Virat And Rohit Should Be Indias Openers In Mens T20 World Cup, Says Sourav Ganguly

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah: Sourav Ganguly, the former India skipper currently serving as director of cricket at Delhi Capitals, thinks that captain Rohit Sharma and talismanic batter Virat Kohli should open the batting in the Mens T20 World Cup, to be held from June 1 in West Indies and USA. Rohit had been declared as Indias captain for the mega event by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah at Rajkot in February, but who opens the batting alongside him is the question. Kohli is currently the leading run-getter in IPL 2024, amassing 379 runs in eight innings as an opener for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The other opening contender is young left-handed batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, whos been going through a lean patch for Rajasthan Royals in the competition. Jaiswal, though, has smashed a half-century against Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2024 match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Both will and should go to the West Indies. If you ask me and it's just my personal opinion and I'm not saying that the selectors should do it, because at the end of the day, it's their call, but Rohit and Virat should open. Virat Kohli has got the capability of getting a 40-ball 100 also. As I said at the start, India, with the talent they have, just need to go and hit. The mindset should be to hit and then we'll see what happens after 5-6 overs. But I don't think Yashasvi's name has dropped too far down the ladder. He's a special player, said Ganguly in a select media interaction organised by the franchise on Monday. Kohli scored a 67-ball century against Rajasthan Royals but received flak for it because of his low strike-rate in a tournament where an attacking Travis Head also smashed a ton, but in 39 balls. Heads overall strike-rate of 216 in the tournament is way more than Kohli, whose strike-rate is at 150.39 currently. For India, the most important thing in T20 cricket and I said this to Rahul (Dravid) in Australia (after the 2022 T20 World Cup) also. 'Just play without fear.' You can always control the innings if you lose wickets, but just go and hit. It's not a drastic change. They have the talent to do that change. We saw how Rohit batted at the 50-overs World Cup. He just came and hit from ball one and we were able to put so much pressure on the opposition in the first seven-eight overs. It gave breathing space for the lower order. I think Virat and Rohit should do the same. They're great players, added Ganguly, the former BCCI President, on how India can go for a mindset change in T20Is after playing timid cricket in the last two World Cups. He also wished for Lucknow Super Giants captain and wicketkeeper-batter K.L Rahul to be a fearless batter in T20s, just like how he smashed a strokeful 82 against Chennai Super Kings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium last week. I think it depends on what the captain and the coach instruct him to do in the middle. The other day I saw him play an innings against Chennai (Super Kings), which Lucknow (Super Giants) won. I thought he was exceptional. He played well at the top of the order and did exactly what was required to do. As I said, it's about playing freely and playing without fear, its a must in T20 cricket. I hope Rahul finds a method of playing T20 cricket, because players like Virat, Rohit, Rishabh, Rahul, Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), Hardik, Shivam Dube - there an exceptional six-hitting ability, it's enormous for all of them and I think that's the way they should play, just hit. With many contenders for various slots in Indias T20 World Cup squad, Ganguly feels the selection for Mens T20 World Cup shouldn't be on the basis of just performances in one IPL season. You have to look at every performance. A good team is a balance of experience and youth. Experienced players in India are tremendous and I'm not saying only because of the number of games they have played but it's the performances they've put over a period of time. It's unbelievable. I'm sure the selectors are mature enough to see performances over a period of time. Not just one IPL, but two, three, four IPL seasons. Someone like Shivam Dube, did it last year also. He was given a chance for India and whacked it there also. So, they've (players like him) done it over a period of time. Ganguly signed off by quashing suggestions on more young people to be included in the national T20 team in place of experienced campaigners. There is nothing about old and young; its about being and how good you are, which is important to me. How is Jimmy Anderson playing Test cricket? He's a fast bowler at 41, playing Test cricket and bowling 30-30 overs in an innings in a test match. So, there's no hard and fast rule for anything. The only hard and fast rule is talent, ability and performance. You look at someone like MS Dhoni, he bats for two overs and hits four sixes. I would actually want him to bat more but let's see how good he is.

Kshatriya community in Gujarat intensifies protests against BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala

AHMEDABAD: Tensions are rising in Gujarat as the Kshatriya community confronts Rajkot BJP candidate, Parshottam Rupala, and the BJP. Despite persistent protests, Rupala proceeded to submit his nomination for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat on April 16. In response, the Kshatriya community has declared a fresh wave of protests. Beginning Saturday, Rajput women will initiate a relay hunger strike across Gujarat, persisting until the voting day on May 7. In addition, symbolic 'dharm-raths' will be showcased in five areas as a form of dissent against the BJP. PT Jadeja, the leader of the Kshatriya Community in Rajkot, addressed reporters on Saturday, expressing a stance regarding BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala. Gujarat: Caste cauldron causes unease in BJP as Patidar, Kshatriya get into fight We are granting the BJP time until April 22 for Parshottam Rupala to withdraw his candidacy, or for the government to intervene and withdraw his nomination. If the government fails to act, we will initiate a vigorous protest against the BJP, he said. Furthermore, PT Jadeja declared, Part 2 of the Kshatriya Community movement has begun, spearheaded by the Kshatriya Coordinating Committee in Ahmedabad. We have outlined arrangements for conventions in Anand and Vadodara, recognizing their substantial Kshatriya voter base. Expect the announcement of dates and venues shortly. Moreover, I urge the Kshatriya Community to cast their votes against the BJP. Jadeja stated, In eight key districts Patan, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Sabarkantha, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar of Gujarat with a significant Rajput voter base, we have devised a strategy to challenge the BJP. Our plan involves mobilizing one Rajput youth to encourage three others to vote against the BJP. This movement will extend to rural regions, where an oath will be administered to oppose the BJP across various zones. BJP leaders divided over Kshatriya community protests in Gujarat Karansinh Chavda, spokesperson for the Rajput Coordination Committee, announced, Starting this Saturday, Rajput women will embark on a relay hunger strike throughout Gujarat, persisting until voting day on May 7. Additionally, 'dharm-raths' (chariots) will be mobilized across five zones in opposition to the BJP. In response to the recent ban by Ahmedabad police on displaying black flags during poll rallies and protests against candidates, Chavda stated that youth and women will instead wave orange flags. He further declared that the community intends to file a PIL against this notification, citing it as an infringement on freedom of speech. The community is incensed with Rupala following his remarks in a recent campaign rally, where he referenced collaborations between several Rajput rulers and foreign invaders, citing 'roti and beti' (trade and marriage) relations with them. Despite ongoing protests over the past few weeks, Rupala has filed his nomination from the seat on April 16th.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Flags Off Mahavir Jayanti Yatra in Rajkot

Surat: Vijay Rupani, former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader, flagged off the Mahavir Jayanti Yatra in Rajkot on Sunday and extended his best wishes to everyone. On the auspicious day of Mahavir Jayanti, with all excitement, Jain society across the country celebrates with the principles of Lord Mahavir. I extend my best wishes to everyone, Rupani told the media. Claiming victory for his party in Gujarat, Rupani stated, The environment is heating up as the election is going forward. BJP is ahead in campaigning across the nation, and in Gujarat, 26 out of 26 seats BJP will win, he told the media.Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat's 26 parliamentary constituencies are scheduled to be held on May 7, 2024, in a single phase during the third phase.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah Extend Wishes Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, stating that the messages of Lord Mahavir are an inspiration for the country in building a developed India.In a post on social media, PM Modi said, On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, my best wishes to all the families of the country. Lord Mahavir's messages related to peace, restraint, and goodwill are an inspiration for the country in building a developed India. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended wishes on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and said that Lord Mahavir's principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession will guide generations.In a post on social media, Amit Shah said, Infinite wishes to everyone on Lord Mahavir Jayanti. Lord Mahavir Ji, the eternal symbol of sacrifice, penance, truth, and non-violence, paved the way for the welfare of the entire human race through his teachings. His Panchsheel principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession will guide generations. Significance of Mahavir Jayanti Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, who was given the name of 'Vardhamana' in his childhood. Born in 615 BC in a royal family, Mahavira renounced his princely status at the age of 30 to start his spiritual journey in search of truth and enlightenment. He practiced austerities and meditated for 12 years in a forest to achieve 'Kevala Jnana.' He then propagated the Dharma known as Jainism. The festival of Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with rituals such as praying at Jain temples, processions, singing hymns adoring Lord Mahavira, fasting to purify the body and soul, charity, cultural programs, and lectures by religious scholars and leaders. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to highlight the significance of Jainism in the world, especially in India. The core teachings of Mahavira, including non-violence, non-stealing, chastity, and non-attachment, hold great importance in the world today. Delhi Police Special Cell Arrests Alleged Kingpin of Interstate Firearms Racket BJP's Moradabad Lok Sabha Candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Singh Passes Away Security Forces Encounter Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, One Killed

Mahavir Jayanti 2024: Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani flags off Yatra in Rajkot

The News Mill

AIIMS Rajkot Faculty (Group A) Application Form 2024: Last Date Extended for Online/Offline Submission

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has released a notification for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-6) 2024. This is an excellent opportunity for eligible candidates who wish to join as Nursing Officers in various institutions. Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply online by reading the details provided in the notification.

Rajoo Engineers Limited reports Q4 FY24 Results

BILKULONLINE Rajkot, April 19:Rajoo Engineers Limited (BSE: 522257), amongst leading plastic extrusion machine manufacturers in India, with nearly 38 years The post Rajoo Engineers Limited reports Q4 FY24 Results appeared first on Bilkul Online .

Amit Shah slams Opposition, says probe agencies doing their duties

AHMEDABAD : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday expressed confidence that BJP will win all 26 LS seats in Gujarat. Be it the East, West, North or South, the atmosphere in the country suggests that we will get more than 400 seats. BJPs performance in south India will be the best-ever this time In Gujarat, we will win 26 of 26 seats, with a larger lead than in the previous election, Shah said at a rally in Gandhinagar. Addressing concerns over Kshatriya communitys resentment in Gujarat, Shah said, Rupalaji sincerely apologised. Kshatriyas have been protesting against Union minister Parshottam Rupala, contesting from the Rajkot seat, after a video clip of his remarks went viral in the last week of March. The protesters demanded that the BJP cancel the ticket to Rupala to contest from Rajkot. The BJP is poised for victory in states like Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Our tally in Uttar Pradesh will be the highest ever, he said. Reflecting on his political career, Shah emphasized his long-standing connection with many states. I was the election in-charge for Atalji and Advaniji, he said. Referring to Gandhinagar, he said, This area has given me everything Ive got. Ahead of the roadshow in Sanand, Shah in a post on X said, Today I will appeal to my brothers and sisters of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency to make BJP victorious and give their blessings to Modi ji so that he becomes Prime Minister once again to make the country No. 1 in every sector and to make Gandhinagar one of the most developed Lok Sabha seats in the country. He added, Our lead will increase in every seat, signaling a significant rise in support. Reacting to Opposition outcry over the investigation agencies, Shah said, The probe agencies perform their duties diligently. If anyone has any issues with them, they should address them in courts. The veteran BJP leader, vying for re-election from the Gandhinagar seat for a second term, is scheduled to file his nomination papers on Friday, according to Gujarat party spokesperson Yagnesh Dave. Shah had won from Gandhinagar by more than five lakh votes in the 2019 elections. He conducted three roadshows in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday, followed by an evening rally in the Vejalpur area of Ahmedabad. Vijay Muhurat for state party president Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil faced a delay in filing his nomination for the Navsari seat at an auspicious time on Thursday due to an overwhelming turnout of supporters at his morning roadshow. Consequently, the MP will file his nomination at the auspicious Vijay Muhurat of 12.39 pm on Friday.

RBI imposed fine of lakhs of rupees on five banks for violating rules

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalty on Rajkot Citizens Co-operative Bank, Kangra Co-operative Bank (New Delhi), Rajdhani Nagar Co-operative Bank (Lucknow), District Co-operative Bank Garhwal and District Co-operative Bank Dehradun. RBI has imposed a total fine of Rs 60.3 lakh on these five banks. The central bank said that penalties have been [] The post RBI imposed fine of lakhs of rupees on five banks for violating rules first appeared on informalnewz .

Bengaluru airport sees highest passenger traffic of 37.53 million in 2024

BENGALURU: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) recorded its highest ever passenger traffic as well as cargo growth during the financial year 2023-2024. It catered to a whopping 37.53 million passengers and 4,39,524 metric tonnes of cargo. An official release said the airport catered to 32.6 million domestic and 4.67 million international passengers during this period. The airports domestic sector recorded a growth of 17% while the international sector recorded a growth of 23%. The overall growth reached 18%, it said. The highest daily passenger figure since its inception in May 2008 was recorded on April 29, 2023, at 1,16,688. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer of airport operator Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said, As we reflect on the past financial year, its been a landmark period with the highest passenger and cargo figures ever recorded in our airports history. We have also seen an increase in the number of airlines as well as destinations we connect to. Our position as the No.1 airport for processing perishable cargo for the third consecutive year highlights our steadfast commitment to advancing cargo development facilities. With the successful launch of Terminal 2 and partnerships with leading airlines and cargo operators, we are poised to solidify our position as the premier gateway to South and Central India. KIA also saw a remarkable increase in air traffic movements (ATMs) of 2,45,880 recorded during FY 24. New routes FY 24 saw the launch of several new airlines and routes, including Air India Express, Alliance Air, and Fly91 on the domestic front and Manta Air, Maldivian Airlines and Thai Lion Air contributing to enhanced international connectivity. Internationally, new routes to Munich, Dhaalu, Phuket and Denpasar have been introduced. In addition, Virgin Atlantic started daily flights from Bengaluru to London Heathrow in the last week of March 2024. On the domestic front, it has expanded its routes to destinations such as Salem, Shivamogga, Aurangabad, Jharsuguda, Ayodhya, Hirasar Rajkot, Nanded and Sindhudurg.

Lok Sabha polls: Parshottam Rupala files nomination from Rajkot; seeks support of Kshatriyas 'in country's - The Economic Times

Lok Sabha polls: Parshottam Rupala files nomination from Rajkot; seeks support of Kshatriyas 'in country's The Economic Times

Lok Sabha polls: Parshottam Rupala files nomination from Rajkot; seeks support of Kshatriyas 'in country's interest'

Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Kesridevsinh Jhala and cabinet minister in the Gujarat government Bhanuben Babariya were present when Rupala submitted his nomination papers to District Election Officer Prabhav Joshi.

