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Varanasi court to hear Gyanvapi mosque basement plea on April 11

Varanasi court sets hearing to stop Muslim walking on Gyanvapi cellar. Repair needed for 'Vyas Tehkhana'. Hindu prayers allowed. Hindu priest conducts prayers nominated by temple trust.

The Economic Times 19 Mar 2024 4:27 pm

Varanasi Lok Sabha Constituency: Thingstoknow

The Lok Sabha 2024 elections are planned to start on April 14, and the results will be declared on June 4. Uttar Pradesh, with 80 Lok Sabha constituencies, will witness this year's polls in seven phases.

DNA India 19 Mar 2024 2:31 pm

UP: Head constable held for killing government teacher, govt announces Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to kin

UP: Head constable held for killing government teacher, govt announces Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to kin The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday arrested a head constable who had allegedly shot dead a teacher here following an altercation, officials said. The incident that took place in the Civil Lines area here on Sunday night triggered protests and criticism from opposition leaders. District magistrate Arvind Mallappa Bangari on Tuesday said the state government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the family of the deceased-- Dharmendra Kumar. Kumar was part of a team of the education department from Varanasi that had brought UP Board exam answer sheets to the SD Inter College here, according to the police. The group included another teacher and two class-four employees and was accompanied by a police team from Varanasi. They all were waiting in a vehicle for the college gate to open when the incident took place, he said. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh said the accused, Head Constable Chander Prakash, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and was asking others for tobacco, disturbing the group of teachers and employees by not letting them sleep. When Kumar objected to Prakash's demands, an argument broke out between them. In a fit of rage, the constable shot dead Kumar with his service carbine, the SSP said. The victim was rushed to a district hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said. The body has been sent for post mortem and the murder weapon has been seized, the officer said. Based on the complaint filed by the family members of the deceased, the police had lodged an FIR under the Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and the SC/ST Act on Monday, the SSP added.

devdiscourse 19 Mar 2024 2:13 pm

TMC complaints to EC about PM Modi's model code 'violation'

TMC complaints to EC about PM Modi's model code 'violation' The Trinamool Congress has complained to the Election Commission alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the BJP candidate from Varanasi, has violated the model code of conduct by using central government funds for campaigning. In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner on Monday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien said a message by the PM highlighting his government's programmes reached the electorate on March 16, after the model code of conduct came into force. Modi has purportedly written the message in the form of a letter to the voters on March 15, the TMC leader claimed. ''By using the office of the prime minister, the BJP has issued the aforesaid letter at the cost of the public exchequer under the guise of a message seemingly sent by the Government of India. Such mass circulation is nothing but an appeal to the voters in favour of the BJP and Mr Modi and thereby flouting the mandate of the Election Commission of India,'' O'Brien said in the complaint. He urged the ''EC to ensure that appropriate directions are issued to the BJP and its candidate Modi to withhold from future campaigns at the cost of public exchequer, to withdraw the letter''. O'Brien said that the cost of sending the prime minister's letter to the electorate should also be included in the accounts of the BJP and Modi against the head ''election expenditure''. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya told PTI on Tuesday, ''the concerned person (Derek OBrien) keeps posting tweets and sharing images on X handle. Let him move the EC, let him move the SC, if he wants, with such untrue and preposterous claims though it will not help his party win the hearts of people of the country, of Bengal, which Narendra Modi has won, by his good governance and pro-people image and policies''. Claiming that the PMO has not violated any code of conduct, Bhattacharya added, ''TMC leaders have no place in the hearts of people and that will be clear after the polls conducted by Election Commission''.

devdiscourse 19 Mar 2024 1:10 pm

Thane Crime Branch busts major drug factory in Varanasi

The police team dressed like local villagers and resided in a flat for 45 days to locate the factory

Mid Day 19 Mar 2024 7:08 am

Students advised to transform passions into professions

The Times of India 19 Mar 2024 6:00 am

TMC complaints to EC about PM Modis model code violation

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Monday complained to the Election Commission alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the BJP candidate from Varanasi, has violated the model code of conduct by using central government funds for campaigning. In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien said a 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 .

The Siasat Daily 18 Mar 2024 11:55 pm

UP: Teachers up in Arms Against Police After Colleagues Death, Boycott Board Exam Evaluation

Dharmendra Kumar, the deceased teacher from Varanasi had a confrontation with head constable Chander Prakash over tobacco, who allegedly shot him with his service weapon.

News Click 18 Mar 2024 10:02 pm

Jayapur residents joyous over all-round development in PM Modis adopted village

Varanasi, March 18: Jayapur village in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi district, which once was bereft of basic amenities, is now bustling with activity, with banks and many enterprises setting up shops in the region. Notably, Jayapur village in Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, grabbed the national limelight after PM Modi adopted [] The post Jayapur residents joyous over all-round development in PM Modis adopted village appeared first on The Shillong Times .

The Shillong Times 18 Mar 2024 9:47 pm

UP school teacher shot dead by drunk head constable after argument over tobacco

MUZAFFARNAGAR: A teacher was shot dead by an Uttar Pradesh Police head constable following a confrontation in the Civil Lines area here, an official said on Monday. The deceased, Dharmendra Kumar was part of a team of the education department from Varanasi that had brought Uttar Pradesh Board examination copies to the local SD Inter college here, Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarain Parjapat said. It included one more teacher and two class four employees and was accompanied by a police team from Varanasi, he added. The two teams from the education department and Varanasi police were waiting in a vehicle for the college gate to open when the incident took place on Sunday night, he said. The constable was under the influence of alcohol and was constantly demanding tobacco from the teacher. However, when the teacher did not give tobacco, an argument broke out between them and the policeman opened fire at him using his service weapon,he said. The injured teacher was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead, the SP said. The body has been sent for post-mortem and a case has been registered against the head constable. All others present in the vehicle have been taken into custody for questioning, he said.

The New Indian Express 18 Mar 2024 5:16 pm

Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express started from today, Ayodhya-Varanasi will also have stoppage, check fare

Patna Lucknow Vande Bharat Express: Giving a big gift to the passengers going from Patna to Lucknow, Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express Train has been started from today. Patna Lucknow Vande Bharat Express: The wait for the new Vande Bharat Express for passengers going from Patna to Lucknow is now over. Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express Train [] The post Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express started from today, Ayodhya-Varanasi will also have stoppage, check fare first appeared on informalnewz .

informalnewz 18 Mar 2024 4:22 pm

LS polls: Laliteshpati Tripathi hopes to carry forward grandfather Kamlapati's legacy in Bhadohi

BHADOHI: Laliteshpati Tripathi is looking to carry forward the legacy of his great grandfather and veteran Congress leader Kamalapati Tripathi, though on a ticket from the Trinamool Congress which has fielded him here. Laliteshpati Tripathi, the joint candidate of the Samajwadi Party, Congress and TMC of the INDIA bloc, told PTI that a strong ant-BJP wave was blowing in Bhadohi, close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency. Laliteshpati Tripathi left Congress in 2021 and joined the Trinamool Congress. He got the Bhadohi seat as SP president Akhilesh Yadav had promised to keep the parliamentary constituency reserved for the TMC, he said. BJP's Ramesh Chand Bind won the seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election defeating the BSP candidate by a slender margin. BSP, which has announced that it will go alone this time, is yet to announce its candidate. When didi (Mamata Banerjee) held meetings in Lucknow and Varanasi in support of Akhilesh Yadav during the 2022 Assembly elections, she asked him to make a promise to ensure that the legacy of former Congress working president and Railway Minister Pandit Kamlapati Tripathi is carried forward, Laliteshpati Tripathi told PTI. TMC unhappy with seven-phase polls in Bengal; BJP, Congress, CPM welcome decision Akhilesh Yadav skips INDIA bloc mega rally in Mumbai, cites election preparation in UP as reason Recently when the meeting of the INDIA bloc was held in Bihar, the TMC chief reminded Yadav of their earlier conversation and he fulfilled his promise by giving the Bhadohi seat, where the SP is a strong contender, to the TMC, Laliteshpati Tripathi said. We expected the SP to leave the Mirzapur seat (for TMC), but I was surprised when it gave the Bhadohi Lok Sabha seat to us. I want to carry forward the legacy of Kamalapati Tripathi under the banner of the TMC, he said. I had also told Mamata didi of my desire to contest the Assembly elections from Marihan seat in Mirzapur district, but she clearly refused, saying that we will ask for a Lok Sabha seat and not an Assembly seat from Akhilesh Yadav, he said. Laliteshpati Tripathi had won the Marihan seat in the 2012 Assembly polls on a Congress ticket. Asked about the challenges before him as the TMC does not have an organisation or cadre base in Uttar Pradesh, he said his father Rajeshpati Tripathi had contested the Lok Sabha election twice from Bhadohi in 2004 and 2009 on a Congress ticket. This area is not new to us, he said, exuding confidence that he is going to win. He also claimed that the TMC will open its account in Uttar Pradesh by winning the Bhadohi seat, close to Varanasi -- the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from where he will be seeking election for the third term. There is a strong anti-BJP wave in Bhadohi, he claimed. Besides, Banerjee and Yadav are likely to address a joint rally in Varanasi and Bhadohi, he asserted. Laliteshpati Tripathi's father Rajeshpati Tripathi and his grandfather Lokpati Tripathi were ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government. Lokpati Tripathi's father Kamlapati Tripathi was the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Railway Minister at the Centre. In a major setback to the Congress in 2021 Laliteshpati Tripathi, considered close to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra resigned from the Congress. At the time of his resignation, he was the vice president of Uttar Pradesh Congress and working in the team of Priyanka Gandhi. Laliteshpati Tripathi had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 parliament elections from Mirzapur. After failed BSP experiment in 2019, SP pins hope on Congress tie-up to stop BJP juggernaut in UP BJP trusts old guard in Uttar Pradesh, repeats 44 sitting MPs in first list of LS candidates

