Patanjali issues public apology in newspaper

Patanjali Ayurved, in a statement, expressed deep regret for its recent actions and assured the Supreme Court of its commitment to upholding the court's dignity and the constitution. This comes after the Supreme Court's firm stance against Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev for promoting misleading advertisements of their ayurvedic products. In its public apology as carried by the Indian Express, Ramdev stated, 'Patanjali Ayurved fully respects the dignity of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. We sincerely apologize for the mistake of publishing advertisements and holding a press conference even after our advocates made a statement in the apex court. We are committed to not let such a mistake be repeated ever in the future. We reassure you that we shall remain committed to uphold the constitution and the dignity of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.' The Supreme Court, while acknowledging Ramdev's contributions to yoga, emphasized that the duo remains under scrutiny and has yet to receive absolution. They extended a week's time for them to rectify their actions and demonstrate sincerity, with the next hearing scheduled for April 23. Patanjali was given a week to issue a public statement in the fake advertisement case. Justice Hima Kohli highlighted the importance of responsible conduct, cautioning against disparaging other medical systems. The court's decision followed Patanjali's repeated violations of court directives, with the bench reminding them of the principle of equality before the law.Patanjali's apologyThe matter pertains to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association which has alleged that the company engaged in a smear campaign against modern medicine and at the time, Covid-19 vaccines.In the previous hearing, the SC slammed the duo as the bench refused to accept the affidavits containing 'unconditional apology' filed by Ramdev and Balkrishna in the matter. Court said these apologies were 'only on paper'.Ramdev, offering an unconditional and unqualified apology, affirmed that there was no intention to undermine the Supreme Court's prestige. He assured the court of exercising caution in the future.Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi informed the court that the duo was prepared to issue a public apology, expressing contrition regarding the advertisements. Previously, the Supreme Court had rebuffed their apologies twice, while also criticizing the Union government for its silence regarding Patanjali Ayurved's misleading advertisements.Patanjali Ayurved, based in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, reiterated its commitment to rectifying the mistake and ensuring that such incidents are not repeated in the future. The company fully respects the dignity of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and remains dedicated to upholding the constitution.

Fire breaks out in coach of Yoga Express in Haridwar, no casualties

Fire breaks out in coach of Yoga Express in Haridwar, no casualties A fire broke out in a coach of the Yoga Express train at Iqbalpur railway station here on Sunday afternoon, the police said. No casualties were reported in the incident, they said. As soon as the Yoga Express, which was going from Ahmedabad in Gujarat to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, reached the Iqbalpur railway station, a fire was noticed in the lower portion of one of its coaches, police said. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, they said. Sanjay Sharma, in-charge of Laksar GRP police station, said that prima facie, the fire broke out as the train wheels heated up due to friction caused by brake application. All the passengers were deboarded from the train and the fire was extinguished, he said. There was no loss of life or property in the incident, he added. Due to the fire, the train was stationed at Iqbalpur station for about one-and-a-half hours. After the minor damage was repaired, the train left for Rishikesh, Sharma said.

More than 55% voter turnout recorded in five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand during the first phase of elections

More than 55% voter turnout recorded in five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand during the first phase of elections The voter turnout in all the five parliamentary constituencies of Uttarakhand where polling was held in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Friday has been revised to 55.89 per cent, a drop of around five percentage points compared to the 2019 general elections. The voter turnout in Uttarakhand in the 2019 general elections was 61.48 per cent. The turnout percentage was revised after arrival of data from remote polling stations in the hills late on Friday night, election officials here said. Haridwar seat recorded the highest turnout of 62.36 per cent followed by Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar where 61.35 per cent polling was recorded, Tehri Garhwal (52.57 per cent), Pauri Garhwal (50.84 per cent) and Almora (46.94 per cent).

Uttarakhand witnesses high voter turnout with nearly 25% polling recorded in first four hours of LS polls

Uttarakhand witnesses high voter turnout with nearly 25% polling recorded in first four hours of LS polls Nearly 25 per cent polling was recorded in the first four hours of voting for the Lok Sabha election in Uttarakhand on Friday, poll officials here said. Fifty-five candidates are in the fray for the five Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. Election officials said polling began at 7 am and by 11 am, 24.83 per cent of voters cast their votes. Haridwar recorded the highest of 26.47 per cent of polling so far, followed by Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar with 26.46 per cent, Pauri Garhwal with 24.43 per cent, Tehri Garhwal with 23.23 per cent and Almora with 22.21 per cent. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was among the first to cast his vote. Dhami, his mother and his wife arrived at the Nagra Terai polling station in Khatima and stood in a queue to exercise their franchise. Talking to reporters, the chief minister noted that there was great enthusiasm among people. ''Over the last 10 years, Uttarakhand has seen unprecedented development. People of all sections have benefited from it. They will vote to give a third term to Narendra Modi,'' Dhami said. He also spoke of the BJP's Sankalp Patra, which talks about the need for a Uniform Civil Code on the lines of the one passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly. ''The Ganga of UCC which has originated from Uttarakhand will flow throughout the country,'' he said. Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, who is the BJP candidate from Haridwar, also cast his vote along with his wife and two daughters and said he was confident of winning the seat by more than five lakh votes. Among others who cast their votes are yoga guru Ramdev and his aide Acharya Balkrishna. The duo cast voted at the Dadubagh polling station in Kankhal around 10 am. Ramdev later told reporters that he has voted for heritage-based development and culture-based prosperity of the country. ''I have voted to free India from economic, educational, medical and cultural slavery,'' he said. BJP national spokesman and Pauri Garhwal candidate Anil Baluni also cast his vote. Just-married couples in their wedding attires turned up at various polling stations in the state to exercise their franchise. The old and the physically challenged voters were carried on stretchers and wheelchairs to the poling booths.

Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan... Uttarakhand CM Dhami urges people to vote in large numbers

Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan... Uttarakhand CM Dhami urges people to vote in large numbers As voting for the Lok Sabha elections began on Friday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the people to vote in large numbers and choose a good government. Urging the people to prioritize their right to vote, CM Dhami said, Pehle Matdaan Phir Jalpaan'. Today is the mega festival of democracy. I appeal to everyone to cast their votes and choose a good government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has seen new heights in the last 10 years and our country has got global recognition. PM Modi wants to create a strong India and a strong Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Haridwar seat Trivendra Singh Rawat cast his vote along with his family at DAV School Defence Colony Dehradun polling booth. Polling for Uttarakhand's five Lok Sabha seats is underway, with the BJP hoping to retain all five seats for the third time and the Congress attempting to reclaim lost momentum in the state. Uttarakhand has traditionally witnessed a close contest between the BJP and Congress. Both parties see the state as an essential battleground for displaying and gaining supporters for their national narratives. In Uttarakhand, the BJP had won all the Lok Sabha seats in the elections in both the 2014 and 2019 elections. With 47 out of 70 assembly seats, the BJP dominated in the 2022 assembly polls, while Congress got 19 seats. BSP and Independents hold 2 seats each. This election, to be conducted from April 19 to June 1, is set to be the second longest polling exercise in the country's electoral history after the first general election, which was held over five months between September 1951 and February 1952. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases. A total of 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories will vote in the first phase today. Vote counting will be done on June 4. Those voting in the first phase include seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. (ANI)

Women, first-time voters hold the key in five-seat Uttarakhand Lok Sabha polls

SRINAGAR/DEHRADUN: Sakshi Dhasmana, 19, is excited about voting for the first time in the April 19 Lok Sabha elections. The first-year BA student of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and her mother and grandmother wait anxiously for BJP candidate Anil Baluni to arrive at her village. Baluni is fighting his maiden election from Garhwal. Besides women voters, the state has a substantial section of floating voters who can play a pivotal role in determining the outcomes in the five parliamentary constituencies. When Baluni arrives, she and many others, mostly women, wave the BJP flag with full-throated BJP slogans. Sakshi is the first-time voter. I am going to follow my mother and grandmother, indicating where her voting preference lies. Besides first-time voters like Sakshi, there are other women who hold the key to the Uttarakhand elections. Of the total 83.37 lakh voters, 40.20 lakh are women. Their number has steadily increased over the years. In 2019, there were 77.65 lakh voters 40.53 lakh male and 37.11 lakh women voters. Though womens political representation is still low nine in the state assembly, the highest female representation so far in the 70-member legislature since the state was carved out in the year 2000 they are the deciding factor in these elections. Thats the reason BJP and Congress are doing everything to garner their support. BJP is facing pro-incumbency, says Anil Baluni Baluni in his campaign addresses women voters directly. He is facing Congress Ganesh Godiyal. Congress has always ignored the womens welfare. Modji has constantly worked for mothers and daughters, Baluni tells women voters. The BJP appeal to young voters is also aimed at floating voters the ones who are undecided about their voting preference. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured all five seats with significant margins, benefiting from the Modi wave. The partys vote share rose to 60.7%, up by five percentage points from 2014. A total of 55 candidates are in the fray for five seats in the state. There are 11 candidates in Tehri, 13 in Pauri Garhwal, seven in Almora, 10 in Nainital and 14 in Haridwar, which will go to polls on Friday. Manveer Singh Chauhan, the partys media in-charge, dismisses the concept of floating voters. The Modi wave has settled the voter preferences. Currently, the electorate is decisively inclined towards a particular choice, and we will win all five seats again, said Chauhan.

Elections 2024: 21 states, UTs set for polling in phase one; 102 LS seats in fray

