Congress leader Pratap Dudhat reportedly said people in doubt should send their sisters and daughters to Rahul Gandhi to check his masculinity.
'Mammoth Miracle' called the Indian elections
KOCHI: My memory of elections is deeply associated with Prannoy Roy, Indias foremost and finest psephologist. The first televised coverage of an election result in India was produced by NDTV for the 1989 general election. Roy, who began his career as a television journalist, by covering it for Doordarshan and then as a news presenter in the international news show The World This Week became a household name. Thirty-five years since that coverage, we enter yet another election season, and the question we need to ask is: Is India an electoral autocracy? That we hold an election on time, and that in every state and general election, the losing side and the party have unquestioningly accepted the result is a clear indication of our continuing faith in the electoral process. The same cannot be said even of the US elections. In India, no party has ever received more than 50% of the vote share, so we have always had an Opposition, though it has weakened considerably. The electoral process in India does have its challenges issues such as voter fraud, corruption, and the influence of money in politics pose significant hurdles to free and fair elections. Moreover, Indias vast geographical expanse and diverse population present logistical challenges in ensuring equitable access to the electoral process, particularly in remote and marginalised regions. However, we do go to great lengths to ensure franchise. In Navin Chawlas book, Every Vote Counts, he shares the story of a polling station that was set up in the village of Banej in Junagadh district in Gujarat for the 2009 election. Located in the heart of Indias only lion sanctuary, it was set up for a single voter Pujari Bharatdas Dashandas. A presiding officer and two other officials travelled through almost 40km of dense jungle, accompanied by a couple of policemen presumably to keep the lions at bay. Where it all began The roots of elections hark back to ancient Greece but it was in the Roman Republic that the concept of representative government and periodic elections emerged. The Roman model of electing officials to represent the interests of the people laid the foundation for modern democratic practices. When the greatest Roman orator Marcus Cicero ran for the highest office in the Roman Republic in 64BCE, his younger brother Quintus Tullius decided to give him some practical advice in the form of a campaign guide. This was published by Princeton University Press as How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians. Promise everything to everyone. Give people hope, at least until the election then inevitably you will let them down. Would you believe such nuggets date back over 2,000 years? Medieval Europe saw the emergence of feudalism but the Magna Carta in 1215 marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for democratic principles. Over time, this led to the establishment of parliamentary systems and the gradual expansion of suffrage. The Enlightenment further fuelled the ideals of democracy and individual rights, inspiring the American and French Revolutions. The 19th century witnessed the expansion of suffrage and the democratisation of electoral systems in many countries. Movements for womens suffrage, workers rights, and civil rights challenged entrenched power structures and fought for equal participation in governance. Fast forward to the 20th century, one can see significant advancements in electoral practices and technology, transforming the nature of elections. The advent of mass media, political parties, and campaign strategies reshaped electoral campaigns, enabling candidates to reach wider audiences and mobilise support. However, the century also saw challenges to democratic norms, including the rise of authoritarian regimes and the manipulation of elections for political gain. Polls today Today, elections face new challenges including disinformation, voter suppression, and the influence of money. Technological advancements have transformed the way elections are conducted, raising concerns about cybersecurity and the integrity of electoral systems. Indias first general elections were held between 25 October 1951 and 27 March 1952 (of a population of 34.8 crore, 17.3 crore voted). Schoolteacher Shyam Saran Negi was the first to cast a vote for independent India. The Election Commission of India, an