No Place For Stokes As Root Returns To Englands Squad For India ODIs And Champions Trophy

Wales Cricket Board: Test captain Ben Stokes has not been considered for selection in Englands squads for next years white-ball tour of India and Champions Trophy as Joe Root returns to the 50-over set-up. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Sunday that Stokes omission from the squads is down to him being continued to be assessed following a left hamstring injury sustained during the third Test match against New Zealand at Hamilton earlier this month, where England lost by 423 runs. Premier batter Root, who averages 47.60 in ODIs, makes his return to the 50-over side for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Root is selected only for the ODI tour of India, while leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is included just for the T20I leg of the trip. The fast-bowling contingent is made up of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood (recovered from right elbow injury), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, and Jamie Overton with Sam Curran and Reece Topley left out. Adil Rashid is in both squads, with Root, Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell also capable of providing him support in the 50-over format. Apart from captain Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith complete the batting order, with no place for Will Jacks. England are scheduled to play five T20Is against India from January 22 to February 2 in Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune and Mumbai. It is followed by three ODIs between the two teams from February 6-12 in Nagpur, Cuttack and Ahmedabad while the schedule for the Champions Trophy is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This will be Englands first tour and tournament under head coach Brendon McCullums tenure as white-ball coach, with the T20I team scheduled to depart for India on January 17. England squad for next year's ODI tour of India and Champions Trophy: Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt and Mark Wood. This will be Englands first tour and tournament under head coach Brendon McCullums tenure as white-ball coach, with the T20I team scheduled to depart for India on January 17. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS

Jailed Journalist Mahesh Langa Now Sent To Rajkot Cops' Custody In GST Case

Journalist Mahesh Langa, who has been in jail for an alleged Goods and Services Tax scam in Gujarat, has now been sent to Rajkot Police's custody for four days.

Rajkot police take custody of jailed journalist Mahesh Langa in GST evasion case

While Mr. Langa was already in jail over an alleged GST scam, the police said the latest action is in connection with another case of alleged GST evasion registered by the crime branch last month.

Ravichandran Ashwin - 'Accidental Spinner' Who Became India Great

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will go down as one of India's greatest players after retiring from international cricket on Wednesday aged 38. India's go-to bowler was central to their Test dominance in the last decade with his ability to outfox top batsmen. Ashwin finished with 537 wickets in 106 Tests since his debut in 2011 against the West Indies in New Delhi. He was also more than useful with the bat. Described as an all-time great by his Test captain Rohit Sharma, Ashwin earlier this year became only the ninth bowler to reach 500 Test wickets and only the second from India after Anil Kumble (619). He also played 116 one-day and 65 Twenty20 internationals. Ashwin walked into the sunset after the drawn third Test against Australia in Brisbane. He was visibly emotional as he was hugged by Virat Kohli in the dressing room. There's a bit left in me as a cricketer but I would like to exploit it at the domestic and club-level cricket, Ashwin told reporters. I have had a lot of fun, a lot of memories. He was not selected for Brisbane, with his final Test in Adelaide last week, where he took 1-53 and India were well beaten by 10 wickets. - 'Legend' - India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute to a player he said would be greatly missed. The privilege of seeing you grow from a young bowler to a legend of modern cricket is something that I wouldn't trade for the world, Gambhir wrote on social media. Team-mate Kohli said he had enjoyed every bit of the journey with the bowler. Your skill and match-winning contributions to Indian cricket are second to none and you will always be remembered as a legend of Indian cricket, Kohli said. Ashwin, who is from the southern city of Chennai, started out as an IT engineer after graduating from university and is known for his precision. The innovative Ashwin always worked on his craft, even after his skill and guile led to a glittering international career. He reached the landmark of 500 wickets in the third Test against England in February at Rajkot when he dismissed Zak Crawley. A master craftsman, Ashwin employed the full width of the crease as he delivered his off-spin from multiple angles with varying pace. He also had a deceptive arm ball that goes straight on, and worked to develop a carrom ball that goes the other way, delivered using his knuckles. But his sometimes blunt, no-nonsense attitude has led to the occasional controversy, such as when inflicting Mankad runouts at the non-striker's end. Ashwin was part of India's 2011 50-over World Cup title win at home and then the 2013 Champions Trophy, but it was three years later that he matured as a top-level bowler. He took 48 wickets in eight Tests and had 27 victims in 19 Twenty20 matches in the 2015-16 season to be named the ICC cricketer of the year. Ashwin ended with 37 five-wicket Test hauls to his name, with a best of 7-59. - 'World class' - Ashwin enjoyed a healthy rivalry with his Australia counterpart Nathan Lyon, who has 533 Test wickets in 132 matches. He's a world-class bowler and somebody I have watched closely from the start of his career, Lyon said. Ashwin started off as a batsman who bowled medium-pace before switching to off-spin, and has called himself an accidental spinner. I wanted to be a batter all along. Life gave me a chance, he once said. Ashwin has recounted how he first got the chance to shine as a spinner while playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. All-time top wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan had declined to use the new ball so it was given to him instead -- and the rest was history. The all-rounder also has 3,503 Test runs -- including six centuries -- from playing in the middle- and lower-order, with a career-high of 124. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers He formed a potent spin partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, becoming the most successful pair for India in Tests.

Ahmedabad Diary | APMC polls bring BJP internal rift out in open

BJPs internal squabble intensified on Tuesday, with row erupting over the Unjha APMC elections. With 36 candidates vying for 14 seats, the chaos unfolded like a family feud. The counting of votes began at 9am on Tuesday. Out of 10 BJP-backed candidates, five had to face humiliating defeats. The panel backed by BJP MLA Kirit Patel was wiped out, while the candidates supported by former chairman Dinesh Patel emerged victorious. To complete this picture of the party in complete disarray, Naran Lallus grandson, Supreet Patel, also bit the electoral dust. Rajkot leader caught in birth cert tampering BJPs ongoing organisation festival in Rajkots Ward No. 14 has turned into a comedy show. Vipul Makhela, Baksi Panch Morcha city president, has been caught tampering his birth certificate and Aadhaar card. He has reduced his age by six years to contest as the ward president. However, an alert party insider has blown the whistle, leading Rajkot BJP election in-charge Mayaben Kodnani to demand proof from Makhela. Now, the party gears up to reward his creativity with suspension order as the fiasco has escalated to the state level. Controversy over AMCs study tour to Kashmir While the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) grapples with debt and shortage of funds, its cooperators and officials seem more focused on scenic mountains of Kashmir. On December 18, at least 225 people 192 corporators and men from BJP and Congress will head to Kashmir for a study tour. A disgruntled BJP worker has penned a letter questioning the point of the educational excursion. The civic body is all set to splurge around Rs 2 crore on the trip. For perspective, cost of Kashmir tour hovers around Rs 50,000 per person, but the AMC seems happy to shell out Rs 88,000 per head. Dilip Singh Kshatriya Our correspondent in Gujarat dilipsingh@newindianexpress.com

Minimum temperature dips to 11.8C in Ahmedabad; Rajkot colder at 10.8C - DeshGujarat

Minimum temperature dips to 11.8C in Ahmedabad; Rajkot colder at 10.8C DeshGujarat

Gujarat groundwater crisis: Alarming contamination levels across districts revealed

AHMEDABAD: The Government of India, in a concerning update to the Rajya Sabha, has flagged an alarming situation regarding groundwater pollution in Gujarat. According to the data wise Number of Partly Affected Districts (cumulative) with major Contaminants in Ground Water of India in 2022-23, major contaminants have affected numerous districts across the state. Salinity levels exceeding 3000 micro mhos/cm (EC) were detected in 28 districts, while fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/l plagued 30 districts. Nitrate contamination, surpassing the safe limit of 45 mg/l, was found in 32 districts, and arsenic levels above 0.01 mg/l affected 12 districts. Additionally, 14 districts reported iron concentrations exceeding 1 mg/l. Fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L have been recorded in several districts across Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Arvalli, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Botad, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kachchh, Mahesana, Morbi, Narmada, Panchmahal, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar, and Vadodara. In a Reply by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti in response to MP R Girirajan's question in the Rajya Sabha, the government highlighted the grave health hazards posed by contaminated groundwater. Long-term consumption of water containing arsenic, fluoride, or mercury above permissible limits can lead to severe health complications. Arsenic contamination has been linked to poisoning, skin disorders, and cancers of the skin, bladder, kidney, and lungs. Excessive fluoride levels can cause crippling skeletal or dental fluorosis, while high concentrations of heavy metals like mercury increase the risk of kidney diseases, poisoning, and cancer. The government informed the Rajya Sabha that water management, including improving groundwater quality and addressing contamination, is primarily the responsibility of state governments, as water is a state subject. The Central Government supports these efforts by offering technical assistance and financial aid through various centrally sponsored schemes. The Central Government informed the Rajya Sabha that in Gujarat, a total of 1,52,507 drinking water samples were tested during 2023-24. Of these, 14,922 samples were found contaminated. Remedial measures, including interim actions and water supply restoration, were taken for 13,834 affected samples. While Ground water pollution remains a pressing issue in many parts of Gujarat, the government is simultaneously taking measures to address the challenge, Under the Central Government's Jal Jeevan Mission for 2023-24, Gujarat reported significant financial activity. The state began with an opening balance of 1,088.66 crore, while the Centre allocated 2,982.85 crore. Of this, 2,237.14 crore was drawn, bringing the total available funds to 3,325.80 crore. Gujarat reported utilizing 2,377.83 crore, with an additional 2,676.40 crore spent under the state's share of the program.

Maharashtra Govt Allocates Rs 33,788 Cr for Key Welfare Schemes and Infrastructure Projects

MUMBAI: the Maharashtra government has tabled supplementary demands worth Rs 33,788.40 crore, including Rs 1,400 crore allocated to the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. The funds also cover a wide range of projects, including support for farmers, free electricity for agricultural pumps, and a new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The supplementary demands, presented by Minister Uday Samant, are additional funds requested by the state government beyond the initial budgetary allocations. A substantial portion of this request--Rs 1,400 crore--has been earmarked for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, which has been instrumental in supporting women in Maharashtra. Under the scheme, women aged between 21 and 60 years receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500. To date, more than 2.5 crore women have benefited from the scheme's financial assistance. In a bid to enhance this welfare initiative, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently stated that the monthly stipend will be increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, with this adjustment set to be included in future budget plans. Another key provision in the supplementary demands is the allocation of Rs 36 crore for a new Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district. This move comes after the collapse of a 35-foot statue of the Maratha king at the same site in August, just months after it was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December. The government has also prioritized support for the agricultural sector, with Rs 1,204 crore allocated for margin money loans to eligible sugar cooperative factories. Additionally, Rs 3,050 crore has been earmarked for the Mukhyamantri Baliraja scheme, which provides free electricity to farmers operating agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower. Various state departments are set to receive significant funding, including Rs 7,490 crore for the Public Works Department, Rs 4,112 crore for industry, power, and labour, Rs 2,774 crore for urban development, Rs 2,007 crore for rural development, and Rs 1,830 crore for tribal development. These supplementary demands are expected to support a wide range of welfare, infrastructure, and development initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens across Maharashtra. Earlier, during the cabinet meeting on October 1st, a decision was made to offer a concession on the payment of land premiums to MMRDA in order to speed up the slum rehabilitation project in Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Kamrajnagar. As per the revised valuation of 14 hectares of land in Kurla, MMRDA will be allowed to pay the land premium from the sale proceeds after the project's completion, eliminating the need for an upfront 25 percent payment.

