notions
Toll booths to
go in a year,
tax collection
based on GPS
imaging, says
Nitin Gadkari
New Delhi: Toll booths
across the country and
the long wait there will
soon become a thing of
the past, Union minis-
ter Nitin Gadkari told
parliament on Thurs-
day. Instead, there will
be GPS-based system
that will track cars and
levy charges accord-
ingly. Once the system
becomes operational, it
will lead to seamless
movement of vehicles
across the country, add-
ed the minister, who
started trending on
Twitter soon after.
“I want to assure the
House that within one
year, all physical toll
booths in the country
will be removed,” Gad-
kari said in Lok Sabha.
“Toll money will be
collected based on GPS
imaging,” he said, add-
ing that the system will
be in place within year.
In December, Gadkari
had promised a “toll
nakamuktBharat(India
devoid of toll barriers)”.
The GPS system will
be obtained with the
help of Russia and the
toll charges will be di-
rectly deducted from
theuser’sbankaccount,
the minister had said.
In February, Gadka-
ri’s ministry had made
automatic toll plaza
payment system FAST-
ag mandatory
. The gov-
ernment had said the
system would help pro-
mote digital payment of
fees, reduce waiting
time and fuel consump-
tion, and provide for a
seamless passage
through fee plazas.
The Transport Minis-
try had mandated
FASTag in “M and N”
categories of vehicles.
“M” category stands for
a vehicle with at least
four wheels used for
carrying passengers.
Category “N” stands for
a vehicle with 4 wheels
used for carrying goods
as well as passengers.
Those who don’t in-
stall FASTag in their
vehicles or have a tag
that does not work will
have to pay twice the fee
for the category of the
vehicle they are driv-
ing, the government
had said. —Agencies
Nitin Gadkari
INDIA BEAT ENGLAND BY 8
RUNS TO LEVEL SERIES 2-2
Hardik Pandya celebrates dismissal of England’s Jason Roy
during 4th T20 match at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
on Thursday. —PHOTO BY ANI

UTTAR PRADESH
04
First India Bureau
Lucknow: Reform,
Perform and Trans-
form will be the theme
of a week-long celebra-
tions across the state to
mark Chief Minister
Yogi Adityanath com-
pleting four years in
the office.
An exhibition is be-
ing organized at Awadh
Shilp Gram to show-
case achievements of
his government.
Chief secretary RK Ti-
wari has issued de-
tailed guidelines in
this connection to the
officers.
The Chief Minis-
ter, while enumerat-
ing achievements of
four years of his gov-
ernment on Friday, is
also scheduled to roll
out action plan in the
run up to the 2022 as-
sembly elections.
Functions would
also be organised at
the district level
which would include
short film, song,
booklet and exhibi-
tion about govern-
ment’s achievements.
The district magis-
trates have been asked
to nominate one nodal
officer for these func-
tions to be held at the
assembly constituen-
cies. Similarly, certifi-
cates, golden cards and
tri-cycles will also be
distributed to some
beneficiaries under
various welfare pro-
grammes. A 64-page
booklet “Chunautiyon
main talaashe avsar”
(challenges turned into
opportunities) which
has been brought out to
mark Yogi’s four years
in office claims four
years of service and
good governance and
also lists his achieve-
ments.
Apart from concen-
trating on law and or-
der, the Yogi govern-
ment primarily laid
stress on education,
health and infrastruc-
ture development. Cov-
id 19 had come as ma-
jor challenge to the
government in 2020 but
despite financial con-
straint the government
did well in containing
the pandemic. Several
steps were taken to in-
crease the quality of
education. More than
1.30 lakh teachers were
recruited under a fair
and transparent pro-
cess.
So far, 1.35 lakh pri-
mary schools have
been rejuvenated and
equipped with basic fa-
cilities.
Multifarious events to mark four years of Yogi Raj
JUBILATIONS
KANYADAAN IS THE BIGGEST GIFT AND THE GREATEST JOY,ASSERTS CM YOGI ADITYANATH DURING HIS PRESENCE AT THE EVENT
OVER 3500 DAUGHTERS GET MARRIED
UNDER CM ‘SAMOOHIK VIVAH YOJANA’
First India Bureau
Lucknow: Ahead of
Holi, it was a riot of
colours at the city out-
skirts where a mass
wedding took place on
Thursday with over
3,500 couples from eco-
nomically weak back-
ground tying the knot
and being blessed by
UP CM Yogi Adity-
anath.
Some Muslim wom-
en too tied the knot
at the venue, which
was abuzz with
chants of Vedic man-
tras as well as Nikah
vows “Qubool Hai” (I
accept), even as the
fragrance of dishes
prepared in commu-
nity kitchens on the
occasion wafted in
the air.
Extending his best
wishes and blessings
to all the couples,
Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath said that
‘kanyadaan’ in the
Indian tradition is
the greatest gift and
the biggest achieve-
ment for any individ-
ual and it is an honor
for all to be a part of
such an auspicious
ceremony.
He congratulated
the Labour Depart-
ment for successfully
conducting the mar-
riage – a record of
sort - of over 3500
poor daughters of
construction work-
ers at a single venue.
Earlier, the record
of most number of
marriages was at Mo-
radabad on February
16 when marriages
of 2754 poor girls
had taken place at
‘Samoohik Vivah
programme’
Yogi Adityanath
asked those present in
the gathering to main-
tain social distancing
and wear masks to pre-
vent coronavirus from
spreading as fresh cas-
es were being reported.
Listing various wel-
fare schemes for la-
bourers, he said the
government will soon
ensure payment of Rs 2
lakh to any worker who
dies in harness.
A financial assis-
tance of Rs 55,000 is
given to to the regis-
tered daughters,
whereas, monetary aid
of Rs 61,000 and Rs
75,000 is given for the
girls battling with
disabilities.
Yogi Speaks
ASSISTANCE
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Minister of Labour and Employment Exchanges Swami Prasad
Maurya, Law Minister Brijesh Kumar Pathak and state minister Manohar Lal Kori.
More than 3600 couples were bonded for ever at the mass marriage event.
A couple smiles and takes a selfie just before the recital of
mantras at the mass marriage ceremony.
RAMBHAKT CM WITH ‘RAM-SETU’ CAST
Cast of Ram Setu consisting of Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandes, Nushrat Bharucha along with director Abhishek Sharma
and other members of the crew strike a pose with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday.
‘Organise camps to solve power bill related issues’
First India Bureau
Lucknow: Chief Min-
ister Yogi has said
that in view of the in-
creasing demand for
electricity in the sum-
mer season, the work
of repairing electrical
wires and transform-
ers etc. should be en-
sured in time, so that
people do not have to
face any inconven-
ience.
While giving instruc-
tions to solve various
problems like over-bill-
ing of electricity con-
sumers on priority, he
also said that special
camps should be organ-
ized for this purpose, as
per requirements.
The CM was review-
ing the works of various
departments at a high-
level meeting at Lok
Bhawan.
He instructed the
Ministry of Jal Shakti
and Rural Development
and Panchayati Raj De-
partments to take action
in this regard by prepar-
ing an action plan.
Pledgetoquitatleastone
harmful evil: Governor
First India Bureau
Lucknow: After tak-
ing initiation from
Guru, the rule of giv-
ing Guru-Dakshina is
in Indian tradition.
“I want a resolution in
the form of Guru Dak-
shina from students to
take a pledge to quit at
least one evil that is
harmful to society,
state, nation and the
entire creation.”, the
Governor said.
Along with this, the
students would cooper-
ate in creating a trans-
parent, best environ-
ment and system.
UP Governor and
Chancellor Anandiben
Patel was speaking at
the fourth convocation
ceremony of Siddharth
University Kapilvastu,
Siddharthnagar on
Thursday. She gave
away medals to 34 mer-
itorious students in-
cluding 24 girls and 10
boys.
Congratulating stu-
dents who received de-
grees and medals, she
wished them success in
life and make impor-
tant contribution in
the development of
country and state by
fulfilling the obliga-
tions of a superior citi-
zen. She also said that
knowledge, behavior
and good things given
by teachers to students
should be evident
wherever they went.
While referring to new
education policy.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
Couples during the marriage ceremony at Vrindavan Yojna
CM Yogi Adityanath
Governor Anandiben Patel at the convocation ceremony of
Siddhartha University, in Kapilvastu, Siddharthnagar.
UP CM has asked
administration and
police officials across
the State to clamp-
down on sale and trade
of illicit liquor in view
of the three-tier pan-
chayat polls. He said
those found indulging
in its trade should
be booked under the
Gangsters Act.