LS polls: Rupala seeks support of Kshatriyas in country's interest, files nomination from Rajkot

LS polls: Rupala seeks support of Kshatriyas in country's interest, files nomination from Rajkot Union minister and BJP candidate from the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, Parshottam Rupala, whose remarks on Kshatriyas have sparked massive protests by the Rajput community, on Tuesday filed his nomination papers following a two-km long roadshow in the city. Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Kesridevsinh Jhala and cabinet minister in the Gujarat government Bhanuben Babariya were present when Rupala submitted his nomination papers to District Election Officer Prabhav Joshi. ''As decided by my party, I filed my nomination papers today. A large number of people turned up to give their blessings to me. Senior party leaders, corporators as well as sitting MLAs and MPs also remained present in my support,'' Rupala told reporters after filing his papers. While addressing a gathering at the end of the roadshow near the Race Course ground, the BJP leader appealed to the Kshatriya community, which has been holding protests to press for the cancellation of his nomination, to support him and his party ''in the interest of the nation''. ''I want to make an appeal to the Kshatriya community. Your support is also crucial in the interest of the nation. I request you to show a big heart and support BJP,'' Rupala said. He said since there is no doubt that the BJP will once again form a government at the Centre after the polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already prepared a blueprint about the work to be done in the first 100 days of his next government. ''PM Modi believes in 100 per cent saturation of all government schemes. When the PM is working hard to achieve that goal, BJP workers should also try to ensure 100 per cent voting at their respective booths. Let's give Modi record break seats this time so that he gets strength to put India on global map,'' he said. The BJP this time dropped two-time MP Mohan Kundariya and fielded Rupala instead. The Congress gave candidature to former MLA Paresh Dhanani for this Patidar-dominated seat, considered a stronghold of the BJP since late 1980s. Rupala has irked the Rajput community by claiming that erstwhile 'maharajas' succumbed to the persecution of foreign rulers as well as the Britishers. He further said these 'maharajas' broke bread with these rulers and also married off their daughters to them. Since majority of the erstwhile rulers in Gujarat were Rajputs, the community saw the remarks as an insult to them and has asked the BJP multiple times in the recent past to withdraw Rupala's candidature or else the community will go against BJP in this election. Though Rupala has already tendered an apology over his remarks and sought forgiveness, Rajput community leaders have refused to back down. To press for their demand, the Rajput community has been holding protests in several parts of Gujarat, where elections to all the 26 Lok Sabha seats will be held in a single phase on May 7. Key Rajput leaders held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi and Gujarat BJP president C R Paatil at the CM's residence in Gandhinagar on Monday night. After the meeting, convener of the Rajput Coordination Committee, Karansinh Chavda, said the BJP leaders have promised to convey the demand of the community to the party high command. ''We want nothing else except removal of Rupala as the Rajkot candidate. When BJP leaders asked us to find another solution, we said the only way out is cancellation of Rupala's ticket. If that does not happen, we will intensify our protest and also stage protests in each and every poll rally of BJP in Gujarat,'' Chavda told reporters.

LS Polls 2024: BJP faces hurdle in Rajkot as Kshatriya community continues to oppose Parshottam Rupala - Business Today

LS Polls 2024: BJP faces hurdle in Rajkot as Kshatriya community continues to oppose Parshottam Rupala Business Today

Why Rajputs' anti-Rupala stir won't dent BJP fortress

'For voters, PM Narendra Modi's name and developmental works in Rajkot are enough reasons to support the BJP'

Rajkot LS seat to remain BJP fortress despite anti-Rupala stir by Rajputs: Analysts

Despite Rupala's apology, the Kshatriyas, also called Rajputs, see his remarks as an insult to them and have asked the BJP to withdraw his candidature or face defeat in Rajkot, a Patidar-dominated seat considered as BJP's stronghold.

Why Kshatriyas are revolting against BJP in Gujarat, organising biggest protest meet?

The Kshatriya community in Gujarat is demanding the removal of Union Minister Parshottam Rupala as the BJP candidate for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat due to derogatory remarks. Despite Rupala's apologies, the community is firm on its demand and has set an ultimatum for his removal by April 19. The agitation could impact the BJP's dominance in Gujarat and highlight caste fault lines in the region, with implications beyond the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Cancel Rupala's candidature for Rajkot LS seat: Kshatriya community reiterates demand

Cancel Rupala's candidature for Rajkot LS seat: Kshatriya community reiterates demand Kshatriya community members have again demanded that the BJP remove Union minister Parshottam Rupala as the party candidate for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, vowing to intensify their protest in the coming days. The Kshatriya community, also called Rajputs, held a public meeting at Ratanpur village in Gujarat's Rajkot district on Sunday, at a time when the ruling BJP has announced that Rupala will file his nomination papers on April 16. We are firm on our demand for withdrawal of Rupalas candidature. We have demanded from the BJP that Rupala has to go and we stand firm on the demand, Ramjubha Jadeja, a core committee member of the Kshatrya community, said addressing the meeting. Gujarat's 26 Lok Sabha seats, including Rajkot, will go to polls in a single phase on May 7 and votes will be counted on June 4. The BJP won all the seats in the state in 2014 and 2019. Rupala insulted our daughters and sisters. Then he played a farce of seeking apology. But we have rejected his apology. We will continue with our protest against Rupala. BJP must withdraw him as the Lok Sabha candidate from Rajkot, Jadeja said. In the past, when people made mistakes, the BJP leadership took action against such people, which includes the case of Nupur Sharma (former party spokesperson),'' he said. Jadeja said the community will intensify its agitation in the coming days as he thanked Kshatriyas from other states like Rajasthan for extending support to the community members in Gujarat in their fight against Rupala. Many other community members also addressed the meeting, appealing for agitating in a peaceful manner. Kshatriya community women leader Trupti Ba said, ''Rupala has insulted the daughters and sisters of the community and he has to go. Nothing should be done to hurt the self-respect of women and we will not sit idle till our self-respect is restored.'' Another community leader Dasrathsinh Sarvaiya claimed Rupalas days are numbered and he should not represent the people of Rajkot as their MP. Rupala enraged the Kshatriya community after he recently claimed that the erstwhile maharajas succumbed to the persecution of foreign rulers, including the Britishers. He said these maharajas broke bread with these rulers and also married off their daughters to them. The Kshatriya community members are demanding that the BJP drop him as the Rajkot Lok Sabha candidate. Rupala has apologised, but the community is not appeased.

Rain: Unseasonal Rain Lashes Kutch, Saurashtra | Rajkot News - The Times of India

Rain: Unseasonal Rain Lashes Kutch, Saurashtra | Rajkot News The Times of India

Rajputs hold massive rally in Rajkot to demand Rupalas removal

This was second rally by the Kshatriya community in Rajkot against Mr. Rupala, whose remarks about former princely families relationship with the British have riled the descendants

Rajputs hold massive rally in Rajkot to demand Rupalas removal - The Hindu

Rajputs hold massive rally in Rajkot to demand Rupalas removal The Hindu

Lok Sabha Elections: Cong's Paresh Dhanani turns Rajkot into hottest battle in Gujarat - The Economic Times

Lok Sabha Elections: Cong's Paresh Dhanani turns Rajkot into hottest battle in Gujarat The Economic Times

Lok Sabha Elections: Cong's Paresh Dhanani turns Rajkot into hottest battle in Gujarat

Congress selects Dhanani for Rajkot, turning BJP stronghold into Gujarat battleground. PM Modi kicks off campaign. Dhanani, Rupala from Patidar community. Historical rivalry adds intrigue. Leuva Patidars likely to support Dhanani.

Congress Fields Vikramaditya Singh Against Kangana Ranaut for Mandi Lok Sabha Seat

NEW DELHI: The contest for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh promises to be more intense, with the Congress pitting state minister Vikramaditya Singh to take on BJPs Kangana Ranaut. Besides Mr Singh, the Congress on Saturday also announced a list of 15 more candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. The Mandi seat is a matter of prestige, as Mr Singh is a sitting MLA and the son of the late Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state unit chief Pratibha Singh. We discussed the names that we had shortlisted. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi were also present at the meeting. Some names are final and some names will be discussed again. From Mandi, Vikramaditya Singh's name has been made final as everyone was in favour of a young face from Mandi, the Congress Himachal Pradesh unit chief said. Mr Singh became the titular kind of the erstwhile princely state of Bushahr (a town in Shimla) after his father's death. He holds a master's degree in history from Delhi's St Stephen's College. He was the only Congress MLA who attended the Ram temple inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya, defying the party line. In February, Mr Singh had announced his resignation. Speculation was rife that he was going to join the BJP along with a few rebel MLAs, a move that could have brought down the Congress government in the hill state. The infighting ensued soon after the Congress lost the Rajya Sabha elections owing to cross-voting. The crisis was managed with the intervention of the top leadership. Mr Singh withdrew his resignation and stayed with the party. The Congress' on Saturday nominated former Union minister and Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari from Chandigarh. The seat was earlier held for two terms by BjP MP and actor Kirron Kher. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Pawan Bansal, the unsuccessful Congress candidate from Chandigarh, is now replaced by Mr Tewari. The party has fielded Paresh Dhanai to take on Union minister Purushottam Rupala from Rajkot. The Congress central election committee (CEC) met in the national capital on Saturday under the leadership of Mr Kharge. It finalised the names of a few Lok Sabha candidates from Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Chandigarh. The CEC meeting for Himachal Pradesh was attended by Mr Kharge, Mrs Gandhi, and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Ms Singh and AICC in-charge Rajeev Shukla were the others present in the meeting. The Haryana CEC was attended, besides the top party leaders, by PCC chief Uday Bhan, ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Randeep Surjewala and Kumari Selja. Insiders claim three seats in Haryana have also been finalised but not declared yet. These include Deependra Singh Hooda from Rohtak, Ms Selja from Sirsa and Varun Molana from Ambala.

Congress names 16 more candidates, Vikramaditya Singh to take on Kangana Ranaut in Mandi

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday announced a list of 16 more candidates for the Lok Sabha polls and fielded former Union minister Manish Tewari from the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency. The party also pitted Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh against BJP candidate and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut in the state's Mandi Lok Sabha seat. Vikramaditya Singh is the son of the Congress' Himachal Pradesh unit chief Pratibha Singh who is also the sitting MP in Mandi. The Congress' Chandigarh candidate Manish Tewari had his education in Chandigarh. He later moved to Delhi and joined NSUI after his father V N Tewari was killed by terrorists in the early 1980s. He will take on BJP candidate Sanjay Tandon, the son of late BJP leader Balramji Das Tandon. Congress drops Supriya Shrinate from LS candidates list amid uproar over remarks on Kangana Ranaut The Congress candidates were announced after a meeting of the party's Central Election Committee here on Saturday evening. The party fielded Vinod Sultanpuri, the son of veteran Congress leader K D Sultanpuri, from the Shimla-SC constituency. It also announced four candidates from Gujarat and nine from Odisha. The Gujarat candidates include Ramji Thakore (Palvi) from the Mehesana, Himmatsinh Patel from Ahmedabad East, Pareshbhai Dhanani from Rajkot and Naishadh Desai from the Navasari seat. In Odisha, the party fielded Mohan Hembram from the Keonjhar-ST seat, Srikant Kumar Jena from Balasore, Anant Prasad Sethi from Bhadrak-SC seat, Anchal Das from Jajpur-SC constituency, Sashmita Behera from Dhenkalan, Sidharth Swaroop Das from Kendrapara, Rabindra Kumar Sethy from Jagatsinghpur-SC, Sucharita Mohunty from Puri and Yasir Nawaz from Bhubaneshwar. The Congress also announced five candidates for the bye-elections to five assembly segments in Gujarat.

Congress releases another list of candidates; fields Vikramaditya against Kangana Ranaut

Congress releases another list of candidates; fields Vikramaditya against Kangana Ranaut The Congress on Saturday released another list of 16 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded youth leader Vikramaditya Singh in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha seat against BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut. Vinod Sultanpuri will contest from the Shimla seat. Congress MP Manish Tewari will contest from Chandigarh seat. In Gujarat, the grand old party has fielded Ramji Thakor from Mahesana, Himmatsinh Patel from Ahmedabad East, Pareshbhai Dhanani from Rajkot and Naishadh Desai from Navasari. The Congress also announced candidates for the by-elections in Gujarat. Dineshbhai Tulsidas Patel has been fielded from Vijapur, Rajubhai Bhimanbhai Odedra from Porbandar, Haribhari Govindbhai Kansagara from Manavadar, Mahendrasinh Harsinh Parma from Khambhat and Kanubhai Pujabhai Gohil from Vaghodia. In Odisha, Congress has announced the candidature of Mohan Hembram from the Keonjhar seat, Srikant Kumar Jena from Balasore, Anant Prasad Sethi from Bhadrak, Anchal Das from Jajpur, Sashmita Behera from Dhenkanal, Sidharth Swarup Das from Kendrapara, Rabindra Kumar Sethy from Jagatsinghpur, Sucharita Mohanty from Puri and Yasir Nawaz from Bhubaneswar. Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre is working towards benefitting selected businessmen in the country adding that key public infrastructure in the country has been handed over to them to make profits. Addressing an election rally in Bhandara, Rahul Gandhi said, This BJP and PM Modi is running government for few businessmen in this country. One of them is Adani...go home and google what is the price of Adani shares. In this country, 22 people have as much wealth as 70 crore people. PM Modi's only job is to divert attention and Adani has only job to take money out of your pockets. The Congress party released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections in Delhi on April 5. Congress has made a slew of promises in its manifesto including a legal guarantee for MSP, 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs, repealing Agnipath scheme, doubling GDP in next ten years, strengthening anti-defection law, restoring status quo ante with China, mobile phones for students from class IX to XII and amending the GST regime. (ANI)

Gujarat Congress yet to finalize candidates for key Lok Sabha seats

AHMEDABAD: As the election season gears up in Gujarat with the election commission announcing the date for filing nominations from April 12 to 19, the Congress is yet to disclose the candidates for four crucial seats in the state. The Congress initially intended to contest former MLA and Patidar leader Lalit Kagathara to challenge BJP candidate Purusottam Rupala in the Rajkot Lok Sabha constituency. However, amid recent controversy with Rupala commenting on the Kshatriya community and the following protests demanding his candidacy withdrawal, Paresh Dhanani, the former opposition leader of the Congress, has expressed his willingness to enter the electoral fray. Dhanani had previously refused to contest the elections, however, sources suggest that his readinss now comes after the mounting opposition against the BJP candidate Rupala. 'Not hesitant to fight LS poll against Amit Shah,' says Sonal Patel, Congress candidate in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Meanwhile, Congress is also struggling to choose a candidate for the Mehsana seat which is considered to be a BJP bastion for several years. The party aims to experiment by fielding an OBC candidate against the BJP's Patidar candidate. However, internal divisions within the Congress are hindering this decision. With one faction of the party favouring Patidar candidates, another is advocating for OBC representation. Moreover, the Vijapur By-Election, which falls within the Mehsana Lok Sabha constituency, will also influence the selection for the Mehsana seat. If Congress selects a Patidar candidate for the Vijapur Assembly seat, then Congress will likely nominate an OBC candidate for the Lok Sabha seat to maintain demographic balance. For the third seat, Navsari Lok Sabha, several party leaders, including Mumtaj Patel, daughter of the late Mr. Ahmed Patel, Surat Congress spokesperson Naishad Desai, and Navsari Congress leader Shailesh Patel, are said to be expressing their interest in contesting. However, the party is yet to finalize a candidate as it is one of the hottest seats in the state. BJP has chosen its state president CR Patil to contest from the Navsari Lok Sabha. Patil secured this seat with the largest margin in India prompting the Congress to strategize and nominate a formidable contender to challenge him. The last and final seat without a Congress candidate is the Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Rohan Gupta, the president of the Congress's social media department, was selected as the party's candidate for the seat but Gupta shifted to the BJP. The Congress is now facing difficulty in finding the right candidate for the Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha seat. With this, sources revealed that the party is contemplating nominating either the city Congress president, Himmatsinh Patel, or a candidate from the Patidar community.