Minimum temperature dips to 7.8C in Gujarat; Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot below 14C - DeshGujarat

Minimum temperature dips to 7.8C in Gujarat; Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajkot below 14C DeshGujarat

Renowned sculptor`s firm gets contract for new Shivaji statue at Rajkot Fort

Earlier this year, a 35-foot statue of the Maratha warrior king collapsed at the fort in Malvan taluka of Sindhudurg district on August 26, just months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it on December 4 last year

Gujarat CM participates in foundation stone laying ceremony of Umiya Mata Temple in Rajkot - MSN

Gujarat CM participates in foundation stone laying ceremony of Umiya Mata Temple in Rajkot MSN

NIA detained Madrasa worker in Sanand, Ahmedabad for suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed links

AHMEDABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained Adil, a suspect linked to the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed, from a madrasa in Sanand near Ahmedabad. The suspect is currently under intense interrogation by the NIA as part of an ongoing operation. Police sources reported that a central agency had received intelligence indicating that an individual named Adil, who allegedly works at a madarsa in Chekhala village, Banas Kantha district, had links to the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed. Acting on this information, the agency, with assistance from Ahmedabad district police, arrested Adil during a late-night operation. Authorities are investigating Adil's role in the organization and his suspected involvement in its activities. Sources reveal that in recent years, the roots of terrorist organizations have shifted significantly to online platforms. Special groups are being formed on various social media networksboth online and offlineconnecting individuals to different ideological modules. These modules then align recruits with the ideology of terrorist organizations. Investigative agencies have repeatedly uncovered links between terrorists and online platforms during past investigations. In August 2023, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) made a significant breakthrough by arresting three individuals in Rajkot for their suspected connections to the terrorist organization Al Qaeda.

Minimum temperature in Naliya dips to 5C; Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot below 15C - DeshGujarat

Minimum temperature in Naliya dips to 5C; Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot below 15C DeshGujarat

Gujarat Diamonds & despair

AHMEDABAD: While diamonds are often regarded as timeless treasures, the industries that create these precious gems are currently facing significant challenges. A severe recession has impacted the diamond industry in Gujarat, leading to the closure of more than 2,000 factories -- approximately 50 % of the total-- after the Diwali vacation, according to the Gujarat Diamond Workers Association. This year, the crisis has driven 45 gem artisans to take their own lives amid rising unemployment. The government has acknowledged in the Rajya Sabha that the diamond sector has struggled for the past three years due to declining demand in key export markets and supply chain disruptions, including G7 sanctions on diamonds of Russian origin. In Surat, the diamond hub of Gujarat, 40% of factories remain shut after Diwali, said Ramesh Jilaria, President of the Gujarat Diamond Association. Ahmedabad sees 30% closures, while cities like Rajkot, Amreli and Botad report shutdowns of 50% to 60%. An estimated 2,000 diamond factories across these regions have not reopened after Diwali, and many may remain closed, he added. Gujarat's lacklustre diamond industry: Artisans witness worst recession in 50 years Even in operational units, only 50% to 60% of gem artisans have returned to work. Wages for jewelers have plummeted by as much as 50%, and we estimate that around 200,000 workers could face job losses in the coming days. In just one year, more than 45 diamond workers have died by suicide due to financial difficulties (from January 2024 to December 2024), Jilaria warned. The governments statement in the Rajya Sabha corroborates Jilarias claim about the challenges facing the diamond industry. On December 6, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry acknowledged in the Upper House, The diamond sector has been facing challenges over the last three years due to reduced demand in major export markets and supply-side issues such as G7 sanctions on Russian-origin diamonds. The statement also emphasized a decline in diamond import-export figures. It indicated a downward trend over three consecutive financial years. Exports fell significantly from $25.48 billion in 2021-22 to $18.37 billion in 2023-24, a decline of nearly 28%. Imports also decreased, shrinking from $28.87 billion in 2021-22 to $22.99 billion in 2023-24, reflecting a 20% drop. Consequently, the total trade volume declined from $54.35 billion in 2021-22 to $41.37 billion in 2023-24, a reduction of approximately 24%. According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) Gems & Jewellery Study from October 2020, there are around 18,036 companies employing 819,926 individuals in the diamond industry. The global recession has hit Gujarats diamond industry hard, stated Bhavesh Tank, an official with the Gujarat Diamond Association. Surat's diamond industry dims: Factory closures, job losses hit hard

Gujarat's lacklustre diamond industry: Artisans witness worst recession in 50 years

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat's diamond industry is reeling under a severe recession, with over 50% of factories shutting down after the Diwali vacation, claims the Gujarat Diamond Workers Association. The crisis has claimed the lives of 45 gem artists and forced 2000 factories out of business. The diamond industry had been on the decline over the past two years due to a falling demand in key export markets and supply chain disruptions, including G7 sanctions on Russian-origin diamonds. In Surat, the diamond hub of Gujarat, 40% of factories remain shut post-Diwali, said Gujarat Diamond Association President Ramesh Jilaria. Ahmedabad sees 30% closures, while cities like Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Botad report 50% to 60% shutdowns. An estimated 2,000 diamond factories across these regions have not reopened after Diwali, and many may remain closed, he added. Even in operational units, only 50% to 60% of gem artisans have resumed work. Wages for jewellers have plummeted by up to 50%, and we estimate around 2 lakh workers could lose their jobs in the coming days. In just one year more than 45 diamond workers had committed suicide due to financial problem (from January 2024 to December 2024) Jilaria said. The Indian government's statement in the Rajya Sabha lends indirect support to Ramesh Jilaria's claim about the challenges plaguing the diamond industry. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry stated on December 6, 2024, in response to a Rajya Sabha query by MP Neeraj Dangi Yes, the diamond sector has been facing challenges during the last three years due to reduced demand in major export destinations and supply side issues such as G7 Sanctions on Russian origin diamonds. The Ministry's response in the Rajya Sabha also highlights a decline in diamond import-export figures. The Rajya Sabha Data Indicate, The trade figures reveal a declining trend over three consecutive financial years. Exports dropped significantly from $25.48 billion in 2021-22 to $18.37 billion in 2023-24, marking a stark decrease of nearly 28%. Imports also followed a downward trend, shrinking from $28.87 billion in 2021-22 to $22.99 billion in 2023-24, reflecting a 20% dip. As a result, total trade volume slid from $54.35 billion in 2021-22 to $41.37 billion in 2023-24, a reduction of around 24%. As per the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) Gems & Jewellery Study of October 2020, there are about 18,036 companies with 8,19,926 employees in the diamond industry. The global recession has hit Gujarat's diamond industry hard, said Bhavesh Tank, an official of the Gujarat Diamond Association. Factories that once operated for 12 hours now run only six, and workers who earned 25,000 to 30,000 monthly are now making just 8,000 to 12,000. He added grimly, This downturn is unprecedentedsuch a severe recession hasnt been witnessed in the diamond industry in the last 50 years. Many families are struggling to make ends meet. Surat's diamond industry dims: Factory closures, job losses hit hard

Tantrik Dies in Gujarat Police Custody; Accused of 12 Murders

Ahmedabad: A 42-year-old tantrik arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder a businessman died in police custody in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday after admitting to killing 12 people by giving them drinks laced with a chemical, police said. The Sarkhej police arrested Navalsinh Chavda around 1 am on December 3 when he was on his way to commit the crime after his partner for a taxi business with whom he shared the plan tipped off the police, an official said. The police secured Chavda's remand till 3 pm on December 10 for further probe into his occult practices and possible involvement in human sacrifices, he said. Around 10 am on Sunday, Chavda fell ill and was rushed to the civil hospital in an ambulance, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The accused confessed to 12 murders during interrogation, and all deaths had occurred due to consumption of sodium nitrite, the official said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shivam Verma said the accused confessed to having committed 12 murders by making his victims consume sodium nitrite dissolved in water during occult rituals. Chavda admitted to having murdered a man in Ahmedabad, six in Surendranagar, including three members of his family, three in Rajkot, and one each in Wankaner (Morbi district) and Anjar (Kutch district), Verma said. He said the accused confessed to having murdered a man whose body was found in the Aslali area of Ahmedabad in August 2021 in what appeared to be a road accident. A post-mortem later suggested it to be a case of death by poisoning. The probe has also revealed that the accused had similarly killed his grandmother around 14 years ago and his mother and uncle a year ago, Verma said. According to the police, Chavda procured sodium nitrite, a chemical used for dry cleaning, from a laboratory in his hometown, Surendranagar. Due to poisoning, several of his victims died of heart attacks, while the nature of the deaths of a few other victims was a matter of investigation, the official said. Chavda had found out about the chemical from another tantrik. The substance would take effect 15 to 20 minutes after consumption and cause heart attack, etc., leading to death, he said. The accused called himself a huvaji and proclaimed that he had the power to perform magic and miracles. He also had an ashram at Wadhwan in Surendranagar where he practised black magic, police said. He would offer to multiply his victims' wealth or solve their problems, they said. The police had recovered incriminating evidence from Chavda's vehicle, including items used in rituals and white powder.

JAIN International Residential School (JIRS) brings the Future 25 Event to Rajkot - India Education Diary

JAIN International Residential School (JIRS) brings the Future 25 Event to Rajkot India Education Diary

Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt acquitted in 1997 case

Bhatt was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1990 custodial death case in Jamnagar and 20 years in jail in a 1996 case relating to planting drugs to frame a Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur. He is currently lodged in the Rajkot Central Jail.

Morari Bapu's Ramkatha in Rajkot raises Rs 60 crore

The proceeds from this spiritual gathering will support the Sadbhavana Trust and fund the construction of the Sadbhavana Old Age Home and other charitable initiatives.

Shami sets up Bengals win against Mlaya in SMAT

Rajkot, Dec 1: Indias star pacer Mohammed Shami set up Bengals comfortable win against Meghalaya with a measly spell in their Group A contest in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy here on Sunday. Elsewhere, Naman Dhir returned excellent figures of 5/19 to fashion Punjabs narrow seven-run win against Hyderabad in Group A, while Jharkhand []

Urban Planning is Crucial, Say Experts at National Conference

Hyderabad : The integration of biodiversity into urban planning is crucial for sustainable development, said experts at the two-day National Conference on Urban Biodiversity that began here on Friday. The event highlighted the importance of creating urban spaces that balance growth with ecological preservation. Organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, the conference brought together leaders from 35 cities, including environmental experts, planners, and city officials. Participants explored collaborative measures to protect biodiversity while addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation. Hyderabad was chosen as the host city due to its achievements in sustainability, including the prestigious World Green City Award, and its transformation into a global hub for investment and urban innovation. Hyderabad has demonstrated how urbanisation and biodiversity can coexist. Its an example for others to emulate, said C. Achalender Reddy, NBA chairperson. He called for municipal bodies to adopt policies prioritising biodiversity through consistent funding and the use of native plants to restore ecosystems. Raghu Kumar Kodali, adviser with the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, stressed that urban biodiversity must be a key element in planning to enhance quality of life. By focusing on parks, green roofs, and wetlands, cities can align with global biodiversity goals and create spaces that serve both people and nature, he told Deccan Chronicle. The event spotlighted Hyderabads initiatives, including the restoration of water bodies and green corridors. Leaders such as Nayanben Pedhadiya, Mayor of Rajkot, and Sarfaraz Ahmad, HMDA commissioner, shared insights from their respective cities, contributing to a diverse exchange of ideas.

ASI takes action after PMO flags poor state of Dholavira

NEW DELHI: To expedite conservation efforts and improvement interventions at the ancient city of Dholavira site in Gujarat, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has shifted a senior Superintending Archaeologist (SA) from Delhi-NCR to Rajkot circle, under which the remains of Harappan metropolis fall. The official from the Excavation Branch in Greater Noida has been transferred with specific instructions to take care of site activities to improve tourist amenities. According to sources, the SA has already visited the ruins of the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization. Last month, the two officials including a Conservation Architect (CA) were shifted to Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This newspaper, last month, reported that the survey had turned its focus to Dholavira after the PMO flagged the poor state of preservation and lack of tourist amenities there. The agency also asked the officials concerned to devote more time to speed up site activities and work out a detailed action plan for conservation and resume excavation at historic urban settlements located in the Rann of Kutch. The functioning of Dholavira Unit, excavation and other activities at the site was discussed in a meeting held in October with the senior official of the PMO in which the director general of the ASI was informed that the place is not a good status of preservation and lacks proper management, maintenance and tourist amenities. It was also informed about discontinuation of excavation, which has great potential for research, at Dholavira. The ancient settlement dating to 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE is the 6th largest of more than 1,000 Harappan sites discovered so far, which was occupied for over 1,500 years. Dholavira demonstrates its multifaceted achievements in terms of urban planning, water management, trading, and belief system. Harappan City was inscribed on UNESCOs World Heritage list in 2021. The Superintending Archaeologist in-charge of Rajkot Circle (sub office of ASI in Gujarat) is further advised to devote more time to the Dholavira site to accelerate activities at the World Heritage Site. He may submit a detailed action plan within 15 days for perusal of D-G, read an order.

