Western railways Mumbai central division intensifies 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' campaign
In a bid to enhance hygiene standards, the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway conducted an extensive cleanliness campaign from September 21 to 24, successfully collecting more than 10 tonnes of waste with contributions from railway personnel and travelers. Notable measures included targeted cleanliness operations at the Surat Coach Care Centre and outreach activities aimed at educating local households on waste disposal and composting.
Lost Ticket Can't Defeat Compensation: Top Court On Man Who Fell From Train
The Supreme Court set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court rejecting the compensation awarded to the parents of Maheshbhai, who died falling off the general compartment following a sudden jerk and jolt while travelling to Surat via Ahmedabad on September 27, 2017.
Russia backs India, Brazil for permanent UN Security Council seats, opposes Germany, Japan
Digital Desk | United Nations, Sep 27 (IANS) Russia backed India and Brazil for permanent membership of the UN Security Council while opposing seats for Germany and Japan, two of Indias partners in the G4 reform coalition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov set out Moscows position during his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday. His remarks placed Indias claim at the centre of a renewed debate over how to make the Council more representative. UN Security Council reform cannot involve any additional seats being allocated to Western countries, especially to Germany and Japan, who are now on the path to militarism and revanchism, Lavrov said. We are in favour of broadening the representation of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We support Brazil's and India's candidatures for a permanent seat, he added. The statement was an explicit endorsement of Indias long-standing campaign. It also exposed a fault line within the G4, which brings together India, Brazil, Germany and Japan in a joint push for permanent membership. The four countries met on the sidelines of the General Assembly this week. Their foreign ministers called for expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. They also sought stronger representation for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. Russias position supports two G4 members but rejects the other two. Moscow also backed greater African representation, according to the UNs account of Lavrovs speech. India received support from other countries during the high-level debate. Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful endorsed Indias candidature while speaking about Council reform. We support the positions of the G4 and of L69 on Council reform, and we reiterate our support for India's candidature for a permanent seat, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs, Ramful said. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also supported permanent representation for Africa, Brazil and India. The Marshall Islands, meanwhile, backed Japan and its G4 partners. The Marshall Islands affirms its longstanding support for Japan and its G4 partners to achieve permanent membership on the UN Security Council, President Hilda Heine said. African countries have sought expansion of the UN Security Council. In his address, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio said the Council still reflected the power structure of 1945, while Africa remained without a permanent seat. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama linked reform to the UNs legitimacy and credibility. The UN Secretariat has not endorsed any individual candidate. Asked on Friday about support for India, UN spokesperson Stphane Dujarric said the decision rested with member states. Well, its not for the Secretary-General to take position on the individual candidacies or proposals for specific Member States for a permanent seat on the Security Council, Dujarric said. He added that the Council required broader representation so people around the world could feel that they were represented, either directly or more widely. The Security Council has 15 members. China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States hold permanent seats and veto power. Ten other countries are elected for two-year terms. Changing that structure would require a UN Charter amendment approved by two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratified by two-thirds of UN members, including all five permanent Council members. India has argued for years that the Council no longer reflects contemporary political and economic realities. It points to its population, growing global role, record in UN peacekeeping and representation of the Global South. New Delhi has served eight terms as an elected Council member and continues to campaign with Brazil, Germany and Japan for permanent seats.
