Worlds first city where eating and selling non-veg is illegal, it is in, reason is
Palitana, a city situated in Gujarats Bhavnagar district, has been declared the worlds first city where non-vegetarian food is officially banned.
The Indian national women's futsal camp, in preparation for next month's AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers, is in full swing in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Six killed, 10 injured in road accident in Gujarat's Bhavnagar
The accident took place near Trapaj village at around 6 am on December 17, 2024, when the private bus on way towards Mahuva from Bhavnagar rammed into a dumper truck.
6 killed, 10 injured as bus rams into dumper truck in Gujarat's Bhavnagar
A private bus collided with a dumper truck in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The bus, traveling from Bhavnagar to Mahuva, hit the truck from behind near Trapaj village. Six passengers died at the scene. Around ten others sustained injuries. The injured are receiving medical care. They are expected to recover. The bus suffered significant damage in the impact.
Six killed, 10 injured as bus rams into dumper truck in Gujarat's Bhavnagar
BHAVNAGAR: Six persons were killed and nearly 10 others injured after a private bus rammed into a dumper truck on a highway in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district on Tuesday morning, police said. The accident took place near Trapaj village at around 6 am when the bus was on way towards Mahuva from Bhavnagar, Superintendent of Police Harshad Patel said. The bus hit the dumper truck from behind. Six persons were killed in the accident, the official said, adding that eight to ten others were injured. The injured persons were undergoing treatment at a hospital and they were reported to be out of danger, he said. The collision was so severe that the right side front portion of the bus was completely damaged, as per officials.
Gujarat groundwater crisis: Alarming contamination levels across districts revealed
AHMEDABAD: The Government of India, in a concerning update to the Rajya Sabha, has flagged an alarming situation regarding groundwater pollution in Gujarat. According to the data wise Number of Partly Affected Districts (cumulative) with major Contaminants in Ground Water of India in 2022-23, major contaminants have affected numerous districts across the state. Salinity levels exceeding 3000 micro mhos/cm (EC) were detected in 28 districts, while fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/l plagued 30 districts. Nitrate contamination, surpassing the safe limit of 45 mg/l, was found in 32 districts, and arsenic levels above 0.01 mg/l affected 12 districts. Additionally, 14 districts reported iron concentrations exceeding 1 mg/l. Fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L have been recorded in several districts across Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Arvalli, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Botad, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Mahesana, Morbi, Narmada, Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, and Vadodara. In a Reply by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in response to MP R Girirajan's question in the Rajya Sabha, the government highlighted the grave health hazards posed by contaminated groundwater. Long-term consumption of water containing arsenic, fluoride, or mercury above permissible limits can lead to severe health complications. Arsenic contamination has been linked to poisoning, skin disorders, and cancers of the skin, bladder, kidney, and lungs. Excessive fluoride levels can cause crippling skeletal or dental fluorosis, while high concentrations of heavy metals like mercury increase the risk of kidney diseases, poisoning, and cancer. The government informed the Rajya Sabha that water management, including improving groundwater quality and addressing contamination, is primarily the responsibility of state governments, as water is a state subject. The Central Government supports these efforts by offering technical assistance and financial aid through various centrally sponsored schemes. The Central Government informed the Rajya Sabha that in Gujarat, a total of 1,52,507 drinking water samples were tested during 2023-24. Of these, 14,922 samples were found contaminated. Remedial measures, including interim actions and water supply restoration, were taken for 13,834 affected samples. While Ground water pollution remains a pressing issue in many parts of Gujarat, the government is simultaneously taking measures to address the challenge, Under the Central Government's Jal Jeevan Mission for 2023-24, Gujarat reported significant financial activity. The state began with an opening balance of 1,088.66 crore, while the Centre allocated 2,982.85 crore. Of this, 2,237.14 crore was drawn, bringing the total available funds to 3,325.80 crore. Gujarat reported utilizing 2,377.83 crore, with an additional 2,676.40 crore spent under the state's share of the program.