The first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will see 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories go to polls on Friday. The first phase of polling will take place across all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, all five seats in Uttarakhand, both seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya, and the sole seat in Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, respectively. Polling will also take place for 12 out of 25 seats in Rajasthan, eight out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, six out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh, five out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, five out of 14 seats in Assam, and four out of 40 seats in Bihar. Additionally, three out of 42 seats in West Bengal, one out of 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, and one out of two seats in Tripura will be contested. In the union territories, one out of five seats in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the sole seats in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry, will be up for grabs. Voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place across seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with the counting of votes slated for June 4. Separately, voting will also be held for 92 assembly seats in the state elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on Friday. Of the 102 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP had won 39 in 2019, with the ruling alliance NDA bagging 12, five and three of them in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, respectively. The BJP's existing allies hold seven of them. And in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led alliance had swept 38 of the 39 seats in 2019 general elections. Amongst the prominent leaders trying their electoral luck in phase one are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur, Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh (West), Arjun Ram Meghwal from Bikaner, Sarbanada Sonowal from Dibrugarh in Assam, Sanjeev Baliyan from Muzaffarnagar in western UP, Jitendra Singh from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and Bhupendra Yadav from Alwar in Rajasthan. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry to return to active politics, is contesting from Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency. Nakul Nath, son of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, is seeking reelection from Chhindwara. Will the BJP's lotus bloom in Tamil Nadu? Tamil Nadu is gearing up for polls a mid fierce campaigning and an intense three-way political battle between the alliances led by state heavyweightsthe DMK and the AIADMKand the BJP, respectively. With elections for 39 Lok Sabha seats looming, approximately 6.23 crore voters are poised to cast their ballots across nearly 68,000 polling stations. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has made unprecedented efforts to gain ground in the Dravidian stronghold. Modi's exhaustive campaign across Tamil Nadu, including rallies in Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, and Tirunelveli, underscores the BJP's determination to break its electoral jinx in the state. From raking up alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics of the DMK-Congress alliance to the Katchatheevu issue, Modi left no stone unturned in his nine visit to the state Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu, is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and the BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious, battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. Meanwhile, the DMK, led by Chief Minister Stalin, has campaigned on platforms of social justice and welfare measures, portraying the elections as a battle against the BJP's divisive politics. Throughout the campaign, Stalin has repeatedly emphasised the importance of these elections, likening them to a second independence movement aimed at freeing the nation from the BJP's influence. In contrast, the AIADMK, under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami, has staunchly defended its record in governance and taken a strong stance against the DMK's campaign. Palaniswami has vigorously addressed various issues, including law and order, and has accused the BJP of discrimination based on caste and religion. Despite facing challenges from both the DMK and BJP, the AIADMK remains confident in its ability to weather the storm, with Palaniswami asserting that the party will emerge victorious with the support of the electorate. UP: Eight seats up for grabs in India's largest state The first phase of the seven-phase parliamentary election in western Uttar Pradesh sees voters in eight Lok Sabha constituencies exercising their constitutional right. These constituencies, falling in the Jat and sugarcane belt, include Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, and Pilibhit, spread across nine districts. The contest is three-cornered, primarily between the ruling BJP-led NDA, the Samajwadi Party (SP), and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP has allied with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), while the SP has partnered with INDIA bloc ally Congress. The BSP, however, decided to go solo. Key issues for voters include employment, education, and development. A total of 80 candidates, including seven women, are in the fray. The eligible voter count stands at 1.43 crore, with a significant Muslim voter presence ranging from 35 to 50 percent. Notable candidates include Jitin Prasada from Pilibhit, who got the ticket over sitting BJP MP Varun Gandhi , Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan from Muzaffarnagar, and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad from Nagina. In the previous 2019 polls, the BJP secured victories in Muzaffarnagar, Kairana, and Pilibhit, the BSP won in Saharanpur, Nagina and Bijnor, while the SP won in Moradabad and Rampur, the stronghold of its jailed leader Azam Khan. However, the party later lost Rampur to BJP in a bypoll. Cracking the Jat code: BJP's strategic courting of RLD and what it means in western Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra: Polls in 5 LS seats; Gadkari among 97 nominees in fray More than 95 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise on Friday in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra , covering five of the 48 constituencies, where 97 candidates, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of the BJP, are in fray. Polling will be held in the constituencies of Nagpur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Naxal-hit Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), all located in the easternmost parts of the state. There are 95,54,667 voters in the five Lok Sabha constituencies in the Vidarbha region where voting will take place on Friday. Of these, 48,28,142 are male, 47,26,178 are female and 347 are transgender voters, according to a statement from the state electoral office. In Nagpur, which houses the RSS headquarters, a direct fight is on cards between Gadkari, who is seeking a third term, and Congress candidate Vikas Thakre. First phase of LS polls in Maharashtra: It's Congress party's 'caste calculations' vs BJP's 'Modi charisma' In Chandrapur, BJP candidate and Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is facing Congress nominee Pratibha Dhanorkar, wife of late parliamentarian Suresh Dhanorkar, who was the lone MP from the grand old party to be elected from Maharashtra in 2019 from the seat. In Bhandara-Gondia, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Sunil Mendhe, who is pitted against Congress candidate Dr Prashant Patole. Two-time Lok Sabha MP of BJP, Ashok Nete, is contesting against Congress nominee Dr Namdev Kirsan in Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), where some areas are affected Naxal insurgency. In the 2019 elections, Nete had defeated Congress candidate Dr Namdev Usendi. In Ramtek (SC), the fight is between Shyamkumar Barwe of the Congress and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's candidate Raju Parwe. Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh, will vote in five phases between April 19 and May 20. Rajasthan: 12 seats in fray; will BJP's dominance continue? In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in Rajasthan, 12 out of 25 seats will be contested. Polling will be held in Churu, Nagaurm, Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur and Dausa. According to chief electoral officer Praveen Gupta, a total of 2.54 crore voters are set to vote in the first phase on Friday. Notably, a Union minister is among the 114 candidates in the fray. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is contesting from Bikaner against Congress candidate Govind Ram Meghwal. The Bharatiya Janata Party won all 25 seats in Rajasthan on its own in 2014, and in 2019, the NDA won 25 seats, the saffron party won 24 seats and the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) won one seat. Key constituencies include Nagaur, witnessing a contest between the RLP, now in alliance with Congress, and the BJP, and Churu, with former BJP MP Rahul Kaswan contesting as a Congress candidate. In Sikar, the CPI(M) is challenging the BJP's incumbent MP. The ruling BJP focused its campaign on PM Modi's popularity and its infrastructure work, while the Congress raised issues of central agency misuse and unemployment. Notable campaigners include PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. The second phase of the elections in Rajasthan will be held on April 26. In the second phase, polls will be held in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies: Tonk, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar. MP: Six LS seats in action, including Kamal Nath's bastion Six constituents will be in action during the first phase of the four phases for the Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. The constituencies include Shahdol, Mandla, Jabalpur, Balaghat, Chhindwara, and Sidhi, covering 13 districts and 27 assembly segments. A total of 88 candidates are in the fray, with Jabalpur having the highest number at 19 and Shahdol the lowest at 10. The total number of registered voters across the six constituencies is 1,13,09,636, with arrangements made for shelter, water, and medical assistance at polling booths due to the hot weather. In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 28 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress won only one seat in Chhindwara, held by Nakul Nath, the son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath. The second, third and fourth phases of the elections will take place on April 26, May 7 and May 13. Kamal Nath fighting lone battle to help son win Chhindwara and protect home turf Over 75 lakh voters to decide four seats in Bihar In Bihar, the stage is set for the first phase more than 75 lakh voters will decide the fate of 38 candidates standing in four constituencies: Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jamui. Tight security arrangements are in place at Nawada and Aurangabad, besides reserved seats in Gaya and Jamui, where a majority of nearly 5,000 polling booths have been marked as sensitive, given these districts' long history of naxal violence. Nawada, with 20.06 lakh voters, sees a tough battle primarily between the BJP's Vivek Thakur and the RJD's Shravan Kushwaha, with Independent candidate Binod Yadav adding complexity. Gaya, with 18.18 lakh voters, witnesses 14 candidates, including former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, an NDA ally, and RJD's Kumar Sarvajeet. Jamui, with 19.07 lakh voters, features a showdown between Arun Bharti from Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) and RJD's Archana Ravidas. The party's president Chirag Paswan, whose sister is married to Bharti, has shifted base to Hajipur after having represented the seat for two consecutive terms. Aurangabad, with over 18 lakh voters, sees BJP's Sushil Kumar Singh facing RJD's Abhay Kushwaha. 76.01 lakh voters, including 36.38 lakh females and 255 belonging to the third gender, are expected to cast their votes. Uttarakhand: Can BJP 'three-peat' clean sweep? Uttarakhand's all five Lok Sabha seats go into polling in phase one, with the BJP aiming to retain the seats for the third time and the Congress looking to regain lost ground in the state. The five seats going to polls on Friday are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora. The BJP won all five seats in Uttarakhand in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. More than 83 lakh voters will decide the fate of 55 candidates in the fray. Sitting BJP MPs Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and Ajay Tamta have been fielded by the party from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal and Almora, respectively. The BJP has replaced its candidates in Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal. Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is contesting in place of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank from Haridwar and Anil Baluni in place of Tirath Singh Rawat from Pauri Garhwal. The Congress has fielded former PCC president Ganesh Godiyal from Pauri Garhwal, former chief minister Harish Rawat's son Virendra Rawat from Haridwar, Jot Singh Gunsola from Tehri Garhwal, Prakash Joshi from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and Pradeep Tamta from Almora. Candidates from the Bahujan Samaj Party, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and relatively smaller outfits and independents are also in the fray, but straight contests are likely between traditional rivalsthe BJP and Congressin all the seats. Experts say that Haridwar's demography, which has substantial minority and Dalit votes, may also not be a cakewalk for the BJP's Trivendra Rawat, despite his advantage over his rival in terms of experience, as Congress veteran Harish Rawat, who had won the seat in 2009, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure his son's victory from the seat. If the Modi factor works again as it did in 2014 and 2019, overriding all other factors, the BJP will obviously reap the benefits but if unemployment, inflation, continued migration from the hills and performance of BJP MPs over the past 10 years outweigh the national issues, the Congress will gain, political analyst Jaisingh Rawat said. Bengal: Triangular tussle between TMC, BJP and Cong-Left In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, all attention is on Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduars constituencies in north Bengal. A total of 56,26,108 voters are eligible to vote in 5,814 booths in this phase. Coochbehar, where Union Minister Nisith Pramanik faces TMC's Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia, remains significant due to past violence and political rivalries. The deployment of central forces is higher in Coochbehar compared to the other two constituencies. Both BJP and TMC have intensified their campaigns, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee addressing rallies. Key issues include corruption allegations against ruling party leaders, denial of central funds, and the 2021 Sitalkuchi firing incident. The BJP won all three constituencies in the 2019 general elections and maintained its grip in Coochbehar and Alipurduars in the 2021 assembly polls. But, the TMC had the upper hand in Jalpaiguri in the 2021 assembly polls, winning five and the saffron party managed to win two. The Left Front and Congress are contesting together, having secured only single-digit vote shares in 2019. The BJP has renominated Jayanta Roy in Jalpaiguri and Pramanik in Cooch Behar, but replaced last time's winner John Barla with the party's Madarihat MLA Manoj Tigga in Alipurduars. The TMC has, however, changed candidates in all three seats, fielding Prakash Chik Baraik in Alipurduars, Nirmal Chandra Roy in Jalpaiguri and Sitai MLA Basunia in Coochbehar. Direct, triangular contests in Assam's five LS seats Assam gears up for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in five constituencies, with 35 candidates vying for victory, including Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal . The electorate of 86,47,869, comprising 43,64,859 women and 42,82,887 male voters, will cast their votes in 10,001 polling booths under tight security with 60 companies of security forces deployed. The BJP is contesting in all five seats, the Congress in four and supporting the Assam Jatiya Parishad contestant in one, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in two and the All India Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) in one seat each. A direct contest is on the cards between the BJP and Congress in Jorhat, Kaziranga and Lakhimpur, while in Dibrugarh and Sonitpur, there is likely to be a triangular fight among the ruling party, Congress, AJP and AAP. The prestigious Dibrugarh constituency has three candidates in fray: BJP's Sonowal, a Rajya Sabha MP, pitted against the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi of the AJP and AAP's Manoj Dhanowar. In Jorhat, four candidates are in contention, with Lok Sabha's Deputy Leader of the Opposition Gaurav Gogoi locked in a direct contest with sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi. Gogoi had to shift his constituency to Jorhat from Kaliabor, which has been renamed Kaziranga following a delimitation exercise in the state last year. In Kaziranga, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa is locked in a direct contest with former Congress MLA Roselina Tirkey, with both candidates belonging to the tea workers' community. Kaziranga has the highest number of 11 candidates in the fray. In Sonitpur, also renamed from the earlier Tezpur after delimitation, there are eight nominees, with a triangular contest likely between BJP MLA Ranjit Dutta, Congress candidate Prem Lal Ganju and AAP's Rishiraj Kaundinya. Lakhimpur has nine contestants, prominent among them being sitting BJP MP Pradan Baruah and Uday Shankar Hazarika of the Congress. Two LS seats in strife-torn Manipur go to polls Manipur gears up for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections amid tight security measures, particularly in the wake of recent ethnic violence. The Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, which comprises 32 of the 60 assembly segments in the state, and 15 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat will go to polls in the first phase on Friday. Six candidates, including state Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of the BJP and Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress, are in the fray for the Inner Manipur seat. Outer Manipur, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes, will witness a four-cornered contest between Naga People's Front's K Timothy Zimik, Congress' Alfred Kanngam Arthur and independent candidates Kho John and Alyson Abonmai, with all the candidates being Nagas. A total of 9.91 lakh voters are eligible in Inner Manipur and over 10.22 lakh voters in Outer Manipur. Special arrangements have been made for people displaced due to ethnic strife, with special polling stations set up. The campaigning has been subdued due to the prevailing tensions, and security has been heightened with the deployment of central armed police forces, especially in vulnerable and critical polling stations. Polling personnel have been dispatched to their respective stations, with special provisions for internally displaced people. The election authorities have ensured gender diversity in the management of polling stations, with some stations being exclusively manned by women. Despite the challenges posed by the recent unrest, efforts are underway to conduct the elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Tripura and Nagaland In Tripura, the first phase of Lok Sabha polls will see voting for the Tripura West Parliamentary constituency and a by-poll in the Ramnagar Assembly. The main contest in Tripura West is between the BJP's Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha. With 14.61 lakh eligible voters, including 7.33 lakh males and 7.28 lakh females, the constituency has 1682 polling booths. Central paramilitary forces will secure all booths, with webcasting from each. In the Ramnagar Assembly by-election, BJP's Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumer faces former CPI(M) MLA Ratan Das, with 54,669 electors deciding their fate. In Nagaland, over 13.25 lakh voters will decide the fate of three candidates. Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Chumben Murry and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha are contesting the elections. BJP President J P Nadda, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and Deputy Chief Ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton addressed several rallies in support of their candidate. Polling will run from 7 am to 4 pm, with 13,25,383 eligible voters, including 19,999 first-time voters and 6,707 people with disabilities. Female voters slightly outnumber male voters. In 2019, NDPP's Tokheho Yepthomi won against Congress's K L Chishi. J-K: Udhampur LC seat in action amid ceasefire The Udhampur seat in Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls on Friday in the first phase of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. In view of the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the heavy deployment of paramilitary forces, the voting process is expected to be peaceful in 2,637 polling stations in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, a senior election official said. Union Minister Jitendra Singh is eyeing a third consecutive term in the constituency after winning the seat for BJP in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, facing a major challenge from Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh, who had also won the seat twice in 2004 and 2009. Democratic Progressive Azad Party's (DPAP) candidate G M Saroori, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Amit Kumar and six independents will also be contesting the elections from the Udhampur constituency. According to officials, there are 16,23,195 eligible voters. Among them, 845,283 are men, 777,899 are women and 13 are third-gender voters. There are a total of 84,468 potential first-time voters, aged 1819, of whom 45,825 are men, 38,641 are women and two are third genders, the officials said. Lone Puducherry segment all set for three-way fight The fate of the 26 candidates in fray for the Lok Sabha polls will be sealed on Friday when voters spread across four regions will pick the lone MP from this union territory, where the fight is largely confined between the ruling BJP and Congress. BJP leader and Home Minister A Namassivayam, fielded on behalf of the AINRC-BJP combine, will face off Congress MP and PCC president V Vaithilingam, while AIADMK's G Tamizhvendhan is also testing his luck as a debutant. The Union Territory has a total of 10,23,699 voters spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions. Andaman's lone seat in action The lone seat in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will see 3.15 lakh voters get an opportunity to exercise their franchise. A total of 12 candidates, including two women and five independents, are in the fray for the polls. Of the 3.15 lakh voters, 1.64 lakh are men and 1.51 lakh are women, while there are four third-gender voters. The electorate also includes 39 voters from the Great Nicobarese tribe of the Strait Islands, 68 members of the Onge tribe at Hut Bay and 98 members of the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar Island. Special polling stations have been established for them. This time, the saffron party has nominated Bishnu Pada Ray as its candidate, while the Congress has fielded its sitting MP, Kuldeep Rai Sharma. Ray was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1999, when he defeated Congress candidate Sharma by 2,990 votes. He was re-elected in 2009 and again in 2014. In the 2019 elections, however, Sharma secured a victory against BJP's Vishal Jolly (Ray was denied a ticket) by a narrow margin of 1,407 votes.

Five Lok Sabha Seats Of Uttarakhand To Go To Polls In 1st Phase On Friday

The five seats going to polls on Friday are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora.

Haridwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting date, results, candidates, main parties and schedule

Haridwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024 features Trivendra Singh Rawat against Virender Rawat in a crucial battle. With historical significance and key candidates, the election outcome on June 4 will shape Uttarakhand's political landscape.

Haridwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting date, results, candidates, main parties and schedule

Haridwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024 features Trivendra Singh Rawat against Virender Rawat in a crucial battle. With historical significance and key candidates, the election outcome on June 4 will shape Uttarakhand's political landscape.

Lok Sabha polls: Former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat to face former CMs son in Haridwar

The News Mill

NDTV Election Carnival: NDA or INDIA in Patna? Whom Will The Voters Support?

Preparations are going on across the country for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. To know the mood of the country in the election season, NDTV Election Carnival is reaching many cities. After Delhi, Haridwar, Meerut, Bharatpur, Lucknow, Mainpuri Ayodhya and Varanasi, it has now entered Bihar.

Lok Sabha 2024: It is Rawat vs Rawat in the holy city of Haridwar

Former Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat is up against ex-CM Harish Rawats son Virender for supremacy in the holy city of Haridwar

Baba Ramdev asks voters to elect government capable of making India economic, strategic superpower

Ramdev urges voting for a government in national interest to enhance India's global position, emphasizing cultural preservation, spiritual values, and Sanatan roots. He highlights the significance of the Constitution of India and voting rights, addressing reporters in Haridwar.