CM has urged
people to partici-
pate in the ‘Catch the
Rain’ campaign to be
kicked off by Prime
Minister Narendra
Modi on the occa-
sion of World Water
Day on March 22. He
said people should be
made aware of water
conservation.
Yogi has ordered
suspension of
Project Director, Dis-
trict Rural Develop-
ment Agency, District
Hamirpur, accused of
financial irregularities
in Pradhan Mantri
Awas Yojana.
Yogi to send
proposal to
Central Health
Ministry
First India Bureau
Lucknow: Amid ris-
ing cases of COVID-19
in Uttar Pradesh, the
Yogi Adityanath gov-
ernment is sending a
proposal to the Union
Health Ministry for al-
lowing vaccination of
people in the 18-45 age
group and to withdraw
the mandatory comor-
bidity provision for 45-
60 age group. After a
thorough discussion,
the state Health Minis-
ter Jai Pratap Singh has
directed his depart-
ment to prepare a pro-
posal in this regard to
seek the Centre’s nod.
This comes as the state
is staring at the second
wave of COVID-19 out-
break. Under the pro-
posal, permission will
be sought from the Cen-
tre to open COVID-19
inoculation between
the age-group of 18-45,
particularly to those
who are having hyper-
tension, diabetes and
cardiac problems.
—PHOTOS
BY
SUMIT
KUMAR

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UTTAR PRADESH
05
‘DEAD’ ACCUSED
ARRESTED IN
BULANDSHAHR
UP STF ARRESTS THREE MEMBERS
OF INTERSTATE DRUG PEDDLING
70-YEAR-OLD MAN RAPED MINOR
AFTER LURING HER FOR RS 10
Lucknow: UP STF has arrested three members of
inter-state drug peddling gang and recovered 1.21
quintal hemp from them. The STF, acting on tip-off
police team intercepted suspected vehicle, recov-
ered 1.21 quintal illegal hemp worth Rs 25 lakh
from the vehicle and arrested Bhim Singh, Munna
and Abhay Chauhan. During interrogation ar-
rested accused told police that illegal hemp was
coming from Malkhan Giri jungle, Orrisa to Kan-
nauj and Abhay Chauhan distributed it to others.
Barabanki: Barabanki, A 70-year-old man raped
a 13-year-old girl in his house after abducting her.
The accused lured her for Rs 10 and sexually
abused her. After registering case against accused
police have arrested him. Pankaj Singh, circle of-
ficer, Ram Sanehi Ghat here said that accused
Babu alias Gama was arrested within one hour of
the complaint. When he was trying to molest her,
locals reached at his house and rescued the victim.
Victim was sent to hospital for examination.
Bulandshahr :
Bulandshahr, Kot-
wali police have ar-
rested a criminal ab-
sconding for 16 years
and recovered a
country-made pistol
from him.Jitendra
Kumar Singh, Kot-
wali in-charge here
said that during vehi-
cle checking drive
police team arrested
convicted criminal
Aniraj Singh who
was absconding from
past 16 years. Case
was registered
against Aniraj under
murder charges and
Apex court had
awarded life impris-
onment to him.
CRIME ROUND UP
First India Bureau
L u c k n o w : U t t a r
Pradesh Chief Minis-
ter Yogi Adityanath
has given instruc-
tions to maintain
tight vigil in view of
Covid-19 and said that
the increase in the
rate of corona infec-
tion in many states is
a warning to all. He
asked the officials to
maintain an effective
monitoring system of
prevention and treat-
ment in the state to
keep Corona infec-
tion in check.
The UP CM was re-
viewing the unlock sys-
tem at a high-level
meeting at Lok Bhawan
on Thursday. He said
that Corona testing
should be conducted at
full capacity
. At least 45
percent of the total Cov-
id test conducted by
various methods should
be done daily with RT-
PCR method, he
stressed.
Effective measures
should be taken to in-
crease the RTPCR test
to 50 percent in the
total daily test, he fur-
ther stated while issu-
ing instructions that
the system of rapid
antigen tests at rail-
way stations, airports
and bus stations be
made more effective.
The Chief Minister
reiterated that dedi-
cated Covid hospitals
should be kept func-
tional in all the dis-
tricts. It should be
ensured that Integrat-
ed Command and
Control Centre works
actively, while under-
lining the need and
importance of
strengthening the sys-
tem of contact trac-
ing, he commented.
CM Yogi said that in
the coming days, a large
number of people will
come to various public
places including mar-
kets in view of festivals,
therefore, full attention
should be paid to social
distancing and manda-
tory use of masks
The Chief Minister
forcefully said that the
work of Covid vaccina-
tion in the state should
be conducted according
to the guidelines and
priority of the Govern-
ment of India, the Co-
rona vaccine is a valua-
ble resource and there-
foreitshouldbeensured
that not a single dose of
the vaccine is wasted.
First India Bureau
Lucknow: To ensure
free and fair panchayat
polls in Uttar Pradesh,
State Election Commis-
sioner (SEC) on Thurs-
day directed all the dis-
trict magistrates and
district police chiefs to
make on the spot in-
spection of polling cen-
tres and take necessary
action so that all the
preparations should be
completed in time.
Instructions have
also been given to re-
solve all the disputes
within 24 hours and to
appraise the Commis-
sion of the action tak-
en. The Commissioner
also warned the offi-
cials of stern action if
any untoward inci-
dent took place.
Interacting with all
the DMs/SSP and SPs
of all the districts of
the State through vid-
eo conferencing here
on Thursday, SEC,
Manoj Kumar said
that the officers were
instructed to visit all
the polling centres un-
der their jurisdiction
and take necessary ac-
tion so that any type
of disputes or short-
comings regarding
elections should be
resolved within
24-hours.
Kumar asked to vis-
it the arms shop and
check the register and
if any irregularity
was detected then take
action accordingly. He
said that DMs and SP
will be responsible for
free and fair elections
and if they failed to
deliver their duties
with full honesty then
action will be taken
accordingly.
Additional Election
Commissioner, Ved
Prakash Sharma asked
the DM to take strict ac-
tion and ek illegal sale
or supply of liquor to
influence the polls. He
also directed to take
round of this in the ru-
ral areas also and to en-
sure that all the nomi-
nation process should
be recorded’ to take
necessary action in
case of violation of
Commission guide-
lines. Besides Manoj
Kumar, Ved Prakash
Sharma, the meeting
was also attended by
joint election commis-
sioner, KK Gupta, spe-
cial executive officer,
Jai Prakash Singh, DIG
Law and Order,Dh ar-
mendra Yadav and oth-
er senior officers.
COVIDSURGE:CMTELLSOFFICIALS
TO BE ON TOES, STEP UP VIGIL
ChiefMinisteremphasisedonfollowingtheguidelinessetbytheCentralgovernment
CM Yogi Adityanath presides over the meet with top notch bureaucrats.
State Election Commission office in Lucknow.
CS RK Tiwari presides over the meet.
CM ALERTS
OFFICIALS AS
CORONA CASES
RISE IN UP
CM has stressed the need for making people aware
of the protocol of Covid-19, he said that the public
address system should be widely used in this work. He
also instructed officials for regular monitoring of Covid
vaccination work in government and private hospitals
and to ensure zero wastage of the vaccine!
SEC asks DMs,SSPs to
inspect polling centres
Janardan Misra
Lucknow: Chief of
Army Staff Gen
Manoj Mukund Nara-
vane is in the state
capital to attend some
charity function on
Friday.
Official sources here
said that Gen Naravane
will attend programme
in native village of mar-
tyr Param Veer Chakra
awardee Capt Manoj
Kumar Pandey in Rura
village in Sitapur dis-
trict. Later Gen Nara-
vane will unveil a statue
of Capt Pandey and will
donate to the primary
school there.
Sources said that Gen
Naravane will take
night halt at Central
Command and return
on Friday afternoon.
General Officer in Com-
manding in Chief
(GOC-in-C) (Central
Command) Lt Gen
Iqroop Singh Ghuman
and other senior offi-
cials will accompany
Gen Naravane in the
programme.
Lucknow: Chairing a
meeting of State Steer-
ing Committee of Cov-
id-19 vaccination Chief
Secretary Rajendra Ku-
mar Tiwari directed for
ensuring cent percent
vaccination in all dis-
tricts for which all dis-
trict magistrates and
chief medical officers
should hold regular
meetings.
Besides, a meeting of
District Task Force con-
stituted at district level
should also be held un-
der chairmanship of
district magistrates
every week. He said in
districts where vaccina-
tion was decreasing, the
problem should be iden-
tified and solved.