The New Indian Express 18 Mar 2024 3:53 pm

9 injured as mini-bus overturns after driver dozes off at wheel in MP's Jabalpur

9 injured as mini-bus overturns after driver dozes off at wheel in MP's Jabalpur Nine persons were injured when a mini-bus they were travelling in overturned as the driver dozed off at the wheel on a highway in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district in the early hours of Monday, police said. The accident occurred on a national highway in the Panagar area around 5.30 to 6 am when the mini-bus with 20 people on board was heading towards Ahmednagar in neighbouring Maharashtra, an official said. The injured have been rushed to the government-run Jabalpur Medical College and Hospital, Panagar police station house office (SHO) Ajay Singh told PTI. None of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries, he said. As per the preliminary investigations, the accident occurred after the driver dozed off at the wheel, Singh said. The victims were returning to Ahmednagar from Varanasi when the accident occurred near an eatery on the highway, about 20 km from the district headquarters, he said.

devdiscourse 18 Mar 2024 12:28 pm

Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains started on this route, check fare and route

Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains on Patna-Lucknow and Ranchi-Varanasi routes will hit the tracks on Monday i.e. today. Patna-Lucknow Vande Bharat will travel till Ayodhya and Lucknow via PDDU Nagar-Varanasi Cantt. The last stop of Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat will be Cantt station. Ticket booking has started in both these trains. There are [] The post Vande Bharat Train: Two new Vande Bharat trains started on this route, check fare and route first appeared on informalnewz .

informalnewz 18 Mar 2024 11:10 am

Teacher shot dead by head constable following confrontation in UP

Teacher shot dead by head constable following confrontation in UP A teacher was shot dead by an Uttar Pradesh Police head constable following a confrontation in the Civil Lines area here, an official said on Monday. The deceased -- Dharmendra Kumar -- was part of a team of the education department from Varanasi that had brought Uttar Pradesh Board examination copies to the local SD Inter college here, Superintendent of Police (City) Satyanarain Parjapat said. It included one more teacher and two class four employees and was accompanied by a police team from Varanasi, he added. The two teams from the education department and Varanasi police were waiting in a vehicle for the college gate to open when the incident took place on Sunday night, he said. Kumar had a confrontation with head constable Chander Prakash while they were in the vehicle. Prakash shot at Kumar using his service weapon, the officer said. The injured teacher was rushed to the district hospital where he was declared dead, the SP said. The body has been sent for post-mortem and a case has been registered against the head constable. All others present in the vehicle have been taken into custody for questioning, he said.

devdiscourse 18 Mar 2024 10:25 am

Cops seize poppy plants worth 1.6cr; nab 70-yr-old

The Times of India 18 Mar 2024 5:35 am

IIT-BHUs Technex24 witnesses hackathon, robowars on day 2

The Times of India 18 Mar 2024 5:34 am

Mika Singh visits Kashi Vishwanath

The Times of India 18 Mar 2024 5:34 am

'Ab ki baar 10 lakh paar': BJP's mantra for Varanasi

With the target of crossing a million votes for the PM, the party's local unit has scaled up its outreach and campaign as the election nears, said BJP functionaries.

The Economic Times 18 Mar 2024 12:28 am

Akhilesh congratulates Rahul for his 'strong determination', calls him 'rare person'

Akhilesh congratulates Rahul for his 'strong determination', calls him 'rare person' Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday congratulated former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his ''strong determination'' on the occasion of the conclusion of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and described him as a ''rare person''. Rahul Gandhi concluded his 63-day-old Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Mumbai by paying tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar at his memorial Chaityabhoomi in central Mumbai and reading the Preamble of the Constitution. On Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was scheduled to take part in the event. However, the SP chief did not attend the event. In a letter dated March 17, written to Gandhi by Yadav, the SP chief said, ''Today your Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is concluding in Mumbai. Rare are those people, who can take out such 'yatra'. Heartiest congratulations to you for your strong determination. ''You started this yatra from Manipur, which is burning due to the failure of the BJP government. You have given a strong message against the dictator government from the north-east. During the course of the entire yatra, you met (people from) all the sections of the society, including farmers, youngsters, women, elderly and you got acquainted with their problems very closely,'' Yadav said. The SP chief went on to say, ''The Election Commission yesterday announced the elections. Nominations will begin in UP from March 20, and owing to its preparations, I will not be able to attend the closing programme of the yatra. ''Not only hopeful, but fully confident that the public will uproot and throw out the BJP, which is against the farmers, youngsters, backwards, Dalits and women. The real success of the yatra will be that the BJP gets defeated in these elections,'' Yadav said. The former Congress president was accompanied by his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday. The yatra, which commenced from strife-torn Manipur on January 14, entered Mumbai from neighbouring Thane on the 63rd day on Saturday. On February 21, INDIA bloc partners SP and Congress announced a tie-up for the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the UP's main opposition party leaving 17 out of the 80 seats in the state for the ally. In Madhya Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party will contest on a single seat, Khajuraho, and support the Congress in the remaining constituencies in the state. Among the 17 seats on which the Congress will contest in UP include Rae Bareli and Amethi, once considered pocket boroughs of the party, and Varanasi which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency.

devdiscourse 17 Mar 2024 8:30 pm

Supriya Shrinate To Contest From Amethi, Pawan Khera From Varanasi: Reports

Reports suggest the Gandhis might not contest from Amethi. While Pawan Khera may stand in Varanasi, Supriya Shrinate is tipped to run in Amethi. Reports indicate Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi are opting out of Amethi and Rae Bareli. Their Congress replacements will face Smriti Irani and PM Modi in these... The post Supriya Shrinate To Contest From Amethi, Pawan Khera From Varanasi: Reports appeared first on HW News English .

