Citing dry Gujarat, Supreme Court says prohibition does not end alcoholism, hooch tragedies
A total ban on alcohol only succeeds in sending the liquor trade underground, increasing the prevalence of unregulated, lethal brews, says the top court
Citing dry Gujarat, Supreme Court says prohibition does not end alcoholism, hooch tragedies
A total ban on alcohol only succeeds in sending the liquor trade underground, increasing the prevalence of unregulated, lethal brews, says the top court
Mother Dairy sets up its first butter chiplet line in Gujarat, plans pan-India supply
The new line has been established at Mother Dairys existing milk processing facility in Junagadh and will supply butter chiplets to markets across the country
Gujarats Service Commitment Campaign Gains Momentum with Deputy CMs Participation
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi engages youth in sports and a bike rally as part of Gujarats Service Commitment Campaign. Gujarats Service Commitment Campaign Gains Momentum with Deputy CMs Participation
Special Train Service Launched for Bhadarvi Poonam Festival in Gujarat
A new special train service is introduced between Asarwa and Khedbrahma for the Bhadarvi Poonam festival, enhancing travel for devotees. Special Train Service Launched for Bhadarvi Poonam Festival in Gujarat
Ramesh Powar, Ashish Winston Zaidi Tipped To Join Junior Mens Selection Committee
Ashish Winston Zaidi: Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar and Uttar Pradeshs fast bowling stalwart Ashish Winston Zaidi are tipped to join the new national junior mens selection committee. On August 24, the BCCI invited applications for filling five positions in the committee, with September 5 being the deadline to submit applications. Even as the India Under-19 men's team is engaged in an ongoing one-day series against Australia Under-19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the process to constitute the next junior selection panel has started to gather momentum. The incoming panel will replace the current committee headed by former Tamil Nadu cricketer S Sharath, and comprises Ranadeb Bose (East Zone), Harvinder Singh Sodhi (North Zone), Pathik Patel (West Zone), and Krishen Mohan (Central Zone). Yes, Powar and Zaidi have applied for being a part of the committee. If all goes well, then Powar may become new chief junior selector, as well as West Zone representative and Zaidi could become the junior selector from Central Zone, said sources tracking the development to IANS on Saturday. Powar, 48, served as head coach of Gujarat senior mens team for the last two seasons before recently stepping down from the role. He served twice as head coach of the Indian women's cricket team, with his second stint ending when he was moved to the National Cricket Academy (now known as BCCI Centre of Excellence) in Bengaluru as a spin-bowling coach. Mumbai-based Powar represented India in two Test matches and 31 ODIs from 2004 to 2007. Zaidi, meanwhile, picked 427 wickets across 110 first-class matches and 47 List A games while turning out for Uttar Pradesh. Further information on remaining three likely members of the new junior selection panel is expected to arrive in coming days. The committee will be responsible for selecting age-group teams up to Under-22 for coaching camps, and for Indias junior fixtures against domestic and international opposition, both at home and overseas, across formats. It will also play a key role in developing a strong talent pool and bench strength for Indias junior teams. Per a BCCI press release, the committee will scout and assess players through domestic and international matches, and contribute to the selection and development of teams for coaching camps, tours and tournaments in India and abroad. The committee will be responsible for selecting age-group teams up to Under-22 for coaching camps, and for Indias junior fixtures against domestic and international opposition, both at home and overseas, across formats. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It will be tasked with promoting strong ethical values among young cricketers, including awareness around issues such as drugs, betting and match-fixing, through interactions with senior and former players, the BCCI had said on the responsibilities of the new junior selection panel. Article Source: IANS
Gujarat: Special train begins between Asarva, Khedbrahma for Bhadarvi Poonam Fair
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 19 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway has started a daily unreserved special train between Asarva and Khedbrahma to facilitate travel for devotees attending the Bhadarvi Poonam fair, with the service beginning Saturday and continuing until October 1. The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is a seven-day religious festival held at the Ambika Mataji Temple (known as Mini Ambaji) in Khedbrahma in Gujarat's Sabarkantha, running from September 18 to September 25. The special train has been introduced following a representation made by Sabarkantha MP Shobhana Baraiya and Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana to Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash for additional rail connectivity during the fair. Thousands of devotees travel to Khedbrahma during the Bhadarvi Poonam period to attend religious events and offer prayers. The special service will operate in both directions every day during the period. Train No. 09405, the Asarva-Khedbrahma Special, will depart from Asarva at 9:35 a.m. and reach Khedbrahma at 12:10 p.m. It will halt at Naroda from 9:43 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Himmatnagar from 10:58 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Vadali from 11:40 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. In the return direction, Train No. 09406, the Khedbrahma-Asarva Special, will leave Khedbrahma at 3:35 p.m. and reach Asarva at 6:10 p.m. It will halt at Vadali from 3:43 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Himmatnagar from 4:23 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. and Naroda from 5:23 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. The train will be operated with an eight-coach MEMU rake, with all coaches designated as unreserved second class. The service will halt at Naroda, Himmatnagar and Vadali stations in both directions. The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is held in Khedbrahma and attracts devotees for religious observances and darshan. The special service is intended to provide an additional public transport option for passengers travelling to and from the fair during the 13-day operating period. Passengers can check train timings, stoppages and other detailed information on the official railway website.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government organisations at the 20th Rozgar Mela, newly appointed candidates on Saturday across the country expressed happiness and thanked their families and the government for the opportunity. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, several candidates who received appointment letters at the Rozgar Mela spoke to IANS about their achievement. I have been appointed as an Inspector in the Income Tax Department. I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and God. Through this process, I received my appointment letter at the Rozgar Mela. For this, I would like to thank the Prime Minister and all the officials present here, one of the appointees told IANS. Another appointee said, It feels great. I have been selected for the Income Tax Department, and this is a moment of immense happiness for me and my family. Through this process, recruitment is taking place in a regular and time-bound manner, which is an extremely significant milestone for the youth and their careers. Another newly appointed candidate said, It feels wonderful. The hard work put in has ultimately proven successful. It brings immense happiness to my family and me. With the blessings of my family and God, I am extremely happy with what I have achieved today. I am thrilled to be selected for the Income Tax Department. Similarly, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, IANS spoke to several new appointees who shared their experiences after receiving their appointment letters. First of all, Im feeling very happy. It has been a long wait, with a lot of hard work and patience. So, Im finally very happy now. Actually, as builders of the nation, we will be serving the government, and we will try to fulfil the aspirations of the government, specifically the aspirations of the Prime Minister, one appointee said. Another newly appointed candidate said, Im really happy that today I got my appointment letter. It has been years of hard work, and finally, I got it today. Im very thankful to everyone who helped and supported me throughout my journey. Another appointee said, I am feeling very happy. The Prime Ministers aspirations for 2047 and the way he has inspired all of us have motivated us to strive to achieve those aspirations. We will work with the same dedication as the Prime Minister does and try to achieve the Prime Ministers goals by 2047. Another candidate from Bengaluru said the appointment brought both relief and a sense of responsibility. Yeah, its a relief initially, but its also a great responsibility to take on the post that I have to hold. In the Income Tax Department, every penny is valuable. It is the peoples money. So, we have to be very conscious while spending every amount, and I will also do my best to serve the people, he said. Similarly, in Pune, Maharashtra, candidates spoke to IANS and expressed their happiness after receiving appointment letters. I have been selected as a Scientist B at DRDO. We are receiving our appointment letters, and we are all very happy, one appointee said. Another candidate said, I have been appointed as a Scientist B at DRDO. My family is very happy. I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Because of him, many young people like me have got employment. We will serve the country in our respective fields. Another appointee added, I would like to thank the Government of India and the Prime Minister. I have been selected as a Scientist B at DRDO. I would like to thank you for this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Rozgar Mela, said that Indias talent and skills have earned global trust and that the world has high expectations from the countrys innovators, entrepreneurs and youth. The Prime Minister made the remarks while distributing over 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government organisations at the 20th Rozgar Mela. The newly appointed candidates attended the event at 45 locations across the country. The newly recruited candidates will join various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, including the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services and Ministry of Defence, among others.