Western Railway Run Special Trains Between Udhana-Patna & Rajkot-Lalkua

Ahmedabad, April 13 (Udaipur Kiran): In view of the rush of passengers during the vacation period, Western Railway has decided to run a weekly Holi Day Special train from Udhana (Surat) to Patna. It has also been decided to run weekly special trains with special fares between Udhana-Patna and Rajkot-Lalkua for the convenience of passengers. ... Read more

'Not hesitant to fight LS poll against Amit Shah,' says Sonal Patel, Congress candidate in Gujarat's Gandhinagar

GANDHINAGAR: Sonal Patel, whom the Congress has fielded against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, said she was not at all hesitant to fight the upcoming election against the senior BJP leader. The 62-year-old leader, who is All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and the party co-incharge of Mumbai and western Maharashtra, claimed that anti-incumbency prevails as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to fulfil the aspirations of people. She also accused the ruling party of intimidating Congress workers in her constituency and sought a level-playing field in fighting elections. In an interview to PTI, Patel said, I had not asked for a ticket from the party as I was busy with Congress's affairs in Maharashtra, where I am co-incharge of Mumbai and Western Maharashtra.But the party fielded me from Gandhinagar and I accepted it. Our workers are being intimidated, nobody is ready to rent a space to us for organising meetings of party workers fearing that they will be targeted once the elections are over. Police are calling our city and district leaders to police stations in some frivolous cases from the past. BJP is using administrative machinery to fight elections, she alleged. This shows that they are scared and not on a firm footing, Patel said, adding, I don't know if Amit Shah is aware of these tactics that BJP's local leaders are employing.Everybody should get a level-playing field to fight elections. An architect by profession, Patel said she was not hesitant in taking on Shah in Gandhinagar, a BJP bastion from where former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former deputy prime minister L K Advani had contested elections. He (Shah) may be the home minister of the country, but we have seen him from the days when he was a common BJP worker, she said. From a grassroot worker from Naranpura (Amit Shah's assembly constituency when he was MLA) he has risen to be the home minister of the country. My father was Congress municipal councillor from Naranpura and we have seen him grow.I have also worked my way up from grassroots like him, she said. And when people cast their vote, they will not choose (their MP) thinking that he is the home minister or that I am a simple party worker, she said, adding that that was the reason she did not hesitate even a bit to contest the election against Shah. The Congress had earlier fielded bigwigs like former election commissioner T N Seshan, actor Rajesh Khanna to give a fight to BJP heavyweights from Gandhinagar seat. Explaining the reason why the Congress did not field any heavyweight candidate from outside against Shah, she said, There are two problems in calling heavyweight candidates from outside - the person does not know anything about the area and he has to be hand-held, and after the defeat when the candidate leaves, a vacuum is created. So it is better to choose a local candidate instead. After her name was announced, Patel began campaigning by organising voters' meetings and visiting different areas of the constituency. Our campaigning is going on and it will pick up pace, she said. A video went viral, which showed her being stopped from campaigning in Pethapur village in Gandhinagar due to the ongoing controversy over BJP's Rajkot candidate and Union minister Parshottam Rupala's remarks against the Rajput or Kshatriya community. We are not linked to the controversy in any way and we have criticised Rupala's remark against the Kshatriya community, but we were not allowed in Pethapur village. A video of the incident went viral and we later came to know those who stopped us were BJP workers. As they cannot campaign in villages dominated by the Kshatriya community, they did not allow us to do the same, she said. On the main issues in the constituency, she said anti-incumbency prevails as the BJP has failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the state. They have built infrastructure, but the poor are becoming poorer and the rich are becoming richer. There are no employment opportunities in villages and land holding by farmers is reducing as it keeps on getting divided through generations. When a villager moves to a city, he faces extreme inflation. BJP has no answer to these problems, she said. BJP's claim of winning over 400 seats is nothing but rhetoric and I am sure that it will not be able to win all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat this time, she said. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP had all 26 seats in the state. Patel, who studied architecture from Centre of Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, is urban and regional planner and is a member of many architecture organisations. She also served as president of Gujarat Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee from 2012 to 2018. After that she was elevated to the post of AICC secretary. Patel said she has decided to file her nomination papers without any pomp and show as she does not want to trouble party workers. I have decided to go with just four or five women to file the nomination form on April 16. Why give trouble to party workers? she said. The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7 and the deadline for filing of nominations is April 19.

Sonal Patel, Cong's pick in Gandhinagar, says not hesitant to fight LS poll against Amit Shah

Sonal Patel, Cong's pick in Gandhinagar, says not hesitant to fight LS poll against Amit Shah Sonal Patel, whom the Congress has fielded against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Gujarat's Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, said she was not at all hesitant to fight the upcoming election against the senior BJP leader. The 62-year-old leader, who is All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and the party co-incharge of Mumbai and western Maharashtra, claimed that anti-incumbency prevails as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to fulfil the aspirations of people. She also accused the ruling party of intimidating Congress workers in her constituency and sought a ''level-playing field'' in fighting elections. In an interview to PTI, Patel said, ''I had not asked for a ticket from the party as I was busy with Congress's affairs in Maharashtra, where I am co-incharge of Mumbai and Western Maharashtra. But the party fielded me from Gandhinagar and I accepted it.'' ''Our workers are being intimidated, nobody is ready to rent a space to us for organising meetings of party workers fearing that they will be targeted once the elections are over. Police are calling our city and district leaders to police stations in some frivolous cases from the past. BJP is using administrative machinery to fight elections,'' she alleged. This shows that they are scared and not on a firm footing, Patel said, adding, ''I don't know if Amit Shah is aware of these tactics that BJP's local leaders are employing. Everybody should get a level-playing field to fight elections.'' An architect by profession, Patel said she was not hesitant in taking on Shah in Gandhinagar, a BJP bastion from where former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former deputy prime minister L K Advani had contested elections. ''He (Shah) may be the home minister of the country, but we have seen him from the days when he was a common BJP worker,'' she said. ''From a grassroot worker from Naranpura (Amit Shah's assembly constituency when he was MLA) he has risen to be the home minister of the country. My father was Congress municipal councillor from Naranpura and we have seen him grow. I have also worked my way up from grassroots like him,'' she said. ''And when people cast their vote, they will not choose (their MP) thinking that he is the home minister or that I am a simple party worker,'' she said, adding that that was the reason she did not hesitate even a bit to contest the election against Shah. The Congress had earlier fielded bigwigs like former election commissioner T N Seshan, actor Rajesh Khanna to give a fight to BJP heavyweights from Gandhinagar seat. Explaining the reason why the Congress did not field any heavyweight candidate from outside against Shah, she said, ''There are two problems in calling heavyweight candidates from outside - the person does not know anything about the area and he has to be hand-held, and after the defeat when the candidate leaves, a vacuum is created. So it is better to choose a local candidate instead.'' After her name was announced, Patel began campaigning by organising voters' meetings and visiting different areas of the constituency. ''Our campaigning is going on and it will pick up pace,'' she said. A video went viral, which showed her being stopped from campaigning in Pethapur village in Gandhinagar due to the ongoing controversy over BJP's Rajkot candidate and Union minister Parshottam Rupala's remarks against the Rajput or Kshatriya community. ''We are not linked to the controversy in any way and we have criticised Rupala's remark against the Kshatriya community, but we were not allowed in Pethapur village. A video of the incident went viral and we later came to know those who stopped us were BJP workers. As they cannot campaign in villages dominated by the Kshatriya community, they did not allow us to do the same,'' she said. On the main issues in the constituency, she said anti-incumbency prevails as the BJP has failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the state. ''They have built infrastructure, but the poor are becoming poorer and the rich are becoming richer. There are no employment opportunities in villages and land holding by farmers is reducing as it keeps on getting divided through generations. When a villager moves to a city, he faces extreme inflation. BJP has no answer to these problems,'' she said. ''BJP's claim of winning over 400 seats is nothing but rhetoric and I am sure that it will not be able to win all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat this time,'' she said. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP had all 26 seats in the state. Patel, who studied architecture from Centre of Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, is urban and regional planner and is a member of many architecture organisations. She also served as president of Gujarat Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee from 2012 to 2018. After that she was elevated to the post of AICC secretary. Patel said she has decided to file her nomination papers without any pomp and show as she does not want to trouble party workers. ''I have decided to go with just four or five women to file the nomination form on April 16. Why give trouble to party workers?'' she said. The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7 and the deadline for filing of nominations is April 19.

Granted permit or not, will hold gathering in Rajkot tomorrow: Kshatriya bodies - The Indian Express

Granted permit or not, will hold gathering in Rajkot tomorrow: Kshatriya bodies The Indian Express

Some royals cite Modi to play down Rupala row

Opposition to Rupala by Kshatriyas in Rajkot, Saurashtra. Some royals back BJP, PM Modi. Jadeja seeks resolution, Shatrushalya suggests forgiving Rupala with apology. Controversy lingers around the candidate.

Rs 222 crores of 'entitled' MPLAD funds in Gujarat went unutilized for five years, says ADR report

AHMEDABAD: A data from the Association of Democratic Reforms revealed that 26 Gujarat BJP MPs have missed out on substantial grant allocated for their constituencies by both Central as State governments. The data further revealed that an amount of Rs 222 crores is found to be sitting unutilized by the MPs in the state. The Member of Parliament Local Area Development Division of the Government of India annually allocates a fund of five crore rupees to each MPs across the nation. As per the data released by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR's Gujarat unit), state MPs receive an annual grant of Rs five crore from the central government for the development of their constituencies. Overall, each MP is entitled to a grant of Rs 25 crore over a period of five years from May 2019 to May 2024. However, in the fiscal year 2020-21, no grant was disbursed due to the pandemic, and in 2021-22, a reduced grant of Rs 2 crore was provided for the same reason. Meanwhile, Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) data shows that only Rs 220 crore out of the total Rs 442 crore of grants earmarked for MPs, amounting to Rs 17 crore have been released by the government. Meaning the MPs are not fully utilizing their allocated funds for the betterment of their constituencies. Panthika Jog, the Gujarat Coordinator of the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), remarks, Even among the grants earmarked for MPs, the central government has not disbursed the installments for 2022-23 to 18 MPs. The central government attributes the reduced allocation to non-compliance with certain regulations by the Gujarat government. Like, due to the Gujarat government's failure to submit progress reports and certificates of grant utilization to the central government, the grants have not been released, she added. According to the ADR report, 16 MPs, including Home Minister Amit Shah, have only received a grant of Rs 9.5 crore each over the past five years. Meanwhile, nine MPs have been allocated Rs 7 crore each, and the sole MP from Rajkot, Mohan Kundaria, has received only a grant of Rs 5 crore. This disparity in grant allocation is worrisome, as it limits the ability of MPs to address the needs of their constituencies effectively, said Jog.

Kshatriya and Patidar Leaders in BJP Backing Controversy within Kshatriya Community in Gujarat?

The protest within the Kshatriya community has spurred the BJP to initiate an internal investigation. There are concerns that some Kshatriya and Patidar leaders, feeling marginalized, may have clandestinely supported the controversy, thus exacerbating the situation. Of specific interest will be the involvement of a prominent Kshatriya leader and influential figure from Saurashtra, alongside Rajkot BJP leader and Vice President Bharat Boghra. Speculation was surrounding Gujarat BJP Vice President Bharat Boghra's alleged role in the agitation against BJP Rajkot Loksabha Candidate Rupala, with discussions suggesting his indirect support behind the Kshatriya Community's opposition to Rupala. Boghra, a close aide of BJP State President CR Patil, previously spearheaded the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' targeting Congress and other party leaders for induction into the BJP. Despite hopes for a Lok Sabha ticket from Amreli or Rajkot due to his efforts, Boghra remains ticketless. Amidst the Rupala-Kshatriya controversy, Boghra denies involvement in any anti-party activities. Speaking to the media in Rajkot on Monday, Bharat Boghra dismissed allegations, stating, Opponents purportedly linked to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) have been circulating false reports and rumors through various media channels. These claims hold no truth. He clarified, Neither I nor any BJP worker from Rajkot city has been called upon to justify alleged involvement in the Kshatriya agitation. The state BJP has not relieved me of any duties, and our workers have not acted against the party's interests. Every prominent worker in Rajkot is dedicated to supporting Rupala. Bharat Boghra added, If my alleged involvement in the Kshatriya movement is proven, I am prepared to withdraw from public life. Opposition forces are baselessly implicating me. Following Bharat Boghra's clarification, another prominent Kshatriya leader from Saurashtra is under scrutiny for purportedly indirectly supporting the Kshatriya movement. Sources reveal that the protest by the Kshatriya community, including the waving of black flags during the BJP office inauguration in Khambhaliya, Devbhumi Dwarka district, in the presence of state BJP President C R Paatil, has prompted an investigation by the BJP. The inquiry will focus on the involvement of the Saurashtra-based Kshatriya leader and his supporters in disrupting the BJP event. According to Sources, Party officials have reportedly investigated with leaders from Saurashtra Zone.

Gujarat: Congress's Paresh Dhanani throws his hat in poll ring as Kshatriya ire rises against BJP's Parshottam Rupala

The decision for Dhanani to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Rajkot was reached during a meeting Tuesday in Amreli. Although he's reluctant to contest the polls from any seat, Congress leaders proposed that Dhanani could pull out of the race if BJP were to withdraw Union minister Rupala's candidature.

Amidst BJP's Rajkot seat turmoil, Congress pits Paresh Dhanani against Parshottam Rupala

AHMEDABAD: The BJP faces ongoing challenges in Rajkot as the Kshatriya community vehemently opposes the party's nominee, Parshottam Rupala. They demand the cancellation of Rupala's ticket for the Rajkot seat, warning of further protests and unrest if their demands aren't met. Capitalizing on this discord, Congress saw an opening. During an event on Tuesday, party leader Lalit Kagathara announced that senior party politician Paresh Dhanani will contest for the Rajkot seat. This sets the stage for a crucial electoral showdown between the two leaders after 22 years. Under a new strategy, the Kshatriya Community plans to convene a large-scale gathering to protest against Parshottam Rupala in Rajkot. Meanwhile, Karni Sena leader Raj Shekhawat, en route to challenge the BJP at their Gandhinagar headquarters today, was apprehended by police at Ahmedabad airport. During a Congress event, Paresh Dhanani rallied the workers, declaring, This is a battle for dignity, a battle to admonish those who have besmirched the reputation of women. If these haughty leaders refuse to relent, then in the saga of the modern Mahabharata. Subsequently, speaking to the press in Rajkot, Congress leader Lalit Kagathara asserted, If the BJP fails to replace Purushottam Rupala in the Rajkot seat, Paresh Dhanani will stand as the Congress candidate. Senior journalist Dilip Patel said, If Paresh Dhanani is handed a ticket in this seat, the BJP will face a tough fight against Rupala because this seat is dominated by leuva Patidars from the Patidar Community. The caste equation and history support Congress. The Leuva Patel Community commands around four lakh votes, whereas the Kadwa Patidar Community holds approximately one lakh votes in the Rajkot constituency. Parasottam Rupala, a BJP candidate, hails from the Kadwa Patidar community, while Paresh Dhanani represents the Leuva Patidar community. Based on current trends, Congress is poised for an advantage here, he added. It is noteworthy that 22 years ago, (i.e., in 2002) Paresh Dhanani defeated Rupala by a margin of sixteen thousand votes in the Amreli Assembly seat. Now, after two decades, both leaders find themselves contending against each other once again in the Lok Sabha elections.