He said the public
should be motivated to
get vaccinated by en-
suring wide publicity
of Covid-19 vaccination
in districts with less
vaccination. He also
said that religious lead-
ers should be ap-
proached for motivat-
ing more and more peo-
ple for vaccination by
apprising them about
the benefits of vaccina-
tion.
The UP chief secre-
tary said that vaccina-
tion centres should be
established at such
places in districts
which were easily ap-
proachable besides vac-
cines should be stored
at centers properly
.
Further, Tiwari di-
rected for ensuring
proper arrangement of
basic facilities like
drinking water, etc at
vaccination centers be-
sides curb waste of vac-
cines. It was informed
in the meeting that till
now 8,30,815 health care
workers had been inoc-
ulated.
Chitrakoot: Addition-
al Session Rape case
and POCSO court
awarded life imprison-
ment along with eco-
nomical fine of Rs 1.05
lakh to Kutubuddin
Shah accused of sexual
abuse of minor girls on
pretext of studies. The
case was registered un-
der Mission Shakti pro-
gramme of Yogi Adi-
tyanath government, to
provide safe and secure
atmosphere to girls in
state.
The convicted Kutu-
buddin Shah was teach-
er in Mastan Nana Kuti
town, Bargad. He was
accused of molesting
and sexual abuse of mi-
nor girls who used to
come there for studies.
Case was registered
against him under sec-
tions 354, 376 of IPC
and 6/10 of POCSO act.
UP government
had launched women
empowerment cam-
paign ‘Mission Shak-
ti’ to raise awareness
and tackle crime
against women in the
state. Several miscre-
ants were debarred,
jailed and actions
were taken under
Gunda, Gangster act
under mission Shakti
programme in past
few months.
First India Bureau
Meerut: Punjab po-
lice have busted an ille-
gal drug network and
arrested three people,
including a medical
store owner.
Police sources here
said that owner of Perk
Pharmaceutical com-
pany, where the illegal
drugs were manufac-
tured, has escaped to
Canada.
It was reported that
company was autho-
rised to distribute
the medicines to drug
de-addiction centres,
while the company
was supplying re-
stricted medicines to
several firms illegal-
ly in many states.
Punjab police com-
missioner had raided
Councilor House in
Ludhiana on March 3
and recovered re-
stricted medicines
worth Rs 1.29 lakh.
After interrogation it
was revealed that il-
legal drugs were be-
ing supplied from a
pharma company in
Meerut.
Punjab police com-
missioner informed
SSP Meerut Ajay Sahni
and launched the inves-
tigation into the supply
racket.
The probe revealed
that medical store own-
er Sadiq alias Bablu
and gym supplement
supplier Mohammad
John were supplying
illegal medicines to
Anup in Punjab. Fur-
ther investigations re-
vealed that Perk Phar-
maceuticals was sup-
plying such medicines
illegally to several dis-
tributers. Ramesh Kele,
Krishna Kele and two
others were owners of
the company in Udyog-
puram in Partapur
Meerut. After death of
Ramesh Kele, Amarjeet
Siddhu was running
the company and he is
the prime accused in
the racket .
Manhunt was launched
to nab Amarjeet but it
was rumoured that he
has escaped to Canada.
It was reported that
such restricted medi-
cines were being sold
for Rs 50 to Rs 50,000
and huge network was
involved in the busi-
ness. The police raided
the house of prime ac-
cused in Delhi but he
was not found.
Chief of Army staff in Lucknow
to attend charity function
CS impetus to
vaccination drive
Lifer for Maulvi in
child abuse case
Punjab police busts illegal drug racket in Meerut
—FILE PHOTO
—REPRESENTATIVE PICTURE.
Miscreants paste fake notice at girls’ hostel
Janardan Misra
Lucknow: Some mis-
creants pasted a hand
written notice at the
gate of Tilak Girl’s
hostel in Lucknow
university saying that
girls were not allowed
to wear shorts, dresses
above knees, mini-
skirts and micro-
skirts. In the fake no-
tice it was mentioned
that Rs 100 would be
charges as fine for ig-
noring the directives.
Lucknow adminis-
tration has refused to
issue any such notice.
Provost, Dr Bhuvnesh-
wari Bharadwaj said
that any such notice
was not issued. Some
miscreants have tried
to disturb the harmo-
ny in the university
with such acts.
Chief provost Profes-
sor Nalini Pandey said
if university had is-
sued such directives it
would have been
signed by competent
authorities. As notice
is hand written and
saying absurd things
for girls, it has no rela-
tion with university
.
The issue of fake
notice was chattered
widely on social media
and was criticised by
University students.
Gen Manoj Mukund Narvane

INDIA
06
Khela Hobe...
“We know Didi and her
people are even encour-
aging Maoists,” he al-
leged.Declaring that
the days of the Trina-
mool in Bengal were
numbered, he said in
Bengali: “Atyachar
onek korechho Didi.
Ebar Ma Durgar
ashirbadey korbay
tomaye oporosto (You
have oppressed people
for long. Now with
blessings of Ma Durga,
you will be defeated).”
In a wide-ranging
takedown of the Trina-
mool Congress (TMC),
PM Modi introduced
his version of the par-
ty’s initials - “Transfer
My Commission”. In
Bengal, the Centre was
doing DBT or Direct
Benefit Transfer, he
said, “but in Bengal, it
is TMC - Transfer My
Commission”.The PM
accused the Trinamool
government of betray-
ing the tribals and the
poor by depriving them
of centralbenefits.“The
cut money, Tolabaji
(commission), has hurt
the poor and the Adiva-
sis the most,” he told
the gathering in the
tribal-dominated re-
gion.
“Money for houses,
TMC Tolabaj took a cut.
We sent cheap rice for
poor. TMC tolabaj did
not spare that. We gave
free rice during the
lockdown, Didi’s tola-
baj scammed it. The PM
also spoke for the first
time on Mamata Baner-
jee’s injury; she has re-
peatedly alleged that
there was a conspiracy
behind her leg being
crushed by the press of
crowds at Nandigram,
where she is contesting
against her one-time
aide turned BJP rival
Suvendu Adhikari.
“When Didi got hurt,
I was worried. I pray for
her quick recovery,” he
said.
“I have been beaten. I
have had surgeries in
my hand, stomach. My
legs were in good shape
but now they are in-
jured, my heart is hurt.
I got my leg dressed yes-
terday but it is still not
recovered. Yet I came
back, because if there
is a snake at the door, a
tiger at the door... we
cannot allow them to
enter.”
Maha reports...
recorded highest num-
ber of new COVID-19
cases at 2,926, followed
by 2,877 in Mumbai and
2,791 in Pune city
.
Pune division com-
prising civic bodies of
Pune, Pimpri Chinch-
wad as well as districts
of Pune, Solapur and
Satara reported cumu-
lative 5,583 new cases,
highest among the divi-
sions. Mumbai’s COV-
ID-19 tally increased to
3,52,851 and eight
deaths took the fatality
count to 11,559. Mum-
bai division reported
5,190 new cases and 14
deaths.
With 1,21,335 tests
carried out on Thurs-
day, the state has so far
tested 1,79,56,830 sam-
ples for coronavirus.
There are 8,13,211
people in home quaran-
tine while 7,079 are in
institutional quaran-
tine.
Out of 58 deaths, 38
occurred in the last 48
hours and 15 in the last
week. Remaining five
deaths are from the pe-
riod before the last
week.
BJP Bengal...
While actor Rundranil
Ghosh, who recently
joined the saffron bri-
gade, has been fielded
from the high-profile
Bhabanipur constitu-
ency in Kolkata, which
is currently held by
Chief Minister Mama-
ta Banerjee. The Trina-
mool supremo decided
to contest from Nandi-
gram this time, leaving
her home constituency
to senior leader Sob-
handeb Chattopadhyay
.
State BJP Mahila Mor-
cha president and fash-
ion designer Agnimitra
Paul, actor Parno Mi-
tra and popular Ben-
gali folk singer Asim
Sarkar were also
named candidates in
the last four phases.
Mukul Roy, who unsuc-
cessfully contested 2001
Assembly polls on a
Trinamool ticket, will
return to electoral bat-
tle after 20 years from
Krishnanagar Uttar
constituency in Nadia
district.
Mamata calls...
“The BJP will omit
names of voters if they
are not found at home
during the visit of enu-
merators. They will
just evict you (people).
But we would not allow
them to update the reg-
ister here. Not a single
member of any family,
no citizen of the coun-
try can be evicted from
Bengal,” she stated.
Further, reiterating
that she is a like a tiger,
Mamata said she would
bow her head only be-
fore the public.
She asserted that she
would not support a
party like the BJP
which “tortures women
and Dalits”. The Bengal
CM also branded the
BJP as “a party of riot-
ers”.
