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Gujarat BJP internal rift: MP Vasava alleges corruption, MLA Deshmukh threatens defamation

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat BJP has once again come under the spotlight as a verbal duel has erupted between two of its members, Rajpipla MLA Dr Darshana Deshmukh and Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava. On December 7, BJP MP Mansukh Vasava, during a press conference, alleged large-scale corruption in the political leadership and administrative system of Narmada district. While the charge was sweeping, Vasava did not name any individual. Dr Darshana Deshmukh, while addressing the media on Friday, accused the MP of indirectly linking her to Aam Aadmi Partys Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, an insinuation she said had defamed her. He alleged corruption but did not name anyone, Deshmukh said. Instead, he hinted at a nexus between me and Chaitar Vasava. Because of this, my image has been damaged. If there is corruption, he should prove it. Otherwise, I will file a defamation case. If I have to go to court, I will definitely go. Pushing back harder, Deshmukh turned the allegation around. The MP says I have a nexus with Chaitar Vasava, but it is Mansukh Vasava who has a domestic relationship with him, she claimed, while firmly denying any link. The MLA also revealed that she had initially planned a dharna against the MP, a move that would have escalated the crisis further, but said the protest was called off after instructions from the state BJP, hinting at damage control efforts by the partys top brass. Yet, the political resentment ran deeper. He does not even accept me as an MLA, Deshmukh alleged. Ever since I became an MLA, he has been accusing me. Asserting her party lineage, she added, I am also the daughter of the BJP. As a senior MP, he should not talk about me like this. Drawing a contrast, she said anonymous letters are routinely ignored. We throw them in the dustbin; we dont comment on them. I have made a presentation at the state level. Now I will not remain silent. If Mansukh Vasava says anything, I will answer. The counterattack came swiftly. After Deshmukhs press conference, MP Mansukh Vasava addressed reporters at the Circuit House in Bharuch On Saturday, directly hitting back at both Dr Darshana Deshmukh and Chaitar Vasava. Recounting events during the Ekta Parade at Kevadiya Colony, held in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit, the MP alleged political pressure at the highest level. During a meeting on the Prime Ministers programme, AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava pressured officials regarding expenses, Mansukh Vasava claimed. At that time, Dr Darshana Deshmukh remained completely silent. Escalating the charge, the MP alleged that an AAP leader demanded Rs 75 lakh from an official and spoke of suppressing the matter, a claim that prompted him, he said, to go public through his December 7 press conference in Narmada district. Turning his fire squarely on the BJP MLA, Vasava accused Deshmukh of self-inflicted political damage. By making allegations, she has shot herself in the foot, he said. Asserting his own clout, the MP added pointedly, I made him an MLA. If she had any grievance, she should have told me directly or raised it on the party forum, Vasava argued. Instead, she chose to make allegations in public. He went further, suggesting motive. Both of them are feeling some kind of fear. That is why allegations are being made against me. While names were omitted, his indirect reference to doctors linked to Chaitar Vasava was widely read as a jab at Dr Darshana Deshmukh setting off the chain reaction now engulfing the BJPs district unit. Adding fuel to the fire, AAPs Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava openly backed the BJP MLA, turning an internal BJP feud into a cross-party spectacle. Praising Deshmukh, he said, Darshana Ben, who was suppressed for three years, has shown the courage to wake up late and speak in front of the MP. That is commendable. His final remark cut sharply at the MPs authority: Mansukh Vasava dominates everyone. We have been tolerating him for years. With defamation threats looming, corruption allegations flying, and party discipline visibly strained, the Bharuch Narmada episode has become more than a personal clash it is now a test of how the BJP contains its internal wars before they spiral further into the public domain.

The New Indian Express 13 Dec 2025 5:20 pm

Americas Kashmiri Milk Scientist

From a Kashmiri village, Dr Shakeel-ur-Rehman travelled to Gujarat, Ireland and then to a leading American university. When Texas cattle farmers sought his help to modernise their dairy sector, he offered them patented technologies and helped build a company now nearing a turnover of US$5 billion. Today, the Kashmiri scientist is the Chief Scientist of []

KashmirLife 13 Dec 2025 2:56 pm

Laalo-Krishna Sada Sahaayate becomes 30th biggest hit of the year

Gujarati film Laalo-Krishna Sada Sahaayate has achieved a remarkable box office feat, becoming the 30th biggest hit of the year with Rs 92 crore. Defying expectations, the film's success was driven by strong word-of-mouth and cultural resonance, unlike Nandamuri Balakrishna's Daaku Maharaj. Laalo's impressive rise, particularly from its fifth week onwards, showcases the growing power of regional cinema.

The Times of India 13 Dec 2025 2:46 pm

Dont judge after 2 matches: Nehra backs under-fire Shubman Gill

Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra has backed captain Shubman Gill amidst a lean patch in T20Is, urging against judging him by recent statistics. Nehra also defended all-rounder Washington Sundar, highlighting his valuable all-round skills and potential for improvement despite recent struggles. Both players are crucial to the franchise's plans.

The Times of India 13 Dec 2025 8:42 am

Speeding car kills 56-year-old in Maneja

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 11:51 pm

Woman got lover to kill her sister for 40L insurance payout

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 10:54 pm

Vadodara mans bank accounts used for Rs 16crore transactions

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 10:09 pm

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal presents two-year report of his govt, Congress calls claims misleading

JAIPUR: As the Bhajanlal Sharma government approaches its two-year mark on December 15, the Chief Minister on Thursday released a performance report, claiming that 70 per cent of poll promises have been fulfilled and Rajasthan now ranks first in 11 national projects. Citing government data, Sharma said that out of 392 resolutions, 274 have either been completed or are currently underway, and that 73 per cent of the announcements made over the last two years have been implemented. With what he described as sincere intent and transparent governance, he said placing Rajasthan among the countrys leading states is no longer a distant dream. Emphasising transparency and efficiency, Sharma asserted that Rajasthan has moved into the category of best-performing states, listing first-place rankings in 11 national projects, second place in five, and third in nine. He said several projects that remained stuck in files earlier had been directly implemented under his government, accelerating public benefit. Accusing the previous Congress administration of delaying major initiatives such as the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), he reiterated his governments anti-corruption stance, saying they had caught crocodiles and sent them to jail and were ready to face consequences. Sharma said implementing the ERCP was a top priority from day one, claiming that work orders worth Rs 26,000 crore had been issued and the project would benefit 3 crore people in eastern Rajasthan. He noted that an MoU with Haryana was signed in February 2024 to supply water to the Shekhawati region, with the DPR now being prepared. The CM added that securing the future of the youth remained central to his administrations agenda, criticising the previous government for leaving young people frustrated and disappointed. After the BJP came to power, he said, an SIT was formed to take strict action in the paper leak case, and a comprehensive youth policy would be introduced soon. We want the youth of Rajasthan to become job creators, not job seekers, he said. Sharma also stated that the government had implemented over 28 policies in two years to ensure sustainable and transparent development. The Congress dismissed the CMs claims, with Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully calling the statements misleading. He said Sharmas only achievement was keeping his chair despite internal conflicts within the BJP, accusing the government of abandoning promises such as wheat procurement at Rs 2,700, purchasing millet at MSP, and reducing petrol-diesel VAT to match Gujarat and Haryana. The youth are asking where the calendar for 2.5 lakh jobs is. Democracy has turned into bureaucracy, and the public is crying out for help, Jully said. Amid the political sparring, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajes meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi triggered speculation in Jaipurs political circles. It was her first meeting with the PM in the capital after the November 11 Anta by-election, in which the BJP lost a seat considered part of her Hadoti stronghold. The defeat has raised concerns within the party, with observers calling the bypoll a litmus test for the Bhajanlal government.