As BJP's Parshottam Rupala faces Kshatriya anger, Congress's Paresh Dhanani pads up

Leuva Patel Dhanani eyes challenging Kadva Patidar Rupala in Rajkot. Congress proposes withdrawal if Rupala does. Kshatriyas protest his remarks despite his apology. Royal families divided on the issue.

Former Vadodara BJP MLA reveals internal conflicts within party

AHMEDABAD: While the Kshatriya movement challenges BJP leaders in Gujarat, internal conflicts within the party also surface continuously. Former BJP MLA Jitu Sukhadia questioned the party's organization, labeling it as ineffective. Sukhdia has said that there is no group in the BJP, but individuals are playing political tricks to satisfy their ambitions. Additionally, Sukhadia lamented a lack of communication regarding candidate programs, pointing out the evident communication gap within the party, which he deemed undesirable. During an interaction with local media in Vadodara on Monday, Jitu Sukhadiya, a highly regarded senior BJP member and former MLA of Sayajigunj, raised significant queries regarding the party's organizational functioning and working methods. Sukhadiya remarked, The dynamics within the BJP in the city have shifted, with a lack of support and accountability. This poses a significant problem as the party seems to be driven solely by those who display banners (against the party). This should be stopped immediately; the organization of the Vadodara City BJP has faltered. Instead of cohesive teamwork, there's a trend of individuals employing political tactics for personal gain. We were left uninformed about the candidate program, and the prevailing communication vacuum is far from ideal. Sukhadia highlighted, A glaring instance of communication shortfall occurred yesterday with the BJP rally in Vadodara. I wasn't informed, and the event wasn't organized as diligently as it ought to have been. I've conveyed this concern to our high command, urging them to take a proactive interest and ensure respect for all party workers. It's crucial to arrange events in a manner that upholds the dignity of our seniors. BJP's internal divisions in Vadodara have persisted over an extended period. Initially, the party nominated Ranjan Bhatt, a two-time MP, for a ticket.However, protests erupted among BJP leaders in Vadodara following the announcement. Dr Jyotipandaya, the vice president of BJP's Rashtriya Mahila Morcha, resigned in protest. Subsequently, Ranjanben Bhatt, the BJP MP from Vadodara, declined the offer to contest for the third time, making her decision public through social media platforms. Following Ranjan Bhatt's withdrawal, the BJP nominated young leader Dr. Hemang Joshi as their candidate for the seat. However, even after his nomination, there was dissent among local BJP leaders. A viral video on social media depicted Yogesh Patel, a senior BJP leader and MLA from Vadodara, refusing to wear the BJP scarf handed to him by Dr. Hemang Joshi during a rally. Amidst internal discord within the BJP leadership, the Kshatriya community staged protests across Gujarat on Monday against the BJP's Rajkot candidate, Purushottam Rupala.

Delhi: Flyers offloaded for carrying N-bomb

NEW DELHI: Two passengers were arrested for allegedly threatening the security staff by saying that they were carrying a nuclear bomb during frisking at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, officials said on Monday. The two men set to depart from the Delhi airport got so upset during a random security check by the airline staff that one of them told the personnel that he was carrying a nuclear bomb inside his bag. According to a complaint lodged by the airline staff, the passengers got irritated when their bags were being frisked for checking purposes during mandatory secondary ladder point check. The incident took place on April 5 when the duo, identified as Jignesh Malani, and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, both residents of Rajkot, reached IGIA to board Gujarat-bound Akasa Air flight. What are you checking when it is already done, the accused flyer asked the security staff. Sir, it is my duty and additional security measure for security of aircraft and its occupant, the staff replied. However, despite the staffs explanation regarding the security protocol, the passengers got angry, with one allegedly stating they were carrying a nuclear bomb. Aap kya karoge main Nuclear bomb le jaa raha hun (What will you do, Im carrying a nuclear bomb), the passenger replied. DCP (IGIA) Usha Rangnani said in response to the perceived security threat, a decision was made to offload the passengers to ensure the safety of all occupants and the aircraft itself.

Rajkot: Attacked by dogs, girl, 11, dies | Ahmedabad News - The Indian Express

Rajkot: Attacked by dogs, girl, 11, dies | Ahmedabad News The Indian Express

Ashok Gehlot says no substance in BJP's 400 seat claim; says Cong will win in Gujarat

Asked about Union minister and BJP Rajkot Lok Sabha candidate Parshottam Rupala's allegedly objectionable comments against the Kshatriya community, Gehlot claimed he had heard from others that the former had a habit of making such statements that enraged different groups.

Threat of Nuclear Bomb at Delhi Airport: Arrests Made

New Delhi: Delhi Police detained two individuals for making a threat to bring a nuclear bomb to the Indira Gandhi International Airport during a security check. The incident occurred on April 5 when Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, residents of Rajkot, Gujarat, became agitated during the security screening before boarding a flight to Ahmedabad. Despite having undergone a security check, they objected to being searched again. Allegedly, Malani and Lalani asked the security personnel what they would do if a nuclear bomb was taken on board. Concerned about the threat, security staff promptly apprehended them, leading to chaos on the flight. Both passengers were swiftly removed from the aircraft and handed over to Delhi Police, who subsequently registered a case against them. Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangani stated that the duo, identified as contractors in the construction sector, had traveled to Dwarka, Delhi, for a business meeting and were arrested based on a complaint from airport authorities. They have since been released on bail. This incident follows a similar one in March when a Bangladeshi citizen, Mohammad Nazrul Islam, was arrested for sending a fake email claiming a bomb threat on a Delhi-Kolkata flight. His motive was to prevent his brother-in-law from reaching Kolkata, fearing his deception in marriage would be exposed. The email triggered heightened security measures at the airport, but investigations led to the arrest of Islam, who had stayed at a hotel in Kolkata. The police traced him through his interactions with another individual, Amardeep, who had arrived on the same flight from Delhi. see where a woman climbs on electricity tower after getting caught Anas Qureshi Allegedly Stabs Female Friend to Death in Punjab Migrant Worker from Arunachal Pradesh Beaten to Death by Mob in Kerala's Ernakulam City

'Nuclear bomb' joke proves costly as Gujarati businessmen end up in custody

In a bizarre twist of events that could rival the plot of a Hollywood comedy, two unsuspecting businessmen from Rajkot, Gujarat, found themselves in a nuclear-sized predicament at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, who were merely trying to catch their flight back to Ahmedabad, inadvertently triggered a security nightmare by uttering the words no airport official ever wants to hear: What will you do if I am carrying a nuclear bomb? Little did they know that their innocent, albeit ill-advised, quip would lead to their arrest and a full-blown investigation by the Delhi Police. The duo, who work as contractors in the construction sector, had travelled to Dwarka to discuss a purchase with a business associate. However, their casual remark about nuclear weapons quickly escalated into a situation that even the most seasoned scriptwriters would struggle to conjure up. As the security staff at the airport grappled with the gravity of the situation, Malani and Lalani found themselves in the middle of a real-life farce. The FIR filed by an airline official painted a picture of two individuals who posed a significant security threat to the aircraft and its passengers, all because of a poorly timed joke. The name of the airline has not been revealed. Deputy Commissioner of Police Usha Rangani, tasked with unraveling this peculiar case, revealed that the accused were just ordinary businessmen caught in an extraordinary circumstance. Following their arrests, the two were released on bail, leaving them to ponder the consequences of their nuclear-themed wit. They had travelled to Dwarka in Delhi to meet a business associate regarding a purchase. Following their arrests, they were released on bail and the investigation is ongoing, the DCP told PTI. (with inputs from PTI)

Two passengers arrested for `nuclear bomb` threat at Delhi airport

They were identified as Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, residents of Rajkot in Gujarat

Two passengers arrested for 'nuclear bomb' threat at Delhi airport

Two individuals from Rajkot, Gujarat, were detained by Delhi police at IGI airport for falsely claiming a 'nuclear bomb' during security check. They challenged the screening process, mentioning prior checks for an Akasa Air flight.

Two held for nuclear bomb threat at Delhi airport

New Delhi: Two passengers were arrested by police for giving threat of a nuclear bomb to security staff during frisking at Delhis IGI airport, an official said on Monday. The official said that the incident occurred on April 5. The duo was identified as Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, both residents of Rajkot in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Amid protests, Rupala woos Rajkot constituency voters settled in Surat

Rupala, BJP's Rajkot candidate, faces protests in Surat from Rajput community, visits Diamond City and Umiyadham temple. Alleges conspiracy, praises PM Modi, discusses various topics at gatherings with assembly segment residents.

RSS chief on 3-day visit to Gujarat amid rift in BJP over poll candidates

AHMEDABAD: Amid dissidence in the BJP over candidature for many Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat visited Vadodara on Saturday as part of his three-day tour to the state. According to RSS office-bearers, Bhagwat held interactive sessions with intellectuals in Vadodara and Bharuch on Saturday. His visit to Vadodara holds significance as the discord within the BJP first surfaced in the city over poll ticket. Ranjan Bhatts candidature for Vadodara seat triggered protests, with Jyoti Pandya, vice president of BJPs Rashtriya Mahila Morcha, resigning in protest. After Pandyas resignation, Bhatt withdrew her candidacy, prompting the BJP to announce Hemang Joshi as the new candidate. Even Joshis nomination sparked discontent. A recent video showed BJP MLA Yogesh Patel declining to wear the BJP scarf presented by Joshi, indicating an ongoing tension. Protests continue over union minister Purushottam Rupalas candidature in Rajkot. Rupalas alleged derogatory remarks on Kshatriya community intensified protests against him and clamour grew for his replacement. Despite Rupalas apology, women from the Kshatriya community have threatened self-immolation if he remains the BJP candidate. The BJP is also facing dissidence over nominations for Bharuch, Valsad and Sabarkantha Lok Sabha seats. Bhagwats visit comes at a crucial juncture, particularly amid rising tensions within the Gujarat BJP, fuelled by factionalism in many constituencies, said an RSS leader. The visit is anticipated to provide Bhagwat with an opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and address the growing discontent within the BJPs ranks, he said. On Sunday, Bhagwat plans to visit Dutt Mandir at Garudeshwar and the hold another session with intellectuals in Vadodara. Later in the day, he will head to Ahmedabad for an overnight stay, and leave the state on Monday.

Caste matrix threatens saffron citadel of Gujarat

AHMEDABAD : In a complex caste maze of Gujarat in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP appears to be running the risk of falling between two stools the Kshatriyas and the powerful Patidars. The former wants the party to replace its candidate and Union Minister Purushottam Rupala from the Rajkot seat for his gratuitous remark on the community (he later apologized with little impact). The Patidar community to which Rupala belongs has let it be known that it stands solidly behind him. For the past week, the Kshatriya community, also known as Rajput, has been staging protests following Rupalas remarks made during an event. Things have come to such a pass that on Saturday a section of the Kshatriya communitys women threatened johar (self-immolation) if Rupala insisted on his candidature for the constituency. Simultaneously, the state police have detained Mahipal Makrana, the national president of Karni Sena. Meanwhile, former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved soon. In a media interaction, Rupani said: Rupala sahab has already apologized). The Kshatriya community has forgiven many in the past. I am sure the issue will be resolved. The Patidar community members have taken to social media to voice their support for Rupala. Jyoti Tilwa, a BJP leader and a prominent figure within the community, penned a message urging unity. In her message, Tilwa wrote: Even after apologizing, it is not appropriate for anyone to have such concerns. Let us wake up, and support Rupala sahib, the message read. Other members of the Patidar community, too, took to social media to back Rupala. Lalit Vasoya, the Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Porbandar and a prominent leader within the Patidar community, has accused the ruling BJP of attempting to create discord between the two communities. The Patidar voters wield considerable sway with an estimated dominance over 40 Assembly seats out of 182 and more than seven Lok Sabha seats of the total 26. In 2017, the Patidar agitation spearheaded by Hardik Patel intensified demands for reservation, resulting in significant repercussions for the BJP. The party experienced a notable setback, securing only 99 seats in the Assembly out of 182. Recognizing the importance of Patidar support, the BJP strategically fields candidates from the community in key constituencies. For instance, Rupala is nominated for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, while Mansukh Mandaviya contests from the Porbandar seat, both representing the Patidar community. These constituencies fall within the Saurashtra zone of Gujarat, comprising areas with a significant Patidar voter base, including Morbi, Tankara, Gondal, Dhoraji, Amreli, Savarkundla, Jetpur, Rajkot East, Rajkot West, and Rajkot South assembly seats.

Rajput women threaten jauhar if BJP fails to withdraw Rupala from LS fray; Karni Sena leader held

AHMEDABAD, Apr 6 : A high drama prevailed in Ahmedabad on Saturday when some women from the Kshatriya community threatened to perform jauhar (self-immolation) outside the BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar demanding the party withdraw Parshottam Rupalas candidature over anti-Rajput remarks. Police detained five women and Shree Rashtriya Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana before he could meet them in Ahmedabad. In other parts of the state, members of the Kshatriya community organised a march in Rajkot while in Jam Khambhalia [] The post Rajput women threaten jauhar if BJP fails to withdraw Rupala from LS fray; Karni Sena leader held appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Protests escalate, Kshatriyas demand withdrawal of Rupalas candidature

Thousands in Rajkot march to Collectors office to submit memorandum expressing their demand

Gujarat: BJP in a bind over Rajkot amid Kshatriya resistance

AHMEDABAD : The BJP is facing a dilemma over the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, amidst protests from Kshatriyas against BJP candidate Parshottam Rupalas remarks, while the Patidar community supports him, Rajkot was adorned with banners and placards supporting Rupala on Thursday night. The BJP is in a tight spot: yielding to Kshatriya pressure by replacing Rupala might provoke the Patidar community, which holds sway over 10 out of Gujarats 26 LS seats, a scenario the BJP wishes to avoid. According to sources, despite extensive protests from the Kshatriya community lasting over a week against Rajkot BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala, it is unlikely that the BJP will change its candidate. The fear is that such a move could spark inter-caste tensions, particularly if the Patidar community turns against the BJP, potentially resulting in losses for the party in the Lok Sabha. The significance of this lies in the BJPs significant setback in 2017 when the Patidar reservation movement led to the party winning only 99 out of 182 assembly seats. The Patidar community holds substantial political influence in Gujarat, with an estimated dominance over 40 Assembly seats and more than seven Lok Sabha seats. Some community leaders even assert their dominance in over 50 Assembly and more than 10 Lok Sabha seats. Representing about 18 percent of Gujarats population, the Patidar communitys support is crucial for political parties seeking success in the state.