Gujarat's lacklustre diamond industry: Artisans witness worst recession in 50 years
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's diamond industry is reeling under a severe recession, with over 50% of factories shutting down after the Diwali vacation, claims the Gujarat Diamond Workers Association. The crisis has claimed the lives of 45 gem artists and forced 2000 factories out of business. The diamond industry had been on the decline over the past two years due to a falling demand in key export markets and supply chain disruptions, including G7 sanctions on Russian-origin diamonds. In Surat, the diamond hub of Gujarat, 40% of factories remain shut post-Diwali, said Gujarat Diamond Association President Ramesh Jilaria. Ahmedabad sees 30% closures, while cities like Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad report 50% to 60% shutdowns. An estimated 2,000 diamond factories across these regions have not reopened after Diwali, and many may remain closed, he added. Even in operational units, only 50% to 60% of gem artisans have resumed work. Wages for jewellers have plummeted by up to 50%, and we estimate around 2 lakh workers could lose their jobs in the coming days. In just one year more than 45 diamond workers had committed suicide due to financial problem (from January 2024 to December 2024) Jilaria said. The Indian government's statement in the Rajya Sabha lends indirect support to Ramesh Jilaria's claim about the challenges plaguing the diamond industry. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated on December 6, 2024, in response to a Rajya Sabha query by MP Neeraj Dangi Yes, the diamond sector has been facing challenges during the last three years due to reduced demand in major export destinations and supply side issues such as G7 Sanctions on Russian origin diamonds. The Ministry's response in the Rajya Sabha also highlights a decline in diamond import-export figures. The Rajya Sabha Data Indicate, The trade figures reveal a declining trend over three consecutive financial years. Exports dropped significantly from $25.48 billion in 2021-22 to $18.37 billion in 2023-24, marking a stark decrease of nearly 28%. Imports also followed a downward trend, shrinking from $28.87 billion in 2021-22 to $22.99 billion in 2023-24, reflecting a 20% dip. As a result, total trade volume slid from $54.35 billion in 2021-22 to $41.37 billion in 2023-24, a reduction of around 24%. As per the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) Gems & Jewellery Study of October 2020, there are about 18,036 companies with 8,19,926 employees in the diamond industry. The global recession has hit Gujarat's diamond industry hard, said Bhavesh Tank, an official of the Gujarat Diamond Association. Factories that once operated for 12 hours now run only six, and workers who earned 25,000 to 30,000 monthly are now making just 8,000 to 12,000. He added grimly, This downturn is unprecedentedsuch a severe recession hasnt been witnessed in the diamond industry in the last 50 years. Many families are struggling to make ends meet. Surat's diamond industry dims: Factory closures, job losses hit hard
X-Ray Reveals POCSO Accused Hiding Mobile Phone In His Rectum In Gujarat's Bhavnagar Jail
The discovery was made after the prison administration, suspecting foul play, conducted an X-ray of the prisoner's rectum, which revealed the presence of the electronic device
PM Modi, Spanish Prez to launch C295 aircraft plant in Vadodara
Vadodara: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, will be inaugurating the Tata-Airbus C295 aircraft plant facility in Vadodara, Gujarat on Monday. The Spanish President, who is on a three-day visit to India, arrived in Vadodara in the early hours of Monday. The plant has been set up by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with Airbus Spain. The facility is built at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus. A total of 56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain and the remaining 40 are to be made in India. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India. This facility will be the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India. It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, testing, and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft. Apart from Tatas, leading defence public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, as well as private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will contribute to this programme. The C295 aircraft is a military aircraft, and its production will strengthen India's aerospace industry and drive the country towards self-reliance. In 2021, India signed a contract with Airbus to buy 56 C-295 transport aircraft, of which 16 were to be directly sent from Spain while 40 had to be manufactured in India at the Tata facility in Vadodara. The city of Vadodara is all decked up with beautiful lights to welcome the two leaders. The residents of Vadodara expressed their happiness over the visit of PM Modi and Spain's PM and hoped for good international relations with Spain. Later in the day, PM Modi will visit Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara. From Vadodara, the Prime Minister will travel to Amreli, where he will inaugurate Bharat Mata Sarovar. He will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crores. These projects will benefit the citizens of Amreli, Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Junagadh, Porbandar, Kachchh, and Botad districts of the state. Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various road projects worth more than Rs 2,800 crores. Projects to be inaugurated include four-laning of various sections of NH 151, NH 151A, and NH 51 and the Junagadh bypass. The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 700 crore of the water supply department from Amreli district. The foundation stone of Pasavi Group Augmentation Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 in Bhavnagar district will also be laid which will benefit 95 villages in the Mahuva, Talaja, and Palitana talukas, in Bhavnagar district. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for tourism-related development initiatives which includes transforming the Karli Recharge Reservoir at Mokarsagar in Porbandar district into a world-class sustainable eco-tourism destination, among others. Meanwhile, President Sanchez will also visit Mumbai, where, apart from official engagements, he will interact with trade and industry leaders, think tanks, and the film industry.He will address the 4th Spain India Forum organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation. He will also visit prominent film studios where he will interact with leading celebrities in Indian movie industries, to foster greater collaboration between the Indian and Spanish media and entertainment industry.