Gujarat Health Minister makes surprise visit to Navsari PHC, stresses patient-centric healthcare
Digital Desk | Navsari, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Saturday made a surprise inspection of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Alipor in Navsari district's Chikhli taluka, checking the availability of medicines, medical equipment, staff functioning and basic facilities for patients. During the visit, Pansheriya inspected the treatment being provided to patients, OPD services, medicine distribution, cleanliness, drinking water facilities and other arrangements at the health centre. He also interacted with doctors, nursing staff, health workers and other employees to understand the functioning of the facility. The visit also included an assessment of the availability of medicines and medical equipment, as well as the condition of basic infrastructure and the services being provided to patients. The Minister said Primary Health Centres are an important first point of contact with the healthcare system for ordinary citizens and stressed that cleanliness, discipline, proper arrangements and sensitivity towards patients were as important as quality treatment. The cleanliness, arrangements and disciplined functioning observed at the Alipor PHC could be followed at other Community Health Centres (CHCs) and PHCs across the state, he said. He expressed the expectation that all CHCs and PHCs would provide the best possible healthcare services while maintaining cleanliness, systematic functioning and discipline. The Minister also instructed officials and employees to maintain a sensitive approach while dealing with patients and ensure timely resolution of any shortcomings in healthcare services. During the inspection, Pansheriya felicitated health workers and sanitation workers on duty by presenting them with shawls, appreciating their dedicated work after observing the cleanliness and functioning of the facility. The purpose of surprise visits is not limited to inspection, but also to encourage good work and ensure immediate corrective measures wherever improvements were required, he noted. The state government is working to extend quality, accessible and sensitive healthcare services to rural and remote areas under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday joined students in playing football, handball and tug of war at KJ Institute of Technology (KJIT) College in Savli as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', before flagging off a bike rally of more than 500 youth towards Dahod. Sanghavi participated in the sporting activities alongside students and youth at the college campus, encouraging them to take part in sports. The programme was held as the Seva Yatra, organised to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service journey, passed through the area. Speaking during the programme, Sanghavi said sports help improve physical fitness while also developing team spirit, the ability to face challenges and leadership qualities among young people. The sporting spirit being fostered among Gujarat's youth through initiatives such as 'Fit India' and 'Khel Mahakumbh' was contributing to nation-building, he said. After the sporting activities, Sanghavi flagged off the bike rally with more than 500 youth participating in the Seva Yatra. The rally resumed its journey from the KJIT College campus and proceeded towards the Dahod route. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is being organised in connection with the 25 years of PM Modi's public service journey. The bike rally is part of the Seva Yatra being undertaken by youth as part of the campaign. The programme brought together the sporting activities involving students and the onward journey of the service-oriented youth participating in the bike rally, which continued towards Dahod after the flag-off. The motorcycle yatra is part of a twin-route Seva Yatra between Vadnagar and Varanasi, launched on September 17 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public life. Around 1,000 volunteers are participating in the two routes, with the yatras involving about 500 motorcycles and passing through 10 states, 193 districts and 1,159 villages over a total distance of around 40,000 km. The campaign is scheduled to continue until October 7.
India shifts counter-terror strategy, moves to bust terror plots before attacks
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) India's counter-terrorism operations have undergone a strategic shift, transitioning from a reactive security apparatus to a pre-emptive, intelligence-driven doctrine aimed at dismantling terror modules before execution, according to senior security officials. Since coming to power, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. A significant shift has been the move by the security establishment handling terror-related cases towards a more pre-emptive approach, aimed at identifying and neutralising threats before they can materialise. An official said that recent events relating to terror clearly indicate that the national counter-terrorism strategy policy for Response against Hostile Activities and Radicalism, or PRAHAAR, that was introduced in February this year has already started to take effect. The official said that the clear directive to the agencies is not to wait for an incident to take place and then react to the same. The focus is on preventing terror attacks and ensuring that terror modules do not grow to such an extent that bringing them under control becomes a Herculean task, the official added. An Intelligence Bureau official said that this is the same pattern that is being applied across the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has been in overdrive mode and plotting big strikes in the Valley. In the last several months, it has tried to work on its overground worker (OWG) network, while also trying its best to get the infiltrations moving. However, the success has been very low thanks to the new doctrine that focuses on busting these plans rather than reacting after something has taken place, the IB official said. In the past couple of months, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have neutralised terrorists, busted multiple modules and ensured that the overground worker network remains grounded. These have been among the major challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, and the agencies have ensured that plotting and carrying out terror attacks is now harder than what the ISI may have anticipated, the official added. Another official said that while terror attacks remain one part of the problem, the bigger challenge confronting the country is radicalisation. He said the issue is not confined to any particular region but has spread across the country. Although unconnected, these radicalisation modules have thrived in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Kerala, the official said. The Islamic State, in particular, has focused only on radicalisation and has been largely successful in infiltrating the minds of the youth in a big way. As the security agencies realised the scale at which the problem was taking place, immediate action was taken, and these modules were busted. The busting of the pan-India radicalisation module in Andhra Pradesh is an example of how the agencies have been handling such cases. The module was threatening to become a massive problem but was nipped in the bud in the nick of time. Officials said security agencies no longer wait for terror modules to grow before taking action. If intelligence is actionable, the agencies move immediately to disrupt the module and prevent it from developing further, the officials added. Similar action was reported in Gujarat when a Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked module was busted. This was a self-styled module that subscribed to the views of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The security agencies, after busting this module, found extremist material in large numbers. This module was becoming a ticking time bomb, but was busted just in time. The approach has been the same when it comes to tackling terror and radicalisation from the Bangladesh side. Multiple attempts made by the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and the Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been thwarted. These groups were looking to target West Bengal and the northeastern states. An official said that this was an important shift in Indias counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation strategy. While PRAHAAR has ensured a pre-emptive, rather than reactive, strategy, it has also ensured seamless integration between the Intelligence agencies, the state police and the central agencies, an official said.
Women-led committees to monitor nutrition, early education at every Anganwadi in Gujarat
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat will constitute women-led Anganwadi Management Committees (AMCs) at every Anganwadi Centre in the state to increase community participation in nutrition, healthcare and early childhood education, while improving monitoring of services for children and mothers. The decision, taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is aimed at strengthening the grassroots implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0'. The committees will focus on reducing malnutrition and developmental delays among children aged 0 to 6 years and supporting their overall development. Under the guidance of Women and Child Development Minister Manisha Vakil, each AMC will be constituted by the concerned Child Development Project Officer (CDPO). All seven members of the committee will be women, with the woman supervisor serving as Chairperson and the Anganwadi worker as Member-Secretary, officials said. The committee will also include an ASHA worker, two mothers of children aged 3 to 6 years enrolled at the Anganwadi, a woman member of a local Self-Help Group (SHG) or NGO/CSO, and a woman teacher from the nearest government primary school. The arrangement is intended to improve coordination between Anganwadi, health, education and local self-government institutions, while giving the community a greater role in ensuring transparency and accountability in service delivery. AMCs will meet once every two months at the Anganwadi Centre to review its functioning and the quality and timely delivery of services. They will examine facilities including the Anganwadi building, drinking water, toilets, kitchen, storage, furniture, equipment, Teaching Learning Material (TLM), food quality and hygiene. The committees will also monitor supplementary nutrition services, including Take Home Ration (THR) and Hot Cooked Meals (HCM), with attention to food quality, freshness, hygiene and nutritional standards. They will review the growth of children aged 0 to 6 years, developmental milestones of children aged 0 to 3 years, health check-ups, identification of malnourished children, referrals and follow-up of referred cases. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) will form another key area of monitoring. The committees will review daily pre-primary activities under 'Aadharshila', curriculum-based activities and Children's Day theme-based activities, besides checking whether records relating to children's development and monthly activities are maintained properly. The initiative will also help ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not left out of Anganwadi services. Through household surveys and community mapping, the committees will support identification of pregnant women, lactating mothers and children aged 0 to 6 years, officials asserted. They will monitor registration, attendance and inclusive services for children with special needs, besides ensuring that beneficiary information on the Poshan Tracker is updated. AMCs will also encourage parents, volunteers, private organisations, corporate entities, NGOs, CSOs and other community groups to contribute time, skills and resources to Anganwadi Centres. Support in the form of toys, clothes, activity materials and educational resources will be encouraged, while Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies will be involved in establishing and maintaining Poshan Vatika or Nutri-Gardens. At least four of the seven members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, will have to be present for a meeting. Decisions will be taken by consensus wherever possible and by majority when required. Minutes, including attendance, discussions, decisions and follow-up status, will be recorded in the prescribed format and submitted to the concerned CDPO within seven days. The CDPO will review the functioning of each committee at least twice a year. Major issues that cannot be resolved locally will be referred to the Programme Officer and CDPO. The state government said the mechanism would bring mothers, ASHA workers, teachers, SHG members and other community representatives into the regular review of nutrition, child growth, early education, hygiene, infrastructure, beneficiary coverage and grievance redressal at Anganwadi Centres. The initiative comes as the Centre has also focused on strengthening ECCE and nutrition services, with approval given in July 2026 for upgrading two lakh Anganwadi Centres as Saksham Anganwadis.