Kin say custodial torture after death of 27-year-old in dry Gujarat liquor case

AHMEDABAD: A 27-year-old man allegedly died in police custody on Monday after he was arrested along with seven others during a crackdown on public drinking in Ahmedabad. Darshan Chauhan collapsed and died while he was being taken to Asarwa civil hospital for a medical check-up, police said. All the eight people arrested were allegedly under the influence of alcohol. While Chauhans family initially admitted before police that he had a seizure disorder, they later denied this and claimed before the media that he was a habitual drinker. They raised suspicions over the circumstances of his death, prompting the police to initiate an investigation into the incident. Eight people were apprehended in a late-night combing operation in Gomtipur. At 3:30 am, all detainees were taken to the civil hospital in an intoxicated state. Tragically, 27-year-old Darshan Chauhan collapsed and died before his medical examination, RD Ojha, ACP of Gomtipur, said, adding that the cause of death awaits postmortem results. The family refuted the police version. My brother had no illness, he was only addicted to alcohol, said Darshans sister Bharati Chauhan. My son went out at night, saying he would be back soon. Around 11 pm, we got a call saying the police had caught him. By morning, he had been taken to the civil hospital in poor health. When we reached there, we learned he had died, said Darshans mother Jashodaben. According to the Gujarat State Human Rights Commissions 2022-23 report, Rajkot city recorded the highest number of police custody deaths at three. Police initiate probe after family raises doubts While Chauhans family initially admitted before police that he had a seizure disorder, they later denied this and claimed before the media that he was a habitual drinker. They raised suspicions over the circumstances of his death, prompting the police to initiate an investigation into the incident.

Four women killed, 16 injured in van-truck collision in Gujarat's Surendranagar

SURENDRANAGAR: Four women were killed and 16 others injured after their pickup van collided with a truck in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place near Chotila around 10:30 pm on Monday, said Inspector I B Valvi of the local police station. The van, heading for Somnath from Shiyani village in Limbdi taluka of the district, was carrying 20 passengers. Two of them died on the spot following the collision while two more died in hospital, she said. The truck, coming from the opposite direction, turned right to halt at a roadside hotel and it led to the collision, the official said. The victims were going to Somnath to perform 'pitru tarpan,' a ritual for deceased ancestors. All the 16 injured persons were receiving treatment at the Rajkot civil hospital. The deceased, who were related to each other, were identified as Magjiben Rethariya (72), Galalben Rethariya (60), Manjuben Rethariya (65) and Gauriben Rethariya (68).

Tilak Varma becomes first batter to pull off this unique T20 record!

Mumbai: Tilak Varma became the first batter ever to notch three successive hundreds in T20s, while Shreyas Iyer underlined his credentials with a smooth century ahead of the IPL mega auction, as the two Indian batters hogged the limelight in the first round of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Saturday. In a Group A match, Tilak, who made hundreds recently against South Africa at Centurion and Johannesburg, added one more three-figure knock to the list against Meghalaya in Rajkot. The left-hander made 151 off just 67 balls with 14 fours and 10 sixes to guide Hyderabad to 248 for four in 20 overs. In the process, he also became the first Indian male cricketer to score a 150-plus score in T20s. India woman batter Kiran Navigere had made a 162 for Nagaland against Arunachal Pradesh in the senior Women's T20 Trophy in 2022. Opener Tanmay Agarwal supported his skipper Tilak with a 55 off 23 balls. Anikethreddy and Tanay Thyagarajan shared seven wickets among them as Hyderabad bundled out their rivals for 69 to celebrate a massive 179-run victory. Shreyas shines Shreyas, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders despite leading them to the IPL 2024 title, made a timely reminder about his skills with an unbeaten 57-ball 130 (11x4, 10x6) for Mumbai against Goa in a Group E match. Shreyas' hundred led Mumbai to 250 for four, but Goa made a spirited chase before ending up at 224 for eight, going down by 26 runs. Suyash Prabhudesai was their top-scorer with a 52 off 36 balls. Brief scores Hyderabad 248/4; 20 overs (Tilak Verma 151, Tanmay Agarwal 55) beat Meghalaya: 69; 15.1 overs (G Anikethreddy 4/11, Tanay Thyagarajan 3/15) by 179 runs. Mumbai 250/4; 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 130 not out) beat Goa 224/8; 20 overs (Suyash Prabhudesai 52, Vikash Singh 47 not out; Suyansh Shedge 2/18) by 26 runs.

Shivaji statue collapse case: Bombay HC grants bail to consultant Chetan Patil

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Rajkot fort in Malvan in August. A 35-foot statue of the iconic Maratha warrior king collapsed in Sindhudurg district on August 26, nearly nine months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled it on Navy Day. Patil was arrested on August 30 from Kolhapur. 'Bow my head at his feet and apologise': PM Modi on Chhatrapati Shivaji statue collapse A single bench of Justice A S Kilor on Thursday held that no case was made out to implicate Patil in the case as he had not been appointed as the structural designer of the statue. The bench further said Patil had only submitted a structural stability report of the pedestal of the statue and the pedestal was intact even after the collapse. Another accused, Jaydeep Apte, who was the sculptor and contractor, was also arrested in the case. The HC said it would hear his bail plea on November 25. The Sindhudurg police had registered an FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligence and other offences last month against Apte and Patil for the statue's collapse. Patil and Apte moved HC seeking bail after a sessions court rejected their pleas.

Mlaya name unchanged squad for CK Nayudu Trophy

By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 14: The senior men selection committee of the Meghalaya Cricket Association has named an unchanged squad for the fifth match of the U-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against Railways, which will be played from Friday at the latters home ground in Rajkot, Gujarat. Promoted to the elite level after [] The post Mlaya name unchanged squad for CK Nayudu Trophy appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Why Mahayuti, Union govt keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji: Congress to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by posing questions to him on Maharashtra and asked why the Mahayuti and the Union governments keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's rallies in Maharashtra, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to him, including what is his vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ramesh asked. Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - one of India's greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra and its patron in New Delhi have been undermining, Ramesh said in a post on X. Seven years ago, the PM laid the foundation stone for a 696-feet statue of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai but it has since been silently abandoned by his government, he said. In a petty effort to spite the people of Maharashtra after their stinging debacle on June 4th, they removed the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from its place of prominence outside the Parliament House, Ramesh alleged. BJP leaders, in their attempts to ingratiate themselves to the self-proclaimed divinity, have belittled the Chhatrapati by comparing him to the non-biological PM, he said. The Mahayuti didn't even spare the Chhatrapati from its extortion and loot. The non-biological PM is in Maharashtra today. Three questions for him 1. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj one of Indias greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 14, 2024 The 35-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg was made so shoddily that it collapsed within a year of its inauguration by the non-biological PM himself, Ramesh said. What is the source of this hatred and constant attempt to belittle the Chhatrapati, he asked. What hope can the Aam Aadmi have from a man who has given jumlas even to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? the Congress leader said. Uddhav Thackeray slams BJP, says Modi wants to use Shivaji Maharaj as vote machine He further asked what is Modi's vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. In 2019, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a Rs 20,000 to 25,000 crore package to build a water grid from Marathwada that would supply piped drinking water to every village, he pointed out. Summer this year marked five years of this promise - and it was one of the most water-scarce years that Marathwada has faced, Ramesh said. More than 600 villages and 178 hamlets in Marathwada were dependent on water tankers amidst an acute drinking water shortage, he said. Only 19% drinking water was left in reservoirs. What has the BJP done to tackle water scarcity in Marathwada? Will the non-biological PM ever take responsibility for his and his party's failures? the Congress leader said. He also asked why the Indian Railways performed so poorly in the Nanded division. Railway infrastructure in Nanded division, which serves many areas in Marathwada, has been subjected to blatant neglect by the Modi government, he claimed. According to data furnished by the South Central Railway (SCR) in 2021, Nanded has only 35km of route electrification and only 83km of track doubling. This puts it at the bottom in terms of electrification and only marginally ahead of the bottom in track doubling compared to other SCR divisions, Ramesh said. Additionally, it is the only division in its zone that still has 130km of colonial-era meter-gauge tracks, he said. Every election season, Mr.Modi is happy to come to Marathwada and ask for votes but the area never sees the progress and development that he speaks of. Why has crucial railway infrastructure been neglected in Nanded? Does the non-biological PM have any real vision for bringing development to the Marathwada region? Ramesh said. His remarks come amid campaigning for the November 20 polls in Maharashtra. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Why Mahayuti, Union govts keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Cong to PM

Ahead of Prime Minister Modi's rallies in Maharashtra, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to him, including what is his vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. Why is the Mahayuti and the Union Government keen on undermining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Ramesh asked. Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - one of India's greatest sons, whom the Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra and its patron in New Delhi have been undermining, Ramesh said in a post on X. Seven years ago, the PM laid the foundation stone for a 696-feet statue of Shivaji Maharaj in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai but it has since been silently abandoned by his government, he said. In a petty effort to spite the people of Maharashtra after their stinging debacle on June 4th, they removed the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from its place of prominence outside the Parliament House, Ramesh alleged. BJP leaders, in their attempts to ingratiate themselves to the self-proclaimed divinity, have belittled the Chhatrapati by comparing him to the non-biological PM, he said. The Mahayuti didn't even spare the Chhatrapati from its extortion and loot. The 35-ft statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg was made so shoddily that it collapsed within a year of its inauguration by the non-biological PM himself, Ramesh said. What is the source of this hatred and constant attempt to belittle the Chhatrapati, he asked. What hope can the Aam Aadmi have from a man who has given jumlas even to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? the Congress leader said. He further asked what is Modi's vision to address water scarcity in Marathwada. In 2019, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised a Rs 20,000 to 25,000 crore package to build a water grid from Marathwada that would supply piped drinking water to every village, he pointed out. Summer this year marked five years of this promise - and it was one of the most water-scarce years that Marathwada has faced, Ramesh said. More than 600 villages and 178 hamlets in Marathwada were dependent on water tankers amidst an acute drinking water shortage, he said. Only 19% of drinking water was left in reservoirs. What has the BJP done to tackle water scarcity in Marathwada? Will the non-biological PM ever take responsibility for his and his party's failures? the Congress leader said. He also asked why the Indian Railways performed so poorly in the Nanded division. Railway infrastructure in Nanded division, which serves many areas in Marathwada, has been subjected to blatant neglect by the Modi government, he claimed. According to data furnished by the South Central Railway (SCR) in 2021, Nanded has only 35km of route electrification and only 83km of track doubling. This puts it at the bottom in terms of electrification and only marginally ahead of the bottom in track doubling compared to other SCR divisions, Ramesh said. Additionally, it is the only division in its zone that still has 130km of colonial-era meter-gauge tracks, he said. Every election season, Mr. Modi is happy to come to Marathwada and ask for votes but the area never sees the progress and development that he speaks of. Why has crucial railway infrastructure been neglected in Nanded? Does the non-biological PM have any real vision for bringing development to the Marathwada region? Ramesh said. His remarks come amid campaigning for the November 20 polls in Maharashtra. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Temple theft cases surge in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, a surge in burglaries is hitting not only homes left vacant during Diwali vacations but also temples, according to government data. Over the past three years, thieves have stolen a total of Rs 4.93 crore in cash and valuables from temples across the state. Gujarat reported 501 temple theft incidents: 151 temples were targeted in 2020-21, 178 in 2021-22, and 172 in 2022-23. In addition, there were five armed robberies in temples, intensifying concerns over temple security statewide. Gujarat Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker criticized the government, saying the incidents of looting and theft in temples, which hold deep significance for Gujaratis, are being met with little more than promises of CCTV installations by the home department. Is the BJP, which campaigns in Gods name, only concerned with securing votes? he asked. Even during Navratri, incidents of assault on women occur and illegal activities like bootlegging and drug trade operate openly. The reality is the state police is facing a severe shortage of personnel, with the number of police personnel falling below the national average, Banker said. Private residential homes too are the target. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Gujarat has witnessed a troubling surge in home burglaries and robberies over recent years, underscoring persistent challenges in crime prevention. Nighttime burglaries have consistently overshadowed daytime incidents. In 2017, there were 3,957 burglaries reported at night, but by 2022, that number fell to 2,936. Daytime burglaries also saw a decrease, from 440 cases in 2017 to 359 in 2022. However, the overall burglary rate per lakh population fluctuated, peaking at 6.9 in 2017, dropping to 3.9 in 2020, and rising again to 4.6 in 2022. Robberies showed a mixed pattern, with 1,277 cases in 2017, which dropped significantly to 498 in 2020, before stabilizing at around 575 cases in 2022. Over the six-year period from 2017 to 2022, Gujarat recorded a total of 18,453 night burglaries, 2,489 day burglaries, and 5,428 robberies, reflecting ongoing security concerns for residents across the state. The state government at present controls 13 temples in Gandhinagar district,13 in Valsad district, eight in Rajkot district, 16 in Porbandar district, four of Surat district and one temple each in Junagadh, Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Mehsana and Banaskantha districts. These include the ancient temples at Somnath, Dwarkadhish and Akshardham. The security of the temples is a tricky task given the strength of the police force as well as encroachments around such places. The Somnath temple in Veraval, Gujarat is one of the richest temples in India, with a net worth of around Rs 100 crore: The Somnath temple in Gujarat is heavily protected by police and has a Z+ security grade. Non-Hindus need prior permission to enter the temple due to security concerns and to protect the sanctity of the religious place.