Ramdev asks voters to elect govt capable of making India economic, strategic superpower

Ramdev asks voters to elect govt capable of making India economic, strategic superpower Yoga guru Ramdev on Wednesday appealed to people to cast their votes in national interest and elect a government which is capable of making the country an economic and strategic superpower. ''You must cast your vote in national interest. Elect a government which is capable of making India an economic and strategic superpower. Vote for a government which does not only work for development, but also cares for the country's cultural legacy,'' Ramdev told reporters in Haridwar. ''The spiritual life is governed by our culture and Sanatan's constitution but the country is run by the Constitution of India which gives us our biggest right to vote. We should all vote for people who are rooted in Sanatan,'' he said.

Campaign ends for five Uttarakhand Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 19

Campaign ends for five Uttarakhand Lok Sabha seats going to polls on April 19 Campaigning for the five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand which face polls on April 19 came to a close on Wednesday with the BJP seeking a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress appealing for vote for change. Campaigning drew to a close in Uttarakhand at 5 pm this evening, Chief Electoral Officer B V R C Purushottam said at a press conference here. Having won all the five seats in Uttarakhand in both 2014 and 2019 general elections, the BJP is seeking to retain them for a third term. The first phase the Lok Sabha elections will be held on April 19. The nearly month-long campaign, which started gathering momentum only a fortnight ago, saw the BJP's star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, party national president J P Nadda and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, hold a series of election rallies and roadshows in different parts of the state. The campaign scene in Uttarakhand was lacklustre initially as it was largely one-sided with the BJP's star campaigners addressing poll meetings in some parts of the state or the other on a daily basis. The Congress' star campaigners were missing from the landscape until April 13 when party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed her first poll rallies in the state in Ramnagar and Roorkee in support of candidates from Haridwar, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Pauri Garhwal seats. She asked the people to vote for change, alleging that the 10 years of the Narendra Modi government had done nothing except lying to the people. Despite making tall claims, the Modi government has not done anything to bring about a qualitative change in the lives of people, she alleged. ''Vote wisely. Otherwise, your daily struggles will continue for another five years,'' she warned. The BJP leaders on the other hand sought another term for Modi for the sake of a developed India of which Uttarakhand is an essential part and highlighted the steps taken by the BJP-led NDA government over the last 10 years to strengthen road, rail and air connectivity infrastructure in the state. The five Lok seats of Uttarakhand going to polls on April 19 are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora. Sitting BJP MPs Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and Ajay Tamta have been fielded by the party from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, Tehri Garhwal and Almora respectively. It has replaced its candidates in Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal. Former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is contesting in place of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in Haridwar and Anil Baluni in place of Tirath Singh Rawat in Pauri Garhwal. The Congress has fielded former PCC president Ganesh Godiyal from Pauri Garhwal, former chief minister Harish Rawat's son Virendra Rawat from Haridwar, Jot Singh Gunsola from Tehri Garhwal, Prakash Joshi from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and Pradeep Tamta from Almora.

Swami Govind Dev Ji applying tilak to Yog Guru Ramdev on the 8th day of saga of Shiva Ji Maharaj in Haridwar on Tuesday.

Swami Govind Dev Ji applying tilak to Yog Guru Ramdev on the 8th day of saga of Shiva Ji Maharaj in Haridwar on Tuesday. The post Swami Govind Dev Ji applying tilak to Yog Guru Ramdev on the 8th day of saga of Shiva Ji Maharaj in Haridwar on Tuesday. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Local issues take centrestage in Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency of Uttarakhand

Many big faces, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have campaigned for Baluni. Modi held a public rally in Rishikesh which is a tri-junction for Garhwal, Haridwar, and Tehri Lok Sabha constituencies.

Haridwar: Pilgrims, priest clash over parking ticket. Video goes viral

Haridwar clash between pilgrims and priest at Siddhpeeth Dakshin Kali Mandir over parking issue escalates into violence, involving police intervention. Video of the incident surfaces on social media, showing young men being beaten with sticks.

PM Modi Sends Warm Wishes for Ashtami Puja during Navratri 2024

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared heartfelt greetings for Ashtami Puja on the auspicious occasion of Navratri 2024. Posting on social media, the PM expressed his wishes, saying, Warmest greetings to all my fellow citizens celebrating Maha Ashtami Puja. May Goddess Durga in her form as Maa Mahagauri bring joy, peace, and prosperity to everyone's lives. Devotees Flock to Temples on Ashtami Thousands of devotees gathered at the Maya Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on Ashtami. Many also participated in the ritual of taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam and offered prayers in Prayagraj on the same day. Significance of Chaitra Navratri Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, holds special importance for Hindus as it marks a nine-day celebration during the spring season. On the eighth day, known as Ashtami, devotees worship Maa Mahagauri, depicted with four hands, holding a trident and a drum, riding a bull. Timing of Ashtami Puja The Ashtami Tithi for Ashtami Puja commenced at 12:11 on April 15, 2024, and concluded at 13:23 on April 16, 2024, according to Drik Panchang. Description of Maa Mahagauri Goddess Mahagauri, symbolizing purity and tranquility, is portrayed with a radiant complexion like the moon, draped in white attire, riding a bull. She is known by the names Shwetambardhara and Vrisharudha due to her association with the color white and her mount, the bull, respectively. Navratri Celebrations This year's Navratri festival, spanning from April 9 to April 17, involves the worship of Maa Durga and her nine manifestations, known as the Navadurgas. The festival concludes on Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Ram, marking the end of the nine-day celebration. Rituals During Chaitra Navratri During Chaitra Navratri, devotees observe fasting and offer prayers to Goddess Durga. Ghatasthapana, the invocation of Goddess Shakti, is a significant ritual performed during this period. Navratri also emphasizes serenity and peacefulness through the worship of Maha Gauri Mata. PM Modi's Campaign Trail: BJP's Push in Kerala Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections PM Narendra Modi Pays Tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar on Birth Anniversary

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Katha at Patanjali Yogpeeth enters day 7

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 15: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Katha being held in University of Patanjali in Haridwar, entered into seventh day here today. Narrating the saga of Shiva Ji, the spiritual Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji said that all the mothers of India must take inspiration from Jijabai, the mother of Shivaji, with this country being lauded as the land of brave mothers. Shivajis life is an inspirational tale of overcoming obstacles and struggles to protect the Sanatan Dharma, [] The post Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Katha at Patanjali Yogpeeth enters day 7 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

A devotee garlanding Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj during a programme in Haridwar on Monday.

A devotee garlanding Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj during a programme in Haridwar on Monday. The post A devotee garlanding Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj during a programme in Haridwar on Monday. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Haridwar: BJP fights for prestige on its turf as son of former CM locks horns with ex-CM

DEHRADUN: Haridwar in Uttarakhand, renowned for its spiritual significance, is poised to witness a keen electoral battle. Virendra Rawat, son of former Congress CM Harish Rawat, who is making his political debut, has been pitted against former BJP CM Trivendra Rawat in Haridwar, which will go to polls on April 19 on the first phase. According to the poll data, the BJP has a strong track record in this constituency, having secured victory six times from 1977 to 2019, with one win each for the BLD, JNP-S, and Samajwadi Party. The Congress last emerged victorious in Haridwar in 2009. As the BJP aims for a hat-trick of wins, the Congress is optimistic of repeating a victory after 15 years. In the last two consecutive elections, the BJP secured over 50 per cent of the votes and elected Ramesh Pokhriyal as the MP. Harish Rawats wife, Renuka Rawat, had lost the election from here in 2014. Harish Rawat, who was MP from here in 2009, had expressed his unwillingness to contest the election and got his son a ticket and started campaigning for it. The Congress is not just pitted against the BJP; there is a larger battle unfolding where the public stands in opposition to the BJP, a contest that has captured everyones attention, Harish Rawat told this newspaper. Power crisis and Ganga conservation are key issues in the constituency, according to analysts. Despite being an energy state, frequent power cuts in Haridwar have affected the general public as well as the industrial sector. Ganga conservation movement against pollution and illegal mining on the riverbed, incomplete highway, payment of dues of sugarcane farmers, and lack of adequate security arrangements for flood-affected areas are other key issues. Key issues Power crisis and Ganga conservation are key issues in the constituency, according to analysts. Despite being an energy state, frequent power cuts in Haridwar have affected the general public as well as the industrial sector.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying tilak to Baba Ram Dev during a function organised at Haridwar on Sunday.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying tilak to Baba Ram Dev during a function organised at Haridwar on Sunday. The post Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying tilak to Baba Ram Dev during a function organised at Haridwar on Sunday. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Haridwar ? | Election 2024

Lok Sabha Election 2024: (Haridwar) , (Harish Rawat) (Congress) (Trivendra Singh Rawat) ,

Lok Sabha Elections | Ex Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat Is Contesting Elections From Haridwar

Lok Sabha Elections | Ex Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat Is Contesting Elections From HaridwarFormer Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat is contesting for the first time in the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, replacing former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Can

The baba bound society

These days a celebrated self-acclaimed yoga guru, Baba Ramdev, the founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, and has built up a financial empire with an annual turnover of Rs 45,000 crore[$6 Billion] selling fake medicines (claiming to cure cancer, corona, barrenness among women, etc without clinical trials as required by law ) is in the Indian news, after the Supreme Court's strong critical remarks.

In remote hilly terrain, palanquins for pregnant women to polling booths

DEHRADUN : As part of an initiative to maximise voter turnout in the April 19 Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand, the health department will offer palanquin services to pregnant women and elderly people above 85 years, to the polling booths of the difficult terrain. The initiative was based on the directions of chief electoral officer BVRC Purushottam. According to State Election Commission sources, In the hilly and inaccessible areas, people aged 85 years and above besides those with disabilities who choose to visit polling stations voluntarily will receive full assistance from the Commission. Speaking to this newspaper, Purushottam pointed out, The health department has been directed to collect information about the people eligible to avail the service. Instructions have been issued to the health department to ensure smooth functioning of the palanquin service in the remote hilly areas of the state so that the voting percentage is not affected in any way. This ensures that elderly citizens and pregnant women are not deprived of their democratic right to vote, he added. Director General of Health Dr Vinita Shah said, Chief Medical Officers of eleven districts barring Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, have been asked to arrange for a sufficient number of palanquins. Besides, he said, provisions are also being made to extend the service to the disabled and elderly voters aged over 85 years. The Director General of Health has instructed all Chief Medical Officers to coordinate with the respective District Election Officers to facilitate the provision of palanquins for eligible voters. Expressing enthusiasm over the innovative palanquin service, 87-year-old Omar Hussain, a resident of Niazganj in Almora district, said, I am delighted that I will be able to exercise my democratic right to vote with ease, even at this age. There are more than 83.21 lakh voters in the state, including 43.08 lakh males, 40.12 lakh females, and 1.45 lakh young voters. In addition, there are 79,900 physically disabled voters, and over 6,500 voters aged 85 and above, as per state Chief Electoral Officer BVRC Purushottam. A total of 11,729 polling centers have been set up for the voting process.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying Tilak to Baba Ramdev on 4th day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj katha in Haridwar on Friday.

Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying Tilak to Baba Ramdev on 4th day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj katha in Haridwar on Friday. The post Swami Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj applying Tilak to Baba Ramdev on 4th day of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj katha in Haridwar on Friday. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

In Haridwar, ex-CM Trivendra Singh Rawat is up against former CM Harish Rawat's son

Former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat is contesting for the first time in the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, replacing former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. He faces competition from Virendra Singh Rawat, son of former CM Harish Rawat, representing Congress. The constituency, with religious significance, attracts BJP and RSS attention.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami interacts with locals during morning walk in Khatima, gives PM Modi's message in 'Kumaoni' dialect

Uttarakhand CM Dhami interacts with locals during morning walk in Khatima, gives PM Modi's message in 'Kumaoni' dialect With the first phase of Lok Sabha elections around the corner, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was spotted interacting with the people in the 'Kumaoni' dialect during his morning walk in Khatima on Friday morning. CM Dhami also boarded a bus of school children and enquired about the well-being of the school children. While roaming in Khatima, he gave the message of 'Ram-Ram' given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Kumaoni dialect to all the people he met on the way. The Chief Minister also urged the people to vote in the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier on April 11, CM Dhami addressed an election rally in Rishikesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the rally, he presented a 'Hudka' (a musical instrument) made by Uttarakhand artisans to PM Modi on the rally stage. While speaking at a public rally, Dhami said, The country has awakened, moved forward and changed now. The new India is vigilant and sensitive towards its future. Those who implemented 'Emergency' in the country, those who have divided society into castes, and those who did many scams are rattled today because of PM Modi, as the PM's mantra is 'na khaunga na khaane dunga'. The NDA has fielded Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Anil Baluni, Ajay Tamta, Ajay Bhatt and Trivendra Singh Rawat from Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora (SC), Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar lok sabha constituencies respectively. INDIA has nominated Jot Singh Guntsola (INC), Ganesh Godiyal (INC), Pradeep Tamta (INC), Prakash Joshi (INC) and Virendra Rawat (INC) as its candidates for Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora (SC), Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar Lok Sabha constituencies. While two Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand -- Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and Almora -- are located in the Kumaon region, the remaining three seats of Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal and Garhwal (Pauri) are in the Garhwal region. The BJP is looking to sweep yet again in all five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand, having won from all the parliamentary constituencies in the State in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections. (ANI)

When bigwigs migrate from hills to plains

DEHRADUN : In the hills of Uttarakhand, migration of people is the biggest obstacle in its development. Since hundreds of people have shifted to the plains in the last few years, politicians too are gone, leaving their constituencies in the remote hills. At least six former chief ministers left their parliamentary and assembly constituencies along with other leaders and migrated to the states plains. Formed more than 23 years ago as the 27th state of the country, Uttarakhand was supposed to amplify the demand for the representation from the hilly regions in the assembly and Parliament. After the Almora parliamentary seat was reserved in 2009 and the Haridwar seat was generalized, veteran leaders of Almora seat and Garhwal region had moved to Haridwar. Bharat Ratna recipient Govind Ballabh Pant, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna and Narayan Dutt Tiwari were the first to start this tradition. BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, Harish Rawat, Bachi Singh Rawat, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt are also on the list of migrants from the hills. One of the prominent leaders in the hilly regions, Govind Ballabh Pant originally hailed from Almora district. He practised law in Ranikhet. After independence, in the first Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 1951, he contested from Bareilly. Despite being able to contest from Almora or Ranikhet, he became the first UP CM. Speaking to this newspaper, analyst Anoop Nautiyal said: Whether we view the migration as a challenging problem or an undeniable reality, the fact is that both leaders and residents have chosen to leave these areas. He said the trend is due to leaders predilection to stay in the plains. It is difficult to garner peoples support in remote hilly areas. In the plains, it is easier to chart out ones political career, said Nautiyal. Historian Jai Singh Rawat said the exodus from the hills has become common, with leaders also descending to the plains out of necessity. It is a harsh reality. As flies are drawn to honey, individuals too shift to areas of perceived benefits.