autonomous body, was established on 25 January 1950, so the adult franchise was effective from the very day India became a republic. Unlike in the West, democratic institutions in India are not well studied (e.g. the last book about the PMs office The Indian Prime Minister: Office and Powers was written in 1976 by L N Sharma although the PMO was created in 1960). Of the few good books on elections, one of my favourites is Rajdeep Sardesais 2014: The Election that Changed India. This election has been regarded as the most important in Indian history since 1977. It saw the decimation of the ruling Congress party, a spectacular victory for the BJP and a new style of campaigning that broke every rule in the political game. A page-turner, this is political storytelling at its best. The Verdict: Decoding Indias Elections by Prannoy Roy and Dorab R Sopariwala, offers a detailed analysis, drawing on data, anecdotes, and interviews to unravel the complexities of electoral politics in the worlds largest democracy. Both these books are worth revisiting, especially before an election season! An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election by S Y Quraishi delves into the behind-the-scenes workings of the Election Commission of India, offering insights into the planning, execution, and challenges of conducting our elections. As India readies itself for a mammoth exercise in democracy about 969 million are eligible to cast their vote in the upcoming election more than the populations of North America and the European Union combined Prime Minister Narendra Modi is standing for a rare third consecutive term in power, something that has happened for the first time since Nehru. Being the biggest democracy is not good enough; we should aspire to be the greatest too, the best example of democracy in the world. Meanwhile, let us remember that it is the voter, not the politician, who is at the core of democracy. And the voter has been known to surprise us even when the outcome of an election seems a foregone conclusion. As former President Pranab Mukherjee once said, You can only understand an election after it is over. (The views expressed are personal)
Gujarat businessman, wife donate 200 crore wealth, embrace monkhood
AHMEDABAD: In a remarkable display of devotion and selflessness, Bhaveshbhai Bhandari and his wife Jinal Bhandari, residents of Himmatnagar in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, have generously donated nearly 200 crore and embraced monkhood. Their decision to embark on a journey for salvation comes after they humbly offered all their wealth during a ceremony held in February. They were following the noble example set by their 19-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son, who embraced monkhood in 2022. Bhaveshbhai, formerly engaged in the construction business, and his wife have been inspired by their children's commitment to the ascetic path. Their actions serve as a poignant reminder of the power of selflessness and the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment over material possessions. In a statement to the media, Dilip Gandhi, an acquaintance, emphasized the significance of monkhood in Jain society. He highlighted that monks are required to lead a life of austerity, which includes begging for sustenance and renouncing modern comforts such as air conditioning, fans, and mobile phones. Additionally, they are expected to traverse the country barefoot as part of their spiritual journey. Bhavesh and Jinal are set to embark on the path of monkhood on April 22nd. They will be among 36 individuals who will undergo initiation during a ceremony scheduled at the riverfront in Ahmedabad. The choice made by the Bhandari family, renowned for their substantial wealth, has captured widespread attention throughout the state. Before this event, in another similar incident in Jamnagar, a wealthy family spanning three generations initiated the process of monkhood at Girnar Darshan Jain Dharmashala in Junagadh last month. The woman of the family had taken initiation in Surat a month-and-a-half earlier, inspiring the father-son duo and grandson to follow suit. Notably, the grandson has completed his CA final exams. This marked the first instance in the state where three generations simultaneously embraced monkhood. Ajitbhai Shantilal Shah, originally from Sinhor and now residing in Jamnagar, along with his son Kaushikbhai Ajitbhai Shah and grandson Viralbhai Kaushikbhai Shah, expressed their desire to embark on the path of asceticism.
