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JAIPUR: The CID Crime Branch (CID-CB) has initiated an investigation against Sangaria MLA and Sri Ganganagar MP in connection with a case registered over stone-pelting and arson during a protest against the Rathi Kheda ethanol factory in Hanumangarh. Meanwhile, the police have surveyed to assess the damage caused by arson and vandalism. The violence erupted last week near Rathi Kheda in Tibbi tehsil during a protest demanding a halt to the construction of Asias largest ethanol plant. Thousands of villagers and farmers had gathered at the factory construction site. While the protest initially remained peaceful, with speeches being delivered, coordination between the administration and the protesters reportedly broke down, leading to sudden unrest. According to officials, protesters breached police barricades and set several government and private vehicles on fire. An attempt was also made to damage the factory wall. As the situation escalated rapidly, the police and administration were forced to fire tear gas shells and resort to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Over 100 booked, 40 detained in protest against proposed ethanol plant in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh During the clash, 1012 policemen and several protesters were injured, including Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia. Additional police forces were subsequently deployed from neighbouring districts to restore order. Tibbi police station in-charge Hansraj Luna registered a case on December 11 against 108 people under various sections, for reasons including obstruction of government work, damaging government property, attacking police personnel, and inciting violence. Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, Sri Ganganagar MP Kuldeep Indora, and former Bhadra MLA Balwan Poonia have also been named in the case. As a sitting MLA and a sitting MP are named, the investigation has been transferred to the CID-CB, Jaipur. Meanwhile, a separate case was registered on December 12 on the complaint of Jayprakash Sharma, Senior Manager of Dune Ethanol Private Limited, pertaining to trespassing, vandalism, and arson at the factory premises. This FIR does not name any sitting or former MLA or MP, though it names 273 individuals. Hanumangarh Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav said the investigation is underway and added that in view of the proposed protest at the Collectorate on December 17, all necessary steps are being taken to maintain law and order.
ED questions Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in alleged Anil Ambani group money laundering probe
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in connection with an alleged money laundering case involving Reliance Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) companies, with the agency claiming that a quid pro quo arrangement caused substantial losses to the private lender. The Enforcement Directorate questioned Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor as part of a money laundering investigation into Reliance Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) companies on Monday, the agency said. Kapoor reached the ED headquarters late in the morning to join the investigation. His statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a senior officer said, adding that Kapoor and industrialist Anil Ambani allegedly entered into a quid-pro-quo arrangement that resulted in significant losses for Yes Bank. While Rana Kapoor was at the helm of Yes Bank, the bank had a significant exposure of about Rs 6,000 crore to Reliance Anil Ambani Group as on March 31, 2017. This exposure allegedly doubled to around Rs 13,000 crore by March 31, 2018. During this period, Yes Bank invested over Rs 5,000 crore in Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL), both ADAG group companies. A large portion of these investments subsequently turned into non-performing investments (NPI). The bank is said to have suffered a loss of approximately Rs 3,300 crore from these dealings. These were not standard business transactions but a quid-pro-quo, an agency official said. In exchange for Yes Banks investments, ADAG companies allegedly granted loans to firms controlled by Rana Kapoors family members. Rana Kapoor and Anil Ambani held private business meetings, often without other Yes Bank officials present, to agree on these illegal arrangements. Rana Kapoor then instructed Yes Bank officers to process the non-genuine proposals, the official said. Officials said the questioning of Rana Kapoor is part of a wider investigation into alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of official position and financial misconduct, and that further questioning may be carried out as the probe progresses. Apart from the ED, Anil Ambani group companies are also under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Recently, the ED placed a lien on and froze Rs 77.86 crore in bank accounts of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure, alleging violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The action was linked to the JaipurReengus highway project. Earlier this month, the CBI booked Jai Anmol Ambani, Anil Ambanis son, in connection with the alleged cheating of Union Bank of India of Rs 228.06 crore.
Rajasthan freezes MLA fund accounts amid bribery allegations, launches parallel probes
JAIPUR: The seizure of MLA Local Area Development fund accounts belonging to three legislators marked the first major action by the Rajasthan government on Monday after allegations surfaced of hefty commissions being demanded in exchange for sanctioning works under the scheme. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ordered a time-bound inquiry and directed an IAS-led committee, headed by ACS (Home) Bhaskar A. Sawant, to submit its report within 15 days, while the Assemblys Ethics Committee will conduct a parallel probe. The allegations pertain to BJP MLA from Khinvsar Revantram Danga, Congress MLA from Hindaun Anita Jatav, and Independent MLA from Bayana Ritu Banawat. The accusations of taking commissions in return for recommending works from MLA funds reportedly came to light on Sunday, prompting the Chief Minister to reprimand the legislators. On the directions of the BJPs central leadership, state BJP president Madan Rathore issued a show-cause notice to Revantram Danga, seeking a reply within three days. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara issued a notice to Anita Jatav, asking her to respond within seven days. The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) is also in the process of forming a three-member inquiry committee, which will submit its report to Dotasara within a week. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully condemned the alleged corruption and demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those found guilty. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma reiterated that corruption by any public servant would not be tolerated under any circumstances. No matter how influential the person is, if found guilty, they will not be spared. The government follows a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Misuse of public funds at any level is unacceptable, he said, adding that the freezing of MLA fund accounts was necessary to ensure accountability during the investigation. The Chief Minister had also recently flagged the seriousness of corruption in a social media post. After the sting operation related to the MLA fund issue came to light, Ashok Gehlot demanded a high-level inquiry. Calling the allegations extremely serious and alarming, he said the Chief Minister and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani should immediately take cognisance of the matter and order a comprehensive probe. Integrity and honesty in public life must be paramount for elected representatives, Gehlot said. Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani has also ordered an inquiry and referred the matter to the Assemblys Ethics Committee. He has asked the committee to complete the investigation at the earliest and submit its report to facilitate further action. The Speaker said such incidents erode public trust and asserted that corruption in public welfare funds like the MLA fund goes against democratic values. This not only harms democracy but also tarnishes Rajasthans image, he said, adding that corruption in any form would not be tolerated, irrespective of party affiliation. Strict action would be taken based on the findings of the sting operation and the inquiry reports. Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal also reacted strongly, terming the alleged bribery in MLA fund releases a serious blow to the federal and democratic system. He said that while the Prime Minister speaks of zero tolerance towards corruption, such cases raise serious questions. Beniwal demanded that an FIR be registered against Revantram Danga. It may be noted that Revantram Danga had earlier quit Hanuman Beniwals Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and joined the BJP.
Jaipur Polo Team Lift Gwalior Cup For Sixth Title Of The Season
HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh: Jaipur Polo concluded another outstanding season by winning the Gwalior Cup, securing a calm 6.53 victory over Mayfair Polo in the final. This victory marks Jaipur's sixth tournament win of the current polo season, underlining the teams consistency and dominance throughout competitions. Jaipur Polo set the tone early, making full use of their handicap advantage and sharp attacking intent to close the opening chukker at 2.50. Lance Watson led the charge with incisive runs and confident finishes, while HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur dictated play from the midfield to keep Mayfair Polo on the back foot. The second chukker saw Mayfair Polo attempt a comeback, with Siddhant Sharma opening their account. However, Jaipurs defence held firm, and disciplined possession ensured the scoreline remained in Jaipurs favour at 2.51 by the halfway mark. Jaipur strengthened their hold on the match in the third chukker, extending their lead to 4.51. Watson kept up his excellent scoring form, supported by a vital contribution from Dino Dhankar, as Jaipur dictated the pace and kept Mayfair Polos attacking efforts in check. The final chukker followed a similar pattern, with Jaipur tactfully managing the game and increasing their score to finish 6.53. Despite Sharmas valiant effort for Mayfair Polo, Jaipurs structured play and composure in the closing stages secured a comfortable victory and another trophy for their impressive season haul. Jaipur strengthened their hold on the match in the third chukker, extending their lead to 4.51. Watson kept up his excellent scoring form, supported by a vital contribution from Dino Dhankar, as Jaipur dictated the pace and kept Mayfair Polos attacking efforts in check. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With this result, Jaipur Polo continues its remarkable streak, cementing its position as one of the standout teams of the season. The Jaipur Polo Team comprises skilled and dedicated players who carry forward a legacy deeply rooted in the royal traditions of Jaipur. Article Source: IANS
Sonia Gandhi Must Say Sorry: BJP On Congress Workers' 'PM Modi's Grave' Slogans
Manju Lata Meena, Jaipur women's Congress district president, raised a 'kabar' (grave) slogan against PM Modi during a 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally in Rajasthan.
Jaipur Woman Molested At Nightclub After Refusing To Meet Owner In Private, Husband Attacked
A Jaipur woman has accused the owner and staff of a nightclub of molesting her after she refused to meet the club owner privately, alleging she was harassed near on the premises.
Inquiry ordered into bribe charge against 3 Rajasthan MLAs; BJP, Cong seek explanation from accused
JAIPUR, Dec 14 : The Rajasthan government on Sunday ordered a high-level inquiry into allegations against three legislators of seeking commissions for the release of MLA funds, while the BJP and Congress issued notices seeking an explanation from the accused leaders. As part of the action, the MLA-Local Area Development (MLA-LAD) accounts of the accused leaders have been frozen pending the outcome of the inquiry. The action followed a sting operation by a newspaper accusing BJP MLA from Khinvsar Revantram [] The post Inquiry ordered into bribe charge against 3 Rajasthan MLAs; BJP, Cong seek explanation from accused appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Jaipur discom intensifies revenue recovery amid mounting dues
JAIPUR, Dec 14: Jaipur discom JVVNL has intensified revenue recovery and vigilance operations against the backdrop of mounting dues and long-standing structural challenges faced by Rajasthans power distribution companies, an official said. Power distribution in Rajasthan is handled by three government-owned discoms Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL), Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JDVVNL) and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVVNL). They cater to 1.66 crore regular consumers across urban and rural areas of the state, including 56.5 [] The post Jaipur discom intensifies revenue recovery amid mounting dues appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BMW to bolster MINI brand; looks to drive in new models, expand sales
BMW plans to expand its MINI portfolio in India next year to meet growing demand beyond metro cities. The company will also double its sales network to include smaller towns like Jaipur and Lucknow. This expansion aims to build the MINI community and cater to a broader customer base, with a target of at least double-digit growth for the brand.
All India DAD volleyball tournament 2025 concludes in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: The All India Defence Accounts Department (DAD) Volleyball Tournament2025 concluded in Bengaluru with the mens and womens final matches held at the Dravid Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence. The tournament was organised under the aegis of the Defence Accounts Sports Control Board (DASCB) and hosted by the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA), Bengaluru. The mens final witnessed an intense and high-quality contest, with PCDA (Army), Chandigarh emerging as champions. PCDA (Army), Jaipur finished as runners-up. The womens final was equally engaging, with PCDA (Officers), Pune clinching the championship title, while CGDA (Headquarters), Delhi secured the runner-up position. The closing ceremony was held at the Chopra Auditorium, ASC Centre, Bengaluru. K V R Murthi, Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts, and Maj Gen V T Mathew, AVSM, YSM, GOC, K&K Sub Area, graced the occasion as chief guests.
Study offers AI solution tomanage Goa as tourist place
Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji Goas pristine beaches, misty hills of Shimla, Manalis mountain landscapes and Jaipurs heritage monuments are buckling under unprecedented tourist pressure, but an artificial intelligence (AI) system may offer a solution. A team of six researchers from Indian institutions has developed a data-driven sustainable preservation approach that promises to transform how the [] The post Study offers AI solution tomanage Goa as tourist place appeared first on The Navhind Times .
In a first in the country, Rajasthan HC to hear cases on two Saturdays a month to cut backlog
JAIPUR: In a major step to tackle the mounting backlog of cases, the Rajasthan High Court will now hold proceedings on two Saturdays every month, making it the first high court in the country to officially increase its number of working days to expedite the disposal of pending cases. The decision follows an initiative by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant, who recently wrote to all high courts urging them to consider increasing working days to reduce case backlogs. Sources said the decision was taken during a full court meeting of the Rajasthan High Court, where all judges agreed to amend the court calendar for the coming year. As a result, the number of working days will rise from 210 to over 230 annually. Welcoming the move, former Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Panachand Jain told The New Indian Express that the decision aligns with the principle of natural justice, which calls for justice to be simple, quick and expeditious. Working on two Saturdays is absolutely justified. Justice delayed is justice denied as the old saying goes. So when the court holds more hearings, the number of pending cases is bound to decrease, he said. On the likely impact, the former judge added that even if a small percentage of cases are disposed of faster, it would still be a significant achievement. Even expediting two percent of cases is meaningful. This should be seen as a beginning, and more such steps are needed, he said. Along with extending working days, the High Court has also decided to launch a pilot project to further ease judicial workload. Under this initiative, one evening court each will be set up at the magistrate level in Jaipur and Jodhpur. A committee comprising Acting Chief Justice Sharma and Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati will be formed to take further decisions related to this project. The decision coincides with a two-day West Zone Regional Conference currently underway in Jaisalmer under the chairmanship of CJI Justice Surya Kant. The conference, themed Advancing the rule of law through technology challenges and opportunities, is focusing on digital court infrastructure, the use of technology and artificial intelligence in judicial processes, and the modernisation of court functioning. Nearly 20 judges of the Supreme Court are participating in the conference, along with judges of the Rajasthan High Court and over 100 district and sessions judges from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
SHIFT is Jaipur's ultimate, uber-cool New Gen Creative Festival. An arts and design event organised by Awaaz Studio at BM Birla Auditorium, Jaipur, the three-day festival champions arts, culture, design, media and entertainment. It is the 'It' art affair, complete with artist performances, hands-on art experiences, art workshops, jamming, intriguing sessions and a curated pop-up, ft. indie and established labels retailing apparel, footwear, jewellery, trinkets, prints, zines, collectables, and the like. Set against the iconic Birla Auditorium, SHIFT 2025 is a melange of arts, craft, culture, media, entertainment and design SHIFT 2025 opens up with an exclusive ticketed preview on 19 December, featuring the celebrated stand-up comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi and independent singer-songwriter Justh, who became a national talking point with his 2023 release 'Chor'. This edition highlights the crafts of Rajasthan and India at large through hands-on experiences such as hand-block printing, pottery, embroidery workshops, and more. The star of the show is often the annual folk-dance circle, headlined by master Kalbeliya artists, which attracts 500+ visitors who dance to folk songs, vibe in unison, and sing along to long-lost songs of Rajasthan. Aaquib Wani, a self-taught experiential designer and founder & creative director - Aaquib Wani Design, who specialises in spaces, festivals, sets, interiors, and branding, will be hosting a session on design. SHIFT is also hosting an entrepreneurship fireside chat between Ajaita Shah, founder of Frontier Markets & Nitin Jain, CEO - Indigifts.There's also a dedicated kids' area at the festival featuring pop-up stalls and experiences curated especially for children. Actor Rytasha Rathore and indie filmmaker and cultural documentarian Suruchi Sharma will host a talk on the idea of rewriting female narrative on screen. The vibrant cultural communities of Jaipur find a common ground at SHIFT as they indulge in 3 days of intriguing art experiences Bachata, photography, sketch, digital media presence, poetry writing and other workshops are also an integral part of the festival lineup. The Infinity Open-Mic gives a stage to emerging artists from Jaipur who perform poems, songs, stories, and more. The festival also stresses greatly on organising creative commerce and understanding the business of creativity. The programming also includes talks around sustainability, design, culture, and the arts ecosystem.