Gland Pharma and CAMS among 5 smallcap stocks sold by mutual funds in August
Gland Pharma, LIC Housing Finance, Gujarat Energy, CAMS and Amber Enterprises India saw the highest mutual fund selling among smallcap stocks in August, according to Dolat Capital.
Gujarat High Court Grants 7-Day Parole To Convict In Bilkis Bano Case - thequint.com
Gujarat forms women-led Anganwadi committees to boost Mission Saksham
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GMRC Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 29 Assistant Manager, Engineer and More Posts
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited has released the GMRC Systems Recruitment 2026 notification for 29 vacancies. The recruitment includes Additional General Manager, Joint General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Manager, Assistant Manager and Engineer posts in different systems disciplines. The vacancies are for the Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat Metro projects. Appointments will be made on a contract, deputation or post-superannuation basis, depending on the post. The initial appointment period is three years and may be extended up to five years based on performance.
GMRC Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 48 Draftsman, Engineer and More Posts
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited has released the GMRC Civil Recruitment 2026 notification for 48 vacancies. The available positions include Chief General Manager, General Manager, Additional General Manager, Joint General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Manager, Assistant Manager, Engineer, Draftsman and Surveyor. Eligible and experienced candidates can apply online through the GMRC Careers portal. The last date to submit the online application is 3 October 2026. The appointments will be made on a contract, deputation or post-superannuation basis, depending on the post.
Shalby Hospital, Surat Sets New Benchmarks in Advanced Kidney Transplants
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 16: Shalby Hospital has successfully completed 25 kidney transplants in the last 12 months, anchored by advanced clinical breakthroughs in swap and ABO-incompatible procedures Advanced Transplant
NTPC Green Energy adds 9.45 MW commercial capacity at Kutch, Gujarat
The current commercial capacity of NTPC Green Energy Limited group stands at 10,911.08 MW. With the addition of the above, the total installed capacity of the NTPC Green Energy Group will increase to 10,920.53 MW.
Karnataka to Decide on Kasturirangan Reports Area Survey After Public Hearing
The Kasturirangan Committee had recommended declaring 37 per cent of the Western Ghats, covering around 60,000 sq km across six states-Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu-as an Eco-Sensitive Area to balance environmental conservation with development
Gujarat Deputy CM holds Matru Samvad with Nadiad Sakhi Mandal women
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Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during Sankalp Yatra
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Kasturirangan report: Karnataka govt to decide on physical survey after discussion with officials
Digital Desk | Udupi (Karnataka), Sep 18 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday assured residents of the Malnad and coastal regions that the state government would discuss with officials and take a decision on conducting a physical survey of areas covered under the Kasturirangan report. Shivakumar made the assurance while interacting with local residents at Hebri in Udupi district on the merits and demerits of the Kasturirangan report. Local organisations and elected representatives had urged the state government to conduct a physical survey and consider the Kerala model while deciding on the implementation of the report. You have explained the Kasturirangan report and the ecologically sensitive areas and brought the problems you are facing to my attention. We have to send our decision to the Centre by September 27. We have come here so that your opinion becomes our opinion. You have suggested the Kerala model and recommended an expert committee. We have accepted your suggestions and will discuss these issues in the Karnataka Assembly, Shivakumar said. He added that the state government had convened a three-day special session to discuss issues concerning farmers, drought and the Kasturirangan report. The report would be discussed on the first day of the Assembly session, he said. I will also visit Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru and listen to the sentiments of the people there, he added. On the Forest Rights Act, Shivakumar said there was a provision prescribing different time limits, including 25 years for some and 75 years for others. The state government would consider taking a decision to prescribe a uniform 25-year limit and send it to the Centre, he added. He said that he had instructed Forest Department officials not to cause difficulties to people residing in forest areas. We will not do politics based on emotions. We are concerned about your lives, Shivakumar added. He said that important decisions had been taken regarding fisheries and that representatives from the region had sought a zonal management plan and a taluk hospital in Hebri. The state government would discuss these demands with officials and take decisions in the coming days, he added. I do not want to make announcements before you and then forget about them. I will do whatever service I can with the opportunity I have received. I will come to Udupi in the coming days and discuss the issues with elected representatives, he said. Shivakumar added that the people of Tulu Nadu region were an asset to the country and assured them that the state government would continue to seek their suggestions. He said a special Cabinet meeting had been held in Mangaluru after discussions with legislators and representatives of all parties from the region. Of the 60 decisions taken at the meeting, 40 were related to the coastal districts, he added. He also referred to the Cabinet decision to recognise Tulu as the second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. He said the state government had given priority to tourism in the coastal and Malnad regions and approved several development measures to attract investment and prevent migration. Representatives of various organisations and elected representatives urged the state government to constitute an expert committee and conduct a physical survey before taking further decisions on the Kasturirangan report. They said the report covers around 13,000 square km in Kerala and around 20,000 square km in Karnataka. According to them, Kerala conducted a physical survey through a high-level officials' committee, separating inhabited areas from forest areas and reducing the area covered by the report to around 9,000 square km. They claimed that a similar exercise in Karnataka could potentially exclude around 5,000 square km from the report's coverage. The representatives said the Kasturirangan committee had relied on satellite and GPS-based surveys and had not conducted a physical survey. They also raised concerns over the inclusion of areas with more than 100 residents and regions with less than 20 per cent protected forest cover. They said the report had created apprehension among residents that they could eventually be displaced and urged the state government to create awareness about its actual provisions. The representatives urged the state government to conduct a physical survey and place its findings before the Centre, the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal to resolve the concerns. It can be noted that the Kasturirangan Committee was set up by the Union government in 2012 under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan to examine the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee on protecting the Western Ghats. The committee recommended identifying parts of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). It proposed restrictions on certain activities such as mining, quarrying, large construction projects and some industrial activities in ESA areas. The recommendations cover parts of six states: Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In Karnataka, the recommendations have faced opposition from residents, farmers and local organisations, who have raised concerns about restrictions on agriculture, development and property rights
Maruti Suzuki Dispatches 1 Million Vehicles Via In-Plant Railway Terminals in 3 Years
The automaker began operations from its in-plant railway siding at Hansalpur in Gujarat in March 2023, followed by the Manesar facility in Haryana in June 2025
Kaynes Semicon ramps up Sanand plant with 2.3-billion-unit annual capacity
The Union Cabinet, in 2024, approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat
Sarvajanik University Hosts Youth Conclave on Climate Resilience and Sustainable City
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 18: On 16 September 2026, Sarvajanik University, under the aegis of Sarvajanik Education Society, organized a Youth Conclave on Climate Resilience and Sustainable City through its
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi meets Women Milk Producers in Kheda
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Weather tomorrow September 19: IMD has forecast active weather conditions across several parts of India from September 19, with significant rainfall expected over northwest, central, east, west and southern India. The southwest monsoon is also likely to begin withdrawing from some parts of West Rajasthan around September 19. Several regions may experience thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds. The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen due to rough sea conditions over parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Gujarat rural women earn through traditional handicrafts under NRLM
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OPINION | What makes Modi different from other leaders?
BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday as Seva Sankalp Diwas. Motorbike yatras were held from Vadnagar (Gujarat) to Varanasi, and from Ujjain to Kolkata. Blood donations camps were organised and millions of diyas were lighted...
Delhi cheating case: Man arrested, Rs 60 lakh worth jewellery and cash seized
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) A 24-year-old man has been arrested by the staff of Safdarjung Enclave Police Station in the national capital in connection with a cheating case involving jewellery and cash worth around Rs 60 lakh. The accused, identified as Yash Kailash Bulchandani, a resident of Kheda in Gujarat, was arrested during a police operation in Mehsana. Police said around 96 grams of melted gold, two gold coins, a gold chain, a diamond set and a mobile phone were recovered from his possession. According to the police, an FIR was registered at the Safdarjung Enclave Police Station on July 17 under Sections 318(4) and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the case. During the investigation, police found that the complainant had come in contact with the accused through social media. The accused allegedly gained her confidence by presenting himself as an investment expert and subsequently induced her to hand over money and jewellery for investment purposes. Police said that on July 9, the accused met the complainant in Delhi and allegedly fled with her mobile phone, jewellery and a bag containing Rs 14 lakh in cash and a credit card. Following the complaint, a dedicated team was formed to investigate the case. The team comprised Sub-Inspector Pankaj Kumar, Head Constable Bhavani Singh and Constable Abhishek, under the leadership of Inspector Rajneesh Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Safdarjung Enclave Police Station, and the overall supervision of Safdarjung Enclave Assistant Commissioner of Police, Melvyn Verghese. During the investigation, the police team conducted technical analysis, examined CCTV footage, verified available records and coordinated with concerned agencies and service providers. The information gathered through these efforts was analysed and corroborated, which helped the police identify and trace the accused. Acting on the developed leads, the police team conducted a raid in Mehsana and arrested Bulchandani. Police said the case has been worked out with the arrest of the accused and the recovery of the suspected stolen property. Further investigation into the case is underway.