News View 17 Mar 2024 2:16 pm

Leisure Hotels Group unveils Bedzzz Xclusiv in Morjim, Goa:

Leisure Hotels Group (LHG),an experiential resort chain in North India and the largest across the state of Uttarakhand, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest venture, Bedzzz Xclusiv, Morjim, Goa. Following the resounding commercial success of Bedzzz in Rishikesh and Varanasi, the first Bedzzz Xclusiv opened its doors on 6thMarch. Bedzzz Xclusiv... The post Leisure Hotels Group unveils Bedzzz Xclusiv in Morjim, Goa: first appeared on Hospitality Biz India : India hospitality news, hospitality business analysis . The post Leisure Hotels Group unveils Bedzzz Xclusiv in Morjim, Goa: appeared first on Hospitality Biz India : India hospitality news, hospitality business analysis .

hospitalitybizindia 17 Mar 2024 11:09 am

After failed BSP experiment in 2019, SP pins hope on Congress tie-up to stop BJP juggernaut in UP

After failed BSP experiment in 2019, SP pins hope on Congress tie-up to stop BJP juggernaut in UP The coming general election may throw some surprising results in Uttar Pradesh with the SP-BSP alliance now replaced by the SP-Congress pact under the INDIA bloc. The Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in 2019 had offered some resistance to the BJP on a handful of seats in the western and eastern parts of UP, but failed to make a big impact. With BSP supremo Mayawati deciding to duke it out alone this time, it will be up to the SP and Congress to stop the marauding juggernaut of the NDA, which has now has RLD on its side, as well as a number of caste-based regional parties in the Poorvanchal region. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and allies won 73 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The party ceded some ground in the 2019 general election, when the opposition parties scraped their combined tally to 16. Even with the conventional anti-incumbency apprehensions at work, the saffron party laid its claim on the state winning 62 seats, bolstered further by two more won by its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal). In 2019, the maximum seats -- 23 -- for the BJP came from the state's western part, where the SP-BSP alliance could manage to win only four seats each. The BSP won Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha and Nagina (SC seat) in the western UP, while the Samajwadi Party emerged victorious in Sambhal, Moradabad, Mainpuri (first held by Mulayam Singh Yadav then by Dimple Yadav in a bypoll) and Rampur that year. The central region of the state has prominent parliamentary constituencies of Amethi and Rae Bareli -- both long considered bastions of the Congress. In 2019, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi retained her Rae Bareli seat, while her son Rahul Gandhi lost the long held Amethi constituency to Union minister Smriti Irani. Defence minister Rajnath Singh won from Lucknow. The BSP won only one seat from this region in Ritesh Pandey, who bagged Ambedkarnagar Lok Sabha constituency. The SP scored a zilch. The BJP won 13 seats from the region, which includes the coveted Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, the epicentre of a Hindu reverie that drowned parts of the nation in a collective religious fervour after the Ram Temple consecration. Varanasi, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha, is one of the 30 seats in the eastern part of the state. From this region, the BSP won five seats, while the SP won one, Azamgarh. Apna Dal (Sonelal) won two seats from here. The Bundelkhand region was swept in 2019 by the BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha seats of Jhansi, Banda, Hamirpur, and Jalaun-SC. The parched Bundelkhand region has been seeing the start of some irrigation projects and its residents getting safe drinking water. Expressways, new airports in different parts of the UP have narrowed the regional disparity the state has witnessed for a long time.

devdiscourse 17 Mar 2024 10:01 am

'ECI has lost its dignity': Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks EC over voting in PM Modi's constituency in last phase

Model Code of Conduct active. Shiv Sena criticizes EC for Varanasi election timing. Lok Sabha schedule and CEC announcement questioned. States like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim to have elections. 96.8 crore voters for 2024 polls.

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 9:43 am

ECI has lost its dignity: Shiv Sena (UBT) attacks Election Commission over voting in PM Modi's constituency Varanasi in last phase

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey criticized the Election Commission for scheduling the Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi, the Prime Minister's constituency, in the last phase, alleging favoritism. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect as the Election Commission announced the election dates for Lok Sabha and four state assemblies. The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases from April 19, with counting on June 4.

The Economic Times 17 Mar 2024 9:13 am

On high-stake 80 seats, Varanasi, Gorakhpur go to polls in last phase

LUCKNOW: With the notification for Lok Sabha elections issued by the Election Commission on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh, politically the biggest state of the country, will witness voting across all seven phases starting from April 19 and ending on June 1. UP sends 80 members, including the Prime Minister, to the lower house of Parliament. Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a candidate, and Gorakhpur, considered the stronghold of CM Yogi Adityanath, will vote in the seventh and last phase on June 1. Adityanath had represented Gorakhpur in Lok Sabha from 1998 till 2014, and the seat is now represented by Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan. While the BJP has repeated Ravi Kishan in Gorakhpur, the Samajwadi Party has fielded model Kajal Nishad. State capital Lucknow, once the stronghold of former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and now represented by defence minister Rajnath Singh, will vote in the fifth phase, along with Rae Bareli and Amethi, the Gandhi family bastions, on May 20. Ayodhya and the four seats of Bundelkhand region will also go to polls in the fifth phase. Voting in the Samajwadi Partys strongholds will be held in the third and fourth phases Mainpuri, Etah and Firozabad under Agra division in the third on May 7, and Etawah and Kannauj in the fourth on May 13. Dimple Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadavs wife, is sitting MP from Mainpuri. In the first phase, 8 seats of western UP, including constituency number 1 Saharanpur and Rampur, bastion of SPs jailed leader Azam Khan will vote on April 19. Eight seats will vote in second phase on April 26 and 10 in third phase on May 7.

The New Indian Express 17 Mar 2024 7:24 am

2 of interstate synthetic drug gang arrested

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:35 am

Young minds get insights on AI, cybersecurity at Technex24

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:35 am

Two criminals held following encounters

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:34 am

Preps begin for enforcing model code of conduct

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:33 am

Nod to world-class power distribution in Varanasi

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:33 am

fugitive held from Varanasi

The Times of India 17 Mar 2024 5:28 am

Lok Sabha Polls: Voting In PM Modi's Constituency Varanasi In Final Phase On June 1

Around 15.34 crore people are eligible to vote in Uttar Pradesh - a politically crucial state with 80 Lok Sabha seats where elections will be held in seven phases from April 19.

NDTV 16 Mar 2024 9:46 pm

15.34 crore eligible to vote in UP's seven-phase election; Polling in Varanasi, Gorakhpur in final phase

15.34 crore eligible to vote in UP's seven-phase election; Polling in Varanasi, Gorakhpur in final phase Around 15.34 crore people are eligible to vote in Uttar Pradesh - a politically crucial state with 80 Lok Sabha seats where elections will be held in seven phases from April 19. According to the poll schedule announced by the Election Commission on Saturday, single-phase polling will be held in 15 states and seven Union Territories, while staggered elections will be held in the rest of the 13 states and Jammu and Kashmir. Elections will be held in seven phases in the three states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. ''At present, there are around 15.34 crore voters in Uttar Pradesh, of which 8.17 crore are males and 7.17 crore are females. ''There are 6,638 third gender voters, while there are more than 12.51 lakh divyaang voters,'' State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa told reporters. He said there are 92,587 polling stations in the state, while there are over 1.62 lakh polling booths. According to the election schedule, eight parliamentary constituencies in UP will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 19. These are Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina (SC), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit. The seventh and final phase of polling will be held on June 1, and among the seats it will cover are Varanasi -- represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- and Gorakhpur, the pocket borough of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Voting in the second phase will take place on April 26 and it will cover eight parliamentary constituencies of Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautambuddh Nagar, Bulandshahr (SC), Aligarh and Mathura. Ten parliamentary constituencies of Sambhal, Hathras (SC), Agra (SC), Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Budaun, Aonla and Bareilly will go to polls in the third phase on May 7. The fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls in UP will witness voting on May 13 and will cover the 13 constituencies of Shahjahanpur (SC), Khiri, Dhaurahra, Sitapur, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur and Bahraich (SC). State capital Lucknow will go to polls on May 20, in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The other (13) seats going to polls in the fifth phase in the state are --- Mohanlalganj (SC), Rae Bareli, Amethi, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi, Hamirpur, Banda, Fatehpur, Kaushambi (SC), Barabanki (SC), Faizabad, Kaisarganj and Gonda. The sixth phase of the general elections will cover 14 seats of Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phoolpur, Allahabad, Ambedkarnagar, Shravasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj (SC), Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi. Voting in the sixth phase will be held on May 25. Apart from Varanasi and Gorakhpur, the other parliamentary constituencies that will go to polls in the seventh phase are Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC). The counting of votes will be held on June 4. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 62 seats and its ally Apna Dal (S) two seats, brushing aside the challenge of the SP-BSP alliance. The Congress won the lone Rae Bareli seat of Sonia Gandhi. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was the biggest gainer in the alliance with 10 seats. Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party won five seats and the smallest partner Rashtriya Lok Dal couldn't open its account in the polls.

devdiscourse 16 Mar 2024 9:30 pm

Election 2024: From Varanasi To Thiruvananthpura, Some Key Contests

Here are some key contests to watch out for in Lok Sabha Elections.