The New Indian Express 12 Dec 2025 9:47 pm

Exclusive | Shruhad Goswami on working with Smriti Irani in Kyunki 2

Gujarati actor Shruhad Goswami joins Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi for a special episode after Laalos massive success. He appears in a unique Krishna avatar and looks forward to learning from Smriti Irani. Reflecting on Laalo, he cherishes its miraculous rise and spiritual depth

Mid Day 12 Dec 2025 9:24 pm

IPL 2026 auction: Ashish Nehra discloses Gujarat Titans' roadmap for squad building

Ashish Nehra has outlined Gujarat Titans' strategy for the IPL 2026 auction, offering insights into the franchise's priorities, squad-building plans, and areas of focus. His revelations shed light on how GT aims to strengthen its core and prepare for the next IPL cycle.

DNA India 12 Dec 2025 7:09 pm

Ashish Nehra interview: Gujarat Titans head coach backs out of form Shubman Gill

Ashish Nehra interview: Gujarat Titans head coach backs out of form Shubman Gill

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 6:52 pm

FSDA writes to UP district magistrates to invoke Gangster Act in illegal cough syrup case

LUCKNOW: While government agencies are conducting raids and cracking the whip on those allegedly involved in illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup and trafficking of narcotic-category medicines, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has shot of letters to 31 district magistrates (DMs) across Uttar Pradesh to book the alleged syndicate operators under the UP Gangsters Act. The FSDA has told the DMs to initiate action under the laws provisions that include seizure of properties disproportionate to the known source of income. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in a palatial bungalow worth crores, owned by dismissed police constable Alok Kumar Singh in Lucknow on Friday. Alok Kumar Singh, who was arrested in connection with the cough syrup scam, is currently languishing in jail. The ED raided 25 locations simultaneously across six cities in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Gujarat on Friday morning in connection with a major illegal network dealing in codeine-based cough syrup, officials said. The size of Alok Kumar Singhs bungalow and its overt opulence were there to take everyone in awe. Meanwhile, the development regarding the letters written by FSDA to the DMs has come three days after the Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Inspector General of Police, Law & Order, LR Kumar, to investigate the case. The UP Police and FSDA authorities have carried out raids in 332 firms across 52 districts in UP, during the past two months, lodging FIRs against 133 of them across 31 districts. UP forms SIT to crack Rs 425-crore codeine cough syrup smuggling racket According to FSDA Secretary and Commissioner Roshan Jacob, the department conducted months of intensive investigation spanning Jharkhand, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and collected evidence, including the business links of Uttar Pradeshs super stockists and wholesalers with those states, before launching the raids two months ago. Jacob has also written to district magistrates to initiate action against the jailed operators under the Gangsters Act. As per the FSDA commissioner, CM Yogi had issued directives for stringent action against the culprits ensuring that no diversion takes place from Uttar Pradesh to any other state or country. He (CM) instructed officials not to trouble small traders during enforcement but ensure firm action against super stockists and wholesalers involved in illicit activities, Jacob said. According to officials, for the first time, cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrup. Earlier, such violations were dealt with only through licence cancellations. Informed sources reveal that while probing the records of 332 drug-selling establishments, it was found that many of them did not actually exist and were functioning only as billing points with no purchase or sale records. Many others lacked proper storage arrangements. Out of the 332 firms, 133 were found to be involved in the organised illegal diversion of these medicines for non-medical use. It was discovered that the diverted stock was being routed primarily through state capital Lucknow, Kanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Bahraich to Nepal, and from Varanasi and Ghaziabad to Bangladesh. Cases of trafficking of codeine-based cough syrup for drug abuse have been identified in cities including Varanasi, Jaunpur, Kanpur Nagar, Ghazipur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lucknow, Bahraich, Bijnor, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Balrampur, Raebareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Hardoi, Bhadohi, Amethi, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Unnao, Basti, Ambedkarnagar, Azamgarh, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Sultanpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Banda, and Kaushambi, officials said.

The New Indian Express 12 Dec 2025 6:15 pm

Rahul Gandhi adamant on proving himself 'jhooth ki dukan': BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday called Congress MP Rahul Gandhi jhooth ki dukan and said he along with others in the opposition benches was looking away when the Congress was exposed by the treasury benches under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during debates on Vande Mataram and election reforms in Parliament. This came after Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, hailed his party members' performance during the debates on the two topics in both Houses of Parliament, and claimed that the government was taken to the cleaners by the opposition. Hitting back, BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla said, Rahul Gandhi says the opposition ripped the BJP members apart (dhajjiyan uda di). On the contrary, Rahul Gandhi and others in the opposition were looking away when the Congress was exposed with proof by the members of the treasury benches under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during the debates on Vande Mataram and Election Reforms. The entire country saw it... Rahul Gandhi is adamant on proving himself to be a 'jhooth ki dukan' (shop of lies), he told reporters at the BJP headquarters here. The BJP spokesperson said the country also saw how the entire opposition fled from the Lok Sabha the moment Shah eiterated the Modi government's esolve to drive the 'ghuspaithiyas' (infiltrators) out of the country. The entire country saw how Rahul Gandhi and the members of the other opposition parties were ripped apart on the issue of 'ghuspaithiyas', he added. Shukla said that Shah told Parliament during debates on the two topics with proof as to how Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister, compromised on the issue of Vande Mataram's stanzas in the original version of the national song. Intervening in the discussion on Election reforms, the Union home minister also gave a logical and evidence-based rebuttal to the opposition's allegations against the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the electoral rolls by the Election Commission, the BJP spokesperson said. The Congress is not in a position to counter his (Shah's) response, he added. The BJP spokesperson also slammed the leader of the opposition over his remarks that Shah got scared by the opposition attack, and said, Rahul Gandhi, you feel scared and you have accepted it. When Sonia Gandhi was named the Congress president post, both the son and the daughter were scared of what would happen if she was made president of the party, Shukla claimed in an apparent reference to Gandhi and his sister Priyank Gandhi Vadra, who is now an MP from Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Amit Shah was not scared even when the erstwhile UPA government remained busy day and night in conspiring to implicate him and Narendra Modi, then chief minister of Gujarat, in false cases, he added. The BJP spokesperson also took a swipe at the Congress over the absence of its MP Shashi Tharoor in Gandhi's meeting with the party's Lok Sabha members in the Parliament House complex on Friday, saying, All Congress leaders are preparing to leave the Congress' sinking ship. Tharoor could not attend the meeting as he was travelling out of the station. The BJP spokesperson alleged, The Congress is a sinking ship with no visible possibility of its survival. All the Congress leaders keep talking about the party's fate, he said. But I don't know how Rahul Gandhi is living with such arrogance. He says, 'paksh ki dhajjiyan uda di (his party members ripped the government apart), he added.