Ties with India expanding very rapidly: South Korean envoy Lee Seong-ho
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) South Korea's Ambassador to India, Lee Seong-ho, said on Friday that ties between the two nations are expanding very rapidly and termed the relationship between Seoul and New Delhi as one of the most promising partnerships in the 21st century. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Korea Education Fair in New Delhi on Friday, Lee Seong-ho said that the two nations are cooperating in various sectors, including education. On how he sees India-South Korea ties, the Ambassador said, We are building and expanding very rapidly. This is one of the most promising relationships in the 21st century, I believe. Politically, economically, industrially, culturally, education in everything we are becoming much, much closer. I am very excited about this relationship. Lee Seong-ho described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great leader and facilitator of bringing India and South Korea closer. On PM Modi completing 25 years in public service in the coming days, he said, He is a great leader, respected by the whole world, I believe. And, he is the facilitator who is bringing our relationship very closer. We rely upon his wonderful leadership. PM Modi will complete 25 years in public service in October. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014, being currently in his third term, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Lee Seong-ho said that India and South Korea will continue to build and expand educational bridge and described Korea Education Fair as the beginning of it. This is a historical milestone in terms of our bilateral relationship. We are actually building strong bridges connecting Korea and India, and students are the people who will continue to build our partnership and friendship. This is the very beginning of the Korean Education Fair in India. I believe this is the first, but not the last of course. We will continue to build and expand our educational bridge between Korea and India. The Korea Education Fair is being held in New Delhi to provide a platform for long-term Korea-India education cooperation and not just student recruitment, according to the official statement. It has been organised to show that studying in South Korea leads to real academic, professional and global opportunities. Diplomatic ties between India and South Korea were established in 1973. Both countries formed a Strategic Partnership in 2010, which was elevated to Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to South Korea in 2015. Both countries commemorated 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023.
BCCI Office Bearers Authorised To Take Decision Related To Chief Selector Ajit Agarkars Future
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers have been authorised to take a call on all things related to the mens selection committees and offered no clarity on the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday. The development comes amid rising uncertainty over Agarkars position as the chairman of the senior mens selection committee. Agarkars contract runs till October 2026 and its yet to be known if it will be extended till next years ODI World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Apart from this, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council. Today's meeting went well, everything went well. The same people are repeated in the IPL Governing Council - Arun Dhumal and Mamon. Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior mens committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later, Shukla said to reporters after the AGM ended at the BCCI headquarters. If Agarkar doesnt continue, the BCCI will have to follow the standard procedure, which involves inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting candidate interviews. It is understood that former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, currently the assistant coach at Gujarat Titans in the IPL and ventured into commentary duties, has emerged as a potential contender to take Agarkars spot in the panel if the BCCI office bearers decide to bring in a change in the panel. The murmurs of Patel coming into an influential role in the selection committee have been in on and off mode since March, but with him already past 5 years of retiring actively from the game, he can be a potential contender to replace Agarkar. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. In the second game held on Tuesday, Shukla along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Mithun Manhas were present in the stadium alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories One of the agendas at the AGM was the inclusion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the BCCI fold, but it is understood that their bid for affiliate membership is deferred because of legal issues. Domestic umpires, match referees, and scorers are in line for a significant pay raise, with the BCCI likely to form a three-member committee to finalise the fee structure. Article Source: IANS
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Bolstered by the experience of competing in international events in the last five-six months, Indias soft tennis stars Jay Meena and Aadhya Tiwari are aiming to clinch an elusive medal at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The dynamic duo, who have a world championship medal and multiple Asian championship medals in mixed doubles, are leading a six-member soft tennis squad in Japan. Jay is competing in mens singles, mens team and mixed doubles events, while Aadhya will participate in womens singles and mixed doubles categories. The other members of the team include Yogesh Choudhary (mens team), Om Yadav (mens team), Aniket Chirag Patel (mens team) and Aryan Thakur (mens singles and mens team). The squad is accompanied by coach Devanshi Hareshbhai Patel and physiotherapist Utsav Kumar Dubey. India began their Asian Games campaign in the mens team event on a winning note entering the quarterfinals of the soft tennis competition. India defeated Laos 3-0 in the first preliminary match of Group C. The nation endured a 3-0 loss against Chinese Taipei in the second encounter before trumping Mongolia 3-0 in the third match to qualify for the quarterfinals, where they lost to Indonesia. Hailing from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, Jay developed interest in soft tennis by chance. As a young boy, he was more interested in cricket and initially aspired to become a cricketer before his curiosity led him to watch boys play the sport at a soft tennis court adjacent to his school. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally. He also represented India in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games before bagging gold in mens singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat. He never looked back thereafter. In 2024, partnering Aadhya, Jay created history by winning Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, securing bronze in mixed doubles. He strengthened his credentials by becoming the national champion in 2025. He also became the first Indian to secure a medal at the continental level by clinching bronze in the mens singles at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Recently he won bronze in mens singles at the 2026 Sunchang Open. Following his consistent performances, Jay was inducted in Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) last year by Sports Authority of India, offering him financial assistance towards international competition exposure and national coaching camps in Jammu and Ahmedabad. Jay said that competing in international competitions gave him and his team members the edge over their rivals. In 2018 I played my first Asian Games in Jakarta. It was a very different experience of my life. I came to know what the value of Asian Games is. This is my third Asian Games. In China too, when the Asian Games were held in Hangzhou, I reached the quarterfinals in singles and there I lost very narrowly. But this time, the Indian federation and Indian government have done a lot of hard work on the players. I want to thank the Sports Ministry and our government for their unprecedented support. We had international camps; we stayed out of the country for four-five months, playing in Korea and Japan. I am in TAGG scheme. I was provided equipment, which are generally imported, like racquets and balls etc. free of cost apart from shoes and playing kits and tracksuits. Playing in Korea and Japan has boosted my confidence. Both the countries organise leagues and tournaments throughout the year which helps the players keep in shape. You develop good muscle memory and then when there is a pressure situation in the match your body doesnt feel it. We have never won a medal at the Asian Games and this is our target this time, Jay explained. Aadhya, who hails from a small town Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh, started playing tennis from the age of three years even though her father was a Ranji Trophy cricketer. She initially struggled as there were no coaches to teach her the nuances of tennis. I learned tennis by myself. Then I was playing lawn tennis and was the Asia No. 6 seed. I played lawn tennis quite well; almost until 2013. After that, I went to a tournament, and there the soft tennis secretary from Madhya Pradesh approached me, saying, Why don't you try soft tennis? So, I was like, Okay, sir, I'll try once. In my very first tournament, I got two bronze and one silver medal, and my name came up in the Junior World Championship, and Senior World Championship. Ever since then, I have been continuing soft tennis because in lawn tennis, there were high costs involved, Aadhya told SAI Media from Japan. Aadhya is currently India No. 1 in soft tennis. In 2018, she was the youngest to represent India in the Asian Games at the age of 15. At 2023 Hangzhou edition, Aadhya finished fifth in womens team event. In 2025, she won bronze medals in mixed doubles and mixed team events at the Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Inducted in TAGG scheme, Aadhya was also part of the international competition exposure and national camps organized by SAI. I am very thankful to the TAGG scheme because the camps we got helped our game develop and improve a lot. SAI has helped us a lot. The training we got in the camps, and all the infrastructure, equipment, and even racquets - everything was provided by SAI, and the training went very well this time. In Korea too, there was a full one-month camp, and in Japan, a pre-Asian Games camp was held for 20 days. Right now, I would just say that there are high chances of getting a medal, Aadhya said.