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal presents two-year report of his govt, Congress calls claims misleading
JAIPUR: As the Bhajanlal Sharma government approaches its two-year mark on December 15, the Chief Minister on Thursday released a performance report, claiming that 70 per cent of poll promises have been fulfilled and Rajasthan now ranks first in 11 national projects. Citing government data, Sharma said that out of 392 resolutions, 274 have either been completed or are currently underway, and that 73 per cent of the announcements made over the last two years have been implemented. With what he described as sincere intent and transparent governance, he said placing Rajasthan among the countrys leading states is no longer a distant dream. Emphasising transparency and efficiency, Sharma asserted that Rajasthan has moved into the category of best-performing states, listing first-place rankings in 11 national projects, second place in five, and third in nine. He said several projects that remained stuck in files earlier had been directly implemented under his government, accelerating public benefit. Accusing the previous Congress administration of delaying major initiatives such as the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), he reiterated his governments anti-corruption stance, saying they had caught crocodiles and sent them to jail and were ready to face consequences. Sharma said implementing the ERCP was a top priority from day one, claiming that work orders worth Rs 26,000 crore had been issued and the project would benefit 3 crore people in eastern Rajasthan. He noted that an MoU with Haryana was signed in February 2024 to supply water to the Shekhawati region, with the DPR now being prepared. The CM added that securing the future of the youth remained central to his administrations agenda, criticising the previous government for leaving young people frustrated and disappointed. After the BJP came to power, he said, an SIT was formed to take strict action in the paper leak case, and a comprehensive youth policy would be introduced soon. We want the youth of Rajasthan to become job creators, not job seekers, he said. Sharma also stated that the government had implemented over 28 policies in two years to ensure sustainable and transparent development. The Congress dismissed the CMs claims, with Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully calling the statements misleading. He said Sharmas only achievement was keeping his chair despite internal conflicts within the BJP, accusing the government of abandoning promises such as wheat procurement at Rs 2,700, purchasing millet at MSP, and reducing petrol-diesel VAT to match Gujarat and Haryana. The youth are asking where the calendar for 2.5 lakh jobs is. Democracy has turned into bureaucracy, and the public is crying out for help, Jully said. Amid the political sparring, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajes meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi triggered speculation in Jaipurs political circles. It was her first meeting with the PM in the capital after the November 11 Anta by-election, in which the BJP lost a seat considered part of her Hadoti stronghold. The defeat has raised concerns within the party, with observers calling the bypoll a litmus test for the Bhajanlal government.
Rajasthan faces academic turmoil as five university vice-chancellors ousted amid protests
JAIPUR: A major controversy has erupted in Rajasthan after the removal or forced resignation of five university vice-chancellors under the tenure of Governor Haribhau Bagde, who serves as Chancellor of state universities. The actions follow multiple inquiries into alleged financial irregularities, administrative misuse and contentious public remarks, but the departures have also been linked to sustained pressure from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Senior officials in the states higher education sector said most of the ousters came after persistent protests by the ABVP. While administrative inquiries cited financial mismanagement and misuse of power, the vice-chancellors and several political observers claimed that the removals were driven by organised campaigns by the ABVP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Four vice-chancellors were removed by the Governor, while another resigned under similar pressure. Those removed in recent months include the vice-chancellors of Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner; Agricultural University, Jodhpur; Shri Karan Narendra Agricultural University, Jobner (Jaipur); and Brij University. The vice-chancellor of Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) in Udaipur stepped down after intense protests. The developments have sparked criticism from academics and opposition leaders, who say political pressure is undermining institutional autonomy and weakening higher education governance in the state. At Maharaja Surajmal Brij University in Bharatpur, Ramesh Chandra was removed as VC by the Governor following an inquiry into alleged arbitrary decisions and financial loss to the institution. Chandra, however, maintained that not a single allegation was proven and claimed the removal was orchestrated by the ABVP and the RSS prant pracharak. He said the ABVP had been protesting for 1.5 years before his ouster. In Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Prof. Sunita Mishra faced massive protests after she reportedly called Mughal emperor Aurangzeb a great administrator in September 2025. ABVP activists vandalised the university administrative block during the agitation, and demands for her resignation were echoed by the BJP and Karni Sena before she eventually stepped down. The turmoil comes at a time when Rajasthans state-funded universities are battling a deep financial crisis. In a virtual meeting with Chief Secretary V. Srinivas last Saturday, vice-chancellors outlined their distressing financial situation, with some institutions struggling to meet even basic operational requirements. Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur has reportedly taken loans to pay salaries, while two Udaipur-based universities Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) and Mohanlal Sukhadia University are contemplating selling portions of their land to remain functional. Rajasthan has 29 state-funded universities, including 17 under the higher education department and six under the agriculture department. At the meeting, VCs warned that without immediate government support, several institutions may soon be forced to shut down. Those present told the media that universities were unable to cover basic expenses. More than 60% of teaching and non-teaching posts are vacant, retired employees are awaiting arrears, and institutions cannot afford routine maintenance, one vice-chancellor said.
Over 100 booked, 40 detained in protest against proposed ethanol plant in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh
JAIPUR: Farmers in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district continued their protest against an under-construction ethanol factory for the second consecutive day. From early morning, farmers began assembling at a gurdwara near Tibbi, even as internet services in the region remained suspended for the second consecutive day. Around 30 families living near the plant site have left their homes due to fear. Violence after farmers storm site The situation escalated sharply on Wednesday when hundreds of farmers stormed the construction site of Dune Ethanol Private Limited in Rathikheda village. The protesters broke a section of the boundary wall and set fire to offices and several vehicles. When police intervened, clashes broke out. Security personnel resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas, which further angered the crowd. Protesters torched more than a dozen vehicles, including a police jeep. More than 50 people, including women, were injured in the violence. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia suffered a head injury and was taken to the district hospital. Schools, colleges, and markets remained shut on Wednesday due to the unrest. Administration defends plant approvals Hanumangarh Collector Dr. Khushal Yadav said that the ethanol plant had received all required permissions. He noted that the project was approved during the Rising Rajasthan Summit in 2022 and had obtained all clearances, from land conversion to pollution control. He stated that while permission had been granted for a peaceful gathering, anti-social elements violated prohibitory orders and marched toward the factory. People took the law into their own hands. Action is being taken against those involved, he added. More than 107 farmers and villagers have been booked in connection with the December 10 violence. Forty of them have been taken into custody. Heavy deployment, fragile calm Additional forces from the police, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC), and Home Guards have been stationed in Tibbi and Rathikheda. Shops reopened on Thursday and the situation appeared calmer, but groups of farmers continued to gather at the gurdwara. A crucial meeting was scheduled for the afternoon to decide the next course of action. Several injured women spent the night at Gurdwara Singh Sabha. Leaders of the Congress, CPI(M), and farmer organizations from Haryana and Punjab have extended support to the movement. Protest leaders blame administration Ravjot Singh, a leader of the Factory Removal Struggle Committee, claimed that more than 70 people were injured in Wednesdays clash. Over 100 farmers stayed overnight at the gurdwara, and more joined on Thursday morning. Congress leader Shabnam Godara blamed the administration for the violence, saying the situation worsened because authorities refused to provide written assurance that construction would be halted. She alleged that officials had misled people by making claims about employment opportunities. Demand for environment clearance and public consent Farmer organizations have vowed that the factory will not be allowed to operate until fresh environmental clearances are obtained and the consent of local residents is ensured. Chandigarh-based Dune Ethanol Private Limited, which is constructing the grain-based plant, maintains that the project will support the central governments Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme by boosting ethanol production.
ITC Hotels signs Epiq Collection Jaipur
ITC Hotels Limited has announced a new hotel in Jaipur. The 150-key Epiq Collection Jaipur, Bagru will open in 2030. This new property will be part of ITC's premium Epiq Collection brand. It is envisioned as a tranquil resort.
BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA
MUMBAI, Dec 11: BLS International Services on Thursday said it has secured the renewal of its contract for attestation and apostille services with the External Affairs Ministry. The renewed contract covers its existing service operations across Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Panaji, Kochi, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Patna and Puducherry, BLS International said in a statement. Under this agreement, BLS International will provide MEA attestation and apostille services for educational, non-educational, and commercial documents across [] The post BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
US gives mixed signals as trade talks resume
NEW DELHI: AS the US and India look to finalise a broader bilateral trade agreement, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that Indias offers are the best Washington has received, though challenges remain in getting New Delhi to open up its agriculture sector. There is resistance in India for certain crops and meats and products. They are a difficult nut to crack but they have been quite forward leaning. The types of offers they have been talking to us about are one of the best that we have ever received as a country, said Greer while speaking at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC. The comments came as the US trade negotiation team led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer commenced the two-day talks in New Delhi on Wednesday. On the first day, he held discussions with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Both reviewed the ongoing negotiations for the agreement. Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is the US chief negotiator. Indias chief negotiator is Darpan Jain, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Indias former chief negotiator and current Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will be supervising the progress of the negotiations. The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Department of Commerce said. Meanwhile, speaking on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas in Jaipur on Wednesday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated that the ongoing trade negotiations with the US are progressing well. Talks are continuously progressing. We are moving forward towards a bilateral trade agreement, Goyal said.
Rajasthan govt announces Rs 1 lakh crore investment proposals in first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas
JAIPUR: The first-ever Pravasi Rajasthani Divas began in Jaipur on Wednesday, marking a major step toward boosting industrial growth in the state. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated the event, which included a groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals worth over Rs 1 lakh crore. The government said these projects would usher in a new era of economic development in Rajasthan. The state also unveiled the NRR Policy-2025 for overseas Rajasthanis and launched the Rajasthan Development Support Portal, a digital platform to help non-resident Rajasthanis connect directly with development initiatives. Speaking at the event, CM Sharma said, We have established the Department of National and International Overseas Rajasthani Affairs keeping in mind the needs of our overseas community enabling NRRs to play an active role in the development of their homeland. He urged overseas Rajasthanis to come forward as benefactors and promised full government support. To strengthen investor confidence, the government announced 12 new policies covering industrial growth, technology, trade promotion, tourism, green development, food processing, aerospace and defence, sports, outsourcing, agro-forestry, AI, and vehicle scrappage. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Rajasthans strong position in land, energy, water, raw materials and safety had made it an attractive investment destination. Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore highlighted improvements in ease of doing business, citing transparency and faster decision-making. At the inaugural session, the Vedanta Group announced plans for an industrial park in Rajasthan. Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said, Just as Punjab feeds the nation, Rajasthan has the potential to provide minerals to meet the needs of the entire world , emphasising the states unique mineral reserves. The industrial park will host units with investments between Rs 2 crore and Rs 200 crore. The state government also felicitated leading industrialists including Anil Agarwal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Vineet Mittal, Ajay Piramal and Madhav Singhania. The event, however, triggered a political controversy after videos showing empty chairs at the venue circulated on social media. PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra posted the video on X, saying, This is the true face of the BJP government: empty promises, empty stage, empty chairs, and empty, hollow achievements. Industries Minister Rathore countered the allegation, saying, Those who are only used to chairs keep looking for empty chairs we are not filling chairs; we are instilling confidence in the businessmen and youth coming to Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel also rejected the claims, stating the hall was full and accusing the opposition of sharing fake images.
FTA talks with Oman, New Zealand at last leg: Goyal
JAIPUR, Dec 10: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said negotiations for free trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand are in their last phase, and both are expected to be concluded soon. He also indicated that negotiations for a trade pact with South American nation Chile will also be concluded soon. The talks for a pact with Oman are in the last leg, he said, adding that New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay is visiting New Delhi [] The post FTA talks with Oman, New Zealand at last leg: Goyal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Cosmo Foundation Leadership Honoured at ET NOW's Impactful Women Leaders of India 2025
Cosmo Foundation , the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First Ltd., today announced that Ms. Yamini Kumar Jaipuria, Managing Trustee of the Foundation, was felicitated with the coveted ET NOW Impactful Women Leaders of India 2025 award held in Aerocity, New Delhi. She received this recognition for her sustained contribution to strengthening rural education, advancing women empowerment, promoting digital inclusion, and fostering community-led development across underserved regions. This also reflects Cosmo Foundations meaningful contribution to national conversations on education, women empowerment, digital inclusion, and community development under her leadership. Yamini Kumar Jaipuria felicitated with 'ET NOW Impactful Women Leaders of India 2025' Award Over the years, Ms. Jaipuria has transformed Cosmo Foundation into a catalyst for large-scale social change. Under her guidance, the Foundation today works across 155 villages and 55 rural schools, reaching more than 68,000 children through its integrated Education, Environment and Empowerment framework. Her focus on bridging learning gaps, strengthening digital access, and nurturing confidence among first-generation learners has created one of Indias most meaningful rural education models. This award belongs to the extraordinary children, teachers, women, and community partners who make our work possible. At Cosmo Foundation, we believe inclusive progress begins at the grassroots. Every initiative we undertake is aimed at helping individuals unlock their potential and shape their own futures. Her work in education is anchored in reimagining how rural India accesses knowledge. She has championed digital inclusion by establishing 29 computer labs across multiple states and launching the Cosmo DigiPathshala, a WhatsApp-based hybrid learning model that has already reached more than 2,300 students. Her commitment to language confidence has driven English learning programmes across rural schools, supported by bilingual digital content that has enabled thousands of students to learn in a format that feels both accessible and aspirational. Ms. Jaipurias leadership in women empowerment has opened new pathways for employability and financial independence. Initiatives such as the EV Assembly Technician Course for Women, along with scholarships and mentorship platforms like the Udayan Shalini Fellowship, have helped young women envision and pursue modern careers with confidence. Her programmes on safety, hygiene and menstrual health have catalysed behavioural change across villages, ensuring that girls remain in school and communities adopt healthier, dignified practices. Her commitment to environmental stewardship is equally deep-rooted. From leading tree plantation efforts to driving sustainability awareness in schools, she has championed an early understanding of climate responsibility among young learners. The Foundations environmental initiatives have strengthened community resilience while encouraging children to think as guardians of the planet. Today, as India navigates the balance between traditional learning and rapid digital transformation, Ms. Jaipuria offers a distinctly Indian perspective on what the future of learning should look like one that blends technology with cultural context, community participation, and equitable access. Her work continues to demonstrate how thoughtful leadership can shape both systems and mindsets, making this recognition from ET NOW a powerful testament to the impact she has created and the possibilities she continues to inspire. About Cosmo Foundation Established in 2008, Cosmo Foundation is the community outreach initiative of Cosmo First Ltd., working to uplift underdeveloped communities near its operational locations in Karjan (Vadodara District) and Gangapur (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District), as well as in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, and the tribal district of Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh). The Foundations programs focus on Education, Environment, and Empowerment, impacting more than 7.5 lakh (750,000) beneficiaries through various initiatives. About Cosmo First Ltd. Established in 1981 by Mr Ashok Jaipuria, Cosmo First Limited is an over four-decade-old global conglomerate. Its consumer vertical comprises Cosmo Consumer, which is into Window Films, Paint Protection Films & Ceramic Coatings for automobiles, and Zigly Pet Care, which provides a digital-first omni channel pet care ecosystem. Its industrial vertical includes Cosmo Films for specialty films for packaging, labels, lamination, and industrial applications; Cosmo Speciality Chemicals for coatings, adhesives and masterbatches, and Cosmo Plastech for rigid packaging. With sustainable innovation, development, and research embedded in its core values, Cosmo First serves customers in 100+ countries.