Chaitra Navratri 2024: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan
Chaitra Navratri has started from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this, there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming into the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelry fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of the 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar Pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of the Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmada. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Her mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that, the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple, the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and the Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Vardhaman The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in the Ketugram area of the district. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place, the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple, and Kumari Temple are situated in this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place, devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain in Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is called Sugandha. Another name for this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh fell in Jayantiya Pargana in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati fell. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of the Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason, this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Her mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: PTI, Social media)
Gujarat HC questions action taken by Railways, forest dept after death of two lions on tracks
Gujarat HC questions action taken by Railways, forest dept after death of two lions on tracks The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday expressed dismay over the delay by the Railways and state forest department in taking preventive measures after two lions were run over by trains in the state. Citing a Supreme Court order, the court of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal said the ''right to life includes the right to have a clean environment, which includes protection of the wildlife.'' The court resented the delay in action taken by the two authorities after two lions were mowed down by trains in Gir forest in January, and said the HC should not be treated as a ''daroga'' (policeman) whose interference was needed for them to act. The court was hearing a suo motu PIL over the death of Asiatic lions due to unnatural causes. Gujarat is the only abode for the Asiatic lions. The Indian Railways said in its affidavit that it has framed a revised standard operation procedure (SOP) for trains operating within the Gir forest area. The forest department listed the steps taken by it to prevent such deaths, and asserted that they have helped prevent over a thousand deaths. The court observed that in the compliance affidavit filed by the Deputy Conservator of Forest there is complete silence regarding steps taken at his level to find out the cause of the two railway accidents. ''You always need some interference from the court, some sword hanging over your head, and then you will work. We are not daroga ji. Please don't make us daroga. This is not acceptable at all,'' the court said. The lawyer appearing for the Railways said the speed limit of trains passing during day hours in the forest area has been reduced to 30 kmph, and there will be no train movement at night in the area. Even for tracks located 112 km away from the forest, the speed limit has been reduced from 90 km to 40-50 kmph, he said. The decision was taken in a meeting held on April 3, he added. The court observed that the decision was taken months after the incident, and only after the HC directed the authorities to do so. While the forest department asserted that steps taken by it have prevented over a thousand such accidents, ''there is no whisper in the affidavit about any inquiry made at the end of the forest department to find out the cause of death of two lions on railway tracks in January 2024,'' it said. The HC directed the Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Junagadh, and DRM, Western Railway, Bhavnagar Division, to file an affidavit highlighting this aspect, and kept the matter for further hearing on April 23. The court also sought clarity over the decision to convert a section of railway tracks passing through the lion corridor to broad gauge from meter gauge, and its impact on the big cat.
Travel tips: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan
Chaitra Navratri is starting from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming in the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelery fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmata. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Here mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Ket of Bardhaman district The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in Ugram area. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called as Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple and Kumari Temple are situated at this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain of Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, mother is called Sugandha. Another name of this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh had fallen in Jayantiya Pargana in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati had fallen. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Here mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: Soical media)
AHMEDABAD: Responding indirectly to the internal conflicts within the party, Gujarat BJP President CR Patil said during a public address, Should you harbor any reservations about the candidate, set them aside and cast your vote for BJP in the name of Prime Minister Modi. Sources indicate that BJP supporters are discontented with the candidate selection process carried out by the party's high command. From Valsad to Sabarkantha, concerns have been raised solely by BJP followers regarding the chosen candidates. Particularly, there's a significant demand for candidate replacements in Sabarkantha, Junagadh, Amreli, and Valsad, citing various reasons. A credible insider closely involved in the matter revealed that despite objections voiced by candidates like Purushottam Rupala for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat, Shobhana Baraiya for Sabarkantha, and Dhaval Patel for Valsad, the BJP is adamant about maintaining the same set of candidates across all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. Indirectly supporting this sentiment, BJP President CR Patil stated during an event held in Surat on Monday night, Give one vote to whoever is the candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Get a vote from your family and friends as well. If your buddy tells you that he doesn't like the BJP candidate, convince him that you have to vote for Prime Minister Modi. Even if you don't like the candidate, if the candidate doesn't work, let me know. I will say to Prime Minister Modi. The ongoing political heat surrounding Purushottam Rupala, the BJP candidate from Rajkot, and the Kshatriya Community issue has escalated over the past week. At this juncture, leaders from the Kshatriya Community are demanding a change in the ticket for Purushottam Rupala. In a news conference on Tuesday, putting an end to speculation regarding candidate changes, the BJP president also affirmed, Kshatriya Community should forgive Rajkot candidate Parsottam Rupala with a big heart. He has apologized three times. There is no need to replace Parsottam Rupala as a candidate in Rajkot. Previously, due to internal opposition from BJP Party workers on the Vadodara and Sabarkantha seats, both candidates, Ranjan Bhatt of Vadodara and Bhikhaji Thakor of Sabarkantha withdrew their candidature. They were subsequently replaced by Dr. Hemang Joshi and Shobhana Baraiya, respectively.