28 rescued from 4-storey building in Katargam as staircase collapses
71,938 Ganesh idols immersed in Surat over two days
Woman travels 250km to give her milk to newborns she would never meet
Minister warns of disruption if pollution not addressed
Bengal: PMs advisor inspects Dankuni station upgradation works
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 26 (IANS) Tarun Kapoor, advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited Dankuni station of Eastern Railway (ER) on Saturday to review ongoing development work. ER General Manager Gitika Pandey and other senior officials accompanied him. Earlier in the day, Kapoor held a meeting at the ER headquarters to review and accelerate infrastructure projects, with a strong emphasis on upgrading passenger amenities. Dankuni, an important station on the Howrah/SealdahNew Delhi route, is close to Kolkata and is being developed into a major freight and coaching terminal. Kapoor inspected the stations operating layout, booking counter and One Station One Product (OSOP) stalls. The primary objective was to assess passenger amenities, enhance operational efficiency and ensure swift completion of pending projects. Dankuni station, built in 1917, handles an average daily footfall of more than 30,000 passengers. Officials said redevelopment work is being undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 18.66 crore. Completed works include the ground floor of the main station building, renovation of the elevation, porch construction, circulating and parking areas, platform surfaces and sheds, upgraded illumination systems and train information/GPS clock systems (TIB/CGDB). Earlier this year, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament about remodelling work at the Dankuni yard. This involves extending the shunting line and upgrading signalling/interlocking arrangements at a sanctioned cost of Rs 27.18 crore. He also said preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Dankuni coaching terminal has been taken up. The Union Budget 2026 announced a new Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dankuni to Surat in Gujarat. Work to prepare and update the DPR for this corridor has also begun.
Indias UN Security Council bid gains support
Digital Desk | United Nations, Sep 26 (IANS) Indias campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council has received fresh backing at the General Assembly, with Portugal and Mauritius explicitly supporting New Delhi and the Marshall Islands endorsing Japan and its G4 partners. The endorsements came during the 81st General Assembly debate here at the UN headquarters in New York, amid wider calls to make the Council reflect present-day regional and political realities. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called for a more representative Council with permanent seats for Africa, Brazil and India. Mauritian Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful gave the clearest direct endorsement in his Friday address. We support the positions of the G4 and of L69 on Council reform, and we reiterate our support for India's candidature for a permanent seat, commensurate with its constructive role in global affairs, Ramful said. Mauritius also backed the Common African Position. It calls for no fewer than two permanent and five non-permanent African seats. Ramful said any new permanent member should receive the same rights as the original permanent members if the veto is retained. He also supported a seat for small island developing states. Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine added indirect support for India through the four-nation G4 grouping. The Marshall Islands affirms its longstanding support for Japan - and its G4 partners - to achieve permanent membership on the UN Security Council, Heine said in her address. Japan also made reform a central demand, although Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not name India or the other G4 candidates in that passage. We need to transform it without delay into a structure that truly reflects the current realities of the international community, Takaichi said of the Council. She said both permanent and non-permanent categories should be expanded, adding that a majority of UN members supported enlargement in both. Other leaders sought broader regional representation without endorsing particular countries. Finnish President Alexander Stubb proposed at least two new permanent seats for Africa, two for the Asia-Pacific and one for Latin America. He also opposed giving any single state veto power. Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre pressed for a rapid end to years of inconclusive negotiations. The prolonged reform process must be concluded quickly to include expanded permanent and non-permanent membership for Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean regions, Pierre said. African leaders mounted the strongest collective case for change. Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio said the institution remained anchored in an earlier era. The Security Council still reflects the world of 1945. Africa, home to more than 1.6 billion people and the subject of much of the Council's work, still has no Permanent Seat, Bio said. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama framed the question as one of institutional survival. Security Council reform is not a favour to Africa; it is an imperative for the legitimacy, credibility, and survival of the United Nations, Mahama said. The speeches showed broad agreement that the Council is outdated. But differences remain over national candidates, regional allocation and the veto, preventing negotiations from producing a reform package. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan make up the G4 and support one anothers campaigns for permanent membership. India has cited its population, economic weight, UN peacekeeping record and role as a voice of the Global South in arguing that the Council no longer reflects contemporary realities. The Council has five permanent members with veto power China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States and 10 elected members serving two-year terms. Changing its composition requires approval by two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of UN members, including all five permanent members.