PM Modi, Spanish PM Sanchez to inaugurate TATA aircraft complex in Gujarat's Vadodara
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, will jointly inaugurate the TATA Aircraft Complex at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara on October 28. The complex, dedicated to manufacturing C-295 military aircraft, marks Indias first private sector final assembly line for military aviation. Additionally, PM Modi will launch and lay the foundation for multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,900 crore in Amreli. Under the C-295 program, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly from Spain, while TASL will manufacture the remaining 40 in India, creating a complete ecosystem from assembly and testing to delivery and lifecycle maintenance. Key defence players such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., along with private MSMEs, are set to contribute to this initiative. In October 2022, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara Final Assembly Line (FAL). In Gujarats Amreli district, PM Modi will inaugurate projects worth Rs 4,900 crore, including the Bharat Mata Sarovar a check dam upgrade that raises capacity to 24.5 crore litres, benefiting irrigation in surrounding villages. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 700 crore from the water supply department in Amreli district. Among these projects is the Navda to Chavand bulk pipeline, which will provide an additional 28 crore litres of water to approximately 67 lakh beneficiaries across 36 cities and 1,298 villages in Botad, Amreli, Junagadh, Rajkot, and Porbandar districts. The foundation stone for the Pasavi Group Augmentation Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 in Bhavnagar district will also be laid, benefiting 95 villages in the Mahuva, Talaja, and Palitana talukas. The agenda for the day includes road infrastructure improvements across NH 151, NH 151A, and NH 51, as well as the Bhuj-Naliya Rail Gauge Conversion Project, all aimed at enhancing socio-economic development in Kutch. Water projects worth over Rs 700 crore, including the Navda to Chavand bulk pipeline and the Pasavi Water Supply Scheme, will improve water access for over 67 lakh people across multiple districts. Additionally, PM Modi will lay the foundation for a new eco-tourism site at the Karli Recharge Reservoir in Porbandar.
ED Conducts Raids At 23 Locations In Gujarat Over GST Fraud Case
About 23 premises in Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
ED conducts raids in Gujarat in GST fraud case
About 23 premises in the cities of Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were being raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
Major Dhyan Chand Stadium to get facelift as Int'l hockey returns with Germany Tests
New Delhi: Once it chronicled Mir Ranjan Negi's epic fall from grace, Dhanraj Pillay's artistic spadework and Sandeep Singh's muscular drag-flicks but through the past decade, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium's concrete pillars and ill-maintained dusty bucket seats perhaps were resigned to the fact that its glory days as epicenter of Indian hockey were a thing of past. Having spent 10 years without a single international match after Odisha government's seminal decision to help Indian hockey find its home in Bhubaneswar and Rourkella, the National Stadium in the Capital gets a chance to host two 'Tests' against Germany on October 23 and 24 and showcase that all is not lost when it comes to Delhi being the 'Hockey Hub' as it used to be till early part of new millennium. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey is hoping for a good turnout considering the growing popularity graph of Hockey after two consecutive Olympic bronze medals. Earlier domestic tournaments used to be held in Delhi in a very spectacular manner. I too made my international debut in Delhi through Indira Gandhi Gold Cup 1995. A large number of spectators used to come here and we also want that the glory of hockey to return to Delhi, Tirkey told PTI Bhasha . After the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, the popularity of hockey has increased manifold and now the stadium will be waiting for the spectators, said the legendary former defender. The last international match played here was the 2014 Hero World League Final. Inter-departmental hockey of institutions has been held here occasionally. I was an official here during the 2010 World Cup and people from all over the country came here to watch the match. It was a different atmosphere, said Ajay Kumar Bansal, former coach of the Indian junior and women's hockey team and ex administrator of the National Stadium . Hockey was being played in Odisha for the last few years, due to which the graph of the game went up there and on the contrary, due to the absence of hockey in Delhi, it went down. The youth did not see any big hockey tournament here, so automatically their interest decreased, he said. Apart from this, due to lack of tournaments, the maintenance of the stadium is also affected. I want that from next time, four or five more venues including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana should be included in the Hockey India League. India's World Cup winning former captain Ajitpal Singh believes that matches with big teams should be played in all the pockets of hockey in India. An international match is happening in Delhi after many years. Earlier, many 'Test' matches used to be held at the Shivaji Stadium. I think it is important to have matches and tournaments across the country, rather centralizing them ,'' the former skipper said. There are many pockets of hockey in India, like many excellent players have emerged from Punjab, Haryana, UP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. Hockey is very popular in Odisha and Jharkhand, but it is important to organize big matches in other states as well, he added. Giving details of the preparations, officials of Dhyanchand Stadium said that the cleaning of astro turf on the main pitch and practice pitches was going on with German machines for a week and it has been completed. Every year Rs 30 lakh is spent on the maintenance of both turfs. They said that the spectator galleries, change rooms, dressing rooms, and the entire complex have been cleaned. They also said that there is no need for an upgrade because this is a world class stadium in which World Cup and Commonwealth Games have been organized. The stadium also houses a Hockey Academy of the National Center of Excellence of the Sports Authority of India in which regular practice takes place. Apart from this, under the 'Come and Play' scheme of SAI, some children come and play hockey, who are very excited about these matches. When India defeated arch rival Pakistan in the World Cup 2010 and the Commonwealth Games in the same year on this ground, a flood of emotions had overflowed in the packed stadium. The National Stadium (formerly known as Irwin Amphitheatre), gifted to Delhi by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar, witnessed the first Asian Games in 1951 and the players shed tears after losing to Pakistan in the hockey final of the 1982 Asian Games. On this same ground, Australia hammered the host India in the final of the 2010 Commonwealth Games by 8-0, one of the worst ever defeats.