FROM PG 1
Nandigram: Minutes
after an alleged clash
between Bharatiya Ja-
nata Party and Trina-
mool Congress workers,
Union Minister and
senior BJP leader Dhar-
mendra Pradhan on
Thursday lashed out
against the Mamata Ba-
nerjee government and
stated that democracy
is being murdered from
where the Chief Minis-
ter is herself contest-
ing.
If she wants to con-
test why not with demo-
cratic ways. Since
morning, when Suven-
du Adhikari started his
padayatra, due to fear
of losing to him and his
popularity they are at-
tacking us. On Sona-
chura Chowk, our
young worker was at-
tacked, Pradhan said
soon after a clash broke
out allegedly between
BJP and TMC workers
during Suvendu Adhi-
kar's rally in the Nandi-
gram constituency
.
Pradhan stated that
two incidents of vio-
lence took place on
Thursday
. In the morn-
ing at Kalicharanpur,
crude bombs were
hurled and injured few.
I saw the injured Yuva
Morcha worker while
on way to campaign-
ing, he said after the
visit to Reapara Rural
Hospital. The Minister
said BJP will request
the Election Commis-
sion to have more para-
military deputed in
Nandigram. —ANI
Dispur: Congress lead-
ers Rahul Gandhi and
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
will undertake a two-
day visit to Assam for
party’s election cam-
paigning for upcoming
assembly polls. Rahul is
scheduled to visit As-
sam for two days on
March 19 and 20. Pri-
yanka, meanwhile, will
be visiting Assam on
March 21 and 22 where
she is likely to hold six
rallies, sources said.
—ANI
New Delhi: The SC on
Thursday stayed fur-
ther proceedings before
Delhi High Court in a
suo motu matter relat-
ing to giving lawyers
priority in Covid-19 vac-
cination as a similar is-
sue is pending before
the apex court.
A Bench headed by
Chief Justice of SA
Bobde also issued a no-
tice on pleas filed by
vaccine manufacturers
Serum Institute of In-
dia and Bharat Biotech
seeking transfer of cas-
es to the top court. The
Bench asked Delhi High
Court to not proceed in
the matter.
Solicitor General
Tushar Mehta appear-
ing for Centre told the
court that it will be dif-
ficult to create a class in
lawyers for vaccina-
tion. The two compa-
nies, which manufac-
turing vaccines in In-
dia, have also sought
transfer of a case. —ANI
New Delhi: The SC
agreed to hear on
March 24 a fresh plea
seeking a direction to
the Centre and others
to not open any further
window for sale of
electoral bonds during
pendency of a PIL per-
taining to funding of
political parties and al-
leged lack of transpar-
ency in their accounts.
The hearing assume
significance as it would
take place ahead of as-
sembly polls in WB.
New Delhi: Supreme
CourtonThursdaysaid
it would hear on March
25 a fresh plea seeking
immediate release of
detained Rohingya ref-
ugees in Jammu and
restrain the Centre
fromimplementingany
order deporting them
to Myanmar. A bench
headed by Chief Jus-
tice SA Bobde, which
initially observed that
there was no urgency,
took note of the sub-
missions of lawyer
Prashant Bhushan that
detained Rohingyas
may be deported to My-
anmarwheretheArmy
has taken over and vio-
lence is taking place.
—ANI
New Delhi: The Su-
preme Court on Thurs-
day allowed the Narcot-
ics Control Bureau
(NCB) to amend its plea
-- challenging the bail
order of the Bombay
High Court granting
bail to actress Rhea
Chakraborty also the
findings on the Narcot-
ic Drugs and Psycho-
tropic Substances
(NDPS) Act in connec-
tion with her involve-
ment in the alleged
drug case. A three-
judge bench of the apex
court, headed by the
Chief Justice of India
Sharad Arvind Bobde
and comprising Justic-
es A S Bopanna and V
Ramasubramanian, al-
lowed the prayer of So-
licitor General (SG)
Tushar Mehta, appear-
ing for the NCB, to
amend its plea. The
NCB had moved the top
court recently chal-
lenging the order of the
Bombay High Court
grantingbailtoRheain
theallegeddrugcase.“I
am not against the
grant of bail,” the So-
licitor General said.
The Bombay High
Court, while granting
bail to the actress, had
imposed several bail
conditions on her. —ANI
SSR drug case: SC allows NCB to amend
its plea challenging Bombay HC order
IN THE COURTYARD
New Delhi: Union
Road Transport and
Highways Minister Ni-
tin Gadkari announced
the vehicle scrappage
policy in Lok Sabha.
In case of failure to
get a fitness certificate,
commercial vehicles
will be de-registered af-
ter 15 years. Private ve-
hicles will be de-regis-
tered after 20 years if
found unfit or in case of
a failure to renew regis-
tration certificates, the
Minister said. He added
that under the new ve-
hicle scrappage policy,
owners of old vehicles
will get strong incen-
tives to scrap old and
unfit vehicles.
“We have issued an
advisory to all vehicle
manufacturers to offer
5 per cent discount
while selling a new ve-
hicle against a scrap-
ping certificate,” the
minister said.
“In the interest of a
clean environment and
rider and pedestrian
safety, the Ministry of
Road Transport and
Highways is introduc-
ing the ‘Voluntary Vehi-
cle-Fleet Moderniza-
tion Program’ or ‘Vehi-
cle Scrapping Policy’,
which is aimed at creat-
ing an eco-system for
phasing out of unfit and
polluting vehicles,”
said the Union Minister
in a suo-moto state-
ment. “The objectives
of the policy are to re-
duce the population of
old and defective vehi-
cles, achieve a reduc-
tion in vehicular air
pollutants to fulfill In-
dia’s climate commit-
ments, improve road
and vehicular safety,
achieve better fuel effi-
ciency, formalize the
currently informal ve-
hicle scrapping indus-
try, and boost the avail-
ability of low-cost raw
materials for automo-
tive, steel and electron-
ics industry,” Gadkari
added.
The criteria for a ve-
hicle to be scrapped is
primarily based on the
fitness of vehicles
through Automated Fit-
ness Centres (AFCs) in
case of commercial ve-
hicles and non-renewal
of Registration in case
of private vehicles.
“The Ministry shall
promote setting up of
AFCs on a PPP model
by state government,
private sector, automo-
bile companies etc.,”
he said. —ANI
VEHICLE SCRAPPAGE POLICY TO HELP
reducepollution,improvefuelefficiency
This is a major step to boost the automobile sector reeling under the adverse impact of the pandemic
Nitin Gadkari in a press conference on Vehicle Scrappage
Policy at Transport Bhawan, in New Delhi on Thursday.
Govt Bats For All India Judicial Service
New Delhi: A properly framed All India Judicial
Service (AIJS) on the lines of other all-India services
such as IAS and IPS is important to strengthen the
overall justice delivery system, Law Minister Ravi
Shankar Prasad told Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The service will give an opportunity for induction of
suitably qualified fresh legal talent selected through
a proper all-India merit selection system.
New Delhi: A bill to increase foreign direct
investment limit in insurance sector to 74%
from the current 49% was approved by the
Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Replying to the
debate on Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2021,
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said
foreign investment will supplement domestic
long-term resources with a view to further
insurance penetration
in the country. The
bill was passed with
a voice vote. As per
the bill, majority of
directors on the board
and key management
persons would be
resident Indians, with
at least 50% of direc-
tors being independ-
ent directors.
RAJYA SABHA PASSES BILL TO
RAISE FDI IN INSURANCE TO 74%
Mumbai: Extending
its losing streak to
the fifth consecutive
session, equity
benchmark Sensex
tanked 585 points on
Thursday, tracking
losses in index ma-
jors Infosys, RIL
TCS. After rallying
nearly 500 points ear-
lier in the day, the
30-share BSE index
gave up all gains to
end 585.10 points or
1.17 per cent lower at
49,216.52. The broad-
er NSE Nifty
slumped 163.45
points or 1.11 per
cent at 14,557.85.
HCL Tech was the
top loser in the
Sensex pack, shed-
ding around 4 per
cent, followed by In-
fosys, Dr Reddy’s,
TCS, Reliance Indus-
tries, Tech Mahindra
and NTPC.
On the other hand,
ITC, Bajaj Auto,
MM, Maruti and
Bharti Airtel were
among the gainers.
“Having seen a
brisk gap-up open-
ing on positive glob-
al cues, domestic
equities fell sharply
for the fifth consecu-
tive day as sharp
rise in coronavirus
cases in the country
made investors jit-
tery,” said Binod
Modi, Head Strategy
Reliance Securities.