Gujarat: Caste cauldron causes unease in BJP as Patidar, Kshatriya get into fight

AHMEDABAD: As the Kshatriya community has remained firm on their demand that Union minister Purushottam Rupala be replaced as the BJP candidate from the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, Patidars have started a social media drive in support of him, leaving the ruling party caught between two dominant castes in Gujarat With about 18 per cent of Gujarats population, the Patidar community holds sway over more than seven of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. For the past week, the Kshatriyas, also known as Rajputs, have been staging protests over Rupalas remarks about the community. Jyoti Tilwa, a BJP leader and a prominent figure among the Patidars, circulated a message urging for unity. Even after Rupala apologised many times, it is not appropriate for anyone to have such a concern. Let us wake up, my brothers and sisters, and support Rupala sahib. the message read. Kshatriya stir hits BJP in Gujarat bastion Many other Patidar leaders have taken to social media to express their support for Rupala. The community had planned to hold a meeting in Vadodara on Thursday, but it was cancelled at the last moment. Instead, a meeting took place at Rupalas residence in Gandhinagar with BJP leaders. Lalit Vasoya, the Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Porbandar and a Patidar leader, has accused the BJP of attempting to drive a wedge between the two communities. Certain BJP leaders are turning a personal feud with Rupala into a rift between two communities. I denounce this attempt. Efforts must be made to uphold amicable relations between the two communities, Vasoya told the media.

With Rs 6500 cr dedicated budget in 2024-25, railway can achieve 100% electrification: Officials

With Rs 6500 cr dedicated budget in 2024-25, railway can achieve 100% electrification: Officials A dedicated budget of Rs 65,00 crore as allocated in 2024-25 can help achieve complete electrification of the rail network, senior railway officials said, highlighting the recent achievement of 95 per cent electrification of Broad Gauge. ''With a dedicated budget of Rs 6,500 Crores during FY 2024-25 for further electrification projects, India remains committed to achieving complete electrification. This will not only revolutionise the railway system but also contribute significantly to the country's sustainability goals,'' a senior railway official said. He added, ''The electrification programme is not just about environmental benefits. It's a catalyst for economic growth. It creates jobs during construction, reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, and positions Indian Railways as a modern and efficient engine of the nation's economy.'' Railway officials maintain that India is making significant strides towards a sustainable future by rapidly electrifying its vast network. The Railways has electrified 7188 route kms during 2023-24 which is a historic accomplishment and also holds immense potential for the nation's economic and environmental well-being. ''With a massive push in electrification projects, Indian Railways has achieved nearly 95% electrification of its Broad Gauge (BG) network. 21 States and UTs have seamless traction facility which is a significant achievement for Indian Railways, the national transporter of India,'' another senior official said. He added, ''Diesel locomotives have dominated Indian Railways for decades. However, electric trains offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative. Electricity powers the trains, eliminating dependence on fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The shift to electric traction is projected to cut carbon emissions by a significant 24% by 2027-28.'' Some of the important sections which were electrified during FY 2023-24, include Ahmedabad-Rajkot-Okha (499 Kms), Bengaluru-Talguppa (371 Kms) and Bhatinda-Firozpur-Jalandhar (301 Kms). ''Over 42,000 kilometers of tracks have been electrified in the last decade alone, bringing the total electrified network to an impressive 95% of the broad-gauge network,'' the official said.

Kshatriya stir hits BJP in Gujarat bastion

AHMEDABAD: The BJP in Gujarat is facing an unprecedented situation. State party president CR Patil has attempted to quell tension within the Kshatriya community and absolve BJP candidate Purushottam Rupala for his remarks on the community. However, former party president and ex-MP Rajendra Singh Rana signaled a persistence of protest, asserting, Rupalas remarks have offended the sentiments of the Kshatriyas, and their protest will continue, said Rana. Patil urged the Rajput community to forgive the Union minister and the BJPs Rajkot candidate Parshottam Rupala. Even though Rupala has apologised thrice for his remarks, the Rajputs are still angry. To find a solution, a meeting in the presence of our CM and the partys Rajput leaders was held today. Our feeling is that since Rupala has already apologised, the community should show generosity and forgive him, said Patil. Patil convened a meeting with the partys Rajput leaders in the presence of CM Bhupendra Patel aimed at pacifying the members of the Kshatriya community, who are expressing discontent against Rupala over his remarks. While Patil sought to ease the Rajput communitys opposition to Rupala, on the very same day, during the Kshatriya convention at the Navapara Rajput Hostel in Bhavnagar city, former BJP state president and ex-MP Rajendra Singh Rana declared his support for the Kshatriya community. Speaking at the convention, Rajendra Singh Rana said: The comment made by him (Rupala), praising one community over another has deeply wounded the sentiments of our community, sparking anger. Now, we are protesting. He said for generations, the Rajput community has safeguarded the nations cultural heritage, and it will continue to do so in the future. The community is on the brink of agitation today... All of us will embrace the decisions made by our coordinating committee, said Rana. Despite many efforts by the ruling party, protests against Purushottam Rupala persisted on Wednesday. Bhupendra Sinh Chudasma, a senior BJP leader and former minister, told the media following the Kshatriya Community Coordination Committee meeting on Wednesday that the community was adamant about accepting no resolution rather than withdrawing Rupalas candidacy. On Tuesday, Kshatriya community members, led by women, gathered at the Vadodara District Collectors office to hand over a memorandum against the statements made by the Union Minister during his campaign in Rajkot. Carrying banners, the protesters chanted slogans and demanded that Rupala be pulled out of the Lok Sabha race. In Bharuch, too, the protesters who chanted slogans against the BJP and demanded that Rupalas candidature be withdrawn, also clashed with the police after the cops foiled their attempt to burn an effigy.

BJP leaders divided over Kshatriya community protests in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, BJP continues to struggle with internal conflicts within the party. While the current BJP state president, CR Patil, attempted to quell tensions within the Kshatriya community by holding a press conference to reconcile and absolve BJP candidate Purushottam Rupala for his remarks regarding the community, former BJP state president and ex-MP Rajendra Singh Rana signalled a persistence of protest, asserting, Rupala's remarks have offended the sentiments of the Kshatriyas, and their protest continues. All will accept the outcomes of this struggle. Patil, while addressing reporters on Tuesday, urged the Rajput community members to forgive Union Minister and BJP's Rajkot Lok Sabha seat candidate Parshottam Rupala. Even though Rupala has apologized three times for his remarks, Rajputs are still angry. Therefore, to find a solution, a meeting in the presence of our CM and the partys Rajput leaders was held today. Our feeling is that since Rupala has already apologized, the community should show generosity and forgive him, stated C R Patil. Furthermore, Patil convened a meeting with the partys Rajput leaders in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to seek a resolution aimed at appeasing members of the Rajput or Kshatriya community. While Patil sought to ease the Rajput community's opposition to Rupala, on the very same day, during the Kshatriya convention at the Navapara Rajput Hostel in Bhavnagar city, former BJP State president and ex-MP Rajendra Singh Rana declared his support for the Kshatriya community in their protest. Speaking at the convention, Rajendra Singh Rana expressed, The comment made by him (Purushottam Rupala ), praising one community over another for a comparative analysis, has deeply wounded the sentiments of our community, sparking anger Now, we are protesting... For generations, the Rajput community has safeguarded the cultural heritage of our nation, and it will continue to do so in the future.... His remarks about our 'Roti' and 'Beti' made me contemplate why he made such a statement. The community is on the brink of agitation today... The decisions made by our coordinating committee will be embraced by all of us. All will accept the outcomes of this struggle..I am hopeful for a favorable outcome. Not ready to consider the numerous efforts by the ruling party, protests against Purushottam Rupala by the Kshatriya community persisted on Wednesday throughout Gujarat.

Amid rift, Gujarat BJP rules out change of candidates

AHMEDABAD: Though the BJP faced dissidence over selection of candidates in at least six Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, the saffron party has made it clear that no nominee from any of the 26 constituencies in the state will be replaced, party leaders said. Should you harbour any reservations against any candidate, set them aside and cast your vote for the BJP in the name of Prime Minister Modi, Gujarat BJP president CR Patil said on Monday night while addressing a meeting in Surat. From Valsad to Sabarkantha, concerns have been raised by BJP members over the candidates fielded. The demand for replacement of candidates was louder in Sabarkantha, Junagadh, Amreli, and Valsad. Despite objections over candidates, such as Purushottam Rupala from Rajkot, Shobhana Baraiya from Sabarkantha and Dhaval Patel from Valsad, the BJP top leadership has said party candidates in all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will be retained, a party leader said, requesting anonymity. Patil said, Give one vote to whoever is the candidate of the BJP. Get a vote from your family and friends as well. If your buddy tells you that he doesnt like the BJP candidate, convince him that you have to vote for Prime Minister Modi. If the candidate doesnt work, let me know. I will say to Prime Minister Modi. Purushottam Rupala, the BJP candidate from Rajkot, miffed the Kshatriya community with his remarks, and the row escalated over the past week. The Kshatriya community are demanding that Rupala be replaced in Rajkot. Addressing a a news conference on Tuesday, Patil said, Kshatriya community should forgive Rajkot candidate Parsottam Rupala with a big heart. He has apologised three times. There is no need to replace Parsottam Rupala as a candidate. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a BJP leader said, No candidate in any constituency will be changed. If the BJP changes its candidates at this stage, it will give a signal to the public that the BJPs position in Gujarat is not strong. Earlier, due to opposition from BJP workers on the Vadodara and Sabarkantha seats, both the candidates withdrew their candidature. if not candidate, vote for Prime Minister Modi Gujarat BJP president CR Patil assured the party members and said that if there was any reservation against any candidate, then the party members must set them aside and cast their votes for the BJP in the name of Prime Minister Modi.

India will get permanent UNSC seat: EAM Jaishankar

Rajkot, Apr 2: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India will definitely get permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council as there is a feeling in the world that it should get the position, but the country will have to work harder this time for it. He was speaking during an interaction [] The post India will get permanent UNSC seat: EAM Jaishankar appeared first on Northlines .

BJP in huddle over protests against Rajkot candidate Parshottam Rupala

Sources within the party, however, said that talks with a few leaders was not going to help. For starters, only the leaders from Saurashtra were called for today's meeting, said a party functionary on condition of anonymity. But the protests have spread all over the state and are not limited only to Saurashtra anymore, he added.

BJP in huddle over protests against Rajkot candidate Parshottam Rupala

Sources within the party, however, said that talks with a few leaders was not going to help. For starters, only the leaders from Saurashtra were called for today's meeting, said a party functionary on condition of anonymity. But the protests have spread all over the state and are not limited only to Saurashtra anymore, he added.

Jaishankar Optimistic About Permanent UNSC Seat for India

Rajkot : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed optimism about India's eventual permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it is inevitable but emphasised the need for heightened efforts in this regard. Addressing intellectuals in Gujarat's Rajkot city, the External Affairs Minister stressed that diligent work is essential to secure this coveted position. Acknowledging the current dominance of five nations - China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US - as the UN's original permanent members, the minister, however, said the international momentum was now favouring India's bid for a permanent seat. The United Nations was formed around 80 years ago, and these five nations decided among themselves to become permanent members of its security council, Jaishankar said. He highlighted the historical context of the UNSC's formation, where five nations secured permanent membership, underscoring the evolving global landscape with around 193 countries today. But these five nations have kept their control, and it is strange that you have to ask them to give us their consent for a change. A few agree, a few others put forward their position with honesty, while others do something from behind, he said. Jaishankar spoke about the collaborative proposals involving India, Japan, Germany, and Egypt which have been submitted to the UN, signalling progress. But now, there is a feeling across the world that this should change, and India should get a permanent seat. I see this feeling increasing every year, he said, adding we will definitely get it. But nothing big is ever achieved without hard work...we will have to work hard, and this time we will have to work even harder. He stressed the importance of mounting pressure, citing recent stalemates over conflicts like the Ukraine war and Gaza. Jaishankar linked the UN's perceived weakening to increased opportunities for India's bid for permanent membership saying, ...there is a feeling in the world that the UN has weakened. There was a deadlock in the UN on the Ukraine war and no consensus was reached in the UN regarding Gaza. I think as this feeling increases, our chances of getting a permanent seat will increase, he added. Earlier in his address, the minister highlighted India's democratic achievements and economic resilience amidst the pandemic. He underscored India's potential as a global growth engine. Jaishankar said India has proved in the last 10 years that democracy can deliver. The world is amazed at India moving towards 7 per cent growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic hampering growth, he said. Recognizing India's progress in various sectors, he emphasised the nation's role as a talented and capable contributor to global problem-solving efforts. The world believes that India as the fastest growing large economy can become the engine of global growth, he said, adding technological talent of the country has been recognised globally. World agencies such as the UN understand India's achievements in social sectors like access to water, electricity, roads, health, schooling, etc, the external affairs minister further said. As India continues its journey towards further economic growth and social development, Jaishankar reiterated the importance of recognising the country's potential and the world's expectations of its significant contributions on the global stage. We should understand that being the fifth largest economy, on the way to becoming the third largest and with the biggest population, the world believes us to be talented people and expects us to contribute to resolve challenges, he added. Responding to a sensitive case of baby girl Ariha Shah, whose custody situation in Germany has garnered attention, the minister said at my level I have raised the issue with my counterpart. Our effort is to find some solutions. Assuring ongoing efforts to address the matter, he expressed dissatisfaction with the current arrangements and affirmed India's commitment to ensuring the child's welfare and cultural upbringing.