Bloomberg Quint 16 Mar 2024 5:54 pm

Lok Sabha election 2024: SWOT analysis of rivals in Uttar Pradesh

BJP aims to meet PM Modi's 370-seat goal in UP. SWOT analysis shows strengths with Modi's Varanasi candidature, Ram temple impact; weaknesses in OBC, Dalit leader absence; opportunities from Adityanath government's image; threats from Muslim alienation.

The Economic Times 16 Mar 2024 5:33 pm

Lok Sabha polls 2024: Voting on PM Modi's Varanasi seat on this date

Phase 1 will be held on April 19, Phase 2 on April 26, Phase 3 on May 7, Phase 4 on May 13, Phase 5 on May 20, Phase 6 on May 25, and Phase 7 on June 1.

DNA India 16 Mar 2024 5:11 pm

A lot of shimmer at this event

The Times of India 16 Mar 2024 4:10 pm

The Natarajas Of Our Times

Dance transcends gender, says curator and organiser of Shivaarghya Rama Vaidyanathan, a festival dedicated to male classical dancers in celebration of Mahashivratri. Delhis eminent Bharatanatyam dance institute, Ganesa Natyalaya, has assembled 25 male dancers from across the country to showcase different dance forms on March 17. Vaidyanathan, also the president of the institute, explains: Shivaarghya pays tribute to the first dancer, Lord Nataraja, who symbolises the genderless dancing body. This year we have invited artists from Kerala, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Lucknow, Kolkata and Bengaluru. The festival is the brainchild of the late Guru Saroj Vaidyanathan, a Padma Bhushan awardee, who began the initiative in 2019 to showcase the versatility of Indian classical dance-forms and to also give opportunities to male artistes. Its a festival to encourage young male dancers because its very difficult for them to get as many opportunities as female dancers get in the field of classical dance, she adds. Shivaarghya comes under the SwarnSaroja event, a year-long celebration to mark the golden jubilee of Ganesa Natyalaya, which was started by Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan in 1974. We lost her last September. We are calling the Golden Jubilee celebrations SwarnSaroja. Swarna means golden and Saroja is her name. So, under this series, we are going to have performances at Ganesh Natyalaya every month, not only showcasing our own dancers but also inviting a lot of artistes from outside, Vaidyanathan explains. The festival will begin with a lecture by scholar Dr VR Devika from Chennai; she will talk about Nataraja and the Cosmos. This is an event, Chandigarh-based Bharatanatyam dancer Varun Khanna looks forward to attending. Nilava Sen Whenever one thinks of Indian classical dance, Nataraja comes to mind first. We worship the lord of dance, who is a male. Then why is there a stigma, in the Indian classical scene, on men dancing? Khanna asks. Classical dance-forms, for most parts, have been misconceived as feminine styles, barbed with stereotypes that compare grace with femininity. This kind of stigma often leads to such artistes being subjected to bullying, name-calling and even body shaming. Khanna points out that most male dancers are called sissy or effeminate for choosing these art forms. They are body shamed if somebody is a bit obese or hairy. The thing is, the male anatomy is such that one cant help it. One has to face such comments. Most of us have faced this and it does affect us in a lot of ways its psychologically and emotionally draining. However, over time we get resistant to it, he says. Kolkata-based Bharatanatyam dancer Nilava Sen explains that his top academic record made people believe that he was meant to pursue his higher studies. I was mocked for choosing dance as a career option as a male artiste. I remember how my teachers were angry with me, they were sure I was ruining my career. However, I feel things are changing slowly. More male dancers have been coming to the forefront, and a festival like Shivaarghya only encourages that, he says. Once the social stigma that afflicts these artistes is got rid of, the viewers, they believe, will be able to see beyond gender because they will then be able to watch the performances by male artistes without preconceived notions. They should empathise with the hard work that we all have put in, and also the struggles that we all have gone through in our own lives, Khanna says. Vaidyanathan believes that one must look at a dance form through the body, which acts as a medium of expression. It is genderless and one will get to see that through disciplines such as Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Bharatanatyam and Chau, she says.

The New Indian Express 16 Mar 2024 9:22 am

UP paper scam main accused surrenders

LUCKNOW : In connection with UP Police Constable Recruitment paper leak case, the roots of which are being traced to Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi and Bihar besides UP, one of the prime suspects Arun Kumar Singh surrendered before the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Kaushambi on Friday. The UP STF immediately shifted Singh into the custody of the Manjhanpur Kotwali Police where the case has been registered in connection with the paper leak. Three other accused of the case have already been arrested. The top cops DGP Prashant Kumar and ADG UP STF Amitabh Yash, said that the other three prime suspects Abhishek Kumar Shukla of Prayagraj, Shivam Giri of Mirzapur and Rohit Kumar Pandey of Bhadohi were arrested from Lalkua flyover in Vijaynagar of Ghaziabad on Thursday. The STF also seized three mobile phones along with a question paper pertaining to the second shift of UP Police Recruitment Examination conducted on February 18, 2024. According to UP DGP, the STF conducted a swift operation across Varanasi, Jhansi, Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Hathras, Noida, and Ballia in UP lodging 178 cases pertaining to the offence and arrested 396 individuals so far in connection with the paper leak of UP Police Constable Recruitment, RO and ARO paper leak case. As per the sources, the investigators are camping in Delhi, Bihar and Haryana to trace other conspirators. All the three accused arrested from Ghaziabad are former employees of TCI Express Company of Ahmedabad which was engaged in storage, transportation and distribution of question papers. As per the top cops, all the three accused along with the masterminds Rajeev Nayan Mishra took the photo of the leaked paper in the warehouse and sold it for lakhs. How it all started Feb1, 2024: Shivam Giri tells Abhishek Shukla about cop recruitment exam papers to TCI Exp Co. in Ahmedabad Feb 4: Shukla and Ravi Atri send photo of the trunks lying in TCI Exp Co. facility to Bhopal-based Rajiv Nayan Mishra, who transfers `3 lakh to Giris account Feb 5: The gang calls Dr Shubham Mandal, an expert in opening sealed trunks, to reach Ahmedabad Feb 5: Mandal, along with Mishra and Rohit Kumar Pandey, opens the trunk, takes pictures of the Code 2 exam paper Feb 9: Mishra and Atri leave Ahmedabad and sell papers to aspiring candidates for Rs 5 lakh each Feb 17-18: 48 lakh students appear for the exam in centres across 75 districts of UP for over 60,000 vacancies Feb 24: Following protests, Yogi Adiyanath cancels exam, orders probe March 14: Shukla, Giri and Pandey arrested from Ghaziabad; Atri, the main accused, elusive

The New Indian Express 16 Mar 2024 8:34 am

World famous Holi is played at these places in India, the beauty of this place becomes visible as soon as you see it

Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with exuberance and joy across India. It's not just about splashing colors and water on each other but also about spreading love, happiness, and unity. While Holi is celebrated in almost every part of the country, there are some places where the festivities are particularly grand and captivating. Let's embark on a colorful journey to discover these enchanting destinations where the beauty of Holi shines brightly. 1. Mathura and Vrindavan: The Heart of Holi Celebrations Mathura and Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, are synonymous with Holi celebrations. Here, the festivities last for days, with the spirit of Lord Krishna's playful demeanor infusing every street and alley. The traditional Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Nandgaon, where women playfully beat men with sticks, is a sight to behold. Lathmar Holi: A Colorful Spectacle The Lathmar Holi festivities in Barsana and Nandgaon involve women chasing and playfully hitting men with sticks, symbolizing the playful teasing between Lord Krishna and Radha. 2. Varanasi: Holi by the Ghats Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, celebrates Holi with unmatched fervor along the ghats of the Ganges. The sight of devotees, smeared in vibrant colors, offering prayers and performing rituals by the riverbank is truly mesmerizing. Spiritual Serenity Amidst Colors In Varanasi, Holi becomes a spiritual experience as devotees gather by the ghats to perform rituals, offer prayers, and immerse themselves in the festive fervor. 3. Jaipur: Royal Holi Celebrations In the regal city of Jaipur, Holi is celebrated with royal grandeur. The iconic Elephant Festival, held a day before Holi, showcases majestic elephants adorned with colorful paints, followed by traditional folk performances and lively processions. Elephant Festival: Majestic Splendor The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is a grand spectacle where beautifully adorned elephants parade through the streets, accompanied by traditional music, dance, and cultural performances. 4. Shantiniketan: Holi with a Cultural Twist Shantiniketan, the abode of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, celebrates Holi as Basanta Utsav, infused with cultural performances, songs, and dances. Visitors can witness students dressed in vibrant attire presenting colorful cultural programs. Basanta Utsav: Cultural Extravaganza Basanta Utsav in Shantiniketan is a cultural extravaganza where students and artists come together to celebrate Holi through music, dance, and poetry, paying homage to Rabindranath Tagore's vision of unity and harmony. 5. Udaipur: Holi Amidst Royal Splendor Udaipur, the city of lakes and palaces, hosts a regal Holi celebration at the City Palace. The royal family organizes a grand procession from the palace to Manek Chowk, where the Maharaja ceremonially lights the Holi bonfire. Royal Grandeur at City Palace The Holi celebrations at Udaipur's City Palace are marked by a grand procession, led by the royal family, culminating in the lighting of the ceremonial Holi bonfire at Manek Chowk, amidst cultural performances and festivities.Holi, the festival of colors, transcends boundaries and unites people in a vibrant tapestry of joy and celebration. Across India, from the bustling streets of Mathura to the serene ghats of Varanasi, each destination adds its unique flavor to the festivities, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of the country. Russia Begins Presidential Election Voting with Far East Polls MIB Takes Action Against Several OTT Platforms for Inappropriate Content Poco X6 5G: Grab the Best Deal Yet on Flipkart!