After its two-day pol-
icy meeting, the US
Fed reassured inves-
tors that it expects to
keep its key interest
rate near zero
through 2023. —PTI
Sensex tumbles
585 pts; Nifty drops
below 14,600
Elsewhere in Asia,
bourses in
Shanghai, Hong
Kong, Tokyo and
Seoul ended on a
positive note
WEST BENGAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS
PradhanslamsDidioverviolence,
saysdemocracybeingmurdered
Union Minister senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan at a political rally in West Bengal’s Nandigram.
‘DEPLOY PARAMILITARY FORCES’ Rahul, Priyanka
on 2-day Assam
visit for rallies
Vax priority: SC
stays Delhi HC
proceedings
SC to hear plea
seeking stay on
sale of fresh
electoral bonds
SC to hear plea against
detention of Rohingyas
—PHOTO
BY
ANI

NEWS
07
First India Bureau
Lucknow: Dr Sadhvi
Prachi Arya is once
again in news for her
statement on ban on
loudspeakers on
Mosques. She said that
Namaaz should be
held in Mosques, but
loudspeakers should
be banned completely.
As per her, nowadays
people sleep late after
work and students
also study late and
hence blaring loud-
speakers in the morn-
ing disturb sleep of
people. She said state
government was doing
good work.
Referring to the Al-
lahabad High Court
order of 2020 for ban-
ning loudspeakers and
not Azaan in mosques,
she requested the UP
Chief Minister to take
the lead on the matter
by implementing the
order. The firebrand
leader said that the
state government
should also bring the
legislation in state to
control population.
The law of two chil-
dren was in the inter-
est of the country as a
whole, she added. As
per Sadhvi Prachi, ris-
ing population count
was leading to rise in
unemployment and
poverty which was af-
fecting the country on
the whole. The Sadhvi
further said entry of
non-Muslims was
banned in two hun-
dred kilometer area
before Mecca Medina,
whereas our worship
system and ideology
was different. As per
her secularists who
make much noise
should also hear that
hundreds of Sadhvis
were ready to perform
Hawan in Mecca and
Medina along with
Sadhvi Prachi, it was
just a matter of taking
initiative. She said
there was a conspira-
cy behind drinking of
water in temple as
people entered tem-
ples on pretext of
drinking water and
spread love jihad in-
stead. On West Bengal
assembly polls, Sadhvi
said now Navbharata
was being built as Ra-
hul Gandhi was walk-
ing around bells in
temples and Mamta
didi had started tak-
ing the name of God,
which was a big
change in India. Those
who used to get upset
with Shri Ram name
are now trying to get
power through it.
However, the Sadhvi
further said BJP was
set to form govern-
ment in West Bengal
and would implement
same rules as in UP.
First India Bureau
Lucknow: In addition
to recruitment to gov-
ernment posts, direc-
tive to inform the ser-
vices department about
online contractual re-
cruitment has been
given to the Employ-
ment Department.
The government has
also announced that
private companies will
be fined for firing peo-
ple from their jobs
though the exact
amount of fine has not
been announced by it.
Actions are also to be
taken against any gov-
ernment, semi-govern-
ment and private organ-
izations which do not
provide information
about job and there is a
possibility of cancella-
tion of registration of
such organization.
These rules will be
applicable to all the in-
stitutions established
in any parts of the state.
In line with Chief Min-
ister Yogi Adityanath’s
intention to give jobs to
the unemployed, the
Employment Depart-
ment has been gearing
up to tighten the re-
cruitment system in the
state.
The Employment De-
partment mentioned
that under mandatory
notification of vacan-
cies Act-1959 every com-
pany must upload infor-
mation about employee
every three months
onto the employment
department website
(service.up.nic.in) and
this information must
contain all information
regarding salary as well
as reason for firing the
employee.
The unemployed can
also apply for jobs on-
line from the website of
the Employment De-
partment as the institu-
tions will be able to
fetch the details of the
unemployed youths
based on their qualifi-
cation. The Employ-
ment Department also
mentioned that there
will be a job fairs every
3 months.
Offer namaaz in
mosques, but ban
loudspeakers: Arya
Private companies will
now be fined for firing
people from their jobs
First India Bureau
Lucknow/Ayodhya:
Bollywood actor Akhsh-
ayKumaralongwiththe
other cast members in-
cluding lead actress Jac-
queline Fernandez and
Nusrat Bharucha paid
visit to Ayodhya and of-
feredtheirprayersatthe
placelandmarkedforthe
construction of Lord
Ram temple. The star
cast of the move ‘Ram
Setu’ along with film-
maker-director-writer
Abhishek Sharma had
come to Ayodhya to
shoot the ‘Mahurat shot’
for the film.
Akshay Kumar is a
top-tier Bollywood actor
whohasearnedhisfame
by acting in films made
on social subjects. His
last periodic film “Kesa-
ri” was a major hit and
the actor had in the last
few years acted in films
which were received
with rave reviews like
“Good Newwz”, ”Mis-
sion Mangal” being
some of them. Akshay
Kumar upcoming movie
titled “Ramu Setu” is set
to be shot in Uttar
Pradesh with Akshay
play an archeologist.
Akshay Kumar had
planstovisittheghatsof
Ayodhya but due to the
large gathering of fans
who had come to meet
Akhsay put the district
administration in a bind
with Akshay not being
abletogetdownfromhis
own vehicle. The large
crowd ultimately forced
Akshay to drop his plan
andhelefttheplacetogo
to Raj Sadan.
Akshay Kumar was
welcomedattheRajSad-
an of Ayodhya by the
head of the Ayodhya Raj
family
, Vimalendra Mo-
han Mishra who is a
memberof theShriRam
Janmabhoomi Tirtha
Kshetra Trust and his
son eminent litterateur
Yatindra Mishra. Aksh-
ay Kumar was accompa-
nied by the two actress
of the film Jacqueline
Fernandez and Nusrat
Bharucha.
AkhsayKumaralsoin
his trip to Ayodhya met
with Champat Rai
Bansal, general secre-
tary of Sri Ramjanmab-
hoomi Tirtha Kshetra
Trust and trustee Anil
Mishra and the trio had
a discussion about vari-
ous topic related to Ram-
janmabhoomi complex.
On his return from Ayo-
dhya, Akhsay Kumar
and the crew met with
Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Yogi Adity-
anathathisofficeinLuc-
know. This would not be
the first time meeting of
the Akshay with CM
Yogi as Akshay Kumar
metCMYogiAdityanath
during the latter’s visit
to Mumbai. In the previ-
ousmeeting,AkshayKu-
marspoketoCMregard-
ing permission to shoot
his film ‘Ram Setu’ in
Ayodhya and also con-
gratulated CM Yogi Adi-
tyanath for making the
country’s biggest film
city in Uttar Pradesh.
With the completion
of the ‘Mahurat shot’,
the film ‘Ram Setu’
which has lead actors
like Akshay Kumar, Jac-
queline Fernandez and
Nusrat Bharucha is set
to go on the floors from
Friday
.
‘RAM SETU’ CAST VISITS AYODHYA, OFFERS
PRAYERS TO RAMLALA BEFORE MAHURAT SHOOT
PARTY WITH
A DIFFERENCE
OR OF
DIFFERENCES
The ruling BJP
seems to have
metamorphosed
from a party with a
difference into a party
of differences. At
least, that is what a
section of ‘disgruntled’
workers are saying
post party’s recent
executive committee
meeting, which was
cut-short from two to
just a one-day affair
at the last minute.
Was it to done to curb
dissent? Did the top
leadership sensed the
brewing unrest? The
official reason for being
cited for curtailing the
session: most of the
senior party leaders
had to be drafted for
campaigning in West
Bengal and Assam,
hence the executive
meet had to be wound
up. But insiders privy to
the developments have
a different take. “What
is the point of having
such a meeting if you
are not willing to listen
to workers feedback,”
said one such invitee.
He said the session was
more of a monologue
by leaders praising
the government rather
than a platform for a
dialogue to discuss
problems and exchange
views on pressing
issues like farmers
stir, economic agenda
and allaying people’s
apprehensions. Despite
best efforts by seniors
to pacify them, one
discontented former
MLA did manage to
wrest an opportunity to
air his views from the
podium when invited
to deliver his thanks
giving speech. He
lamented the rampant
corruption at the police
station and panchayat
level as a big hurdle
for BJP workers to get
anything done much to
the embarrassment of
senior office-bearers
and ministers. Needless
to add, his no-holds-
barred oration left
those on the dais
dumbfounded! It was
left to the state party
chief Swatantrata
Dev Singh to save
the situation with a
mild rebuke to the
ex-legislator that such
remarks should not be
made in a thanks giving
speech.