Western Railway collects over 10 tonnes of segregated waste in four-day drive
The drive, conducted from Monday to Thursday, resulted in the collection of 6,300 kg of wet waste, 3,700 kg of dry waste, 83 kg of special-care waste, and 47 kg of sanitary waste. At the Coach Care Centre in Surat, around 200 kg of waste was cleared and handed over to civic authorities
Badshah shares glimpse of his first ever doggo friend Laddu
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 26 (IANS) Rapper-singer Badshah recently introduced his fans to his first ever doggo friend Laddu. Sharing an adorable glimpse of their meeting on social media, Badshah shared a picture where he is seen sitting on a chair while the furry Laddu stands in front of him. Badshah captioned the post simply, My first ever doggo friend - Laddu. The rapper, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh, has established himself as one of the prominent names in India's contemporary hip-hop and commercial music scene. He began his musical journey with the hip-hop collective Mafia Mundeer before embarking on a successful solo career. His breakthrough came with tracks such as Saturday Saturday, followed by a string of popular songs. Badshah's Bollywood career includes Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai from Khoobsurat, Kar Gayi Chull from Kapoor & Sons, Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho, The Breakup Song from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Garmi from Street Dancer 3D and Naina from Crew. His independent music has also produced many popular tracks, including DJ Waley Babu, Mercy, Paagal, Genda Phool, Paani Paani, Jugnu and She Move It Like. DJ Waley Babu, featuring Aastha Gill, became one of his defining songs after its release in 2015. Badshah's personal life has also remained a subject of public interest. In March 2026, Badshah married Punjabi actor Isha Rikhi in an intimate ceremony. Isha publicly confirmed the marriage in June after months of speculation surrounding their relationship. However, the marriage was short-lived. On August 31, Badshah and Isha announced that they had mutually decided to part ways and move forward on separate paths, requesting privacy and asking people not to speculate about their relationship. Isha has since entered Bigg Boss 20, where she has also spoken about experiences from a past relationship.
Asiad 2026: Sawan Barwal wins silver in men's marathon with national record
Sawan Barwal ran a stunning marathon race to hand India an unexpected silver in the Asian Games, shattering his own national record in the process here on Saturday. The 28-year-old Armyman from Himachal Pradesh clocked 2 hour, 11 minute and 37 seconds to complete the distance of 42.195km and finish behind Japan's Ichitaka Yamashita (2:10:49). China's Peiyou Feng was third with 2:12:13. His silver is the first medal for India in the Asian Games after the bronze won by Hosur Kukkappa Seetharan in the 1982 edition in New Delhi. Barwal is also the fourth Indian to have ever won a medal in the Asian Games. Chhota Singh and Surat Singh Mathur had won a gold and bronze respectively in the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 in New Delhi. It is an incredible achievement for Barwal as this is his second national record in as many races in his career. He shifted to marathon only this year after running in other long distance races such as 5,000m, 10,000m and half marathon. In April this year, he
No train ticket found: SC restores compensation claim for passenger's death
The Supreme Court has said the absence of recovery of a train ticket from a deceased passenger cannot result in defeating the compensation claim, as it restored the payout awarded to the parents of a man who died after falling from a moving train in Gujarat in 2017. A bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and AS Chandurkar set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court rejecting the compensation awarded to the parents of Maheshbhai, who died falling off the general compartment following a sudden jerk and jolt while travelling to Surat via Ahmedabad on September 27, 2017. The bench on Friday said, The high court gave undue importance to the absence of the railway ticket without taking into consideration the statement made on oath by the victim's father and the fact that the victim had been hospitalised for a period of more than one month. On the preponderance of probabilities, it can be concluded that the victim was a bona fide passenger and that absence of recovery of his ticket cannot ...
