Police to question Google over 500K fake Gmail IDs linked to bomb hoax
Gujarat police will question Google over safeguards after uncovering 513,847 fake Gmail accounts used in a network sending hoax bomb threats
Sitavan Gir Gaushala donates 76 Gir cows to needy women in Gujarat
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Ashwini Vaishnaw Inaugurates 4 Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals In Gujarat, Lays Foundation For Fifth
Gujarat: GUJCTOC invoked against three members of notorious Babu Kaliya gang in Ahmedabad
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 15 (IANS) The Ahmedabad City Police have invoked the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act (GUJCTOC) against three alleged members of the Babu Kaliya gang after an investigation into a recent arms case found links to a wider network accused of involvement in offences including attempted murder, illegal arms dealings, narcotics and intimidation. The action follows the registration of a case at Vejalpur police station under Sections 109(1) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 25(1-B) and 27(1) of the Arms Act. During the investigation, police said they found that the accused had allegedly formed an organised gang and were involved in criminal activities in different parts of Ahmedabad. According to the Zone-7 police, examination of the criminal records of the accused showed that about 14 serious offences had been registered against members of the group at Vejalpur, Vatva, Danilimda and the Crime Branch (DCB). These cases relate to alleged illegal possession and sale of firearms, attempts to murder, deadly attacks, narcotics and threats. Police said the accused had continued their activities for about a decade despite preventive action under PASA and the CrPC and conditional bail orders by the court. Following a proposal submitted by the Vejalpur police inspector and approved by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Sections 3(1)(2), 3(2) and 3(4) of the GUJCTOC Act, 2015, were added to the case. The further investigation is being conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, N-Division, S M Patel. Mujahid Ali alias Babu Kaliya Sakirali Aashiqali Nai, 33, is in judicial custody, while police have obtained two days remand from the court for further investigation. Wasim alias Demo Usman Abdulgafar Shaikh, 26, is also in judicial custody, while 23-year-old Rozankhan alias Shezan Wahidkhan Pathan has been declared wanted. During further questioning, police said Mujahid Ali disclosed his alleged involvement in two earlier murder cases. He was acquitted in a murder case registered at Vejalpur in 2018, while he was named as an accused in a 2023 murder case at Bavla police station in Mehsana district in connection with allegedly supplying an arms weapon. Police said his questioning is continuing to determine whether he was involved in any other offences. The records cited by police show a long list of cases against Mujahid Ali. They include a 2017 DCB case under the Arms Act; several Vejalpur and DCB cases registered between 2022 and 2025 involving the IPC, BNS and Arms Act; a 2025 Danilimda case under Sections 8(C), 20(B) and 29 of the NDPS Act; a 2025 Vatva case involving alleged attempt to murder and offences under the Arms Act; and the 2018 Vejalpur murder case under Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC and the Arms Act. The 2023 Bavla case relates to Section 302 of the IPC and provisions of the Arms Act and the Gujarat Police Act. Wasim is named in three cases listed by the police, including two Vejalpur cases from 2025 and the 2026 case that led to the latest investigation. Rozankhan is also named in three Vejalpur cases, including two registered in 2025 and 2026 and the latest 2026 case. Further investigation is ongoing.
80 per cent of Malayalis benefited from Modi govt: Kerala BJP
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 15 (IANS) Claiming that around 80 per cent of Malayalis have benefited from various initiatives of the Narendra Modi government, the BJP on Tuesday announced an extensive month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Kerala from September 17 to October 17 to mark 25 years of Modis public service. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the campaign would focus on taking the message of service-oriented politics directly to the people. The party plans to reach at least 50 lakh people across Kerala during the month-long programme. BJP state general secretary S. Suresh said the reach of the Modi governments welfare and development initiatives in Kerala was extensive, with around 80 per cent of Malayalis having benefited from one or more of its schemes. He said the scale of the governments outreach could be gauged from schemes covering welfare, banking, digital payments and even Covid vaccination. The BJP will organise programmes at nearly 20,000 booths across the state. Around 2,000 party representatives will conduct ward-level audits to identify beneficiaries of Central government schemes and assess their reach. Special camps will also be held to identify eligible people who have not received scheme benefits and help them access them. The campaign is being organised to mark 25 years since Modi became Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. According to the BJP, his tenure in Gujarat demonstrated an approach of turning crises into opportunities and placing development at the centre of governance. The party will also highlight what it describes as Indias major advances in infrastructure and the economy since Modi became Prime Minister in 2014. As part of the campaign, beneficiaries of Central schemes will participate in Vikas Ke Liye Deepam, lighting lamps at their homes to express solidarity with PM Modi. Drawing and speech competitions on Swapna Bharat will be held for school students from September 17 to October 7, while Anganwadi Utsav will be organised from September 25 to October 7. Blood donation and medical camps will be held from September 25 to October 2. The BJPs help desks, launched a year ago, will coordinate the activities. Seva Samarpan Month will be observed officially in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Palakkad and Thrippunithura municipalities and BJP ruled panchayats. On October 7, Vikas Jyothi Yatras will be held from 30 BJP organisational district centres across Kerala, culminating in public meetings attended by party workers and beneficiaries of Central government schemes. Chandrasekhar said the campaign was aimed at conveying the message that public service should be the foundation of politics and sharing with people the journey of Modis 25 years in public life.
Surats 29th Ganesh Mahotsav to Feature Grand Konark Sun Temple-Themed Pandal
Ten-day celebrations to include social service initiatives, with a 76-kg cake to be cut to mark PM Narendra Modis 76th birthday Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 15: Sairam Yuvak Mandal is
Mr. Rahul Jain Honoured with Accountancy Excellence Award 2026
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 15: Recognising his innovative, student-friendly and result-oriented approach to teaching Accountancy, Mr. Rahul Jain, Founder & Accountancy Educator of Pioneer Commerce Academy, has been honoured with
Gujarat police to query Google over 500,000 fake Gmail IDs linked to bomb hoax
Gujarat police broke up an email network this week that they described as sending inter-state bomb threats and arrested two individuals, uncovering 513,847 Gmail IDs and passwords being used since 2022.
GPSC Interview Schedule 2026 Out - Download Online, Interview Date
GPSC has released the Fifth Phase (Part-2) interview call letter for Advt No. 82/2024-25 (Gujarat Health Service, Class-2 Medical Officer, Insurance Medical Officer, and Tutor posts). Check the interview date of 19 September 2026, roll number list, download steps from gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in, required documents, and preference order rules in this complete guide.
Nitin Nabin to make first MP visit as BJP chief on PM Modi's birthday
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Sep 15 (IANS) BJP President Nitin Nabin will visit Madhya Pradesh on September 17 for the first time after taking charge of the party's top organisational post, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday. His visit coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and comes at a time when the BJP is focusing on strengthening its organisation in the state ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. Nitin Nabin ji will be in our state on September 17 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yadav said talking to news reporters. The Chief Minister recalled PM Modi's visit to Madhya Pradesh last year, when he performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of the PM MITRA Park. He said the project was aimed at creating opportunities for farmers and the poor and strengthening the state's textile sector. Chief Minister Yadav added that the park would particularly benefit cotton growers and help revive the cotton industry in the state. More than six lakh cotton-producing farmers got an opportunity to benefit from it. There has been an effort to revive the cotton industry, he said. The Chief Minister said the PM MITRA Park was a significant initiative for Madhya Pradesh and part of the development-oriented approach pursued by PM Modi. He also highlighted PM Modi's long association with governance, first as the Gujarat Chief Minister and later as the country's Prime Minister, saying initiatives had covered different sectors. Over the past 25 years, first during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as the country's Prime Minister, PM Modi has brought benefits across all sectors, Chief Minister Yadav said. Nabin's Madhya Pradesh visit is also significant for the state BJP as the party seeks to maintain its organisational momentum after its strong electoral performance in recent years. The state government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is simultaneously highlighting welfare and development programmes, with the party's organisational machinery preparing for the next Assembly election due in 2028. During his visit, Nabin is expected to interact with Madhya Pradesh BJP leaders and workers.
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Open in Ahmedabad and Vadodara Today?
Heavy rain continues to disrupt daily life in Gujarat. Are schools open in Ahmedabad and Vadodara today? Get the latest updates on school closures, DEO advisories, and safety guidelines for September 15, 2026.
Growth must go hand in hand with ecology: CM Patel at World Circular Economy Forum
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 15 (IANS) Gujarat must pursue industrial growth without compromising its ecological resources, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Tuesday, stressing that development and environmental protection should be treated as complementary priorities rather than competing objectives. Addressing the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 in Gandhinagar, CM Patel said the central challenge was to achieve economic growth while ensuring that natural resources were utilised efficiently and responsibly. Development and environment are not contradictory. We need growth as well as greenery, industry as well as ecology, prosperity as well as sustainability, he said. CM Patel said Gujarat had sought to maintain this balance through initiatives in industrial development, renewable energy, waste and water management and resource efficiency. The WCEF would provide the state an opportunity to present its experience to an international audience while learning from practices developed elsewhere, he said. He pointed to the Somnath Temple as an example of how circular economy principles could be applied in an institutional and religious setting. Flowers, bel patra, milk, water, panchamrit, clothes and other offerings made by devotees are processed rather than simply discarded, he said. The sacred liquid generated during the temples abhishek is scientifically purified and made available as Som-Ganga Jal, while flowers, bel patra and other organic waste, including food waste, are converted into manure. Plastic waste is used to make paver blocks, with women from local Sakhi Mandals trained and involved in the activity, he noted. CM Patel said such practices demonstrated that converting waste into resources could have both economic and environmental dimensions. The Waste to Wealth approach could also contribute to rural livelihoods and give greater momentum to the rural economy, he emphasised. He added that the circular economy could play an important role in strengthening energy security as countries confronted changing global conditions. CM Patel also linked the circular economy to Indias traditional practices of reuse and recycling. These principles had long been part of everyday life and could now be combined with modern technology, policy and industrial systems, he said. The Chief Minister said the four-day forum should move beyond discussion and help generate practical solutions that could be applied across countries. He expressed confidence that the deliberations would contribute to global welfare and help realise the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam through international cooperation on circularity.