Internal rift hits BJP as rebellion erupts in 5 seats
AHMEDABAD: For the first time in 22 years, the BJP in Gujarat is facing serious internal resistance over five of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in the run-up to the May 7 polls. What initially started as dissent in one of the constituencies has now spread to about half a dozen others, including Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Valsad districts, posing a challenge for the party. To make matters worse, circulating on social media is a letter to the BJP state president urging a change in the partys candidate for the Junagadh constituency. In the viral letter addressed to state BJP president CR Patil, a Jan Sangh worker has highlighted various concerns about BJP candidate Rajesh Chudasama. He has not done a single worth mentioning developmental work in Junagadh, nor has he taken any interest in conveying the central and state government schemes to the beneficiaries, reads the letter. In the wake of the resistance from local leaders, the party candidate in Vadodara, Ranjan Bhatt, was replaced. However, there is growing demand to replace the new candidate, Dr Hemang Joshi. Sources indicate that several BJP workers question Joshis roots, claiming that he was in the state for education and that his involvement with the party was only for three years. Expressing dissent, a BJP worker criticised Joshi on social media. During a live stream featuring state BJP president CR Patil, the worker commented, It is an insult to Vadodaras womens power; first, they were given the ticket and then withdrawn. What has he contributed to the party? Yet, BJP candidate Hemang Joshi asserted that There is no discontent within the BJP. As of now, the controversy concerning the candidacy in Sabarkantha remains unresolved. A meeting was convened at the Chief Ministers residence earlier in the day to deliberate on the Sabarkantha candidate. On Friday, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited Sabarkantha amid protests against the BJPs nominated candidate, Shobnaben Baraiya. After this visit, sources suggest that the Home Minister submitted a report to the state president and chief minister. Despite BJP candidate Rupala issuing two apologies for his remarks concerning the Rajput community, efforts persist within the community to seek a change in the candidate for Rajkot. On Saturday, the Rajput community gave a memorandum to the Gandhinagar collector and also urged the BJP to reconsider their choice. Kshatriya leader quits Gujarat BJP over Rupalas remarks about community Kshatriya community leader Raj Shekhawat on Saturday resigned from the BJP in protest against Union Minister and Rajkot Lok Sabha candidate Parshottam Rupalas remarks earlier. Rupala, while speaking at a public event, had claimed several Rajput rulers collaborated with the British, a statement that drew widespread condemnation from community members. Shekhawat is also national president of a faction of the Karni Sena, an outfit of the Rajput or Kshatriya community. He said he was resigning from the primary membership of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party with immediate effect. Shekhawat said that he had joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls for the welfare of the community and Sanatan Dharma.