BCCI office bearers authorised to take decision related to chief selector Agarkars future
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers have been authorised to take a call on all things related to the mens selection committees and offered no clarity on the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday. The development comes amid rising uncertainty over Agarkars position as the chairman of the senior mens selection committee. Agarkars contract runs till October 2026 and its yet to be known if it will be extended till next years ODI World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Apart from this, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council. Today's meeting went well, everything went well. The same people are repeated in the IPL Governing Council - Arun Dhumal and Mamon. Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior mens committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later, Shukla said to reporters after the AGM ended at the BCCI headquarters. If Agarkar doesnt continue, the BCCI will have to follow the standard procedure, which involves inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting candidate interviews. It is understood that former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, currently the assistant coach at Gujarat Titans in the IPL and ventured into commentary duties, has emerged as a potential contender to take Agarkars spot in the panel if the BCCI office bearers decide to bring in a change in the panel. The murmurs of Patel coming into an influential role in the selection committee have been in on and off mode since March, but with him already past 5 years of retiring actively from the game, he can be a potential contender to replace Agarkar. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. In the second game held on Tuesday, Shukla along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Mithun Manhas were present in the stadium alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials. Asked about potential venue change for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Ranchi, Shukla clarified that no such deliberations took place during the meeting. No, there was no discussion about the venue for that Test match. There were some fixtures. Out of them, the fixtures which were of 50 overs, it is now done of 20 overs, added Shukla. One of the agendas at the AGM was the inclusion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the BCCI fold, but it is understood that their bid for affiliate membership is deferred because of legal issues. Domestic umpires, match referees, and scorers are in line for a significant pay raise, with the BCCI likely to form a three-member committee to finalise the fee structure.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn completes acquisition of MicroBiopharm Japan Co.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in MicroBiopharm Japan Co. (MBJ), Japan, through Themis Biosyn Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Japan.
Man kills daughter, places her in fridge, dies by suicide
A 40-year-old man in Amreli, Gujarat, allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter and then died by suicide, citing severe financial distress. The tragic incident, discovered by his wife, involved the man leaving suicide notes and decorating the room, suggesting a final, desperate act.
Gujarat Man Kills Daughter, Stores Body In Fridge, Then Dies By Suicide
According to the first information report (FIR), the man had written three suicide notes and placed them on a bed.
National workshop promotes deep-sea fishing with Gujarat leaders
The News Mill
Over 6.25 lakh girls vaccinated in Gujarat HPV campaign till Sept 16
The News Mill
Asian Games: Indian men's soft tennis team bows out in QFs
Digital Desk | Nagoya, Sep 18 (IANS) Indian mens soft tennis team, comprising Jay Meena, Yogesh Choudhary, Aryan Thakur, Aniket Patel and Om Yadav, concluded its Asian Games 2026 campaign with a 02 defeat against Indonesia in the quarterfinals. Jay and Yogesh lost the first men's doubles tie to Tio Hutauruk and Fernendo Sanger 25, before Aryan Thakur lost to Bagus Pradewa 34. With this loss, Indias mens team campaign come to an end at the Asian Games 2026. However, the competition continues for the Indian athletes, with Jay and Aryan set to compete in the mens Singles on September 22. Jay will also feature in the Mixed Doubles on September 21. Indian Men began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Laos before suffering a 0-3 defeat to group toppers Chinese Taipei. Needing a win in their final group encounter to secure a knockout berth, India responded strongly and defeated Mongolia 3-0 to progress to the last eight with four points from three ties. India made a confident start against Laos as Jay and Yogesh clinched the opening doubles match 5-0. Aryan then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in the singles contest before Aniket and Om completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Chinese Taipei, however, proved a tougher challenge. Meena and Choudhary lost the first doubles match 0-5, while Thakur went down 1-4 in the singles tie. Patel and Yadav also suffered defeat in the second doubles match as India lost the contest 0-3. With a quarter-final place at stake, the Indian players bounced back in style against Mongolia, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 win to finish behind Chinese Taipei in the group standings. Aniket and Om won the opening doubles match against Mongolia by 5-0, and Meena then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in singles before Thakur and Choudhary completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Indias campaign is being led by Jay , one of the countrys most accomplished soft tennis players in recent years. The Madhya Pradesh athlete represented India at the 2018 Asian Games and won the mens singles gold medal at the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. Meena also etched his name in history in 2024 when, alongside Aadhya Tiwari, he secured Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships by winning bronze in mixed doubles. He followed it up by becoming national champion in 2025 and later claimed bronze in mens singles at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the continental event.
Maruti's vehicle dispatches via in-plant rail terminals reach 1 million
Maruti Suzuki India on Friday said it has reached a milestone of dispatching 1 million vehicles through in-plant railway terminals in just over three years since opening dedicated transportation lines at two manufacturing sites in Gujarat and Haryana. Operations from in-plant railway sidings at Hansalpur (Gujarat) commenced in March 2023 and from the Manesar (Haryana) railway siding in June 2025. In the current financial year, the automaker said that 70 per cent of its total rail-based vehicle dispatches have been through these two in-plant railway sidings, and its mid-term goal is to increase such dispatches to 35 per cent by FY31. As of August 31 of this fiscal year, the company's rail-based vehicle dispatches have crossed 3 lakh units, it said. An in-plant railway terminal inside a manufacturing facility allows goods to be loaded onto freight trains within the plant, eliminating the need for trucks to access the nearest railway stations before entering the supply network. Of th
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a sharp attack against the late Disha Salians father following reports that the latter planned to visit Matoshree to hand a legal notice for defamation to party leader Aaditya Thackeray. Raut labelled the move a drama orchestrated by political rivals to malign the Thackeray family. Speaking to reporters, Raut urged those involved to put an end to the political theatrics. This drama must stop, he declared. Whoever it is -- even those who tragically lost their daughter -- should stop this spectacle. The matter was handed over to the CBI, and the court has observed that no one stands accused at this stage. The CBI registered the FIR against unknown persons, he added. Raut alleged a coordinated financial and political conspiracy aimed at smearing the opposition's reputation. He made sensational claims regarding foreign financial links backing the campaign. Raut claimed that a few drunks and attention-seekers have joined hands, receiving funds through a Nepali connection to finance the smear campaign against the Thackeray family. He further alleged that resources are being misused across the board, stating, Somewhere oil is being used, somewhere alcohol -- all to fund our defamation. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday addressed the allegations linking his family to the June 2020 death of Disha Salian, calling the claims a politically motivated character assassination campaign. He stated that neither he nor his son, Aaditya Thackeray, had any connection to Disha Salian or her death. He noted that Salian's death was a tragic incident but emphasised that he had never met or known her. Thackeray warned that if the persistent effort to link his family's name to the case does not end, he will take legal steps. He mentioned that his party remained quite clear while state agencies probed the matter, but called the ongoing allegations pointless character assassination. Questioning the intent behind bringing up his family's name repeatedly without evidence, Thackeray remarked sarcastically, I am wondering why the names of Modi and Trump are absent in this case. A day prior to Uddhav's remarks, Aaditya Thackeray also issued a detailed statement on X reiterating that he had never met or known Salian. He described the ongoing narrative as an evidence-free smear campaign driven by political motives and personal enmity. The statements came after the Bombay High Court ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding Salian's death, leading the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a preliminary FIR. Meanwhile, addressing Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes recent address in Gujarat -- delivered in Gujarati on Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday -- Raut mocked the move as political appeasement. Raut remarked that while Amit Shah speaks fluent Marathi, PM Modi speaks better Marathi than Eknath Shinde himself. If Shinde chooses to speak in Gujarati, it is simply to keep his party bosses in Gujarat pleased, he quipped. Asserting that speaking Gujarati is not inherently wrong, Raut noted that the Shinde faction acts like its party constitution was drafted in Gujarat. He added that diminishing the significance of Marathi leadership disrespects the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray. Raut highlighted that former leaders like Vasantdada Patil, Sharad Pawar, Balasaheb Thackeray, and Yashwantrao Chavan stood firm in their native tongue and spoke Marathi with pride when dealing with central authorities.
Maruti Suzuki achieved one million vehicle dispatches via its railway sidings. The Gujarat siding contributed 7.9 lakh vehicles, while Manesar added 2.1 lakh. These sidings accounted for seventy percent of rail dispatches in FY 2026-27. The company aims to increase rail dispatches to thirty-five percent by FY 2030-31. This expansion supports efficient and sustainable logistics operations across India.
Both are doctors: Supreme Court seeks parity in stipends for Indian, Foreign medical graduates
The Supreme Court on September 17 directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to verify whether stipends have been paid to foreign medical graduates (FMGs) in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Jharkhand. A bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice M. Pancholi passed the direction after petitioners alleged that an NMC affidavit falsely stated that [] The post Both are doctors: Supreme Court seeks parity in stipends for Indian, Foreign medical graduates appeared first on India Legal .