World Animal Protection Calls for Enhanced Institutionalized Protection of Animals
As 2025 comes to a close, there are major developments that impact both humans and animals and these lead us into 2026 and beyond. These include the deliberation at the recently concluded Conference of Parties (COP 30) in Belem in Brazil, the Conference On International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (NAP-AMR 2.0) announced in India, announcement of the Global Big Cat Summit in India next year, persistent revelations of wildlife trade, concerning reports of treatment of animals in zoos and exploitation of animals for entertainment, fashion and pets. Gorilla Bua Noi in Pata Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Shubhobroto Ghosh World Animal Protection strongly presented the case against industrial animal agriculture at the COP 30 event, given the evidence that shows widespread animal abuse and environmental damage. It is a matter of continuing concern that industrial agriculture and factory farming are causing massive cruelty to animals by confining them to inadequate spaces, using antibiotics for their husbandry for greater quantities of meat, fish, milk and eggs and are releasing harmful effluents into marine and air ecosystems. With rising awareness on the destructive and counterproductive characteristics of these industries towards environmental pollution and climate change, it is of pressing urgency to tackle their further growth and institute systemic change to mitigate current practices. The burgeoning global trade in wildlife affects India strongly with a marked rise in the demand for non native exotic pets that are being seized in different parts of the country and also in different parts of the world designated for arrival in India. This is a worrisome trend and graphic visual images have emerged showing captive animals kept in conditions of extreme confinement and enormous cruelty. It is of utmost necessity to recognise that this cruel and counterproductive trade be immediately stopped and international linkages are identified and transnational action is initiated to curb this trade. World Animal Protection has done extensive research on exotic animal pets and is of the strong view that wildlife belongs in the wild and should be cherished there and not exploited for a few greedy people. This point was made very cogently during the recently concluded CITES conference in Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Wild animals in entertainment present a difficult challenge all over the world, with the resurgence of elephant rides in Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and the continuing spectacle of abuse of elephants in Amer Fort in Jaipur. Tigers are being captivity for tourist photo opportunities at close quarters in many venues in Thailand and several other countries and a very significant number of tourists visit these places and patronise them with tourist revenue and destination guidance. World Animal Protection has an ongoing programme of engaging with tour companies and resorts to take a responsible stance on wildlife tourism by not promoting abusive activities involving wildlife in entertainment. In this regard, World Animal Protection is pleased to have Her Expeditions, Svasara, Indian Wildlife Adventures, Pandav Hotels and Marttik Gardens take the wildlife friendly pledge to promote responsible wildlife tourism in India and beyond. World Animal Protection hopes that the example set by these companies will encourage other groups to follow suit and desist from offering itineraries in their tours and destination guidance to places that exploit wildlife in captivity. Elephant in Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Abhishek Shankhwar World Animal Protection has also engaged with the Prime Ministers Office in 2025 to raise awareness on the plight of Indias National Heritage Animal and hundreds of schoolchildren from N K Bagrodia School and Cambridge International School have written letters to the Prime Minister urging him to ban elephant rides in India. Endeavours have also been taken to engage with the Rajasthan Forest Department to obtain the latest update on the status of the riding elephants of Amer Fort in Jaipur. World Animal Protection is calling upon all stakeholders as well as tourists to take a pledge not to ride elephants in any venue, says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India . 10 December, 2025 is World Human Rights Day and International Animal Rights Day. It is not a coincidence that Human Rights Day and Animal Rights Day fall on the same date, 10 December, the date was intentionally chosen by animal rights advocates to highlight the connection between human rights and animal rights and to emphasize that all sentient beings deserve respect and protection from suffering and torture. Human Rights Daycommemorates the date in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a foundational document in international human rights law and activism. International Animal Rights Day(or World Animal Rights Day) was established in 1998, on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to call for the recognition of a universal declaration for animal rights, modelled on the principles of the human rights declaration. Across the globe, billions of human beings and animals are suffering in silence, because of systemic injustice. On this day, we call for all living creatures, humans and non humans, to be treated respectfully and with compassion, with institutional safeguards put in place against their abuse. gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in . Phone: 9313333283
Four killed, 27 injured in bus-truck collision on Jaipur-Bikaner National Highway
JAIPUR: Four people were killed and 27 others injured after a bus collided head-on with a truck on Jaipur-?Bikaner National Highway in the Sikar district of Rajasthan on Tuesday night. The sleeper bus was travelling from Bikaner towards Jaipur when they rammed into each other. The police said that four persons died in the accident, adding that 15 injured were admitted to the Sikar district hospital while 13 were given primary treatment at Fatehgarh. One critically injured person referred from the Sikar district hospital to SMS Hospital in Jaipur died during treatment, the police said. The group of passengers was returning Gujarat after visiting Jammu and Kashmir when the accident occurred, the police added.
Rajasthan govt clears ACB probe against six officers in Rs 900-crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam
JAIPUR : In a significant move, the Rajasthan government has approved an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation against six officers, including former Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Water Resources Department, Subodh Agarwal, in connection with alleged fraud and irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission tenders. The list also includes Gopal Singh, brother of BJP MLA Devi Singh Shekhawat. The sanction for investigation under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act was granted at the Chief Ministers level. Earlier, permission had been granted to probe 12 officers, taking the total number of officials under scrutiny to 18. Both the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are already conducting parallel inquiries into the alleged scam, which investigators estimate to be worth nearly Rs 900 crore. Former minister Mahesh Joshi recently secured bail from the Supreme Court in this case. Sources said that approval was originally sought to investigate eight officers, but after nearly a years wait, the government has cleared action against six. Subodh Agarwal served as ACS of the Water Resources Department from May 16, 2023, to January 12, 2024. He is currently Chairman and Managing Director of the Rajasthan Finance Corporation and is scheduled to retire later this month. Gopal Singh, now Secretary of the Housing Board, earlier worked as Deputy Secretary in the Water Resources Department from April 25, 2022, to December 18, 2023.
JAIPUR: To mark the completion of two years of the Bhajanlal-led BJP government in the state, Pravasi Rajasthani Divas 2025 is being organized at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) on December 10. The state government has made extensive preparations to ensure that the event becomes a major showcase of Rajasthans investment potential. The event is expected to serve as a significant platform for economic expansion, with reports indicating that industrialists will announce large-scale investments that could reshape the states development trajectory. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth Rs 1 lakh crore are likely to be signed during the event. Dignitaries attending the program include Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with cabinet ministers and senior bureaucrats. A strong presence from the corporate sector is also expected. The inaugural session will feature prominent industry leaders such as Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, Piramal Group Chairman Ajay Piramal, and Tata Power CEO and MD Praveer Sinha, who will share their perspectives on investment opportunities, industrial growth, and ongoing reforms in Rajasthan. Earlier, there were concerns that disruptions in Indigo Airlines services could prevent some expatriates from reaching Jaipur. However, the Commissioner of the Rajasthan Foundation Department the nodal department for expatriate Rajasthanis clarified that all invited guests have already arrived and that the airline issues have not significantly affected the event. More than 8,700 people have registered for Pravasi Rajasthani Divas so far. With registrations surpassing expectations, the online portal was closed ahead of schedule. This is the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas being held after Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharmas announcement at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit last year. He had declared that the day would be celebrated annually on December 10 to connect the global Rajasthani diaspora with their homeland. On November 19, the state cabinet approved the creation of a separate department for non-resident Rajasthanis, and an official notification has since been issued. The new department aims to strengthen engagement with expatriate Rajasthanis living in India and abroad, and facilitate deeper cooperation between them and the state government.
Marwari Catalysts Launches Thrive 9.0: Accelerating Women-Led Startups in Healthcare and AI
Marwari Catalysts (MCats) has unveiled the next cohort of its flagship accelerator program, Thrive 9.0, spotlighting six high-potential, women-led startups that are transforming India's Healthcare and AI landscape. MCats backing the boldest female founders In an ecosystem where only 15% of funding goes to women founders, MCats is taking a decisive stand. With 35% female founders across its portfolio and women leading from within its own ranks, MCats is actively investing in an inclusive future. Thrive 9.0 is designed to scale these ventures from solving real-world Indian problems to achieving global impact. MCats backing the boldest female founders Introducing the Thrive 9.0 Cohort: Women Founders Driving Innovation The current batch features visionary women founders building meaningful, scalable, and culture-rooted solutions across high-growth sectors: Affordable Fertility & Healthcare Access, Founder - Dr. Renu Sharma, Elara IVF An Affordable chain expanding access to trusted fertility care, piloting in Rajasthan. AI Sales Agent & Workflow Automation , Founder - Ruchika Sureka, Tvara Private AI agents that automate sales workflows, boosting productivity and learning continuously. Global Enablement Platform & MSME Growth, Founder - Mallika Jain, Leap Ahead India Helping Indian MSMEs and founders access global buyers, funding, markets, and mentors. AI for Mental Health & Memory Preservation, Founder - Neha Rajpurohit, Nostalgia Pages A self-publishing memory capsule brand, preserving priceless school and college memories and community culture. AI Fintech & Explainable Intelligence, Founder - Priyanka Bairathi, InteliQuant AI InteliQuant AI empowers CXOs with real-time anomaly detection and AI enabled assurance that safeguards profitability and eliminates hidden losses. AI Legal Tech & Compliance Solution, Founder - Rupal Mathur, Rhett Reimagining legal compliance as a straightforward, accessible, and affordable process for startups and businesses. Investing in Impact: Opportunity Without Bias We do not only speak about women empowerment we invest in it , said Sushil Sharma , CEO & Founder - Marwari Catalysts Group. These women founders come from real India, solve real challenges, and are ready for real scale. Their success proves that innovation has no gender and leadership has no boundaries. Marwari Catalysts is one of the partner organisations Women in Innovation Science & Entrepreneurship (WISE), an initiative led by BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Women Empowerment Vertical (BRICS CCI WE). According to Ms. Ruby Sinha , President, BRICS CCI WE and Programme Lead, BRICS CCI WE WISE, Innovation, collaboration and access to funding are core pillars of the WISE initiative and we commend Marwari Catalysts for their efforts to empower women entrepreneurs with a focus on technology, thus advancing the cause of inclusive innovation for creating a sustainable global economy . Divya Multani Jain , Partner - Marwari Catalysts Group, added, MCats understands India beyond metros, and together, we are building solutions rooted in culture and community, giving them a global platform . MCats mission for women-led ventures is clear: Discovered early in non-metro ecosystems. Backed with capital and conviction (seeking co-investors to accelerate the journey). Supported with networks that accelerate 5-10x scale in revenue and valuation. Celebrated as powerful leaders shaping tomorrow. Ankita Sachdeva , Joint Director - BRICS CCI, highlighted: With the joint efforts of BRICS and MCats, we will provide domestic and global fund, exposure, and network access from the international market. We are happy to collaborate with the MCats team and the founders. We extend an invitation to strategic co-investors and global ecosystem enablers whose vision aligns with supporting women entrepreneurship and scaling their impact. Become a member of the MCats Club to deploy capital with conviction and actively participate in our mission to champion diverse founders. About Marwari Catalysts (MCats)- Marwari Catalysts Group (MCats) is one of Indias fastest-growing startup ecosystem players (Accelerator and Venture Studio). Headquartered in Jodhpur, with regional offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, MCats manages a SEBI-approved CAT-I AIF. MCats is actively supporting 100+ early-stage ventures across 20+ cities, backed by mentors with skin in the game. Its portfolio drives inclusion with 35% women-led startups and has already created 5,000+ jobs and successfully completed 11+ exits. Welcome to MCats Family!
7 Brands That'll Make Your Bridesmaids Actually Excited About their Outfits
Let's be real, being a bridesmaid is basically a full-time job. They're the hype woman, the crisis manager, the tissue holder, and somewhere between managing the bride's meltdown over napkin colours and wrangling drunk uncles off the dance floor, theyre expected to look absolutely gorgeous. Soch, showcasing some of its collections for this wedding season The good news? This wedding season, there are brands that actually get it. Your bridesmaids can look coordinated, feel comfortable, and genuinely love what they're wearing. Here are 7 brands making bridesmaid dressing easier (and way more fun). 1. Soch - The "Actually, I Can Wear This Again" Miracle Here's the thing about Soch: they've cracked the code on making your bridesmaids look coordinated without making them look like clones. Imagine this: Your entire squad shows up in the same colour palette, but one friend is rocking a flowy anarkali, another's serving looks in a sharara set, and your sister's killing it in a saree. Different vibes, same aesthetic, total harmony. That's the Soch magic. Their collections are designed for the modern woman who wants to serve tradition but would also like to move her arms without the restraint of itchy fabric and tight stitches. Sochs fits are comfortable and contemporary enough that your friends won't banish these outfits to the back of their closets post-wedding. Pro tip: Use Soch for your mehendi or sangeet functions where your squad needs to move, dance, and not worry about wardrobe malfunctions. Your photographer will thank you when everyone's comfortable enough to nail those candid shots. 2. Suta - For the Bride Who Has a Pinterest Board Called "Sustainable Queens" You care about the planet. You also care about your bridesmaids looking fire. Suta gets it. Their handloom sarees are so beautiful that your environmentally conscious heart and your aesthetically obsessed brain will both be delighted. Plus, there's something poetic about each bridesmaid wearing a unique handwoven piece. It's like saying, "You're all special to me, but also please coordinate for the photos." 3. Koskii - When Subtle Isn't in Your Vocabulary If maximalism is your theme, and you want your bridesmaids to look like they stepped out of a royal durbar? Koskii is your brand. Warning: These outfits are HEAVY. We're talking serious embroidery, zari work that could double as a workout, and enough bling to be seen from space. But if you're going for that full Bollywood wedding fantasy, this is it. 4. Kalki - The Fashion Risk-Takers' Paradise Got a squad that lives for making a statement? Kalki is where traditional ethnic wear meets "Is that even allowed?" energy, with cape blouses, asymmetrical hemlines, and drapes that bring the perfect synergy in Indo-Western. This is the brand for bridesmaids who want to look like they could walk straight from your wedding into an afterparty. 5. Jaypore - Cottagecore Meets Indian Wedding Planning a destination wedding in Jaipur? An intimate ceremony in Kerala? Jaypore brings that artsy, "we're all about the vibes" aesthetic. Hand-block prints, natural fabrics, and that effortlessly cool look that says "I woke up like this". Perfect for bridesmaids who'd love to be comfortable and chic. Also ideal for outdoor functions where heavy lehengas would be a crime against humanity. 6. Neeru's - When Your Mom Has Opinions Let's face it: sometimes you need to make the aunties happy. Neeru's is that reliable, classic choice that nobody can criticise. Traditional without being boring, elegant without being stuffy. Great for when your bridesmaids include people of different ages and style preferences. Your cool younger sister and your traditional aunt can both find something they'll love. 7. W for Woman - Because Weddings Are Expensive Enough Real talk: Being a bridesmaid is financially brutal. Between the bachelorette, the gifts, and the travel, your friends are basically funding your happily ever after. W for Woman lets you give them a break. Trendy, affordable, and extensive enough that your entire squad can find coordinated pieces without taking out a loan. Your bridesmaids will love you for this. Their bank accounts will really love you for this. The bottom line is: your bridesmaids are the ones who held your hand through heartbreaks, celebrated your wins, and are now helping you navigate the beautiful chaos of wedding planning. They deserve to look and feel amazing.