Two farmers suicide in past week as unseasonal rains devastate crops in Saurashtra

AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat's Saurashtra region, unseasonal rains during and after Navratri have devastated crops, putting immense strain on farmers. In the past week, two farmers have tragically taken their lives due to crop failure. Five days after a farmer's suicide in Sardhar, Rajkot, another case has emerged in Junagadhs Keshod taluka, where a farmer ended his life, leaving behind four grieving daughters in Shergarh village. Danubhai Babria, a farmer from Shergarh village in Keshod taluka, Junagadh, tragically took his own life on October 31 amid severe financial distress. According to family members, Danubhai had planted groundnuts during the Kharif season, but relentless rains during and after Navratri wiped out his crop, leaving him in deep economic hardship. My elder brother took his own life last night by hanging himself, Jan Kishan Babria, a resident of Shergarh village and the deceaseds family member, told local media. He made this tragic choice after his groundnut crop failed. For the past week, Babria explained, his brother had grown increasingly silent, burdened by the loss of his crop and mounting financial struggles. He leaves behind four daughters who have now lost their father's support, he added. We received information on Friday at 9:30 a.m. about a man who had hanged himself in Shergarh village, Junagadh District Keshod P.I. P.A. Jadav told local media. Keshod police immediately reached the location and began an investigation. According to Jadav, the deceaseds brother informed officers that farmer Danabhai Babria had taken his life due to financial difficulties and the failure of his groundnut crop. The police are now conducting a further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the farmers suicide, Jadav added. In another incident, eight days ago, 42-year-old Jasingbhai Arjanbhai Makwana, a farmer from Sardhar village in Rajkot, ended his life after the complete failure of his two-acre crop. His death has left a wife without her husband and two sons without a father. The grieving families of these farmers are now urging the government to step in and support those struggling in agriculture. Meanwhile, On October 23, the Gujarat government announced Rs 1,419 crore relief package to aid farmers hit by Augusts devastating floods. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. According to the Government, farmers are affected across 6,812 villages in 136 talukas spanning 20 districts, including Panchmahal, Navsari, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Rajkot.

Ancient city of Dholavira in poor state, says PMO

NEW DELHI: After the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) flagged the poor state of preservation and lack of tourist amenities at the ancient city of Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued directions to the officials concerned to devote more time to speed up site activities and work out a detailed action plan for conservation and resume excavation at historic urban settlements; a world heritage site located in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The functioning of Dholavira Unit, excavation and other activities at the site was discussed in a meeting held earlier this month with the senior official of the PMO in which the director general of the ASI was informed that the place is not a good status of preservation and it also lacks proper management, maintenance and tourist amenities. According to the official, the survey was also informed about discontinuation of excavation, which has great potential for research, there at Dholavira. Following the intervention and concerns conveyed by the PMO, the ASI was also of the view that the pace of excavation and preservation activities at the ancient settlement dating to 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE need to be accelerated and efforts required to set up a site museum at the earliest as tourist footfall has also been increasing. It is the 6th largest of more than 1,000 Harappan sites discovered so far, which was occupied for over 1,500 years. Dholavira demonstrates its multifaceted achievements in terms of urban planning, construction techniques, water management, social governance manufacturing, trading, and belief system. Harappan City was inscribed on UNESCOs World Heritage list in 2021. A year later, the ministry of culture notified the ancient quarry sites at Dholavira as an archaeological site and remains of national importance. Quarries, spreading over 41 hectare, are about 3-4 kilometers from Dholavira citadel. According to the archeologists, stones extracted from these mines were used to build Dholavira citadel and architectural members were also carved here. Taking cognisance of the concerns, two officials, including a Conservation Architect (CA), have been shifted to Dholavira. The Superintending Archaeologist in-charge of Rajkot Circle (sub office of ASI in Gujarat) is further advised to devote more time to the Dholavira site to accelerate activities at the World Heritage Site. He may submit a detailed action plan in this regard within 15 days for perusal of D-G, read an order on transfer of the officers.

Morari Bapu to address Ramkatha in support of Sadbhavana Old Age Home

Based in Rajkot, the Sadbhavana Old Age Home has earned a reputation for its dedication to serving the elderly, blending devotion, charity and social welfare initiatives.

Bomb Threats issued to at least 50 Indian Airline Flights on Sunday

At least 50 flights operated by Indian airlines received bomb threats on Sunday, adding to a rising trend of hoax threats against the nations airlines. In the last 14 days alone, Indian carriers have received more than 350 bomb threats, with most originating from social media. Authorities are actively addressing these incidents through legislative measures and increased monitoring of social media platforms to combat the wave of false alarms. Reports indicate that Akasa Air received security alerts for 15 of its flights on Sunday. After comprehensive inspections, all aircraft were cleared to resume operations. Additionally, sources noted that IndiGo faced threats involving 18 of its flights, while Vistara had 17 flights impacted by similar alerts. On Saturday, several hotels in cities like Kolkata, Tirupati, and Rajkot were targeted with bomb threat emails, sparking widespread concern. After police investigations, all threats were found to be hoaxes. In Kolkata, 10 major hotels received alarming emails on the day of Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to the region. Kolkata police conducted rigorous safety checks but confirmed no explosives were found. Authorities informed central agencies due to the increase in hoax threats against public locations. The emails contained disturbing language, claiming bombs were concealed in black bags within hotel grounds. One email reportedly warned, I have planted bombs on the grounds of your hotel. The bombs are hidden in black bags. They will detonate soon. You have little time to live. Evacuate. In Tirupati, three hotels received similar threats, following other recent hoaxes. These emails mentioned Jaffer Sadiq, a figure associated with a drug racket, and referenced two individuals linked to Tamil Nadu politics. In Rajkot, 10 hotels were simultaneously threatened by emails from an ID named Kan Din. Police teams, led by DCP Parthrajsinh Gohil, searched the locations thoroughly but found no suspicious items. Authorities continue to monitor and respond to these security threats, emphasizing public safety and ensuring operations are unaffected by the hoaxes. Over 250 Flights Targeted by Hoax Bomb Threats: Centre Calls for Data from Social Media Hoax bomb threat to three hotels in Tirupati Over 70 Flights Targeted by Bomb Threats, Mainly from Same Social Media Handle

Hoax bomb threats received in hotels in Kolkata, Tirupati, and Rajkot amid festival season

Nearly two dozen hotels in Kolkata, Tirupati, and Rajkot received hoax bomb threats via email on Saturday. Police conducted searches but found nothing suspicious. The emails mentioned various names connected to past criminal incidents. Central agencies have been alerted due to the pattern of threats aimed at flights, airports, and now hotels.

Bomb threats target multiple hotels in Lucknow

Several hotels in Lucknow, including Marriott, Fortune, and Lemon Tree, received bomb threats via email demanding a $55,000 ransom. The emails claimed bombs were planted in black bags on hotel grounds and would detonate if tampered with or if the ransom was not paid. This follows similar hoax threats to hotels in Rajkot and multiple flights.

Centre directs social media platforms to purge content on hoax bomb threats

NEW DELHI: With hoax bomb threats against airlines continuing unabated, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued an advisory directing social media platforms to promptly remove such misinformation and refrain from hosting similar content. Stating that such hoax bomb threats pose a potential threat to public order and state security, the ministry warned that intermediaries, including social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Telegram, and other apps that fail to exercise due diligence will be liable for action under the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. As part of their due diligence obligations, it is the responsibility of concerned intermediaries, including social media platforms, to promptly take necessary action by not allowing any user to host, display, publish, store, update, or share any unlawful or false information, the advisory said. Over 275 Indian carrier flights received bomb threats in 12 days, mostly via social media. On Saturday, at least 10 hotels in Gujarats Rajkot received hoax bomb threats. And a 25-year-old man based in Delhi was arrested for allegedly posting threatening messages to a flight. The ministry also directed intermediaries to provide information or assistance to government prove agencies within 72 hours. Citing IT Rules 2021, it said it is mandatory for the intermediaries to provide information under their control or extend assistance to the government probe agencies or cyber security activities for verification of identity, or for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of such elements as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours.

10 Gujarat Hotels Receive Bomb Threats, Turn Out To Be Hoax: Police

At least ten hotels in Gujarat's Rajkot city received bomb threat emails on Saturday, which turned out to be a hoax, police said.

10 Hotels In Gujarat's Rajkot Receive Bomb Threats, Turn Out To Be Hoax

The hotels received emails around 12.45 pm, prompting the police to search these premises thoroughly with the bomb disposal squad (BDS), said police inspector SM Jadeja of the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Ten Hotels In Gujarat Receive Hoax Bomb Threats

At least ten hotels in Gujarat's Rajkot city received bomb threat emails on Saturday, which turned out to be a hoax, police said. I placed bombs in every location of your hotel. The bombs will go off in a few hours. Many innocent lives will be lost today. Hurry up and evacuate the hotel, the email stated.