Father demands CCTV footage in doctors suicide case
Leadership deadlock ends at Sumul Dairy, Gamit elected chairperson
4 from Mumbai killed on e-way as SUV hit parked truck
Peacemaker pays the ultimate price
Doctor loses 1.5 crore to insurance cyberfraud
NITK Surathkal hosts All-India NIT deans' conclave
Phoebe Brett, Maria Andrews Named In England Squad For U-19 T20 WC And India Series
T20 World Cup: Warwickshire spinner Phoebe Brett and The Blaze all-rounder Maria Andrews have been named in a 15-player England squad for their upcoming tour of India and the subsequent ICC U-19 Womens T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Nepal and Bangladesh. The ECB announced a busy winter itinerary for the side, which begins with a five-match T20 series against India in November-December this year, and serves as key preparation for the marquee global event in January-February 2027. Following the conclusion of the series against India, the squad will stay back in the country for an additional week of outdoor training camps before flying out for the World Cup. Phoebe remains the sole player from England's 2025 World Cup campaign in Malaysia, where the side lost to eventual champions India in the semi-finals. Maria, who served as a non-travelling reserve during the previous edition, has earned a call-up to the main squad this time around. This is an exciting opportunity for this group of players who will be the best prepared squad we will have sent to the U19 Womens World Cup, England U-19 head coach Chris Guest said in a statement. The aspiration as always is to win the U19 World Cup. Taking on board learnings from previous campaigns, we have gone about things slightly differently this time, ensuring that our players are getting some game time outdoors much closer to the tournament, he added. Detailing the focus of the upcoming winter assignment, the head coach stressed that player development remains as vital as winning silverware. The goals for the winter are dual focused. We want to win the World Cup, and we are also developing players and helping them prepare for what their career might look like in a professional environment. The ECB stated that the team captain will be named at a later date. Additionally, five non-travelling reserves - Ava Clive, Ivreen Dhaliwal, Libby Fellows, Lucy Randle-Bissell, and Isobel Thorndike - will participate in all preparation camps, including the training period in India at the conclusion of the T20 series. The five-match T20 series against India will kick off in Baroda on November 26, with the venue hosting the first two games before the action shifts to Surat for the remaining three fixtures. The ECB stated that the team captain will be named at a later date. Additionally, five non-travelling reserves - Ava Clive, Ivreen Dhaliwal, Libby Fellows, Lucy Randle-Bissell, and Isobel Thorndike - will participate in all preparation camps, including the training period in India at the conclusion of the T20 series. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Non-travelling reserves: Ava Clive, Ivreen Dhaliwal, Libby Fellows, Lucy Randle-Bissell, and Isobel Thorndike. Article Source: IANS
SVNIT Surat Assistant Engineer Recruitment 2026 - Apply Offline
Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology Surat has invited applications for the recruitment of 4 Assistant Engineer (Civil) and Assistant Engineer (Electrical) posts. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications up to 26-10-2026. The prescribed application form and detailed notification are available on the official SVNIT Surat website.
Gujarat road accident: Four Mumbai residents killed in expressway crash
Four Mumbai residents were killed after their car crashed into a stationary dumper on the Bharatmala Expressway near Dhatva village in Gujarats Surat district. Police said the victims were travelling to a Jain pilgrimage site in Patan when the fatal collision occurred on Friday morning
Surat Artist Creates Tiny 6mm Ganesha Idol On Tip Of A Pencil
The idea came to Mayank two years ago while he was experimenting with a pencil.
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across other cities on September 25
Wifes killer on the run for 24 years nabbed in Amreli
Tech glitches halt licence test, teenager wins Rs900 refund fight against RTO
Security blanket for citys Ganesh Visarjan; 90,000 idols to be immersed today
Resident doctor of Surat civil hospital ends life
Dr Pandyas suicide: 4 doctors yet to be arrested
Workers union holds shirtless protest over recruitment
Godavadi murder unsolved despite massive forensic sweep
Concerns raised over low wages of diamond artisans
Child rapist to serve 40 years in jail
RNSB Jr. Executive Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online
Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank Ltd. has released a recruitment notification for the post of Jr. Executive (Trainee) in 2026. Eligible candidates can apply for the available positions at Gandhidham and Surat locations. Interested candidates can submit their applications before 01 October 2026. The recruitment is conducted for candidates having First Class Graduation (Except Arts) or Postgraduate qualification (Except Arts) with a 2-year course. Candidates with experience in Co-operative Banks or financial institutions will be preferred, while freshers with computer knowledge may also apply.