15 Tourists Escape As Bus Catches Fire During Safari Ride In Jaipur
A group of 15 tourists had a narrow escape when the bus they were travelling in caught fire during a safari at Nahargarh Biological Park here, officials said on Monday.
Four youths killed as speeding car mows down helpers at ChittorgarhKota highway crash site
JAIPUR: Four people lost their lives and three others were critically injured after being hit by a speeding car while they were helping a couple injured in an earlier road accident. The double accident took place on the ChittorgarhKota highway. According to reports, a car coming from the wrong side of the road first hit a couple, Shambhu Lal and his wife Kali Bai, who were riding a motorcycle near Mandana village. The same car then collided with another vehicle. Hearing the sound of the crash, people sitting at a nearby roadside eatery and the occupants of another car rushed to the spot to help the injured. At that moment, a speeding Eeco car travelling from Chittorgarh towards Kota ran over the people who had gathered to help. Immediately after this, three to four more vehicles collided from behind, leading to chaos at the accident site. Two people died on the spot, while a total of 12 others sustained injuries. All the injured were given first aid in Begun and later referred to hospitals in Chittorgarh, Kota, and Udaipur. During treatment, two more people succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to four. The deceased have been identified as Sonu Gurjar (25); Foru Gurjar (33); Rajesh Meena (29); and Hemraj Gurjar (35). Ten other people injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment. The injured include Surajmal Gurjar, Sonu Gurjar, Foru Lal, Kanishk, Antarram Das, Raunak, and Daivesh. The bodies of all the deceased were sent for post-mortem examination at the Begun Sub-District Hospital mortuary. Police have apprehended both the drivers - one who was driving on the wrong side of the road and the one driving the Eeco car. A detailed investigation into the incident is underway. Upon receiving information about the accident, Begun MLA Suresh Dhakad reached the mortuary and gathered details from Begun DSP Anjali Singh and Begun SHO Shivlal Meena. SHO Meena said they received information about the accident late at night and inspected the site before seizing the vehicles involved. Speaking about the incident, MLA Dhakad said, This is a deeply tragic accident. Similar incidents have occurred here before because many commuters drive on the wrong side to reach roadside eateries. I have spoken to the police and administration, and I will take up the matter with National Highway authorities. We will work to ensure that an underpass or overpass is constructed here so such accidents do not happen again.
Narrow escape for tourists as bus catches fire during safari at Nahargarh biological park in Jaipur
According to park authorities, all the tourists quickly alighted from the vehicle when smoke was detected
Provogue India , the Lifestyle Partner of the Jaigarh Heritage Festival 2025, announced the launch of MYN by Provogue , Indias first design-it-yourself luggage platform. The innovative initiative empowers travellers to personalise their luggage with unique designs, themes, and artwork allowing them to express their identity, passions, and personal style wherever they go. HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Princess Gauravi Kumari and Pravin Prabhakar (CEO, Provogue) at the launch of MYN by Provogue heritage collection Heritage Limited Edition Collection , co-created with the Jaigarh Heritage Festival. The collection draws inspiration from Rajasthans royal artistry and cultural motifs, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics. The collection was introduced in the esteemed presence of HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur and other key dignitaries. The collection received immense appreciation from HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh describing it as a beautiful collection. Through this collaboration, Provogue aims to bring a fresh cultural narrative to the travel lifestyle space offering modern travellers the opportunity to carry a piece of Indias regal heritage with them. This launch represents a significant step in travel fashion, where personal expression meets innovative, design-led craftsmanship. Speaking on the occasion, Pravin Prabhakar, CEO, Provogue India , said, Provogue, in collaboration with the Jaigarh Heritage Festival, is proud to introduce the Limited Edition MYN Jaigarh Heritage Collection, a curation that brings Rajasthans cultural richness into the modern travel lifestyle. Todays travellers seek more than functionality; they look for travel gear that mirrors their personal style and individuality. Under the new management, our vision is to lead the evolution of travel by making it a seamless blend of style, functionality, and self-expression and this launch is a meaningful step forward on that journey. About Provogue Provogue is a leading travel lifestyle brand with a strong legacy of over 28 years in Indias fashion industry. Rooted in a rich fashion legacy, the brand brings a style-driven approach to travel gear for todays style-conscious consumers. Its portfolio includes premium luggage, backpacks, and travel accessories that seamlessly combine contemporary style with durable functionality. With innovation at its core and fashion in its DNA, Provogue continues to redefine modern travel empowering people to move with confidence and individuality.
JAIPUR: Authorities demolished an under-construction multi-storey building in Malviya Nagar on Sunday after cracks appeared and the structure began to lean the previous day, officials said. The building was brought down using JCB machines that weakened the structure through drilling, according to officials. The building's owner, who arrived at the site, opposed the action taken by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA), leading to a brief argument with police officers. He claimed that no legal or technical consultation had occurred before the demolition. The owner asserted that the building plans had been approved by the municipal corporation and that he had paid a fee of Rs 1.25 lakh. Now they are saying the matter falls under the JDA. Our map was approved by the municipal corporation. Despite this, the building has been declared illegal and demolished, he said. The building, located on a 90-square yard plot in Malviya Nagar Sector-9, was nearly complete. However, cracks appeared during excavation work near the basement on Saturday, causing the structure to lean to one side. Two cranes had been deployed for temporary support, officials said. Naresh Manwani, one of the three co-owners, mentioned that construction had been ongoing for about five months. A pit was being dug for the staircase when one of the pillars shifted, causing the tilt. Iron stairs were being installed for the basement, he added.
Marwari Catalysts Group Enters Affordable IVF with Elara IVF under its VSM
Elara IVF -a fertility centre committed to affordable, accessible focused in tier2-3 cities. This marks the fourth healthcare start-up in MCats Groups portfolio, alongside Sarathi Healthcare, Nuskha Kitchen, and One Dose. Marwari Catalysts enters affordable IVF with Elara IVF under its Venture Studio model Elara IVF, Founder and COO, Dr Renu Sharma, is known for providing affordable IVF and ICSI treatments with a strong focus on transparency and patient education. This reflects a shared vision -to make quality fertility care more accessible to couples across India. Sushil Sharma, Founder & CEO of Marwari Catalysts Group, said, The global fertility market is a massive opportunity, yet affordability continues to be the biggest barrier. We are solving this challenge by ensuring high-quality IVF care reaches families not just in metros but in smaller cities. We will also attract global medical tourism for IVF. Marwari Catalysts Group has always been seen as the brand ambassador for Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of India, and therefore we have started our pilot in Jodhpur and Ajmer. Dr Renu Sharma , stated, Having worked with multiple IVF centres (Zivia, Apex, EHCC, CK Birla Hospital), I realized there is a massive opportunity and significant gap -especially in smaller cities where access to affordable IVF is limited, with the right business model.We aim to build Indias largest affordable IVF chain. We have already launched centres in Jodhpur (Dr Nimisha Balara) and Ajmer (Dr Mahiraj Gaur), and within the coming year, we are targeting 20+ centres across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in next 12 months. Dr. Seema Chaudhary, Founder & Managing Director, Seema Finchem Industry (Mumbai) and Advisory Board Member at Elara IVF , said, Elara IVF offers an industrial level of discipline, efficiency, standardization and transparency into fertility care. This approach is exactly what India needs to make IVF truly affordable and rapidly scalable across small cities ensuring that high quality reproductive care becomes accessible to families everywhere. Gajendra Singh, Director of Elara IVF , added, With Marwari Catalysts Groups support, we aim to expand our reach and continue making fertility care simpler and more affordable for everyone who needs it. As Indias healthcare sector continues to prioritize access and affordability, this initiative underscores Marwari Catalysts Groups growing commitment to supporting meaningful innovation for Bharat. About Marwari Catalysts Marwari Catalysts Group (MCats) is one of Indias fastest-growing startup ecosystem player (Accelerator and Venture Studio), with mentors with skin in the game supporting 100+ early-stage ventures across 20+ cities backed by SEBI-approved CAT-I AIF. MCats provide capital, mentorship, and global market access to founders. Its portfolio has already created 5,000+ jobs while driving inclusion through 35% women-led startups and successfully done 11+ exits. We are headquartered in Jodhpur with its regional offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Jaipur.
Some IndiGo flights depart from Chennai airport, but spate of cancellations continues
Delays persisted, but from 3 a.m. onwards, flights to cities including Pune, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Coimbatore, and Kochi departed from the city airport
25-Year-Old Kashmiri Student Passes Away in Jaipur
SRINAGAR: An MBA student from Anantnag passed away in Jaipur after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, sending shockwaves through his hometown. The deceased, 25-year-old Aamir Padder, son of Parvaiz Ahmad Padder (Parvaiz Enterprises), was pursuing his MBA in Jaipur when the fatal medical emergency occurred, family sources said. His mortal remains are being brought to []
Rajasthan reels under intense cold conditions, Fatehpur coldest at 1.9C
According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, minimum temperature remained below 10C across many regions
Northern India shivers as temperatures plunge; Delhi chokes under very poor air
North India continued to reel under sharp winter conditions on Friday, with large parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana recording minimum temperatures well below normal, even as Kashmir saw a brief improvement in the cold due to overcast skies. Delhi, meanwhile, remained choked under very poor air quality as a cold wave was forecast for the day. Rajasthan recorded the lowest temperature in the region, with Fatehpur in Sikar district plunging to 1.9C on Friday morning. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre said minimum temperatures stayed below 10 degrees Celsius across several districts, including Sikar at 3C, Nagaur at 3.1C, Lunkaransar at 3.2C, Churu at 4.5C and Pilani at 4.8C. Dry conditions are likely to persist over most parts of the state for the next week, it added. Bone-chilling cold also gripped Punjab and Haryana. Faridkot, at 3C, was the coldest among the two states. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded 3.2C, while Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur reported lows between 5.5C and 6.2C. In neighbouring Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest at 3.5C, while Hisar recorded 3.7C. Karnal, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered temperatures ranging between 5.4C and 7.7C. Chandigarh, the shared capital, reported a minimum of 6.1C. Kashmir, however, witnessed an improvement in night temperatures as cloud cover pushed the mercury above those recorded in recent days. Srinagar, which had plunged to 4C the previous night, recorded a low of 0.4Cover four degrees higher. Qazigund reported 0.2C, Kupwara 0.2C, Kokernag 0.8C, Pahalgam 1.8C and Gulmarg 0C. Konibal in Pulwama district remained the coldest in the Union Territory at 3C. The weather office said light snowfall is possible in the higher reaches later on Friday, while another brief spell is likely on December 8. In Delhi, there was no respite from toxic air as the Air Quality Index stood at 323 at 9 am, firmly in the very poor category. Bawana recorded the highest AQI in the city at 373, while 30 monitoring stations reported very poor levels. The capital saw fluctuating pollution levels through the week, with the AQI rising from 279 on Sunday to 372 on Tuesday before settling at 304 on Thursday. The IMD said a cold wave is expected through the day, with the minimum temperature dipping to 5.6C, nearly four degrees below normal. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 22C, while relative humidity touched 100% in the morning. (With inputs from PTI)
Chennai Airport continues to suffer fresh wave of disruptions
CHENNAI: Chennai International Airport suffered a fresh wave of disruption on Thursday, with dozens of flights delayed or cancelled through the early hours, as operational difficulties continued to ripple through. Between midnight and 9am on December 4, at least 13 arriving flights and 11 departures recorded delays ranging from 18 minutes to more than three hours, according to internal airport movement logs. Indigo, which operates the largest number of domestic flights, faced the bulk of the disruption, with several of its Airbus A320 and A321 services significantly behind schedule. Inbound traffic was hit hardest in the early hours. Flights from Kolkata, Kochi and Patna saw delays of more than two hours, with one service from Hyderabad (6E6007) arriving nearly four hours late. International services from Singapore, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait also landed behind schedule, with delay durations spanning 30 minutes to close to two hours. Departures were similarly affected. Indigo's early-morning Delhi service (6E0456) pushed back more than three hours late, while departures to Kolkata and Port Blair saw delays of over two hours. Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways services experienced moderate delays, indicating that the operational disruption extended across both domestic and international carriers. The morning irregularities escalated into a wider schedule breakdown, prompting a wave of cancellations across the day. At least 26 departuresmostly operated by Indigowere cancelled for operational reasons, affecting services to key metros including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad, as well as regional centres such as Coimbatore, Guwahati, and Visakhapatnam. Some international short-haul routes, including those to Colombo and the Andaman Islands' Veer Savarkar Airport, were also withdrawn from the day's roster. Arrivals were similarly thinned out, with at least five inbound flights scrapped, including services from Indore, Mumbai, Kochi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. 'Could not live up to promise,' says IndiGo CEO amid hundreds of flight cancellations, delays
Bomb threat sparks panic at Ajmer Dargah ahead of Urs celebrations; no explosives found after search
JAIPUR : A bomb threat to Ajmers revered Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah has triggered panic among security agencies just days before the annual Urs celebrations. An anonymous email claimed that the shrine would be blown up using RDX and IEDs and alleged that explosives had been planted at four locations inside the complex. The sender also warned that the blast would coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India. Following the threat, security agencies were placed on high alert and Ajmer Police immediately evacuated the premises. The Ajmer Collectorate also received a similar threat. Once the alert was issued, police teams and intelligence officials rushed to the spot, vacated the building and launched a search operation. A multi-hour sweep of both locations yielded no suspicious objects. However, given the gravity of the warning, the administration continues to operate on maximum alert. Additional Superintendent of Police Deepak Sharma said, A threat to bomb both these places was sent to the Collectors email ID. Every corner of the Dargah and Collectorate was thoroughly searched. The search lasted for one hour at the Collectorate and two hours at the Dargah. No suspicious object was found at either place. The 814th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is scheduled to begin on December 17 with the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony. The formal commencement will follow a few days later after the moon is sighted. Security agencies have tightened vigilance following the threat. It may be noted that the dargah was previously targeted on October 11, 2007, when a blast during Roza Iftari killed three people and injured several others.