The New Indian Express 12 Dec 2025 5:02 pm

60-Year-Old Gujarat Man Loses Rs 2.52 Crore in YouTube-Linked WhatsApp Stock Trading Scam Trap - The Logical Indian

60-Year-Old Gujarat Man Loses Rs 2.52 Crore in YouTube-Linked WhatsApp Stock Trading Scam Trap The Logical Indian

Google News 12 Dec 2025 4:56 pm

Bamboo scaffold supporting bridge construction collapses in Gujarats Valsad; five workers injured

AHMEDABAD: A bamboo structure supporting the construction of a new bridge on Kailash Road in Gujarat's Valsad collapsed on Friday morning, injuring five workers. The collapse occured around 9 am, between two pillars over the Auranga river, where a work crew was levelling a temporary bund. The fire department was the first to reach after a 9.20 am distress call. Fireman Lalit Parmar, recounting the rapid response, said, We reached immediately and shifted four labourers for treatment. Later, we inspected the site and found no one trapped. Why the accident happened is the subject of investigation. Valsad District Collector Bhavya Verma detailed the ground assessment, stating, The accident took place this morning, and five people have been injured. Four are in good health, while one is critical. The incident occurred due to a jack and load imbalance while the workers were operating at ground level. She also revealed that the bridge, budgeted at Rs 42 crore, was sanctioned for a two-year construction period, with one year remaining. We will form a committee and investigate. Further action will follow based on the findings, she added. Roads and Buildings Department secretary PR Patelia confirmed that senior engineering officials have been sent to the spot. The Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer of Surat have been assigned to investigate and asked to submit a report in a day or two. He also said, The jack that was to be hoisted slipped due to a mistake in hoisting. The process is currently being done manually. The injured have been shifted to the hospital. None of them are serious, only minor injuries. Valsad District Police Chief Yuvrajsinh Jadeja said, Between 9 and 9.15 am, a bund was being laid for the overbridge on the Auranga river. During the leveling, a part of the structure slipped. Five labourers have been rescued and shifted for treatment, and doctors say they are in good health. Jayesh Patel, who is building the bridge, pointed to a human lapse. It seems to be human error. This is a temporary structure. Five people have been injured. Insurance has been taken for all the people and the bridge. Only five workers were at the site today.

The New Indian Express 12 Dec 2025 4:55 pm

Ravindra Jadeja's Wife's Shock 'Intoxication Claim' Involving India Players

Gujarat Education Minister Rivaba Jadeja praised her husband Ravindra Jadeja's discipline, controversially claiming his teammates indulge in vices.

NDTV 12 Dec 2025 1:34 pm

Raids In UP, Gujarat, Jharkhand Linked To Rs 1,000 Crore Cough Syrup Racket

In a sweeping operation early Thursday or Friday, the Lucknow Zonal office conducted raids at 25 locations connected to a sprawling illegal codeine-based cough syrup network to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore.

NDTV 12 Dec 2025 1:17 pm

India's Gujarat Mineral Development Corp rises on operationalizing coal mine - TradingView

India's Gujarat Mineral Development Corp rises on operationalizing coal mine TradingView

Google News 12 Dec 2025 1:17 pm

Multiple Locations Raided Across UP, Gujarat, Jharkhand In Rs 1,000 Crore Cough Syrup Racket

The prime accused, Shubham Jaiswal, is currently absconding and believed to be in Dubai. His father, Bhola Prasad, has been arrested.

News18 12 Dec 2025 11:32 am

Cough syrup trafficking racket: ED raids 25 locations in UP, Jharkhand, Gujarat; ECIR filed against 67 accused

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a massive crackdown across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat, raiding 25 locations linked to a sprawling codeine-based cough syrup diversion and trafficking racket. This financial investigation, triggered by multiple FIRs, aims to unravel a complex network of illegal manufacturing, forged documentation, and money laundering generating crores.

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 10:44 am

Cough syrup trafficking racket: ED raids 25 locations in UP, Jharkhand, Gujarat; ECIR filed against 67 accused - The Times of India

Cough syrup trafficking racket: ED raids 25 locations in UP, Jharkhand, Gujarat; ECIR filed against 67 accused The Times of India

Google News 12 Dec 2025 10:44 am

ED raids in multiple states in UP illegal cough syrup case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday raided multiple locations across several states as part of a money-laundering investigation into an alleged illegal cough syrup trafficking racket in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. The searches, which began around 7:30 am, are being conducted at 25 premises in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The ED has registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe the illegal manufacturing, trade and transportation of codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS), including suspected cross-border smuggling into Bangladesh. Locations linked to the absconding main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, and his alleged associates Alok Singh and Amit Singh, along with certain cough syrup manufacturers and Chartered Accountant Vishnu Aggarwal, are being searched, the officials said. The agencys action is based on around 30 FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police after the state government took cognisance of widespread misuse and illegal circulation of CBCS. The estimated proceeds of crime in the case amount to about Rs 1,000 crore, according to ED officials. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police. A total of 32 people have been taken into custody so far, and the state police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.

The New Indian Express 12 Dec 2025 10:11 am

EC hits pause on voter roll push, revises SIR schedule across states

The enumeration period for these six states and Union territories was to end on Thursday and draft electoral rolls were to be published on December 16. The enumeration period for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat has been extended till December 14 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 19

Mid Day 12 Dec 2025 6:38 am

Supreme Court rejects plea to suspend Sanjiv Bhatt's 20-yr jail term in '96 drug-planting case

The Supreme Court has denied former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea to suspend his 20-year jail sentence in a 1996 drug planting case. Bhatt, convicted by a Gujarat court, sought bail but the bench declined his request. The case involves allegations of framing a lawyer in Palanpur, with Bhatt accused of planting drugs to settle a property dispute.