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 24
Navitas Solar to invest 10,000 crore in five years across value chain
Surat-based Navitas Solar plans to expand beyond module manufacturing into cells, ingots, wafers, battery storage and renewable energy projects in Gujarat and Maharashtra
Surat artist creates 6mm Ganesha idol on pencil tip, calls it his 'smallest' creation | WATCH
As Ganeshotsav celebrations fill cities with grand pandals and towering idols, an artist in Gujarat's Surat has created a Ganesha idol that stands out for an entirely different reason. Patel Mayank Dineshbhai, a young local...
Mid-Day staffer helps save 1893 Bellasis Road plaque for Mumbai heritage
Marble sign was built to pay tribute to people who built Bellasis Road in Mumbai Central as they settled here after escaping the 1793 Surat famine. When it was at risk of being lost forever, mid-days Rajendra B Aklekars report and follow-ups ensured that this piece of history is now saved for posterity
Ganesh pandal payment row turns into scuffle in Vesu
Narco trail turns dead end in Godavadi murder case
Weavers seek to mend market threads
Short-term creek flood mitigation measures approved
India is on track to hit 100GW wind energy target by 2030: Suzlon's Tanti
India remains largely on track to achieve its 100 GW wind energy target by 2030, provided the country accelerates power grid expansion and maintains a steady pipeline of project auctions, Suzlon Group co-founder Girish Tanti said on Wednesday. The statement assumes significance in view of India's ambitious target of 500 GW of renewable energy (including 100 GW of wind) by 2030. Talking to PTI at WindEnergy 2026 in Hamburg, Tanti said the biggest dampener for renewable energy development in the country is grid readiness. He is of the view that the electricity transmission grid build-up (development) time is about five years, which is commensurate with traditional (thermal or hydro projects). It takes roughly five to six years to set up thermal or hydro power projects.Thus, in India, grid development takes place accordingly. The grid development or build-up time needs to be reduced to 12 to 18 months to match renewable energy capacity addition in the country. A solar or wind projec
ED attaches properties worth Rs 1.15 crore in DA case against former GLDC field assistant
ED attaches properties worth Rs 1.15 crore in DA case against former GLDC field assistant Surat: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 15 immovable properties worth around Rs 1.15 crore in Gujarat and Maharashtra in a money laundering case involving Valiya Shibabhai Zunzabhai alias Bhupatbhai, a former Field Assistant with the Gujarat Land Development [] The post ED attaches properties worth Rs 1.15 crore in DA case against former GLDC field assistant appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Udaipur-Surat Vande Bharat to Run Regularly From October 3
Udaipur: The Udaipur-Surat Vande Bharat Express will start regular operations from Udaipur to Surat from October 3, providing improved rail connectivity between Mewar and major cities. The announcement comes after reports that the extension of the Udaipur-Asarva Vande Bharat Express to Surat could be cancelled had disappointed people in Mewar. Udaipur MP Dr Mannalal Rawat ... Read more Udaipur-Surat Vande Bharat to Run Regularly From October 3
KRCL is inviting applications on deputation basis (not direct/open recruitment) for 66 posts of Assistant Loco Pilot and Senior Assistant Loco Pilot, to be posted at any of the Crew Lobbies under KRCL's jurisdiction - Ratnagiri, Verna, Madgaon, and Surathkal. Applications must be forwarded through proper channel to the Chief Personnel Officer, KRCL, Navi Mumbai, by 22.10.2026, with an advance copy to be emailed by 19.10.2026. The normal term of deputation is 3 years.
Doctor in dock over 2cr in unpaid rent
CM inaugurates healthcare projects in Vyara
85 employees found arriving late at SMC headquarters
Textile sector voices concern over power charges, yarn rates
History-sheeter held for abetment of suicide
One-year-old boy feared drowned after boat capsizes in Valsad
Jamie Dimon has a message for India: Dont make foreign capital work harder
Indias economic momentum and financial-market reforms have not translated into foreign investment flows commensurate with its growth ambitions. Jamie Dimons concerns about tax surprises and policy uncertainty offer an opportunity for the government to improve investor confidence, attract capital into emerging sectors such as AI infrastructure and semiconductors, and deepen Indias integration with global capital markets.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Ahmedabad on Tuesday that work on India's bullet train project is progressing well, with construction of the first section between Surat and Vapi expected to be completed by December...