PM Modi, Spanish PM Sanchez to inaugurate TATA aircraft complex in Gujarat's Vadodara

AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, will jointly inaugurate the TATA Aircraft Complex at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in Vadodara on October 28. The complex, dedicated to manufacturing C-295 military aircraft, marks Indias first private sector final assembly line for military aviation. Additionally, PM Modi will launch and lay the foundation for multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,900 crore in Amreli. Under the C-295 program, Airbus will deliver 16 aircraft directly from Spain, while TASL will manufacture the remaining 40 in India, creating a complete ecosystem from assembly and testing to delivery and lifecycle maintenance. Key defence players such as Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Bharat Dynamics Ltd., along with private MSMEs, are set to contribute to this initiative. In October 2022, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara Final Assembly Line (FAL). In Gujarats Amreli district, PM Modi will inaugurate projects worth Rs 4,900 crore, including the Bharat Mata Sarovar a check dam upgrade that raises capacity to 24.5 crore litres, benefiting irrigation in surrounding villages. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various development projects worth over Rs 700 crore from the water supply department in Amreli district. Among these projects is the Navda to Chavand bulk pipeline, which will provide an additional 28 crore litres of water to approximately 67 lakh beneficiaries across 36 cities and 1,298 villages in Botad, Amreli, Junagadh, Rajkot, and Porbandar districts. The foundation stone for the Pasavi Group Augmentation Water Supply Scheme Phase 2 in Bhavnagar district will also be laid, benefiting 95 villages in the Mahuva, Talaja, and Palitana talukas. The agenda for the day includes road infrastructure improvements across NH 151, NH 151A, and NH 51, as well as the Bhuj-Naliya Rail Gauge Conversion Project, all aimed at enhancing socio-economic development in Kutch. Water projects worth over Rs 700 crore, including the Navda to Chavand bulk pipeline and the Pasavi Water Supply Scheme, will improve water access for over 67 lakh people across multiple districts. Additionally, PM Modi will lay the foundation for a new eco-tourism site at the Karli Recharge Reservoir in Porbandar.

Police ramp up security after ten hotels receive bomb threat via email in Gujarat's Rajkot

AHMEDABAD: Rajkot police have launched a citywide security sweep after a threatening email warned of bomb attacks on 10 prominent hotels, including popular five-star venues frequented by cricketers. The threat, received during the festival season, has spurred heightened vigilance, with police conducting checks not only in the targeted hotels but also across other major establishments in the city. At 12.45 pm, Rajkot hotels received a chilling email from a sender named Kan Din, claiming, I placed bombs in every location of your hotel. Many lives will be lost today; hurry up and evacuate the hotel. The threat triggered a swift response from SOG, Crime Branch, LCB, PCB, and Bomb Squad teams, who began extensive checks at the hotels. As of now, no suspicious items have been found. PI R.G. Barot of Rajkot A Division told local media, We received information from the crime branch regarding an email warning of bombs allegedly planted in Bhabha Hotel, Jyoti Hotel, and Imperial Hotel in our A Division area. Currently, teams including SOG and local police are on-site conducting thorough checks, but nothing suspicious has been found so far. In a string of escalating threats, the bomb threat to Rajkots well-known hotels followed similar alarming messages aimed at Delhi and Ahmedabad schools, and a prominent Surat mall. Recently, a series of bomb threats has led to emergency landings and diversions across the country, heightening security concerns. The threat to Rajkot hotelsechoing past cases in its tacticshas prompted a swift police response as the situation intensifies nationwide.

'International Kurmi Sena' to host memorial event for former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel on October 27

AHMEDABAD: The legacy of former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel is back in the political spotlight. 'International Kurmi Sena', a newly-formed social organisation dedicated to promote the social unity and ideological revolution of Kurmi Patels across India will hold its inaugural event in Gujarat. The event, a memorial meeting for Keshubhai Patel, will take place at Rajkot on October 27 at 8 PM. The 'International Kurmi Sena' has raised concerns that Keshubhai Patel's numerous contributions to Saurashtra and Gujarat, including key development initiatives, are being forgotten. To revive his legacy among the younger generation, the organisation plans to pass a resolution during the event, urging the government to rename Rajkots Hirasar International Airport as Keshubhai Patel International Airport. Additionally, the book Dharti Putra Keshubhai , chronicling Patels life and achievements, will be unveiled. Political and social dignitaries from across the State, along with Kurmi (Patel) community leaders from more than 10 states, will gather in Rajkot for the memorial on his fourth death anniversary, Chirag Patel, a member of the International Kurmi Sena, told local media. He emphasised that a tribute will be paid to Keshubhai Patel. He also said that extensive preparations were underway for the past three months to organize the event. The important leaders belonging to all Patidar community organisations in Gujarat have been invited to attend and engage, Patel said. Efforts are also being made to ensure participation from the entire (Patel/Kurmi) community, with leaders from the community being personally invited, said Chirag. The book Dharti Putra Keshubhai is authored by Dilipbhai Patel, a senior journalist and writer. He has contributed to almost all major newspapers in the mainstream media. He had previously written a small booklet on Keshubhai Patel, said the program's organiser. He said that during Keshubhai Patel's tenure as Chief Minister, Gujarat benefited from numerous schemes. He also said that it is a duty to keep his memory alive. To honour his legacy, we have decided to establish the Keshubhai Patel Memorial Institute, which will be officially announced during the event, he added. Keshubhai Patel played a pivotal role in shaping Gujarat's political landscape and transforming the State into a BJP stronghold. His contributions to the party's rise in Gujarat remain significant, cementing his legacy as a key architect of the State's political dominance by the BJP. His first government in 1995, though victorious with 121 out of 182 seats, lasted just six months due to internal party conflicts. A power struggle between the Shankersinh Vaghela and Narendra Modi factions led to Patel losing his position, with Vaghela rebelling alongside 55 MLAs. This resulted in the President's rule in 1996, followed by Vaghela forming a government with Congress support. In 1998, Keshubhai returned to power, riding the slogan of a fear, hunger, and corruption-free Gujarat. However, the term was marred by natural disasters, including the 2001 Kutch earthquake exposing mismanagement in relief efforts. Criticism of the government grew, leading to BJP's defeat in by-elections and panchayat polls. The central leadership ultimately replaced Keshubhai with Narendra Modi as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

Review of Malavika Rajkotias Unpartitioned Time A Daughters Story: Quiver full of arrows

Malavika Rajkotia tells her fathers story through the prism of Partition and other tales that merge into myth and history

Gujarat hospital accused of enrolling 350 patients into BJP without consent

A hospital in Gujarats Rajkot city is facing significant backlash following allegations that it enrolled 350 patients undergoing eye surgery as members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without their consent. The controversy erupted when one of the patients, Kamlesh Thummar a resident of Junagadh shared a video on social media detailing his experience at 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 .

Cataract patients woken up, made BJP members in Rajkot; Party denies, calls it defamation plot

AHMEDABAD: A new controversy has sparked in Gujarat over the BJP membership drive, as a viral video shows patients at Rajkot's Ranchoddas Bapu Charitable Trust eye hospital being woken up in the middle of the night and enrolled as BJP members after cataract surgeries. Reports reveal that patients registered at Junagadh's Trimurti Hospital were brought to Rajkot for cataract surgeries on September 16. During the night, a person allegedly woke them up, collected OTPs, and enrolled them as BJP members. Kamlesh Thummar, a patient from Junagadh, captured the incident on video and shared it with the media. Many patients only realized they had been made BJP members when they received confirmation messages. I went to Rajkot for cataract surgery last Sunday and fell asleep around 8 PM, alleged Kamlesh Thummar, who traveled from Junagadh for eye surgery. Around 10:30-11 PM, someone woke me up, asked for my mobile number, I think it was for the hospital. Before I knew it, he took my phone, mentioned an OTP, and when I got my phone back, I was a BJP member, said Thummar. When I asked him, 'Did you make me a BJP member?' he replied, 'Theres no other way.' This shouldnt happen. Out of 400 people, around 200-250 became members those with mobiles. This is a scam; people were forced into membership, Thummar claimed. Left: Screengrab from a viral video; Right: Thummar showing the membership message he had received. Shanti Wadoliya of Ranchoddas Charitable Trust stated, Our trust brings patients from across Gujarat for free cataract surgeries. On October 16, we held a camp in Junagadh, organized by Dr. Chikhalia at Trimurti Hospital. The patients were later brought to Rajkot for their procedures. This issue has just come to our attention, and an investigation is underway. If any trust member is found involved, strict action will be taken according to the rules, Wadoliya assured. Rajkot city BJP president Mukesh Doshi stated, I have ordered my zone secretary to investigate the entire matter, including identifying the person seen in the video. No one has been given instructions to wake up sleeping patients and make them members. Such overzealous actions will not be tolerated. All city BJP workers have exceeded their membership targets while staying within limits over the last 50 days. I strongly condemn this incident and assure a thorough investigation, considering it might be a conspiracy to defame the BJP, Doshi added.

ED Conducts Raids At 23 Locations In Gujarat Over GST Fraud Case

About 23 premises in Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

ED conducts raids in Gujarat in GST fraud case

About 23 premises in the cities of Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar and Veraval were being raided by the federal agency after a case was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Won't rest until I bring Maharashtra on right track whatever my age is: Sharad Pawar

PUNE: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has said he will not rest until he brings Maharashtra on the ight track regardless of how old he is. Be it 84 or 90, this old man will not stop, the octogenarian politician said on Monday at Phaltan in Maharashtra's Satara district. He was speaking during the induction of NCP leader Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar's brother Sanjeev Raje Naik Nimbalkar and Phaltan MLA Dipak Chavan into the NCP (SP). The former Union minister said he saw some young members of his party carry banners with his pictures on them. On those banners, I was described as an old man of 84 years. But you do not worry, because be it 84 or be it 90, this old man will not stop. This old man will not rest until he brings the state on the right track and I am sure of getting your help, the NCP (SP) supremo said. He accused the Eknath Shinde-led dispensation in the state of indulging in corruption. On the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at the Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district in August, the former Maharashtra chief minister alleged that the incident shows there was corruption in the construction of the statue. It is the policy of those who are in power to indulge in corruption in every sector and that is why it is your and my responsibility to take out the power from their hands, he said. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20, while the results will be announced on November 23.

Rajkot gaming zone fire tragedy: Bail plea of suspended civic official Sagathia rejected

The court rejected the bail plea of the suspended Rajkot Municipal officer MD Sagathia, accused in the fatal TRP Game Zone fire. Sagathia faces allegations of forgery and disproportionate assets. The May 25 fire tragedy killed 27 people, leading to the arrest of 15 individuals including RMC officials.

Govt ropes in CBRI to advise operators on structural aspects of airports

The government has roped in the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to advise airport operators on the structural aspects of airports, according to a senior official. The move comes against the backdrop of the collapse of a canopy at the old departure forecourt of Terminal 1 (T1) at the Delhi airport in June. During the same month, there were also similar incidents at Jabalpur and Rajkot airports. Following the Delhi airport incident, the ministry decided to conduct a study of the structural aspects of T1 while state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) was asked to carry out an inspection of the structural strength of all minor and major airports. The senior civil aviation ministry official told PTI that Roorkee-based CBRI has been roped in for advising airport operators on the various structural aspects of the airports. The ministry is also planning to organise a technical workshop by CBRI for the airport operators. The official said the ministry is examining the repor

No use of bowing before Shivaji...: Rahul's dig at BJP

Gandhi slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over the collapse of the statue of the warrior king at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district, and said the party's ideology is not right.

Vadodara airport receives bomb threat email, turns out to be hoax; FIR registered

Vadodara: Authorities at the Vadodara airport received a bomb threat email, which turned out to be a hoax after a thorough search of the premises, police said on Saturday. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at Harni airport in Vadodara received the email on Friday morning, following which a search was carried out by the police, fire brigade, bomb disposal squad and dog squad, an official said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Panna Momaya said the email sent from the email id generalshiva76@rediffmail.com contained a list of airports, including Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Bhuj in Gujarat, but did not specify the location of the bomb. The threat was general for all airports listed in the email. The airport premises and the funnel area were searched, and the bomb threat was found to be a hoax, she said. The official said a first information report (FIR) was registered at Harni police station under section 351 (4) (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). I have tickled their ego and have frustrated them! Hahahaha! Result? Boom, boom and bangs! Big big bangs!! Hohohohohoho! No stopping, no escape! Let the games begin! Jai Mahakal, Jai Ma Adishakti!, the email read.