Long-pending Kishau Dam Project deal inked; Centre, six states sign MoU
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the long-pending Kishau Project was signed on Tuesday between the Centre and six states -- Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, bringing an end to a prolonged dispute over the sharing of the project's financial burden and distribution of its benefits. The agreement was reached at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which was attended by the Chief Ministers of all six participating states -- Uttarakhand's Pushkar Singh Dhami, Himachal Pradesh's Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Haryana's Nayab Singh Saini, Rajasthan's Bhajanlal Sharma, Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath and Delhi's Rekha Gupta. Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, along with the Chief Secretaries of the participating states, were also present during the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for facilitating what he described as a historic agreement. The people of Rajasthan are very fortunate, because as you know, water scarcity has been a major challenge in Rajasthan. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuous agreements are being finalised -- whether it is our ERCP, the Chambal-Kalisindh-Parbati link, the Yamuna water agreement with Haryana, the Narmada agreement among Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, or today's Kishau Dam agreement between Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, CM Sharma said. The Kishau Project had remained stuck for years due to differences over the financial responsibilities of the participating states, particularly Himachal Pradesh's share in the cost of electricity generation. Under an earlier agreement, Himachal Pradesh was expected to share the cost of power generation from the project with Uttarakhand, while the downstream states were to benefit from the water supplied through the project. The previous BJP government in Himachal Pradesh had agreed to contribute Rs 800 crore as the state's share towards the project. However, the present Congress government opposed the arrangement, citing the state's limited financial resources and its inability to take on the additional financial burden. The prolonged deadlock was eventually resolved in June this year following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. Under the revised arrangement, 90 per cent of the cost of the water component of the project will be borne by the Centre as central assistance, ensuring that Himachal Pradesh does not take any financial burden for the construction of the water component. As per the terms agreed upon by the participating states, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana will jointly bear the estimated Rs 2,000 crore cost of the power component on the Himachal Pradesh side. The revised financial arrangement has removed the major point of contention and paved the way for the signing of the MoU. The Kishau Dam is proposed to be constructed on the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna, along the border of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Once completed, the project will be among the tallest dams in India and is expected to have significant benefits in terms of hydropower generation, irrigation and drinking water supply. The project is located in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmour district and envisages the construction of a 236-metre-high concrete dam. It is designed to generate hydropower while also creating irrigation potential covering around 97,000 hectares. In addition to its power and irrigation benefits, the project is expected to supply 517 million cubic metres (MCM) of drinking water annually to the participating states. The total estimated cost of the Kishau Project is around Rs 15,000 crore. The signing of the agreement is expected to provide a fresh impetus to the implementation of the long-pending project and strengthen cooperation among the six states and the Centre on water management, hydropower generation and the equitable distribution of the project's benefits.
From Gujarat Chief Minister To PM, Narendra Modi's 25-Year Political Journey
From taking charge as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 to leading the country since 2014, PM Narendra Modi is set to complete 25 years in continuous executive office.
Gujarat Weather: Extremely Heavy Rain Warning For 3 Districts; Ahmedabad, 10 Others On Alert
Gujarat faces heavy rain as the IMD warns of extremely heavy falls in Surendranagar, Rajkot and Morbi. Ahmedabad and several other districts are also on alert, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds expected.
Gujarat Weather: Extremely Heavy Rain Warning For Ahmedabad and These 3 Districts
Gujarat faces heavy rain as the IMD warns of extremely heavy falls in Surendranagar, Rajkot and Morbi. Ahmedabad and several other districts are also on alert, with thunderstorms, lightning and strong...
80 per cent drugs in Punjab now coming from BJP-ruled states: Kejriwal
The former Delhi chief minister also claimed that drugs enter India through Mundra Port in Gujarat and said stopping such trafficking was the responsibility of the BJP-led central government
A major fake cancer drug racket has been busted in Karnataka, with investigators alleging that a licensed pharmacist supplied counterfeit medicines and critical-care injections to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru and neighbouring regions. The network allegedly repackaged cheap medicines as expensive imported products and also had links to Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Daisy Shah on Ganpati celebrations: Bappa is the same, but feelings are new
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 15 (IANS) Actress Daisy Shah, who celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi at home, says the festival brings a renewed sense of happiness and positivity every year, with Lord Ganeshas presence creating a special environment in her household. Talking to IANS about Ganesh pooja, Daisy said: Bappa is the same; we are the same. It's just that the feelings are new. There is new happiness. And whenever Bappa comes home, we feel that there is a different vibe going on in the house. The atmosphere is different. Everything starts to feel good. Daisy shared that the Ganpati idol stays in her house only for one and a half days. So, what all special delicacies does she plan to prepare for Ganpati. In Gujarati, we make a ladoo, which is made of wheat flour and jaggery. We make it every year for Bappa. And because it is only for one and a half days, we make sure that all the devotees who come to our house, they get the same homemade prasad that we make for Baba. It is the age of social media, she said. Asked if being spiritual helps amid all the negativity in social media, Daisy said: It is very important to be spiritual. If nothing else, your thought process, your thinking, your perspective matters. If someone trolls you, you can shut him down by ignoring him. She added: And if you want to retaliate, you can just give your point of view and tell them whether you are right or wrong. Ganesh Chaturthi began on September 14 and will mark the start of the 10-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesha. Talking about Daisy, she was recently seen in the show Alliance had her maiden breakthrough in the 2011 Kannada film Bhadra. The actress was later seen opposite Salman Khan in the 2014 Hindi film Jai Ho.
Iconic Glory Awards 2026 Celebrates Talent and Excellence in Surat
Over 50 individuals with exceptional talent honored with awards. Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 14: The Iconic Glory Awards 2026a grand event celebrating talent, achievement, and excellencewas organized at The Privilege
Gujarat Police Reshuffle: DGP G S Malik Transfers 7 PIs, 6 Posted to ATS
Gujarat DGP G S Malik orders transfer of 7 Police Inspectors. Six officers have been posted to ATS, while one PI moves to Ahmedabad Rural.
Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar passes away; Udaipur mourns end of an era
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 15 (IANS) A pall of grief has descended over Udaipur, Rajasthan, and the wider Mewar region following the death of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, a member of the former Mewar royal family. She passed away late on Monday at the age of 83 after a prolonged illness. Her death has prompted an outpouring of condolences across Udaipur, Mewar and Marwar, with admirers from across India and abroad, social organisations and political leaders paying tribute to her life and legacy. Remembered for her warmth, dignity and commitment to public welfare, Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari made significant contributions to education and social service, particularly in Udaipur. Her passing marks the end of an era for a figure who remained closely associated with the citys cultural and social identity. Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari belonged to one of Indias most distinguished royal lineages. She was born into the former royal family of Kutch in Gujarat and was the younger daughter of Maharaj Fateh Singh of Kutch and granddaughter of the Maharao of Kutch. Following her marriage, she became a member of the former royal family of Mewar and the wife of the late Arvind Singh Mewar. She was also the mother of Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a prominent social worker and educationist who represents the present generation of the Mewar family. Throughout her life, Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari balanced her family responsibilities with a deep commitment to preserving Mewars traditions and its longstanding ethos of public service. Her affectionate demeanour, combined with a strong sense of responsibility, earned her respect both within the royal family and among people across Udaipur. Education was among the most enduring aspects of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumaris public life. She received her early education at the Franciscan Convent School in Ooty, an experience that gave her a modern outlook while grounding her in strong values. After settling in Udaipur, she took a keen interest in expanding access to education and supporting initiatives aimed at womens empowerment. Her association with Maharana Mewar Public School (MMPS) became particularly significant. During the 1980s, she played an important role in the institutions development and transformation, helping guide it towards a modern, disciplined and quality-focused educational model. Her contribution to the institution left a lasting impact, with generations of students going on to pursue higher education and professional careers. For those who knew her closely, education was not simply an institution-building exercise for Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari -- it was a means of creating opportunities and shaping the future of young people. Following her death, the royal family and the administration have made arrangements for her final rites in accordance with established traditions. Her funeral procession departed in the morning from Shambhu Niwas Palace in the City Palace complex in Udaipur. A large number of citizens, members of social organisations and dignitaries gathered at the palace to pay their final respects before the procession proceeded to Mahasatiyaji at Ahar, the historic royal cremation ground of the Mewar family. Her last rites are being performed there in accordance with traditional rituals, with a royal guard of honour. The scenes surrounding her final journey reflected the deep connection she had built with the people of Udaipur over the decades. A series of condolence gatherings, known as Tiye ki Baithak, will be held in memory of Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewar. According to official information, the meetings will be held daily from September 16 to September 23, between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., at Shambhu Niwas Palace in the City Palace complex. Rajmata Vijayraj Kumari Mewars life was shaped by two powerful themes: tradition and service. While she remained a custodian of the heritage and traditions associated with the Mewar family, her work in education and social welfare reflected a forward-looking vision. For Udaipur, her passing is therefore more than the death of a member of a former royal family. It is the loss of a woman who, over several decades, became part of the citys social and cultural fabric.
Gujarat University Result 2026 Out - Direct Link to Check UG
Gujarat University Result 2026 is out for UG & PG Courses. Check the direct link, steps to download your provisional marksheet, and important dates here.