—M Tariq Khan
ACS Info Navneet Sehgal and Director Info Shishir with Akshay
Kumar, Jacqueline and Nusrat.
Akshay Kumar along with Jacqueline and Nusrat performing
Muharat Puja in Lord Ram temple’s complex.
Mrityunjay Kumar Advisor to CM, Film Actor Akshay Kumar and
Shalabh Mani Tripathi at the Chief Minister’s Residence.
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Campus director of National Forensic Science University Dr SO Junare met CM Yogi to discuss the upcoming Centre of
Excellence of DNA being set up in Lucknow. ACS Home, Awanish Awasthi and DGP Hitesh Chandra Awasthy were also
present on the occasion.
No proposal had been received from UP govt to
set up High Court Bench in Western UP: Prasad
First India Bureau
Lucknow: The issue of
setting up of High
Court Bench in western
Uttar Pradesh has once
cropped up.
On a question of Bi-
jnor MP Malook Nagar,
the Union minister
Ravi Shankar Prasad
said in Lok Sabha that
no proposal had been
received from state gov-
ernment to set up a
High Court Bench in
Western UP.
Raising the issue of
setting up an High
Court Bench in Lok
Sabha on Tuesday, BSP
MP Maluk Nagar peo-
ple of western UP had
to go to Prayagraj for
disposal of appellate
cases which costs more
time and money
.
He questioned the
government that wheth-
er Government had
plans to set up a High
Court Bench in UP or
not and if yes then by
when this demand
would be fulfilled.
Replying to the ques-
tion, Minister of Law,
Justice, Communica-
tions, Electronics and
Information Technolo-
gy Ravi Shankar Prasad
said consent of State
Government and Gov-
ernor was necessary for
establishment of the
Bench and at present,
no proposal had been
received from state gov-
ernment to set up a
High Court Bench in
Western UP.
Apart from this, the
MP also sought infor-
mation about the num-
ber of generic medical
stores in the country,
problem of drug supply,
government policies to
stop the sale of branded
medicines in Jan Aus-
hadhi Kendras.
He said that the pace
with which Prime Min-
ister’s Bharatiya Jan
Aushadhi Kendra were
being opened in coun-
try, the same were also
closing at the same rate.
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

08
2NDFRONT
Be kind, when you can’t do
anything else for a person in
need then even kindness is a
beautiful gift.
—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO Editor-in-Chief, First India
Sumit Awasthi
Kanpur: In the case of
22 Indian cities finding
present in list of most
polluted cities of the
world, UP minister for
Industrial Development
Satish Mahana, while
talking to First India
News said that govern-
ment was working with
utmost urgency on the
issue of pollution. He
said air quality index
and solid waste manage-
mentof localbodieswas
a priority of govern-
ment. For example, for
Kanpur, for these two
things a significant Rs
300 crore had been
granted.
Talking about
water pollu-
tion, he said
a t t e n t i o n
was being
paid on
N a m a m i
G a n g e
scheme be-
sides neces-
sary steps were being
taken to improve con-
dition of industries.
The government was
working on a mission
for ensuring safe and
healthy environment
by checking air quality
pollution. He said soon
our efforts would im-
prove our ranking on
the matter. He said it
was Prime Minister
who picked up broom
in his hand to raise
awareness about clean-
liness and a cleanli-
ness campaign was
launched in the coun-
try, on which people
made fun of him. How-
ever, he said, if there
was anyone really seri-
ous about pollution, it
was only Modi govern-
ment at Center. Akh-
ilesh Yadav has no is-
sue left and when any
such news comes, he
starts making issue on
it. From 2014 to 2017 it
was his government
but he had problems
implementing Central
government schemes
for achieving cleanli-
ness and his govern-
ment was unable to
reap benefits of central
schemes.
The Opposition has
noissueleft.Earlierpeo-
ple did not want to come
here. The Government
of Uttar Pradesh was
doing a remarkable job
under the leadership of
Yogi Adityanath. The
Akhilesh government‘s
achievement were not
visible and he was not
able to see anything as
to caste and community
.
‘Govt was working with utmost urgency on the issue of pollution’
WORRIED ABOUT ENVIRONMENT

Air quality
index and
solid waste
management
of local
bodies was a
priority of
govt.
Satish Mahana
DIG AT YOGI GOVT
Etawah Lion Safari in Uttar Pradesh is not yet open for visitors. The Samajwadi Party
national president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the Yogi
government over this and described the maladministration of the government for not
opening it. He said that the government is neglecting its work and could not open the
Etawah Lion Safari for its visitors during its four-year tenure.
First India Bureau
Prayagraj: CM Yogi
Adityanath has added
another feather to his
cap as he becomes the
BJP’s longest serving
Chief Minister in Uttar
Pradesh. Let’s have
one look at the incredi-
ble journey as CM
which has been a roll-
er-coaster ride with ad-
mirable highs and dis-
mal lows. Yogi was
named as the CM in
March of 2017 when the
BJP came into power
with a thumping ma-
jority in UP.
Initially many politi-
cal pundits were un-
willing to place bets on
him but Yogi Aditya-
nath has managed to
turn challenges into
opportunities and si-
lenced most critics
with his performance
— not only in the oppo-
sition but also within
his own party. The UP
CM’s first challenge
came from his own con-
stituency of Gorakh-
pur in August 2017,
when more than 60
children died due to
disruption in oxygen
supply at BRD Medical
College. Yogi took strict
and stringent steps
those responsible for
the tragedy and within
a year, had managed to
control deaths from en-
cephalitis in the area to
a large extent. This is
an appreciable step as
hundreds of children
were dying from en-
cephalitis for the last
four decades with the
government turning a
blind eye towards it.
The one area were the
government though fal-
tered was the migra-
tion of workers who
due to the pandemic
began returning to the
home state and this put
an additional strain on
the state which was not
ready for mass migra-
tion. CM Yogi though
managed to solve an-
other problem in the
form of unemployment
as he announced his
flagship scheme of
‘One District One Prod-
uct’. This scheme
emerged as the largest
driving force in the
state and with assis-
tance from the MSME
sector it helped the tra-
ditional crafts and art
of the state gain prom-
inence in the country.
Yogi breaks record; emerges as
the longest serving BJP CM in UP
Yogi was named as CM in March of 2017 when the BJP came into power with a thumping majority in UP
—FILE
PHOTO
BIGGEST
CHALLENGE
FOR CM
YOGI
The biggest challenge turned out to be his greatest
achievement during corona epidemic. In a state completely
deprived of medical infrastructure, the CM worked tireless-
ly to create a medical management system to deal with the
epidemic. Covid hospitals were set up within short days
protocols were strictly followed during the lockdown.
First India Bureau
Uttar Pradesh:The
NHRC has issued notic-
es to the Uttar Pradesh
government and the
state police chief over
reports of death of five
persons, including four
from a family, after in-
haling poisonous gas
inside an open septic
tank in Agra district,
officials said. The Na-
tional Human Rights
Commission, in a state-
ment, said it has taken
suo motu cognisance of
a media report, as per
which the 12-feet deep
sewage water tank was
dug three days ago, and
was ‘’left uncovered’’,
and was filled with 4-ft
feet deep sewage.
Five persons, includ-
ing four from a family,
died after inhaling poi-
sonous gas inside an
open septic tank in
Fatehabad in Agra on
March 16, NHRC said.
The Commission has
issued notices to the
chief secretary and the
director general of po-
lice, Uttar Pradesh,
seeking a detailed re-
port within four weeks.
The report must in-
clude information re-
garding the measures
being adopted by the
state government to
deal with such tragic
incidents, it said.
First India Bureau
Uttar Pradesh: The
Allahabad High Court,
which is the largest
high court in the coun-
try, continues to have
the highest number of
vacancies — 64 against
a sanctioned strength
of 160.
More than 4,000 judg-
es’ posts are vacant in
trial courts across the
country, while over 38
per cent of the sanc-
tioned posts for perma-
nent and additional
judges in India’s 25 high
courts also lie empty,
the Union Ministry of
Law and Justice has re-
vealed. As per data
placed before Parlia-
ment, high courts have
a sanctioned strength
of 1,080 judges, but 419
of these posts remain
vacant. Union Law Min-
ister Ravi Shankar
Prasad revealed this
data in response to a
question posed by Con-
gress Lok Sabha MP
Jyotsna Charandas Ma-
hant from Chhattis-
garh, who wanted to
know whether the gov-
ernment has made any
assessment regarding
the shortage of judges
and vacant posts.