Rajasthan govt replaces jail term for minor violations with monetary penalties
JAIPUR: The Bhajan Lal Sharma Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rajasthan Jan Vishwas Ordinance, aimed at promoting ease of living and ease of doing business, mirroring the Centres Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The Rajasthan Public Trust (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025, cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday, eliminates jail terms for minor or technical breaches under 11 state laws and substituties them with monetary fines. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the Jan Vishwas ordinance is being introduced to promote ease of living and ease of doing business and to help reduce litigation. As part of the ordinance, several laws will undergo important changes. Under the Forest Act, for instance, the earlier provision of up to six months imprisonment for grazing cattle on forest land has been removed; only fines and compensation for damage will now apply. The government claims that this amendment will benefit tribal and rural communities that often face criminal action due to inadvertent entry into forest areas. Similarly, the Industrial Units Act will no longer allow imprisonment for minor procedural offences such as failure to present documents for inspection in state-aided industries. These provisions will now attract only financial penalties, offering relief to MSMEs and reducing fear of inspector raj. The Jaipur Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act has also been amended, removing jail penalties for relatively minor offences such as water wastage, obstruction of sewer lines, or unauthorized connections; such violations will now only lead to fines. Jogaram Patel said, he ordinance will give freedom from litigation to small industries and forest-dependent communities, which often spend years fighting cases over technical lapses. The government, he said, wants to create an environment of trust rather than fear. The reforms are expected to greatly benefit the states industrial and commercial sectors by eliminating jail terms for minor paperwork errors and reducing lengthy court processes. The minister added, Faster resolution of cases through fines will minimise disruptions to business operations and enhance compliance. The government also believes that simplifying legal procedures will strengthen Rajasthans appeal as an investment-friendly destination for domestic and international investors. The ordinance will come into effect soon after formal notification. It will apply only to violations categorized as minor or technical; existing penalties for serious offences will remain unchanged. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, also approved several other decisions, including extending the application deadline for compassionate appointments from 90 to 180 days and increasing the validity of recruitment waiting lists from six months to one year. In addition, the cabinet cleared the Pravasi Rajasthani Policy, 2025, to enhance engagement with non-resident Rajasthanis, the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy for supporting small businesses, and the Rajasthan Tourism Policy aimed at promoting investments in the tourism sector.
As chaos over mass cancellations continues, an IndiGo flight from Madinah to Hyderabad was diverted to Ahmedabad on Thursday following a bomb threat, PTI reported. PTI reported that the aircraft landed safely at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 12:30 pm, and all passengers and crew were deboarded for a thorough inspection, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Atul Bansal said. Bansal said an email sent to IndiGo claimed a bomb had been planted on the aircraft. As Ahmedabad was the nearest airport, the pilot sought an immediate landing as a precaution. Local police rushed to the airport to assist the CISF and NDRF after receiving the alert. Nothing suspicious was found during the initial search, officials said, says the PTI report. IndiGos operational disruptions continued for a second day on Thursday, with widespread cancellations across major airports after more than 200 flights were scrapped on Wednesday amid crew shortages and a slowdown in the SITA check-in software. IndiGo hit by fresh wave of cancellations, day after scrapping over 200 flights While the airline did not share day-specific numbers, airport sources told TNIE that Delhi saw 91 cancellations (44 departures, 47 arrivals), Bengaluru around 70, Mumbai 86, and Chennai 26. Hyderabad reported 18 cancellations, with more expected through the day, prompting flyers to complain of delays stretching up to 12 hours and poor communication. Airport authorities in Jaipur, Chennai and Delhi added seating, counters and support staff to manage crowds. Aviation data earlier showed IndiGo had cancelled 1,232 flights in November, including 755 due to crew and FDTL constraints. Sources also pointed to an ongoing Emirates recruitment drive in Delhi and Mumbai, adding pressure on IndiGos staffing. IndiGo said the disruptions were caused by multiple operational challenges and that stabilisation measures will remain in place for 48 hours. The DGCA has summoned the airline today to present its mitigation plan.
Rajasthan: Drunk drags cop for 500m on truck bonnet in Jaipur; driver arrested
Army Subedar dies of heart attack
Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Dec 3: An Army Subedar posted with the 23 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Nachlana area here today died after suffering a heart attack. Official sources informed that Subedar Ram Singh Gurjar, a resident of Jaipur, Rajasthan, complained of severe chest pain while on duty. He was immediately shifted to District Hospital Ramban, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. SSP Ramban, Arun Gupta informed that Police has taken cognisance of the incident. The post Army Subedar dies of heart attack appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rajasthan HC slams government for neglecting unsafe schools ahead of Pravasi Rajasthan event
JAIPUR: Just before the much-hyped Pravasi Rajasthan programme, the High Court has delivered an embarrassing jolt to the Rajasthan government. The court has sharply criticised the state for failing to prepare a clear roadmap for repairing dilapidated school buildings. The HC has also questioned why funds are being spent on grand events and beautification drives while unsafe schools continue to endanger school children. During the hearing, the Rajasthan High Court expressed strong displeasure over the repeated delays, remarking that despite the urgent need, the government has failed to prioritise school repairs. The bench warned that if funds are not allocated soon, it may order a halt to all other non-essential expenditures. A division bench of Justice Mahendra Kumar Goyal and Justice Ashok Kumar Jain is hearing suo motu proceedings and multiple PILs filed after the Jhalawar school disaster. When Advocate General Rajendra Prasad sought additional time to present a roadmap, the bench responded sharply: We have been listening to you for four months. How much more time do you need? The court has directed the government to submit a detailed plan by Friday at 10.30 am, failing which the Education Secretary will have to appear in person or through a Vice-Chancellor-level officer. During the hearing, the state government informed the court that it is raising funds from the Centre and other sources to improve school infrastructure. In response, the court orally remarked that the government seems to have sufficient funds for festivals, events, and beautification projects, and therefore the excuse of lack of funds for schools would not be accepted. The court further observed, Sometimes you say the funds will come from the Centre, sometimes from the DMFT. You claim you do not have money, yet the situation never changes. This is merely passing time. Repeatedly asking for more time shows the governments seriousness. The bench also noted that no government representative appeared during the previous hearing, calling it a clear reflection of the governments intent. If a special bench has been formed, there must be some seriousness in the matter, the court said. Earlier, during the November 6 hearing, the High Court had strongly criticised the states functioning, saying the government talks about Vision 2047 yet lacks planning for the next day when it comes to school safety. The state had informed the court that nearly 86,000 classrooms across Rajasthan are damaged but failed to explain how or when these classrooms would be repaired. The issue has been under close judicial scrutiny since the July 25 Piplodi school tragedy in Jhalawar, where the ceiling of a classroom collapsed, killing seven children and injuring 35 others. Two judges of the High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident. Following this, the Chief Justice constituted a special bench to hear all related matters. At a previous hearing, the court had even returned the governments renovation roadmap, calling it incomplete. The High Courts latest remarks have intensified public debate across the state, especially at a time when government schools continue to deteriorate even as the administration prepares for high-profile events and festivals.
The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB) has released the final result for the Animal Attendant Pashu Parichar Direct Recruitment-2023. A total of 5,778 candidates have been selected, including 5,146 from non-scheduled areas (NSA) and 632 from scheduled areas (SA). The result, including category-wise cut-offs, is available on the official RSSB website. Candidates can download the PDF to check final selections, roll numbers, and NSA and SA cut-offs. The Animal Husbandry Department, Jaipur will proceed with appointments.
SpiceJet flight makes emergency landing in Jaipur after suspected hydraulic issue
NEW DELHI: A total of 189 passengers on board a Spicejet flight from Mumbai to Jaipur had a scare midair due to a suspected malfunctioning of a hydraulic gear in the flight. The cockpit crew of SG 649 alerted the Jaipur International Airport they were approaching and an emergency was declared to give it priority landing. After the flight landed safely, investigations revealed that it was a bird hit incident. Airport sources told this reporter that they received a call around 4.35 pm stating that there was a technical problem in the hydraulic system of the approaching flight and it wanted a priority landing. A full scale emergency was declared at the airport. All other flight operations were held over to give priority landing to the aircraft. We followed all the emergency protocols with the fire engines, medical teams, security teams all put on high alert to handle any eventuality. The aircraft landed at 4.50 pm and it was a safe landing, the source added. The emergency at the airport was lifted after the smooth landing, he added. Another source said, On investigations, animal remains were found in the aircraft. We understood it was a bird hit incident. He added, When the flight is in air, the pilot would not know the exact problem. He felt there was an issue and reported it to us. Spicejet has not issued any official statement on the incident.
JAIPUR: Licensed Khadims will soon be the only ones allowed to conduct pilgrimages at the world-famous Ajmer Dargah of Khwaja Garib Nawaz. Acting on the instructions of the Central Government, the Dargah Committee has, for the first time in 75 years, initiated the licensing process for Khadims. On Monday, the government-appointed Dargah Nazim Mohammad Bilal Khan issued an official advertisement announcing that applications for Licensed Khadims will be accepted until January 5, 2026. However, the move has sparked sharp opposition. The Anjuman Committee at the Dargah has termed the decision as an attack on tradition and warned that 10,000 Khadim families and millions of followers from across India and abroad will protest against this move. Objections have also resurfaced regarding the installation of CCTV cameras inside the shrine. The Nazim had attempted to hold consultations before rolling out the licensing system. Two meetings were scheduled on November 24 and 27, but Khadim representatives did not attend either, after which the Committee proceeded unilaterally with the application process. The Khadims of Ajmer Sharif Dargah are a community of hereditary caretakers who belong to the Sayyid lineage. They have been the traditional caretakers of the shrine of the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti since medieval times, and their primary role is to assist pilgrims who visit the Dargah for spiritual solace and blessings. The decision has triggered unrest ahead of the Urs beginning December 16. Anjuman Yadgare Sufiyan, the principal Khadim organisation, has strongly opposed the move. Its secretary, Syed Sarwar Chishti, said during a press conference, This is our centuries-old ancestral and religious right. Since the Mughal era, Khadims have been performing their duties without any licence. The Dargah Committee cannot dare to take away this right. Warning of massive agitation, Chishti added, If the Committee continues this process, 10,000 Khadim families will gather inside the dargah complex. Millions of Khwajas devotees from across the country and the world will stand with us. We will not tolerate this. He further accused the Committee of repeatedly hurting the sentiments of the Khadim community, citing the dispute over CCTV installation. According to him, the Ministry of Minority Affairs does not spend on the Dargahs upkeep, while the salaries of government staff posted there are borne by the shrine itself. He also questioned the appointment of the Nazim, calling the committee non-existent and its orders arbitrary. We will seek to have this decision repealed. These unilateral decrees will not last long, he said. At the shrine, tensions between the Committee and the Khadim community are running high, and the issue could escalate into a major movement at any moment. Maintaining peace at the Dargah has once again emerged as a significant challenge. On the other hand, Dargah Nazim Mohammad Bilal Khan maintains that the licensing process is fully compliant with legal and administrative directives. This is being done strictly according to the rules of the Central Government and the orders of the court. No ones interests are being harmed, he said. He clarified that the system applies only to the Khadim community of Syed Zadgan and Sheikh Zadgan associated with the Dargah. The licensing framework, he said, is being implemented in accordance with Supreme Court and High Court orders, instructions from the Central and State Governments, district-level reports, and the Dargah Security Audit. Section 11(F) of the Dargah Khawaja Saheb Act, 1955 defines duties, identification norms, procedures, facilities, and measures for the welfare of pilgrimsprovisions that form the basis of this initiative. It is notable that since the formation of the Dargah Committee in 1956, three administrators and 37 Nazims have completed their terms, but none implemented a licensing system until now.
ISIs WhatsApp Spy With Operation Sindoor Link Arrested in Rajasthan
Jaipur: Rajasthan Polices CID Intelligence Wing has arrested a Punjab resident, Prakash Singh alias Badal (34), for allegedly spying for Pakistans ISI after he was detained near a military area in Sri Ganganagar while gathering sensitive information. Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Prafulla Kumar said Singh, a native of Ferozepur, had been in continuous contact [] The post ISIs WhatsApp Spy With Operation Sindoor Link Arrested in Rajasthan appeared first on Northlines .
Operational issues disrupt six IndiGo services at Chennai airport
CHENNAI: Flight operations at Chennai airport were partially disrupted on Tuesday, with six IndiGo services cancelled due to operational reasons, according to Chennai Airport sources. Flight 6E0705 from Kochi, was withdrawn from schedule shortly before its planned service to Chennai. Departures were more significantly affected, with five flights scrubbed through the morning peak from Chennai. Services to Guwahati (6E6312, 5:30 am), Bhubaneswar (6E0288, 5:50 am), Jaipur (6E6213, 6:45 am), Mumbai (6E6746, 7:15 am) and Kochi (6E0704, 9:20 am) were cancelled. Airport officials said the disruptions were isolated to IndiGo and were not linked to weather or infrastructure constraints. Normal operations continued on other routes.
Six flights cancelled at Chennai airport citing operational reasons
Flights to destinations including Guwahati, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Kochi andMumbai, were cancelled by the airlines due to operational reasons, AAI said
Jaipur Diary | Education depts circular triggers fresh buzz
The state education department and minister Madan Dilawar cant seem to stay away from controversy. The latest storm erupted over a circular directing schools to celebrate Shaurya Diwas on December 6, the day Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992. The order went viral within minutes. As Muslim organisations and opposition parties joined the uproar, department officials rushed to disown the circular, claiming it had never been authorised. From dictating uniforms for female teachers to tweaking history lessons, Dilawar has long faced accusations of saffronising education and this unsigned, withdrawn order has only added more fuel to the fire. Ex-dySP post on money collection stirs row The state police have landed in controversy after ex-Dungarpur DySP Hanumant Singh Bhatis social media post claiming senior officials collected up to Rs 5 lakh from police officers to impress the DGP before his district visit, went viral. A leaked chat allegedly showing ASP Ashok Meena asking for Rs 30,000 from each police station for the August 25 visit added fuel to the fire. By afternoon, Bhati said his account had been hacked. By evening, he called it a misunderstanding and claimed that the amount had budgetary approval. Despite his clarification, social media is buzzing that Bhatis post has exposed the police departments inner workings. Emergence of Congs third power centre Rajasthan Congress, already split into two factions, is now abuzz with talk of a third power centrestate president Govind Singh Dotasara. The latest list of 45 district presidents is dominated by his loyalists, further boosting his clout. Dotasaras stature has grown since Congress won 11 Lok Sabha seats in 2024, a sharp turnaround from its defeats in 2014 and 2019. But his rise has reportedly made senior leaders uneasy, with whispers of tension between Ashok Gehlot and Dotasara adding to the intrigue. As Congress heads toward the next Assembly polls, many wonder how the party will manage this power struggle. Rajesh Asnani Our correspondent in Jaipur rajesh.asnani@newindianexpress.com
Tere Ishk Mein Team Celebrates Strong Opening with Roaring Reception at Jaipurs Rajmandir Cinema
After minting 50.95 crores on its first opening weekend, Director Aanand L Rai, Dhanush, and Kriti Sanon celebrates audience love at Jaipurs iconic single-screen Rajmandir.
