Gujarat govt commits over Rs 231 crore for projects marking Guru Ravidas' 650th birth anniversary
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) The Gujarat government on Thursday announced its commitment to allocate more than Rs 231 crore for a range of projects aimed at promoting social harmony and commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made the announcement in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly under Rule 44 on the second day of the ninth session of the 15th Gujarat Assembly. Under the 'Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan', the proposed allocation includes funds for education, hostels, libraries, cultural programmes, development of an ashram and modernisation of premises associated with saints belonging to Scheduled Castes. The government has proposed Rs 40 crore for the construction of a Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bhavan at the state level, with facilities for education, a hostel, library and competitive examination classes. Another Rs 50 crore has been proposed under the Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Vidyashray Yojana for hostel and PG assistance for college students. Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidasji Maharaj Chair Centre will also be established at Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University in Junagadh. The government has also proposed grants for activities across 70 universities in Gujarat, including quiz contests, prizes, quickies, hoardings and banners, along with the preparation of books and audiobooks on the life and works of Guru Ravidas. For cultural programmes in all talukas, Rs 5.36 crore has been proposed, while Rs 93.80 crore has been earmarked for constructing one Samras Bhavan and library in each taluka. The government has proposed another Rs 10 crore for the overall development of the ashram at Sarsai village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district. Further Rs 30 crore has been proposed for the modernisation and renovation of premises housing huts and ashrams of various saints belonging to Scheduled Castes. CM Patel said the initiative is intended to give further impetus to the ideals of social harmony associated with Guru Ravidas. Guru Ravidasji Maharaj is not only a saint but also a pioneer of equality, social justice, love, compassion and humanity. His dream was not merely for the welfare of one community, but for the welfare of the entire nation, CM Patel said in his statement. He said his ideals could be realised when every poor person receives justice, every youth gets an opportunity, every woman receives respect, and every citizen gets equal participation in development. Referring to the teachings of Guru Ravidas, the Chief Minister said: Several of his sacred hymns were included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and continue to inspire people to follow the path of truth, love, service and good conduct. He also referred to the saying, Man changa to kathoti mein Ganga, saying it conveyed the message that a person's identity was determined by their deeds, thoughts, character and devotion, and that humanity was the greatest religion. CM Patel said the state government's proposed allocation of more than Rs 231 crore would be made through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The projects would also contribute to the goal of building a developed India by 2047 by drawing on Guru Ravidas' ideals and taking the lead from a developed Gujarat in building a harmonious and developed India, he noted. The 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas is being observed across the country this year under the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan. Gujarat had also organised programmes as part of the anniversary celebrations earlier this year.
Nepal floods: Gujarat collects DNA samples of kin of 29 missing people
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) The Gujarat government has completed DNA sample collection from relatives of 29 of the 30 people from the state, including Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs), who remain missing or uncontactable following the August 26 flash floods in Nepal, particularly along the Nepal-Tibet border and Bhote Koshi River corridor. The samples are being processed for DNA profiling to help identify bodies and human remains recovered in the disaster. The process for the remaining missing person is also underway. The Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation (NRGF), under the NRI Division of the General Administration Department, has been coordinating with the families and authorities in India and abroad to facilitate the DNA collection and identification process. The initiative is being carried out in accordance with guidelines issued by the Central government, under which designated forensic laboratories have been identified for DNA sample collection and profiling of first-degree relatives of missing persons. DNA profiling at laboratories designated for the purpose is being undertaken free of cost, as directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Six designated laboratories in Gujarat are facilitating the process, with DNA profiling being undertaken in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Junagadh and Rajkot. The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar, is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs on DNA profiling of samples collected in India and their linkage with the identification process in Nepal. A 10-member NFSU forensic team has also been involved in the identification efforts in Nepal. Nepal Police has separately initiated DNA profiling of recovered bodies and human remains following the incident. NRGF has been personally contacting relatives of each missing person and guiding them about the designated laboratories, available facilities and the procedure for DNA sample collection and profiling. It has also been coordinating with NRGs and relatives living abroad to ascertain the action taken by local authorities in their respective countries. In cases involving relatives in New Zealand, the United States, Canada and African countries, NRGF has obtained information about DNA samples collected by authorities in those countries and the status of the identification process. In several cases, samples of relatives living abroad have already been collected through the respective local authorities. The DNA profiling reports are being sent directly by the designated laboratories to Nepalese authorities through the official email addresses and contact numbers notified by the them for the identification exercise. Nepal Police has also requested first-degree relatives of missing people living abroad to undergo DNA profiling at authorised forensic laboratories in their respective countries. The Gujarat Government, through the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), district administrations and NRGF, has been coordinating efforts to trace people from the state and Gujaratis living abroad who were reported missing or remain uncontactable after the floods. A consolidated list of missing and untraceable persons prepared by SEOC and NRGF has also been shared with the Nepal government. So far, 30 people, including NRGs, remain untraceable from the flood-affected areas. Those reported missing or out of contact include people from Ahmedabad, Anand, Banaskantha, Kheda, Gandhinagar, Surat, Valsad, Rajkot and other parts of Gujarat. Several had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through different travel agencies and routes. The scale of the disaster has made conventional identification difficult in cases where bodies or human remains have been severely damaged or recovered in parts. Nepal has therefore begun a large-scale DNA identification exercise, with samples being collected from relatives and compared with DNA obtained from recovered remains. The DNA-based process is expected to help establish the identities of victims from Gujarat and other parts of India, as well as foreign nationals, and provide families with confirmation about the fate of relatives who remain missing.