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 22
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 22: Sonani Jewels celebrated its first anniversary with a grand fashion showcase featuring its bridal and festive jewellery collections, bringing together fashion, celebrity style and the evolving world of lab-grown diamonds. The celebration featured talented actor Shivam Khajuria and an exclusive styling session by Bollywood stylist Kavita Kharayat.
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 21: Sarvajanik University, in collaboration with Rotary District 3060 and Rotary Club of Surat West, successfully organized the Final Live Online Pitch Competition on AI for
Rs10,000 salary dues led ex-staffer to torch Rs24cr goods in Surat textile mkt
Looming worries bind weavers together
Family seeks murder charge in Dihen road-rage death
Embroidery unit owners reject workers demand for weekly off
Vyara to get 800-bed modern hospital, medical college
GD Goenka and Mission Kamyab Announce Scholarship Exam for JEE and NEET
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 21: Students and parents searching for a scholarship exam in Surat can now apply for MKAT 2026-27, the Mission Kamyab Aptitude Test. Conducted at G. D.
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across other cities on September 21
Liquor worth over Rs 45 lakh seized in separate raids in three days across Gujarat
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 21 (IANS) The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized IMFL and beer worth Rs 45.35 lakh in four separate raids across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surendranagar and Surat over the past three days, with the total value of liquor, vehicles and other material seized during the operations exceeding Rs 77 lakh, officials said on Monday. The latest seizure was made in Ahmedabad on Sunday, September 20, when the State Monitoring Cell recovered around 105 boxes containing 5,030 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor and beer valued at Rs 15,58,800. The raid was conducted near Hanspura Overbridge on Sardar Patel Ring Road, on the public road leading from Dahegam towards Ahmedabad. Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar led the operation. A vehicle and other material were also seized during the operation, taking the total value of the seized property to Rs 30,58,800. A case was registered at Naroda Police Station against 10 accused, including one arrested and nine wanted, under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83 and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The arrested accused has been identified as Jitendra alias Jitu Damor (Meena), a resident of Kherwada taluka in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. The wanted accused include Pravin Damor of Kherwada, Anil Dadu Bharda and Lokesh Patel, along with six others, including the person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment to Ahmedabad. In another operation, the State Monitoring Cell seized around 94 boxes containing 4,326 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 13,03,315 from the parking area of Sahyog Hotel near Chotila in Surendranagar district on Saturday, September 19. The raid was conducted by Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar on Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway 47. One vehicle was also seized, taking the total value of the seized material to Rs 20,03,315. A case was registered at Chotila Police Station against four wanted accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act. The accused include the driver and owner or custodian of the four-wheeler allegedly carrying the liquor, the person who sent the foreign liquor consignment, and the person who ordered it. On September 18, the cell seized around 91 boxes containing 3,372 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 10,13,544 near D-Mart Circle on Mehsana Bypass Road. Police Inspector P.P. Brahmbhatt conducted the raid opposite Osiya Mall. A vehicle, a mobile phone, and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 20,43,544. A case was registered at Mehsana Taluka Police Station against five accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 111(3)(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Navrang Bhat was arrested, while Anand Raval of Sathiyala and the owner and FASTag holder of the four-wheeler carrying the liquor were among those listed as wanted. In Surat city, the cell seized around 55 boxes containing 2,143 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 6,59,783 during raids at Singanpor village and at a room near Krupa Residency in Dargah Mohalla. Police Sub-Inspector A.G. Enurkar conducted the operation. Two mobile phones, cash and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 6,76,273. Two accused, Rahul Vamanrao Lakdu (Ahire) and Shubham Kashyap, were arrested. Divyaben alias Dipu Patil, Jitubhai Patil and the persons who allegedly supplied the foreign liquor were named as wanted accused. The State Monitoring Cell said the raids were conducted following directions from Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state.