Gujarat Police busts inter-state bomb threat email network with Bangladesh links
According to the Deputy Chief Minister, cyber investigators recovered a database containing more than 5.13 lakh email credentials during the investigation
Delhi-NCR likely to receive light rain; IMD issues thunderstorm alert in 20 states
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 15 (IANS) Residents of Delhi-NCR may experience light rainfall on Tuesday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast generally cloudy conditions, with isolated spells of very light to light rain likely from the forenoon to the afternoon. IMD also issued thunderstorm and rain alerts in 20 states. The maximum temperature in the national capital is expected to remain between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is likely to settle between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius. According to the weather department, Delhi-NCR and several other parts of the country are likely to witness fluctuating weather conditions this week, with rain expected on some days, while relatively dry conditions may prevail on others. Although monsoon activity has weakened compared with previous weeks, the IMD has warned of thunderstorms, lightning and rainfall in 20 states. Gusty winds could reach speeds of up to 60 kmph in some areas, prompting authorities to advise residents to exercise caution during periods of adverse weather. The weather warning covers a wide geographical area, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra, among other regions. The IMD on Monday said the southwest monsoon is likely to begin withdrawing from the country around September 19, with the retreat expected to commence from west Rajasthan. The normal withdrawal date for the region is September 17, while last year the process began on September 14. The department said the country's cumulative rainfall deficit currently stands at 15 per cent. Several districts, particularly in western, southern and northeastern regions, continue to record deficient rainfall. Despite the expected retreat of the monsoon, several parts of the country are likely to receive additional rainfall during the week. The west and northwest regions, along with parts of the southern peninsula, are expected to witness increased rainfall activity.
Gujarat Police dismantle interstate bomb threat email network linked to Bangladesh
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Gujarat weather today: IMD warns of heavy rain in Surat, Rajkot as monsoon withdrawal nears
Rainfall activity is expected to remain strong across parts of western and central India on September 15, with Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch likely to see heavy showers under the influence of a low-pressure area. Meanwhile, the IMD said conditions are becoming favourable for the Southwest Monsoon to withdraw from parts of west Rajasthan around September 19.
Executive program on labour law, social security compliance concludes at GNLU
Gandhinagar, Sep 12: The inaugural cohort of the Executive Development Program on Labour Law and Social Security Compliance (EPFO at Core) concluded on Monday at Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) with a valedictory and certificate distribution ceremony. Jointly developed by GNLU and the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Academy of Social Security (PDUNASS), the apex training academy of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the three-month executive programme brought together 60 industry practitioners for rigorous hybrid learning, practical case studies and written assessments. The programme was conceptualised by Kumar Rohit, Additional Central PF Commissioner (HQ) and Director, PDUNASS, to address the persistent gap between classroom theory and practical enterprise compliance. The initiative seeks to foster a cultural shift in corporate governancefrom defensive and reactive compliance to informed and ethical compliance. The vision took institutional shape through sustained collaboration with Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU, whose academic leadership and commitment contributed significantly to establishing a specialised platform for social security education. Dr. Nitin Malik, Registrar, GNLU, provided proactive institutional facilitation and administrative support. A key feature of the programme is its dynamic and evolving curriculum, designed to respond continuously to statutory reforms, technological advancements and changing workplace environments. During the inaugural cycle, the curriculum was updated in real time to incorporate transition mechanisms under the Code on Social Security 2020, the revised EPF, EPS and EDLI scheme frameworks, and operational practices aligned with live EPFO digital portal workflows. Launched on May 29, 2026, the programme commenced on June 5 and featured 23 interactive evening sessions led by 16 senior resource persons, including EPFO policymakers and legal academics. The programme culminated in a four-day campus immersion at GNLU from September 9 to 12, featuring practical compliance case studies and formal written evaluations. The valedictory ceremony was chaired by Chief Guest Dr. Justice K. J. Thakar, Former Judge of the High Courts of Gujarat and Allahabad and Chairperson of Gujarat State Human Rights Commission. Highlighting the constitutional and human dimensions of social welfare, Justice Thakar observed that provident fund legislation constitutes a foundational safety net for Indias workforce. Drawing upon his extensive judicial experience, he commended the joint institutional initiative and congratulated Kumar Rohit for identifying an important systemic need and translating it into an impactful executive education programme. Addressing the participants, Kumar Rohit said: This initiative is designed to drive a lasting cultural paradigm shift in enterprise governancetransitioning from defensive, checklist compliance to informed, ethical compliance. When compliance is executed with accuracy at the source, returns are clean, administrative friction dissolves, and social security entitlements reach the worker swiftly and with dignity. As the inaugural cohort, you carry the responsibility of being practitioners and ambassadors of this standard across Indias industrial landscape. Kumar Rohit expressed his gratitude to Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar for his vision and academic leadership; Dr. Nitin Malik for institutional facilitation; and Prof. (Dr.) Girish R., Head, Academic Affairs, GNLU, Dr. Asha Verma, Assistant Professor of Law and Dr. Hardik H. Parikh, Assistant Professor of Law and Programme Coordinator, for curating, coordinating and steering the programme, with sustained coordination support from Sudhanshi Sikarwar, Teaching and Research Associate (Law), GNLU. He placed on record his appreciation for the guidance and support extended by the Advisory Board of the Executive Development Programme, comprising Amit Vashisht, Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, and Regional Provident Fund Commissioners-I Uttam Prakash, Manoranjan Kumar, Prashant Sharma, Sanjay Kumar Rai and Ram Anand. The ceremony was attended by senior officers, including Sudeepta Ghosh, Additional CPFC (Gujarat), and Manoranjan Kumar, RPFC-I, PDUNASS. Dr. Hardik Parikh presented the programme report, outlining its pedagogical outcomes and participant performance. In view of the strong nationwide response to the inaugural programme, PDUNASS and GNLU announced that admissions for the second batch will open shortly.
CM Mann slams BJPs Nasha Mukt Yatra, says secure Gujarats Mundra Port first
Crorepati Bappas draw devotees, prompt tight security
29-year-old woman molested during Ganesh Agman procession
SMC inspects hostel kitchens across city institutes
NRI accuses man of intercourse by deceit
BJP is bringing UCC to target Muslims, says Asaduddin Owaisi
Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Sep 14 (IANS) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi said on Monday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is bringing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the states where it is in power to target the 18 crore Muslims across the country. Reacting to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement that all 21 NDA-ruled states will implement UCC before 2029 Lok Sabha elections, Owaisi said that BJP is not bringing the UCC for equality but only to target Muslims. The BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are doing this against Articles 25 which guarantees freedom of religion, Article 14 which guarantees the right to equality, and Articles 26 and 29 of the Constitution, the Hyderabad MP told media persons. So, the first thing we need to understand is that the BJP is not doing this for equality. It is only to target Muslims. The second thing you need to understand is that the soul of this country is pluralism. The third point is that Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP and the RSS are trying to impose Hindu laws on non-Hindus. The fourth point is that the Law Commission, which was constituted by the Narendra Modi government, said in its report that a UCC is neither necessary nor desirable for India, Owaisi said. Fifthly, we want to ask: Why do you have the 'Disturbed Area Act' in your states, under which a Hindu cannot sell his property to a Muslim. And why do you have laws regarding Love Jihad? The AIMIM Chief challenged Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP, and the RSS to go ahead and implement the UCC there. If Amit Shah talks about 'understanding the chronology', then let me tell youstand in Goa and declare that you will implement the same UCC law there that you introduced in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam, Owaisi said. The Hyderabad MP added that those who are against Muslims say that Goa has the UCC. They are fooling themselves and trying to mislead the world. In Goa, if a Hindu marriage takes place according to Hindu religious customs, and after the marriage, if a Hindu woman does not have a child by the age of 25, her Hindu husband can take a second wife. There is also a provision that if, by the age of 30, she does not give birth to a male child, he can marry again. This provision exists in Goa. The third point is that there is an exemption for Catholics. What is the exemption? Their marriage registration can be done through a Catholic priest rather than through the government, Owaisi said. The Hyderabad MP criticised the West Bengal government's order to close 252 madrassas across the state, saying this was being done out of BJP's hatred towards Muslims and Islam. He said that they were shutting down madrassas because Muslims who study there receive Quranic education according to their religion. He termed this as a clear violation of Article 30 of the Constitution, saying minorities have the right to establish institutions of their choice. On row over food served at BRICS Summit 2026, Owaisi said that India's diversity includes different cultures, religions, languages and food habits. According to the AIMIM Chief, around 20 per cent of minorities in India are vegetarian. We do not know what discussions took place with China, what will happen to the land occupied by China where we used to patrol, Owaisi said. Why are you playing with them, the AIMIM Chief asked on Indian women's cricket refusing to accept the Women's Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council President and Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Mohsin Naqvi. When the Indus Water Treaty has been put on abeyance, how is the ICC contract an obligation? You are allowing the BCCI to make money through TV rights. Why doesn't the government have empathy towards the people whose family members were butchered by the terrorists in Pahalgam, Owaisi asked and claimed that even the recent Red Fort suicide blast was again sponsored by Pakistan.