News Track 15 Mar 2024 5:55 pm

UP: Security Tightened Ahead of Friday Prayers

Massive anti-CAA protests broke out in Aligarh, Kanpur, Bareilly, Varanasi and Lucknow in 2019 after Parliament passed the contentious law

News18 15 Mar 2024 5:04 pm

3-day meet to explore link btwn Buddhism & trade

The Times of India 15 Mar 2024 5:43 am

Ropeway gondola unveiled; trial run to begin by July end

The Times of India 15 Mar 2024 5:43 am

2-day taining on Robotic MIG ends

The Times of India 15 Mar 2024 5:42 am

Mukhtar Ansari sentenced to life imprisonment in over 3 decades old fake gun licence case, the gangster-politician breaks down during the sentencing

Gangster Mukhtar Ansari was already sentenced to life in prison by the special MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi.

OpIndia 14 Mar 2024 1:39 pm

Railways Launches Holi Special Trains Connecting Ludhiana: Check Routes and Schedule

As the vibrant festival of Holi approaches, Indian Railways has unveiled plans to launch six special trains to facilitate travel during the festive season. Commencing from March 18 to April 1, these special services aim to connect Ludhiana with major cities across India. According to officials from the Ferozepur division of Northern Railway, the New Delhi Festival Special Express Train (04033/04034) will be operational on March 22 and March 29. Departing from New Delhi at approximately 11:45 pm, this service will make a stop at Ludhiana en route to Jammu and Kashmir's Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan railway station in Udhampur, returning the next day at 9:30 am. Additionally, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi-Katra-New Delhi Festival Special Express Train (04075/04076) will be available on March 24 and March 31. Departing from New Delhi at the same time, this train will also halt at Ludhiana during its journey to Katra and back. Similarly, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Varanasi Festival Special Express Train (01654/01653) will run on March 24 and March 31. Departing from Katra at 11:35 pm, it will include a stop at Ludhiana before reaching Varanasi and returning the next day at 11:25 am. The Subedarganj Superfast Express Special Train (04141/04142) will operate on March 18, 25, and April 1, departing from Subedarganj at 4:10 pm for Jammu and returning the following day at 12:50 pm. Furthermore, the Amritsar-Gorakhpur-Amritsar Festival Express train will run on March 20 and 27, departing from Gorakhpur to Amritsar and returning the next day. Originating from Chhapra railway station, this service will head to Amritsar on March 22 and 29. With the aim to manage the surge in festive travelers, the Indian Railways is deploying these six pairs of Holi special trains, as confirmed by railway officials. PM Modi to launch 10 New Vande Bharat Express Trains: A Boost to Rail Connectivity Across India Maharashtra RERA Takes Action: Cancels Regn of Thousands of Real Estate Agents

News Track 14 Mar 2024 12:10 pm

Dhule MP Subhash Bhamre thanks PM Modi after BJP reconsiders him for Lok Sabha election

Dhule MP Subhash Bhamre thanks PM Modi after BJP reconsiders him for Lok Sabha election After being fielded again from the Dhule constituency, BJP MP Subhash Bhamre expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda after the party fielded him from the Dhule constituency again. I am very happy today that the Central Election Committee has announced my name. They have given me an opportunity once again. I thank the Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi. I also want to thank Party President JP Nadda, Amit Shah, and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra ji Fadwanis. I want to thank the public also... said BJP MP Subhash Bhamre. Earlier on Wednesday, The Bharatiya Janata Party released the second list of Lok Sabha polls consisting of 72 candidates, including three former Chief Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Basvaraj Bommai as well as four Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Anurag Thakur, and Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi. The BJP has fielded former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for the Karnal Lok Sabha seat. Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier resigned from the position of Haryana Chief Minister on Tuesday. In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister Anurag Thakur will contest from the Hamirpur constituency. Suresh Kashyap has been fielded from Shimla seat. In Karnataka, the party has fielded Union Minister Pralhad Joshi from Dharwad. Tejaswi Surya will contest from the Bangalore South constituency. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai has been given a ticket from the Haveri Lok Sabha seat, while PC Mohan will contest from Bangalore Central. In Maharashtra, the BJP has decided to field Union Minister Nitin Gadkari from the Nagpur seat. Piyush Goyal will contest from Mumbai North. Pankja Munde has been fielded from Beed.The BJP also announced the candidature for two seats in Uttarakhand. The party has fielded former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat from the Haridwar seat while Anil Baluni, who is the National Chief Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to contest from the Garhwal seat. Also, BJP announced that Harsh Malhotra will contest from East Delhi constituency, a seat which was held by former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Yogendra Chandolia will contest from North West Delhi. Meanwhile, Kalaben Delkar will contest from Dadar and Nagar Haveli. In the second list, the BJP has announced the names of candidates for seven Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat. In Gujarat, the party has fielded Hashmukhbhai Somabhai Patel from Ahmedabad East, Dhawal Patel from Valsad, Mukeshbhai Chandrakant Dalal from Surat, Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt from Vadodara, Nimuben Bambhania from Bhavnagar, Bhikhaji Dudhaji Thakor from Sabarkantha and Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathwa from Chhota Udaipur. Six names have been announced from Haryana. Banto Kataria from Ambala, Ashok Tanwar from Sirsa, Chaudhary Dharambir Singh from Bhiwani-Mahendargah, Rao Inderjit Singh Yadav from Gurgaon, and Krishanpal Gurjar from Faridabad. BJP has fielded Raghvendra from Shimoga and V Sommana from Tumkur in Karnataka.In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has fielded Vivek 'Bunty' Sahu from the Chhindwara seat where he will face Congress leader Nakul Nath. Shankar Lalwani will contest from Indore. In Maharashtra, Anup Dhotre will fight the polls from the Akola seat on the BJP ticket, and Kapil Moreshwar Patil from Bhiwandi. In Telangana, Godam Nagesh will contest from Adilabad, DK Aruna from Mahbubnagar, and Saida Reddy will contest from Nalgonda. From Tripura East, Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma will contest on BJP ticket. Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi again. Meanwhile, Congress has so far announced names for 82 Lok Sabha seats.The BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats.The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

devdiscourse 14 Mar 2024 10:27 am

3-day meet on Buddhism, trade & art to begin today

The Times of India 14 Mar 2024 6:49 am

Modi to interact with grassroots BJP workers

The Times of India 14 Mar 2024 6:49 am

Mukhtar gets life term in fake arms licence case

The Times of India 14 Mar 2024 6:45 am

IIT graduate arrested in fake cancer medicine case

New Delhi, March 14 (IANS) In a fresh development in the fake cancer chemotherapy medicines manufacturing scam busted by the Delhi Police, a B.Tech graduate from IIT (BHU) Varanasi was arrested from Bihars Muzaffarpur, a Crime Branch official said on Wednesday. Police said that Aditya Krishna, 23, was arrested from his native city Muzaffarpur and []

bhaskarlive 14 Mar 2024 4:07 am

Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, ex-CM Khattar in BJP's second list of 72 candidates for Lok Sabha polls

Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, ex-CM Khattar in BJP's second list of 72 candidates for Lok Sabha polls Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Anurag Singh Thakur, and three former chief ministers, including Haryana's Manohar Lal Khattar, figured in the BJP's second list of 72 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections announced on Wednesday. The ruling party dropped former Union ministers Sadananda Gowda and Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' from their seats. Khattar and Goyal will be making their Lok Sabha poll debut from Karnal in Haryana and Mumbai North respectively. Former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai will contest from Haveri and former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat from Haridwar. BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni will also be fighting his first Lok Sabha poll as the BJP fielded him from Garhwal, replacing former Uttarakhand chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat. Gadkari and Thakur will seek re-election from Nagpur in Maharashtra and Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh respectively. In the Beed constituency in Maharashtra, Pankaja Munde has replaced her sister and incumbent MP Pritam Munde. With the second list, the BJP has announced the names of 265 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May. On March 2, the party released its first list of candidates for 195 Lok Sabha seats, but two of them -- Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh and Upendra Rawat -- withdrew after their nominations sparked controversies. Of the 72 seats for which the party announced its candidates on Wednesday, 20 each were from Maharashtra and Karnataka, seven from Gujarat, six each from Haryana and Telangana, five from Madhya Pradesh, two each from Delhi, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and one each from Tripura, and Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The BJP's second list includes 10 women candidates. In Delhi, the BJP has fielded two new candidates -- Harsh Malhotra from East Delhi and Yogendra Chandolia from North West Delhi -- dropping the party's sitting MPs Gautam Gambhir and Hans Raj Hans. With this, the BJP has named candidates for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, dropping six incumbents. Tejasvi Surya, the BJP youth wing president, will contest again from Bangalore South while Union minister Shobha Karandlaje has been shifted from her Udupi Chikmagalur seat to Bangalore North, represented by former Union minister and Karnataka chief minister Gowda in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Wadiyar of the erstwhile Mysore royal family replaces Pratap Simha, who was recently in a row for recommending passes to two persons who breached Parliament's security, as the BJP candidate in the Mysore seat. Former Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel has been dropped from Dakshina Kannada in favour of Brijesh Chowta, who has served in the Army. In Karnataka, Union minister Pralhad Joshi will fight from Dharwad while former chief minister BS Yediyurappa's son B Y Raghwendra will contest from Shimoga again. Union minister Darshana Jardosh has been dropped from her Surat seat, with the BJP repeating only two of the seven incumbent MPs from Gujarat in the second list. Several Telangana leaders who quit other parties, mainly BRS, figure in the BJP's second list. In the Tripura East seat, the BJP fielded Maharani Kriti Singh Debbarma, sister of Pradyot Debbarma, the Tipra Motha chief and a scion of the erstwhile Tripura royal family. Union minister Bharati Pravin Pawar will join the fray from Maharashtra's Dindori Lok Sabha seat again. Ashok Tanwar, who recently joined the BJP after having a stint with several other parties including the Congress, TMC and the Aam Aadmi Party, replaces sitting MP Sunita Duggal in Sirsa in Haryana, while Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar will seek re-election from Gurgaon and Faridabad respectively. In the first list, the ruling party had announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi would contest from Varanasi for a third time. It had also named 34 Union ministers, including heavyweights like Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh from their current Gandhinagar and Lucknow seats respectively, in the first list. Two former chief ministers -- Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Biplab Kumar Deb -- also figured in the first list which did not have many surprise omissions.

devdiscourse 13 Mar 2024 10:12 pm

Varanasi court sentences Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in three-decade-old fake gun licence case

The MP-MLA court of judge Awanish Gautam also slapped a fine totalling 2 lakh on Ansari under various penal provisions, district government counsel Vinay Singh said.

The Hindu 13 Mar 2024 6:59 pm

Mukhtar Ansari Jailed For Life In Three-Decade-Old Fake Gun License Case

A special Varanasi court on Wednesday sentenced gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a three-decade-old fake gun licence case.

NDTV 13 Mar 2024 6:26 pm

MP-MLA court sentences Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in fake gun licence case

VARANASI: A special Varanasi court on Wednesday sentenced gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a three-decade-old fake gun licence case. The order was passed by the special MP-MLA court of judge Awanish Gautam, district government counsel Vinay Singh said. The case against Ansari was registered under IPC sections 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), along with provisions of the Arms Act at Mohammadabad police station of Ghazipur district in December 1990, he said. According to the government counsel, Ansari joined the court proceedings via video conference from Banda Jail, where he is currently lodged. According to police officials, around 60 cases are pending against Ansari in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, New Delhi and other states. He has so far been convicted in at least seven cases.

The New Indian Express 13 Mar 2024 4:17 pm

MP-MLA court sentences Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment

Varanasi: A special Varanasi court on Wednesday sentenced gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a three-decade-old fake gun licence case. The order was passed by the special MP-MLA court of judge Awanish Gautam, district government counsel Vinay Singh said. The case against Ansari was registered under IPC sections 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose 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 .

The Siasat Daily 13 Mar 2024 4:12 pm

Varanasi Court Sentenced Mukhtar Ansari To Life Imprisonment In 36 years Old Case

In Varanasi, a special MP/MLA court sentenced Mukhtar Ansari, a former gangster turned politician, to life imprisonment in a 36-year-old case involving fake arms licenses. The court convicted him on Tuesday and set March 13 for sentencing. During the proceedings, Ansari appeared via videoconferencing from Banda jail. Special Judge Avnish... The post Varanasi Court Sentenced Mukhtar Ansari To Life Imprisonment In 36 years Old Case appeared first on HW News English .

News View 13 Mar 2024 4:09 pm

BREAKING: Gangster-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Gets Life Imprisonment In Fake Arms License Case

An MP/MLA Court in Varanasi has sentenced gangster turned politician Mukhtar Ansari to life imprisonment in a 36-year-old fake arms license case.

Zee News 13 Mar 2024 4:06 pm

Varanasi Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Dates, schedule, party wise candidates and all you need to know

Varanasi constituency, nestled within the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, stands as a bastion of political importance among the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in the region. With a rich electoral history, Varanasi has been predominantly represented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 1991, with a lone term claimed by the Congress in 2004. Here's all you need to know about this constituency.

The Economic Times 13 Mar 2024 11:50 am

NEET MDS exam: No centre in Himachal, Northeast states

NEW DELHI: Due to a lack of centres, several dental students appearing for the post-graduate entrance examination will have to travel hundreds of kilometres to take the competitive examination. According to the list of centres issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), there are 56 centres to conduct the test compared to 76 in 2023. Moreover, no centre has been allotted to Northeast states, Himachal Pradesh, and Union Territories, such as Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Puducherry. A dental intern from Tripura said she had to opt for Bengaluru as no centre was assigned in the Northeast states. Last year, Agartala had one exam centre. I had to opt for Bengaluru since only this city was available for registration by the time I got eligible for the entrance exam. However, Ill have to travel 3,500 kilometres from East India to Bengaluru in the South to take this exam. There is only one weekly train from Agartala, which takes 65 hours to get there. Flights are too costly, and I cant afford them. All this is amid the preparation for the exam. Im under so much stress and pain, said Dr Sonakshi Deb. An aspirant from Himachal Pradesh, Dr Vatsala Patiyal, said, We are forced to choose centres far away from our hometown. Amid less time of preparation, it is an additional burden for us to manage tickets, travel, and lodging. In Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Kanpur are missing from the list this year, leaving the state with only two centres. When reached for comment, the Dental Council of Indias Secretary Vikas Chawda said the issue is outside the councils purview. Earlier, this newspaper reported that over 6,000 dental students of the 2018 batch will miss the chance to appear for the MDS exam as they fail to fulfill the mandatory criteria of completing the internship. According to students, their curriculum was affected due to disruptions from Covid-19, which resulted in a delay in internships.