With 23,542 Ganesh idols sold, Gujarats clay artisans clock Rs 5 crores at state fair
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 21 (IANS) More than 23,500 eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols were sold across Gujarat during a seven-day state-supported fair this month, generating around Rs five crore in revenue for 361 registered artisans, the Gujarat Matikam Kalakari and Rural Technology Institute said on Monday. The Mati Murti Mela-2026, organised by the Institute under the Cottage and Rural Industries Department from September 8 to 14, saw 23,542 clay idols sold at five locations in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat. The state government supplied 186 tonnes of ready-to-use clay to participating artisans and provided sales stalls free of cost under a 100 per cent subsidy. Ahmedabad Haat in Vastrapur recorded the highest revenue among the five venues, with sales exceeding Rs 1.91 crore. Adajan in Surat recorded the highest number of idols sold, with 7,920 idols accounting for more than Rs 1.11 crore in sales. At Parsi Agiyari Maidan in Vadodara, 79 stalls recorded sales of Rs 85.77 lakh, while 124 stalls at the Sabarmati Riverfront registered sales of Rs 77.99 lakh. Bopal Hastkala Haat in Ahmedabad recorded Rs 32.55 lakh in sales through 30 stalls. The fair is part of state government's efforts to encourage clay idols as an alternative to Plaster of Paris (POP) idols during Ganeshotsav. According to state government, around 90 per cent of Ganesh idols in Gujarat were made from POP until 2014-15. Since POP does not dissolve in water and can affect aquatic life and water sources, the government introduced the Incentive Scheme for Clay Idol Makers in 2015-16. Under the scheme, registered artisans receive ready-to-use clay at a 50 per cent subsidised rate, along with free sales stalls and daily fair assistance of Rs 1,000. The government said the measures implemented over the past decade have contributed to a reduction in the use of POP idols across the state. The initiative also included an educational component, with more than 84,500 students from 302 schools across 10 districts participating in live clay idol-making demonstrations and do-it-yourself (DIY) activities. The activities were organised under the National Education Policy to promote awareness about environmental issues. The programme also created livelihood opportunities for women from artisan families involved in making and decorating idols at home. The Institute said the scheme has expanded beyond financial assistance to artisans and is intended to support livelihoods while promoting traditional skills and environmental protection. The government plans to continue such fairs in the coming years as part of its stated objective of promoting an Aatmanirbhar Gujarat to Aatmanirbhar Bharat approach.
Duo held for stealing 155 traffic signal batteries from 55 points
Seven held in road rage death case
Cops eye for detail helps nab thief with a distinctive walk
Two die after suspected drug overdose in Ankleshwar
56 MoUs at SEMICON India strengthen collaborations in design, manufacturing, research
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) With more than 600 exhibitors, around 300 international companies, participation from 52 countries, and 56 MoUs, announcements and strategic initiatives, the SEMICON India 2026 event provided a platform for investment, technology partnerships, commercialisation of research, industryacademia collaboration, startup development, skilling and international cooperation across the semiconductor value chain. According to an official statement, the fifth edition of Indias flagship semiconductor conference marked another step in the development of the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Six Country Pavilions representing Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Sweden, along with 12 State Pavilions, a Startup Pavilion, Workforce Development Zone, Innovation Showcase and Student Hackathon, showcased different dimensions of the semiconductor value chain. The event recorded 51,656 total registrations and cumulative footfall of about 40,000, the statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 and highlighted Indias progression from policy discussions and project planning to commercial semiconductor production. He interacted with young chip designers and students and virtually inaugurated commercial production lines at CDIL Semiconductor, Mohali, and Suchi Semicon, Surat, taking the number of operational commercial semiconductor units among the 12 projects approved under Semicon 1.0, to five. The Prime Minister also outlined the transition to Semicon 2.0, aimed at developing capabilities across the semiconductor value chain. Semicon 2.0 has an outlay of Rs 1,27,500 crore and is structured around six pillars - design, machines and materials, new fabs, advanced packaging, research and talent development. The three-day event witnessed 56 MoUs, announcements and strategic initiatives, spanning semiconductor design, fabrication, advanced packaging, equipment and materials, power electronics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), Research and Development (R&D), logistics, technology commercialisation, skilling and workforce development. Major announcements during the event included collaborations and investment plans involving semiconductor manufacturers, equipment and materials companies, design firms, academic institutions and skilling organisations, according to the statement.