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 1:32 am

Truck catches fire on NH-48, driver escapes unharmed

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 12:09 am

Drunk car driver seriously injures motorcyclist, arrested

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 12:08 am

VMC razes 350 dwellings near Dashama pond in Gorwa

The Times of India 12 Dec 2025 12:06 am

ECI extends SIR timeline in six states, Union Territories

The Election Commission of India has extended deadlines for electoral roll revisions in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh. New dates for draft roll publication have been set. This revision process is crucial for upcoming electoral activities. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed about the updated timelines.

The Economic Times 11 Dec 2025 11:54 pm

NCERT Class VII textbook highlights Mahmud of Ghaznis brutality; celebrates southern, eastern dynasties

NEW DELHI: The regime of Mahmud of Ghazni has been highlighted extensively in the Class VII Social Science Studies textbook (Part-2) released recently by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The book also moves away from a North-centric narrative and showcasing the greatness of past dynasties in the Southern and Eastern parts of the country, said sources. The textbook, titled Exploring Societies: India and Beyond , dwells on the period between the 6th and 12th centuries. It is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023. TNIE was given access to the book. Unlike the previous edition, where the Turkish ruler Mahmud of Ghazni was allotted just one paragraph, a whole chapter has been devoted to him in the revised edition. Chapter 4, titled Turning Tides: 11th and 12th centuries , deals extensively with the ruler and speaks of the destruction, plunder, and slaughter of tens of thousands of Indian civilians. Numerous prisoners were captured, including children, who were later sold in the slave markets of Central Asia, it said. His biographers depicted him as a powerful but cruel and ruthless general, keen not only to slaughter or enslave infidels (Hindus, Buddhists, or Jains) but also to kill believers from rival sects of Islam. Mahmud later went to Gujarat and Somnath (present-day Saurashtra), which was a bustling seaport. Despite strong resistance from the locals, after a few days of fighting Mahmud gained the upper hand, destroyed the Somnath Shiva temple, and looted its enormous treasures, it said. A noteworthy addition is the inclusion of dynasties whose contributions hardly found a place in textbooks in the past. The Kakatiyas of Telangana patronised Telugu literature and built the 1000-pillar temple at Hanamkonda, it said. They had a strong local administration along with an efficient revenue system. The Chalukyas of Kalyani, missing from school curricula earlier, are also included. A discussion on the Pallavas followed by the Bhakti tradition of South India finds a place here. Cholas, Hoysalas, philosophers like Ramanujacharya, and social reformers like Basaveshvara are highlighted. The great past of Eastern and North-East India has been highlighted through detailed coverage of the Palas in Bengal and Bihar, who founded major universities like Vikramashila and Somapura. The Senas and Eastern Gangas, builders of the Jagannath Puri temple and Sun Temple in Konark, are covered along with the Varmans dynasty. The great philosopher Shankaracharya, who consolidated the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, is also highlighted. His visit to Kashmir in the 8th century is mentioned, where he engaged in philosophical debates and contributed to the regions spiritual landscape.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 11:47 pm

Indian Citizenship Certificates Distributed to 195 Migrants from Pakistan

These people, belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities, had come to India as refugees, said Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi who was present at the ceremony.

Deccan Chronicle 11 Dec 2025 10:57 pm

Coast Guard seizes Pakistani fishing boat, detains 11 for illegal entry into Indian waters

AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has intercepted a Pakistani fishing vessel operating illegally inside Indias Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the Gujarat coast and apprehended all 11 crew members on board, officials said on Thursday. The detainees have been handed over to the Jakhau Marine Police for further investigation. The operation, carried out on Wednesday, was confirmed by the ICG in a post on X, stating that it had intercepted and apprehended a Pakistani fishing vessel along with 11 crew operating illegally inside Indian waters. Officials said the interdiction reflects Indias firm maritime vigilance and its unwavering commitment to enforcing international maritime law within the Maritime Zones of India (MZI). Gujarat Defence PRO, in a separate post on X, said the Coast Guard acted swiftly to intercept the boat deep inside Indias EEZ. This interdiction highlights sustained maritime operations and Indias commitment to securing its frontiers while enforcing international laws within the MZI. Continuous vigilance across Indias maritime domain remains a cornerstone of our national maritime security strategy, the PRO noted. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny along maritime boundaries in the region. Authorities emphasised that persistent surveillance and prompt interdiction are central to Indias approach to safeguarding its maritime domain and ensuring that territorial waters remain inviolate. The latest interception follows an earlier operation in August, when the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested 15 Pakistani fishermen and seized a country-made motorised boat in Kothi Creek near the Indo-Pak border in Gujarats Kutch district. A haul of fish, nets, diesel, ice and food supplies was also recovered during that search. Officials said the investigation into the latest breach is underway.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 8:18 pm

Coast Guard intercepts Pakistani vessel inside Indias EEZ; 11 detained for illegal entry

The apprehended fishermen were transferred to Jakhau Marine police station in Gujarat for further inquiry

The Hindu 11 Dec 2025 7:27 pm

341 minor pregnancies recorded in Gujarat's Mehsana between April and December 2025

AHMEDABAD: A recent survey by the Gujarat Health Department has revealed that, in district of Mehsana alone, 341 minor girls aged 13-17 have become pregnant in the past year between April and December. Female health workers, while compiling maternal health data, stumbled upon one case after another girls barely in their teens already carrying the burden of motherhood. In-charge District Health Officer Dr. Ghanshyam Gadhvi, speaking with stark clarity, laid out the disturbing numbers. Between April and December 2025, 22,812 pregnant women were registered in the district. Among them were girls, 2 aged 14, 34 aged 15, 76 aged 16, and 229 aged 17. That makes 341 minor pregnancies, he said. Kadi leads the list with 88 pregnant minors, followed closely by Mehsana taluka with 80. The chain extends across Bahucharaji (17), Jotana (16), Kheralu (19), Satlasana (23), Vadnagar (24), Unjha (20), Vijapur (28), and Visnagar (26). On paper, Gujarat has the Child Marriage Prohibition Act in place. Enforcement agencies and the Child Protection Unit are tasked with preventing these marriages. On ground, however, the law stands mocked, its spirit eroded by the sheer volume of violations. Despite state-level monitoring of maternal health data, the Mehsana statistics reveal that no preventive mechanism is working. The consequences are not merely legal; they are grave and life-threatening. Early pregnancies put both mother and child at extreme medical risk. After the pandemic lockdown, Mehsanas high child and maternal mortality rates drew national attention. The Health Department responded with specialised projects aimed at reducing these deaths. Yet the surge in underage pregnancies now threatens to undo years of health interventions, pushing vulnerable girls back into cycles of risk and invisibility. If such a crisis is unfolding in Mehsana the states symbol of literacy and administrative strength the question becomes unavoidable: what horrors remain hidden in Gujarats tribal, remote, or unmonitored districts?