When you leave borders, go with full confidence: EAM Jaishankar assures safe return home for Indians worldwide

When you leave borders, go with full confidence: EAM Jaishankar assures safe return home for Indians worldwide External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday assured safe return home for Indian citizens worldwide and recalled how India's foreign policy was at the forefront for the evacuation of Indian nationals under Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from the violence-hit Haiti and Operation Ganga in Ukraine. He said that the Indians should have full confidence that the government will stand by them in all kinds of eventualities and crises, be it the Ukraine, earthquake in Nepal, war in Yemen, or others and never leave them to their fate. Speaking at the intellectual meet in Gujarat's Rajkot, Jaishankar said, When you leave the borders of India and go out into the world, then go with full confidence that the Indian government is standing with you. Furthermore, Jaishankar underscored India's proactive approach, contrasting it with the limited evacuation efforts of some other nations during the crisis. If you see Ukraine, we people ran 90 flights at that time, some countries were running 4-5 flights, and many left their people there, saying if you are stuck, get out of there by yourself, we can't do much for you, S Jaishankar said. In an effort to evacuate Indian citizens from Ukraine, India operated a total of 90 flights. While some countries were running 4-5 flights, many left their citizens there. The country that leaves its people to their fate will never have respect, he added. Jaishankar highlighting the significant events that happened in Nepal, Yemen, Gaza and Sudan, said, If you look at the last 10 years, there was an earthquake in Nepal, war in Yemen, recently there was a war going on in Sudan too, and whatever happened in Gaza, and, when the Taliban captured Kabul in Afghanistan, some people came to seek refuge in India. He affirmed that the objective of such initiatives is to instill confidence among Indian citizens travelling abroad. So this system is to instill confidence in our citizens, that when you are leaving the borders of India and going out, go with full confidence that the Indian government is standing with you, he said. This government does not just say things, but also does them, Jaishankar said. Now, in Haiti, around 25-30 people were there, their safety is also important, every life matters, and for that, a system has to be made...Preparations has to be done. In the past 10 years, we built a system, and in case someone gets stuck abroad, there's a fund and we tries to help them as soon as possible. Also, If we plan to go there, we see how we can altogether coordinate between us, defence ministry, our navy, and air force, he added. Jaishankar emphasized the assurance given to Indian citizens, stating that if they are leaving India's borders to go abroad, they should go with full confidence that the Indian government stands with them This assurance is not merely rhetoric but is demonstrated through tangible actions repeatedly undertaken by the government, he added. Indian government through its evacuation operation in Sudan and Ukraine has proved that India will never leave its people behind during crises. Operation Kaveri was launched to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan. Notably, Operation Ganga was an evacuation mission carried out by the Indian government to rescue its citizens stranded in Ukraine when the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv started on February 24, 2022. Similarly, this year, the Indian government launched Operation Kaveri to rescue Indian nationals from conflict-ridden Sudan. India also evacuated its nationals under Operation Devi Shakti in Afghanistan and Vande Bharat mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)

'Set aside grievances, cast your vote for PM Modi': Gujarat BJP President's response to internal conflicts

AHMEDABAD: Responding indirectly to the internal conflicts within the party, Gujarat BJP President CR Patil said during a public address, Should you harbor any reservations about the candidate, set them aside and cast your vote for BJP in the name of Prime Minister Modi. Sources indicate that BJP supporters are discontented with the candidate selection process carried out by the party's high command. From Valsad to Sabarkantha, concerns have been raised solely by BJP followers regarding the chosen candidates. Particularly, there's a significant demand for candidate replacements in Sabarkantha, Junagadh, Amreli, and Valsad, citing various reasons. A credible insider closely involved in the matter revealed that despite objections voiced by candidates like Purushottam Rupala for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, Shobhana Baraiya for Sabarkantha, and Dhaval Patel for Valsad, the BJP is adamant about maintaining the same set of candidates across all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. Indirectly supporting this sentiment, BJP President CR Patil stated during an event held in Surat on Monday night, Give one vote to whoever is the candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Get a vote from your family and friends as well. If your buddy tells you that he doesn't like the BJP candidate, convince him that you have to vote for Prime Minister Modi. Even if you don't like the candidate, if the candidate doesn't work, let me know. I will say to Prime Minister Modi. The ongoing political heat surrounding Purushottam Rupala, the BJP candidate from Rajkot, and the Kshatriya Community issue has escalated over the past week. At this juncture, leaders from the Kshatriya Community are demanding a change in the ticket for Purushottam Rupala. In a news conference on Tuesday, putting an end to speculation regarding candidate changes, the BJP president also affirmed, Kshatriya Community should forgive Rajkot candidate Parsottam Rupala with a big heart. He has apologized three times. There is no need to replace Parsottam Rupala as a candidate in Rajkot. Previously, due to internal opposition from BJP Party workers on the Vadodara and Sabarkantha seats, both candidates, Ranjan Bhatt of Vadodara and Bhikhaji Thakor of Sabarkantha withdrew their candidature. They were subsequently replaced by Dr. Hemang Joshi and Shobhana Baraiya, respectively.

Amid calls for removal, BJP leader Parshottam Rupala apologises for 'mistake'

Union minister and BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala has apologized to the Kshatriya community for his comments about the Kshatriya community. Rupala claimed that the Kshatriyas had bowed to alien tormentors and retained relationships with them, triggering protests. Kshatriya leaders in Rajkot are planning a major congregation to seek Rupala's removal.

BJP MPs' adoption of villages in Gujarat under 'Adarsh Gram Yojana' lacks social auditing: RTI report

AHMEDABAD: An RTI filed by RTI activists in Gujarat revealed that in ten years, 26 MPs representing the Lok Sabha in Gujarat have adopted only 106 villages, compared to the aim of 130 villages under the Adarsh Gram Yojana. Furthermore, these 106 villages have not undergone any social audits in the preceding decade. Pankti Jog, an RTI activist and Janpath NGO Coordinator, recently submitted a request under the RTI Act to the Gujarat Government. The obtained response uncovered significant gaps in accountability within the administration. Notably, it revealed pending social audits for 106 villages enrolled in the Adarsh Gram Yojana. Additionally, it shed light on the absence of progress reports or statistical data regarding the implementation of MPLAD funds for village development, particularly within the ambit of the Adarsh Gram scheme in Gujarat. Furthermore, the Village Development Commissioner within the General Administration Department (G.A.D) is implicated in this lack of transparency. Pankti Jog remarked, In response to our RTI inquiry, we found that there is a glaring absence of information regarding expenditure and undertaken projects in the adopted villages. Neither the district level planning board, district development officer, collector nor the DRDA could provide any details. Our RTI led to the transformation of 33 District Development Officers into Taluka Development Officers, subsequently delegated to Gram Panchayats. We have reached out to them seeking certified copies of audited financial statements for the 'Adarsh MP Gram Yojana' until October 31, 2023. To date, only Vanpari village in Paddhari taluka, Rajkot district, has furnished their audited accounts, she asserted. When we highlighted this issue to them, they promptly uploaded a comprehensive report on their website, claiming a 100 percent completion rate of work aligned with the GPDP. However, there was a conspicuous absence of statistical evidence or supporting information, remarked Pankti Jog. Out of the 106 villages enrolled in the MP Gram Yojana, the government has showcased a case study of Padharia village in Mehsana district, according to the RTI report. It was revealed that approximately 1200 laborers were registered, yet only 22 job cards were active, indicating actual employment. Astonishingly, these 22 individuals received an average of merely 30 man-days of work annually. How many villages did Gujarat's MPs adopt, and which ones? 1. Under this scheme, each Member of Parliament was required to adopt 3 villages until 2019 and 5 villages from 2019 to 2024. 2. 26 MPs of Gujarat adopted a total of 106 villages from 82 talukas across 29 districts during the five years from 2019 to 2024. Among the plan's set targets, 130 villages were slated for adoption.

Tour Packages from Hyderabad: - IRCTC's special gift for the people of Hyderabad, you will get a chance to visit 5 places simultaneously

Through this package of Indian Railways, you can visit many places on a low budget. All your facilities in the package will be taken care of by Indian Railways. You only need to book package tickets. The package will include travel train tickets, food expenses, hotel expenses and cab-bus expenses for sightseeing. You can book tickets for this package from the official website of Indian Railways. Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Rajkot, Somnath and Vadodara Tour Packages This package is going to start from 3rd April. After this, you will be able to travel through the package every Wednesday. In Packed, you will get a chance to visit the famous places of Ahmedabad, Dwarka, Rajkot, Somnath and Vadodara. This package is for 7 nights and 8 days. For the package, you can take trains from Hyderabad, Kalyan, Pune, Secunderabad and Solapur. 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts will be provided in the package. Package Fee The package fee per person for travelling with two people is Rs 28280. If three people travel together, the package fee per person is Rs 27610. If you are taking children along, you will have to pay Rs 20020 separately. If you want to travel in a sleeper coach, the package fee is reduced. It is a good offer to travel for 8 days for just Rs 28280. In this, passengers will also get the facility of hotel and bus and cab for travelling for 8 days. Maheshwar, Omkareshwar and Ujjain Tour Package This tour package from Hyderabad is going to start from 3rd April. After April 3, you can book tickets for this package on April 10. This tour package is for 4 nights and 5 days. This trip will be completed through flight. You can take a flight from Hyderabad at 2:35 pm. Package Fee- If you are travelling alone, the package fee is Rs 33350. If two people are travelling together, the package fee per person is Rs 26700. Package fees per person for travelling with three people is Rs 25650. If you are taking children along, you will have to pay Rs 17550 separately. With just Rs 26700, you can easily cover the expenses of flight tickets, hotel and cab or bus for travelling. Image Credit- Freepik

Internal rift hits BJP as rebellion erupts in 5 seats

AHMEDABAD: For the first time in 22 years, the BJP in Gujarat is facing serious internal resistance over five of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the run-up to the May 7 polls. What initially started as dissent in one of the constituencies has now spread to about half a dozen others, including Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Valsad districts, posing a challenge for the party. To make matters worse, circulating on social media is a letter to the BJP state president urging a change in the partys candidate for the Junagadh constituency. In the viral letter addressed to state BJP president CR Patil, a Jan Sangh worker has highlighted various concerns about BJP candidate Rajesh Chudasama. He has not done a single worth mentioning developmental work in Junagadh, nor has he taken any interest in conveying the central and state government schemes to the beneficiaries, reads the letter. In the wake of the resistance from local leaders, the party candidate in Vadodara, Ranjan Bhatt, was replaced. However, there is growing demand to replace the new candidate, Dr Hemang Joshi. Sources indicate that several BJP workers question Joshis roots, claiming that he was in the state for education and that his involvement with the party was only for three years. Expressing dissent, a BJP worker criticised Joshi on social media. During a live stream featuring state BJP president CR Patil, the worker commented, It is an insult to Vadodaras womens power; first, they were given the ticket and then withdrawn. What has he contributed to the party? Yet, BJP candidate Hemang Joshi asserted that There is no discontent within the BJP. As of now, the controversy concerning the candidacy in Sabarkantha remains unresolved. A meeting was convened at the Chief Ministers residence earlier in the day to deliberate on the Sabarkantha candidate. On Friday, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited Sabarkantha amid protests against the BJPs nominated candidate, Shobnaben Baraiya. After this visit, sources suggest that the Home Minister submitted a report to the state president and chief minister. Despite BJP candidate Rupala issuing two apologies for his remarks concerning the Rajput community, efforts persist within the community to seek a change in the candidate for Rajkot. On Saturday, the Rajput community gave a memorandum to the Gandhinagar collector and also urged the BJP to reconsider their choice. Kshatriya leader quits Gujarat BJP over Rupalas remarks about community Kshatriya community leader Raj Shekhawat on Saturday resigned from the BJP in protest against Union Minister and Rajkot Lok Sabha candidate Parshottam Rupalas remarks earlier. Rupala, while speaking at a public event, had claimed several Rajput rulers collaborated with the British, a statement that drew widespread condemnation from community members. Shekhawat is also national president of a faction of the Karni Sena, an outfit of the Rajput or Kshatriya community. He said he was resigning from the primary membership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party with immediate effect. Shekhawat said that he had joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls for the welfare of the community and Sanatan Dharma.

BJP struggles with internal conflict over five Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: BJP in Gujarat is at the brink of a huge crisis as internal conflicts are rife within the party over candidates announced in five of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. This is the first time in 22 years, the saffron party is facing resentment from its own workers in the Lok Sabha polls. What initially sparked as dissent in one constituency has now spread to about half a dozen others, including Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Valsad districts, posing a serious threat for the party. Additionally, circulating on social media is a letter addressed to Gujarat BJP state President CR Patil, urging for a change in the party's candidate for the Junagadh constituency. In the letter, a Jan Sangh worker has highlighted various concerns about BJP's candidate Rajesh Chudasama. He has not done a single eye-catching work in Junagadh, nor has he taken any interest in conveying the central and state government schemes to the beneficiaries, the letter reads. The letter also detailed other concerns about the candidate and demanded his replacement. Following resistance from local leaders, Ranjan Bhatt, the BJP candidate in Vadodara, was replaced. However, there is now growing demand to replace the new candidate, Dr. Hemang Joshi. Sources indicate that several BJP workers had questioned Dr. Hemang's Vadodara roots, claiming that he lacked experience and was involved with the party for just three years. During a live stream featuring the state president, the worker commented, It is an insult to Vadodara's women's power; first, they were given the ticket and then withdrawn. What has he contributed to the party? Odisha: Dismay follows joy for BJP as two vital leaders quit Another constituency where conflict has been brewing is Sabarkantha. In this context, a meeting was convened at the Chief Minister's residence today at 11AM to discuss and finalise the Sabarkantha candidate. Yesterday, Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited Sabarkantha amidst protests against the BJP's nominated candidate, Shobnaben Baraiya. Following his visit, sources suggest that the Home Minister submitted a report to the State President and Chief Minister. Another BJP candidate, Rupala, who is contesting from the Rajkot constituency has become in the bad books of a section of party workers after he allegedly passed derogatory remarks about the Rajput community. Though Rupala had issued two apologies, efforts persist within the Rajput community to seek his replacement as candidate. On Saturday, the Rajput Community gave a memorandum to the Collector in Gandhinagar and also urged the BJP to reconsider their choice. Karni Sena leader in Gujarat, Raj Sekhawat, resigned from the BJP in protest on Saturday. Notably, Kshatriya votes constitute 17 percent of Gujarat's electorate, with the Rajkot constituency alone accounting for over three lakh Kshatriya voters. Sources indicate that failure to resolve this issue promptly could spell trouble for the BJP. In another incident, messages were sent through multiple social media channels, addressed to CR Patil and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the replacement of Dhaval Patel, the BJP's nominee for the Valsad constituency, with a new candidate. The BJP contended that these letters were orchestrated by the opposition, while the Congress denied any association with them. Karnataka BJP leader Tejaswini Gowda joins Congress ahead of LS polls

Gujarat: Rebellion rears ugly head in Rajkot as Rupalas Rajput remarks trigger row

AHMEDABAD: The remarks by Union minister and BJPs Rajkot candidate Purushottam Rupala on Rajput community have triggered a controversy. Rajput organisations called a meeting in Ahmedabad on Thursday and demanded that Rupala be changed as the BJP candidate. They threatened to stage protests across Gujarat and vote against the BJP in Lok Sabha polls if their demand is not met. I appeal to people of the community not to make a co promise. The compromise in this issue will be made on a single point: Rupala Bhais ticket should be cancelled, said Padmani Ba Vala, president of the womens front of Gujarat Karni Sena, in an audio message. The Rajkot row was the latest to rile the BJP when the party is grappling with dissent in Vadodara, Sabarkantha, Surendranagar and Valsad seats. Aditya Singh Gohil, a Rajput leader from the Congress, filed a suit in Rajkot court against Rupala. Purushottam Rupalas statement against the Kshatriya community is not acceptable, so I filed a complaint in the court, said Gohil. The court has asked me to appear on April 15 along with witnesses. Addressing a gathering in Rajkot on March 22, Rupala said, among other things, that former maharajas had yielded to the oppression of foreign rulers, including the British.

Lok Sabha Elections: Dissent over BJP candidates grows in Gujarat

While resistance towards Shobhna Baraiya who replaced Bhikhaji Thakor in Sabarkantha is getting aggressive by days, the Kshatriya community across the state is up in arms against Union Minister Parshottam Rupala who is contesting from Rajkot for his comment allegedly denigrating the community.

BJP foundation day: Party flags to be hoisted atop 45 lakh houses in Gujarat

Rajkot, March 28: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party aims to hoist flags atop 45 lakh houses in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat to create an atmosphere akin to the one ahead of the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya on January 22, state unit chief CR Paatil said on Thursday. He said [] The post BJP foundation day: Party flags to be hoisted atop 45 lakh houses in Gujarat appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Anand Mahindra Honors His Promise, Gifts Thar To Sarfaraz Khan's Father After Cricketers Test Debut

Sarfaraz Khan made his international debut in the third test against England in Rajkot earlier this year in February. Anand Mahindra, the owner of the Mahindra Group, fulfilled his promise by gifting a Mahindra Thar to Naushad Khan, the father of Indian cricketer Sarfaraz Khan.