Rent garba partners online posts come under police lens in Surat
Pre-MSEFC hearing conclave resolves 425 cases
Ex-employee lit Shyam Sangini textile market fire
AM/NS International Schools Somnath Mukherjee Named Top 5 Geography Finalist
Hazira/Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 19: Somnath Mukherjee, PGT Geography from AM/NS International School was selected among the Top 5 national finalists in the Geography category at the inaugural Indias
GMRC Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 29 Assistant Manager, Engineer and More Posts
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Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Long queues and enthusiastic customers marked the first sale of Apple's iPhone 18 series in India on Friday with buyers turning up early at Apple stores in the national capital, Maharashtra and Karnataka to get their hands on the latest series. Sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began at 8 am with a large number of customers arriving at Apple stores, including the outlets at Mumbai's BKC and Delhi's Select Citywalk. Speaking to IANS, excited buyers said they had pre-booked the devices and arrived at the stores according to their allotted slots. I have already booked online. We have a 9 am slot and have booked two phones, a customer waiting outside an Apple store told IANS. At a Delhi store, one customer said he was buying the iPhone 18 Pro and had been using Apple's smartphones for years. I am very excited and am buying the iPhone 18 Pro. I buy a new iPhone every year. I have been using iPhones since 2009, starting with the iPhone 4, and have used all the variants so far, he said. Another Delhi customer said he was buying the iPhone 18 Pro Max 512 GB for his daughter, who was unaware of the purchase. I have been using iPhones since 2008, starting with the iPhone 3G. This will be her first iPhone, and she is very excited. She does not know that I am buying it for her, so I think she will be surprised, he said. The first sale also drew buyers who travelled long distances to Mumbai. One customer said he travelled from Gujarat and reached the store at around 6 am after visiting Lalbaugcha Raja. I have booked the iPhone 18 Pro. It costs around Rs 1.64 lakh, he said, while highlighting features including a new camera shutter, a smaller Dynamic Island and the A20 processor. He also mentioned the new Cherry Red colour. Another buyer travelled from Surat and purchased both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. I have come all the way from Surat. I bought both the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. My travel took around five to six hours. After reaching here, I waited for another six hours and spent around two and a half hours in the queue, he said. For the buyer, the first-day purchase was as much about the experience as the device itself. I have been emotionally connected with the iPhone for a long time. All iPhone users know that whether there is something new in the phone or not, getting the new phone on the first day matters, he said. I am very happy, absolutely happy, and 100 per cent satisfied. I have been waiting since 10 pm, he added. Moreover, actor Vicky Kaushal was also at the Apple Store in BKC as sales of the iPhone 18 series began in India. Similarly, in Bengaluru, customers also arrived early for the first sale. One Bengaluru buyer, who had been waiting since around 5:30 am, said improvements to the camera and AI features were among the reasons for his excitement. The camera quality is better... The AI feature is also new, and Siri is also better this time. So, I'm eagerly waiting to use it, he said. However, ahead of the opening of stores, long queues were also seen outside Apple's Select Citywalk store in Saket. One customer waiting to purchase the device said he needed several phones and had pre-ordered the iPhone 18 Pro Max. I need to buy 5-7 phones. I have come here to purchase the iPhone 18 Pro Max that I pre-ordered, he said. Another buyer from Karnataka said he reached the store around 6 am and was excited to discover that he was the first customer to open the new phone. I don't upgrade every year. I upgrade only when I feel it's worth it. I was using the iPhone 11, then the 13. Now I thought, after five years, it's definitely worth the upgrade, the customer said.