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 7:07 pm

EC extends electoral roll revision timeline in six States, UTs

The EC on Thursday released the revised schedule for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Uttar Pradesh

The Hindu Businessline 11 Dec 2025 6:50 pm

Gujarats road safety gap widens with nearly 36K fatalities in five years despite rise in e-challans

AHMEDABAD: Fresh Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha data on Thursday have highlighted gaps in Gujarats road management architecture, where road accidents and fatalities continue to rise despite an increase in e-challans and fines. The data showed an explosive rise in e-challans -- Gujarat issued 2.84 lakh challans in 2022, a number that shot up nearly six times to 16.04 lakh in 2023, and then spiralled to an astonishing 43.24 lakh in 2024. But the enforcement surge comes with a troubling twist: unpaid challans are rising faster than recoveries. While fines recovered in 2022 stood at Rs 103.35 crore, they grew to Rs 150.18 crore in 2023 and Rs 188.61 crore in 2024. Yet unpaid dues jumped even faster from Rs 43.88 crore in 2022 to Rs 135.62 crore in 2023, before tripling to Rs 302.10 crore in 2024. Rule 167 of the CMVR mandates that challans be disposed of within 90 days, and delinquency should block licence or registration-related processes. But Gujarats unpaid docket suggests that the rulebook is either under-enforced or routinely bypassed. The fallout is visible on the roads. Gujarats road accident data from 2020 to 2024 shows a persistently high and uneven pattern. The state registered 13,398 accidents in 2020, rising to 15,186 in 2021, 15,751 in 2022, and peaking at 16,349 in 2023, before dipping slightly to 15,588 in 2024. Fatalities show the same trajectory, increasing from 6,170 deaths in 2020 to 7,452 in 2021, 7,618 in 2022, and 7,854 in 2023, with a marginal drop to 7,717 in 2024. Total for five years: 76,272 accidents and 36,811 deaths. Over-speeding remains Gujarats major cause of accidents. Accidents due to speeding jumped from 12,449 (2020) to 14,718 (2023), while fatalities stubbornly remained above 7,000 every year, touching 7,278 in 2023 and 7,193 in 2024. The numbers show that despite soaring challans, the behaviour most frequently penalised remains the one most frequently ignored. Overloading offences show a quieter but persistent rise, with accidents increasing from 671 in 2020 to 754 in 2024, and fatalities rising from 358 to 384 in the same period. Fatalities due to non-wearing of helmets climbed sharply from 2,106 in 2020 to 3,021 in 2024, a nearly 44% jump. Seatbelt-related deaths rose from 798 in 2020 to 963 in 2024, signalling that the most basic safety habits remain deeply ignored even as e-challans proliferate. Adding to the chaos is the rise in accidents involving drivers without licences, which surged from 791 in 2020 to 1,251 in 2023. Taken together, the data unmasks Gujarats paradox: a state issuing record e-challans but still failing to curb the behaviours that kill the most.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 6:49 pm

ECI Revises Electoral Roll Revision Schedule for 6 States and UTs; UP Gets 2-Week Extension

The Election Commission of India has revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule for Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman & Nicobar, and Uttar Pradesh. UP receives a two-week extension as over 18% voters remain ...

Web Dunia 11 Dec 2025 5:58 pm

EC extends SIR timeline in six states, Union territories

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in six states and Union territories following requests from the respective chief electoral officers. In a statement, the Election Commission (EC) issued the revised schedule for SIR in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 11 Dec 2025 5:55 pm

Kohli And Pant To Join Delhi Team For Vijay Hazare Trophy As Probables List Announced

CAC Chairman Vijay Dahiya: Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will be joining the Delhi team for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, as the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced the list of probable players for the domestic one-day competition. The availability of Kohli, which was confirmed earlier this month, and Pant is expected to lend considerable depth and experience to Delhis batting order, especially with the BCCI making a rule that contracted India players have to feature in domestic cricket when international commitments are not on. The Delhi team will play its first two Elite Group D games against Andhra and Gujarat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which serves as Kohli's home ground for his IPL team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The side is also scheduled to play the remaining five games at the Alur Cricket Ground, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Kohli will come on the back of being Player of the Series in the 2-1 win over South Africa in the ODI series, while Pant will be itching to get some game time after being an unused player in the recent 50-over fixtures against the Proteas. The duo will be available till Indias ODI series against New Zealand happens from January 11-17, 2026. The Delhi team will play its first two Elite Group D games against Andhra and Gujarat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which serves as Kohli's home ground for his IPL team, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The side is also scheduled to play the remaining five games at the Alur Cricket Ground, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A further list of 50 probable players has also been released. They are:- Dev Lakra, Divij Mehra, Yugal Saini, Sujal Singh, Rajneesh Dadar, Aman Bharti, Govind Mittal, Sumit Beniwal, Shubham Dubey, Keshav Dabas, Rahul Choudhary, Samarth Seth, Shivam Tripathi, Anmol Sharma, Shivam Gupta, Lakshay Thareja, Manan Bhardwaj, Rounak Waghela, Mayank Gussain, Keshav R Singh, Laxman, Divansh Rawat, Pranav Rajvanshi, Pranshu Vijayran, Siddhant Sharma, Gagan Vats, Vansh Bedi, Rahul Gahlot, Vishal Rai, Samarth Singh, Sanat Sangwan, Aayush Singh, Sumit Mathur, Sampooran Tripathi, Vivek Tiwari, Hrithik Shokeen, Tejas Baroka, Saksham Sharma, Dev Dubey, Shivam Sharma, Rohit Yadav, Anirudh Choudhary, Vishant Bhati, Pranav Pant, Pankaj Jaswal, Ajay Guliya, Siddhant Bansal, Vikas Solanki, Divij Prakash and Suryakant Chauhan Article Source: IANS

CNMSports 11 Dec 2025 5:24 pm

Indian Coast Guard foils major Pakistan intrusion: Apprehends 11 fishermen, seizes boat illegally entering Indian waters in Gujarat

Eleven Pakistani fishermen were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard on Wednesday after their boat 'Al Wali' was found inside Indian waters near Gujarat's Jakhau without any prior permission.

DNA India 11 Dec 2025 5:03 pm

Election Commission's BIG move on SIR, extends deadline for 6 states; check new dates here

New dates have been set for the exercise in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No extension was given for Goa, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where elections are due to be held early next year.

DNA India 11 Dec 2025 4:54 pm

Election Commission Extends SIR Deadline In 6 States, No Change In Bengal

The SIR deadline in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Uttar Pradesh has been extended by a week.