Who Will Be Crowned Winner In UP's Mainpuri, Stronghold Of The Yadavs

The 'NDTV Election Carnival' reached Mainpuri on Thursday after travelling hundreds of kilometres via Delhi, Haridwar, Meerut, and Bharatpur. Mainpuri is a seat considered the stronghold of the Samajwadi Party. It has been winning from the Mainpuri seat continuously since 1996. Mulayam Singh Yadav or his family members had been continuously winning elections from this seat. Dimple Yadav has once again been made a candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. This time, the BJP has fielded Jaiveer Singh Thakur as its candidate, who is also a minister in the state government.

Couple Among 5 Killed as Truck Hits Bikes in UP's Pilibhit

The accident took place on the Haridwar National Highway when Uwaish (32) and his wife Sakra Begum (30) were on their way to meet a relative in a nearby village on the occasion of Eid

Tragic accident in UP's Pilibhit claims lives of 5 people, including couple on bikes

Tragic accident in UP's Pilibhit claims lives of 5 people, including couple on bikes Five people, including a married couple, died after a speeding truck hit their motorcycles here on Thursday, police said. Station House Officer of Jahanabad Police station in Pilibhit district Mukesh Kumar Shukla said the accident took place on the Haridwar National Highway when Uwaish (32) and his wife Sakra Begum (30) were on their way to meet a relative in a nearby village on the occasion of Eid. Three men -- Akib (21), Sahib (25) and Arbaz (26) -- were also going to take part in an Eid function. A speeding truck hit the two motorcycles with such intensity that all the riders flung several feet away from the scene and their bikes were left completely damaged, police said. All the five victims died on the spot, the SHO said. The incident led to a major traffic congestion on the highway after the families of the victims and many local people gathered there. The administration was able to clear up the roads after the police assured the families of swift action in the matter. He added that efforts are on to identify and nab the truck driver, who fled the spot after the incident. The bodies have been sent for a postmortem. However, an FIR is yet to be lodged into the matter.

''PM Modi praises successful military strikes on terrorists in their own territory in Uttarakhand''

''PM Modi praises successful military strikes on terrorists in their own territory in Uttarakhand'' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said under the strong BJP-led government at the Centre, the country's security forces are eliminating terrorists on their home turf. Addressing an election rally here, Modi said the echoes of 'Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar' (Modi once again) were being heard across the country as people have seen the benefits of a stable government. ''Enemies took advantage and terrorism spread whenever there were weak and unstable governments in the country. But under a strong Modi government, our forces are killing terrorists on their own turf,'' he said. The prime minister said he stopped the corrupt from looting the country and their anger against him was at its height. Modi said the ''weak'' Congress governments in the past could not strengthen the border infrastructure. Now, roads and modern tunnels are being built along the borders, he added. The prime minister accused the Congress of questioning the entity of Lord Ram and opposing the construction of the Ayodhya temple. He added that the party was forgiven for this and invited for the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya temple but it chose to boycott the event. ''Going one step ahead it has now publicly declared a war against Shakti in Hindu religion symbolised by revered goddesses like Maa Dhari Devi, Maa Chandrabadni and Jwalpa Devi of Uttarakhand,'' he said, addressing the BJP's Vijay Sankalp Rally at the IDPL's hockey ground in Rishikesh. Such a declaration by the Congress will add fuel to the fire in the ongoing conspiracy to destroy the culture of Uttarakhand, Modi said, asking people to give a ''befitting reply'' to the opposition party. He was referring to a recent remark by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The party had later said that the BJP took the comment out of context. Describing Uttarakhand as the land of the flower 'Brahma kamal', he asked people to push the lotus button during polling and put all five Lok Sabha seats into the BJP's kitty. He said this was necessary to fulfil its pledge for a developed India, of which a developed Uttarakhand is going to be a significant part. ''But my expectations are even bigger this time. You have to break all past records. You have to win all booths,'' he said. ''I am confident that the people of the state will teach the Congress a lesson in the coming Lok Sabha polls,'' he said. Modi said his government has stopped the loot by the corrupt so their anger against him is at its peak. ''Isn't corruption detrimental to the country? Shouldn't the country get rid of it? I am fighting this big war with the strength of your blessings,'' he said. Under Congress government the advantages of government schemes did not reach the beneficiaries due to middlemen, he claimed. But under the BJP government benefits of the schemes are reaching the beneficiaries directly through their bank accounts, he said. Compared to the past, the country has been strengthened manifold under a strong and stable BJP government, he said. He said terrorists were now being hit on their home turf ghar mein ghus kar in contrast to the time when weak governments ran the country. The apparent reference was to cross-border strikes in recent years after terrorist attacks in India. He said a strong BJP government also had the courage to abrogate article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir after seven decades, make a law against triple talaq, implement the one rank one pension scheme and provide reservation to women in legislatures. He said the weak Congress governments could not strengthen the border infrastructure. Now, roads and modern tunnels are being built along the borders. Modi spoke of Rishikesh's tourism potential. It is a unique blend of adventure and spiritual tourism, he said. He spoke the mega road, rail and air infrastructure projects underway in the state and said they would boost tourism in the state like never before and create employment opportunities. The BJP government in Uttarakhand led by Pushkar Singh Dhami is working constantly towards achieving the goal of making it a leading state by 2025, he said. Rishikesh, where the rally was held, falls under Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency. Chief Minister Dhami, Haridwar candidate Trivendra Singh Rawat, Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and Pauri Garhwal candidate Anil Baluni shared the dais with the prime minister.

From Covid Cure Claim To An Anonymous Letter: How Patanjali Case Unfolded

The Supreme Court made strong remarks in its brutal takedown of Uttarakhand authorities for inaction against Haridwar-based Patanjali Ayurved, founded by Yoga guru Ramdev and his aide Balkrishna.

NDTV Election Carnival: Rajasthan's Bharatpur Ready For BJP vs Congress Fight

NDTV Network's special program 'NDTV Election Carnival' entered Rajasthan on Wednesday via Delhi, Haridwar, and Meerut. Bharatpur in Rajasthan is seeing a contest between the BJP and Congress. Voting will be held in Bharatpur on April 19, the first of the seven phases. Sanjana Jatav is the Congress candidate, while Ramswaroop Koli has been fielded by the BJP.

Patanjali misleading ads case: SC refuses to accept apology offered by Ramdev and Balkrishna, warns them for...

The court told the Uttarakhand government that it is not going to let it free in the case relating to the misleading advertisements of Haridwar-based Patanjali Ayurved.All complaints were forwarded to the government. The licensing inspector remained quiet, there is no report by the officer.

1 of 2 shooters in Uttarakhand gurdwara killing gunned down

Amarjeet Singh, the main accused in Nanakmatta gurdwara chief's murder, was killed by Uttarakhand Police. He fled a checkpoint on a bike, fired at cops, and was shot in retaliation in Haridwar.

Accused of Uttarakhand dera chief's murder killed in police shootout

Accused of Uttarakhand dera chief's murder killed in police shootout Amarjeet Singh Bittu alias Ganda, one of the assailants who allegedly shot dead Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara dera kar seva chief Baba Tarsem Singh last month, was killed by a joint team of the STF and police in an encounter on Tuesday. Bittu had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. The police said another accused Sarabjit Singh fled from the spot in Haridwar's Kaliyar, and a search is underway to nab him. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has also been announced on Sarabjit Singh, a resident of the Tarn Taran district in Punjab. Director General of Police Abhinav Kumar said that late on Monday evening, the STF received a tip-off that the criminals wanted in the murder case were going from Saharanpur to Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh via Bhagwanpur and Kaliyar in Haridwar. Kumar said that based on the information, the police and STF jointly conducted operations at various places in Haridwar. Around 12:30 am, when the police team tried to stop two suspicious people moving on a motorcycle at the Gagalhedi intersection in Bhagwanpur, both of them started fleeing towards Imlikheda-Kaliyar, the DGP said. When the police surrounded both the accused, they allegedly started firing. In the retaliatory action of the police, Bittu was shot while Sarabjit Singh escaped from the spot taking advantage of the darkness, according to the DGP. The injured accused was taken to the Civil Hospital Roorkee, where doctors declared him brought dead, the DGP further said. Bittu alias Ganda has a long criminal history and several cases are registered against him and his associates in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand for allegedly harbouring terrorists, raising slogans in support of Khalistan, robbing banks etc. Considering the sensitivity of the case, apart from forming a six-member SIT, 11 teams were formed to unravel the murder case. Seven other accused were already arrested in the case during the investigation. Baba Tarsem Singh was shot dead on March 28 on the shrine's premises by two motorcycle-borne men in Udham Singh Nagar district. Besides the two assailants, the police have booked retired IAS officer Harbans Singh Chugh, who heads the Nanakmatta Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Baba Anup Singh and Pritam Singh Sandhu, the vice-president of a regional Sikh outfit, in the murder case.

Prime Suspect In Baba Tarsem Singh Murder Case Killed In Uttarakhand STF Encounter

The main individual suspected in the murder case of Baba Tarsem Singh was fatally shot during an encounter with the Uttarakhand STF. The incident occurred in the Bhagwanpur vicinity of Haridwar.

Shooter involved in killing Nanakmatta Gurudwara dera chief dies in police encounter

Dehradun: Amarjeet Singh, alias Bittu, who shot dead Baba Tarsem Singh, the Karseva head of Nanakmatta Gurudwara in Uttarakhands Udham Singh Nagar district, was killed by a team of Special Task Force and Haridwar police in an encounter on Tuesday, officials said. Bittus other accomplice is still absconding, the police said. Police Headquarters spokesperson, Inspector []

U'khand dera chief killing: Accused shot dead in police encounter

U'khand dera chief killing: Accused shot dead in police encounter One of the assailants who allegedly shot dead the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara dera kar seva chief last month was killed in an encounter with the Special Task Force and police in Haridwar district early on Tuesday. The police said another accused fled the spot and a search is underway to nab him. Baba Tarsem Singh was shot dead on March 28 on the shrine's premises by two motorcycle-borne men in Udham Singh Nagar district. The accused were travelling on a motorcycle when they were asked to stop by the police in Haridwar's Bhagwanpur area past midnight on Tuesday. They didn't stop and escaped towards Kaliyar. The police chased the duo and an encounter ensued during which Amarjeet Singh alias Bittu was shot at while the other accused, Sarabjit Singh, escaped. Amarjeet Singh was taken to the Roorkee Civil Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Senior Superintendent of Police (Haridwar) Pramendra Doval reached the hospital with other officers after receiving news of the encounter. Teams of the Special Task Force (STF) and the police are searching for Sarabjit Singh. Besides the two assailants, the police have booked retired IAS officer Harbans Singh Chugh, who heads the Nanakmatta Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Baba Anup Singh and Pritam Singh Sandhu, the vice-president of a regional Sikh outfit, in the murder case.

Nanakmatta Gurudwara dera chief's shooter killed in police encounter

Amarjeet Singh, alias Bittu, who shot dead Baba Tarsem Singh, the Karseva head of Nanakmatta Gurudwara in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district, was killed by a team of Special Task Force and Haridwar police in an encounter on Tuesday, officials ...

Main accused in Baba Tarsem Singh murder case killed in encounter with Uttarakhand STF

The Uttarakhand STF and Haridwar Police have launched a joint operation to nab the absconding accused, the DGP said. The police said that more than 16 cases have been registered against Amarjeet Singh.

Haridwar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Check key candidates, date of voting and other important details

In a strategic move, BJP replaced its incumbent MP Ramesh Pokhriyal with Trivendra Singh Rawat, while Congress fielded Virender Rawat. Congress and BJP are gearing up for a neck-to-neck battle this time.

Uttarakhand Karseva Chief's Shooter Killed In Encounter, Say Police

The main accused in Baba Tarsem Singh's murder case was killed in an encounter with Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) in the Bhagwanpur area of Haridwar in the early hours of Tuesday, the state's top police officer said.

NDTV Election Carnival: Arun Govil, BJP's Meerut Candidate, On Janseva, Rajneeti, And More

'NDTV Election Carnival' reached Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh on Monday via Delhi and Haridwar. Arun Govil, of the Ramayan fame, is BJP's Meerut candidate. I wanted to do janseva, may be Ram ji heard me, said Mr Govil on being chosen by the BJP. He spoke at length about reel vs real life, the Ram Temple and his Ramayan days.

Capturing The Election Buzz In Haridwar Along With Food At The Famous 'Mohan Ji Puri Wale' | N18V

Capturing The Election Buzz In Haridwar Along With Food At The Famous 'Mohan Ji Puri Wale' | N18VThe BJP and Congress are in a direct contest in the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat in Uttarakhand which goes to polls on April 19. Former Uttarakhand CM and BJP candidate Trivendra Singh Rawat is up against Congress Virender Rawat.