MAHE Online's 2nd Convocation: Honouring and Celebrating its Graduates
As a part of its 33 rd Convocation, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), one of Indias premier institutes, successfully conducted the 2 nd Convocation for its online learners. The ceremony, held on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the MAHE Bengaluru campus, marked a significant milestone in MAHEs commitment to continuous learning and access to quality, world-class education. 2nd Convocation of MAHE Online Education was held at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Bengaluru campus on November 30, 2025 Recognizing the achievements of 1380 graduates from across 24 states and 4 Union Territories in India and 21 countries across the globe, MAHE Online reaffirmed its vision of empowering learners beyond geographical boundaries. Graduates from various postgraduate programs such as MBA, MSc Data Science, MSc Business Analytics, and PGCP, who successfully completed their degrees through MAHEs comprehensive online learning platform were honoured and celebrated. The diverse cohort of learners included working professionals, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and students from both rural and urban areas who leveraged digital education to advance their careers, pursue their academic aspirations, and strengthen their commitment to lifelong learning. Visionary Voices Shaping Tomorrows Leaders Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE declared the convocation open, followed by a warm welcome address by Dr Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor (Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences), MAHE, where he congratulated all the graduates for their remarkable achievements recognizing their efforts. Dear graduates, it is a great honour for me to stand before you today. Our Directorate of Online Education (DOE) has more than 13,400 students from 55 countries, literally representing all the continents. Our DOE also collaborates with leading corporations to deliver customised online certifications, upskilling and reskilling micro-credential programs empowering working professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving world , said and Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE , presenting a comprehensive overview of MAHE and its long-held legacy. In her convocation address, Ms. Paroma Chatterjee, CEO, Revolut India - Chief Guest , reflected the learnings of her own journey reminding graduates that, Building a legacy requires continuous learning. Deep cultural emotion has been one of my most important takeaways. Truly embrace personal responsibility, keep your energy high through every up and down, and remember that consistency is the most resounding message I want to leave with all of you today. Mr Ambrish Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, UNext Learning - Guest of Honour remarked, To all the graduates here today, you are the future. You are graduating at a time when Indias industries are transforming at lightning speed. Our healthcare system is expanding, our digital economy is accelerating, and our supply chains are going global. The world needs leaders who can think across data, strategy, technology, and people. And you represent exactly that kind of talent. And if there is one thing your journey has proven, it is this: you are ready for what comes next. Congratulations again. The ceremony also saw the presence of other senior leadership including Dr Vinod V Thomas, Registrar, Evaluation, MAHE, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor (MAHE Mangalore Campus), Dr P Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor (Technology & Science), Dr Manojkumar Nagasampige, Director, DOE, MAHE and along with other distinguished dignitaries and Heads of Institutions. Premium Education Designed for Real-World Success The convocation also featured many compelling stories from graduates whose careers and lives had significantly evolved through MAHEs online programs. Many shared achievements such as promotions, new entrepreneurial ventures, global opportunities, and meaningful career transitions. Accessible from tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well as international locations, MAHE Online has enabled thousands to pursue world-class education without geographical or professional constraints. About MAHE Online Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is one of Indias leading academic and research institutions. It is ranked #3 by NIRF, along with a NAAC A++ rating and prestigious Institution of Eminence (IoE) recognition. The institution has been offering world-class education across diverse streams since 1953.MAHEs online learners get free access to Coursera courses and certifications during the tenure of the program. They are also offered placement assistance in the form of skill assessments & enhancement, industry-readiness sessions, resume building, and virtual placement drives.MAHE currently offers 10 degrees & certification programs online mode and caters to 13,000+ learners across 55 countries and over 25 states. www.onlinemanipal.com/institution/mahe About Online Manipal Online Manipal is the digital home of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), and Sikkim Manipal University (SMU). These three Manipal universities, accredited with NAAC A++ and NAAC A+, offer UGC-entitled online degrees equivalent to on-campus programs. Since its inception in 2021, Online Manipal has empowered over 150,000 learners to realize their potential by providing them with accessible, affordable & industry-relevant degrees and new-age certifications in a 100% online mode. Online Manipals integrated learning platform gives access to extensive e-learning material, recorded sessions, webinars, doubt clearing sessions, quizzes, assignments, and more. www.onlinemanipal.com .
Third BLO dies in Rajasthan, family blames excessive work pressure
Days after a BLO died by suicide in Jaipur, the suspicious death of another Booth Level Officer has shaken Rajasthan. A young BLO in his early 40s from Dholpur district has died under suspicious circumstances, and his family has alleged that excessive work pressure led to his death. Anuj Garg (42), the BLO of Part Number 158 of the Gaushala sector in Dholpur city, collapsed in Pratap Vihar Colony on Saturday night while uploading Special Intensive Review (SIR) forms. The incident occurred in the Pratap Vihar Colony of the Nihalganj area in Dholpur. The deceased's sister, Vandana Garg, claimed that he had been under immense pressure due to SIR work and had been working until 2 am every night. On the night of the incident, around 1 am, Anuj was uploading voter-related form data when his health suddenly deteriorated. He asked for tea, but before he could drink even a sip, he fell unconscious, she said. The family immediately took him to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead. According to them, the excessive workload caused severe mental stress, which led to the sudden deterioration in his health. According to Anujs colleagues, he had completed more than 80% of the SIR work allotted to him and was striving to reach 100%. Due to this, he was continuously under mental and physical stress. Anuj Garg was posted as a teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School, Bara. He was appointed in 2012. He leaves behind his wife Sangeeta, two sons, Harshit Garg (9) and Devansh (2). Experts say the pressure of work on more than 5.32 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are knocking on the doors of over 510 million voters in 12 states across the country, is intensifying each day. Politics over this issue is also heating up in the country after over two dozen deaths in 25 days, which includes three BLOs in Rajasthan. SIR: BLO dies by suicide in UP's Moradabad, final note blames work pressure
BLO dies while uploading SIR data in Rajasthan's Dholpur
A 42-year-old booth-level officer, Anuj Garg, collapsed and died at his home in Jaipur. He was uploading voter data late Saturday night. His family alleges he was working under extreme pressure due to a heavy workload. Doctors declared him dead on arrival at the district hospital. Police are investigating the incident.
Rajasthan: Unidentified miscreants set ablaze car workshop in Jhunjhunu, 18 vehicles gutted
JAIPUR: Eighteen cars were gutted after unidentified miscreants allegedly set ablaze a car workshop in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, police said on Sunday. According to the police, a land dispute between the workshop owner and another group may have been the cause of the incident. The incident occurred on the Churu Bypass Road on Saturday night, triggering explosions from fuel tanks and sending a thick plume of smoke billowing into a large area. Residents rushed out of their homes as fire tenders, police teams, and a large crowd gathered at the spot. Car workshop owner Nasir said he had closed the premises in the evening and returned home. At night, neighbours called to say flames were rising from the workshop. When I reached, everything was on fire... All the cars were engulfed, and explosions occurred one after another, he said. The fuel inside the vehicles intensified the blaze as multiple tanks burst, police said, adding that three fire tenders took around 90 minutes and five rounds to bring the flames under control. Kotwali Station House Officer Shrawan Kumar said a case has been registered and efforts are on to trace the accused. A forensic science lab team has collected evidence from the spot, he added. Preliminary investigation revealed an ongoing land dispute between Nasir and another group, including a man identified as Anil Kumawat. Tensions between the two sides had escalated in recent months, the officer said.
HC directs govt to encourage ride-hailing apps to have 15 pc women drivers
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to encourage app-based ride-hailing platforms to have at least 15 per cent women drivers within six months. It also directed raising the target to 25 per cent over the next two to three years. The court order also said that platforms must offer women passengers Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Millions of poor losing right to vote: Sachin Pilot raises alarm over SIR
Jaipur: Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Saturday accused the Election Commission of acting with unprecedented haste and creating widespread fear during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging that voter deletions, especially of the poor, Dalits, tribals, and the uneducated, were happening on a massive scale. Speaking in Jaipur and Tonk, Pilot said the ECs Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Couple critical after being set on fire over family feud in Jaipur village
Police detained two persons at Mokhampura after registering and FIR
Strengthening Young Minds : The Urgent Need for Emotional Safety in Schools and Homes
Meenu Gupta mguptadps@gmail.com The recent suicides of school-going children- including the deeply painful case from a Jaipur school and the Delhi Metro incident have left the nation shaken and questioning. These tragedies are not isolated events, they are warnings that our children are silently drowning under pressures they cannot name and emotions they cannot navigate. At an age when they should be laughing, exploring, and learning fearlessly, many children today are battling invisible wounds. It is time we acknowledge a [] The post Strengthening Young Minds : The Urgent Need for Emotional Safety in Schools and Homes appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Karnataka rift rumours: Gehlot asserts Congress under Kharge & Rahul is united
Jaipur: Amid persistent speculations of a rift within the Congress government in Karnataka, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday asserted that the party remains united under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. His remarks came on a day when Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
From Jaipur to Kochi, how tier-2 and 3 cities are fast emerging as the new GCC battleground
India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem is expanding beyond major metros into tier-2 cities like Jaipur and Kochi. This shift is driven by rising costs and talent competition in tier-1 hubs, offering scalable operations at lower expenses. While fresh graduates are available, experienced professionals still favor established metro ecosystems.
A wedding guest's video highlighting a Rs 37.40 lakh bill for a four-hour event in Jaipur has ignited discussions about grand Indian weddings. India is currently experiencing its peak wedding season, with millions of marriages planned. This period is expected to significantly boost the economy.
Cyber fraudsters cite terror links to target senior citizens
BHOPAL: Senior citizens in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are facing a new and highly unsettling cyber-fraud tactic, with criminals impersonating anti-terror investigators, placing victims under a so-called digital arrest, and extorting huge sums by falsely accusing them of involvement in terror funding. In Bhopal, the fear triggered by such calls has already claimed a life. Sixty-eight-year-old advocate Shiv Kumar Verma recently died by suicide at his home. A suicide note, purportedly penned by him, revealed the possibility of him being targeted by cyber fraudsters by threatening stringent action against him for funding the April 22 Pahalgam attack. According to investigators, the note and subsequent probe by Jahangirabad police suggested that fraudsters, possibly posing as anti-terror sleuths, had told him that his HDFC Bank account was being used for terror funding. With no one else at home and terrified of being labelled anti-national, Verma hanged himself. Police say it is the first suicide in Bhopal linked to digital arrest. At least five to seven similar incidents have surfaced in the city involving the elderly over the past 10 days. In Bhopals Kohfiza area, another elderly advocate received calls from men posing as anti-terror cops, but unlike Verma, he realised in time that the callers were fraudsters trying to con him. Others, however, were not so fortunate. A retired bank manager lost `68 lakhhis entire savingsafter being kept under digital arrest by callers who claimed to be investigating terror-related offences. A retired government servant lost around `8 lakh, and an elderly housewife has also reported being targeted in a similar manner. A cyber cell officer confirmed the modus operandi. Earlier, such fraudsters posing as cops or sleuths of investigation agencies extorted money from elderlies by triggering fear of their details having been used for money laundering, narcotics smuggling and human trafficking. But with sustained education and awareness about the menace of digital arrest, the cyber thugs novel modus operandi is creating fear of involvement in terror-related, particularly terror funding cases. Rajasthan has also reported similar incidents. In two to three cases in Jaipur and Udaipur, fraudsters have targeted the elderly by linking them to the Delhi blast case, said Shantanu Singh, SP (State CybercrimeJaipur). In Indore, police say the targeting is systematic. Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya said, These gangs work in multi layers, one of those layers comprises men and women, who scan the social media activity of senior citizens. The fraudsters zero in on the victims and put them under a digital arrest.
JDA notice to Shiva temple sparks controversy, enforcement officer suspended
JAIPUR: The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has suspended Enforcement Officer Arun Kumar Poonia following a controversy over an encroachment notice issued to a Lord Shiva temple in Vaishali Nagar. JDA Secretary Nishant Jain issued the suspension order on Friday, stating that Poonia will receive allowances as per service rules during the suspension period and that his headquarters has been fixed at the office of the ADGP (Personnel), Jaipur. The dispute began during a road-widening drive in the Vaishali Nagar area, where the JDA team pasted encroachment notices on several shops and houses. In the same exercise, the Lord Shiva Temple located on Gandhi Path was also declared an illegal construction. The notice, issued on November 21, was addressed not to an individual, committee, or caretaker but directly to the Lord Shiva Temple, directing that a reply be submitted within seven days. According to the survey report of JDA Zone 7, the temples boundary wall extends 1.59 meters inside the proposed road alignment, categorizing it as an encroachment. The notice warned that if no response or documentary proof was submitted within the stipulated time, the authority would initiate unilateral action to remove the encroachment. Will Lord Shiva come to present documents?: JDA notice to temple triggers public anger in Jaipur Residents, however, strongly objected. They asserted that the temple is not an unauthorized structure but was constructed by the JDA itself years ago along with the adjoining park. Even the boundary wall, they claimed, was built by the authoritys own agency. Calling the same structure an encroachment now, they argued, was completely unjustified and insensitive. Local residents said that issuing such a notice to a religious site hurts public sentiments and that the administration should act with greater caution and empathy. As protests intensified in the area, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) intervened, reviewing preliminary facts and ordering the suspension of the enforcement officer, holding him accountable for the controversy. In its statement, the CMO said the officers conduct reflected serious and deliberate negligence in government work and showed a clear departure from expected administrative behavior, indicating arbitrariness. Meanwhile, officials in JDAs enforcement wing maintained that the action was part of compliance with High Court directions arising from a pending petition. The Deputy Commissioner of Zone 7, tasked with surveying structures along Gandhi Path for the widening project, reportedly found that the temples boundary wall intruded into the proposed road width and listed it as encroachment. The incident has triggered sharp public reactions, raising questions about administrative discretion, sensitivity toward religious structures, and accountability within government agencies.