Delhi Police bust narco-extortion network, seize 2 kg Pakistani-origin heroin
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police Special Cell, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Crime Branch, has busted a narco-extortion network operating between Delhi and Gujarat and recovered 2 kg of Pakistani-origin heroin valued at around Rs 12 crore. Police said an accused associated with the Rohit Godara and Mahendra Delana gang was arrested during the operation. The accused has been identified as 31-year-old Kuldeep Swami, a resident of Rajasthan's Churu. According to police, Swami was involved in a major narco-extortion module and was wanted in connection with a high-profile extortion case involving approximately Rs 10 crore registered in Gujarat's Vadodara. During the investigation, police recovered 2 kg of high-quality heroin, a car, and currency notes used for hawala token verification. A secret cavity was also found in the recovered vehicle, police said. Investigators are now probing the alleged links of the network with gangsters Godara and Delana, along with possible connections to Pakistan-based narcotics networks. The latest action comes amid a series of operations by the Delhi Police against criminal networks involved in extortion, narcotics and arms-related offences. Earlier, on August 26, the Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested two alleged sympathisers of the Gogi gang who were reportedly planning to commit extortion-related crimes. Police had identified the accused as 22-year-old Chirag, a resident of Narela, and 26-year-old Sagar, a resident of Haryana's Sonipat. The two were arrested near the Munak Canal on August 19 following a tip-off, officials said. A .32-bore semi-automatic pistol along with four live cartridges, a country-made single-shot pistol and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession, according to a senior police officer. In another case, on March 19, a team of the Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended a proclaimed offender who had allegedly been evading arrest in connection with an Arms Act case registered in Delhi. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Haryana's Ambala, was wanted in an FIR registered at Jagatpuri Police Station under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Police had said Singh had been absconding since the registration of the case and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by a court.
India's semiconductor roadmap strong with Semicon 2.0: Tata Electronics CEO
India's semiconductor journey looks strong, with policy stability under Semicon 2.0 providing important continuity in the roadmap for the industry, Tata Electronics' CEO and Managing Director Randhir Thakur has said. As India races to secure a foothold in the high-stakes global semiconductor industry, Tata Electronics - a key player - is building India's first commercial semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, and the first indigenous semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Jagiroad, Assam, with a combined investment of USD 14 billion, to serve global customers across critical sectors. In our business, it is about continuity, and semiconductor is a roadmap-based journey. It is really very encouraging to see that after Semiconductor 1.0 scheme, the government has come up with Semiconductor 2.0...so that continuity, that roadmap is very important. We believe that in this business, as we generate the cash flow, we will always be investing and continue on this, Thakur told PTI
Major Drug and Extortion Network Busted from Delhi to Gujarat; Heroin Worth
Delhi police dismantled a narco-extortion network, seizing heroin valued at 12 crores and arresting a key suspect. Major Drug and Extortion Network Busted from Delhi to Gujarat; Heroin Worth 12 Crores Seized
Delhi Police Arrests Fraudster from Gujarat for
A 24-year-old man was arrested in Gujarat for defrauding a woman of 60 lakh through a fake investment scheme. Delhi Police Arrests Fraudster from Gujarat for 60 Lakh Scam
Is Pollution Adding To Gujarat
Gujarat weather today: Monsoon remains active, rain forecast in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat
Gujarat is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall across several districts on September 18 as a low-pressure area over Saurashtra and the northeast Arabian Sea remains active. Rainfall may continue at isolated locations through September 23, while scattered showers are also possible in parts of the state between September 24 and 27. Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara may receive rain today.
76th Birthday Sets Mega Records: 3.55 Crore Diyas in MP, World Record in Ujjain, 88 Lakh in Gujarat
Gujarat's GIFT City Surges 9 Places into World's Top Financial Hubs: Ranks 37th Globally in GFCI 40
Gujarat gives Rs 14 crore aid to 14,925 tribal sickle cell patients - The News Mill
PM Modis 25 years in public life marked by welfare for poor, foundation for Indias growth: Amit Shah
Vadnagar, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public life should be seen as a period of welfare for the poor and foundation-laying for Indias prosperity. He was speaking after inaugurating the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Vadnagar and flagging off a bike rally to Varanasi to mark Modis birthday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were also present. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarats Mehsana district, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. Addressing a gathering, Shah said the 25 years of Modis public life will have to be written in golden letters in history as the years of poor welfare. He said the period under Modis leadership had laid the foundation for Indias prosperity, made the country more secure and started the process of making India a global leader in infrastructure and digital public infrastructure. Shah said Modis tenure as PM would be remembered as a period of welfare for poor people and claimed that 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty during this period. He said generations of people had waited for basic necessities such as houses, toilets, tap water, electricity, food and medical treatment. His 12-year tenure as prime minister will be known as a golden era for the 80 crore poor people of the country, Shah said, listing houses, electricity, tap water, five kg of free grain per person per month, health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, toilets and gas cylinders among the benefits delivered by the Modi government. Shah said Modi had personally experienced poverty after being born in a poor village and had, despite his circumstances, put before the country a vision of equitable and inclusive development. He said Modis 25-year public life was also marked by sustained personal work and service to the poor, backward classes, Dalits and tribals. Shah said he had worked with Modi during his organisational years in Gujarat and later when he became the CM and PM. The Union minister also praised Modis simplicity and said he had connected BJP workers across the country with the Nation First slogan. He said Modi had treated the entire country as his family. Referring to Modis years as Gujarat CM, Shah listed initiatives including water management, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, Sagarkhedu Kalyan Yojana, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat, an education hub and 24-hour electricity supply to villages. He said the state recorded an agricultural growth of more than eight per cent when Modi was the CM. The Gujarat model was subsequently taken to the national level after Modi took charge of the nation in 2014, he said. Shah credited the Modi government with introducing what he described as clear policies after a period of policy paralysis and cited GST, the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer, banking reforms, FDI and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) as measures that had contributed to economic development. He also referred to expansion of roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure, saying the number of airports in the country had increased from 75 to 150. He mentioned PM Gati Shakti, Digital India and Startup India as initiatives that had opened opportunities for the youth. On national security, Shah cited the governments decisions on Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, peace accords in the Northeast and military operations. He also referred to measures relating to women, tribal welfare, defence production and space programmes, including Chandrayaan and Aditya L1. Shah said Modis public life could be summed up in two words -- India First. Earlier, CM Patel said the bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was not merely a journey but a pledge-driven mission dedicated to serving the nation. He said Vadnagars soil had inspired Modi with patriotism, simplicity and a spirit of service and that his 25 years of public life had contributed to the countrys transformation. Patel said India had emerged as a major opportunity for youth and highlighted developments in digital payments, space technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan should take Modis message of public service to every household and called for building a Viksit Gujarat as part of the vision of a Viksit Bharat. A simultaneous rally was flagged off from Varanasi, PMs Lok Sabha constituency, with the two journeys planned to conclude on October 7, the day Modi completes 25 years as CM of Gujarat and Indias PM. According to the BJP, the two rallies will together cover about 40,000 km through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages across 10 states. Around 1,000 youths will participate, it said. At Vadnagar, Shah, Patel and other leaders first performed Maha-aarti at Sharmishtha Lake and then walked to the ancient Hatkeshwar temple of Lord Shiva. Shah prayed for Modis long life and good health before flagging off the rally, said officials. Shah said the BJP and its allies had launched the campaign to take the message of Modis 25 years of public service to people across the country and inspire younger generations to work towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Puducherry LG suggests tax holiday, cheap power to boost industrialisation in J&K
Puducherry, Sep 17: Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan has suggested a set of measures for improving the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in Jammu and Kashmir, saying tax holidays and affordable power could act as catalysts for attracting industries and investment to the Union Territory. Interacting with this Greater Kashmir Correspondent, Kailashnathan said attracting investment and promoting industrialisation were essential for generating employment and ensuring sustained economic growth. Referring to the geographical and infrastructural challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir, he said the UT Government should focus on four key areasinfrastructure, connectivity, affordable power and tax holidaysto create a conducive environment for industrial development. First, you need the prerequisite infrastructure for industries, followed by good connectivity, Kailashnathan said, stressing the importance of railway links and highways for timely movement of raw materials and finished products. He also underlined the importance of affordable electricity for industries and hotels, saying Jammu and Kashmir has significant hydropower potential. He suggested that the government could explore providing locally generated power to industrial units at competitive rates, including a tariff of around Rs 2 per unit, to encourage investment. On fiscal incentives, Kailashnathan suggested that Jammu and Kashmir could consider tax holidays for new investments, pointing out that several States and Union Territories had adopted such measures to attract industries and promote industrialisation. A 1979-batch retired IAS officer, Kailashnathan served in Gujarat for more than four decades and worked closely with Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. He was associated with various government initiatives related to industrialisation and investment promotion, including investment summits held in Gujarat. Speaking about Puducherry's development trajectory, Kailashnathan said the Union Territory was progressing towards becoming a major medical and tourism hub. He said an advanced organ-transplantation centre was being established in Puducherry, which, according to him, would benefit patients from across the country. Kailashnathan also described Puducherry as an emerging education hub, saying around 73 per cent of students enrolled in schools pursue higher studies. He said the focus now was on creating employment opportunities for the educated population and added that more than 4,000 people were recruited last year. He identified safe drinking water as another challenge, saying a significant section of the population was dependent on groundwater with high TDS levels. He said the administration was working to ensure filtered and safe surface drinking water for all residents within the next three years. On connectivity, the LG said an airport with a 2,500-metre runway was being developed and a new railway terminal was also under construction. He further said two six-lane highways between Chennai and Puducherry were being constructed, which would substantially improve road connectivity and reduce travel time between the two destinations. He said Puducherry's development strategy was aimed at strengthening infrastructure, healthcare, education, connectivity and employment while positioning the Union Territory as a prominent tourism and medical destination.