News18 11 Dec 2025 4:51 pm

Election Commission revises SIR schedule for six states and Union territories

The Election Commission of India has updated the schedule for electoral roll revision in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This revision aims for accuracy. Eligible citizens, especially new voters, should register by submitting Form 6.

The Economic Times 11 Dec 2025 4:40 pm

ICG detains 11 Pakistani fishermen: Vessel caught operating illegally near Gujarat; probe under way

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat with 11 crew members for illegally operating within Indian waters. This decisive action underscores India's commitment to protecting its maritime frontiers and upholding international maritime law. The operation highlights the Coast Guard's sustained vigilance and proactive approach to national maritime security.

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 3:37 pm

Coast Guard seizes Pakistani boat in Indian waters, apprehends 11 crew members

AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized a Pakistani fishing boat and apprehended 11 crew members operating illegally in the Indian waters, officials said on Thursday. The detainees have been handed over to Jakhau Marine Police in Gujarat for further investigation, they said. The Indian Coast Guard, in a swift action on Wednesday, apprehended a Pakistani fishing boat with 11 crew inside India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Gujarat Defence PRO Wing Commander Abhishek Kumar Tiwari said in a post on X. In a swift operation on 10 Dec 25, @IndiaCoastGuard apprehended a #Pakistani fishing boat with 11 crew inside the #Indian #EEZ . This interdiction underscores #BhartiyaTatrakshak 's sustained maritime operations and India's commitment to securing its maritime frontiers while pic.twitter.com/BYZSLcBvLS PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) December 11, 2025 This interdiction underscores the Coast Guard's sustained maritime operations and India's commitment to securing its frontiers while maintaining robust enforcement of international laws within the Maritime Zones of India (MZI), he said. Continuous vigilance across India's maritime domain remains a cornerstone of our national maritime security strategy, he added. The ICG also confirmed the interception. The Indian Coast Guard intercepted and apprehended a Pakistani fishing vessel along with 11 crew operating illegally inside Indian waters. This decisive action reflects the unwavering vigilance of the ICG and India's firm resolve to protect its maritime frontiers and uphold international maritime law within the MZI. Relentless surveillance and proactive operation remain the bedrock of our maritime security strategy, it said on X.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 3:30 pm

NehruBabri claim: Congress Jairam Ramesh hands Vallabhbhai Patels daughters diary entries to Rajnath watch

A parliamentary exchange saw Congress MP Jairam Ramesh present Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Maniben Patel's diary. Ramesh stated the diary entries do not support Singh's recent claim regarding Jawaharlal Nehru and the Babri Masjid. Singh indicated he had an English version. The incident follows Singh's remarks in Gujarat, which Congress has challenged, citing Patel's daughter's writings.

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 2:13 pm

Gift City & Henox Group sign MoU for Rs 1,317-crore cable landing station in Gujarat

The agreement aims to enhance Gujarats digital infrastructure, positioning the state as a key player in global data traffic and attracting significant investments in AI and cloud technology

The Hindu Businessline 11 Dec 2025 1:37 pm

Ananya walks out of Abhay's 'Choomantar' citing date clashes

Ananya Panday has exited the fantasy romantic drama 'Choomantar' due to a scheduling conflict with 'Call Me Bae 2'. The film's makers have swiftly replaced her with South actress Sreeleela and Gujarati star Janki Bodiwala, who will now star opposite Abhay Verma. The project, with a new lead pair, is set to begin workshops soon.

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:03 pm

1996 drug seizure case: Supreme Court rejects Sanjiv Bhatt's plea seeking suspension of sentence

A sessions court in Palanpur town of Gujarats Banaskantha district had sentenced Mr. Bhatt to 20 years in the case dating back to 1996

The Hindu 11 Dec 2025 11:57 am

'Laalo' cast visits Himmatnagar jail

The cast of the Gujarati hit 'Laalo Krishna Sada Sahaayate' visited Himmatnagar jail, sharing motivational messages inspired by the film's themes. Actress Reeva Rachh encouraged inmates to focus on good deeds, emphasizing that positive actions have a lasting impact.

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 11:54 am

SC rejects ex- IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea seeking suspension of sentence in 1996 drug seizure case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt seeking seeking suspension of the 20-year jail sentence imposed on him in a 1996 drug seizure case. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi said it was not inclined to entertain the matter. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by Bhatt seeking suspension of sentence in the case. A sessions court in Palanpur town of Gujarat's Banaskantha district had sentenced Bhatt to 20 years in the case dating back to 1996. Bhatt was found guilty of falsely implicating a Rajasthan-based lawyer by claiming that in 1996, police had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur where the lawyer was staying. Bhatt, who was sacked from service in 2015, was a superintendent of police in Banaskantha district in 1996. The district police under him had arrested Sumersingh Rajpurohit, a Rajasthan-based lawyer, in 1996 claiming they had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur town where he was staying. However, the Rajasthan police later said Rajpurohit was falsely implicated by the Banaskantha police to compel him to transfer a disputed property located at Pali in Rajasthan. Former police inspector I B Vyas had moved the Gujarat High Court in 1999 demanding a thorough inquiry into the case. Bhatt was arrested by the state CID in September 2018 in the drug case under the NDPS Act and is in Palanpur sub-jail since then. Last year, the former IPS officer had approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the trial in the 28-year-old drug case to another sessions court alleging bias. He had also sought directions for recording of the trial court proceedings. However, the Supreme Court had dismissed Bhatt's plea and imposed a cost of Rs 3 lakh on him for alleging bias against a lower court judge conducting his trial in the drug planting case.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 11:38 am

SC Rejects Sanjiv Bhatts Plea Seeking Suspension Of Sentence In 1996 Drug Seizure Case

New Delhi, Dec 11: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt seeking seeking suspension of the 20-year jail sentence imposed on him in a 1996 drug seizure case. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi said it was not inclined to entertain the matter. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by Bhatt seeking suspension of sentence in the case. A sessions court in Palanpur town of Gujarats Banaskantha [] The post SC Rejects Sanjiv Bhatts Plea Seeking Suspension Of Sentence In 1996 Drug Seizure Case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 11 Dec 2025 11:36 am

Essential Rotor Part To Be Fixed Before Dhruvs Return To Naval, Coast Guard Service: Report

The grounding of the entire Dhruv fleet followed a tragic incident on January5 this year when a Coast Guardoperated ALH Dhruv crashed at Porbandar, Gujarat

News18 11 Dec 2025 11:21 am

'Laalo' BO day 62: Karan's film holds strong as it amasses Rs 115 Cr worldwide

The Gujarati film 'Laalo - Krishna Sada Sahaayate' continues its successful theatrical run, crossing Rs 91.45 crore in India net by Day 62. The movie has garnered significant praise on social media for its acting, music, and universal themes, reaching a worldwide total of Rs 114.8 crore.