The New Indian Express 13 Mar 2024 11:14 am

VDA unveils revised Master Plan-2031

The Times of India 13 Mar 2024 6:37 am

Man arrested for raping 5-yr-old in Mirzapur village

The Times of India 13 Mar 2024 6:37 am

Court sets Mar 18 for hearing plea seeking to become party

The Times of India 13 Mar 2024 6:36 am

Mukhtar convicted in illegal gun licence case

The Times of India 13 Mar 2024 6:36 am

Rahul Gandhi Begins Yatra in Maharashtra, Promises Caste Census

Mumbai : In a bid to woo the country's tribal population ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday promised a slew of sops for tribals during the Maharashtra leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. If Congress comes to power, the Forest Rights Act or the Land Acquisition Act) that was weakened under the BJP regime will be strengthened again. We will include villages with more than 50 per cent tribal population in the sixth schedule (of the Constitution) so that local-level decisions cannot be implemented without tribals consent, he said. Mr. Gandhi started the last leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from the tribal-dominated Nandurbar district in Maharashtra. Describing Adivasis as the original owners of the country, he said tribals make up eight per cent of Indias population and the Congress would ensure that they get a proportionate stake in the development. Tribals have the first right to water, forest and land in this country, but the BJP is depriving tribals of their rights as forest dwellers and denied them access to the jungles. The BJP keeps calling you vanvasi but destroys your forests and gives them to Adanis. The rights of tribals on water, forest and land will be kept intact (during the Congress government), the Congress leader said. Promising the caste census, Mr. Gandhi said, Once we come to power, the Congress will carry out a caste census and an economic and financial survey across the country so that we will have the exact data of each caste and its representation in the population. A legislation will also be brought to provide guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farm and forest produce. Mr. Gandhi alleged that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre wrote off the debt of many corporate houses, but no such relief was given to tribals, he claimed. The Modi government has written off corporate loans of Rs 16 lakh crore. It is equivalent to the outlay for MNREGA (rural employment scheme) for 24 years. In one year, Rs 65,000 crore are spent on MNREGA, the Wayanad MP said. The net worth of 20-25 people in the country including the Ambanis and Adanis is equivalent to the collective net worth of 70 crore people, this is a disparity, he claimed. During his Maharashtra leg, Gandhi will visit the Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas, on Thursday. Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications, said, Gandhi would be visiting the jyotirlinga at Trimbakeshwar and offer prayers. He had offered prayers at three jyotirlingas earlier Baba Baidyanath Dham (in Deodhar in Jharkhand), Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple (in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh) and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga (in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh).

Deccan Chronicle 13 Mar 2024 12:04 am

UP govt subsidy is a blessing for filmmakers, Director Sarika Sanjot

Initially I wanted to shoot my debut in Maheshwar but once I came to Varanasi, I immediately realized that it had to be shot here, Sarika said.

The Economic Times 12 Mar 2024 8:32 pm

PM Modi to virtually flag off Ranchi-Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express

Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off the Ranchi-Varanasi-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express later on Tuesday, the South Eastern Railway said. However, except Thursday, the commercial or regular will commence on March 18. The 20887 Ranchi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express will depart Ranchi at 05:10 hrs and reach Varanasi at 13:00 hrs the same day. []

goachronicle 12 Mar 2024 2:19 pm

Road rage: Man shot dead for not giving pass to car

A 26-year-old man, Amit Kumar Vaishya, was shot dead by car-borne miscreants during a road rage incident near Purushottampur crossing in Bhadohi. The attackers fled after opening fire. Vaishya and his brother, residents of Madho Singh area, were on a motorcycle when a quarrel broke out over overtaking, leading to an exchange of heated words.

The Times of India 12 Mar 2024 12:02 pm

Jharkhand gets another Vande Bharat Express

Jharkhand received a new Vande Bharat Express train on Tuesday, which will connect Ranchi and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the train from Ahmedabad, along with the inauguration of other railway projects across the country.

The Economic Times 12 Mar 2024 10:05 am

PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat trains for 10 different routes from Ahmedabad

PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat trains for 10 different routes from Ahmedabad Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off 10 high-speed Vande Bharat trains across the country from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister visited DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad laid the foundation stone and dedicated a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicated to the nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad. PM Modi also flagged off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister flagged off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations. He also flagged off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn, Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He dedicated to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister also dedicated 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister dedicated to the nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains. The Prime Minister dedicated 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister dedicated more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. He laid the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity for direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during the execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. (ANI)

devdiscourse 12 Mar 2024 9:58 am

Kalaburagi, Khajuraho, Chandigarh & Prayagraj Get First Vande Bharat as PM Modi Inaugurates 10 Trains | Check New Routes

Ahmedabad-Mumbai; Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam; Mysuru-Chennai; Patna-Lucknow; New Jalpaiguri-Patna; Puri-Visakhapatnam; Lucknow-Dehradun; Kalaburagi-Bengaluru; Ranchi-Varanasi; and Khajuraho-Delhi were the new trains flagged off

News18 12 Mar 2024 9:55 am

Artists perform classical dance during Vande Bharat trains flag-off ceremony in Visakhapatnam

Artists perform classical dance during Vande Bharat trains flag-off ceremony in Visakhapatnam Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off two new Vande Bharat express trains, one between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar and the other between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the artists were seen performing a classical dance to mark the flagging off of the Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Vande Bharat Express at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. In a post on X, PM Modi said that he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several projects covering sectors like railways and petrochemicals. In a short while from now, at around 9:15 AM, I will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several projects covering sectors like railways and petrochemicals. Vande Bharat trains and freight trains will also be flagged off. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras across different parts will be dedicated to the nation as well. Do join this programme, PM Modi posted on X. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister will visit DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister's Office stated. PM Modi will also flag off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister will also flag off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations, the release stated. The Prime Minister will also flag off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn., Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He will dedicate to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister will also dedicate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the Nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains, the PMO stated. The Prime Minister will dedicate 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister will dedicate more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up of the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity of direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. Various other projects like the dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and developments of railways Goods sheds, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, among others, will also be done by the Prime Minister during the programme. These projects are a testament to the Government's dedication to building a modern and robust railway network. This investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities. Later, PM Modi will will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram. It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. Prime Minister will also launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to uphold and cherish the ideals that Mahatma Gandhi stood for and also develop avenues that showcase his ideals and bring him closer to the people. In yet another effort in this endeavour, the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Project will help revitalise Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. Under this master plan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including 'Hriday Kunj', which served as Gandhi's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced, the release stated. The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like an orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities. The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji's life as well as the legacy of the Ashram. The Masterplan also envisages the creation of a library and archives building to preserve, protect and disseminate Gandhiji's ideas. It will also create facilities for visiting scholars to use the Ashram's library and archives. The project will also enable the creation of an interpretation centre that can guide visitors with different expectations and in multiple languages, making their experience culturally and intellectually more stimulating and enriching. The Memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and will enliven the essence of Gandhian values, through a process informed by principles of Trusteeship. (ANI)

devdiscourse 12 Mar 2024 9:26 am

PM Modi to launch 10 New Vande Bharat Express Trains: A Boost to Rail Connectivity Across India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to launch 10 new Vande Bharat Express trains today: Here's what you need to know:- Expanding the Vande Bharat network-Today's inauguration adds 10 more Vande Bharat Express trains, bringing the total to an impressive 51 trains covering 45 routes across India. Among these routes, we'll see double Vande Bharat service on routes like KasaragodThiruvananthapuram, Delhi to Katra, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Delhi to Varanasi, Mysuru-Chennai, and the latest addition, VisakhapatnamSecunderabad. Jharkhand's third Vande Bharat Express -Jharkhand, too, gets a new addition to its Vande Bharat fleet. Already running between Ranchi and Patna since June 27, 2023, and Ranchi and Howrah since September 24, 2023, a new train connecting Ranchi to Varanasi will commence operations on March 18. Highlights of connectivity -Delhi emerges as a hub with 10 Vande Bharat connections, now linked to Amb Andaura, Amritsar, Ayodhya, Bhopal, Dehradun, and Khajuraho. Mumbai follows closely with six connections, while Chennai boasts five. Mysuru is also gearing up for its second Vande Bharat service. Expanding routes -The new Vande Bharat tracks will stretch from Dehradun to Lucknow, Patna to Lucknow, and New Jalpaiguri to Patna. Additionally, Bhubaneswar will be linked to Visakhapatnam, Kalaburagi to Bengaluru, Ranchi to Varanasi, and Khajuraho to Delhi. Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and Chennai will all receive a second set of Vande Bharat trains. Confirmation from Railway Manager-Saurabh Prasad, the Divisional Railway Manager of Waltair Division, confirmed the addition of two new Vande Bharat Express trains. One will operate between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar, and the other between Visakhapatnam and Secunderabad, supplementing existing services on those routes. Extension of existing routes -In addition to new trains, some existing routes will be extended. Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod will extend to Mangaluru, Ahmedabad-Jamnagar to Dwarka, Gorakhpur-Lucknow to Prayagraj, and Ajmer-Delhi to Chandigarh. PM Modi Set to Open Western Freight Corridor Command Center Tomorrow Indian Air Force Chief Highlights Investment in Next-Gen Warfare Technology