Gujarat: BJP faces Congress-AAP combine in Lok Sabha polls

Gujarat: BJP faces Congress-AAP combine in Lok Sabha polls In Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, the BJP looks confident of retaining all 26 Lok Sabha seats, despite a combined opposition from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, key constituents of the INDIA alliance. Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. The Congress and AAP fought the 2022 state assembly polls separately, and the BJP got a record 156 of the 182 seats in the House. In the ensuing Lok Sabha poll, the Congress will contest 24 seats, while the AAP is fielding candidates from Bharuch and Bhavnagar. The BJP is so confident of making a clean sweep that its state unit chief CR Paatil has routinely said the party's sights are on a victory margin of five lakh votes in each seat. The Congress would dearly hope for a repeat of the 2009 polls when it won 11 of the state's 26 seats, while for the AAP, even a single win coming after its assembly showing, will bolster its status as the opposition party to watch out for. Gujarat is divided into four regions, namely Saurashtra and Kutch, north Gujarat, south Gujarat and central Gujarat. Saurashtra and Kutch: All the eight Lok Sabha seats in the region are with the BJP since a long time. The focus this time will be on Porbandar, where Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya has been fielded, and Rajkot, where his cabinet colleague Parshottam Rupala will try his luck. The two ministers have so far reached Parliament through the Rajya Sabha route. North Gujarat: The seven seats in the region include Gandhinagar, represented by BJP heavyweight Amit Shah, as well as two seats in Ahmedabad, the state's premier city. The party is brimming with confidence, while the only solace for the Congress is that it did well in the region in the 2004 and 2009 polls. Central Gujarat: The six seats here include Vadodara and the tribal dominated Dahod, Panchmahal and Chhota Udaipur seats. The tribal areas of this region will be crucial for the BJP to repeat its clean sweep of 2014 and 2019. South Gujarat: The region has five seats, including diamond polishing hub Surat, Bharuch and Navsari. The focus would be on Bharuch, which is being fought by the AAP in alliance with the Congress. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party has fielded Chaitar Vasava, MLA and upcoming tribal leader, against the BJP's Mansukh Vasava, who has been MP from the seat several times. Gujarat BJP chief C R Paatil will contest from Navsari, a seat he has won previously with state record margins.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel sanctions Rs 240 crore for implementing Nirmal Gujarat 2.0

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel sanctions Rs 240 crore for implementing Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has sanctioned Rs 240 crore for various initiatives under 'Nirmal Gujarat 2.0' to effectively strengthen the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a broader scale in Gujarat. To enhance public awareness of cleanliness in urban areas and position Gujarat as a leading state in cleanliness nationwide, the Chief Minister has decided to allocate incentive grants to municipalities based on their tax collection performance in sanitation. Under this plan, A and B class municipalities will receive a 100 per cent incentive grant for achieving 71 to 80 per cent annual sanitation tax collection, 100 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 200 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection. Similarly, for C and D class municipalities, the incentive grant standard is set at 50 per cent for tax collection ranging from 60 to 70 per cent, 100 per cent for 71 to 80 per cent collection, 200 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 300 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection, Information department of Gujarat said. Each municipality will receive a matching grant of cleaning tax equivalent to the amount collected annually by that municipality. As per the resolution issued by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of the state for the effective implementation of Nirmal Gujarat 2.0, the Chief Minister has sanctioned assistance for the development of major entry roads to towns and cities, as well as for the enhancement of one road within each town as an iconic road. Municipalities are tasked with intensively cleaning roads up to 5 kilometres from city limits, while municipal corporations must clean roads up to 2 kilometres from city limits. Additionally, approach roads to towns will be cleaned, and one road will be designated as an iconic road. For this purpose, the state government will provide financial assistance to municipalities and municipal corporations. Financial assistance of Rs 2 crores will be provided each to Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot Municipal Corporations; Rs 1.5 crores each to Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, and Gandhinagar Municipal Corporations; and Rs 1 crore each to A class municipalities, Rs 75 lakh each to B class municipalities, and Rs 50 lakh each to C and D class municipalities, totalling Rs 111 crores, the information department further said. Municipalities and municipal corporations across the state will receive one-time assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for beautification efforts, such as installing sculptures, creating gardens, and planting trees, at every Garbage Vulnerable Point. This initiative aims to ensure cleanliness by permanently removing garbage and maintaining cleanliness at these locations. The state government has allocated Rs 16 crore for this purpose. The Information department said that to foster a competitive spirit among local self-government bodies in terms of cleanliness, a quarterly competition titled Maru Shaher, Swachh Shaher (My City, Clean City) will be conducted, with categories based on the population of the towns. Certificates of recognition will be awarded to the best collector, commissioner, regional commissioner, and chief officer based on their sanitation performance, as assessed through quarterly reports submitted by third-party agencies. Additionally, a total of Rs 16 crore will be allocated for awards to the winning cities. Under this award, a municipality with a population of more than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 5 crores, a municipality with a population of less than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 4 crores, a class A municipality will receive a grant of Rs 3 crores, a class B municipality will receive a grant of Rs 2 crore, and a class C and D municipality will receive Rs 1 crore each. Financial incentives will be provided to sanitation workers, who play a vital role in the cleanliness and sanitation operations of the state's cities, by recognizing them as the best sanitation workers. Each ward in Municipal Corporations will select one best sanitation worker monthly, who will be granted Rs 10,000. Similarly, at the municipal level, one of the best sanitation employees per municipality will also receive Rs 10,000 monthly. The state government will provide a total assistance of Rs 4 crores for the best sanitation workers. As part of Nirmal Gujarat 2.0, the administrative departments of the Secretariat and their head offices will implement an annual cleanliness calendar and conduct sanitation cleaning activities. Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and aims to build on the success of the Nirmal Gujarat Abhiyan from 2007, following the motto Cleanliness is next to Godliness. (ANI)

Not disappointed about missing IPL, happy to get another year to understand T20: Musheer Khan

Not disappointed about missing IPL, happy to get another year to understand T20: Musheer Khan An IPL contract might be on top of cricketers' bucket list, but Mumbai's teenaged Ranji Trophy hero Musheer Khan is happy that he went unsold during last year's player auction because it gives him some more time to ''understand'' the T20 format. The 19-year-old, who became the youngest Mumbai batter to score a hundred in a Ranji final eclipsing the mark of legendary Sachin Tendulkar, was confident of making his mark in the IPL in due course. ''My name is not in the IPL. But I don't feel disappointed. My father tells me to play Test cricket and play for Team India. IPL will eventually happen, if not today then tomorrow,'' Musheer told PTI Video recalling the words of his father and formative coach Naushad. ''It's good that I got another year to prepare for the IPL. I will understand T20 cricket more, and how I should prepare for this format,'' said Musheer, who has so far played just five First-Class matches. Musheer embossed his name on the Ranji final against Vidarbha recently with a 136 in the second innings that helped Mumbai set a massive target of 538. It eventually helped Mumbai land their record-extending 42nd title in the Ranji Trophy. Understandably, Musheer drew inspiration from his elder brother Sarfaraz, who made his India debut in the third Test against England at Rajkot last month. ''I am really inspired by my brother because of his dedication and the way he bats. Our batting style is similar. He told me before the game (Ranji final) to think of it as a normal match and not to take too much pressure.'' ''From outside, it may feel like a normal match but on the field, we feel pressure on the field. He told me to back my skills and follow the process,'' he added. Musheer, who was also the leading run-scorer in the ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year including two hundreds, was quite chuffed after Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph after a gap of eight years. ''It's a matter of pride that we have amassed 42 titles. Many great players have played here (for Mumbai). I feel very proud that I have played for Mumbai and won a championship. ''I also want to thank the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and congratulate them because they have provided us with a lot of support. I hope they continue to back us in the same way,'' he said. The elegant right-hander lauded veteran pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who retired after the Ranji Trophy final. ''The support he has given to Mumbai cricket, the things he has done for Mumbai, it's incredible. The speech he gave ahead of the final was a real motivation for all of us. ''It was his last match. We were emotional and we wanted to win the trophy as a gift to Dhawal bhai. We wanted him to leave happily. He took the last wicket (of Vidarbha) of the match and everything came out perfectly,'' he noted.

BJP imports candidate for East Tripura from Chhattisgarh irks party rank and file

Agartala: The ruling BJP and its newly tied partner, the second largest party in Tripura, TIPRA Motha, faced serious resentment after the announcement of the latter partys founder and royal scion, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarmas elder sister, Kriti Singh Debbarma, from the Rajkot royal family of Chhattisgarh, as a Congress activist and candidate of the []

I was gobsmacked: Ravichandran Ashwin praises golden hearted Rohit Sharma for his gesture during mothers illness

Ravichandran Ashwin had to leave the Rajkot Test mid-way after his mother collapsed following a severe headache back in Chennai, shortly after he completed the milestone of 500 wickets. In the latest video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin recalled ...

'Player can give his life for Rohit': Ashwin's million dollar praise

Ravichandran Ashwin always had respect for Rohit Sharma, the outstanding leader, but what stands out is the Indian skipper's heart of gold and humane qualities, something the spinner witnessed first hand when his mother Chitra was hospitalised during the third Test in Rajkot.

I have played under many captains but theres something in him, Ashwin lauds Rohit Sharma

New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed the support he got from skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid when he had to fly back home due to a medical emergency in the family during the third Test at Rajkot. Ashwin had to withdraw from the second Test after the []

Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal on being named ICC Player for February

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the India opener, won the ICC Men's Player of the Month title for February 2024, beating competition from Pathum Nissanka and Kane Williamson. He is also leading the ICC World Test Championship in runs scored. Jaiswal played brilliantly against England in the Test series at home, scoring two double hundreds in back-to-back matches in Vizag and Rajkot.

Yashasvi Jaiswal crowned ICC Men's Player of the Month for February 2024

Yashasvi Jaiswal crowned ICC Men's Player of the Month for February 2024 India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on Tuesday was named the Men's Player of the Month award for February 2024 by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Jaiswal beat star New Zealand batter Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka to claim the title. India's young superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal has been voted the ICC Men's Player of the Month for February 2024, ICC stated. Currently, Jaiswal is the leading run-getter in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) and played two scintillating double hundreds against England in February. In the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, Jaiswal was in top form, slamming 219 in Vizag in the first innings and then going on to make a second innings double century in the next Test in Rajkot to help India take a lead in the series. The young Indian opener created several records in February and equalled the long-standing Test record for most sixes in a Test innings (12) during his Rajkot knock. The back-to-back double hundreds at the age of 22 years and 49 days made him the third youngest batter in the world to record two double centuries in Tests after Sir Donald Bradman and Vinod Kambli. After winning the award, Jaiswal said that he was happy to achieve it. He added that it was an incredible experience for him to take part in the five-match Test series against England. I'm really happy to achieve ICC award and I hope I will be getting more in future. I really enjoyed it, the way I have played and the way it's been and we won the series by 4-1. It's been an incredible experience with all my mates And I really enjoyed it, Jaiswal was quoted by ICC as saying. I think when I celebrated my double century in Rajkot, I think that was something which I really enjoyed and felt it. And I was, I was living, he added. The 22-year-old ended February with astounding numbers in the three Tests he featured in, scoring 560 runs at an average of 112 including 20 sixes. (ANI)

India reclaim top spot in ICC Test rankings, reign supreme across formats

New Delhi: Indias dominant 4-1 series triumph over England has propelled them to the summit of the ICC Mens Test Team Rankings, taking the side past Australia. Despite a narrow 28-run defeat in the opening Test in Hyderabad, India staged a remarkable comeback, clinching victories in the subsequent matches held in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and [] The post India reclaim top spot in ICC Test rankings, reign supreme across formats appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

PM Modi inaugurates 15 airport project virtually from Azamgarh in UP

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 15 airport projects, including 12 new terminal buildings of almost worth Rs 10,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, marking the event to be the single biggest infra addition that will see a mix of new airports, expanded terminals, laying of foundation stones for upcoming airports and other related facilities. The project launched by PM Modi includes 12 new terminal buildings of Pune, Kolhapur, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Delhi, Lucknow, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Moradabad, Shravasti and Adampur Airports, along with laying of the foundation stone for new terminal buildings of Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi airports on Sunday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. So far, in FY 2023-24, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operationalized state-of-the-art new integrated terminal buildings at Chennai, Port Blair, Surat and Tiruchirappalli Airports. The new terminal buildings at Kanpur Airport, Rajkot International Airport, Tezu Airport and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham were also inaugurated. The projects are aimed at augmenting passenger amenities and giving a fillip to the local economy. Further, the foundation stone was also laid for new terminal buildings in Datia, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Rajahmundry to cater to demands in future. The 12 new terminal buildings are being developed at a total cost of Rs. 8,903 Crore, having a combined capacity to serve 615 Lakh passengers annually. According to the Prime Minister's Office, these terminal buildings are fully equipped with various passenger facilities like check-in counters, aerobridges, baggage conveyors and sufficient concessionaire area. AAI has also undertaken the development of three new terminal buildings at Kadapa, Hubballi and Belagavi Airports at a total cost of Rs.908 crore. Once completed, the combined passenger handling capacity of these airports will increase to 95 lakh passengers per annum, as per the government. These new terminal buildings are also equipped with various sustainability features like a double insulated roofing system, provision of canopies for energy saving, LED lighting, low heat gain double glazing unit, solar power plant etc. to meet GRIHA ratings. As per the press release issued by the PMO, the designs of these airports are influenced and derived from the common elements of heritage structures of that state and city, thus reflecting the local culture and highlighting the heritage of the region. The murals, paintings, and architectural style of all the above-mentioned Airports have the transformative power to enhance the travel experiences of the passengers. The inauguration and foundation stone laying of these 15 Airport projects worth Rs 9,811 Crore, places India's civil aviation industry at the forefront of the nation's economic growth and solidifies its role as a major player in the global aviation landscape, it said. With these new terminal buildings, air connectivity in the country will witness an increase which in turn will spur tourism, business, and education and generate employment which is vital to the region's economic prosperity. It will also strengthen the economy of the states over the long haul, boosting productivity through its positive impact on businesses, the statement said.

India regain Test top spot, now No.1 in all three formats

India's series victory over England, clinched by a 4-1 margin, reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, dethroning Australia. The victory followed a narrow defeat in the first Test in Hyderabad. India's dominant performances in subsequent matches in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala further solidified their position.