BJP struggles with internal conflict over five Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat
AHMEDABAD: BJP in Gujarat is at the brink of a huge crisis as internal conflicts are rife within the party over candidates announced in five of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. This is the first time in 22 years, the saffron party is facing resentment from its own workers in the Lok Sabha polls. What initially sparked as dissent in one constituency has now spread to about half a dozen others, including Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Valsad districts, posing a serious threat for the party. Additionally, circulating on social media is a letter addressed to Gujarat BJP state President CR Patil, urging for a change in the party's candidate for the Junagadh constituency. In the letter, a Jan Sangh worker has highlighted various concerns about BJP's candidate Rajesh Chudasama. He has not done a single eye-catching work in Junagadh, nor has he taken any interest in conveying the central and state government schemes to the beneficiaries, the letter reads. The letter also detailed other concerns about the candidate and demanded his replacement. Following resistance from local leaders, Ranjan Bhatt, the BJP candidate in Vadodara, was replaced. However, there is now growing demand to replace the new candidate, Dr. Hemang Joshi. Sources indicate that several BJP workers had questioned Dr. Hemang's Vadodara roots, claiming that he lacked experience and was involved with the party for just three years. During a live stream featuring the state president, the worker commented, It is an insult to Vadodara's women's power; first, they were given the ticket and then withdrawn. What has he contributed to the party? Odisha: Dismay follows joy for BJP as two vital leaders quit Another constituency where conflict has been brewing is Sabarkantha. In this context, a meeting was convened at the Chief Minister's residence today at 11AM to discuss and finalise the Sabarkantha candidate. Yesterday, Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited Sabarkantha amidst protests against the BJP's nominated candidate, Shobnaben Baraiya. Following his visit, sources suggest that the Home Minister submitted a report to the State President and Chief Minister. Another BJP candidate, Rupala, who is contesting from the Rajkot constituency has become in the bad books of a section of party workers after he allegedly passed derogatory remarks about the Rajput community. Though Rupala had issued two apologies, efforts persist within the Rajput community to seek his replacement as candidate. On Saturday, the Rajput Community gave a memorandum to the Collector in Gandhinagar and also urged the BJP to reconsider their choice. Karni Sena leader in Gujarat, Raj Sekhawat, resigned from the BJP in protest on Saturday. Notably, Kshatriya votes constitute 17 percent of Gujarat's electorate, with the Rajkot constituency alone accounting for over three lakh Kshatriya voters. Sources indicate that failure to resolve this issue promptly could spell trouble for the BJP. In another incident, messages were sent through multiple social media channels, addressed to CR Patil and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the replacement of Dhaval Patel, the BJP's nominee for the Valsad constituency, with a new candidate. The BJP contended that these letters were orchestrated by the opposition, while the Congress denied any association with them. Karnataka BJP leader Tejaswini Gowda joins Congress ahead of LS polls
With six more names, BJP declares candidates for all 26 seats in Gujarat
With six more names, BJP declares candidates for all 26 seats in Gujarat The ruling BJP announced the names of six candidates for Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat, including new faces for Vadodara and Sabarkantha where the party nominees earlier withdrew from the fray. With this, the party has announced the names of candidates for all 26 constituencies where elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 7. In its latest list of six candidates released late Sunday night, the party dropped five sitting MPs, including Minister of State for AYUSH and Child Development Mahendra Munjpara from Surendranagar. On Vadodara and Sabarkantha seats, BJP had nominated sitting MP Ranjan Bhatt and Bhikhaji Thakor, respectively. However, on Saturday, two-time MP Bhatt and Thakor withdrew from the fray. The party has replaced Bhatt with Hemang Joshi, while Shobna Baraiya will contest in place of Thakor. Joshi is the vice-chairman of Municipal School Board of Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Baraiya is the wife of former BJP MLA from Prantij. BJP has repeated its Junagadh MP Rajesh Chudasama. This is the third time he will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections. In Surendranagar, BJP has dropped Munjpara and given the ticket to Chandu Shihora. He was former president of the Morbi municipality. BJP has given ticket to Hari Patel from Mehsana replacing Sardaben Patel. Hari Patel is from Unjha town and a party worker. For Amreli seat, BJP has replaced its three-term MP Naran Kachhadiya with Bharat Sutariya, who is currently the president of Amreli district panchayat. Congress has so far declared 17 candidates out of 24 seats it is contesting in Gujarat. The party has given two seats, Bharuch and Bhavnagar, to Aam Aadmi Party, its INDIA bloc partner. AAP has announced names for both seats. In 2014 and 2019 general elections, the BJP had won all the 26 seats in the state.