News Track 12 Mar 2024 9:11 am

PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad today, to flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains

PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad today, to flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Tuesday and will flag off 10 new Vande Bharat trains, including a train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central. In a major boost to the Railway infrastructure, connectivity and the petrochemicals sector, the Prime Minister will visit DFC's Operation Control Centre in Ahmedabad to lay the foundation stone and dedicate a slew of railway and Petrochemicals projects worth over Rs 1,06,000 crores. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Railway Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/ Coaching Depots; the Phaltan - Baramati New line; Electric Traction System upgradation work and dedicate to the Nation two new sections of the Dedicated Freight Corridor between New Khurja to Sahnewal (401 Rkm) section of Eastern DFC and New Makarpura to New Gholvad section (244 Rkm) of Western DFC; Western DFC's Operation Control Center (OCC), Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister's Office stated. PM Modi will also flag off ten new Vande Bharat trains between Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central, Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam, Mysuru- Dr MGR Central (Chennai), Patna- Lucknow, New Jalpaiguri-Patna, Puri-Visakhapatnam, Lucknow - Dehradun, Kalaburagi - Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Ranchi-Varanasi, Khajuraho- Delhi (Nizamuddin). The Prime Minister will also flag off the extension of four Vande Bharat trains. Ahmedabad-Jamnagar Vande Bharat is being extended till Dwarka, Ajmer- Delhi Sarai Rohilla Vande Bharat is being extended till Chandigarh, Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat is being extended till Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram- Kasargod Vande Bharat is being extended till Mangaluru; and two new passenger trains between Asansol and Hatia and Tirupati and Kollam stations, the release stated. The Prime Minister will also flag off freight trains on the Dedicated Freight Corridor from various locations - New Khurja Jn, Sahnewal, New Rewari, New Kishangarh, New Gholvad, and New Makarpura. He will dedicate to the Nation 50 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Railway Stations. These Jan Aushadi Kendras will offer affordable and quality generic medicines to the people. The Prime Minister will also dedicate 51 Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals to the Nation. These terminals will promote seamless movement of goods between different modes of transportation. Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the Nation 1045 Rkm of Automatic Signaling in 80 sections. This upgrade will enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations. Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation's Digital Controlling of Railway stations at 2646 stations. This will improve the operational efficiency and safety of the trains, the PMO stated. The Prime Minister will dedicate 35 Rail Coach Restaurants to the nation. The Rail Coach restaurant aims to cater to the needs of passengers and the public apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways. Prime Minister will dedicate more than 1500 One Station One Product Stalls to the nation spread across the country. These stalls will promote local products and generate income for local artisans and businesses. The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation Solar Powered Stations/buildings at 975 locations. This initiative will contribute to India's renewable energy goals and reduce the railways' carbon footprint. Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Petrochemicals complex of Petronet LNG including Ethane and Propane handling facilities worth over Rs. 20,600 crores at Dahej, Gujarat. Setting up of the Petrochemicals complex in proximity to the existing LNG regasification terminal would result in significant savings in the capex and the opex cost of the project. Implementation of the project is likely to create an opportunity for direct and indirect employment to the tune of 50,000 persons during the execution phase and an opportunity of employment of over 20,000 persons during its operational phase ushering in huge socio-economic benefits in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Ekta Malls in two states; Gujarat and Maharashtra worth around Rs 400 crores. Meanwhile, Ekta malls celebrate and support the rich and diverse heritage of Indian handlooms, handicrafts, traditional products and ODOP products. Ekta malls are a symbol of the unity and diversity of India, as well as a catalyst for the development and empowerment of our traditional skills and sectors. Various other projects like the dedication of newly electrified sections, doubling/multi-tracking of tracks, and developments of railways Goods sheds, Workshops, Loco Sheds, Pit lines/Coaching Depots, among others, will also be done by the Prime Minister during the programme. These projects are a testament to the Government's dedication to building a modern and robust railway network. This investment will not only improve connectivity but also boost economic growth and create new employment opportunities. Later, PM Modi will inaugurate the redeveloped Kochrab Ashram. It was the first Ashram established by Mahatma Gandhi after coming to India from South Africa in 1915. It is still preserved as a memorial and tourist space by Gujarat Vidyapeeth. Prime Minister will also launch the Master Plan of the Gandhi Ashram Memorial. It has been the constant endeavour of the Prime Minister to uphold and cherish the ideals that Mahatma Gandhi stood for and also develop avenues that showcase his ideals and bring him closer to the people. In yet another effort in this endeavour, the Gandhi Ashram Memorial Project will help revitalise Mahatma Gandhi's teachings and philosophy for present and future generations. Under this master plan, the existing five-acre area of the Ashram will be expanded to 55 acres. 36 existing buildings shall undergo restoration, out of which, 20 buildings including 'Hriday Kunj', which served as Gandhi's residence, will be conserved, 13 will undergo restoration, and 3 will be reproduced, the release stated. The masterplan includes new buildings to house administration facilities, visitor facilities like an orientation centre, interactive workshops on charkha spinning, handmade paper, cotton weaving and leatherwork and public utilities. The buildings will house interactive exhibits and activities to showcase aspects of Gandhiji's life as well as the legacy of the Ashram. The masterplan also envisages the creation of a library and archives building to preserve, protect and disseminate Gandhiji's ideas. It will also create facilities for visiting scholars to use the Ashram's library and archives. The project will also enable the creation of an interpretation centre that can guide visitors with different expectations and in multiple languages, making their experience culturally and intellectually more stimulating and enriching. The memorial will serve as an inspiration for future generations, fostering Gandhian thoughts and will enliven the essence of Gandhian values, through a process informed by principles of Trusteeship. (ANI)

devdiscourse 12 Mar 2024 8:18 am

BJP divided over fielding two former ministers in Karnataka's Tumakuru

BENGALURU: Internal bickering in the BJP has come to the fore in Tumakuru with supporters of former minister JC Madhuswamy continuing to protest against former minister V Somanna as the latter is likely to be the NDA candidate from the constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is likely to affect the BJP-JDS alliances prospects in the polls with supporters of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra, who is also state BJP chief, joining the protest against Somanna. It all started with former minister JC Madhuswamy, also an aspirant, calling Somannaan outsider, and BJP workers protesting in parts of the constituency such as Chikkanayakanahalli and Tiptur. The protesters had demanded that the BJP field Madhuswamy. Somanna shot back, saying even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an outsider to Varanasi, from where he won in 2014 and 2019 and is contesting in 2024. On Sunday, Madhuswamys associate and former minister, Sogadu Shivanna, held a meeting of his supporters, during which it was resolved to support the latter for the party ticket. Both Madhuswamy and Shivanna are averse to Somanna, as he is backed by the sitting MP, GS Basavaraju, who has announced his retirement from electoral politics. Basavaraju, who was on good terms with Yeddyurappa for a decade, has now joined hands with Somanna. Meanwhile, the head of the Sri Siddaganga Mutt, Sri Siddalinga Swami, had also visited new Delhi along with his cousin and aspirant for a BJP ticket, Dr S Paramesh, to meet the high command leaders, said an informed source. But Union Home Minister Admit Shah did not give them an appointment as he strongly stands by Somanna, added the source. Cong starts campaigning Congress candidate SP Muddhanume Gowda, a former MP, launched his campaign from Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple at Doddadalavatta village in Madhugiri taluk on Monday. He was accompanied by Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna.

The New Indian Express 12 Mar 2024 7:35 am

RNN official held for 7 crore fraud

The Times of India 12 Mar 2024 7:02 am

Two minor boys sexually assault 6-yr-old girl in Ballia

The Times of India 12 Mar 2024 7:01 am