Don Bradman said that every ball I face....: Gavaskar on Sarfaraz's dismissal

Don Bradman said that every ball I face....: Gavaskar on Sarfaraz's dismissal Expressing disappointment with the manner of Sarfaraz Khan's dismissal during India's first innings during the fifth Test against England, legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar shared the words of Australia's legendary batter Don Bradman that expressed the importance of patience in Tests. Sarfaraz has had an outstanding debut series so far as he has scored three fifties in the five innings he has played. He scored half-centuries in both of his innings of debut Test at Rajkot. He scored 62 off 66 in the first innings and played an unbeaten knock of 68 from 72 in the second. Sarfaraz played a crucial knock of 56 runs which was laced by eight fours and a six on the second day of the last Test of the five-match series. He will have to convert his promising runs and starts into big scores since with Kohli, KL Rahul, Devdutt, Patidar, Jurel, Iyer, etc around there is a lot of competition for every spot in the middle order. The ball was pitched up; it wasn't short enough for that shot. Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter. Don Bradman said to me 'Every ball that I face, even if I am on 200, I think I am on 0.' And here is [Sarfaraz] is... playing such a shot first ball of the session, Gavaskar said during commentary in JioCinema. The Mumbai-born cricketer has performed exceedingly well in the domestic circuit before making his international debut. The 26-year-old player has scored 3505 runs in 37 first-class matches. He has an outstanding average of 79.65 and has struck 13 hundred. His highest knock is 301* in domestic games. In List A cricket, he has scored 469 runs with an average of 39.08 in 26 matches. He also has two centuries in list cricket. In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, Sarfaraz scored 556 runs with an impressive average of 92.66. He has also bagged three centuries in 6 matches. The Mumbai batter was the leading run-scorer in the year 2022 where he had struck 982 runs with an average of 122.75 in six test matches. He had four hundred under his belt. In 2019-2020, he was amongst the top five run-getters in the Ranji Trophy. He scored 928 runs at an average of 154.66 in six games. He had hit three centuries with the career-best knock of 301* in first-class cricket. Coming to the day's action, England managed to make a comeback in the third session after skipper Rohit Sharma (103) and Shubman Gill (110) dominated the opening and the second session. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir used the extra bounce and turn that was on offer to reduce India to 428/8. Gill's 110-run knock helped him complete 4000 international runs on Friday. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah put up an unbeaten 45-run stand to ensure India didn't lose any wickets. (ANI)

Gujarat CM approves Dwarka-Okha authority to bring about all-round development

Gujarat CM approves Dwarka-Okha authority to bring about all-round development Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday sanctioned the formation of Dwarka-Okha Urban Development Authority to facilitate tourism and comprehensively improve infrastructure in the area. The Dwarka-Okha Urban Development Authority will cover an area of 10,721 hectares and will include municipalities of Okha and Dwarka, surrounding places such as Arambhada, Surajkaradi and Beyt Dwarka, as well as parts of Shivrajpur and Varwala gram panchayats, a state government release said. The authority, which will also develop Beyt Dwarka and Shivrajpur beach area, has been formed to accelerate and supervise infrastructure improvements, guaranteeing delivery of vital civic services and efficient management throughout the region, it said. The formation of the authority comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the area during which he inaugurated 'Sudarshan Setu' bridge connecting Okha and Beyt Dwarka. The PM also scuba dived to see the remains of the submerged old Dwarka city. Adopting a holistic strategy, the objective is to provide pilgrims and tourists visiting these areas with a satisfying experience within a safe and secure environment, the release said. ''The collector of Devbhoomi Dwarka district will be the chairman. Secretary of Pavitra Yatra Dham Vikas Board, chief town planner, Dwarka district development officer, municipal commissioner of Rajkot, additional resident collector of Devbhumi Dwarka district will be members,'' it said. Additionally, four locally elected members and president of the district panchayat will also be incorporated as members of this authority, while the state department of Urban Development and Urban Housing will draft plans under Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act 1976, it added. The aim is to facilitate enhancements in infrastructure such as roads, street lighting, parks, drainage systems and also enable systematic urban planning within the region, it said. Dwarka, an age-old temple located along the Arabian Sea on the banks of the Gomti River, sees millions to tourists arriving annually to offer prayers to Dwarkadhish.

If you play regularly, you get more confident about your bowling: Kuldeep Yadav

If you play regularly, you get more confident about your bowling: Kuldeep Yadav A regular place in the playing eleven during the ongoing series has done wonders to Kuldeep Yadav's confidence and the left-arm wrist spinner believes that he has got sharper with better game awareness due to consistent opportunities. Having made his debut at this very venue in 2017, Kuldeep in past seven years have only made 12 Test appearances, with four of them on trot in the current series against England. On the opening day of the fifth Test against England, Kuldeep set the ball rolling with five top-order wickets. ''If you play regularly, you get more confident about your bowling. Game awareness also comes with it. It is very important to keep playing regularly as it makes your bowling sharp,'' said the 29-year-old, who now has 17 wickets in the series with hopefully one more innings to increase his tally. Chances In Tests were sporadic in past few years, then there was dip in form and also a knee surgery for the talented spinner, who made technical adjustments to get his mojo back. ''In the beginning, it was very challenging. I had changed my action, it took six to eight months to find that rhythm. Now, things are all set and I am enjoying it. In Ranchi, I tried something with my run-up (faster approach to the crease as it was a slow surface), and I practise that regularly.'' Kuldeep bowled a highly productive 15-over spell on either side of the lunch break on day one, something he says he has been able to do of late purely because of his improved fitness. Following a knee surgery in September 2021, Kuldeep changed his fitness routine, increased his pace and straightened his run-up. After a five-wicket haul that helped India bowl out England for 218 on a flat track, Kuldeep said it is only because his targeted fitness regimen that he has been able to make those changes and bowl long spells. ''Bowling is all about fitness. I have worked a lot on my fitness in the last 18 months. I have been able to make certain changes in my bowling because of improved fitness,'' Kuldeep said at the day-end media conference. ''I am doing specific things on my fitness which is allowing me to bowl long spells. At Rajkot (12 overs in first innings) and Ranchi (14 overs in second innings) also, I bowled log spells. I have gotten used to it.'' Kuldeep has been getting more bite from flat surfaces compared to the other spinners and that was also evident on Thursday when he got the ball to drift and turn back sharply to castle Zak Crawley. The ball turned from imaginary fifth off-stump and ended up shattering the England opener's leg stump. ''I was using the drift well on both sides. I am very happy that we were able to get them out for 218 as it is a good wicket. As a spinner, you focus on the length and try to hit good length. ''At times, you change plans as per conditions. If you are getting drift, then you have to think about the lines as well. The more you play, the easier it becomes to control. ''Speed also matters. If you bowl at a certain speed and change your pace, it gets difficult for the batters,'' said the cricketer from Kanpur. Have become a lot more mature now ====================== Dharamsala is a special venue for Kuldeep as he made his Test debut here back in 2017. Following a successful debut, Kuldeep's career did not follow an upward trajectory though now he seems to have found the best version of himself. ''It was an interesting phase. It has been seven years since (debut). I have become a lot more mature about my bowling. I understand my game a lot better now. I know how to read the wicket.'' On his stellar effort on day one, he said: ''The wicket is good. It is unlikely to break considering the cold weather. It was cold in the first hour. The ball was gripping and was just trying to put revs on the ball.'' Ash bhai told me I have 35 balls, and asked me to keep this one ======================================= Kuldeep and Ashwin shared an emotional moment after England got all out shortly after tea. Considering Ashwin is playing his 100th Test, Kuldeep wanted him to keep the ball and his more experienced wanted the other way round. The premier off-spinner cleaned up with the tail with a four wicket haul. On that exchange, he said: ''Ash bhai told me I have 35 balls, and asked me to keep this one.'' PTI BS KHS KHS AM AM

It is built on cricket, to facilitate my career...: Ashwin opens up on role of family in journey towards 100th Test

It is built on cricket, to facilitate my career...: Ashwin opens up on role of family in journey towards 100th Test As he prepares to play his 100th Test match against England at Dharamshala, Indian veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reflected on his family's role in his cricketing journey, saying that the ride towards the century of Tests has been a rollercoaster-like for them, but the entire family is built on cricket and to facilitate his career. India and England will lock horns in the fifth and final Test of the series in Dharamshala from Thursday, which will be Ashwin's 100th Test as well. In 99 Tests so far, Ashwin has taken 507 wickets at an average of 23.91, including 35 five-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures of 7/59. Combine it with his tally of 3,309 runs in 140 innings at an average of 26.14, with five centuries and 14 fifties and he is one of the most successful all-rounders of the modern era. Talking to ESPNCricinfo's The Cricket Monthly magazine, Ashwin said that when he left the third Rajkot Test midway due to his mother's hospitalisation, his mother was slipping in and out of consciousness and on meeting him, she asked him to go back and play the Test match. Ashwin said that his family is built on cricket and they have felicitated his career. He said that the ride has not been an easy one for his parents, his wife, grandparents, aunt etc, who have all helped him in different ways at different stages of his career. When I landed and got to the hospital (After leaving the third Rajkot Test), my mom was slipping in and out of consciousness, and the first thing she asked me was, 'Why did you come?' The next time she was conscious, she said, I think you should go back because the Test match is happening, said Ashwin. The entire family is built on cricket and to facilitate my career. It has not been easy. It has been very hard on them. It has been a big rollercoaster for them - going through the emotions and ups and downs that I myself do. I am sure most parents and families are like that, but my parents' lives are even more intertwined with my cricket. I mean, I am in the second half of my thirties and my dad still watches a game like he would watch my first international game. It means a lot to them. Compared to what it means to them, it definitely means less to me. Anything and everything around what I have to do, or what my cricket is like, it is very seamlessly attached to them. They have eliminated anything that comes in the way of my cricket. That has been the sole purpose of their lives ever since I can remember. Ashwin recalled that how he used to stay in a joint family and how his grandfather used to bring him his cricketing equipment and fulfil his nutritional demands in the absence of his working parents. He also highlighted the role of his caretaker aunt. The all-rounder also opened up on how his father would help him with his academics and arrange all educational sources and stuff for him largely by himself so that his son could focus on his game. Ashwin also opened up on his marriage with Prithi, who he said had no idea about what it was like to live out a life as a cricketer. But she gave him immense support and balance and the all-rounder largely credited his post-COVID-19 career to her. It is very difficult to find a family like me, my dad and mom. I have forgotten to add two other members: my grandfather and my aunt. We used to live in a joint family. For about eight years, my granddad used to bring my cricket kit, my cricket clothes, milk and all and just stand outside the ground or spread a newspaper and sit on the ground, and make sure that everything was going right, because both my parents were working. If I came back home, my aunt would be the caretaker. She would provide what I needed, said Ashwin. It was as if I was living the dream my dad wanted to achieve. Imagine somebody wanted to become a cricketer [but does not]. He gets married, he has a son. And he wants to live the dream through his son, and he does everything from teaching me, to taking notes from my classmates, to taking me to private tuitions to make sure I play the maximum possible amount of cricket while still finishing my education. And this lady coming from some other hamlet says, I support you because you could not become a cricketer. Let us support our son to become a cricketer. Let us work our backsides off. And the father-in-law supports it, and then the sister-in-law supports it. And then I marry someone and she has no clue what this lifestyle is all about. Prithi had no clue what my life was like. She just jumped on the rollercoaster. And I think it hit her really hard for the first three years. She could not understand how this house functioned. Over the last four or five years of cricket, since Covid, I can safely say - before that it was my dad and mum - whatever cricket I have played, it is largely because of Prithi. She has brought a beautiful balance into our lives, he concluded. Ashwin opened up on how his wife and kids tell him stories of them watching him play from same place every time as if it was a superstition. He also talked about some unusual superstitions that his father still believes in, just in order to see his son picking up wickets. He also said that he has very little discussions on cricket with hs family, but he always watches cricket with them whenever he gets to do so. Over the last few years, Prithi and the kids have told me a few stories. How they watch the match from the same place every time. How if, say, I picked up wickets and Dad is talking to someone on the phone, he will make sure he finds the same person to talk to on the phone the next time, said Ashwin. I definitely do believe my exposure to the rest of the world has kind of opened me up a lot more. Every time I come back home, I keep telling them, 'I think you should switch off from me. You should do a lot more other things.' We discuss very little about the game, but we watch the game together. When I'm home and some other match is happening, we watch it together, he added. Ashwin talked about how since his last 50 Tests, he has been following a very strict sleep schedule. Disruption of this schedule makes him feel awful and without energy, he added. The all-rounder also opened up on struggles with his diet as he is lactose-intolerant and gluten-intolerant. The last 50 Test matches, I have gone to sleep at nine o'clock almost every day. My dinner is done by seven, I sleep by nine. If I do not sleep by nine and wake up by six, I feel awful when playing the next day. I just don't have the same amount of energy. And I have had my fair share of injuries and a few niggles here and there. So those require maintenance, said Ashwin. If I am on a Test tour, I have the same food morning, afternoon, evening for over 20 days before I take a break. Because I am lactose-intolerant and gluten-intolerant, I have to literally live on the same food. If I have even a little bit of lactose in the evening or a little bit of gluten, I am unwell through the next day. I do not even think these are sacrifices because this is what I trade for what I love, he added. India and England will lock horns in the fifth and final Test of the series in Dharamshala from Thursday. India has won the series 3-1, handing England their first series loss under the leadership of Stokes and coach McCullum. At this point, England will be playing for their pride. Both sides still have World Test Championship points to gain in Dharamsala, even though the series has been decided. India is on top of the World Test Championship standings while England is eighth on the points table. Winning the match will earn a side 12 crucial points while a draw will earn them four points. (ANI)

He used to be a batter, I played as a spinner...: Rohit recalls long-term association with Ashwin ahead of 100th Test

He used to be a batter, I played as a spinner...: Rohit recalls long-term association with Ashwin ahead of 100th Test Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the series against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma reminisced on his long-term association with veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who is set to play his 100th Test on Thursday. India and England will lock horns in the fifth and final Test of the series in Dharamshala from Thursday, which will be Ashwin's 100th Test as well. In 99 Tests so far, Ashwin has taken 507 wickets at an average of 23.91, including 35 five-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures of 7/59. Combine it with his tally of 3,309 runs in 140 innings at an average of 26.14, with five centuries and 14 fifties and he is one of the most successful all-rounders of the modern era. Talking about Ashwin in the pre-match press conference, Rohit recalled when they used to play the age group cricket together at under 17 and under 19 levels. Rohit remembered that back then, Ashwin used to be a batter and open the innings while he used to be a spinner. It feels good if you get to see the fruits of all the labour you put in. I have been watching him for so many years. We played together in the Under-19s - we played in the Under-17s too - and he used to be a batter then, an opener, and he started bowling later. I used to bowl then, but I became a batsman, so it's all gone upside-down, but it has gone well for Indian cricket, said Rohit. The skipper lauded Ashwin, calling him a eam player. He said that during the third Rajkot Test, when the spinner was forced to leave the Test midway due to his mother's hospitalisation, he later called up Rohit to say that he wanted to come back and complete the game. Rohit pointed out that such things are rarely visible in players. The biggest thing is that he's a team player. We saw it during the Rajkot Test. It was quite a difficult situation for him, but he called me up and said he wanted to come back and do something for the team. You see these things very rarely in players, and when you have players like that in your team, you raise your head even higher, said Rohit. India and England will lock horns in the fifth and final Test of the series in Dharamshala from Thursday. India has won the series 3-1, handing England their first series loss under the leadership of Stokes and coach McCullum. At this point, England will be playing for their pride. Both sides still have World Test Championship points to gain in Dharamsala, even though the series has been decided. India is on top of the World Test Championship standings while England is eighth on the points table. Winning the match will earn a side 12 crucial points while a draw will earn them four points. (ANI)

Lords Mark Industries & Unnat Bharat Take off E Smart Clinic Project Pan India with Inauguration of AIIMS Rajkot by Honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi

Lords Mark Industries Ltd., a leading manufacturer of IVD products, in collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, a National Programme by the Government of India, under the initiation of FITT (Foundation

Lord's Mark Industries & Unnat Bharat Take off E Smart Clinic Project Pan India with Inauguration of AIIMS Rajkot by Honourable PM Shri Narendra Modi

lordsmark.com .