Polling parties dispatched to implement 'vote-from-home' facility in Uttarakhand's Chamoli for Lok Sabha polls

Polling parties dispatched to implement 'vote-from-home' facility in Uttarakhand's Chamoli for Lok Sabha polls The 'vote-from-home' facility for citizens over 85 years of age and persons with disabilities has begun in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district for Lok Sabha elections. Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said that polling parties have been dispatched from Sports Stadium Gopeshwar to three assembly constituencies Lok Sabha elections have begun in Chamoli with home voting. On Monday, 55 polling parties were dispatched from Sports Stadium Gopeshwar to all three assembly constituencies for home voting, Chamoli DM posted on X. The Election Commission, which announced the Lok Sabha poll schedule last month, had said that there will be 'vote-from-home' facilities for citizens over 85 years of age and persons with disabilities for the Lok Sabha elections. The commission said that persons with disabilities with a 40 per cent benchmark disability can vote from home. The commission said that at polling stations, volunteers and wheelchairs will be deployed and transport facilities for persons with disabilities and the elderly will be arranged. Uttarakhand will go to vote in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19. Voting in Uttarakhand will be held for all five Lok Sabha seats. Chamoli is part of the Garhwal parliamentary seat. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won all five seats - Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been campaigning to bolster the prospects of BJP candidates. He held a roadshow in Chamoli's Tharali along with the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Anil Baluni last month. Baluni is in the fray from Garhwal Lok Sabha seat. (ANI)

Uttarakhand Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Total seats, schedule, candidates list, date of voting, result, main parties

Uttarakhand's five Lok Sabha seats hold crucial political sway, with BJP and Congress battling fiercely. NDA dominates past elections, gearing up for polling on April 19 in a single phase. Key constituencies include Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, and Haridwar.

NDTV Election Carnival Haridwar, | Elections

Uttarakhand: Navigating an uphill path

DEHRADUN: Even as the five seats of Uttarakhand are all set to go to polls in the first phase on April 19, the political mood of the voters remains a mystery this time too, as has been the trend. Over 10 veterans in the state have faced a crushing defeat in the electoral history. These include the leaders who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Uttarakhand, hoping for easy access to Parliament but were disappointed. Ram Vilas Paswan, Mayawati, Satpal Maharaj, Lt-Gen (Retd) Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, ND Tiwari, Maharaja Manvendra Shah of Tehri, and Harish Rawat were rejected at one time or the other. The state has a long and storied history of delivering surprising election outcomes where voters have not hesitated to shift their allegiance. With a commendable literacy rate, Uttarakhand residents have consistently exercised their voting rights after thoughtful deliberation on national and significant issues. Amarjeet Singh, spokesperson for Congress in Uttarakhand, underscored the impact of literacy in the state, stating, The high literacy rate plays a key role in voters making informed decisions by considering national issues during elections, reflecting their concern for serious matters at a national level. This time, the public is going to vote on issues like inflation, unemployment, security, migration, and law and order, and after seeing the political situation, Uttarakhand may give results similar to 2009, he said. History of victories, defeats A glance into the electoral history of Uttarakhand brings forth some intriguing results. In 1984, Harish Rawat defeated BJP stalwart Murli Manohar Joshi. In 1989, the then Congress veteran Satpal Maharaj was defeated by Janata Dals Chandramohan Singh Negi. In 1989, Ramvilas Paswan suffered a decisive defeat from the Haridwar seat. BSP supremo Mayawati faced a crushing defeat from Haridwar in 1990 and 1991. Similarly, in 1989, independent candidate Kashi Singh Aeri defeated Bhagat Singh Koshyari in the Almora seat. During the Ram mandir wave in 1991, the strong contender for the PMs post from the Congress ND Tiwari was defeated by by BJPs Balraj Pasi. In 1996 and 2009, B C Khanduri, who served as an MP four times on the Pauri seat, also faced defeat. Similarly, Maharaja Manvendra Shah, an eight-time MP, was unseated on Tehri by independent candidate Paripurnanand Panuli in 1971. Also, Bachhi Singh Rawat, a former BJP minister, secured win over Harish Rawat on three consecutive occasions from Almora. In 2019, Ajay Bhatt emerged victorious over Harish Rawat on Nainital seat. Current state of affairs The primary contest is expected between the BJP and the Congress in all the five seats. Although Umesh Kumar from Haridwar and Bobby Pawar from Tehri are both strong independent candidates, as per the assessment of the previous election results, even in these elections, these independent candidates can be limited to affecting the margin of victory of the winning candidate. One of the two independents, Umesh Kumar, is an MLA from Khanpur constituency. In Tehri, three-time BJP MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah will face Congresss Jot Singh Gunasola, a two-time MLA from Mussoorie, this time. Berojgar Sangh chief Bobby Pawar is contesting as an independent candidate with many youth supporters. The contest in Garhwal is between Congresss Ganesh Godiyal and BJPs Anil Baluni. The BJP has fielded Rajya Sabha MP in place of Tirath Singh Rawat. Godiyal has previously served as a legislator. The BJP has pitted former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat against Congresss Virendra Rawat in Haridwar. The BSP also commands a significant vote bank in this region, and independent candidate Umesh Kumar from Khanpur is also vying for victory. Umesh currently serves as an independent MLA from Khanpur. In Almora, two old rivals, Ajay Tamta of BJP and Pradeep Tamta of Congress, will once again come face to face. In Nainital, MoS Ajay Bhatt will be challenged by a new face, Prakash Joshi of Congress.

BJP chief Nadda attacks Rahul Gandhi for using religion during polls

J. P. Nadda was addressing a gathering of saints and seers at the Maya Devi temple, in Haridwar, in support of BJP candidate and former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Meet IAS officer, daughter of a milk seller who gave tuitions to pay coaching fees, cracked UPSC exam twice with AIR...

Hailing from a humble family in a small village in Haridwar, Anuradha faced numerous financial constraints in her childhood. Her father used to look after the family by selling milk.

Helping Modi return for 3rd term your national responsibility: Nadda to Uttarakhand voters

Helping Modi return for 3rd term your national responsibility: Nadda to Uttarakhand voters BJP president J P Nadda Thursday asked the people of Uttarakhand to again give all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state to the BJP to help Narendra Modi return as prime minister for a third term and make India the third biggest economy in the world. ''It is your national responsibility,'' Nadda told his first election meeting at Pithoragarh in the state in support of Ajay Tamta, the BJP candidate from the reserved Almora Lok Sabha seat. Prime Minister Modi made the country the fifth biggest economy in the world despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, he said. ''If you help him get a third term as PM by ensuring the BJP's victory in all the five seats, he will make India the third biggest economy,'' Nadda said. Later addressing another election meeting at Vikasnagar in Dehradun in support of party candidate from Tehri Lok Sabha seat Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, the BJP president said Modi has introduced the politics of performance in the country. ''Modi has replaced vote bank politics of caste and appeasement which was going on in the country for decades with the politics of performance and development,'' he said. ''Your vote to Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah will be your stamp of approval on Modi's brand of performance-based politics,'' he said. Terming the opposition INDIA bloc as an alliance of family-centric parties, he said it is INDI alliance versus the BJP in these elections. Citing examples, he named the Abdullahs and the Muftis of Jammu and Kashmir, Karunanidhi-Stalin family in Tamil Nadu, Pawar and Thakre families in Maharashtra, Mamata-Abhishek family in West Bengal and the Yadav families of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. ''They (INDIA block constituents) have nothing to do with you. They only have to protect the corrupt and serve themselves,'' Nadda said in Vikasnagar. In the Lok Sabha elections, the people have to choose between the scammers and those who understood their pain and took major steps towards development, empowering the poor and the women, he said. ''Women in the hills earlier had to go to the forest each morning to collect firewood and walk miles to fetch water. Modi rid them of the daily grind through schemes like Ujjwala and Har Ghar Nal se Jal,'' he said. Besides, 11 crore 'izzat ghars' (toilets) were made which eased the lives of the people, especially the women, he added. The BJP chief also spoke of the Ayushman scheme under which the people can avail of free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh in case of major illnesses, and the PM Awas Yojana under which four crore pucca houses have been built for the poor in the country. One lakh such houses have been built in Uttarakhand of which 11,000 are located in Pithoragarh alone, he said. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has seen unprecedented growth in various sectors including mobile phone manufacturing, automobile and steel industries, and road, rail and air connectivity infrastructure, he said. Naming the various scams during the Congress-led UPA, he spoke of the Bofors, AgustaWestland, coal block allocation, Commonwealth and submarine cases. Nadda said the Congress had only cheated the servicemen for decades over 'one rank one pension', a demand fulfilled only after Modi became the prime minister. The BJP chief targeted the Congress for raising doubts over the surgical and Balakot air strikes which he described as the results of Modi's bold and courageous leadership. Rapid development is possible only under Modi. Press the lotus button on April 19 to give him another term as the prime minister so that he steers India to being the third largest economy in the world. Nadda is on a two-day visit to the state during which he will hold a roadshow in Haridwar on Friday.

BJP national president Nadda on two-day visit to Uttarakhand from tomorrow

BJP national president Nadda on two-day visit to Uttarakhand from tomorrow BJP National President JP Nadda will be on two-day visit to Uttarakhand from Thursday ahead of Lok Sabha polls. He will address public rallies in Pithoragarh and Vikas Nagar under Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency on April 4. On April 5, he will hold a road show in Haridwar, BJP said in a release. National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Jagat Prakash Nadda will be in Uttarakhand on a two-day visit from Thursday (April 4 and 5), where he will address two huge public meetings, a grand road show and meet saints. He will also hold many organizational meetings, the BJP said in a statement. Nadda will reach Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand on Thursday at 12:25 pm from where he will directly reach Dev Singh Maidan, Pithoragarh, he will address a huge public meeting at 12:40 pm. After this he will address another huge public meeting at Main Bazaar Chowk, Vikas Nagar (Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha) at 03:15 pm. At 5:30 pm he will hold the BJP core committee meeting of Tehri Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency at Hotel Madhuvan, Dehradun. Next day, on Friday, April 5, the BJP National President Nadda will visit Maya Devi Temple in Haridwar at 10:50 am and offer prayers there. Immediately after this, he will seek blessings from sages and saints in Maya Devi temple. At 12:20 pm, Nadda will hold a grand road show in Haridwar from Aryan Nagar to Rishikul Ground. After this, at 01:20 pm, he will hold discussions with the booth president, Shakti Kendra coordinator and additional officials of the state office bearers conference at Rishikul University, Haridwar. Notably, among the 543 Lok Sabha seats, Uttarakhand contributes just five seats and the BJP has fielded Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Anil Baluni, Ajay Tamta, Ajay Bhatt, and Trivendra Singh Rawat for these seats. The people of Uttarakhand will cast their votes in a single phase on April 19, according to the Election Commission of India. Uttarakhand has traditionally witnessed a close contest between the BJP and Congress. Both parties see the state as an essential battleground for displaying and gaining supporters for their national narratives. The BJP had won all the Lok Sabha seats in the elections in both the 2014 and 2019 elections. With 47 out of 70 assembly seats, the BJP dominated in the 2022 assembly polls, while Congress got 19 seats. BSP and Independents hold 2 seats each. (ANI)

PM Modi Launches BJP's Lok Sabha Campaign in Uttarakhand with Rudrapur Rally Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to kick off the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand on April 2. His rally in Rudrapur, a part of the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar constituency, marks the beginning of the party's efforts in the state. State BJP president Mahendra Bhatt expects a significant turnout, estimating that over one lakh people will attend the rally. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed enthusiasm for Modi's visit, stating that Uttarakhand eagerly anticipates the Prime Minister's presence. Uttarakhand, scheduled to vote in the first phase on April 5, holds five Lok Sabha seats, all of which were won by the BJP in 2019. Dhami is confident of repeating the party's success with an even larger victory margin this time. Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt seeks re-election from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, aiming to secure victory against his nearest rival, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat of the Congress. We are fortunate that Rudrapur, a town with significant agricultural and industrial importance, has been chosen for the launch of our campaign. We are optimistic that the BJP will secure all five seats in Uttarakhand with an increased margin of victory, Dhami remarked. Dhami, recognized as one of the party's 40 star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls, has been actively engaging in roadshows and public gatherings. In a bid to leave no stone unturned, Modi's visit will be followed by BJP President JP Nadda's arrival. Nadda is scheduled to visit the state on April 3, addressing gatherings in Pithoragarh and Vikasnagar, apart from conducting a roadshow in Haridwar on April 4. The BJP has nominated Ajay Tamta for the Almora seat, which he has held since 2014. Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah is contesting from Tehri, a constituency she has represented since a 2012 bypoll, while former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat is vying for victory from Haridwar. Headlines for the Day: PM Modi Launches Election Campaign in Rudrapur, Bengaluru Faces Water Crisis, and More

Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney Assumes Command as Commandant of MCEME

Hyderabad : Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney took over as commandant of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad, and 75th Colonel Commandant. A first generation Army officer, Lt Gen. Varshney is the son of a professor of the Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. Prior to taking command, Gen. Varshney paid homage at the EME war memorial.

Rajiv Yadav Leads the Charge: 'Fusion Mavericks' to Revolutionize Uttarakhand's Sports and Leisure Land!