Gujarat allocates Rs 692 crore to widen Kutch and Banaskantha highways
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80pc drugs coming from Pakistan eliminated, says Punjab CM
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 14 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that while the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government is taking decisive action against gangsters and the drug menace, the Opposition is resorting to vulture politics by using every unfortunate incident to stay in the media spotlight instead of presenting a vision for the state. He added that 10 gangsters have been brought back to Punjab from abroad since January and nearly 80 per cent of the drugs coming from Pakistan have been eliminated following the state government's crackdown. The Chief Minister affirmed the state government will now tighten the noose on the supply coming from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while taking direct aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the drug route and saying if the BJP takes care of the Mundra Port in Gujarat, the drug menace in Punjab will be almost eliminated. He also said the Congress and the Akali Dal, who urtured gangsters, have no right to speak on law and order, and called upon all three opposition parties to stop their dirty politics and present their vision for Punjab before the people. Calling out Opposition's vulture politics at a press meet, CM Mann noted, When you have no issue, you start feeding on every unfortunate incident. This is not politics of public service, this is 'vulture politics'. Punjab deserves better than this cheap politics. The Chief Minister said that instead of appreciating the Punjab government's sustained battle against drugs, gangsters and organised crime, the Opposition is deliberately trying to create fear and defame Punjab for narrow political gains. Punjab is not merely a border state but the gateway to the country and a gem of India. Any attempt to portray the entire state through the prism of isolated incidents is a deliberate attempt to malign Punjab and its people. CM Mann said his government had adopted a comprehensive roadmap to dismantle the nexus of drugs, gangsters and organised crime. Our (AAP government's) fight is not limited to making arrests. We are identifying networks, intercepting consignments, choking financial channels and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Punjab Police is working day and night and we have not allowed criminals to dictate the agenda of the state. Those involved in drugs and gang-related activities are being pursued relentlessly, irrespective of their political connections or influence, the Chief Minister added. Taking on the BJP over the issue of drug smuggling, CM Mann said that desperate attempts are being made to smuggle drugs into Punjab from across the 532-km border. The consignments being pushed into Punjab may be in small packets, but the BJP, especially the Union Home Minister (Amit Shah), should answer why tons of such consignments are available in BJP-ruled states. The Chief Minister said that Punjab Police have recovered a huge consignment of such drugs from the Mundra Port, which is in the native state of the Union Home Minister. The Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) is not able to check drugs in his own state and is planning to undertake an anti-drug yatra in Punjab, CM Mann added.
Watch: Dispute over Ganesh festival contributions escalates into violence in Gujarat
From Varanasi to Vadnagar, BJYM plans 21-Day youth 'seva yatra' across 10 states
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 14 (IANS) More than 1,000 young volunteers from across the country will take part in a 21-day Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Seva Yatra connecting Prime Minister Narendra Modis childhood home town of Vadnagar in Gujarat with his parliamentary constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, organisers said on Monday. The Varanasi to Vadnagar Seva Yatra will begin on September 17 and continue until October 7, with participants travelling simultaneously in two directions from Vadnagar to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Vadnagar. The campaign is being organised to mark and draw inspiration from 25 years of PM Modis public life and his emphasis on public service and nation-building. BJYM national president and Vadodara Lok Sabha MP Hemang Joshi said the programme would not be limited to a motorcycle journey, but would seek to involve young people in community service activities along the routes. Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years of public life represent an inspiring journey of service, dedication and putting the nation first for the youth of India. This Seva Yatra from Varanasi to Vadnagar is an effort to transform that philosophy of life into a resolve of the nations youth, Joshi said. Our objective is to ensure that the youth of India are not merely spectators of change, but active participants in nation-building, he added. The participants, or Seva Yatris, will come from several parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Bihar and the Northeast. The organisers said the participation of young people from different regions, languages and cultures was intended to reinforce the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. The Yatra will cover 20 routes named after sacred Indian rivers and pass through 10 states, 193 districts, 773 tehsils and 1,159 villages. At each halt, the participants will undertake service-oriented activities. Nearly 25 types of initiatives have been planned, including tree plantation and the creation of Seva Vatikas, cleanliness drives, Nasha Mukt Bharat and TB Mukt Bharat campaigns, water conservation and awareness programmes for a plastic-free India. The programme will also include the honouring of saints and seers and felicitations for sanitation workers. Joshi said the organisers would avoid traditional receptions for the participants and instead focus on cleanliness and community service. Under the Swachhta Se Swagat initiative, local BJYM workers will conduct cleanliness drives at each destination two days before the Seva Yatris arrive, he added. The Yatra will also establish a symbolic connection between Vadnagar and Varanasi through river water. Participants travelling from Vadnagar to Varanasi will carry sacred water from rivers in Gujarat for Jalabhishek at Kashi Vishwanath Dham. Those travelling in the opposite direction will carry sacred water from rivers in Uttar Pradesh for Jalabhishek at Shri Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar. Joshi said rivers were central to Indias civilisation, culture and faith and that using river water as a symbol of the Yatra was intended to represent cultural unity and a shared commitment to service. Nation-building is not the responsibility of the government alone. It is the responsibility of every citizen, and particularly of the youth. Inspired by PM Modi, we want every young Indian to make seva a part of their life in their respective communities and contribute to the building of a Viksit Bharat, he asserted. The Yatra will therefore seek to link Vadnagar, associated with PM Modis childhood and formative years, with Varanasi, where he has represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha and continued his public life.
UCC debate intensifies after HM Amit Shahs 2029 implementation push (Lead)
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) The debate over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) intensified on Monday, a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that it would be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029, with BJP leaders and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) backing the move while some NDA partners and Muslim organisations called for wider consultations. BJP leaders strongly endorsed Shah's announcement, arguing that a common set of laws was necessary for national unity and social reform. BJP MP Naresh Bansal said Uttarakhand, his home state and the first in the country to enact a UCC law, had shown the way for other states. He described the legislation as necessary for the country and said it would help safeguard demographic balance. BJP West Bengal President Samik Bhattacharya said the party had consistently supported a UCC and asserted that there should be one law in one country. State Minister Dilip Ghosh also backed implementation, saying the process should begin in Bengal and subsequently extend to other states. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Shah's announcement was in line with Article 44 of the Constitution, which directs the state to endeavour towards securing a Uniform Civil Code for citizens. Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also welcomed the move, saying the UCC should be implemented in BJP-ruled states before 2029. The VHP welcomed Shah's announcement, with spokesperson Vinod Bansal saying implementation would be a milestone for women's and children's rights by addressing gender inequality and discrimination. He also appealed to non-BJP-ruled states to initiate the process. However, the announcement has also exposed differing views within the NDA. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan called for the proposed UCC draft to first be made public and sought extensive consultations, pointing to India's diverse customs, traditions and constitutional protections for tribal communities and special-category regions. Meanwhile, opposition-ruled Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav too adopted a cautious approach, saying the state government would examine all aspects and there was no need to rush to conclusions. Opposition to the UCC also emerged from Muslim organisations. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board opposed the proposed legislation, with Bhopal Shahar Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi questioning its necessity in view of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom and minority rights. He appealed to people to participate in a September 17 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari criticised the BJP, alleging that the UCC was being used to divert attention from economic and social issues. The UCC seeks to establish a common framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption irrespective of religious affiliation. Bills have been passed in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, though the law is currently in force only in Uttarakhand.
Hindu shop refuses to give Ganesh Chaturthi donation, attacked
Gujarat: A dispute over donations for Ganpati Chaturthi celebrations turned violent in Gujarats Vadodara after a group of young men vandalised a shop when its owner refused to pay as a donation. The incident occured in Chokhandi area at a store called Rajasthan Kulfi Store. The men demanded Rs 21,000 as a contribution from the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tejashwi Yadav targets Centre over Bihar floods, alleges discrimination in relief
Digital Desk | Patna, Sep 14 (IANS) Floodwaters from the Ganga and several other rivers have inundated low-lying areas across Bihar, affecting lakhs of people and intensifying demands for greater government assistance. While relief and rescue operations are underway in several parts of the state, the situation has also triggered a fresh political confrontation between the opposition and the NDA governments at the Centre and in Bihar. Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has sharply criticised the Central Government over what he described as its alleged failure to provide adequate assistance to flood-hit Bihar. In a post on X, Yadav compared the Centres response to rainfall and disasters in Gujarat with its response to the ongoing flood situation in Bihar. Yadav alleged that even limited rainfall in Gujarat had prompted an immediate response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, including coordination with the state government and the deployment of the Air Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). He also referred to an earlier flood situation in Gujarat, claiming that the Prime Minister had conducted an aerial survey, announced a Rs 500-crore package and deployed the Army, Air Force and NDRF for relief and rescue operations. He further claimed that the families of victims were provided Rs 2 lakh in assistance. Comparing this with the situation in Bihar, Yadav alleged that more than 50 people had died, thousands of cattle were missing, losses had run into thousands of crores, and around 45 lakh people had been affected. Now look at Bihar: over 50 people have died due to floods, thousands of cattle are missing, losses run into thousands of crores, and 45 lakh people are affected; yet, let alone providing aid, neither the Prime Minister nor the Home Minister has uttered a single word, Yadav said. Neither Modi nor Shah had spoken to Bihars Chief Minister over the phone to discuss the flood situation, he further alleged. Yadav questioned what he described as a disparity in the Centres response to Gujarat and Bihar. Why is there such discrimination against our Bihar? he asked, alleging that the Central Government responds rapidly to disasters in Gujarat but remains inactive when large numbers of people are affected by floods in Bihar. Yadav also raised the issue of compensation for deaths caused by lightning strikes. He claimed that hundreds of people die from lightning strikes in Bihar every year, but that lightning has not been included in the list of national disasters, leaving victims without Central compensation. He contrasted this with the assistance he said was provided for rain-related deaths in Gujarat. The RJD leader also criticised Bihars BJP and NDA leaders, particularly the states MPs and Union ministers, for what he described as their silence over the flood crisis. Yadav recalled that former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar had, despite their political differences, previously joined hands to raise issues concerning Bihars rights during times of crisis. Now, however, the 30 MPs and seven Union Ministers are all mute, deaf, and blind; they cannot even speak up for their own rights, he alleged. Yadav said the opposition had been raising the issue since the beginning of the crisis and had also written to the Prime Minister seeking assistance for the flood-hit state. If a package is received from the Centre, it goes to the governmenttell me, what personal gain is there for me in this? he asked, arguing that his demand for Central assistance was motivated by concern for Bihar rather than political interests. Yadav further accused BJP leaders of believing that people in Bihar could be placated with short-term assistance immediately before elections. He alleged that BJP leaders were effectively saying that people could be left without adequate attention for most of the term and then offered food grains and cash shortly before elections. Expressing concern over the scale of the floods, Yadav said it was deeply shameful that millions of people had been affected while, according to him, there was no adequate assistance or assurance of additional support from the Centre. Just thinkwhy is this the case? Setting politics aside, I ask: why? Yadav said, alleging that Bihar was being treated unfairly despite its contribution to the nation.