No use of bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people, destroying Constitution: Rahul Gandhi

KOLHAPUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the BJP government, saying there was no use in bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people and destroying the Constitution and institutions in the country. Gandhi on Saturday unveiled a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha empire, in Kolhapur city of western Maharashtra. Addressing a public meeting before unveiling the statue, Gandhi slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the collapse of the statue of the warrior king at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district and said the party's ideology was not right. There is no use of bowing before bowing before Shivaji Maharaj after scaring people, destroying the Constitution and institutions in the country, Gandhi said. His comments were apparently targeted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had apologised to Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of his statue. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity, Modi had said on August 30 during his visit to Maharashtra. The 35-foot statue, which fell on August 26 , was unveiled by the PM on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. Gandhi said Chhatrapati Shivaji's message to the world was that the country belongs to everyone. The Indian Constitution is a manifestation of what the warrior king stood for, he said. If people like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahu Maharaj were not there, the Constitution also would not have been there, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Rename Rajkot airport after Keshubhai, says son; Congress backs demand

Bharat Patel said the airport should be named after his father, Keshubhai, in recognition of the leaders contribution towards the development of the Saurashtra region.

Weak structure, rust caused Shivaji statue collapse, says probe panel

The Maharashtra government has issued a fresh tender for the construction of a 60-foot-tall statue at the same location at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg.

Hyderabad-Ayodhya Flights Launched, Boosting Connectivity

Hyderabad: BJP state president and Union minister Kishan Reddy expressed his delight over launching flights from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad to Ayodhya, which began on Friday, as well as many other cities. A flight to Kanpur will also be operated from Friday. Flight services to Prayagraj and Agra will begin on Saturday. Kishan Reddy said that the demand for flights to new destinations was a testimony to the work done by the Central government in making air travel affordable and accessible. Kishan Reddy pointed out that the services to Rajkot, Agartala and Jammu Hyderabad became operational recently.

Faulty welding, rust caused Shivaji statue collapse

Mumbai : The faulty welding work, internal corrosion and weak frame are found to be the major reasons for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue at a Malvan fort in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The state governments probe committee, in its report, has also blamed lack of maintenance for the statues crash. The 35-feet statue of the legendary Maratha king, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 last year on the occasion of Navy Day celebrations, collapsed at Rajkot fort in Malvan on August 26. While, the incident created a huge uproar in Maharashtra, who hold the king in deep reverence, it also caused an immense embarrassment to both the state and central governments. Following the crash, the state government appointed a five-member committee led by senior Indian Navy officer Pawan Dhingra and experts from PWD (public and works department) and IIT-Mumbai to investigate the causes of the collapse. The committee submitted its 16-page report to the state government on Wednesday. In its report, the committee has said that the frame of the statue was not strong enough to bear the load of the 35-feet tall statue. In addition to this, poor welding works and the onset of rush led to the crash. The report also pointed out a lack of regular maintenance works, which further hastened the collapse. State Minister Uday Samant assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible for negligence, as per the recommendations of the inquiry committee. Jaydeep Apte, the sculptor responsible for making the statue that collapsed, was arrested on September 4. The structural consultant of the statue Chetan Patil was also arrested over the incident. In response to the collapse, the Maharashtra government has announced plans to build a 60-feet new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same site. The Public Works Department has initiated a tender process with an allocation of 20 crore for the construction of the new statue. The company that builds it will have to give a guarantee that it would last at least a hundred years. ReplyForward Add reaction

STATUE BUILDING IN A HURRY

Within a month of its collapse, the Maharashtra Government has initiated a tendering process to build a new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji on the Rajkot Fort in south Konkan coast and it is in a tearing hurry to finalise it as soon as possible before the poll-related model code of conduct is announced. The Maharashtra 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 .

Govt floats tender for new Shivaji statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg

In the wake of collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg, the Maharashtra government has issued a tender for the construction of a new 60-foot-tall statue there, nearly twice the size of the previous one, officials said on Wednesday. The statue will be built at a cost of Rs 20 crore and the government has set a six-month timeframe for the completion of the work, they said. A 35-foot-tall statue of the 17th century Maratha empire founder, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil of Sindhudurg district on December 4 (Navy Day) last year, collapsed on August 26 amid strong winds. The statue's sculptor, Jaydeep Apte, was later arrested. The government has faced flak as the opposition parties alleged the decision to install the statue in Sindhudurg was taken haphazardly, which resulted in poor quality of work. Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) had flagged concerns over rust gathering on Shivaji Maharaj's statue and suggested permanent

Rise in fake officials, fraudulent organisations in Gujarat: A growing concern

AHMEDABAD: Recent reports indicate a troubling rise in incidents involving fake organisations and counterfeit officials in Gujarat. Over the past 24 months, more than 19 such cases have been uncovered, with Suratoften referred to as Gujarat's diamond cityemerging as a hotspot for these fraudulent activities. In just the last two months, three individuals were apprehended in Surat for impersonating officials: Himanshu Rai, posing as a customs officer; Pradeep Patel, who claimed to be an IPS officer; and Tarun Bhatt, identified as a fake CID officer. In a revealing report released by the Gujarat Congress, it has been alleged that over 19 cases of fake officials and fraudulent institutions have surfaced in the state over the past 24 months. The findings highlight a concerning trend of impersonation and deceit among various individuals posing as legitimate authorities, particularly in regions like Surat and beyond. Among the notable incidents, Himanshu Rai, a fake customs officer from Varachha in Surat, was apprehended in September 2024. Other arrests included Prakash Nayak, a fraudulent Deputy Collector from Bayad Taluka in Aravalli District, and Hiteshwarsinh Mori, a BJP corporator from Surendranagar Municipality, who was caught impersonating a CBI officer. In August 2024, Bharat Chhabda, posing as a Central Agency officer, was reported to have scammed individuals by showcasing photos with BJP leaders. Additionally, in Surat, Pradeep Patel was arrested for impersonating an IPS officer, while Tarun Bhatt was identified as a fake CID officer, harassing women in the area. In April 2024, Suresh Ghosh was arrested for impersonating a Home Ministry official. Congress Spokesperson Hiren Banker said, The report also highlights various other scams, including a fake school in Maliyasan village of Kuwadwa Taluka, Rajkot, which came to light in July 2024. Other cases include a fake PSI named Mayur Tadvi training at Karai in March 2023, and Kiran Patel and Sanjay Serpuria, a fraudulent PMO officer who exploited connections with high-ranking BJP officials. In August 2023, multiple cases of impersonation came to light involving individuals posing as officials from various governmental agencies. Lavkush Dwivedi, who claimed to be a CMO officer, was found to have photos circulating with prominent BJP leaders, raising questions about his legitimacy. Additionally, Nikunj Patel, also masquerading as a CMO officer, was implicated in recommending the release of an accused individual to the Jamnagar police, further complicating the investigation, Banker claimed. The report also highlighted the fraudulent activities of Omveer Singh, who posed as an officer from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Gunjan Kantaria, impersonating a National Investigation Agency (NIA) officer. These alarming incidents illustrate a growing trend of deception within Gujarat, undermining the trust in legitimate government institutions. Notably, in October, it was revealed that a massive embezzlement of 21.15 crore occurred through a fake administrative office in Bodeli, Dahod district. The alarming trend of fake officials, such as Neha Patel, a fake Deputy Collector in Mandvi Taluka, and Viraj Patel, came to light. In November 2023, Punyadev Rai was arrested for impersonating an officer of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Gandhinagar. A fraudulent CMO officer, accused of raping a woman in Vadodara, underscores a systemic issue in Gujarat where innocent citizens are being victimised by these scams. Fake Officials List: Fake Customs Officer Himanshu Rai Fake Dy. Collector Prakash Nayak Fake CBI Officer Hitesh Sinh Mori Fake District Central Agency Officer Bharat Dhabla Fake IB Officer Pradyuman Patel Fake CID Officer Tarun Bhatt Fake School (Maliyasan Village, Kuwadwa Taluka) Fake PSI Mayur Tadvi Fake PI Officer Kiran Patel, Sanjay Shrpuria Fake SI Officer Lavkush Trivedi Fake SI Officer Nikhil Patel Fake ED Officer Omvir Singh Fake NIA Officer Gunjan Kantaria Fake Collector Hirali Koradia Fake Deputy Collector Neha Patel Fake CBI Officer Pukhraj Rai Fake SI Officer Viraj Patel

Nine members of jewellers family attempt suicide over financial troubles

Rajkot: Nine members of a family of jewellers in Gujarats Rajkot city tried to commit suicide by consuming pesticide because of financial distress, police said on Saturday. Members of the Adesara family, residents of Gundawadi locality, themselves called for ambulance after the failed attempt on Friday night and were hospitalised, said an official. The condition 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 .

PM Modi slams opposition during Ahmedabad project launch: 'They seek to divide India, reinstate Article 370'

AHMEDABAD: At the launch of several development projects at the GMDC ground in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticised the opposition, stating: Some individuals are driven by hatred and seek to undermine the unity of our country. They want to fragment India and reinstate Article 370 in Kashmir. Addressing a large audience, Prime Minister Modi said, While every Indian aspires to be a global ambassador for our nation, showcasing its strengths, some individuals are spreading negativity and attacking our unity. Sardar Patel united over 500 states to form India, yet today, those hungry for power seek to divide our country. In a pointed attack on opposition leaders, he remarked, You might have heard that some individuals are now promising to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to reintroduce dual constitutions and legislations. These appeasement-driven figures are crossing all limits. Their hatred blinds them to the point where they seize every opportunity to defame India. They are also persistently targeting Gujarat. Therefore, Gujarat must remain vigilant and keep a close watch on these divisive elements, the Prime Minister added. Modi reaffirmed Indias commitment to development and unity: India, on its path of development, will confront such forces with unwavering resolve. We cannot afford to waste any time. My only aspiration is your development, the success of your lives, and the fulfilment of your dreams. My fellow countrymen are my greatest priority. Earlier in the morning, while inaugurating the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Modi highlighted Indias leadership in the global energy transition. He declared, Indian solutions for global application position India as the best bet of the 21st century. He emphasised Indias unique attributes: Indias diversity, scale, capacity, potential, and performance are exceptional, setting the stage for Indian solutions to have global applications. Not just India, but the entire world believes that India is the best bet of the 21st century. Reflecting on India's recent global engagements, he said, In the past month alone, we organised the Global Fintech Fest, participated in the First International Solar Festival, held the Global Semiconductor Summit, and hosted the 2nd Asia-Pacific Civil Aviation Ministerial Conference. Today, we continue this trend by hosting a conference on Green Energy. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the governments achievements during its first 100 days in office: The work undertaken in these initial 100 days highlights our priorities and reflects the speed and scale of our initiatives. We have focused on all sectors critical to Indias rapid development. He outlined key milestones: In these 100 days, we have made significant decisions, including the construction of 7 crore housesmore than the population of many countrieswith 4 crore houses already handed out in previous terms. We've also approved 12 new industrial cities, greenlit 8 high-speed road corridor projects, launched over 15 semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains, and established a research fund of 1 trillion. Additionally, we've announced various e-mobility initiatives, promoted high-performance biomanufacturing, and approved the Bio E3 policy. Speaking about external pressures, the Prime Minister shared an interaction with the media: A journalist asked whether global benchmarks put any pressure on me. I told the media, 'This is Modino one can exert pressure on me (Yeh Modi hai, yaha kisi ka dabaav nahi chalta hai).' During the event in Ahmedabad, Modi launched a series of major projects, including the foundation stones for 8,000 crore worth of initiatives. Among the highlights was the inauguration of India's first Vande Metro, connecting Bhuj to Ahmedabad. Several new Vande Bharat train routes were also launched, including Nagpur to Secunderabad, Kolhapur to Pune, Agra Cantt to Banaras, Durg to Visakhapatnam, Pune to Hubballi, and the inaugural 20-coach Vande Bharat train from Varanasi to Delhi. Additionally, Modi inaugurated Phase-II of the Ahmedabad Metro, which will extend connectivity to GIFT City. He also launched a 30 MW solar power system and inaugurated a 35 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Solar PV project at the Kutch Lignite Thermal Power Station. In another initiative, he opened 220 kV substations in Morbi and Rajkot. Furthermore, Modi unveiled the Single Window IT System (SWITS), designed to streamline financial services under the International Financial Services Centre Authority. In a significant boost to housing, the Prime Minister approved over 30,000 homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Rural scheme, released the first instalment for these homes, and handed over completed houses to beneficiaries in both urban and rural areas under PMAY. Throughout the day, Prime Minister Modi underscored his commitment to national development, stating that he remains unfazed by external pressures and opposition criticism. I worked around the clock to fulfil my promises in the first 100 days, yet some people mocked my efforts and questioned what Modi was doing. But now, my work is speaking for itself, he concluded.