We Can Do - is PM Modis Mantra
Puducherry, Sep 17:We Can Do is the real mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan stated this, while recalling his long association with Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. Sharing his experiences of working closely with Modi in Gujarat, he also spoke about the development initiatives undertaken during his early years as Chief Minister. Kailashnathan, a retired IAS officer, had served in the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office for more than one-and-a-half decades and worked with Modi for several years. He said a number of initiatives undertaken during Modis initial tenure in Gujarat later contributed to what came to be described as the Gujarat Model of development. Recalling the focus on infrastructure, he said improving road connectivity was among the key priorities. He said roads connecting villages, referred to as Kisan Path, were developed with the objective of facilitating connectivity and helping farmers, including in the transportation and sale of milk. He further spoke about Vikas Path, describing them as roads and highways connecting important religious destinations and other major locations. According to him, the improved connectivity also contributed to the growth of tourism in Gujarat. Kailashnathan also recalled Modis personal lifestyle during his years in Gujarat, describing him as a person who lived simply. He said Modi used to have limited personal belongings, including clothes, and lived in a simple setting. On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday, the Puducherry LG conveyed his greetings and best wishes to him. Kailashnathans long association with Modi, particularly his years in the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office, has given him first-hand experience of the functioning and priorities of the then Gujarat government. He is considered to be a closely associated man with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had remained part of many prestigious Government initiatives of path breaking development projects in Gujarat including Narmada Ekta Nagar project.
Leaders across political spectrum greet PM
New Delhi, Sep 17:Leaders across the political spectrum greeted Prime Minister NarendraModi on his 76th birthday on Thursday, highlighting his 25 years in public office. While President Droupadi Murmu hailed his record on governance, Home Minister Amit Shah recalled Modi's journey from an ordinary BJP volunteer to the nation's highest political office. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan credited Modi with presiding over India's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his journey from Gujarat chief minister to prime minister had given a new momentum to India's growth story. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also wished Modi a long and healthy life. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. In her birthday message, Murmu said Modi had set numerous new benchmarks for good governance during his tenures as chief minister and prime minister and given unprecedented momentum and a new direction to inclusive development. Advancing on the path of modern progress while upholding a sense of cultural pride, our fellow citizens are realising the harmonious blend of heritage and development, the president said on X. She prayed for Modi's good health and long life so that he could continue his mission of public service and nation-building. Radhakrishnan said under Modi's leadership, India was shining as a bright spot in the world and among the fastest-growing major economies. He cited the country's progress in areas ranging from digital technology and space to healthcare, infrastructure and manufacturing, and said more than 25 crore Indians had come out of extreme poverty in recent years. Radhakrishnan said Modi's references to backward districts as aspirational districts, border villages as vibrant and first villages, and the northeast as ashtalakshmi reflected an approach aimed at transforming geographical marginalisation into empowerment. Over the past year, as I travelled across the states and Union territories, I witnessed firsthand how these transformative changes are reaching even the remotest parts of our country, he said. LokSabha Speaker Om Birla said India was forging a new identity on the global stage under Modi's leadership and making progress in development, self-reliance, innovation, digital technology, infrastructure and public welfare. Your public life, spanning over 25 years, has proven immensely fruitful for the strengthening of democratic values and for the upliftment of the nation's vulnerable and underprivileged sections, Birla said. N Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP chief and a key BJP ally, hailed Modi's journey from Gujarat chief minister to prime minister. Marking 25 exemplary years of public service, from leading Gujarat as a transformational CM to guiding the nation as a revolutionary PM, you have given a new momentum to India's growth story, he said. Your vision of 'seva, sankalp and sushasan' continues to inspire 140 crore citizens across the nation, Naidu said, praying to Lord Venkateswara for Modi's long and healthy life. JD(U) chief and former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also extended his greetings, wishing Modi a healthy and long life. BJP president Nitin Nabin described Modi as the embodiment of dedication and service to the nation. He said his journey, driven by the resolve of Nation First, was an inspiring saga of service, good governance, and public welfare. Under your guidance, India is scaling new heights of development and self-reliance, steadily advancing on the global stage with a renewed identity and enhanced strength, he said. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde described Modi as the embodiment of India's progress and the aspirations of its people. Modi embodies the story of India's progress. He resonates in the hearts of every citizen. He stands as a symbol of welfare for the poor. He represents the youthful spirit of this young nation. He is the source of courage amidst every challenge. He is a thunderous force against adversaries. He embodies the soul of 1.4 billion dreams. He is the hallmark of a New India, Shinde said. Former prime minister and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda conveyed his wishes to Modi in a letter. May you be blessed with a long and healthy life. May you continue to lead our nation with dedication and wisdom. May you help our nation realise its enormous potential and further strengthen its exalted place in the world, he said. DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin wished Modi good health, happiness and a long life. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay also conveyed his heartfelt birthday wishes to Modi, whom he described as working with dedication towards building a strong India, and wished him a long and healthy life. NCP (SP) chief SharadPawar extended heartfelt birthday wishes to Modi and wished him good health and a long life. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren conveyed his johar (greetings) to Modi. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also wished Modi a happy birthday, good health and a long life. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended birthday greetings to Modi on behalf of the state government, the political parties in the ruling alliance and the people of Nagaland, saying India was fortunate to have a leader dedicated to serving the nation. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said Modi's 25 years in public service had been marked by dedicated leadership and a steadfast commitment to the growth and development of our nation. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma wished Modi good health and continued strength. May you be blessed with wisdom and success in your service to the nation, he said. Kharge, Rahul greet PM Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wished Prime Minister NarendraModi good health and long life on his 76th birthday. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. In a post on X, Kharge said, Best wishes to Prime Minister Shri NarendraModiJi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life. Wishing the prime minister, Gandhi said, Happy birthday to PM Narendra Modiji. Wishing you good health and a long life.
Ammann betting on India as global manufacturing and export hub: CEO Schneider
The Swiss road-equipment maker aims to expand exports from its Gujarat plant to Europe, emerging markets, and potentially the US, turning India from a regional market into a global production and R&D base, Schneider said.
AAPs Newly Formed PAC Holds First Meeting to Strategize for Upcoming Elections
AAPs Political Affairs Committee met to discuss strategies for upcoming elections in Punjab, Goa, and Gujarat, emphasizing organizational strength. AAPs Newly Formed PAC Holds First Meeting to Strategize for Upcoming Elections
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joins Ganeshotsav celebrations in Ghatlodia
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Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joins Ganeshotsav celebrations in Ghatlodia - ANI News
Naturally-formed gemstone Ganeshas draw devotees in city
Gujarat floods have triggered substantial insurance claims, prompting a review of pricing. Insurers are now pushing for more disciplined pricing on large industrial risks. This reassessment follows expected flood-related claims exceeding five thousand crore rupees industry-wide. The Gujarat losses increase the case for location-based catastrophe exposure pricing. Global reinsurers' stance will largely determine the extent of this pricing correction.