From sanitation workers to organ donation: Gujarats Ganeshotsav takes a community focus
Digital Desk | Surat, Sep 14 (IANS) Ganeshotsav celebrations in parts of Gujarat took a community-focussed turn this year, with sanitation workers felicitated in Surat, an appeal for organ donation made during the festival and traditional celebrations held in Jamnagar and Vadodara. At the Kamrej Assembly Karmayog Office in Surat, the idol of Lord Ganesh was installed in the presence of state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and other officials after prayers and an 'aarti'. Sanitation workers and their families, who work through the night to keep the city clean, were specially felicitated during the event, while the first 'aarti' was performed by members of the sanitation worker families. Pansheriya said sanitation staff worked through the night to keep Surat clean and their contribution was important in maintaining cleanliness in the city and across the state. He called for people to worship together and conveyed a message of social harmony, saying that there should be no distinction between people as big or small. The event was organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, as part of programmes marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modis governance and public service journey. Pansheriya outlined government efforts to take public service and welfare initiatives to the people and prayed for the welfare, health and prosperity of citizens. He also urged people to ensure that government welfare and healthcare schemes reached those who needed them and could benefit from them. Linking the festival with a social cause, Pansheriya appealed to people to encourage organ donation during Ganeshotsav so that those awaiting transplants could receive a new lease of life. He called for greater public awareness and efforts to increase organ donation. Leaders and workers from the Kamrej Assembly constituency, along with a large number of people, attended the event, officials said. In Jamnagar, the Brahma Social Group organised the Open Saurashtra Modak Competition for the 18th consecutive year on Ganesh Chaturthi. A total of 44 participants competed across the children, women, men and senior citizen categories. The event promoted traditional, homemade and nutritious food while discouraging dependence on junk food. In Vadodara, Lord Ganpati was brought to the Laxmi Vilas Palace as part of the traditional procession of the royal family. The idol was prepared according to traditional practices and installed at the palace following rituals and prayers.
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (IANS) Gujarat Police arrested two men in Bihar and Jharkhand in connection with an inter-state network allegedly involved in sending bomb threat e-mails, including a message threatening to blow up the Gujarat Secretariat and other high-profile institutions, officials said on Monday. It threatened to blow up the office of the Gujarat Chief Minister, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and BRICS countries. The Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) said its investigation into the threat e-mail sent on September 10 led to the arrest of Roshan Kumar Rajendra Kumar Bhumihar from Bhagalpur in Bihar and alleged main accused Gulshan Kumar Kaushal Singh from Deoghar in Jharkhand. The investigation also uncovered a list containing 5,13,847 unique e-mail IDs and passwords, which police suspect was intended for use in sending further threatening e-mails and carrying out cyber crimes and other illegal activities. The threat e-mail was received at 9:47 a.m. on September 10 on the official e-mail ID of Gujarats Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Department. It threatened to blow up the office of the Gujarat Chief Minister, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and countries that supported India during the recent BRICS Summit. The message was sent from the e-mail address: 'jondmoragn52627@gmail.com'. According to the CCoE, a technical team analysed the threatening e-mail and traced its digital trail to Bhagalpur. Acting on the findings, police arrested Roshan Kumar Rajendra Kumar Bhumihar there. During his interrogation, he allegedly told investigators that the e-mail ID had been provided to him by Gulshan Kumar Kaushal Singh. The information led to a coordinated operation involving technical surveillance and field teams, following which Singh was arrested from Deoghar, police said. Investigators subsequently recovered a list containing 5,13,847 unique e-mail IDs along with their passwords from the accused. Police said the accounts had allegedly been created for sending threatening e-mails to government offices, schools and colleges and courts, besides being used for cyber crimes and other illegal activities. The investigation has also revealed an alleged Bangladesh connection to the network. Police said the accused were receiving financial support from co-accused persons based in Bangladesh and that the e-mail ID list had also been sent to co-accused persons there. Investigators have further found that crypto wallets were being used in connection with the financial transactions, the CCoE said. The police said the accused used sophisticated methods to create e-mail accounts and bypass authentication processes. The investigation into the e-mail IDs, including their intended use and possible links to other threatening messages or cybercrimes, is continuing. The operation was carried out simultaneously across three states, with the CCoE receiving assistance from Gandhinagar Police in Gujarat, Bhagalpur Police in Bihar and Deoghar Police in Jharkhand, officials added. Police have advised people who receive threatening e-mails not to panic and to immediately inform their local police or call the '1930' cybercrime helpline. They have also advised recipients not to delete, forward or circulate threatening e-mails, screenshots or unverified information on social media, and not to communicate with the sender. The investigation into the network and the large database of e-mail credentials remains underway.
Fresh UCC debate in MP as Muslim leaders oppose Bill, appeal for Delhi protest on Sep 17
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Sep 14 (IANS) A fresh debate over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has begun in Madhya Pradesh, with Muslim leaders opposing the proposed common personal law framework and appealing to the community to participate in a September 17 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. It has been nearly two months after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the UCC Bill on July 21. The legislation has been sent to the President for assent and is yet to come into force in the state. Members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held a meeting at its Khanugaon campus in Bhopal on Monday to discuss the UCC. After the meeting, Bhopal City Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi and Congress leader Arif Masood, an executive committee member of the AIMPLB, addressed a press conference and opposed the proposed law. Nadvi said the Muslim community did not accept the UCC and questioned its necessity in view of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom and minority rights. The Constitution guarantees religious freedom and the rights of minorities, so the necessity and impact of the UCC need to be seriously considered, the Bhopal City Qazi said. He also referred to a 1972 speech by former RSS Chief late M S Golwalkar, claiming that Golwalkar had said a civil code was not essential for national unity. Nadvi said matters related to Muslim personal law should be addressed by members of the community and those having knowledge of it. He also rejected arguments that Muslim personal law was inadequate on women's rights, saying Islam had granted women rights as mothers, daughters and wives, including rights in property. He appealed to the Muslims and secular citizens to join the September 17 programme at Jantar Mantar, saying the community would follow further directions issued by the AIMPLB. Masood said the Board had taken its position after consultations with people and organisations across the country. Five members associated with the Board in Madhya Pradesh deliberated on the issue and, with the Board's approval, we are appealing to people of the state to join the movement at Jantar Mantar on September 17, the Congress leader told IANS. The issue has acquired greater political significance after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday that the UCC would be introduced in all 21 states and Union Territories governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The UCC Bills have already been passed in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, though the law is currently in force only in Uttarakhand. Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh are awaiting the President's assent and subsequent notification. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari also criticised the BJP over the UCC, alleging that the issue was being used to divert public attention from pressing economic and social concerns. UCC is a tool in the hands of the BJP to mislead the country and spread hatred, Patwari told IANS.
Over 70 passports under scanner, MP STF widens fake passport probe
Digital Desk | Bhopal, Sep 14 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has widened its probe into a suspected fake passport racket, with more than 70 passports under scrutiny and four persons arrested so far. The investigation has spread to Bhopal, Gwalior, Betul, Chhindwara and Pandhurna, where investigators are examining passport applications, addresses and documents allegedly used to obtain the travel documents. STF Deputy Inspector General Rahul Lodha on Monday told IANS that the agency was also examining a passport of an accused arrested in Nagpur, which was found to have been issued in Gujarat. So far, a total of 70 passports are under investigation in connection with the fake passport case. We have also included another passport of an accused arrested from Nagpur, which was found to have been issued in Gujarat. The investigation is still underway, Lodha said. The four arrested accused are from the Northeast, including Assam, and their identities and other details are being verified, he said. The investigation has revealed that several passport applications were allegedly made using the same or suspicious addresses, raising the possibility of an organised network. In Madhya Pradesh, fake passports have been issued from four to five districts. In Gwalior, 17 passports were fraudulently applied for from the same location in Semariya Tal area of Dabra. In Bhopal, 40 passports were issued using an address in Anna Nagar, Lodha said. The STF is examining the Bhopal cases in which 40 passports were allegedly issued using the address of a math in Anna Nagar under the Govindpura police station area. Investigators are verifying the documents and addresses submitted with the applications to establish how the passports were obtained and whether local facilitators or agents were involved. The STF is also examining the suspected inter-state links of the network and checking whether the passports under scrutiny are connected. The officer also shared that further action, including arrests, would follow if the ongoing investigation establishes the involvement of more persons or uncovers additional fraudulent passport applications. The probe is being extended to other locations to determine the full extent of the suspected racket, he added.