Government to converge ESIC with Ayushman Bharat: Mansukha Mandaviya

Chairing the third regional meeting with five western states in Rajkot on Sunday Mandaviya said this will help ESIC beneficiaries have access to quality medical facilities in more than 30,000 hospitals empanelled with AB-PMJAY while eliminating distinctions with respect to access to services offered by government, public sector and private hospitals.

Railways urged to speed up trains on Bengaluru-Mysuru section

New services connecting Mysuru with Rajkot, Pune, Bidar sought

DNA Wellness to invest Rs 200 cr for 100 cervical cancer screening labs

City-based DNA Wellness on Thursday said it will invest Rs 200 crore to set up over 100 cervical cancer screening labs across India by 2027. The company has acquired exclusive rights to conduct the DNA Ploidy Test, a diagnostic tool developed by the British Columbia Cancer Research Agency, Canada, the company said in a statement. The test, also known as CERViSure, is a quick, accurate, and non-invasive method to detect cervical cancer. DNA Wellness also announced the launch India's first CERViSure laboratory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which will provide easy access to cervical cancer screening facility to people. Going forward, DNA wellness will invest Rs 200 crore to set up some 100 dedicated CERViSure laboratories across India, in a phased manner by 2027, to help the DNA Ploidy reach a maximum number of patients, the company said. By October 2024, the company will open dedicatedlaboratories in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat, Pathik Bhandari, Co-founder, DNA Wellness, ...

Follow directions on usage of stainless steel in road projects near coastal areas: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: The ministry of road transport and highways has taken a serious view about the usage of stainless steel in the construction of bridges and other components in road projects in coastal areas. Referring to the matter, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that he had been pressing for the usage of rust-resistant metal in projects close to the sea for the last three years. The ministry said that a note has been sent to the public works department of states and union territories, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), its regional offices (ROs) and other stakeholders on this matter. The ministry further stated that according to the Schedule D, all materials, works and construction operations shall conform to the Manual of Specifications and Standards for two-laning of Highways published by Indian Road Congress (IRC) and ministry specifications for road and bridges. Earlier in 2017, the ministry decided to use stainless steel conforming to certain conditions for reinforced concrete bridges on national highways located in extreme environment exposure. In locations where it is difficult to ascertain the environment exposure condition, a zone within 15 km from the sea or creek is considered an extreme environment. Speaking at an event earlier this month, Gadkari strongly batted for construction components made of stainless steel in coastal areas. He said that the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort in Maharashtras Sindhudurg district would not have collapsed had iron not been used.

A tale of two prime ministerial apologies

Within four days two Prime Ministers known for their hard-line approach publicly apologized for whatever had happened in their respective countries. On August 30 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly apologized for the August 26 collapse of a 35-foot tall statue of Maratha king, Shivaji, in Sindhudurgs Rajkot Fort. The statue was built by the 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 .

21 Cities Under NCAP Cut PM10 Pollution by Over 40 pc Since 2017-18, Shows CPCB Data

New Delhi: Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 levels. Khanna, Durgapur, Kurnool, Dera Baba Nanak, Vadodara, Allahabad, Asansol, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Akola, Ananthapur, Durg Bhilainagar, Surat and Noida recorded a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels during the same period, the data showed. A 10-20 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution was recorded in 21 cities -- Delhi, Howrah, Thane, Latur, Nellore, Gajraula, Alwar, Chittur, Kala Amb, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amravati, Patiala, Jaipur, Ongole, Chandrapur, Nashik, Jhansi, Sangli, Kota, Devanagere and Rajahmundry. India launched the NCAP in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. The target was later revised to a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. In practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment. Surat was on Saturday ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements, followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union environment ministry presented the National Clean Air City Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan - 2024, held at a national workshop celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Jaipur. While Surat, Jabalpur and Agra secured the top three positions among cities with populations of more than 10 lakh, Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati (Maharashtra) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) were recognised as the best among cities with populations between three and 10 lakh. Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) topped the list among cities with populations under three lakh. Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an initiative by the environment ministry to rank cities based on the implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in cities covered under NCAP. These cities were awarded for significant improvements in air quality through various best practices to reduce air pollution. Key activities included paving roads, promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, converting reclaimed land from dump sites into green spaces, greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management systems, and Miyawaki afforestation.

21 cities under NCAP cut PM10 pollution by over 40% since 2017-18: CPCB

Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 ...

Shobhaa De | Does anyone give a damn for rape victims in India?

Take a look at the statistics: In 2022, around 32,000 rape cases were reported to the police across India. But on top of that, over 13,000 cases were pending from previous years, adding up to 45,000 cases that the cops were supposed to handle. And chew on this: in seven out of 10 cases, rapists escape punishment. How come? Simply because we dont have a sufficient number of prisons to accommodate the staggering number of rapists running around, assaulting defenseless women. Rapists are like Indias stray dogs: impossible to count or control. Seen as a menace to society and a threat to the vulnerable who they pounce on, they run wild and roam free. The statistics for unreported rapes are beyond computation. Experts say culprits get away with the crime because our overburdened police lack the time needed for a thorough investigation. The conviction rate in rape cases is a dismal 27.4 per cent. Shocked? I am not. The ugly truth is that rape does not count as a serious crime in our twisted society. Nobody really cares, no one bothers. Rape happens, we shrug. And move on to the next story. Rape remains just another four-letter word. Didi has suddenly woken up to rapes seriousness. There has been a huge hungama over the stringent anti-rape bill that was unanimously passed by the West Bengal Assembly recently, which proposed the death penalty for rapists, no less. No half measures. Seedha maut . The Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2024 wants to alter sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The bill also recommends imprisonment of 3-5 years for disclosing the victims identity. The West Bengal chief ministers critics accused her of milking the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital tragedy to score political brownie points and hog headlines. It is a clumsy, misplaced attempt to demonstrate good intentions, after messing up big time. Unfortunately for Didi, the latest stunt has backfired and comes off as a loud, theatrical act that has raised more questions on the rape-murder scandal, without addressing the issues themselves. Is anything likely to change anytime soon? Will the passing of the bill transform the lives of women by ensuring their safety? Certainly not! This is an eyewash, and hogwash, that hasnt fooled anyone. So long as there is police apathy and appalling conditions at the workplace remain, the bill will be a piece of worthless paper. A footnote, best ignored. It may be worth researching why women in the Northeast are relatively better off, with a lower rate of sexual crimes than the national average. Are they more valued in society? Better respected? Is the mindset of men from the Northeast significantly different from that of their counterparts in Delhi? Why is Delhi stuck with such a vile reputation? How come Delhi leads with one nasty incident per 700 women -- the countrys highest? If Indias capital can boast about this achievement, is there any wonder why the rest of the country damns the rape culture there and families are reluctant to allow their daughters to seek employment in such a dangerous city? But Mumbai, with all its swag, is not much better, despite the perception of it being the safest metropolis in India. It is anything but! Millions of female Mumbaikars risk assault on a daily basis as they rush to work, looking over their shoulders constantly. Most cop stations are frightfully under-manned and the havaldars on duty barely look up when a woman walks in to file a rape complaint. She is treated like a nuisance who is wasting their precious time and keeping them away from more important cases. With all the noise surrounding the Kolkata rape and murder case, the selective outrage also underlines the class discrimination faced by other rape victims, like the two Dalit teens who were found hanging from a tree in UPs Farrukhabad district. Officials claimed swabs were sent for testing to rule out rape, after the family protested. Since when has the swab test become the definitive test to establish rape? I am scratching my head to find some cheerful news worth sharing as we herald the forthcoming festive season. I am stumped! I cant get over the absurdity of all the stories surrounding the 35-foot steel statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that toppled over at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. The impressive statue of the warrior king was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023 during the Navy Day celebrations. Nine months later, the gigantic statue fell off its pedestal during high winds. And all hell broke loose as rival political parties started the blame game. Meanwhile, the terrified sculptor disappeared! I am feeling really bad for 39-year-old Jaydeep Apte, whose track record has been pretty impressive so far. In 2019, Apte was commissioned by the UK-based Sikh Soldier organisation to sculpt a bronze bust of a Sikh soldier which was unveiled in West Yorkshire. Its crazy that seven police teams were unable to find Apte for 10 days! Come on he is not a gangster or some underworld don. Hard to believe the ex-alumnus of the J.J. School of Art successfully eluded the cops like a seasoned, hardened criminal. Now comes the good news: the absconding sculptor has finally been nabbed after he surrendered to the police outside his own home. Ridiculous, or what? Perhaps, as the poor fellow said in an earlier interview, he wasnt given sufficient time to work on the statue. Most importantly, what exactly is his culpability? Isnt he as guilty or as innocent as corrupt road contractors whose slipshod work at an inflated cost leads to so many fatal accidents. Nobody arrests them, so why go after the sculptor? Clearly, the politics of the statue are more important than fair play. There is talk that Apte is a close friend of Shrikant, chief minister Eknath Shindes son. Is that why seven police teams failed to locate him? Meanwhile, the Malvan police filed an FIR against Apte and Chetan Patil, the structural engineer, under several sections, including attempt to murder. Huh??? For now, I am cheering myself up as Mumbai gets ready to welcome its much-adored Bappa over the weekend. Its modak time as hundreds of pandals gear up for ten days of energetic celebrations. The Assembly elections in Maharashtra are around the corner, with Uddhav Thackeray actively pitching himself as the next chief minister. Get ready for fireworks, folks. And do watch out the biggest rocket is in Sharad Pawars hands. Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!

DC Edit | Blame game on collapsed statue

The politics in Maharashtra has always revolved around the public sentiments attached to legendary Maratha warrior king Shivaji, who has become synonymous with Marathi pride. It was not a surprise that the collapse of Shivajis statue at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district snowballed into a major political conspiracy in no time, particularly when the Assembly elections are due. The Opposition Congress, Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawars NCP (SP) have called it an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. They have alleged corruption in award of the contract for the statue. Rahul Gandhi insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modis apology is his acceptance of guilt. On the other hand, the government has accused the Opposition of engaging in politics over the unfortunate incident. Amidst the blame game, certain key questions have remained unanswered. Who was responsible for monitoring the construction of the statue and who was responsible for its maintenance? After the statue collapsed, the authorities claimed that it was due to poor quality of materials used for it. The police have arrested sculptor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil. However, the Navy, state PWD and the district collector, who were involved in the process, have only passed the buck to one another. The Navy has claimed that its role was limited till it handed over the statue to the state PWD in April this year. The PWD claimed the statue was the responsibility of the district collector, who has denied his involvement in any stage. A week before the statue collapsed, the state PWD had written to the Navy about the rusted nuts and bolts used in the statue and asked to take necessary steps. Since the Navy had already handed over the statue, the PWD should have been the one taking necessary steps. We dont know if the Navy took cognisance of the said letter and how. Interestingly, sculptor Apte, who is being squarely blamed for the incident, had claimed seven months ago that he was given only a quarter of the time required to complete the project and was not paid a single rupee for his work. Even if this is true, he cannot escape responsibility. But putting the entire onus on the 22-year-old sculptors shoulders will be a further mockery of the great king revered for his sense of justice.

Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Over Shivaji Statue Collapse

Mumbai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha leader of opposition, on Thursday lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue in Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. Calling the incident an insult to the legendary Maratha King, Gandhi demanded that PM Modi should apologise to every Maharashtrian people. The statue collapsed just a few months after it was constructed. This is an insult to Shivaji Maharaj, Gandhi said. On the apology tendered by Modi over the collapse of the statue, Gandhi said that Maharashtra and the country want to know why the Prime Minister apologized. He alleged that the contract to construct the statue was given to an RSS worker. One who does wrong, apologies. If you havent done anything wrong, why would you apologise? I want to ask the prime minister what he is sorry for? Is it because the contract to make the Shivaji statue was given to an RSS person who had no merit or for the corruption in the construction of the statue, he added. The Prime Minister should apologize to every resident of Maharashtra for what happened. You (PM) built the statue to commemorate Shivaji Maharajs legacy, but could not make sure that it stands firm, the Congress MP said. A 35-feet giant statue of the Maratha empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, unveiled by Prime Minister barely eight months ago on the occasion of Navy Day celebrations, collapsed at Rajkot Fort in Malvan on August 26. With the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra coming under severe fire over the collapse of the statue, the prime minister during his subsequent visit to the state said he apologised to the iconic king, calling him his deity, and also the people whose sentiments were hurt. Gandhi was in Maharashtra to inaugurate a statue of late party leader Patangrao Kadam in Sangli. I give you a guarantee that Kadam ji's statue installed here will stand even after 5070 years, he said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Sushilkumar Shinde and Prithviraj Chavan and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar attended the function in Sangli. But ally Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was conspicuous by his absence on this occasion.

CM Shinde Promises Strict Action Against Sculptor Whose Shivaji Statue Fell On Rajkot Fort

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged preparations are on to obtain bail for the sculptor.

Maharashtra: Sculptor Jaydeep Apte Arrested Over Shivaji Statue Collapse

Mumbai: Maharashtra police have managed to apprehend sculptor Jaydeep Apte, who was on the run for 10 days. Apte had built the 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan that collapsed on August 26. On Thursday, he was produced before a magistrate court, which remanded him to police custody till September 10. After receiving information from his wife, the police arrested Apte from his residence at Kalyan on Wednesday night. Immediately after the statue collapsed, the police had started searching for him. After not finding him at his home or at the places of his relatives or friends, the police had issued a Lookout Circular against the sculptor. Multiple police teams were deployed across different locations to trace Apte. His family had informed the police that he had not contacted them after the statue at Rajkot fort collapsed. However, he contacted the family on Wednesday night after his wife informed the police that he was coming to meet the family. After his arrest, Apte was handed over to Sindhudurg police, who took him to Sindhudurg for further investigation. This was the second arrest in the case. Earlier, the police had arrested structural consultant Chetan Patil from Kolhapur on August 30. His police custody also ended on Thursday. The police produced both the accused before a magistrate in Sidhurg. While seeking their remand, the police told the court that they wanted to ascertain the quality of material used to construct the statue, for which the interrogation of both the accused was necessary. Aptes lawyer Ganesh Sovani informed that his client had decided to surrender before the police and face legal action instead of applying for a pre-arrest bail. The decision was made on Wednesday and as per the plan, he came to Kalyan to surrender before the police, he said. There was outrage across Maharashtra after the statue collapsed. It has also become a major political issue ahead of the Assembly elections, which are expected to be held in November this year. The opposition has alleged that there was corruption in awarding contracts to Apte and the Eknath Shinde government is shielding him. After Aptes arrest, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, Everyone is equal before the law, and the sculptor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue will be held accountable. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our revered figure. Politicising this incident is unfortunate.

PM apology on statue collapse proves he erred: Rahul

Sangli (Maharashtra), Sep 5: Leader and Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Maharashtra and said the PM's apology for the incident was a testimony of his mistakes. Alleging corruption in the construction of the statute at Rajkot Fort [] The post PM apology on statue collapse proves he erred: Rahul appeared first on Northlines .

'He should...': Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over collapse of Shivaji statue

On August 26, during a period of strong winds, the 35-foot statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort collapsed.

PM Modi should apologise to every Maharashtrian for statue collapse: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise not only for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg district, but also for demonetisation, anti-farmer bills and GST. Modi should say sorry to each and every citizen of Maharashtra for the insult caused to the legendary 17th century warrior king when the statue at Rajkot fort collapsed on August 26, he added. The Congress leader was speaking at a public meeting here after inaugurating a life-size statue of late party leader Patangrao Kadam. With the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government in Maharashtra coming under fire over the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue, the prime minister during his subsequent visit to the state said he apologised to the iconic king, his deity, and also the people whose sentiments were hurt. I want to ask the prime minister what he is sorry for, is it because the contract to make the Shivaji statue was given to an RSS

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse: Absconding sculptor Jaydeep Apte arrested

Sculptor Jaydeep Apte, wanted in connection with the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from neighbouring Kalyan city in Thane district, said Dnyaneshwar Chavan, joint commissioner of police, ...

Shivaji Statue collapse: Sculptor intended to surrender before cops, claims his counsel

Thane: Sculptor Jaydeep Apte, who has been arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue, came to meet his family at Kalyan in Thane district as he wanted to surrender before the police, his counsel has claimed. Apte, 24, was arrested near his house in Kalyan on Wednesday night by a team of police. The police in Sindhudurg district were looking for Apte since the statue made by him and installed at the Rajkot fort in Malvan collapsed on August 26, less than nine months after it was inaugurated. Police had formed seven teams to trace him. Talking to the reporters late Wednesday night, his counsel advocate Ganesh Sovani said Apte decided to surrender before the police and face legal action instead of applying for a pre-arrest bail. The decision was made on Wednesday and as per the plan, he came to Kalyan to surrender before the police, he said. We had held talks with his family members and decided that it would be proper for Apte to surrender and assist the probe agency, Sovani added. He also dismissed the police's claim that Apte was hiding. The police, on the other hand, maintained that they laid a trap and nabbed Apte after receiving a tip-off that he would come to meet his family members in Kalyan. He was wearing a mask to conceal his identity, an official said. The collapse of the statue of the iconic founder of the Maratha empire has triggered a huge political row ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra with the Opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government. After the statue collapsed, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week.

Sculptor Of The Recently Collapsed Shivaji Statue At Rajkot Fort, Has Been Arrested In Thane |News18

Breaking News | Jaydeep Apte, the sculptor of the recently collapsed Shivaji statue at Rajkot fort, has been arrested in Thane district, police said.

Absconding Sculptor Of Collapsed Shivaji Statue At Maharashtra's Rajkot Fort Arrested

Following the collapse, the Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week

Shivaji statue collapse: Absconding contractor-sculptor Apte arrested

Sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, wanted in connection with the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from Kalyan in Thane district on Wednesday night, a senior police official said. Sindhudurg police in Maharashtra were searching for Apte (24) since the statue made by him collapsed on August 26, less than nine months after it was inaugurated. Police had formed seven teams to look for him. After the statue collapsed, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week. The collapse of the statue of the iconic founder of the Maratha state has triggered a huge political row ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra with the Opposition targeting the Eknath Shinde-led government. Reacting to the development, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, Those who were critical of our government must shut their mouths now. It is true .

Sindhudurg Police Arrest Sculptor Whose Shivaji Statue Fell On Rajkot Fort

After the statue collapsed, Malvan police registered a case against Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for negligence and other offences. Patil was arrested from Kolhapur last week.

Sindhudurg Police To Track Down Sculptor Whose Shivaji Statue Fell On Rajkot Fort

Police have been searching for the sculptor since the statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day less than nine months ago, collapsed on August 26.

Shivaji Statue Collapse: Missing Contractor-Sculptor Arrested In Maharashtra, Say Cops

Sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, wanted in connection with the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot fort last month, was arrested from Kalyan in Thane district on Wednesday night, a senior police official said.

Shivaji statue collapse: Absconding sculptor arrested

Sindhudurg police in Maharashtra has formed seven teams to track down sculptor Jaydeep Apte who executed the contract to make the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that collapsed on Rajkot fort last month, an official said on Wednesday.

Shivaji statue wouldn't have collapsed if...: Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said if stainless steel had been used for construction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Rajkot fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, it would not have collapsed.

Shivaji statue would not have collapsed, had it been made of stainless steel: Gadkari

New Delhi: Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said if stainless steel had been used for construction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs statue at Rajkot fort in Maharashtras Sindhudurg district, it would not have collapsed. Gadkari also pitched for use of rust-resistant products in coastal areas. The collapse of the statue of the iconic founder of the 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 .

Extensive urban development, altered elevations worsened flooding in Gujarat: IIT-GN study

AHMEDABAD: An analysis of recent flooding in parts of Gujarat showed that it was caused by severe weather conditions and exacerbated by extensive urban development, altered elevations and compromised drainage patterns, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) have said. Parts of Gujarat witnessed flooding due to heavy rains between August 20 and 29. During this period, 15 out of the 33 districts in the state recorded three-day rainfall totals exceeding their 10-year return period - a statistical measure indicating the average interval between such intense events - with Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Rajkot experiencing levels above their 50-year thresholds, the analysis showed. The recurrence of unusual weather events along India's western coast, such as the one witnessed last week, highlights the urgent need to reassess urban planning and infrastructure resilience. Gujarat floods a man-made disaster, says research centre This scenario underscores the need for robust and scalable emergency response strategies that can handle the complexities of concurrent extreme events, researchers at IIT Gandhinagar's Machine Intelligence and Resilience Laboratory (MIR Lab) said. As rapid urbanisation continues to modify regional and local hydrology, placing greater strain on drainage systems, it is crucial to keep hydrology at the core of urban development strategies, the researchers observed. Vadodara, which grappled with severe flooding after heavy rains last week, suffered from the situation despite rains not being unprecedented in magnitude, the IIT-GN research said. However, the flooding was likely exacerbated by extensive urban development in flood-prone areas, altered elevations, and drainage patterns compromised due to rapid urbanisation and clogged drainage systems, it said. This situation is a classic example of concurrent extreme events, where multiple regions experience severe weather simultaneously. Such concurrence complicates emergency response and evacuation efforts as resources become stretched across multiple affected areas, the study said. Demands for rescue, relief, and evacuation operations in such a scenario can overwhelm emergency services, making it more challenging to respond effectively and efficiently to the needs of those impacted by the floods, it said. This underscores the need for robust and scalable emergency response strategies that can handle the complexities of concurrent extreme events, it added. The analysis of maximum rainfall during this period revealed that Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka and Morbi in the state's Saurashtra region experienced rainfall over a one-day period last week that surpassed their 50-year eturn period (with Dwarka exceeding 100-year period). Twelve of the state's 33 districts experienced one-day rainfall totals that exceeded the 10-year return period, it said. The situation became even more critical over two-day periods, with 17 districts exceeding the 10-year return period, including Jamnagar, Morbi, and Devbhumi Dwarka, where rainfall surpassed 50-year return levels, according to the researchers. Additionally, 15 districts recorded three-day rainfall totals exceeding the 10-year return period, with Jamnagar, Morbi, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Rajkot all experiencing levels above their 50-year thresholds. MHA constitutes central team to assess damage caused by floods in Gujarat Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering and Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Gandhinagar, Udit Bhatia, said the granularity of the available data may not fully capture the nuances of urban flooding, which often results from short-duration, high-intensity rainfalls that overwhelm city drainage systems. When rainfall persists for longer durations, the soil becomes saturated during the initial spells, and subsequent rainfall is more likely to contribute directly to surface runoff. This runoff exacerbates flooding, especially when drainage systems are either incapacitated or unhealthy, said Bhatia, who is the Principal Investigator at the MIR Lab.