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 10:44 am

Gujarat Man, Accused Of Rape, Assault Of 7-Year-Old Girl, Shot In Legs While Attempting To Flee

35-year-old man, accused of raping and assaulting a seven-year-old girl in Rajkot, Gujarat, was shot in the legs by police during an encounter after he tried to flee.

News18 11 Dec 2025 9:39 am

Two fake Ayurvedic practitioners held, cops warn people against such gurus in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh has appealed to people not to seek any treatment from Ayurvedic practitioners operating from roadside tents as many of them are uncertified. This comes in the backdrop of the arrest of two self-proclaimed Ayurvedic gurus for cheating a software engineer by promising to cure his sexual health problems. At a press conference on Wednesday, Singh said the Jnanabharathi police have arrested two people for cheating a man by promising to cure his ailment. The victim later developed severe health complications due to the medicines given by the accused. All divisional deputy commissioners of police have been instructed to verify roadside Ayurvedic tents, and to remove those operating illegally. Vijay Pradhan Chitodiya (42) and Manoj Singh Chitodiya (29), residents of Maharashtra and hailing from Gujarat, have been arrested for cheating the software engineer. The police said 29-year-old Akhilesh (name changed), who was depressed about not having a child and frustrated with delays in allopathic treatment, had approached a roadside tent run by the self-styled Ayurvedic gurus. The accused promised him a quick cure, but in the end, he lost Rs 48 lakh and suffered kidney damage after consuming the herbal medicines prescribed to him. The police added that the prime accused was arrested in Telangana, and based on his information, his associate was arrested in Cyberabad. About 17 types of Ayurvedic medicines, a tempo traveller used for the offence, and Rs 19.50 lakh in cash have been seized from the duo. Both have been remanded to judicial custody.

The New Indian Express 11 Dec 2025 9:02 am

Nadda calls for stronger grassroots action in meeting with Gujarat MPs - Daily Pioneer

Nadda calls for stronger grassroots action in meeting with Gujarat MPs Daily Pioneer

Google News 11 Dec 2025 3:17 am

VMC spends 1.73cr to repair three ageing bridges

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:22 am

Couple killed after being hit by truck on NH-48

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

Amazon signs MoU with GSV for logistics research

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

Amul partners with Argentina Football body

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

4 from Ahmedabad arrested for theft of NRIs gold jewellery

The Times of India 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

4 from Ahmedabad arrested for theft of NRIs gold jewellery - Times of India

4 from Ahmedabad arrested for theft of NRIs gold jewellery Times of India

Google News 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

Deaf educator launches Gujarats first English course, wins national award - Times of India

Deaf educator launches Gujarats first English course, wins national award Times of India

Google News 11 Dec 2025 12:21 am

Gujarat accounts for 20% of TOEFL centres in India - Times of India

Gujarat accounts for 20% of TOEFL centres in India Times of India

Google News 11 Dec 2025 12:00 am

ICICI Bank fined Rs 10 lakh, Vodafone Rs 5 lakh in Gujarat SIM fraud case - MSN

ICICI Bank fined Rs 10 lakh, Vodafone Rs 5 lakh in Gujarat SIM fraud case MSN

Google News 10 Dec 2025 11:58 pm

No BU nod: 12 preschools, schools in Ahmedabad sealed - Times of India

No BU nod: 12 preschools, schools in Ahmedabad sealed Times of India

Google News 10 Dec 2025 11:54 pm

Ruckus at town hall over PMAY house draw postponement

The Times of India 10 Dec 2025 11:51 pm

Dropouts rise, classrooms shrink, but Gujarat schools still have surplus teachers

AHMEDABAD: Gujarats latest education statistics reveal a system caught between falling enrolments and stubborn secondary-level dropouts. The five-year dropout trend sets the stage. Primary-level dropout rates remained nearly negligible, touching 1.02% in 2020-21, falling to 0% for two consecutive years, and inching up slightly to 0.1% and 0.2% in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Upper primary dropout rates have fluctuated over the years rising from 4.54% in 2020-21 to 4.95% in 2021-22, peaking at 5.8% in 2022-23, dipping to 4.2% in 2023-24, and again climbing back to 5.8% in 2024-25. Secondary dropout trends reveal sharp swings from a high 23.31% in 2020-21, dropping to 17.85% in 2021-22, surging again to 23.3% in 2022-23, easing to 21% in 2023-24, and falling further to 16.9% in 2024-25. This pattern becomes sharper when broken down by social groups. For Scheduled Castes in 2024-25, dropout at the primary level is nearly absent, but upper primary and secondary still show 4.4% and 15.4%, For 2024-25 in Gujarat, dropout rates among Scheduled Tribes (ST) stand at 0.2% in primary classes, 7.7% at the upper-primary level, and a significantly higher 20.2% in secondary education. The data on government school enrolment adds another troubling layer. Even as dropout rates surge at higher grades, the state is simultaneously witnessing a growing number of schools with less than ten or even zero students. This figure ballooned from 677 schools in 2022-23 to 906 in 2023-24, before dipping to 748 in 2024-25 still significantly high. Yet the teacher count in these near-empty schools has also climbed: from 1,391 teachers in 2022-23 to 1,641 in 2023-24, with a dip to 1,353 in 2024-25. The imbalance is stark: more teachers but fewer students raising critical questions on deployment, efficiency, and long-term planning. The backdrop to these anomalies is the steady reduction in the total number of government schools. Gujarat had 35,040 schools in 2019-20; the count slid gradually to 34,597 by 2023-24, recovering slightly to 34,638 in 2024-25. This shrinking footprint, combined with rising dropout rates and thinning enrolments in many campuses, paints a picture of consolidation without commensurate revitalisation.

The New Indian Express 10 Dec 2025 6:58 pm

Ahmedabad Crime Branch steps up crackdown on cybercrime mule accounts

Statewide operation targets mule accounts, bank negligence and cybercrime networks across Gujarat

The Hindu 10 Dec 2025 6:50 pm

Watch: American Vlogger Relished Gujarati Locho And Sosyo In Surat, Wins Foodies' Approval

A viral reel shows an American travel vlogger relishing locho at a local food joint in Surat. She pairs it with the popular drink, Sosyo, and enjoys both.

NDTV 10 Dec 2025 5:47 pm

Gujarat scraps 6.34 lakh ration cards in five years: Data cleanup or silent exclusion?