Bhupender Yadav reviews Great Indian Bustard conservation work in Gujarats Kachchh
Digital Desk | Kachchh/New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday reviewed conservation and habitat-management efforts of the Gujarat Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India at the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat at Naliya in the Kachchh district. In a message on X, Yadav said, During my visit to the Great Indian Bustard Habitat in Naliya, Kutch, I interacted with representatives of the Jat Sumra and Darbar communities in 'Khatala Sabha' to garner their support in the conservation efforts of the Great Indian Bustard. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India has been laying emphasis on community-led stewardship for environmental protection and species conservation. The local pastoralist and agricultural groups in Kutch are key to ensuring the success of GIB conservation, he said. The minister also inaugurated the Soft Release Centre for the Great Indian Bustard at the facility and interacted with officials, said an official statement. He was briefed on the significant on-ground progress achieved in the GIB landscape. It included restoration of around 11 sq. km. of grassland infested with the invasive Prosopis juliflora; raising of 30 km of predator-proof fencing covering 15 sq. km; the pioneering 'jump-start' intervention in which infertile eggs laid by wild GIB females were replaced with viable eggs from the conservation breeding programme. Yadav was informed that the resulting chick from the second such attempt has survived beyond the critical first three months in the wild a landmark result for the species' recovery in Gujarat. He also flagged off 33 new patrolling and rescue vehicles for forest and wildlife conservation efforts. These vehicles would be utilised across various divisions under the Kachchh Forest Circle for forest protection, forest development, wildlife protection, field patrolling, monitoring and quick-response activities. The Minister later visited the Hariyalu Gram plantation in Sayara and was briefed on the Sayara Van Kavach initiative and an associated bee-keeping unit. He planted a sapling at the site, inaugurated the Sayara Van Kavach and witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Deendayal Port Authority for plantation activities.
Gujarat: Soft Release Centre for Great Indian Bustard inaugurated in Naliya in Kutch district
The Soft Release Centre is equipped with infrastructure to support the conservation, monitoring and gradual adaptation of GIBs to the natural environment
An Indian emissions trading scheme developed in Gujarat is now being explored internationally. This market-based approach encourages industries to reduce pollution through economic incentives. The successful pilot in Surat demonstrated significant emission reductions and cost savings for factories. This innovative model is now being considered for adoption in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The program's success has also generated renewed interest among other Indian states.
Gujarat to Host First World Circular Economy Forum in South Asia
The inaugural World Circular Economy Forum in Gandhinagar will gather over 2,000 stakeholders from 65 countries to discuss sustainability. Gujarat to Host First World Circular Economy Forum in South Asia
Wig and three aliases how a 56-year-old duped 42 investors of Rs 30 crore
The accused used the proceeds of the fraud to fund a luxurious lifestyle, including luxury flats, high-end cars, and expensive watches, while enticing 42 victims across Maharashtra and Gujarat with promises of 5 per cent monthly returns on investments, an official from EOW said
Gujarat Police seize liquor worth over Rs 22 lakh in three raids, 11 held
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (IANS) The Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth more than Rs 22 lakh in three separate raids in Amreli, Aravalli and Valsad districts, arresting 11 people and naming 16 others as wanted accused, police said on Monday. In the latest raid, conducted within the limits of Valsad district's Pardi police station, the SMC seized liquor and beer worth Rs 3,21,937, along with two vehicles, two mobile phones, and other material, taking the total value of the seized items to Rs 3,71,937. The raid was carried out by a team led by SMC Police Sub-Inspector J.S. Rajput from Kikerla village in Daman and Udvada railway station and National Highway 48 in Pardi taluka. Police said around 25 boxes containing Indian-made liquor and beer, comprising 1,514 bottles, were seized during the operation. Eight people were arrested, and seven others were declared wanted. A case was registered at Pardi police station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act. Among those arrested were Harshad Halpati, a resident of Jalalpor in Navsari district, and Kamlesh Patel, a resident of Rentlav in Pardi. Police also arrested six women who were allegedly found with the liquor consignment. The seven wanted accused include Shailesh alias Shaiyla Vankad Patel of Nani Daman and Bhavesh alias Bhavlo Kalio of Pardi. Police said five others, including those allegedly involved in transporting liquor in rickshaws, were also wanted. In Amreli district, the SMC raided a water sump building in the farm area of Khumbhala village under Babra taluka on September 12 and seized around 70 boxes of Indian-made liquor and beer containing 3,013 bottles. The liquor was valued at Rs 8,44,507, while the total value of the seized material, including three vehicles, one mobile phone, cash and other items, was Rs 19,51,107. Two people -- Raviraj Khachar of Nilvada village and Raghuvir Khachar of Khumbhala village -- were arrested in the Amreli raid, while three others were declared wanted. They were identified as Lalabhai Garania of Gadhada, Maulik Teraiya of Babra and Desurabhai Gadhvi of Sitapar village in Botad district. In Aravalli district, the SMC conducted a raid on a public road on the outskirts of Vatrak village within Bayad police station limits on September 13. Police seized around 100 boxes of Indian-made liquor and beer containing 3,870 bottles, valued at Rs 10,58,682. One vehicle, two mobile phones and other material were also seized, taking the total value of the seized items to Rs 20,69,682. One person, Anant Kumar Patel of Moti Katdi Madh Faliya in Godhra, was arrested in the Aravalli case, while six others were declared wanted. Police identified one of them as Abhesing Jadeja, who was from Ahmedabad. The remaining wanted accused included a person allegedly involved in supplying the liquor from Chaklasi in Kheda district, along with four others allegedly involved in transporting the liquor, piloting the vehicles and owning or possessing the vehicle. Cases were registered at Babra, Bayad and Pardi police stations under relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
Wig, 3 Aliases, Rs 30 Crore Scam: Mumbai Conman Arrested In Gujarat
Wearing a wig to hide his identity and living under three different aliases, a 56-year-old conman who allegedly duped investors of more than Rs 30 crore through a stock market scam has been arrested from Gujarat, an official said on Monday.
Jackie Shroff celebrates 8 years of Ventilator starring Pratik Gandhi
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 14 (IANS) Bollywood star Jackie Shroff marked the eight year anniversary of his Gujarati film Ventilator, starring Pratik Gandhi. The film, which released on September 14, 2018, was a Gujarati adaptation of the 2016 Marathi film of the same name, originally written and directed by Rajesh Mapuskar. The Gujarati version was directed by Umang Vyas and produced by Falguni Patel and Lawrence D'Souza under Irada Entertainment. The film revolves around the Mandalia family, which comes together when its patriarch, Girija Prasad Mandalia, is placed on a ventilator. At its heart, the film explores family bonds, love, respect and the complicated relationships between generations. Pratik Gandhi plays Prashant Mandalia, Girija Prasad's son, whose relationship with his father forms an important emotional thread in the narrative. Jackie Shroff plays Jagdish Jaggu Mandalia, while the ensemble also features Pravinchandra Shukla, Sanjay Goradia, Utkarsh Mazumdar, Suchita Trivedi, Mehul Buch, Tejal Vyas and Mitra Gadhavi. Juhi Chawla and Malhar Thakar also make cameo appearances. The film marked an important phase in Gandhi's career as he established himself as one of the prominent actors of Gujarati cinema. Before becoming a familiar face to the wider Hindi-speaking audience, Pratik Gandhi had already built a strong body of work in Gujarati films, with movies such as Bey Yaar, Wrong Side Raju, Tamburo and Love Ni Bhavai. The actors breakthrough on the Hindi streaming scene came with Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story in 2020, in which he played stockbroker Harshad Mehta. The performance brought him widespread recognition across India.
Gujarat: At Least 1 Killed, 3 Injured As Three-Storey House Collapses In Ahmedabad
Four people were trapped as an ageing Khadia house collapsed, killing one and injuring three.
Rain, thunderstorms likely in Delhi today; heavy rain alert in 10 states
IMD has forecast another spell of rainfall in the capital, with isolated heavy showers likely through September 17; Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala and parts of the northeast also under heavy rain alert
Modis Schoolmate Meets PM, Seeks CBI Probe Into Decades-Old Land Dispute
An 81-year-old man who says he shared his school years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat has personally approached the Prime Minister over a long-running property dispute in Maharashtra, seeking a CBI investigation into what he alleges is a case
Gujarat to global: How idea to fix pollution has lessons for Delhi
An Indian emissions trading scheme is now inspiring global environmental solutions. This innovative approach incentivizes industries to reduce pollution effectively. Gujarat's successful pilot program demonstrated significant emission reductions and cost savings. The scheme is now expanding across India and attracting international interest. This model offers a competitive advantage for industries embracing cleaner practices.
Gujarat is likely to witness widespread rain and thunderstorms on September 14, with a red alert issued for parts of South Gujarat amid the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall. Orange and yellow alerts cover several other districts, while thunderstorms, lightning and surface winds of 30-40 kmph are also forecast across Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch.
Rainwater enters Gujarat Mail, passengers struggle in B1 coach of train 12902 - Ahmedabad Mirror
Gujarat surges ahead of UP in new investor additions, adds 2.3 lakh in August
Gujarat led the charge in new investor registrations in August, surpassing all other states. It was trailed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, which also showcased impressive growth in investor numbers both on a monthly and yearly basis. Remarkably, West India spearheaded the rebound in new investor activity, with North India maintaining the largest share of new investors at the national level.
Anand cybercrime police restore 1.13 crore to fraud victims
Anand visa racket: Victim count rises to 29 after couples arrest
Amul Dairy to provide nutritional support to TB patients in 3 districts
Gangster held in Delhi over Rs 10cr extortion bid
Credit card issuer must prove cardholder authorised disputed payments: Consumer forum
Seven-year-old girl raped at textile unit in Surat
100 students fall ill due to suspected food poisoning at Surat hostel
Now, extortion case filed against Dukkar gang
BJP to Launch Seva Sankalpa Abhiyan to Mark Modis 25 Years Public Service
Madhav asserted that Narendra Modis 13-year tenure as Gujarat chief minister and his subsequent service as Prime Minister has led to several development initiatives.