BJP declares six more candidates; all its names out for Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat
BJP declares six more candidates; all its names out for Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat The ruling BJP on Sunday announced the names of six candidates for Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat, including faces for Vadodara and Sabarkantha where the party nominees earlier withdrew from the fray. With this, the party has announced the names of candidates for all 26 constituencies where elections are scheduled to be held on May 7. In its latest list of six candidates, the party dropped five sitting MPs, including Minister of State for AYUSH and Child Development Mahendra Munjpara, who was an MP from Surendranagar. On Vadodara and Sabarkantha seats, BJP had nominated sitting MP Ranjan Bhatt and Bhikhaji Thakor, repectively. However, on Saturday, two-time MP Bhatt and Thakor withdrew of their candidatures. The party has replaced Bhatt with Hemang Joshi, while Shobna Baraiya will contest in place of Thakor. Joshi is the vice-chairman of Municipal School Board of Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Bariaiya is the wife of former BJP MLA from Prantij. BJP has repeated its Junagadh MP Rajesh Chudasama. This is the third time he will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections. In Surendranagar, BJP has dropped Munjpara and given the ticket to Chandu Shihora. He was former president of the Morbi municipality. BJP has given ticket to Hari Patel from Mehsana replacing Sardaben Patel. Hari Patel is from Unjha town and a party worker. For Amreli seat, BJP has replaced its three-term MP Naran Kachhadiya with Bharat Sutariya, who is currently the president of Amreli district panchayat. Congress has so far declared 17 candidates out of 24 seats it is contesting in Gujarat. The party has given two seats to AAP, its INDIA bloc partner. AAP has announced the names of both its candidates from Bharuch and Bhavnagar. In 2014 and 2019 general elections, the BJP had won all the 26 seats in the state.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel sanctions Rs 240 crore for implementing Nirmal Gujarat 2.0
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel sanctions Rs 240 crore for implementing Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has sanctioned Rs 240 crore for various initiatives under 'Nirmal Gujarat 2.0' to effectively strengthen the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a broader scale in Gujarat. To enhance public awareness of cleanliness in urban areas and position Gujarat as a leading state in cleanliness nationwide, the Chief Minister has decided to allocate incentive grants to municipalities based on their tax collection performance in sanitation. Under this plan, A and B class municipalities will receive a 100 per cent incentive grant for achieving 71 to 80 per cent annual sanitation tax collection, 100 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 200 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection. Similarly, for C and D class municipalities, the incentive grant standard is set at 50 per cent for tax collection ranging from 60 to 70 per cent, 100 per cent for 71 to 80 per cent collection, 200 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 300 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection, Information department of Gujarat said. Each municipality will receive a matching grant of cleaning tax equivalent to the amount collected annually by that municipality. As per the resolution issued by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of the state for the effective implementation of Nirmal Gujarat 2.0, the Chief Minister has sanctioned assistance for the development of major entry roads to towns and cities, as well as for the enhancement of one road within each town as an iconic road. Municipalities are tasked with intensively cleaning roads up to 5 kilometres from city limits, while municipal corporations must clean roads up to 2 kilometres from city limits. Additionally, approach roads to towns will be cleaned, and one road will be designated as an iconic road. For this purpose, the state government will provide financial assistance to municipalities and municipal corporations. Financial assistance of Rs 2 crores will be provided each to Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot Municipal Corporations; Rs 1.5 crores each to Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, and Gandhinagar Municipal Corporations; and Rs 1 crore each to A class municipalities, Rs 75 lakh each to B class municipalities, and Rs 50 lakh each to C and D class municipalities, totalling Rs 111 crores, the information department further said. Municipalities and municipal corporations across the state will receive one-time assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for beautification efforts, such as installing sculptures, creating gardens, and planting trees, at every Garbage Vulnerable Point. This initiative aims to ensure cleanliness by permanently removing garbage and maintaining cleanliness at these locations. The state government has allocated Rs 16 crore for this purpose. The Information department said that to foster a competitive spirit