Rajiv Yadav Leads the Charge: 'Fusion Mavericks' to Revolutionize Uttarakhand's Sports and Leisure Land! VMPL New Delhi [India], April 1: Uttarakhand's sporting and leisure landscape is on the cusp of a monumental transformation with the introduction of Fusion Mavericks by Criezkit Pvt Ltd, spearheaded by the visionary Founder Director Rajiv Yadav. Nestled along the bustling Delhi-Dehradun highway in the scenic district of Haridwar, Roorkee, this pioneering project spans over 35 bigha of prime land, with an array of offerings poised to captivate both sports enthusiasts and leisure seekers alike. Cricket Stadium: At the core of Fusion Mavericks lies a cutting-edge cricket stadium, positioned to become the nucleus of sporting fervor in Uttarakhand under the leadership of Rajiv Yadav. Boasting world-class amenities and a capacity to host exhilarating matches and events, this stadium is set to propel the state's cricketing prowess to unprecedented heights, attracting attention from across the nation. Cricket Practice Arena: Complementing the stadium is a meticulously designed cricket practice arena, tailored to nurture talent and cultivate excellence in the sport, a vision championed by Rajiv Yadav. From budding youngsters to seasoned professionals, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a nurturing ground for future cricketing stars, firmly establishing Uttarakhand on the global cricketing map. Sports Arena: However, the allure of Fusion Mavericks extends beyond cricket, encompassing a comprehensive sports arena replete with diverse athletic facilities, guided by the vision of Rajiv Yadav. From basketball courts to tennis courts, this inclusive approach to sports ensures individuals of all ages and interests can partake in the thrill of physical activity and competition, fostering a culture of health and wellness within the community. Bamboo-themed Resort: Adding to the project's allure is a captivating bamboo-themed resort, offering a tranquil retreat amidst the natural splendor of Uttarakhand, a vision brought to life by Rajiv Yadav. Surrounded by lush bamboo groves and panoramic views of the Himalayas, this resort promises an immersive escape for travelers seeking solace and rejuvenation, blending luxury with eco-conscious design principles. Community Development and Economic Growth: Beyond its recreational offerings, Fusion Mavericks endeavors to stimulate economic growth and foster community development in Uttarakhand, driven by the leadership of Rajiv Yadav. With its strategic location and unparalleled amenities, the project is poised to attract sports enthusiasts and leisure travelers from far and wide, injecting vitality into the local economy and positioning the state as a premier destination for sports tourism. As construction commences on this transformative project, anticipation mounts for the dawn of a new era in Uttarakhand's sporting and leisure legacy, guided by the unwavering vision of Rajiv Yadav. Stay tuned as Fusion Mavericks sets the stage for a paradigm shift in the region's recreational landscape, promising an unparalleled fusion of sports, leisure, and natural splendor unlike any other. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

55 candidates left in fray for five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand

55 candidates left in fray for five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand One independent candidate from Almora has withdrawn from the contest leaving only 55 candidates in the fray for the April 19 Lok Sabha polls in Uttarakhand. Arjun Kumar Dev, the independent candidate from Almora, withdrew on the last date for withdrawal of nominations on Saturday, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande said. Dev was the lone candidate to withdraw, he said. There are now a total of 55 candidates in the fray for the five Lok Sabha constituencies in the state which go to polls in the first phase on April 19. There are 11 candidates in the fray for Tehri seat, 13 for Pauri Garhwal, 7 for Almora, 10 for Nainital and 14 for Haridwar, Jogdande said. The additional chief electoral officer said that publishing and broadcasting of exit poll results will be completely prohibited during the entire election process as per the Election Commission's instructions. Jogdande said that there will be a ban on the publication and telecast of exit polls from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1. All media houses will have to ensure compliance with these restrictions, he said. Along with this, conducting opinion polls and publishing and broadcasting its results 48 hours before the end of voting will also be completely prohibited, Jogdande said.

BSP's sudden entry may alter the dynamics of 2 Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Election enthusiasm is increasing across the country, and the hill state of Uttarakhand is not left out. Voting for the five seats in Uttarakhand is scheduled for April 19, in the first phase of elections. Wednesday marked the deadline for filing nominations, with Saturday set as the final day for withdrawal of candidatures. A total of 56 candidates are vying for the five parliamentary seats in the state. Here, although the main contest was considered to be between the Congress and BJP, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has now stepped in unexpectedly. BSP has suddenly become a third player in the competition by fielding candidates in all five seats. The move by BSP has distressed the calculations of Congress in Haridwar and Tehri. However, the grand old party is hopeful, despite the dominance of BJP which add to the challenges. Political analyst and social activist Anoop Nautiyal expressed optimism on BSP's significant involvement. Despite not securing any seats in the state during the last Lok Sabha elections, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) wielded considerable influence through their substantial vote share, he said. In two out of five seats, BSP candidates had garnered more votes than the winning margin. This suggests that if these votes had gone to other candidates, the results could have been altered. Speaking to TNIE, author and analyst Jai Singh Rawat said, Since the inception of Uttarakhand as a state, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has consistently held the position as the third-largest party in terms of both vote share and parliamentary seats. Following the state's formation, in the first legislative assembly elections held in 2002, apart from BJP and Congress, the BSP displayed a notable performance, winning seven seats and garnering 10.79% of the votes. According to data, BSP's share of votes in parliamentary elections from Uttarakhand over the past 20 years has been as follows: 6.8% in 2004, 15.2% in 2009, 4.8% in 2014, and 5.3% in 2019.

1st death anniversary of Swami Mast Bab observed

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 29: The first death anniversary of Swami Mast Bab was observed with special Pooja and Hawan at his ashrams in Hushroo and Badipora Chadura (Budgam), Karala (Delhi), Shalimar Garden (UP), Patoli (Jammu) and Haridwar, today. D C Budgam Akshay Labroo joined the devotees at Hushroo (Budgam) in paying obeisance to Swami Ji. Swami Mast Bab ji left his physical body last year and was the last legend of Nand Parivar connected deeply to Sharda Peeth (PoK). [] The post 1st death anniversary of Swami Mast Bab observed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Income tax sleuths raid poly chemicals major Forace Polymers

Income tax sleuths raid poly chemicals major Forace Polymers Simultaneous raids are being conducted by the income tax department at various locations of major poly chemical manufacturing company Forace Polymers in Delhi, Gujarat and Haridwar (Uttarakhand). The raids began on March 27 and are still on, sources here said. The raids are also being conducted at the residences of the company's directors Suresh Gupta and Vikas Garg in Haridwar's Nand Vihar area, they said. Headquartered in Haridwar, the company also has its offices in Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai and Rajasthan. Cash worth Rs 2.5 crore, documents, mobile phones and laptops/computers of all the employees of the company have been seized during the raids going on at different locations. The team is interrogating every employee of the company, the sources said. According to sources, the turnover of Forace Polymers is said to be more than Rs 1,000 crore. The company and its directors are accused of tax evasion. Inputs and evidences related to several movable and immovable assets acquired in the name of the company director's wife are also being scrutinised, they said.

Uttarakhand's Haridwar constituency becomes hot seat for veterans

DEHRADUN: The contest on two of the five Lok Sabha seats in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, popularly known as Devbhoomi, has become very interesting and complicated too. In Haridwar and Pauri Lok Sabha seats, the political future of both BJP and Congress veterans are at stake. In Haridwar, the Congress has fielded Virendra Rawat, son of former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, whilst the BJP, on the other hand, has shown faith in Trivendra Rawat. Trivendra was ousted from his position as Chief Minister in 2021 during the Gairsain assembly session. After a three-year hiatus, the party has sought to 'recompense' Trivendra by nominating him as a Lok Sabha candidate. Meanwhile, Harish Rawat's political standing is in line with the debut of his son. For Harish Rawat, this election has become a question of prestige as his son Virendra Rawat is contesting for the seat Rawat had lost to former Chief Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. Speaking to TNIE, senior political analyst Udit Ghildiyal told, Undoubtedly, Trivendra Rawat holds a significant advantage, yet the path ahead is far from smooth; instead, it promises to be a fierce and challenging battle. Explaining the rationale, analyst Udit stated, Trivendra Rawat's victories in the 2002, 2007, and 2017 elections from the Doiwala assembly seat, situated within the Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency, underscore his strong political standing. Given the proximity of Rishikesh and Dharampur to Doiwala, Trivendra is poised to secure a substantial advantage and emerge as a frontrunner in these three constituencies, added Udit. Based on the available data, during the previous Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank emerged victorious over Renuka Rawat, the spouse of first-time contender Harish Rawat, securing a substantial lead of 50.38 per cent. Contesting on a Congress ticket, Renuka Rawat garnered a mere 35.25 per cent of the votes, while Nishank received an impressive 592,320 votes compared to Renuka's 414,498 votes. In Uttarakhand, which has a total of five Lok Sabha seats, the Haridwar seat has always been hotly contested. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has been a Member of Parliament from this seat since 2014. Harish Rawat was elected the MP from this seat in 2009. In 2004, Rajendra Kumar Badi of the Samajwadi Party was elected as the MP. Meanwhile, the two time MP, Union Human Resource Development Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who has been replaced by Trivendra Singh Rawat in the Haridwar seat, refuted accusations of being a passive observer and expressed no remorse. Nishank emphasized that his primary objective is to secure a resounding victory for the party in the elections. Historical data indicates that upon the establishment of the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat in 1977, former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh wielded significant influence in this region. Over the years, the political landscape of the Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency has experienced fluctuations, with the BJP predominantly holding sway. The outcomes of victories and defeats in this electoral domain have emerged as pivotal tools for political parties to recalibrate their strategies and maintain equilibrium in other regions.

BHEL Gets Rs 4,000-Crore Order From Adani Power For Thermal Project

The boiler and turbine generator are to be manufactured at BHELs Trichy and Haridwar plants, respectively.

Haridwar candidate found supporting BJP, BSP changes nominee

Congress fielding fresh candidates in Uttarakhand may boost chances for BJP, say analysts

DEHRADUN: While the Congress is already facing tough challenges by fielding new faces in four of the five seats in Uttarakhand for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bahujan Samaj Party has just made it even more worse for the grand old party. BSP has unexpectedly announced two Muslim candidates from Haridwar and Nainital seats, making the entire electoral equation more complicated for the Congress, as the party is also heavily dependent on the same muslim vote bank. Political analysts argue that the decision by the Congress leadership to introduce fresh candidates in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, rather than relying on seasoned politicians, may inadvertently bolster the BJP's chances in the hilly state. BJP has in the previous general elections, managed to secure five seats in the state. Political analysts and experts have termed Congress' move as a walkover by the Congress to the BJP. After the deadline for filing nominations for five seats in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, candidates' forms will be scrutinised on March 28, with an option to withdraw names available by March 30. Thereafter, candidates will have only three weeks to campaign before the April 19 election. In addition to Pradeep Tamta from Almora, the Congress has introduced fresh candidates for the remaining four parliamentary constituencies in the state. Jot Singh Ghansola for Tehri, Ganesh Godiyal for Pauri, Virendra Rawat for Haridwar, and Prakash Joshi for Nainital are the newcomers. Notably, prominent party figures such as Harish Rawat, Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, and Harak Singh Rawat have opted out of contesting in this parliamentary election. Historian and political analyst Jai Singh Rawat characterized the present situation in Uttarakhand as lamentable. In the upcoming election, which is poised to be a contest between the BJP's religion-focused agenda and the diminishing ethical standards of Congress members, with the exception of a single seat, the Congress has effectively given a walkover to the BJP on all seats in the state. Political analyst Avikal Thapliyal told this daily, BSP leader Mayawati, who appears to be charting a distinct course from the Indian alliance, has clearly caused a division in the secular vote by fielding a Muslim candidate in Haridwar. Here, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has secured a ticket from the Congress for his son Virendra Rawat's political launch. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national general secretary Mewalal Gautam on Tuesday announced candidates for five seats in Uttarakhand -- Neemchand Churiyal from Tehri, Dhir Singh Bisht from Pauri, Narayan Ram from Almora, Akhtar Ali Mahigir from Nainital and Jamil Ahmed from Haridwar.

Vande Bharat Train: Vande Bharat Express started on this route, there will be stoppage at these stations; Know the schedule

This train will reach Dehradun at 1:35 pm via Bareilly, Moradabad, Haridwar. On the very first day there was a waiting list of eight in the AC chair car. Similarly, there is waiting on 31st March also. Vande Bharat Express from Lucknow Junction to Dehradun has started from today. There is continuous waiting in this [] The post Vande Bharat Train: Vande Bharat Express started on this route, there will be stoppage at these stations; Know the schedule first appeared on informalnewz .

Lok Sabha polls: BSP candidate from Haridwar quits party, to join BJP

Haridwar, Mar 26 (PTI) A day after she joined the BSP and was named candidate from Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, Bhavna Pandey on Tuesday quit the party dealing a blow to it. Pandey said she will join the BJP on March 28. I will campaign for BJP candidate Trivendra Singh Rawat, she told PTI. Soon after Pandey quit the BSP, the Mayawati-led party declared Maulana Jameel Ahmed Kazmi, former party MLA in Uttar Pradesh, as its new candidate from Haridwar. BSP supremo Mayawati had also contested from Haridwar in 1984. She had garnered around 1.25 lakh votes but lost the polls. The BJP has been winning Haridwar seat since 2014 general elections. It has fielded former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat from the seat this time, replacing Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. The Congress has fielded former chief minister and party veteran Harish Rawat's son Virender Rawat from Haridwar. Former journalist and independent MLA from Khanpur Umesh Kumar has also entered the fray from the seat as an independent. Kumar had made a sting video of the then chief minister Harish Rawat in which he was seen negotiating a deal to buy back the support of rebel MLAs in 2016. PTI CORR ALM ALM KVK KVK Disclaimer: This article is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Deccan Chronicle team

Trivendra Rawat condemns Shrinate's remark on Kangana

Haridwar, Mar 26 (PTI) Former chief minister and BJP's Haridwar candidate Trivendra Singh Rawat on Tuesday condemned the indecent remarks made by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on actress Kangana Ranaut terming it as unfortunate and highly condemnable. The BJP has fielded Kangana from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Dubbing the indecent comment made by the Congress leader on Ranaut as unfortunate, Rawat said any indecent comment made on a woman is highly condemnable. Mother power has a special place in our country. A few days ago, Rahul Gandhi had also given a controversial statement regarding power. Here shakti is considered as mother power, Rawat said. Congress has always insulted mother power. The people of the country will answer this, he added. PTI Corr ALM AS AS Disclaimer: This article is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Deccan Chronicle team

Holi In Haridwar: New Trivendra Singh Rawat, New Slogan, New Beginning

2 killed, 3 injured after UP roadways bus hits SUV in Muzaffarnagar

MUZAFFARNAGAR: Two persons died and three were seriously injured when their SUV was hit by an Uttar Pradesh roadways bus on the Ganga canal road here, police said on Monday. The accident took place on Sunday night when the SUV was on its way from Haridwar to Ghaziabad, they said. Ankur Tyagi (28) and Monti (25) died when their SUV was hit by an Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) bus between Beldra and Nirgajni villages under the Bhopa police station area. Three other occupants of the SUV sustained serious injuries in the accident and were shifted to the hospital, Station House Officer Vinod Kumar said. The bus driver fled after the accident, leaving behind his vehicle, he said. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, the SHO said.