Bhupender Yadav stresses scientific, community-led mangrove restoration
Digital Desk | Bhuj, Sep 13 (IANS) Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday stressed restoration, scientific management, community participation and technology-enabled monitoring of mangroves, reminding the importance of these living ecosystems for coastal biodiversity, fisheries and shoreline protection. Addressing a Workshop on Mangrove Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management at Gujarats Bhuj, Kachchh, Yadav said that site-specific restoration techniques suited to the conditions of Kachchh have been adopted, alongside measures for biodiversity enhancement, seaweed cultivation and sustainable livelihoods. Reviewing Gujarat's mangrove conservation efforts under the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) programme, Yadav noted that the state has made significant progress in mangrove restoration, with 27,652 hectares covered against the 202327 target of 29,250 hectares, including 12,450 hectares in the ecologically challenging Kori Creek region. On the occasion, the Union Minister also released the Coffee Table Book on Kachchh Mangroves and the Mangroves Atlas of Gujarat, and launched the Mangrove GIS (MGIS) Portal, stating that these would strengthen science-based decision-making and monitoring of mangrove habitats across the state. The workshop was also addressed by Arjun Modhwadia, Cabinet Minister for Forest and Environment, Climate Change and Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat, and Trikambhai Chhanga, Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, who reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to mangrove conservation and coastal ecosystem restoration under MISHTI. Yadav also felicitated the Guneri Inland Mangrove Village Biodiversity Management Committee, commending its sustained community-led conservation of the Guneri inland mangroves a rare ecosystem thriving away from the coast which, he noted, was declared Gujarat's first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025. The workshop was attended by senior officials of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Gujarat Forest Department, along with scientists, conservationists and representatives of local communities engaged in mangrove restoration and coastal livelihood initiatives in Kachchh.
We will introduce UCC by 2029 in all BJP-NDA ruled states: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ushered in a new era of politics of performance by moving India away from corruption, casteism and dynastic politics. Addressing a press conference to announce a month-long campaign from September 17 to mark Modi's birthday and 25 years of his rule in Gujarat and at the Centre, Shah said Modi's tenure was studded with rare achievements, transforming India into a global powerhouse of security and economic might. Shah, who had multiple engagements in the city, also asserted that NDA governments in 21 states will introduce Uniform Civil Code before 2029. The campaign, 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' whose slogan is Jan Seva Hi Prabhu Seva, will seek to promote people's participation in the goal of making India a developed country by 2047, he said. Before 2014, Indian politics was suffering from three scourges -- corruption, casteism and dynastic politics. In the political era from 2014 to 2026,
Task force push for stability, security and transparency in Maharashtra competitive exams
Digital Desk | Pune, Sep 13 (IANS) In a major move to make Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and other state competitive examinations more transparent, secure, stable, and candidate-centric, the high-level recruitment examination taskforce constituted by the state government held extensive consultations with students, teachers, parents, and key stakeholders, officials said on Sunday. The deliberation covered vital issues, including exam timetables, question paper quality, leak prevention, vacancy announcements, answer keys, exam centre logistics, grievance redressal, and candidate 'opting-out' policies. The Task Force operates under the chairmanship of V. Radha, Additional Chief Secretary (Services) of General Administration Department. The high-level committee comprises Director General of Police Sadanand Date; IT and AI Secretary of Electronics Virendra Singh; Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Secretary N Ramaswami; Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam; Air Marshal Ajit Shankarrao Bhosale (Retired), former member of the UPSC; and Shyamprasad Kargudde from IIT Bombay. The state government formed the Taskforce amid MPSC exam paper leaks and ongoing protests by aspirants demanding the transparency and the resignation of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. MPSC candidates urged the taskforce to publish and strictly adhere to an annual examination calendar, emphasising the need for long-term procedural stability without frequent policy changes. Pre-declaring minimum vacancies for various cadres was also strongly recommended. Task Force Chairperson V. Radha announced that competitive examinations will not be conducted online for the coming year. Instead, they will be held using the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet pattern, for which standardised operating guidelines are currently being framed. To achieve a zero-leak environment, the committee plans to leverage advanced technology across question creation, printing, transport, and distribution. The Taskforce is evaluating an encrypted 'e-question bank' system where even the item writers remain unaware of which exam their questions will feature in. Students demanded rigorous quality checks to eliminate errors in question papers and answer keys, alongside standardised evaluation metrics and reviewer audits for answer script verification. Stakeholders called for a unified online portal for candidate queries and objections, as well as a single-window system for one-time registration and fee payment across all state exams. Emphasis was placed on ensuring basic amenities at test centers, including clean restrooms, drinking water, and appropriate seating arrangements. Participants advocated for a clear policy on post-selection candidate 'opting-out' to avoid seat wastage when a candidate qualifies for multiple posts, along with timely verification of disability and sports quota certificates. The Taskforce is studying operational models of public service commissions across the countryspecifically analysing systems in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)to adapt proven best practices for Maharashtra. Highlighting the growing operational load on the MPSC, officials stressed the urgent need to bolster the Commission's administrative workforce, technical capabilities, and organisational structure. Our objective is to build a faster, more transparent, and accountable officer selection process for the state, Director General of Police Sadanand Date said. Divisional Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Additional District Collector Satish Raut, and Resident Deputy Collector Jyoti Kadam were among the senior officials present during the consultation.
HM Shah credits PM Modi's stand for answering terror attack by entering Pak territory
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 13 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a decisive stand and endorsing Operation Sindoor to answer a terrorist attack by entering Pakistans territory. Speaking at the 52nd India Gems and Jewellery Awards ceremony in Mumbai, HM Shah said, Who could have imagined that a terrorist attack would be answered by entering Pakistans territory, and that the country would have a Prime Minister capable of taking such a decisive stand? He said that whether it was the surgical strike, the air strike or Operation Sindoor, PM Modi has pursued a defence policy that makes the enemy think twice and tremble at the very thought of attacking India. The Home Minister said that whether it is the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the rejuvenation of Kedarnath or Mahakal Lok, India has accomplished what, for decades, people did not even have the courage to speak about. Highlighting the transformational economic changes brought about in the country by PM Modi over the past 12 years, HM Shah said that today India is among the top five economies of the world. The Home Minister said that PM Modi has given 140 crore people of the country the confidence and resolve that by August 15, 2047, India will emerge as the number one nation in the world across every sector. He said the changes brought about by PM Modi in the field of infrastructure have given a major boost to the economy. The Home Minister said that driven by PLI schemes and facilities aimed at promoting exports, Indias exports are continuing to surpass their own records. He said that the GDP figures for the first quarter of the current financial year were released recently, and with a growth rate of 7.8 per cent, India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world. He said that this transformation has not been limited to economic activity alone; Prime Minister Modi has worked to bring about change across every sector. Those present on the occasion included Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and several other dignitaries. Addressing the awards ceremony, the Home Minister said that it is a matter of great happiness for him that the Gems and Jewellery Awards, which have continuously contributed to enhancing Indias economy, prosperity and global brilliance, are being conferred on so many distinguished achievers. He said that this initiative of the India Diamond Board is a reflection of Indias confidence, skill, prosperity and global aspirations. India will emerge as the global hub for gems and jewellery in the coming years.
Food scare at Surat boarding school: 75 students fall ill, 12 hospitalised
UCC In All 21 NDA-Ruled States By 2029: Amit Shahs BIG Announcement On Uniform Civil Code
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed confidence that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 BJP and NDA-led states before 2029. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Shah said several states have already introduced the UCC. Madhya Pradesh recently approved the code in a special cabinet meeting, while Uttarakhand became the first state to pass a UCC law in February 2024. Gujarat and Assam have also passed UCC legislation, though they are awaiting presidential assent and notification. Uttarakhand has been enforcing the code since January 2025. Maharashtra, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have formed drafting committees. Shah also highlighted the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, saying conviction rates rose in several states. He further claimed the NDA government had ended five decades of Naxalism and signed over 14 peace agreements in the Northeast.
Gujarat Police arrest Assam man in cybercrime, secure remand
The News Mill
Freed Country From Policy Paralysis: Amit Shah On PM Modi's Leadership
Amit Shah said the last 25 years had witnessed epoch-making changes in Gujarat and the country, including in infrastructure and poverty reduction.
SC stays Gujarat HC proceedings on PIL seeking regulation of deepfakes
The Supreme Court stayed proceedings on a Gujarat HC PIL seeking regulation of AI-generated deepfakes while considering the Centre's plea to transfer the case
How Gujarat's villagers turned mangroves into a natural coastal shield
From Gujarat village to Oscars: How Bhavin Rabari became face of Chhello Show
Bhavin Rabari, a village boy with no formal training, emerged as a star in Pan Nalin's film as Samay. The acclaimed Chhello Show proudly represented India at the Oscars. His performance earned him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Child Artist, showcasing how cinema can illuminate forgotten talents and tell remarkable stories of achievement for young actors.
Border security: Anti-drone technology enables heroin smuggling decline in Punjab
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 13 (IANS) The Punjab Police said on Sunday that the multi-layered response to counter drone-based narcotic smuggling across the international border with Pakistan in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) has led to a decline in availability of heroin in Punjab. The police are deploying nine anti-drone systems, with three 'Baaj Akh' systems that have been operational in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Ferozepur since August 2025, providing early detection and jamming of rogue drones. Three units of Drone Sense D200 Pro, a long-endurance mobile drone detection platform, deployed at strategic locations in border districts on September 3 showing results. The system precisely detects and pinpoints drone-related activity and actual dropping locations, enabling timely ground intervention. For immediate ground action, 52 drone response teams (DRT) with 147 police personnel work in close coordination with the BSF responding to drone alerts, reaching suspected drop locations, conduct searches and intercept persons collecting the dropped consignments. This response is supported by 64 second-line defence nakas with 600 police personnel and 2,367 CCTV cameras at 585 locations, a police spokesperson said. The Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in border areas have been integrated with the drone response teams. The VDCs serve as eyes and ears of the police. The Yudh Nashiyan Virudh campaign has resulted in arrest of nearly 80,000 people since March 1, 2025. A total of 486 drones have been recovered. Financial investigation is being used to disrupt the economic base of drug network with freezing of property worth more than Rs 336 crore. The reward policy for anti-drug information provides cash reward of Rs 25,000 for every drone recovery and nearly Rs 2 crore has been disbursed under the reward policy this year. The spokesperson said latest trends indicate that pharmaceutical drugs smuggled from other states have emerged as the most important challenge in drug law enforcement in Punjab. According to data analysed from pharmaceutical seizures in the state, most of the pharmaceutical drugs are not manufactured in Punjab and are manufactured in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, etc.