NCH launches barcode booklets to ease OPD rush
Man booked for selling bank mortgaged property
Three held with opium worth 8.49L
Two caught with 18 Indian star tortoises
Malicious app dressed as wedding invite costs 78-year-old 10.6L
Cops ban DJ music around artificial lakes for Ganesha idols immersion
Orrys sweet birthday wish for PM Modi: He also made yoga cool again
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Social media personality Orry shared his best wishes to PM Modi on the occasion of his 76th birthday. Orry took to his Instagram, on Thursday, and shared a video of himself talking to the camera, as he wished the PM. In the video, he can be seen dressed in ethnic wear, as he changed his camera angles to lend his monologue. He said in Hindi, Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, warm birthday wishes to you. May God bless you with a long life, and may your life be filled with health, happiness, and fame. May all your resolutions be fulfilled, therefore today I take the oath of national service and to ensure your efforts are successful, I will keep lighting a lamp before the Lord. He further mentioned, The pride of India may always be a source of inspiration for you, with your energy, dedication, and commitment. May God bless you with patience, excellent health, and boundless energy. Warm birthday wishes, Modi ji. You are appreciated and revered. He also penned a long note in the caption, touching upon his journey and his political career, and also credited him for making Yoga cool again. He wrote, To understand modern India, you need to know the man who has led its government for more than a decade. Born in 1950, just 3 years after India gained independence, into a family of modest means in the small town of Vadnagar, Gujarat, working at his familys tea stall, he grew up to become Prime Minister of the worlds most populous country and one of its largest economies. That is the story of Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi @narendramodi His journey to the top of Indian politics took decades. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rose through its organisation and in 2001 became Chief Minister of Gujarat, a position he held for almost 13 years. He went on, Then came 2014. Shri Narendra Modi ji became Prime Minister of India - leading the government of more than a billion people, hundreds of languages and dialects, countless cultures and traditions, and the worlds largest democracy. Following the elections of 2019 and 2024, india returned him the PMO, today serving an uncommon third consecutive term. His political identity has been built around large-scale development, strong central leadership, technological modernisation, infrastructure and a more prominent India on the world stage. His governments launched nationwide programmes including Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India and Make in India. He further mentioned, The Modi era has seen an extraordinary digital transformation, with UPI changing everyday payments, alongside expanding highways, railways, airports and metros - including but not limited to my favourite, Vande Bharat. He has sought to position India as a country that doesnt simply participate in the future, but helps build it. His leadership is intensely debated, like any powerful and long-serving democratic leader. But his place in contemporary Indian history is unmistakable. The little boy born in 1950 Vadnagar, working at a tea stall, grew up to become THE PRIME MINISTER of more than a billion people, the man entrusted with leading the Government of one of the biggest, most diverse and extraordinary countries on Earth. Happy 76th Birthday to the Honble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji. P.S. He also made yoga cool again, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday with birthday wishes pouring in from several celebrities and public figures. He has served as India's Prime Minister since May 2014. Over the years, his leadership has focused on initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and infrastructure development. His birthday is often marked by public events, welfare activities, and community service initiatives organized by supporters and various organizations. Several prominent figures from the Indian film industry wished the PM on his birthday, who completed another trip around the sun.
Gujarat Police Arrest Three in Digital Fraud Scheme Linked to 13 States
Three individuals have been arrested in Gujarat for their involvement in a digital fraud scheme linked to cyber crimes across 13 states. Gujarat Police Arrest Three in Digital Fraud Scheme Linked to 13 States
Virat Kohli extends wishes for PM Modi on his 76th birthday
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Former India captain and batting stalwart Virat Kohli joined several prominent personalities in extending birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, as the iconic leader turned 76. Kohli took to social media to convey his wishes, keeping his message short while wishing PM Modi good health, happiness and a fulfilling life. Warm birthday wishes to Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. Wishing you good health, happiness, and a long fulfilling life, Kohli wrote on X. Kohlis message came as birthday greetings poured in for PM Modi from political leaders, sporting personalities and other public figures across the country. The 37-year-old is all set to return to the Indian setup as India take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series starting September 27. The 50-over series will be played across Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh. PM Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday on Thursday, and the occasion has prompted messages from leaders and personalities across different fields. The sporting fraternity has also joined the celebrations, with several prominent names conveying their wishes to PM Modi on social media. PM Modis birthday has also drawn greetings from across the political spectrum. President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, among several others, have conveyed their birthday wishes to PM Modi. Messages have also come from international leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those who extended birthday greetings to PM Modi, while leaders from other countries also marked the occasion. PM Modi was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, in 1950, three years after India gained independence, making him the first prime minister of the country to have been born in independent India. He is also the longest-serving prime minister from a non-Congress party. October will mark 25 years of PM Modis public service. He began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has led the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in three consecutive general elections.
Union Minister Somanna, Vijayendra mark PM Modi's birthday with prayers, cleanliness drives
Digital Desk | Tumakuru/Shivamogga (Karnataka), Sep 17 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna and Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday participated in various programmes to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday and commemorate his 25 years of public service, praying for his long life and continued service to the nation. Somanna offered special prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Tumakuru for the Prime Minister's long life and continued strength to serve the country. Later, he participated in a cleanliness drive at the Tumakuru Railway Station as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He joined volunteers and personally took up a broom to sweep the railway station premises, highlighting the importance of cleanliness. Schoolchildren warmly welcomed MoS Somanna at the railway station by showering flowers. The union Minister expressed happiness over the affectionate welcome extended by the children. Meanwhile, Vijayendra offered special prayers at the Sri Huchhurayaswamy Temple in Shikaripura on the occasion of PM Modi's birthday. He said PM Modi had been serving the country with a spirit of dedication for the past 25 years and was working tirelessly as the Pradhan Sevak towards fulfilling the vision of a developed India by 2047. Vijayendra added that PM Modi began his public service journey as the Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and became the country's Prime Minister in 2014. He said that PM Modi would complete 25 years in public service on October 7, 2026, marking 25 years since he assumed office as the Gujarat Chief Minister. Vijayendra prayed for PM Modi's long life, good health and continued strength to serve the people of the country. He said that ensuring justice for the most disadvantaged sections of society and making government welfare schemes accessible to all were among PM Modi's key objectives. He said the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme would begin on Thursday as desired by BJP President Nitin Nabin. The BJP has announced the nationwide campaign from September 17 to October 17 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public service. Vijayendra said that BJP workers would organise programmes at booths across all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The BJP workers would also light lamps with members of the public at 7 p.m. and pray for PM Modi's long life and greater strength to serve the nation. He urged BJP workers to take the message of PM Modi's various welfare initiatives and vision to every household. Mandal President Hanumanthappa, City President Raghavendra S.S., Mandal Yuva Morcha President Veeranagowda, Mandal Mahila Morcha President Rekha Rajshekhar and party leaders K.S. Gurumurthy, Vasanthgowda, Channaveerappa, Ramanaik, D.L. Basavaraj, Palakshappa, Sachin and Girish Dharwad, among others, were present.
Gujarat CM joins 'Shramdaan' at PM Modis birthplace, plants trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday joined a cleanliness drive at the Vadnagar Bus Port, participating in Shramdaan and planting trees as part of statewide programmes marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years in public service. Patel took part in the cleanliness activity at the bus port in Vadnagar, PM Modis birthplace, under the Swachhata Hi Seva initiative. He also planted trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, combining the cleanliness drive with a message of environmental conservation. The programme was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu programmes being held across Gujarat to mark PM Modis birthday and commemorate his 25-year journey in public service. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, local public representatives, government officials and a large number of citizens joined the Chief Minister during the Shramdaan at the Vadnagar Bus Port. The participants also extended their wishes for PM Modis good health and well-being on his birthday. The programme formed part of a series of events in the town on Thursday, with senior BJP leaders and the state government organising public-service and cleanliness activities to mark the occasion. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar and offered prayers for Modis long life and well-being. The leaders later undertook a padayatra from Sharmishtha Lake to the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where they offered prayers for the progress of the state and country. A bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was also flagged off from the Hatkeshwar Temple by Shah, Patel and other dignitaries. Around 250 bikers are taking part in the rally, carrying the message of public service and nation-building along the route. The bikers are also carrying water collected from Sharmishtha Ghat in Vadnagar, which is to be taken to Varanasi for Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The initiative is intended to symbolise the connection between the two historic cities associated with PM Modi. HM Shah subsequently participated in a cleanliness drive at Vadnagar Railway Station, where trees were also planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. The statewide programmes, being held under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu, include activities focused on public service, cleanliness and community participation.
Amit Shah and Gujarat CM attend grand maha aarti at Jagannath temple for PM Modi
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