Ahmedabad police probe GST fraud case; five arrested
The Crime Branch, along with Gujarats Economic Offences Wing, searched 14 locations across the State, including in Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda, and Bhavnagar
Ahmedabad police arrest senior journalist in GST scam
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested a senior journalist with a leading newspaper in Gujarat in an alleged Goods and Service Tax (GST) scam, officials said. Following detailed questioning, journalist Mahesh Langa was arrested by the Crime Branch on Tuesday morning, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajit Rajian said. The central GST had found some suspicious transactions in bogus firms floated in the name of Mahesh Langa's wife and father using forged documents. Langa has been arrested for further investigation, he said. On Monday, the city Crime Branch registered an FIR against several persons and entities after getting a complaint from central GST over an alleged scam of floating bogus firms with an intent to defraud the government by availing bogus input tax credit through fraudulent transactions, a release by the Crime Branch said. After registration of the FIR, the Crime Branch along with Gujarat's Economic Offences Wing raided 14 different locations across the state including in Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Surat, Kheda and Bhavnagar. It appears that there is an involvement of over 200 fraudulently created firms working across the country in an organised manner to defraud the government exchequer by availing bogus input tax credit. Forged documents and identities were used for the creation of such firms for tax evasion, said the release. There is a large group working towards a conspiracy of causing financial loss to the tune of crores of rupees to the country by way of using forged bills and documents, it said. Some of the entities named as accused in the FIR include Dhruvi Enterprise, Om Construction, Raj Infra, Haresh Construction Company and DA Enterprise.
A bus carrying 29 persons, mostly pilgrims from Tamil Nadu got stuck on the raised path on a stream near Koliyak village on Thursday evening
Gujarat: 27 TN pilgrims stranded on flooded causeway rescued in overnight operation
BHAVNAGAR: In an overnight operation, 29 persons, including 27 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, were rescued from a bus that was stranded on a flooded causeway in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, officials said on Friday. The bus got stuck on the raised path on a stream near Koliyak village on Thursday evening, said District Collector RK Mehta, who was at the spot to supervise the rescue operation that went on for nearly eight hours. The pilgrims were headed towards Bhavnagar city after visiting Nishkalank Mahadev temple near the village. Due to heavy rains in the region, the causeway on the river was submerged. Despite that, the bus driver decided to cross the river, said Mehta. However, due to the force of the water, the front of the bus dipped into the river while the rear remained stuck on the causeway, he said. During the operation, rescuers reached the site in a mini-truck and transferred all the 27 pilgrims from the bus, its driver and cleaner to the vehicle through the rear window of the bus, he said. But there was more challenge ahead. The mini-truck carrying the 29 persons also got stranded on the causeway, said Mehta, adding that most of the pilgrims were senior citizens. We then sent a large truck and transferred these 29 persons on that vehicle. Around 3 am, after nearly eight hours, all of them were brought to safety. We provided them with accommodation and food in Bhavnagar. We have also conducted their medical tests, said the collector.
27 TN pilgrims stranded on flooded causeway in Gujarat rescued in operation
In an overnight operation, 29 persons, including 27 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, were rescued from a bus that was stranded on a flooded causeway in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, officials said on Friday. The bus got stuck on the raised path on a stream near Koliyak village on Thursday evening, said District Collector RK Mehta, who was at the spot to supervise the rescue operation that went on for nearly eight hours. The pilgrims were headed towards Bhavnagar city after visiting Nishkalank Mahadev temple near the village. Due to heavy rains in the region, the causeway on the river was submerged. Despite that, the bus driver decided to cross the river, said Mehta. However, due to the force of the water, the front of the bus dipped into the river while the rear remained stuck on the causeway, he said. During the operation, rescuers reached the site in a mini-truck and transferred all the 27 pilgrims from the bus, its driver and cleaner to the vehicle through the rear windo
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Tamil Nadu pilgrims stranded in a flooded river in Gujarats Bhavnagar
The passengers are pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who had come to the historic Nishkalank Mahadev temple in Koliyak village to offer prayers
Okha-Bhavnagar passenger train (19210) passing through Ranpur police station limits in Botad district hit a four feet-long piece of old rail placed on the track next to cement sleepers