among local self-government bodies in terms of cleanliness, a quarterly competition titled Maru Shaher, Swachh Shaher (My City, Clean City) will be conducted, with categories based on the population of the towns. Certificates of recognition will be awarded to the best collector, commissioner, regional commissioner, and chief officer based on their sanitation performance, as assessed through quarterly reports submitted by third-party agencies. Additionally, a total of Rs 16 crore will be allocated for awards to the winning cities. Under this award, a municipality with a population of more than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 5 crores, a municipality with a population of less than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 4 crores, a class A municipality will receive a grant of Rs 3 crores, a class B municipality will receive a grant of Rs 2 crore, and a class C and D municipality will receive Rs 1 crore each. Financial incentives will be provided to sanitation workers, who play a vital role in the cleanliness and sanitation operations of the state's cities, by recognizing them as the best sanitation workers. Each ward in Municipal Corporations will select one best sanitation worker monthly, who will be granted Rs 10,000. Similarly, at the municipal level, one of the best sanitation employees per municipality will also receive Rs 10,000 monthly. The state government will provide a total assistance of Rs 4 crores for the best sanitation workers. As part of Nirmal Gujarat 2.0, the administrative departments of the Secretariat and their head offices will implement an annual cleanliness calendar and conduct sanitation cleaning activities. Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and aims to build on the success of the Nirmal Gujarat Abhiyan from 2007, following the motto Cleanliness is next to Godliness. (ANI)
Gujarat: Dargah demolished overnight amid heavy police deployment
In yet another bulldozer action against minorities religious places in BJP-ruled states, a dargah was demolished late Saturday night, March 9, in Gujarats Junagadhdistrict, amid a heavy police deployment of over 1,000 personnel. According to reports, a two-decade-old dargah near Majwadi Gate was demolished after being declared as illegal encroachment. A earlier attempt to demolish 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 .
Junagadh Municipal Corporation clears illegal encroachment including disputed dargah
Junagadh, March 10 (IANS) Junagadh Municipal Corporation dismantled a controversial dargah near Majevadi Gate, along with other unauthorised religious structures in a night-time operation. The dargah was razed with a substantial support of police to prevent any unrest. This dargah had previously been at the centre of riotous disturbances following an encroachment removal notice last []
The dargah was located near the Majewadi gate. Junagadh Municipal Corporation team removed it in a bulldozer action at night.
Gujarat: Quit Congress saga continues
AHMEDABAD: In a further blow to the Gujarat unit of Congress, another MLA from Saurashtras Manavdar and Patidar leader Arvind Ladani submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary on Wednesday. Ladani, a first-time MLA from Manavadar seat in Junagadh district, isnt alone in ditching his party. Another leader, Ishwar Parmar of Dahod -- from where Rahul Gandhis Nyay Yatra is to enter Gujarat also stepped down as the partys city president, alleging misbehaviour by local party members. The fourth Congress MLA to quit in the previous three months, Ladani is said to be joining the BJP. With the latest resignation, Congress adequate strength in the 182-member assembly has come down to 13. A close ally of Porbandar MLA Arjun Modhwadia, who deserted the grand old party on Tuesday, Ladani was elected to the Assembly after defeating Jawahar Chavda, who quit the Congress to join the BJP in the 2022 election. I asked the people of my constituency, and after hearing their opinions, I decided to resign from the Congress. I will not join another party with any terms and conditions, Arvind Ladani told the media after resigning. With 48 assembly and seven Lok Sabha seats, the Saurashtra zone plays a significant role in Gujarats political scenario. In the 2022 Assembly elections, there were only three Congress MLAs in the 48 seats in Saurashtra. Now, with Porbandar MLA Modhwadia joining the BJP, followed by Ladanis resignation earlier in the day, only one Congress MLA from Somnath, Vimal Chudasama, in Saurashtra is left. During the 2017 assembly elections, the Congress enjoyed a strong position in Saurashtra. Held against Patidar agitation for OBC status, the BJP suffered the maximum loss in the region in the polls. The Congress won 28 seats, up from 15 in the previous election, and limited the BJPs victory count to 99 in the 182-member assembly. The Congress won 77 seats, marking its best performance since 1995. Led by Rahul Gandhi, his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will enter the state on Thursday afternoon. Only 1 left in Saurashtra In the 2022 Assembly polls, there were only three Congress MLAs in 48 seats of Saurashtra. Now, with Porbandar MLA joining the BJP, and Ladanis resignation, only one MLA in Saurashtra is left