Exodus continues as 3-time BSP MLA from Haridwar joins BJP

DEHRADUN: As part of its ongoing drive to woo prominent leaders of other parties, the BJP has succeeded in bringing three-time Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Haridas from Jhabrera assembly constituency in Haridwar parliamentary constituency into its party fold. The BJP has managed to rope in several influential leaders. A significant number of Congress besides few Aam Aadmi Party members have recently crossed over to the BJP camp. The BJP has fielded former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat for the Haridwar Lok Sabha seat, replacing the incumbent MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. In order to avoid potential backlash from Nishanks supporters and to ensure a smooth campaign for Trivendra, the BJP seems hesitant to take any risks in the upcoming elections in Haridwar. Since the inception of Uttarakhand, the BSP has maintained a solid voter base in the Haridwar and Roorkee region. The recent induction of Haridas into BJP is being seen as a strategic move to potentially sway BSPs established support towards the BJP, marking a significant development in the political landscape of the region. With senior leader Haridas joining the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has got support from all religions, castes, regions and Devbhoomi, BJP state president Mahender Bhatt said. BSP state president Chaudhary Shishpal said, Haridas was not in BSP, he was already expelled from the party. On the other hand, the Congress party finalised its candidates for the constituencies of Haridwar and Nainital. The decision to award a ticket to Harish Rawats son, Virendra, has stirred up controversy for the veteran politician.

Virender got Cong ticket from Haridwar for being dedicated party worker: Harish Rawat

Harish Rawat endorses son Virender for Haridwar LS seat, emphasizing dedication. Virender competes against Trivendra Singh Rawat, while Prakash Joshi challenges Union minister Ajay Bhatt in the upcoming elections.

Digvijaya Singh, Karti Chidambaram In Congress' 4th List of Candidates

New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday released its fourth list of 45 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, fielding its Uttar Pradesh unit chief Ajay Rai from Varanasi to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.While the Congress fielded veteran leader Digvijaya Singh from Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh, it nominated newly-inducted leader Lal Singh from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur to take on Union minister Jitendra Singh. MLA Vikas Thakare will take on Union minister Nitin Gadkari in Maharashtra's Nagpur, according to the list. In its fourth list, the party announced candidates for 12 seats of Madhya Pradesh, nine of Uttar Pradesh, seven of Tamil Nadu, four of Maharashtra, two each of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir, and one each of West Bengal, Assam, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh. The Congress has left the Nagaur parliamentary constituency in Rajasthan for the Hanuman Beniwal-led Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP). The tie-up with the RLP is significant as the Congress looks to boost its position in the desert state, where it lost the Assembly polls recently and had not won a single seat in 2019 Lok Sabha election. The party is looking to expand its support base among the jats with the tie-up with Beniwal, who has a significant following among the community. For Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress is in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and contesting 17 seats, it has announced candidates for nine seats. These include Rai from Varanasi, Danish Ali from Amroha, Imran Masood from Saharanpur and Alok Mishra from Kanpur. The suspense over whether Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the polls from Amethi and Raebareli respectively continued. There is speculation that Rahul Gandhi may also contest the polls from Amethi, besides his declared seat of Wayanad in Kerala, and Priyanka Gandhi from Raebareli, a seat which was previously held by her mother, Sonia Gandhi. This will be Rai's third direct contest against Modi in the general election after 2014 and 2019. He had lost both times to the prime minister by big margins. Amethi and Raebareli are considered bastions of the Gandhi family and the local units of the Congress have demanded that the two scions of the family contest the polls from there. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has also fielded Ram Nath Sikarwar from Fatehpur Sikri, Pradeep Jain Aditya from Jhansi, Tanuj Punia from Barabanki (SC), Akhilesh Pratap Singh from Deoria and Sadan Prasad from Bansgaon (SC). In Tamil Nadu, the party has renominated Karti Chidambaram from Sivaganga, Manickam Tagore from Virudhunagar, S Jothimani from Karur and Vijay Vasanth from Kanniyakumari, among others. In Madhya Pradesh, the party has fielded Digvijaya Singh from Rajgarh, Kantilal Bhuria from Ratlam (ST), Akshay Bam from Indore and Arun Shrivastav from Bhopal, among others. Singh had last contested the polls from Bhopal but lost to the BJP's Pragya Thakur in 2019. Among other significant nominations by the party, it has fielded Kawasi Lakhma from Bastar (ST), Raman Bhalla from Jammu, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from Inner Manipur, Alfred Kanngam S Arthur from Outer Manipur (ST), Anil Chopra from Jaipur Rural, Bhajanlal Jatav from Karauli Dholpur, former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat's son Virender Rawat from Haridwar and Piya Roy Chowdhury from Coochbehar (SC). With this, the Congress has declared a total of 183 candidates for the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls starting April 19.

BJP eyes hat-trick in Uttarakhand, zeroes in on 22 Assembly seats

DEHRADUN: The BJP secured consecutive victories in the last two Lok Sabha elections, winning all five Lok Sabha seats from Uttarakhand. It is now setting its sights on a hat-trick in the state. The partys focus is on 22 assembly constituencies where it faced setbacks in the previous assembly elections. This proactive approach by the BJP has further compounded the Congress challenges. The opposition party is already in disarray and lacks coordination. Reports say two BJP candidates have also filed their nomination papers, while the Congress is yet to declare its candidates Haridwar and Nainital. BJP targets 75 per cent vote share in Uttarakhand LS polls Speaking to this newspaper, Manveer Chauhan, the state BJP media in charge, said that Trivendra Singh Rawat submitted his nomination papers for the Haridwar seat online on Friday. Ajay Tamta also filed his papers from Almora, while Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah and Anil Baluni are supposed to follow suit from for Tehri and Pauri seats respectively on March 26. In the 70-member state Assembly, the BJP won 47 seats in the previous assembly elections. The party had to face defeat in 23. In view of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has opened its doors to other parties, including the Congress. In such a situation, it has succeeded in bringing Congress MLA Rajendra Bhandari from the Badrinath seat under the Garhwal parliamentary seat. Congress exodus in Uttarakhand continues, party's Badrinath MLA joins BJP along with supporters According to party sources, the BJP has managed to capture all the 14 assembly segments that fall under the Garhwal parliamentary seat. Now it is focusing on 22 assembly segments that fall under the remaining four parliamentary seats. The party is working on a separate strategy for achieving its target. Sources said the party is concentrating on the assembly constituencies of Pratap Nagar, Yamunotri, and Chakrata within the Tehri parliamentary constituency. The party is focused on Pithoragarh, Dharchula, Almora, Dwarahat and Lohaghat.

U'khand: Cong announces 4th list of candidates, fields ex-CM Harish Rawat's son from Haridwar

U'khand: Cong announces 4th list of candidates, fields ex-CM Harish Rawat's son from Haridwar The Congress on Saturday announced its candidates for the two remaining Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, fielding former chief minister and senior party leader Harish Rawat's elder son Virender Rawat from Haridwar and Prakash Joshi from Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar. They were figured in the fourth list of candidates announced by the Congress in New Delhi on Saturday. Virender Rawat is pitted against former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat of the BJP in Haridwar while Joshi will take on Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt in Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar. BJP's Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank won from Haridwar in both 2014 and 2019 general elections, however, Virender's father Harish Rawat had won it in 2009. Prakash Joshi is an INC office bearer. Congress had earlier announced its candidates for the other three Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand -- Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Almora. Jot Singh Gunsola is the party's candidate from Tehri Garhwal against sitting BJP MP from the seat Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Ganesh Godiyal from Pauri Garhwal and Pradeep Tamta from Almora. Godiyal will take on BJP national media incharge Anil Baluni in Pauri Garhwal while Paradeep Tamta will battle it out against former Union minister Ajay Tamta in Almora, a seat the latter has been winning since 2014.

Development has got new wings under PM Modi, says Uttarakhand CM Dhami

Development has got new wings under PM Modi, says Uttarakhand CM Dhami Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while paying tribute to the great revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru on their martyrdom day, said that exactly two years ago, the BJP government was formed in the state with a full majority, and he got the responsibility of the Chief Servant in the government. He said that in the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP candidate from Haridwar won with a huge majority. He urged the public to break all the old records in the upcoming general elections as well and set new ones. He said that in 2 years, the state government has taken forward many schemes by facing the biggest challenges. He said that on the polling day to be held on April 19, by going in large numbers and voting in favour of the BJP, Narendra Modi will be made the Prime Minister of India for the third time. The Chief Minister said that, as per the appeal of PM Modi, we have to contribute to the slogan of 400 Paar on June 4. The development schemes of the country and the state have increased under the leadership of the Prime Minister, he added. India's respect and self-respect have increased in the whole world. India's identity has been enriched, and development has gotten new wings. India is touching new heights and has emerged as a powerful country in the world, he added. Further appreciating PM Modi, he said that, as per his resolve, the Prime Minister has implemented the CAA law in the country. The grand construction of Ram Temple has been done. Article 370 has been abolished in Kashmir. Today, terrorism has been eradicated. Even after Corona, India's economy is the 5th largest economy in the world. Muslim sisters have gotten freedom from triple talaq. The Chief Minister said that women had participated enthusiastically in the Matrishakti programme in the Haridwar district. Women have come to the programme and given us their blessings. A large number of Muslim sisters also thanked us for UCC; the credit goes to the 1.25 crore people of Uttarakhand. He said that the vacant space under various flyovers in Haridwar is being developed as a sports zone. Along with this, commercial complexes, parking, and parks can also be built under the flyovers. Lakhs of devotees pass through the Kavad Patti route. The Kavad Patti route is also being developed permanently. Work is going on on many development schemes at the level of HRDA. Apart from this, development work is going on in every field, he added. Hitting out at the Congress party, CM Dhami said, Congress has looted the country for many decades. After the Mughals and the British, it was Congress that made India poor. The corrupt governments of Congress broke all the records of scams. Every month, some big scams used to come to light during their tenure. He further lashed out, saying that Congress has always done the politics of nepotism and appeasement in the country. All the corrupt people have allied to mislead the country. But the public will take forward the development happening under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi ji has made alliances with every citizen of the country, with every Indian. The whole country is his family, he added. (ANI)

Congress on bumpy road on Haridwar, Nainital seats

DEHRADUN: In Uttarakhand, the Congress is in a dilemma over finalizing candidates for the Haridwar and Nainital seats. Due to internal tussles and turmoil within the Congress in Uttarakhand, the names of candidates have not yet been announced for all five seats of the state. Despite continuous deliberations regarding the Nainital and Haridwar seats, no consensus has been reached, even at the partys high command level. Uttarakhand is scheduled to vote on April 19 in the first phase of the general elections. While the Congress has announced its candidates for Tehri, Pauri, and Almora, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already announced its candidates for all five Lok Sabha seats in the state. Information obtained from confidential sources within the Congress party in Uttarakhand indicates that Yashpal Arya, the Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand assembly, who had initially expressed interest in contesting the Nainital seat, has now retracted his statement. The partys top leadership is deeply concerned about this development. Sources suggest that Aryas decision may have been influenced by significant pressure from a dominant faction within the BJP. Similarly, Ganesh Godiyal, the designated Congress candidate for the Pauri parliamentary seat, is also facing mounting pressure. Notably, the Maharashtra Income Tax Department issued a summons to Godiyal, mandating his personal appearance on March 22. While the BJP is preparing to file nominations for all five seats in Uttarakhand, the Congress is still undecided about the candidates for the Haridwar and Nainital seats. Although there was a possibility of declaring candidates for these seats in the meeting of the Central Election Committee of the Congress on Tuesday, the issue was not addressed due to a lack of consensus. State in-charge Selja Kumari held a meeting with the top leaders of the state, but a decision on the candidates is still pending.

3 Day travel plan from Delhi: - If you are planning to travel with family from Delhi, then complete the trip like this at Rs 15,000

If you want to go on a 3-day holiday from Delhi, then you should choose such places which are nearby. If you plan to visit places located at a distance of 200 to 300 km, your budget will also be less and you will be able to travel back in less time. In today's article, we will tell you about some places where you can visit with your entire family on a low budget. Make a trip to Haridwar If you are going on a trip with your elderly parents and children, then you can plan to go to Haridwar. Distance- The distance from Delhi to Haridwar is 246.6 km. You can reach here in just 4 to 5 hours. If you are going by your own car, you will get comfort, but the expenses may be higher. Because you will have to pay toll and petrol on the way. But you can move around comfortably with it. If you do not have your own car, then plan to go to Haridwar by train. You can easily get train tickets in Sleeper Coach from Delhi for Rs 185 to 200. After reaching Haridwar, you can book a car to roam around. A place to stay- Since you are planning a trip with your family, then you can plan to stay at such places where you will not be charged any fees. Instead of hotels, you get the facility of free stay in ashrams like Prem Nagar Ashram, Sapt Rishi Ashram, Shantikunj Ashram and Shri Jairam Ashram. In this way, you can easily complete a 3-day trip with your entire family in just Rs 15,000. Rishikesh Distance- The distance from Delhi to Rishikesh is 262.7 km. You can reach here via NH 334 in 5 hours. You can also come here by your car or by train and bus. If you are planning a trip on a low budget, then travelling by train with your family will be beneficial for you. You will get a train ticket from Delhi to Rishikesh for only Rs 185 to 200. After reaching here, you can book a cab and visit Rishikesh. For stay - Keep in mind that if you want to plan a trip on a low budget, then plan to stay here on Free Stay Places. There are many places in Rishikesh where you can spend the night for free. These are the best places in terms of safety and cleanliness. Here you can stay for free at places like ParmarthNiketan Ashram, Bharat Heritage Services and GeetaBhawan Ashram. Neemrana Distance- The distance from Delhi to Neemrana is 145.6 km. You can reach here from Western Peripheral Expy and NH 48 in 4 hours. Here you can enjoy activities like Neemrana Fort Palace, NeemranaStepwell, Zip Lining, and Flying Fox. A place to stay- Here you can choose a hostel instead of a hotel to spend the night. You will have to pay 500 to 600 rupees for one night. If you want to complete the trip in Rs 16 thousand, then this is the best option for you. Image Credit- Freepik

Lok Sabha polls: IT Department deploys 100 officers in Uttarakhand to curb black money