Supreme Court Pauses Gujarat Deepfake PIL: Are Your Compliance Duties Still Active?
The Supreme Court has stayed the Gujarat deepfake PIL, but India's IT Rules remain in full effect. Learn what this means for platforms, creators, and AI startups regarding compliance, takedowns, and labelling requirements in 2026.
Daman is stepping into the spotlight as a captivating heritage tourism spot, shedding its previous reputation. Billionaire industrialist Anand Mahindra expressed this remarkable change on his X platform. Visitors can now enjoy beautifully restored forts and pristine beaches, with sites like Moti Daman Fort and Jampore Beach offering rich historical and scenic experiences. Convenient transport options by air, rail, and road enhance Daman's appeal as a travel destination.
Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Sep 13 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Sunday that the three-day investment outreach in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 11 will prove to be one of the biggest milestones in the state's journey towards achieving the goal of a Samruddha Odisha. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister was also accorded a grand welcome by party leaders and workers at the Bhubaneswar Airport upon his arrival after concluding his five-day visit to the UAE from September 8 to 12. Briefing the media, CM Majhi said, Our effort is aimed at promoting Odisha's economic growth and, in particular, creating employment on a large scale. We have placed a major focus on how more employment opportunities can be created and how more employment can come to the state. This will certainly prove to be one of the biggest milestones in our efforts to build a prosperous Odisha. He also added that the double-engine government in Odisha have been consistently making the best possible use of the political and administrative capabilities to give priority to industrialisation and create new employment opportunities. The Chief Minister noted that after the 'Utkarsh Odisha Make in Odisha Conclave' in Bhubaneswar in January 2025, the state government has been making continuous efforts to mobilise investment through outreach programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gujarat to Singapore. During the visit of Chief Minister Majhi, Industry Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, and senior government officials to the UAE from September 8 to 12, extensive discussions and deliberations were held on September 9, 10, and 11 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai regarding investments in Odisha. During the UAE visit, discussions were held with around 400 industrial leaders and representatives through a total of 52 business meetings, six roundtable meetings, and 46 one-to-one meetings. Chief Minister Majhi also said that the delegation also held discussions with the representatives of Oman and Jordan during his investment outreach initiative. During this visit, a total of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed and 16 Investment Intents were generated, fetching investment proposals worth Rs 2,43,162 crore for the state. CM Majhi said this initiative will create 6,18,725 direct opportunities. Including indirect jobs, around nine lakh total employment opportunities will be generated, he added. The Chief Minister said that along with the previously secured investment proposals worth more than Rs 20 lakh crore, the state's total investment proposals have now reached Rs 22.5 lakh crore. He said the efforts are underway to realise the vision of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and to transform the state into a 500-billion-dollar economy within the next ten years. CM Majhi noted that following the initial success, the state government's next target is to implement the investment proposals and MoUs quickly and commence production.
'SP link emerges in 90 pc of crimes': UP Minister on Jaunpur murder
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 13 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) over the murder of a 22-year-old man in Jaunpur, after the victim's family accused a local SP MLA of shielding the prime accused, saying that whenever a crime takes place anywhere in the state, an SP connection is revealed in most cases. Vishal Yadav, a 22-year-old resident of Jaunpur, was allegedly brutally beaten to death with iron rods and sticks in broad daylight at the Ramdayalganj market in the district on September 11, 2026. The incident has sparked a major political controversy, with Vishal's family accusing Samajwadi Party MLA Lucky Yadav of protecting the alleged prime accused, Manish Yadav. Speaking to IANS, Rajbhar said, In the Vishal Yadav murder case, the victim's family has filed a serious complaint against the local SP MLA. The government will ensure strict action against the culprits by conducting an impartial investigation into the entire matter. Whenever a crime is committed in the state, an SP connection surfaces in 90 per cent of the cases, he said. Rajbhar said the state government had adopted a clear policy of taking strict action not only against those involved in criminal activities but also against individuals accused of providing protection or shelter to criminals. Action in such cases should be taken that sets an example for the future. The allegations made by Vishal Yadav's family will also be investigated seriously, he said. The minister further said that the government would continue taking action in the matter until the victim's family was completely satisfied with the steps taken by the authorities. The murder took place on September 11 when Vishal Yadav was returning home on a motorcycle along with his friend Sandeep after visiting a salon. According to the officials, a group of attackers intercepted the two at the Ramdayalganj market and knocked them off the motorcycle before allegedly launching a brutal assault on Vishal with iron rods and batons. Vishal sustained severe injuries in the attack and later died, triggering anger among his family members and residents. Following the incident, Vishal's family staged a protest by placing his body on the Jaunpur-Mirzapur highway, demanding action against those responsible for his death. Police have registered an FIR against 28 named accused and 50 unidentified individuals in connection with the murder. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and the allegations levelled by the victim's family is underway. Vishal, who was the sole support for his family, used to earn a living by driving a trailer in Gujarat.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Takes E-Bus Ride As 30 PM-eBus Sewa Buses Begin Service In Gandhinagar
Manasi Joshi Roy reminisces about connecting with Lord Ganesha ahead of Ganpati celebrations
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 13 (IANS) Actress Manasi Joshi Roy, who essays the titular role in the television show Lakshmi Niwas, has recollected when she first connected with Lord Ganpati ahead of the Ganpati celebrations in the entertainment capital of the country. The actress reflected on cultural significance of festivities while growing up in a Gujarati Brahmin household in Mumbai. Talking about the same, she told IANS, Growing up in a Gujarati Brahmin household his presence was always there in my life. But the moment we both connected was in 1992. That was the year I met & fell in love with the man who is my husband today. And as we stood together doing Aarti at his aunts house ;Like any young girl newly in love I was praying that all would be well in our relationship & I felt an unknown pull, a connect which seemed to tell me that HE was listening to my prayers. And subsequently every year I would stand in front of HIM & pray for love & happiness. Life still was full of ups & downs but my Faith in HIM & other beliefs helped me to ride every storm. She took a walk down the memory lane, as she spoke about bringing Lord Ganpati home during the 1st year of her marriage to actor Rohit Roy. She further mentioned, One such year as I had stood there doing Aarti I had taken a mannat (vow) that I would bring him home when I got married. And so that one time he came to our house in the 1st year of my marriage in 1999. It felt beautiful & right, holy & spiritual. Many years passed after that & he has retained his special place in my temple & my heart. In 2008, my 6 year old daughter came home the day before Ganesh Chaturthi demanding to know why we weren't getting Ganu home? My brother in law had been bringing him home since many years & she had just come back from their house where all the preparations were in full swing. This had excited her & she wanted all that festivity in her house too. So like any indulgent parents we decided to bring HIM home that year. Off we rushed to choose the Murti , the decorator was called, sweets, flowers & fruits ordered, friends & relatives invited & we were ready to welcome him home. And somewhere in our hearts we were glad that she had insisted we bring him home because we wanted to have his presence in our house too. We loved the festivity & the fervour that went on for these 10 days. And I always felt a deep sense of gratitude when I stood in front of him. During the 1st Aarti I'd inevitably get tears in my eyes, she added. Lakshmi Niwas airs on Zee TV.
3-day World Circular Economy Forum 2026 to begin in Gandhinagar from Sep 15
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 13 (IANS) Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has began discussions on reusing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials at the thee-day World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 which will begin in Gandhinagar on September 15, an official said. India hosting the WCEF 2026 would be a first for South Asia, the official said in a statement on Sunday. The forum, to be organised under the theme 'Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity', would be jointly inaugurated by Bhupender Yadav and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The objective of WCEF 2026 is to showcase India's initiatives for promoting circularity and enhancing international cooperation, the statement said. The event is being jointly organised by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Finland government, India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Gujarat, and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The event would witness participation of more than 2,000 cross-sectoral stakeholders from 65-plus countries, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, policymakers, academicians, changemakers and others. The forum will enable global collaboration and greater engagement with the Global South; facilitate mobilising of circular finance and private-sector investment; encourage policy dialogue and cross-sectoral partnerships; while advancing innovation, digitalisation and technology for circularity. Circularity focuses on reusing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products and looping them back into the economy as valuable resources. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is leading a major transformation in environmental governance, moving toward a modern circular economy, the statement added. Other dignitaries who would join the inaugural session would include Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (Gujarat) Arjunbhai Modhwadia and Ambassador of Finland Mikko Kivikoski, along with senior officials from the Union government and Gujarat government. On September 15 and 16, the forum would feature four plenaries and 16 parallel thematic sessions on application of AI, employment potential, energy production, finance, governance, sustainable products, industrial solutions, start-up ecosystem and youth leadership, the statement added. Further at the event, an expo featuring 125-plus national and international exhibitors would showcase practical circular solutions developed by start-ups and investment-ready innovations. On the sidelines of WCEF, the Board of 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10 YFP) would hold its in-person meeting, on September 15 at Gandhinagar, the statement said. India has recently assumed the role of Co-Chair of 10 YFP Board, reflecting its long-standing leadership in promoting sustainable consumption and production. On September 17 and 18, global collaborators will independently organise 80 accelerator sessions online/hybrid and in person at Gandhinagar and other locations worldwide, the statement added.