NHRC notice to
Uttar Pradesh govt
4,000judges’posts
remainvacantinHC
Arvind Kumar appointed
chairman of YEIDA
Ahtesham Siddiqui
Uttar Pradesh: Ut-
tar Pradesh bureau-
cracy has again seen
some major changes
as senior IAS Arvind
Kumar who was the
Additional Chief Sec-
retary, Infrastructure
and Industrial Devel-
opment Department
has now been named
as the Chairman of
Yamuna Expressway
Industrial Develop-
ment Authority as
well as Uttar Pradesh
State Industrial De-
velopment Authority.
Arvind Kumar who
has once held the post
of ACS, Department
of Energy has once
again been given new
posting amidst his
hostility with his de-
partmental minister.
Arvind Kumar al-
beit the transfer will
still hold a powerful
position in the state.
On the other hand,
IAS Ministhy S who
the IG, Stamp Reg-
istraton with addi-
tional charges as Ad-
ditional Commission-
er Food Safety and
Drug Administration
and Additional In-
spector General Reg-
istration has now
been named as Com-
missioner of Com-
merce, Uttar Pradesh.
While IAS KK Gupta
has been named as
the Joint Election
Commissioner of the
State Election Com-
mission
IAS Arvind Kumar
Govt was doing its
job but should pre-
pare minimum
standards for peo-
ple and people will
have to become seri-
ous just like during
Corona, people on
their own remained
careful. Strict ac-
tion should be tak-
en against people
flouting norm.
Dinesh Aggarwal
Director of Mohini Tea
The topic is
worrisome for all.
Just as blood is
running in our
body, the same way
environment is for
us and if we ignore
it, the future
generations will
have to bear the
brunt of polluted
environment.
Ratnesh Tiwari
Director of Sakshi Institute
There was a need to
teach children
about ways to keep
the environment
healthy besides the
practice should be
imbibed in our tra-
dition, only then
we will be able to
make polluted cit-
ies clean and im-
prove its image,
Brajesh Awasthi
Chairman of Provincial Industry
Govt is serious on
the issue but every-
one should take re-
sponsibility. If one
neglects than it
might cause trouble
to others also.
Everyone has to
fight the battle
against increasing
pollution with
awareness.
Ghanshyam Gupta
Senior BJP leader
It is not apt to ac-
cuse government on
the issue. People
should plant trees
in the same way as
people celebrate
their birthday.
Chimney in indus-
tries should be in-
stalled above 50
feet as per norms so
that air pollution
could be prevented.
Vijay Kapoor,
Dada Nagar Industry Chairman

CITY FIRST ANNOUNCES THE NEXT SHOWCASING DESIGNER OF THE FASHION CONNECT SEASON-9, TO BE
HELD ON MARCH 20, IN DUBAI! PRESENTING YOU, THE SHOWCASING DESIGNER WRICKIE ANGRISH!
LUCKNOW, FRIDAY
MARCH 19, 2021
www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia
facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia 09
THE FANTASY RESORT
KARISHMA GWALANI
karishma.gwalani@firstindia.co.in
n an ongoing designer an-
nouncement series of The
Fashion connect Season 9 to
be held on March 20 at Oaks
Ibn Battuta, Dubai, we pre-
sent you our next showcas-
ing designer- Wrickie An-
grish, with his very own brand
‘The Angrish’ which will surely leave
you awestruck with its bespoke collection.
Curated with passion and housed in a gor-
geous studio, each piece at Angrish resonates
class, in-vogue and skilled craftsmanship
Angrish, is an alternative design brand,
creating accentuated silhouettes into pret re-
sort. The brand is made with love out of natu-
ral fabrics, using the natural Handblock tech-
nique. Keeping in mind that eloquence and
elegance are proportional to each other,
Wrickie Angrish kept the hold of the heritage
of Jaipur with Handblock and yet gives con-
temporary styles and silhouettes, which is
what makes the Angrish stand out from the
rest. Oozing flair and trend, these timeless
clothingisforquintessentialmenandwomen.
In The Fashion Connect Season-9, the de-
signer is going to present the Spring-summer
2021 collection ‘The Fantasy Resort’. The col-
lection is inspired by Wrickie’s idea of a fan-
tasy resort and offers a mix of classic vintage
touch with modern resort looks for men as
well as for women.
I
Designer Wrickie Angrish with a model
Models showcasing the collection by The Angrish

10
ETC
F
A
C
E
O
F
T
H
E
D
A
Y
MEENAL KAUSHIK, FOUNDER, STUDIO NAACH
LEO
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
Fingers may be pointed at
you for something you are
not responsible for at work.
You can find yourself fitter
with regular exercises. This is the
time to strengthen the family bonds.
A prime property may come into your
name. Your life will turn better if you
accept the changes with ease.
LIBRA
SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22
Financial worries can make
some restless, but the
situation will not be
beyond redemption. A new
project will proceed smoothly as you
get help from all quarters. You will
need to handle a tensed family
member with sympathy. A property
dispute can be risky for you.
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 20
Those struggling to find a
solution to a workplace
problem will succeed. A
forthcoming family event is
likely to raise your spirits. Those
dealing with property issues may
need to be careful not to get into
legal hassles. A get together is likely
to prove refreshing.
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23 - DEC 22
Those ailing can expect their
condition to improve. Not
much gains on the monetary
front are indicated. Those
feeling restless in a particular job will
be able to settle down in time.
Interruptions on the domestic front are
foreseen that will not allow you to do
your own thing.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUNE 21
Problems faced on the
health front show signs of
disappearing completely. A
deliberate attempt at
saving is the only way you can repay
your loans. Work front may appear a
bit too demanding, but you will be
able to handle it well. A family
get-together will provide happiness.
AQUARIUS
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Avoid indulging in
speculation. Peak physical
fitness will make even
strenuous activities seem
like child’s play. Bad mood of a family
member may spoil the domestic
environment. A holiday promises much
rest and rejuvenation. Dilly-dallying
may let a property deal slip out.
TAURUS
APR 21 - MAY 20
You can feel overworked
on the professional front.
Spouse can expect a
helping hand. Settling
down in a new house is indicated for
some. An invitation to a party or
function may provide you an
opportunity to meet someone
special.
CAPRICORN
DEC 23 - JAN 20
Your desire to increase
earning may need to be put
on hold temporarily till the
time is right. Your health
consciousness will keep you hale and
hearty. Pending things on the home
front may hinder official work. Those
looking to buy property are likely to
get one at bargain price.
VIRGO
AUG 24 - SEP 23
You will manage to
showcase your profes-
sional skills to those who
matter. Playing your cards
well in a family situation will get you
the support and attention you crave
for. Taking possession of a new
house may become a reality for
some.
CANCER
JUNE 22 - JULY 23
Assistance of colleagues
will help complete a project
much before time. A family
youngster is likely to make
you proud. Don’t be hasty in matters
pertaining to property. An entertain-
ing time with near and dear ones is
foreseen. An expected raise or bonus
is on the cards for some.
PISCES
FEB20 - MARCH 20
A friend will come to the
rescue in bailing you out of
a financial situation.
Inculcating physical
workouts in your lifestyle will benefit
health. A family get together can find
you into your element. You will have
enough to invest in a suitable
property.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22
Those experiencing a cash
crunch will manage to
overcome it by tight
budgeting. You may feel
hesitant to broach a contentious
issue with a rival at work. A family
member may prove annoying by not
doing your bidding. Good returns can
be expected in property.
YOUR
DAY
Horoscope by
Saurabbh Sachdeva
gainst the back-
drop of fading po-
litical support, dis-
satisfaction among
locals grew to the
extent of direct
mass-scale inter-
vention with a clear politi-
cal and economic target
Giventhelimitedscopeof
farming, cattle rearing and
forest-based entrepreneur-
ship, the youth of Kumaun
(and Garhwal) found in the
British Indian Army an un-
paralleled opportunity to
show their strength and val-
our, travel across the coun-
try and the world and win
laurels. Together with the
Gurkhas from Nepal, Pa-
thans from the North-West
Frontier Province and the
Jat Sikhs of Punjab, the
highlanders of the Kumaun
hills were amongst the
‘prominent martial races’
of British India. The head-
quarters of the Kumaun
and Garhwal Regiment
were established in Ran-
ikhet and Lansdowne re-
spectively
. The Garhwalis
also took pride in the Victo-
ria Cross winners Darwan
Singh Negi (from Chamoli)
and Gabar Singh Negi (of
Chamba in Tehri Garhwal)
in World War I. However, the
counterfactual was equally
strong. As mentioned earli-
er, Veer Chandra Singh
Garhwali refused to open
fire on an unarmed proces-
sion of Congressmen in Pe-
shawar in 1930, and over
2,500 soldiers of these regi-
ments opted to join the Azad
Hind Fauj under Subhash
Chandra Bose in 1945 when
the occasion arose. Captain
Chandra Singh Negi rose to
become a Lt. Colonel in the
Azad Hind Fauj, and Cap-
tain RN Awasthi and Bud-
dhi Singh also held respon-
sible positions.