Gujarat: 42 held in gambling raid, property worth Rs 16 lakh seized
Junagadh, Sep 6 (IANS) Forty-two people were arrested after the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided an alleged card gambling operation at Suthar Samaj Wadi near Chorwad Girls School in Chorwad of Junagadh district, seizing cash and other property collectively valued at Rs 16.02 lakh, police said on Sunday. The raid was conducted by a team led by Police Sub-Inspector K.D. Ravia following directions from Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. According to the State Monitoring Cell, the operation resulted in the seizure of Rs 3,72,200 in cash, one four-wheeler, 11 two-wheelers, 42 mobile phones and gambling-related materials. The total value of the seized property was assessed at Rs 16,02,900. A case was registered at Chorwad Police Station on September 5 under Sections 4 and 5 of the Gambling Act. Police said 44 people were named in the case, including 42 arrested accused and two wanted accused. Among those arrested were Manish Parmar and Haresh Chudasama, both identified by police as alleged organisers of the gambling activity. The arrested persons included residents of Chorwad and other parts of Junagadh district, as well as individuals from Gir Somnath, Morbi, Kutch and Rajkot. The two wanted accused have been identified as Viren Sevra, a resident of Ramvav Chowk in Chorwad and Lala of Chorwad. Police identified Lala as the person who allegedly rented out Sutharwadi for gambling. Further investigation into the case is being conducted by the police. The latest raid is part of a continuing enforcement drive by the SMC against illegal gambling and liquor networks. In August, the SMC arrested 16 people and seized cash, vehicles and mobile phones collectively valued at about Rs 39 lakh in a gambling raid in Mehsana. In another gambling operation in Gandhinagar in December last year, the SMC seized cash, 10 mobile phones and five vehicles worth a total of Rs 26.16 lakh and detained 11 people, while six others were declared wanted. The SMC has also carried out major prohibition-related seizures, including an operation in Navsari in which 14,016 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor valued at Rs 37.62 lakh were seized in January, along with a vehicle and other items, taking the total value of the seizure to Rs 62.69 lakh.
CBI Files Case Against College Trustee and Faculty Member for Alleged Bribery
New Delhi, August 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Pratik Mori, a trustee of Nobel Ayurvedic College in Junagadh, Gujarat, and faculty member Dr. Abhay Nalavade. They are accused of attempting to bribe a member of the hearing committee of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) ... Read more CBI Files Case Against College Trustee and Faculty Member for Alleged Bribery
Two Arrested in Major Online Share Trading Fraud in Gujarat
Surat, August 12: The Cyber Crime Cell of Gujarat has arrested two individuals from Junagadh in connection with a significant online share trading fraud. The case involves a scam where a victim was defrauded of 42.98 lakh. During the investigation, authorities discovered links to three other cyber fraud cases across various states, with total losses ... Read more Two Arrested in Major Online Share Trading Fraud in Gujarat
Asiatic lion rescued after getting trapped in spiked gate in Gujarats Junagadh
In the early hours of the day, a lion, aged around one to two years, got trapped in an iron gate while attempting to jump over it in the Grofed area of the city, Deputy Conservator of Forests Akshay Joshi said
Video: Couple Suffers Horrific Bike Crash After Hitting Massive Pothole In Gujarat
A viral video from Gujarat's Junagadh shows a couple suffering a serious motorcycle accident after hitting a massive pothole on a rain-soaked road, triggering outrage over road safety and alleged inaction by a passing police vehicle.
Girnar Wrapped in Monsoon Clouds, Strong Winds Force Temporary Ropeway Shutdown
Girnar Ropeway services in Junagadh have been temporarily suspended due to strong winds as monsoon clouds blanket Girnar Hill. Authorities will resume operations once weather conditions become safe.
Rs 10 crore hydroponic ganja seized at Ahmedabad airport from man returning from Bangkok
Customs officials at Ahmedabad airport apprehended a 20-year-old man arriving from Bangkok, seizing over 10 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana from his checked baggage. The illicit substance, valued at an estimated Rs 10 crore, was detected by a sniffer dog. The passenger, identified as Ibrahim Sefulla from Junagadh, was arrested, and an investigation is currently ongoing under the NDPS Act.
Lion cub found dead in Junagadh; probe points to possible human involvement
Forest department launches investigation after Asiatic lion cub found with severe injuries; suspect absconding
Gujarat Weather Report: The India Meteorological Department forecasts light to moderate rain and thundershowers across Gujarat for the next seven days. Initially, North, Central, and South Gujarat will see activity, shifting primarily to South Gujarat later in the week. Most other districts are expected to remain dry.
Remembering PC Vaidya: The Scientist Who Simplified Mathematics with the Vaidya Metric
Mumbai, May 23: Prahlad Chunnilal Vaidya was born on May 23, 1918, in a small village called Shahpur in Gujarats Junagadh district. Tragically, he lost his parents at a young age. His father passed away when he was just in the ninth grade, in 1931. Despite facing numerous challenges and financial hardships, Vaidya completed his ... Read more Remembering PC Vaidya: The Scientist Who Simplified Mathematics with the Vaidya Metric
Watch: Gujarati Folk Singer Continues Singing As Devotees Rain Lakhs on Him
Gujarat folk singer Gopal Sadh has gone viral after a video showed him covered in cash during a Dayro event in Junagadh.