Lok Sabha polls: IT Department deploys 100 officers in Uttarakhand to curb black money Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Department has deployed a team of 100 Income Tax officers and employees in the five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand to curb black money and unaccounted cash. Along with this, every activity of the election is being monitored from the control room, which is operated 24 hours. The Air Intelligence Unit is monitoring the airports and special teams have been deployed at railway stations and border checkpoints. Dr TS Mapwal, Additional Director of the Investigation Branch of the Income Tax Department has been appointed as the state's nodal officer for the elections. He said that teams have been activated in every district of the state regarding unaccounted cash, and are taking action to legally seize cash upon receiving information. Earlier, the Income Tax Department sent summons to Congress candidate from Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha seat Ganesh Godiyal asking him to appear in person at its office in Thane in Maharashtra on March 22. Godiyal received the notice from the I-T department on Tuesday. Congress leader Godiyal is contesting Lok Sabha elections against BJP's Anil Baluni from Pauri Garhwal constituency. Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand are scheduled to take place on April 19, as per the Election Commission of India. This election will be held in a single phase, covering all constituencies. The BJP won from all the parliamentary constituencies in the state in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections. There are 5 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttarakhand, including Almora, Garhwal (Pauri), Haridwar, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, and Tehri Garhwal. (ANI)

Travel tips: Feel like going to the mountains, visit these 10 places in Uttarakhand

Summer holidays are nearing their end and before it ends, everyone wants to go out and enjoy these holidays. Well, there are plenty of places to visit. But there is hardly anything better than the mountains to visit during summer. For this, the best place in the country is Uttarakhand, where seeing the views of the valleys, you too will call it paradise. Every place in Uttarakhand gives the feeling of heaven. When the sun's rays fall on the mountain range here, its glow is worth seeing. The joy of playing with snow here is something else. Even today there are many offbeat destinations that very few people know about. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about some such places in Uttarakhand where visiting will become an unforgettable memory for you. Let us know about these places... Paura Paura village of Nainital is one of the tourist places of Uttarakhand. This village, full of natural beauty, is situated at an altitude of 6600 feet above sea level. Since it is an offbeat destination, the village continues to shine. Many people do not know but Paura village is called the fruit bowl of Uttarakhand. Plums, apples, and peaches are found in large quantities here. You can experience the beautiful and thrilling trek of this village. There is no market here, but you can buy herbal face packs, and spices from here at low prices. Dayara Bugyal Dayara Bugyal is situated at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level in Uttarkashi. The road to this beautiful meadow cuts through a place called Bhatwari situated on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri road. To reach Dayara Bugyal, travelers have to cover a distance of about 8 kilometers by trekking from Barsu village. During winter tourists can enjoy skiing on the slopes in this area spread over approximately 28 square km. This place also offers a spectacular view of the Himalayas. Chaukori The hill station located in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand is the perfect place to spend some peace from your busy life. At this place full of natural beauty, you can roam in the lush green meadows. Can visit beautiful tea gardens. You can enjoy activities like trekking, camping, and solo traveling. Apart from all this, one can also visit some important places like Patal Bhuvaneshwari, Nakuleshwar Temple, Mustamanu Temple, Harinag Temple, Ghunsera Devi Temple, Arjuneshwar Shiv Temple, Kalinag, Kapileshwar, Mahadev Temple and Chineshwar Falls. Kasar Devi Place Kasar Devi can be reached from Delhi via Kathgodam, Almora. This is a place where along with seeing the beauty of nature, the mind also gets peace and relaxation. Kasardevi Shaktipeeth is located in Almora, Uttarakhand. Situated at a total distance of 8 km from Almora, this place is a center of unique power. Even NASA scientists are surprised by the space charge and are doing research. Because of the unique peace of mind, people from all over the country and abroad come here. There is a belief about this temple that the Goddess herself had incarnated here. Every year a huge fair is organized in this temple on the day of Kartik Purnima, in which thousands of people participate. Chopta Chopta is a small but beautiful hill station in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state. Chopta, surrounded by alpine meadows and evergreen forests, is very much liked by the people. To reach here you will first have to reach Haridwar or Rishikesh. Then from there, you will get a bus to Chopta (Mini Switzerland). The distance from Gopeshwar to Chopta is only 43 kilometers. Chopta is no less than a paradise for trekkers. Being part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta is also home to several rare species of wildlife, including the musk deer and the monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand. Dhat This hill station of Uttarakhand is much liked for its untouched beauty and peaceful environment. Very few people know about it, hence there is neither much crowd nor much filth here. Surrounded by dense forests, high mountain meadows, rivers, and glaciers, this hill station is no less than a paradise for a weekend visit. Here, apart from taking a tour of Ascot Century, you can also enjoy hiking and camping. Valley of Flowers Valley of Flowers, located in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, is called 'Valley of Flowers'. This is a national park in India. Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park are jointly declared World Heritage Sites. This valley is spread over 87 square kilometers at an altitude of 3962 meters above sea level. More than three hundred flowers like Himalayan Blue Poppy, rare Brahma Lotus, Orange Ponytella, Astralagus, and Rosa are spreading their splendor in the Valley of Flowers. Munsiyari This hill station of Uttarakhand, famous as Little Kashmir, holds a prominent place in the list of various hill stations worth visiting in Uttarakhand. Due to the natural beauty of this place, the number of tourists coming here is increasing rapidly. If you are a nature lover, then you should visit this station of Uttarakhand. This is a great place to go for a picnic or a picnic with your family, friends, or couples. There are also major tourist places like Panchachuli Peak, Birthi Fall, Nanda Devi Temple, Thamri Kund, Maheshwari Kund, Kalamuni Temple, Tribal Heritage Museum, Betuli Dhar and Gori Ganga River which you can visit. Apart from this, you can also do trekking here. And you can also enjoy camping. You can take pictures of beautiful valleys here. Shitalakhet Shitalakhet is also one of the beautiful hill stations of the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand. Shitalakhet is not very popular as a tourist destination, but it is a favorite place for tourists who want to live near nature. Shitalakhet is at a distance of 32 kilometers from Almora. It is known for its natural beauty and view of the Himalayan peaks. From here the very wide range of Himalayas is close by. It is surrounded by approximately 1800 hectares of forest area. Shitalakhet is one of those places in Kumaon where very dense forest is present. Lohaghat If anyone can be called the real diamond of Uttarakhand, then it is Lohaghat. It is a very clean and beautiful place to visit the mountains in this season. This is a perfect destination for rafting and adventure sports lovers. The view of Lohaghat is worth seeing during the summer season. In this season this place is filled with Buran's flowers. Pancheshwajar, Banasur Fort, and Mayawati Ashram near Lohaghat are good places to visit. (PC: Lifeberrys)

Microplastics may pose risk to Indo-Gangetic plain: Study

Microplastics may pose risk to Indo-Gangetic plain: Study Polymers in microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain, a study on the Ganga and Yamuna rivers by the Goa-based CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has said. Researchers behind the study have said their findings could serve as a starting point for an action plan required by municipal corporations to ''mitigate plastic pollution and target the possible sources at each location.'' Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. The study, titled A comprehensive assessment of macro and microplastics from Rivers Ganga and Yamuna: Unveiling the seasonal, spatial and risk factors, has been published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials on Saturday. As per the study, conducted by a team led by CSIR-NIO principal scientist Dr Mahua Saha, microplastics were detected in the Ganga from Haridwar to Patna, with the pollutant concentration being higher during wet (rainy) season than the dry season. The high-hazard polymers in microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain, it said. In surface water, during the wet season, the highest abundance of microplastics was found in Haridwar and the lowest was observed in Patna. During the dry season, Agra had the highest affluence of microplastics, while Patna and Haridwar had the lowest concentration, as per the researchers. During the study, the researchers also identified the plastic leakage vulnerable regions using GIS applications and field surveys. Among all, Agra recorded the highest plastic leakage followed by Prayagraj, Patna and Haridwar. In contrast, the microplastic concentration was highest during the wet season compared to the dry season for surface water, water column and sediments, it said. The microplastic abundance in surface water, water columns and sediments along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers differed evidently during the wet and dry seasons, the researchers concluded. During the study, it was observed that significant waste was brought by the river from the upstream cities in the dry season and was deposited in the floodplain region. These wastes get washed off during the wet season. As a result, it is conceivable that over time, these macroplastics might have degraded into smaller pieces and subsequently transported into the adjacent river systems by urban run-off during the wet season, said the study. The dispersion of microplastics is not limited to localised areas in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, it said. However, it is challenging to distinguish the exact incorporation of microplastics between locally generated plastics and those carried from upstream sources since many rivers pass through the residential areas and due to the lack of awareness, sometimes local deposition of plastics into the river is much higher, the researchers said. The other researchers involved in the study included Priyansha Gupta, Akshata Naik, M Manish Kumar, Chaynika Rathore, Shrish Vashisth from the CSIR-NIO and Shukla Pai Maitra, K D Bharadwaj and Harsh Thakural from the Delhi-based National Productivity Council.

Uttarakhand SC, ST scholarship scam: ED attaches assets worth over Rs 1 cr in Haridwar

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UP: Two prisoners in Saharanpur district jail die after suffering cardiac arrest

UP: Two prisoners in Saharanpur district jail die after suffering cardiac arrest Two prisoners lodged in Saharanpur district jail died on Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest, a jail official said. The two deceased were Mainpal Singh (54), a resident of Haridwar in Uttarakhand, serving a six-year jail term in a rape case and Hasan (30) from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar, a convict in a theft case, Superintendent of Saharanpur district jail Amita Dubey told PTI. Singh was handed the jail term by a court in Haridwar after which he was transferred to Saharanpur district jail. Dubey said both of them suffered a heart attack on Saturday and were admitted to the district hospital. They died on Sunday while undergoing treatment, the jail official said. The bodies would be handed over to their families after post-mortem.

Microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain: Study

Microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain: Study Polymers in microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain, a study on rivers Ganga and Yamuna by the Goa-based CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography has concluded. The study titled 'A comprehensive assessment of macro and microplastics from Rivers Ganga and Yamuna: Unveiling the seasonal, spatial and risk factors', has been published in the 'Journal of Hazardous Materials'. The researchers behind the study have said that their findings could serve as a starting point for the action plan required by municipal corporations to tackle plastic pollution and target the possible sources. As per the study, conducted by a team led by Dr Mahua Saha, Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), microplastics were detected in Ganga from Haridwar to Patna, with the concentration of the pollutant being higher during the wet (rainy) season than the dry season. The high-hazard polymers in microplastics may pose a risk to the Indo-Gangetic plain, it said. Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. The researchers have found that in surface water, during the wet season, the highest abundance of microplastics was found in Haridwar and the lowest was observed in Patna. During the dry season, Agra had the highest affluence of microplastics, while Patna and Haridwar had the lowest concentration. The study findings could serve as a starting point for the action plan required by municipal corporations to mitigate plastic pollution and target the possible sources at each location, said the researchers. During the study, the researchers also identified the plastic leakage vulnerable regions using GIS applications and field surveys. Among all, Agra recorded the highest plastic leakage followed by Prayagraj, Patna, and Haridwar. In contrast, the microplastic concentration was highest during the wet season compared to the dry season for surface water, water column, and sediments, it said. The researchers have concluded that the microplastic abundance in surface water, water columns, and sediments along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers differed evidently during the wet and dry seasons. During the study, it was observed that significant waste was brought by the river from the upstream cities in the dry season and was deposited in the floodplain region. These wastes get washed off during the wet season. As a result, it is conceivable that over time, these macroplastics might have degraded into smaller pieces and subsequently transported into the adjacent river systems by urban runoff during the wet season, said the study. The study also confirms that the dispersion of microplastics is not limited to localized areas in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. However, it is challenging to distinguish the exact incorporation of microplastics between locally generated plastics and those carried from upstream sources since many rivers pass through the residential areas and due to the lack of awareness sometimes local deposition of plastics into the river is much higher, the researchers have said. The other researchers involved in the study included Priyansha Gupta, Akshata Naik, M Manish Kumar, Chaynika Rathore, Shrish Vashisth from CSIR-NIO and Shukla Pai Maitra, K D Bharadwaj and Harsh Thakural from the Delhi-based National Productivity Council.

Scholarship scam: ED attaches Vardhman Educational Societys assets worth Rs 1 crore

Dehradun, March 17 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached assets of Vardhman Educational Society for allegedly siphoning off government funds received under the SC/ST scholarship scheme, purportedly for personal usage. The ED attached its immovable property in form of a land and building situated in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, under the provisions of PMLA 2002. []

BJP hopes for smooth sailing in five LS seats in Uttarakhand

BJP hopes for smooth sailing in five LS seats in Uttarakhand The BJP is looking to hoist the saffron flag yet again in all five Lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand, having won from all the parliamentary constituencies in the state in both the 2014 and 2019 general elections. While two Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand -- Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and Almora -- are located in Kumaon region, the remaining three seats of Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal and Garhwal (Pauri) are in the Garhwal region. Union Minister of state for tourism and defence Ajay Bhatt had won the Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seat in 2019, defeating former chief minister Harish Rawat by 3,39,096 votes. His victory margin was the biggest of the four other winning BJP candidates. The other seat in Kumaon region is Almora, the lone reserved (SC) seat in the hill state. Ajay Tamta of the BJP has been winning it since 2014. In 2019 he had defeated Pradeep Tamta of the Congress by 2,32,986 votes. In Garhwal (Pauri), former chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat had defeated BJP stalwart Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri's son Manish, a poll debutante on a Congress ticket, by 3,02,669 votes in 2019. Tirath also had a four-month stint as chief minister before being replaced by Pushkar Singh Dhami in 2021. Tehri royal Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah had won from Tehri Garhwal for a third time in a row in 2019 defeating Congress' Pritam Singh by 3,00,586 votes, while former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had defeated Congress' Ambrish Kumar in Haridwar by 2,58,729 votes. It was Pokhriyal's second consecutive poll victory from the seat in 2019. In 2014 he had defeated Harish Rawat's wife Renuka on the seat by 1,77,822 votes. The saffron party which has all the five seats in its kitty at present has fielded its sitting MPs from three of the seats while the candidates for two others have not been decided so far. Of the three seats whose candidates have been announced by the BJP two are in Kumaon region and one in Garhwal. Bhatt has been fielded again from Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Shah from Tehri Garhwal and Tamta from Almora. The two seats from where the party has not announced its candidates as yet are Haridwar, which is represented in the Lok Sabha by Nishank and Garhwal (Pauri) seat which was won by former chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat in 2019.