AHMEDABAD: A fresh disclosure in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday has brought Gujarats food security framework under intense scrutiny, revealing 75,17,392 active ration cards but overshadowed by a persistent and rising wave of deletions across the past five years. In total, Gujarat has removed 6.34 lakh ration cards between 2020 and October 2025, revealing a continuous churn in its beneficiary list. The deletions signal an ongoing verification drive that has raised pressing questions on beneficiary identification, data accuracy and administrative accountability. What began in 2020 as a seemingly routine correction with 47,936 deletions ballooned dramatically in 2021, when removals shot up to 2,19,151, sparking immediate questions about what exactly was being filtered out. The trend continued: 1,32,519 deletions in 2022, 1,35,362 in 2023, and another 30,889 in 2024 kept the system in constant churn. By October 2025, an additional 69,102 cards had already been deleted. In total, Gujarat has struck 6.34 lakh ration cards from its lists in six years, a scale that makes clear this was no one-time clean-up. The spike of 2021 marked the highest annual jump, but the momentum in 2022 and 2023 each crossing 1.3 lakh deletions showed that the pruning exercise had become structural. Gujarat removes 22.68 lakh workers from MGNREGA records Even 2024 and 2025 continued the purge, adding over one lakh more deletions. Each years figure feeds into the next, raising the critical question of whether Gujarats system is improving accuracy or signalling administrative inconsistencies and possible silent exclusions. The Centre, however, placed the responsibility on the States/UTs, reiterating in Parliament that identification and management of NFSA beneficiary lists lie entirely with state governments. This clarification narrows the accountability lens squarely on Gujarats verification mechanisms while distancing the Union Government from operational decisions. According to the official explanation, deletions were triggered by duplicate entries, ineligible beneficiaries, e-KYC mismatches, recorded deaths and permanent migration framing the purge as both demographic and technical housekeeping. Importantly, the government stressed that no ration card was cancelled solely for failing e-KYC or Aadhaar authentication, pushing back against concerns of digital exclusion. Adding a final layer of complexity, the government claimed that no formal complaints of wrongful deletions have been received. Yet the absence of complaints amid rising deletions raises its own question does it reflect efficient governance or limited access to grievance mechanisms among vulnerable households? As the figures accumulate year after year, the emerging narrative is sharp and conflicted: an expansive data cleaning drive that Gujarat presents as essential maintenance, but one that critics fear may be quietly edging out those who need support the most.

The New Indian Express 10 Dec 2025 4:49 pm

7-Year-Old Girl Brutalised With Iron Rod After Rape Attempt In Gujarat

A horrific case of a minor's assault has emerged from Gujarat's Rajkot in which a rod was inserted into a seven-year-old's private parts after an attempted rape by the perpetrator.

NDTV 10 Dec 2025 3:02 pm

Watch: Python Revived With CPR After Head Injury In Gujarat

A python was rescued in Gujarat after the combined efforts of the Forest Department and a Dediapada-based animal welfare activist from the organisation called Jivdaya Premi.

NDTV 10 Dec 2025 2:58 pm

Gujarat: Massive fire erupts in Surats Raj Textile market

A massive fire broke out at Surats Raj Textile Market on Wednesday, prompting the deployment of 22 fire tenders and over 100 firefighters. Dense smoke engulfed the building as flames spread across the third, fifth and top floors. Officials say the fire is largely under control, with cooling operations underway

Mid Day 10 Dec 2025 2:54 pm

UNESCO honours eternal human longing for peace, triumph of good: India on Deepavali inscription

India already has 15 other elements inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting and Ramlila -- the traditional performance of the epic 'Ramayana'.

The Economic Times 10 Dec 2025 1:03 pm

Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival

Once targeted for oil and meat, the whale shark is now being saved by fishers along Indias Arabian Sea coast. What began as a Gujarat-led conservation movement has reached Lakshadweep and Kerala. With awareness drives and rescue compensation, fishers are learning safe disentanglement techniques. Yet, inadequate support and social security gaps continue to challenge the people risking their livelihoods to protect this gentle giant. Mongabay India correspondent K A Shaji reports On a March morning in Poonthura, near Keralas capital [] The post Saving the Gentle Giant: How Indias Fishers Are Leading a Whale Shark Revival appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 10 Dec 2025 12:12 pm

Gujarat HORROR! Nirbhaya-Like Incident In Rajkot, Iron Rod Inserted Into 7-Yr-Olds Private Parts After Unsuccessful Rape Attempt

An incident similar to the Delhis Nirbhaya incident has occurred in Rajkot district of Gujarat. A seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped and severely injured by inserting an iron rod into her private parts in a village under the jurisdiction of ...

Web Dunia 10 Dec 2025 11:13 am

20-Year-Old Killed, Dismembered By Friend In Gujarat After Dispute Involving A Woman

Ramesh Maheshwari, missing from Muru village in Nakhatrana, Gujarat, was found murdered and dismembered. Police allege his friend Kishore killed him after a dispute over a woman.

News18 10 Dec 2025 11:11 am

6-Year-Old Girl Assaulted By Metal Rod After Failed Rape Attempt In Gujarat; Private Parts Injured

A six-year-old girl in Rajkot was brutally attacked after an attempted rape, sparking outrage and a police manhunt that led to the arrest of a 35-year-old farm labourer from Dahod.

News18 10 Dec 2025 10:58 am

Four killed, 27 injured in bus-truck collision on Jaipur-Bikaner National Highway

JAIPUR: Four people were killed and 27 others injured after a bus collided head-on with a truck on Jaipur-?Bikaner National Highway in the Sikar district of Rajasthan on Tuesday night. The sleeper bus was travelling from Bikaner towards Jaipur when they rammed into each other. The police said that four persons died in the accident, adding that 15 injured were admitted to the Sikar district hospital while 13 were given primary treatment at Fatehgarh. One critically injured person referred from the Sikar district hospital to SMS Hospital in Jaipur died during treatment, the police said. The group of passengers was returning Gujarat after visiting Jammu and Kashmir when the accident occurred, the police added.

The New Indian Express 10 Dec 2025 10:06 am

Gujarat Man Murdered, Body Chopped By Friend After Fight Over Woman

A 20-year-old man from Gujarat, who had been missing for six days, was found murdered, with police uncovering that he was allegedly killed and dismembered by his friend over a dispute involving a woman.

NDTV 10 Dec 2025 9:55 am

What happened on 10th December in history: The most significant events over the years

December 10th marks significant historical moments, including the birth anniversaries of Indian National Congress President Siddhavanahalli Nijalingappa and archaeologist Hasmukh Sankalia. It also commemorates the death anniversaries of liberation warrior Chaudhary Digambar Singh and Nobel Prize founder Alfred Nobel. The day is globally recognized as Human Rights Day and saw the launch of India's first hovercraft service in Gujarat.

The Times of India 10 Dec 2025 7:00 am

Kejriwal says Gujarat govt stopped him from meeting jailed farmers

He charged that the current administration had behaved in a manner far harsher than what our freedom fighters could have imagined from an independent Indian government.

The Hindu 10 Dec 2025 3:20 am