JAIPUR : Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde has accepted the resignation of Mohanlal Sukhadiya University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunita Mishra, who recently courted controversy after referring to Mughal ruler Aurangzeb as an efficient administrator. Her remark triggered strong reactions across Udaipur, leading to widespread student protests and a series of formal complaints. The controversy began on 12 September during an international conference on Roadmap for a Developed India held at a local college. Speaking in a historical context, Prof. Mishra described Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan and Akbar as good rulers, and referred to Aurangzeb as an efficient administrator. The comments drew immediate backlash. Several student organisations launched protests, and MLA Vishvaraj Singh, a descendant of the former Mewar royal family, also expressed sharp displeasure over her statement. Amid mounting pressure, Prof. Mishra initially refrained from resigning and instead proceeded on leave on 23 September. She still had eight months and nine days left in her tenure. Appointed on 6 August 2023, her term was scheduled to continue until 6 August 2026. However, her resignation has now been formally accepted by the Governor. In addition to the student protests, multiple complaints were filed against Prof. Mishra. Taking these seriously, the state government constituted an inquiry committee chaired by the Udaipur Divisional Commissioner. The committee examined the allegations and submitted its report to the government. Meanwhile, the states Technical Advisor, B. P. Saraswat, also criticised her remarks. Eventually, Prof. Mishra stepped down from the post of Vice-Chancellor. Her resignation has reopened a broader debate: should historical discourse remain rooted in documented facts, or be shaped by public sentiment and contemporary sensitivities? With the position now vacant, Mohanlal Sukhadiya University may get a new Vice-Chancellor within the next three months. A search committee will be formed on the Governors instructions. The committee will invite applications from academicians with at least 10 years of professorial experience, shortlist the candidates and send five names to the Governor. Governor Bagde will then recommend one name, which will be approved by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. This time, it is widely expected that the university may appoint an academic from Mewar or Rajasthan as its next Vice-Chancellor.
CCTV captures violent Rajasthan gang clash as cars ram bike
Jaipur: Two criminal gangs allegedly clashed in Kotputli-Behror district, with one group attempting to run over three bike-borne men using a Thar and a Swift, while the other group retaliated by firing at the vehicles, police said on Friday. A CCTV footage of the clash surfaced on Friday morning. The incident took place on Wednesday Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Delhi inflation rate lower than other metros: Government report
NEW DELHI: The inflation rate in Delhi remained substantially lower than in other metro cities and the national average last year, especially in the fuel and light group, according to a government report. The report prepared by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics of the Delhi government, however, showed that the inflation rate rose in the food & beverages and housing sectors. The report assessed the Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers IW) between Delhi and 14 other metros. These were Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Indore, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Amritsar and Lucknow. The report said that during 2024-25, CPI (IW), Kolkata, recorded the highest increase (3.6 per cent) while it was (3.4 per cent) at the All India level, followed by Mumbai (3.0 per cent), Delhi (1.8 per cent), and no change was observed in the case of Chennai. Among the selected cities assessed by the report, Delhi had the third lowest Consumer Price Index (IW) for the 2024 calendar year and the fifth lowest Consumer Price Index (IW) for the financial year 2024-25 out of the selected 15 major cities, while Lucknow and Chandigarh had the maximum Consumer Price Index (IW). A Consumer Price Index (CPI) is designed to measure changes over time in the general level of retail prices of selected goods and services that households purchase for consumption. In 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024, Delhi had lower inflation rates than All India. However, in 2022, Delhi had a higher inflation rate than All India. Last year, the inflation rate in Delhi was 1.7 per cent, and at the national level, it was 3.8 per cent. Inflation in Delhi, as measured by the CPI (IW), has ranged from 1.7 per cent to 8 per cent from 2020 to 2024. The price rise was recorded at 1.7 per cent in 2024, compared to 3.7 per cent in 2023. In the food and beverages group, an inflation rate of 5.6 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 4.6 per cent in 2023. In the paan, supari, tobacco and intoxicant group, no variation was recorded in 2024, whereas the inflation rate was 3.7 per cent in 2023. However, the report observed that the inflation rate stood at 1.3 per cent in 2024, down from 5.1 per cent the previous year. In the housing group, an inflation rate of 3.1 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 2.2 per cent in 2023. In the fuel and light group, a negative inflation rate of 20.1 per cent was observed in 2024, compared with 3.7 per cent in 2023. The miscellaneous group consists of items falling under the categories of medicines, medical services, education services, stationery, recreation, transport and communication, personal care effects, household requisites and other services -- hair cutting, tailoring, etc. In the miscellaneous group, Delhi recorded an inflation rate of 0.1 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent in 2023.
Will Lord Shiva come to present temple papers?
JAIPUR: An encroachment notice sent by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to a Shiva temple has sparked anger in local residents, as it was sent directly to the temple rather than its management committee. Who will respond to the notice on behalf of the temple, and who will submit the documents? asked Indu Gurnani, a resident of Jaipurs Vaishali Nagar, where the temple is located. The notice, pasted on the temple wall on November 21, demands a response within seven days. The temples boundary wall extends 1.59 metres inside an area where a road will be widened. The notice warns that if no supporting documents are submitted, the encroachment will be removed. Residents say the JDA had built the temple and its agency constructed the boundary wall. Calling the same structure an encroachment now is unjustified. Moreover, will Lord Shiva appear with documents on November 28, as the notice was not served to temple managers? asked a devotee. A JDA official said that as part of standard procedure, a notice is placed wherever encroachment is observed.
RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of police on 29-30 November at the Indian Institute of Management, Nava Raipur. The three-day conference, scheduled to commence from November 28 (Friday) aims to review the progress achieved in addressing key policing challenges so far and to outline a forward-looking roadmap for building a Surakshit Bharat in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. Held under the overarching theme Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions, the conference will host detailed deliberations on key security issues such as left-wing extremism, counter terrorism, disaster management, womens safety, and the use of forensic science and artificial intelligence in policing. The PM will also confer the Presidents Police Medals for Distinguished Service. According to the senior officials, the M1 and M11 sections of the newly constructed Speaker House in Naya Raipur have been designated as the vital nerve centre, serving as the stay for the PM Modi and union home minister Amit Shah. The conference will be attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Ministers of State (Home Affairs), DGPs of States/UTs and Heads of Central Police Organisations. The conference will be a vital interactive platform for senior police officials and security administrators from across the country to engage in open and meaningful exchanges on a wide range of national security issues. It also facilitates the discussion of operational, infrastructural, and welfare-related challenges faced by the Police forces, along with the formulation and sharing of professional practices in addressing crime, maintaining law and order, and responding to internal security threats. PM Modi has consistently taken a keen interest in such annual conferences, encouraging candid discussions and fostering an environment where fresh ideas on policing can emerge. Business sessions, break-out interactions and thematic dining table discussions offer participants an opportunity to share their perspectives directly with the Prime Minister on critical internal security and policy matters. Since 2014, the format of the DGP/IG Conference has undergone continuous upgradation under the PMs guidance, including hosting it at diverse locations across the country. The conference has so far been held in Guwahati (Assam), Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), Hyderabad (Telangana), Tekanpur (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh), Statue of Unity (Kevadiya, Gujarat), Pune (Maharashtra), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), New Delhi and Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Bhubaneswar (Odisha). Continuing this tradition, the 60th Conference is being organized this year in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Pakistani intruder held in Rajasthans Barmer
JAIPUR, Nov 27: A Pakistani intruder was caught hiding inside a cattle shed near the International Border in Rajasthans Barmer district, police said on Thursday. Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena said the man, who identified himself as as Hindal (24), a resident of Nayatala village in Mithi area of Pakistan, is suspected to have crossed the border fencing under the cover of darkness and reached nearly 200 metres inside Indian territory. He was found hiding in a cow shed [] The post Pakistani intruder held in Rajasthans Barmer appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Passengers fume as Indigo flights face long delays, airline cites 'operational reasons'
NEW DELHI: Indigo flights across the country suffered extensive delays from Wednesday evening into the night, with the airline repeatedly citing operational reasons. While Indigo also mentioned air-traffic congestion at Mumbai and Delhi, officials at Delhi airport completely denied any such congestion. Passengers, meanwhile, alleged that the non-availability of pilots for certain flights was among the key causes. Multiple attempts to obtain an official response from Indigo yielded no result. However, the airlines official handle on X kept replying to passengers that every delay was due to operational reasons. The worst affected routes included the DelhiChandigarh sector, where flights were delayed in both directions. Deepak Dhiman, a passenger, posted, Indigo flight 6E 2195 from Chandigarh to Delhi is delayed by 6 hours. Pilot is not available to fire the engine. Passengers are forced to wait for the pilot. No one knows when this flight will take off. An hour later, he updated that the pilot had arrived and the plane was being refuelled. Rajeev Chawla, another irate passenger, questioned the airline, Do you have a sense of responsibility? Flight from Delhi to Chandigarh (6E 2196) was to depart at 2.55 pm. Now it will depart at 8 pm. Is it fair to harass customers for a 45-min flight for five hours? Passenger Anandika Khajuria appealed to the aviation regulator DGCA and the Civil Aviation Minister to look into what operational issues were causing such lengthy delays. Although Indigo attributed the delays to congestion at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, multiple airport sources, including the official spokesperson, denied any such congestion. In the south, the Bengaluru to Coimbatore service (6E 914) departed at 8.20 pm instead of 4.45 pm. Passenger Mayank Jha posted, Flight 6E 914 was supposed to take off at 4.45 pm. Delayed to 7.15 pm and delayed further because the First Officer hasnt even arrived. Who is accountable for this level of mismanagement? The Chennai to Jaipur flight (6E 6381), scheduled to depart at 8.50 pm, was postponed repeatedly before finally being rescheduled to 1 am on 27 November. Flyer Vijay Mathur listed four different delay announcements: from 8.50 pm to 9.20 pm; then to 10.50 pm; then to 12.50 am; and finally to 1 am. The Chandigarh to Mumbai flight (6E 5019) was delayed by nearly seven hours. Scheduled to take off at 3.55 pm, it was eventually slated for departure at 10.45 pm. Passenger Apurva Parekh wrote, Delays of 6 hours and no clarity. These guys have no clue how to handle passengers. Very bad customer service and support. Indigo responded that the delay was due to operational reasons and said the team was doing its best to get the aircraft airborne. Another flyer on the same service, Kumar Gaurav, demanded clarity on the delay. The Mumbai to Bengaluru flight (6E 5074) was delayed thrice, contributing to nearly two hours of waiting time. The delay was attributed to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft (6E 5073). Passenger Pramod Modi posted, 6E 5073 delayed by almost three hours but still such poor gate management that no one in ground staff is able to decide the boarding gate Indigo did not issue any official statement on the disruptions. One user even defended the airline, arguing that the delayed flights formed only a small portion of its total operations. A day earlier, on Tuesday, more than 100 passengers on the Pune to Delhi flight (6E 2285) were delayed by over three hours after one of the pilots refused to fly, stating his duty hours had ended, according to reports from Pune. Violation of Flight Duty Time Limitations is taken seriously by the aviation regulator. If you want, I can also polish the headline further or give 23 alternate options.
The CBI has busted a bribery racket at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Jaipur, arresting a judicial member, an advocate, and an appellant. Officials recovered over 1 crore in cash along with documents, uncovering an organised network that was allegedly settling appeals in exchange for money. Further investigation is currently underway.
Mirove serves Jaipur with a side of whimsy traditions reinvented, memories stirred
'Sadly, It's Working In...': Google Meet Outage Triggers Meme Storm Among Office-Goers On X
Google Meet suffered a major outage, with users in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Madurai, Bengaluru, and Chennai reporting access and server issues.
Marwari Catalysts startups secure strategic funding across emerging sectors from SIG Tattva (Home to Hindware), GVFL, Antler, 35North, Vitalis Capital, IPV & Malpani Venture. 50cr raised by Marwari Catalysts portfolio startups MCats Accelerator and Venture Studio continue to drive investor confidence in founders across healthcare, sustainability, AI, and consumer brands a positive signal for Indias evolving startup landscape. Funding Across High-Impact Sectors The raise spans a diverse set of emerging industries, each addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in Indias heartland: Affordable Fertility Care (Elara IVF) designed for aspirational Tier II markets. Fintech-Enabled B2B E-Commerce Platform for Building Materials (Mad Over Building). Insurtech (Inka) redefining insurance access for Indias underserved communities through digital innovation and simplicity. Healthtech (Sarathi Healthcare) elderly care platform enhancing dignified, last-mile access to healthcare and assisted living. Consumer Brands (TURMS) intelligent wear engineered with advanced fabric technology, designed for comfort, performance, and the Indian lifestyle. Mobility & Logistics (DOCO) overcoming non-metro transport and supply-chain gaps. More details will be announced soon. Investors include angel investors, family offices, impact funds, and corporate innovation teams signalling broad cross-sector confidence in the MCats approach. This is also a strong validation that family offices and HNIs are increasingly interested in the venture studio model. Founders Perspective This is not just capitalits validation , said Sushil Sharma , Founder of Marwari Catalysts Group. These startups are solving real problems, building for real India, and showing that innovation isnt confined to geography . A Larger Shift in the Ecosystem This consolidated raise reflects a wider shift in investor mindsetfrom chasing valuations in metros to backing sustainable, scalable ventures emerging from Indias smaller cities. For MCats, it reaffirms its mission to bridge the gap between opportunity and origin, ensuring talented founders are discovered, funded, and scaled. About Marwari Catalysts Marwari Catalysts Group (MCats) is one of Indias fastest-growing startup ecosystem player (Accelerator and Venture Studio), with mentors with skin in the game supporting 100+ early-stage ventures across 20+ cities backed by SEBI-approved CAT-I AIF. MCats provide capital, mentorship, and global market access to founders. Its portfolio has already created 5,000+ jobs while driving inclusion through 35% women-led startups and successfully done 11+ exits. We are headquartered in Jodhpur with regional offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Jaipur. Welcome to MCats Family!
This 181-kilometer expressway will begin at NH-48 and NH-448 in Kishangarh and end at Paniyala (NH-148B) in Kotputli. Read here to know details.