In the aftermath of inde-
pendence, the entire region
as well as the princely Tehri
Garhwal was brought under
the administration of Uttar
Pradesh (erstwhile United
Provinces). It may be men-
tioned that as Tehri was un-
der the Punjab States Agen-
cy from 1936, and then under
Punjab Sates (in the Minis-
try of States), the possibility
of a larger Himalayan state
including Ladakh, Lahaul
Spiti, Garhwal and Kumaun
was under active considera-
tion for a brief period. Be
that as it may
, by 1950, the
first map of the Republic of
India had both Kumaun and
Garhwal under the state of
UP
.Inthepost-independence
period, the first political
party to take up the issue of
a separate Uttarakhand was
the Communist Party of In-
dia. The undivided CPI took
it up in 1952 when its Gen-
eral Secretary PC Joshi sent
a memorandum in this re-
gard to the Government of
India. It was forwarded to
the States Reorganization
Commission which did not
accedetothedemanddespite
KM Panikkar’s note of dis-
sent mentioned that the
sheer size of UP made it ad-
ministratively unmanagea-
ble. The ex-Maharaja of
Tehri, Manabendra Shah
revived the issue of a sepa-
ratestatein1957,andlaterin
1966,hesentamemorandum
in this regard after the crea-
tionof theHimachalasaUT.
Perhaps the prominent posi-
tion held by leaders from Ut-
tarakhand in the national
polity — GB Pant, HN Bahu-
guna, ND Tiwari and KC
Pant — in the first three dec-
ades of independence never
letthefeelingof regionalism
come to fore. In many ways,
the rise of the ‘Uttarakhand
sentiment’ coincided with
the marginalization of these
leadersbothinthepoliticsof
UP and the Centre.
Earlier, the National For-
est Policy of 1952 had laid
down that properly-man-
aged forests must not only
supply raw materials for
industry, export and de-
fence, but also secure a bal-
anced ecosystem while en-
suring the fulfilment of lo-
cal people’s demands for
firewood, grazing land, and
minor forest produce for
livelihoods and entrepre-
neurship. However, the For-
est Department was set in
its old ways and discour-
agedallformsof small-scale
commodity extraction.
Moreimportantly
,underthe
extant rules, it was difficult
for small-scale local entre-
preneurs to compete at the
Forest Department auctions
with merchants and traders
from outside the region who
could mobilize finances
through their links in capi-
tal and credit markets. They
also brought with them
skilled and semi-skilled la-
bourers, mostly Nepalis,
who were more ‘biddable’
and willing to work for low-
er wages.
DISCONTENT TO
CONFRONTATION
SANJEEV CHOPRA
Director of LBSNAA and Honorary
Curator, Valley of Words: Literature and
Arts Festival, Dehradun.
A

ttarakhand’s
newly appoint-
ed chief minis-
ter Tirath Sin-
gh Rawat drew
a flak on
Wednesday af-
ter he said that women
who wear ripped jeans
set a ‘bad example’ for
society and lead to sub-
stance abuse. Hitting
out at the sartorial
choices of women,
Rawat recalled an inci-
dent where he had
come across a woman
‘in ripped jeans’ who
ran an NGO and ex-
pressed his concern
about the kind of ‘mes-
sage’ she is putting out
to the world.
While Twitter was
flooded with reactions
all through the day,
#RippedJeansTwitter
became one of the top
trends on the micro-
blogging platform this
morning. In an exclu-
sive interview with
City First, Purvi Gula-
ti, a forensic aspirant
said that passing such
derogatory comments
on someone’s choice of
clothing is so shame-
ful. How one can be
provoked by this and
the fact that it starts
from home? Dear par-
ents, don’t teach your
daughter how to dress,
teach your son, how to
behave. This country
would become a safe
place then.” While
Pooja Parekh, CMO
said, “I don’t under-
stand how my choice
of toggery be it ripped
jeans, off-shoulder top,
dress revealing cleav-
age or saree can decide
my values. In what
kind of world are we
living that how I dress
is the certificate of my
character. Don’t
change ripped jeans
but surely change the
ripped mindset.” Tanvi
Srivastav, an independ-
ent woman had the
same belief. She said,
“Making such com-
ments about women’s
clothing by someone
who is a Chief Minis-
ter of a state, who is
virtually and physi-
cally heard by a huge
audience is degrading.
This would only give
confidence to the gen-
eral public to objectify
women.”
12
CITY BUZZ
RIP Misogyny! Women from all across the country started to post photos of themselves wearing
ripped jeans in response to the remark. City First spoke to a few women to know their views!
RIPPED JEANS OR
RIPPED MINDSET?
TO BETTER THINGS!
T
o live every new
day is a bless-
ing in itself but
somewhere during
quarantine days and
lockdown months and a
year bygone in COVID,
life took a turn in the
positive lane. A lane to
shift the gear of life
and take the road not
taken.
They say a lot can
change in a year. And
that is absolutely what
fits the attitude of the
modern-day millenni-
als who stopped listen-
ing to others and took a
leap of faith towards
their goals. City First
had an exclusive chat
with some young folks
about their endeavours
ever since they fol-
lowed their hearts.
MITALI DUSAD
mitalidusad01@gmail.com
U
SPOTTED!
VACCINATED!
PROJECT SAATHI! INSPECTION!
Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushratt Bharuchha have jetted off to Ayodhya on
Thursday morning to kick-start the shooting of their upcoming film Ram Setu. The star cast
was spotted at Mumbai Airport.
Adding to the tally of Covid vaccine
recipients in Uttar Pradesh, several
frontline workers including senior officers,
were administered vaccine shots on
Thursday. The jabbing process was carried
out in various hospitals of Lucknow.
Hriday Narayan Dixit, Speaker of Uttar
Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Sanjay
Tripathi, Divisional Railway Manager,
Northern Railway and Suresh Kumar
Khanna, Cabinet Minister for Finance,
Parliamentary affairs and Medical
Education Departments seemed thrilled
after getting jabbed. They motivated the
others to get vaccinated and cleared
the doubts regarding the efficacy of the
indigenous vaccines.
The Lucknow traffic police have set the wheels in motion for project ‘Saathi’, roping in 200
college students as volunteers to manage and streamline automobiles on the city roads. The
initiative has been launched under the able guidance of the DCP of Traffic, who informed that
the volunteers will be trained on the basis of a proper curriculum designed by the Lucknow
traffic police for the same. Students will be deployed on roads twice a week, she stated,
adding that it will further ease the city’s traffic woes.
Lucknow Police has braced itself to manage traffic ahead
of the festival week. Traffic police have imposed one-way
restriction and barricaded movement of four-wheelers in
markets like Bhoothnath, Hazratganj on Wednesday. Joint
Commissioner of Police, law and order, Naveen Arora said
that to curb pollution and ensure that COVID-19 protocol is
maintained in the city, police have taken several initiatives.
MONICA
PRABHAKAR
cityfirst@firstindia.co.in
City First had an exclusive chat with some young folks about
their endeavours ever since they followed their hearts!
“But why did you leave
such a good job in Canada
and come back?” My
entire 2020 passed hearing this
line. Having completed my masters
in Canada, I had job offers in
Toronto. But 2020, an uncertain
year where I decided to listen to my
heart and stay in India, caused a stir
of lectures on how amazing Canada
is and how I should go back!
Thankfully I got a great job. After all,
it is all about following your heart
and trusting in the universe.”
—GarimaJaggi,BusinessAnalyst
2020 was a tough year, in
bad times, a good thing
happened. I grew more like
an Instagram influencer. But the
nagging of people used to say that
“how will you manage both Job and
blogging?”. It bothered me but I
worked consistently. I am now
collaborating with the topmost
brands while having my Full-time
job.
—Ambika Nimbalkar, Fashion
lifestyle influencer
Last year was a tough time
for all; everyone had their
battles. Mine was against
societal expectations. I said no to all
of them and did something I am
passionate about, my own business.
People said, “It isn’t going to be
easy”. And here I am today, working
successfully on my business,
moreover, making myself proud.
—Akanksha Gupta, Fashion
entrepreneur
Tanvi Srivastav, Uttar Pradesh Purvi Gulati, Rajasthan
Pooja Parekh, Gujarat
—PHOTOS BY SUMIT KUMAR

First india lucknow edition-19 march 2021

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