Dharmendras political journey in Rajasthan: How the star forged an enduring bond with Bikaner
JAIPUR: As India grieves the loss of Dharmendra, one of its most beloved film stars, in Bikaner, the sorrow runs differently. For many here, he was not just the He-Man of Hindi cinema but a former representative who once stepped into Parliament on their mandate at the start of the 21st century. Dharmendra entered active politics in 2004, contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Bikaner constituency on a BJP ticket. He made the move during the partys India Shining campaign and, along with actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha, met senior BJP leader L.K. Advani before entering the fray. In that election, the Congress had fielded senior leader Rameshwar Dudi. With no strong alternative to take on Dudi, the BJP turned to Dharmendra in the Jat belt of Rajasthan politics. The contest that followed was intense. Dharmendras sons and famous actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, campaigned extensively in Bikaner, and the actor won the seat with a decisive margin of 57,000 votes. Despite the decisive victory, Dharmendras nature never aligned with the rough edges of politics. After completing a five-year term, he walked away from electoral life, later explaining that politics was not the place for him. He never returned to contest another election. Political observers recall that Dharmendra refrained from making personal attacks during his campaign. Remarkably, he never mentioned Rameshwar Dudi by name while canvassing. Whenever asked about his opponents strength, Dharmendra would say simply, Rameshwar is like my younger brother. However, his absence from Bikaner in the first year of his term sparked a public row. Some residents put up posters declaring him missing, a move that deeply affected the actor-turned-MP. Dharmendra soon returned to the constituency, met people on the ground, and began actively utilising his MP quota. Dharmendra: The hero who could break both bones and hearts effortlessly Throughout his tenure, he approved funds for community groups, organisations, and institutions whenever requests were made. While he was Member of Parliament from Bikaner, a dispute occurred between the farmers and the state government over the purchase of peanuts. His own party was in power, but Dharmendra stood up for the farmers' rights and even offered to help them with the crop purchase using his own money. What style he carried, what a way with words, he wasn't just an actor. His personality carried a Sufi-like touch , there was a philosophical touch to his words and thoughts. Recalls Veteran Journalist Narayan Bareth who interviewed him while he was Bikaner MP. Even today, several places in Bikaner display boards bearing his name, marking projects supported through his MP quota. Most of these allocations were processed on the recommendations of BJP leader Satyaprakash Acharya and his personal secretary, Kamal Vyas. Dharmendra may have contested from Bikaner only once, but the citys affection for him long predates his political career. The news of his death comes barely a month after the passing of his 2004 rival, Rameshwar Dudi, who succumbed to a prolonged illness -- bringing an unexpected, poignant symmetry to their intertwined political chapters. Dharmendra never forgot his humble roots, had deep emotional bond with ancestral village in Punjab
No, This Video Doesnt Show a Gen-Z Protest Against Vote Theft in Jaipur
The video shows a torch light rally taken out by a politician's supporters in memory of victims of an accident.
Father of the deceased student said that 22 days have passed since the incident. He said that, despite the seriousness of the matter, the investigation has remained extremely slow, adding to the family's anguish.
2 Killed As Speeding Dumper Rams Motorcycle In Jaipur
Two men were killed after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding dumper truck near the Transport Nagar tunnel here on Sunday morning, police said.
Anmol Bishnoi: The phantom trigger-man
In the long reach of the Bishnoi crime syndicate, Anmol Bishnoi, by 24, had grown into the quiet operator who, investigators say, had by degrees slipped into the role of the de facto runner of the gang of his elder brother, Lawrence. Born in 1999 in Dutarawali village in Fazilka district of Punjab, he learned early the workings of a criminal nexus that linked local violence to international networks. Now in the custody of the National Investigation Agency after being deported from the US, he faces a dossier that has followed him across continents. His dossier sketches a steady trajectory. Lawrence sent Anmol to Jodhpur for studies in 2016 after Anmol had studied in Abohar earlier, but problems followed him there as well. During that time, three cases of assault and illegal arms were registered against him. State police records show he is named as an accused in 16 FIRs across Punjab between October 2012 and July 2025. The first, at Abohar City Police Station in 2012, named offences included attempt to murder, voluntarily causing grievous injury and the Arms Act violations. Subsequent FIRs charged him with trespass, theft, forgery, criminal conspiracy, extortion and offences under the Passports Act; a court later issued open warrants. Investigators say he was principal overseas handler, directing extortion rackets, issuing threats and coordinating assignments through encrypted channels. The NIA maintains that Anmol continued to run terror syndicates and execute terrorist acts from the US for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, using its operatives on the ground. From abroad, he is accused of managing shooters, arranging logistics, and keeping the machinery of intimidation active despite distance. Travel and false identities were central to his movements. Punjab Police informed the Intelligence Bureau on June 15, 2022, that Anmol had slipped out of the country by flying from Jaipur to Dubai, then to Kenya, and finally to the US. He travelled on a fake passport issued in the name of Bhanu Pratap, with Rakesh as the fathers name. His real father is Lovinder Bishnoi. In October last year, the NIA added him to Indias most wanted list and announced a reward of `10 lakh for information leading to his arrest. He was arrested in Sacramento, California, in November last year for entering the country on illegal documents and was kept under an ankle monitor, a GPS-based tracking device used in court-ordered surveillance cases. He did not always stay hidden. In April 2023, he was spotted at a Punjabi wedding in Californiaan appearance investigators later cited as evidence of the confidence he placed in multiple identities and the safe houses that supported him abroad. The dossier maps a network that crosses continents. It names members in the US, Portugal, Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey and the UAE. Some 18 of Anmols known aides are currently abroad, including Godly Brar and 9 others who recently fled India, assuming fake identities and using fake passports. Investigators say he allegedly made extortion calls to businessmen through WhatsApp, Signal and VOIP (VPN). In cases where ransom was not paid, they contend, gang members were sent and shots were fired. Authorities say shelter, weapons and movement were arranged for operatives who carried out attacks in India. Investigations revealed that he provided shelter and logistical support to the gangs shooters and operatives, and engaged in extortion in India from foreign soil with the help of other gangsters. His presence overseas, the NIA argues, helped the syndicate build links with criminal groups across West Asia, East Africa and North America. The allegations tie him to some of the gangs most notorious acts. The dossier suggests he coordinated the plot that led to the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala near Moosa village in Mansa district on May 29, 2022, providing weapons and support on his behest. The NIA charge-sheet in March 2023 said he had actively aided designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 20202023 period. His name also surfaced in brazen attacks in Mumbai. On April 14 last year, two individuals fired outside Salman Khans home in Bandra; Anmol claimed responsibility on Facebook. A charge sheet later said planning had been going on since August 2023 and that Bishnoi delivered a nine-minute speech to motivate the shooters, telling them they were going to make history. Three months later, on October 12, the killing of Nationalist Congress Party leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique outside the office of his son in Bandra led investigators to name Anmol as the plotter. Some 26 people allegedly connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have been arrested in that case, and the Mumbai Police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Absconding since 2022, Anmol became the 19th accused to be arrested in connection with the terror-syndicate led by Lawrence. The NIAs narrative presentshim as a young man who learned the trade, moved quickly and believed distance and forged identities could shield him. Now, in custody, the fragments of his journeyforged passports, FIRs, and intercepted messagesform the record.
Donald Trump Jr attends high-profile royal wedding in Udaipur
JAIPUR: US Presidents son and businessman Donald Trump Jr. attended a grand, multi-day royal wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where celebrations for Netra Mantenadaughter of US-based billionaire Rama Raju Mantenaand Vamsi Gadiraju are being held from November 21 to 24. The guest list resembled a Hollywood red-carpet premiere, with international celebrities joining Indias top film stars. The presence of Donald Trump Jr., Justin Bieber, and Jennifer Lopez, along with several global personalities and Bollywood celebrities, turned the event into one of the most high-profile weddings the city has seen. Among the prominent Indian attendees were Jacqueline Fernandez, Kriti Sanon, Sofia Choudhury, Janhvi Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, and Varun Dhawan. Friday evening festivities featured a full-fledged Bollywood night, where actors performed energetic dance numbers. Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, and Jacqueline Fernandez entertained guests with their performances to popular desi songs. Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson also danced to Bollywood tracks, even sharing the stage with Ranveer Singh during the festivities. Producer-director Karan Johar added to the evenings sparkle by hosting an interactive talk show with the bride and groom. Amid the wedding celebrations, Donald Trump Jr. paid a special courtesy visit to Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a member of the former royal family of Mewar and a descendant of Maharana Pratap. The meeting took place at the Udaipur City Palace, where Dr. Mewar welcomed Trump Jr. and Raju Ramalinga Mantena in traditional Mewar style. They discussed the regions history, cultural legacy, and contemporary global issues. During the interaction, Trump Jr. expressed admiration for the valor and legacy of Mewars legendary rulers Maharana Kumbha, Maharana Sanga, and Maharana Pratap. Dr. Mewar presented him and Mantena with traditional Mewar emblems, which Trump Jr. described as special and memorable. On Friday, Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson arrived in Udaipur from Jamnagar. A day earlier, the couple had visited the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, before flying to the lake city to join the celebrations. Bride's father Raju Mantena also drew attention to his remarkable personal journey. Born in India in 1960, Mantena grew up in a modest background and earned his B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad. He later moved to the United States to study Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Maryland a shift that ultimately paved his path to becoming a billionaire. In the early 2000s, when cancer medicines in the US had become prohibitively expensive even for the middle class, Mantena identified a critical gap. In 2005, he founded OncoScripts, a specialty pharmacy providing affordable cancer treatments a breakthrough that marked the first major success of his entrepreneurial career.
School Pressure, Social Media Fueling Distress Among Students, Say Psychiatrists
Amid reports of suicide cases among school-going children in Delhi, Rewa, and Jaipur, mental health experts on Saturday urged parents to recognise signs of suicidality in adolescents.
IM operative Shadab Beg back under scanner after new links to Faridabad University emerge
LUCKNOW: Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Shadab Beg of Azamgarh, wanted in connection with several serial blasts across the country, is once again under the scrutiny of probe agencies following new intelligence inputs linking him to Al Falah University in Faridabad. According to UP ATS sources, Beg completed his BTech in Electronics and Instrumentation from Al Falah University around 2007. Investigators suspect he came in contact with extremist networks during his student years and later used his technical training to support bomb-making activities and arrange logistics for the Indian Mujahideen. Records show that Beg was a key accused in the 2007 Gorakhpur blast and the serial bombings in Jaipur and Ahmedabad in 2008. Officials say he was part of core IM modules responsible for reconnaissance, procurement of explosives and the supply of critical components such as detonators and metal bearings used in the attacks. Property linked to Beg has been seized in Uttar Pradesh after his name surfaced in connection with Al Falah University. He has remained on central agencies most-wanted lists for years. Back home, his family claims that Beg, who left 18 years ago, never returned, and they only received occasional information about his movements after he went missing. Intelligence inputs suggest he went underground soon after the 2008 blasts to evade crackdowns on IM operatives. Agencies now believe he has been absconding for nearly two decades, making him one of the longest-surviving fugitives associated with the outfit. Sources also claim that Beg visited Afghanistan in 2019. Investigators are probing the support channels that helped him leave India and exploring his suspected links with regional extremist groups. The recent Delhi terror blast has intensified scrutiny of Al Falah University, with security agencies reviewing old student records and networks to determine whether Beg attempted to recruit others on campus. Sources said efforts are under way to trace Beg and dismantle any remaining networks linked to him.
Another BLO Dies By Suicide In Bengal, Family Alleges SIR Work-Related Stress; Note Recovered
Rinku Tarafdar, a BLO in West Bengal, was found dead amid SIR workload stress. Similar suicides occurred in Jalpaiguri, Jaipur, and Kannur. Mamata Banerjee urged suspension of SIR.
NEW DELHI: As outrage over student suicides intensifies, experts are calling for reforms to create mentally healthy schools while angry parents' associations are demanding government takeover of institutions linked to such cases. In all, the focus is on systematic changes to prevent further loss of young lives. On Tuesday, a Class-10 student of the St Columba's School in New Delhi, who once dreamt of becoming he next Shah Rukh Khan, took a fatal step and jumped off the platform of the overground Rajendra Place Metro station following months of alleged harassment by his teachers. While the tragic incident has sparked nationwide debate, with some blaming schools and others siding with parents, mental health expert Neha Kirpal cautions that such polarisation is misplaced. She emphasises that suicidality is everyones responsibility -- encompassing teachers, parents, caregivers, staff, and the wider community -- and no one can absolve themselves of it. PTAs and school associations need to collaborate to address suicidality systemically and preventively. Suicidal thoughts rarely emerge and act out suddenly; they progress through multiple phases, often overlooked due to myths or assumptions. The public narrative of sudden shock often absolves society of responsibility, even though warning signs usually exist. It is crucial to recognise these signs early and respond in a safe, supportive manner for the child, Kirpal, co-founder of Amaha Health and India Mental Health Alliance, told PTI. There has been a spate of such tragic incidents in recent weeks. Apart from the Delhi case, a 17-year-old Class-11 student in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa died by suicide after alleging that a male teacher physically assaulted her. Earlier this month, a nine-year-old girl in Jaipur jumped off the fourth floor of her private school building. The Class-4 student allegedly faced relentless bullying in her school for several months, including verbal abuse from her classmates. Experts highlight a growing trend of suicidality among schoolchildren, pointing out that India accounts for one-third of the global suicide burden, and suicide is now the leading cause of death among youth aged 15-29. But Kirpal, who is also the co-author of the book 'Homecoming: Mental Health Journeys of Resilience, Healing and Wholeness', urged all stakeholders, including the media, to go beyond reporting the graphic details of individual incidents. She stressed that the priority must be to address systemic gaps in preparedness, mental health support, and institutional response. One of her key suggestions: a legislation mandating mentally healthy schools -- evaluated on standardised criteria for staffing, training, resourcing, and policy. There are global initiatives known as mentally healthy schools, which assess whether a school meets key standards across areas such as staff training, counsellor availability, and resource allocation to qualify as a mentally healthy institution. Currently, our school system faces a significant policy and implementation deficit, with too few counsellors, inadequate training, limited budgets, and an absence of structured mental health frameworks, explained Kirpal, pushing for changes that support not only students, but teachers' mental health as well. Adding to this, clinical psychologist Jayanti Dutta highlighted the hostile environment many students face, where teachers, themselves under pressure, often fail to address bullying or harassment. All these schools have counsellors and clinical psychologists but they often dont intervene. Most teachers dont bother... Theyre under pressure and have no time. Administrations, too, ignore what is happening with the teachers, creating a very bad atmosphere in these schools, she observed. Dutta warned that children often cannot confide in even their parents, leading to a loss of trust in adults -- a factor she described as the most damaging in a childs mental health journey. Frustrated with a system that leaves children and their parents to bear the brunt, Aparajitha Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents' Association, did not mince words in holding schools directly accountable. She pointed to the deep-rooted failures within schools, describing them as commercialised, insensitive, and defensive. I know for a fact that in these schools, childrens complaints often go unheard, with principals sometimes dismissing concerns by blaming the child. Many such schools maintain counsellors only on paper, while anti-bullying committees and PTAs remain largely hidden or inactive, she said. Gautam called for criminal action against school managements, immediate cancellation of school recognition, and government takeover, warning that without strict laws and enforcement, little will change. If schools know that ignoring complaints or harassing children could result in licence cancellation, things will improve, she added. In the case of the Delhi boy's suicide, four staff members of St Columba's School, including the headmistress, have been suspended after an FIR was filed in connection with the alleged mental harassment of the Class-10 student.
Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
45-Year-Old Man Crushed To Death At Gurugram Toll Booth After Stepping Out Over FASTag Issue
A man was killed after being run over and dragged by a dumper truck at Kherki Daula toll plaza on the DelhiJaipur Expressway. Police are searching for the truck driver.
