Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra: 500 volunteers on motorcycles clean schools, ponds along the route
Digital Desk | Vadnagar/Varanasi, Sep 20 (IANS) More than 500 young volunteers taking part in the Seva Yatra on motorcycles from Vadnagar to Varanasi from September 17 to October 7 are offering manual service and cleaning campuses of schools, hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes along the route. The 22-day journey, aiming to cover 35,500 kilometres across 20 teams, is part of a campaign organised around Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years of public service. Driven by the goal of offering service to communities, the 500 youths are travelling from village to village and undertaking activities including cleanliness drives, cow service, care of older people and sharing awareness about government schemes, said a statement issued by the BJP. They are travelling through towns, districts, talukas and villages, taking the spirit of Seva right to the grassroots, said the statement. The Seva Yatris are not just passing through communities but stopping, meeting people and committing Seva in activities that respond to local needs - from cleanliness drives at ponds, temples, schools, parks, hospitals and other public areas to beneficiary interactions, youth dialogues, Gram Sabha samvad and Gau Seva to tree plantation under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. At PM SHRI Schools, the Yatris are cleaning campuses, interacting with students and distributing books and stationery and at hospitals, orphanages and old-age homes, they are extending their support to those who need it the most, the statement said. Kits are being distributed to widows, ASHA workers are being honoured, and communities are coming together for different welfare activities, it said. The Yatra is equally about contact and dialogue. Yuva Samvads, Gram Sabha interactions, Mahila Samvads and beneficiary interactions are creating opportunities to meet people directly and understand the aspirations and provide awareness at the grassroots, the statement said. Organ donation pledges are also being encouraged by the volunteers to promote the spirit of giving, while tributes to martyrs and freedom fighters are connecting communities with the nation's history and its heroes, it said. The Yatra is bringing together several dimensions of public engagement, including Seva, Sampark, youth participation, social welfare, cultural connect and community mobilisation and carrying them from one grassroots location to another, it said. On the occasion of PM Modis birthday on September 17, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off a 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) to Vadnagar in Gujarat. He said the 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' is not merely a means of traversing the geographical distance between two places; rather, it is a sacred spiritual and social journey connecting the birthplace of PM Modi with his 'karmabhoomi', Kashi. The Yatra is being organised under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' as a means of serving the people, said the Defence Minister, adding that during the journey the waters of Varanasi and Vadnagar will be exchanged and used for the Jalabhishek of Hatkeshwar Mahadev and Baba Vishwanath. He said the objective of this journey is to connect public sentiments, reach the last person through service activities, and highlight PM Modi's 25 years of dedicated service to the people.
Gujarat: Mother delivers triplets with help from 108 emergency team in Rajkot
Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 20 (IANS) An emergency medical team from the 108 service assisted in the delivery of the remaining two babies after a woman carrying triplets gave birth to her first child before an ambulance reached her home in Rohishala village of Tankara taluka on Saturday night. The Paddhari 108 team received the delivery emergency at 8:48 p.m. on September 19. EMT Jignasha Luhar and pilot Sureshbhai immediately left for Rohishala. When the ambulance reached the patient's residence, the first of the three babies had already been delivered. With two deliveries still to be managed, Luhar used her training to assess and handle the situation and successfully assisted with the births of the remaining two babies. According to the 108 team, all three newborns were boys. During the emergency, the patient's condition and other details were shared over the phone with ERCP Dr Jotsna. Following the doctor's guidance, the team administered the required care and continued monitoring the mother and newborns. After all three babies were delivered, Luhar ensured the mother and newborns received the necessary attention before they were transported to Janana Hospital. The mother and all three babies were subsequently handed over safely to the hospital's medical team for further treatment and care. The 108 team said a triplet delivery presents additional challenges compared with a routine delivery and requires careful management. In this case, the emergency team responded after the first birth had already taken place and managed the remaining two deliveries at the patient's residence. The team also acknowledged the support provided by pilot Sureshbhai during the emergency and the medical guidance given by Dr Jotsna. The mother and all three newborn boys were taken to the hospital safely following the deliveries.
Ravi Nair was taken into custody and sent to jail on 17th September after a Gandhinagar court issued a non-bailable warrant against him on 3rd September in connection with his petition against his conviction and one-year simple imprisonment in a criminal defamation case against the Adani Group.
Wagh Bakri Tea Group chairman Piyushbhai Desai passes away at 86
Wagh Bakri Tea Group chairman Piyushbhai Desai, who combined business with Gandhian values, philanthropy and social responsibility, passed away on September 15, the tea group said in a statement. He was 86. Desai was associated with the tea trade for over six decades and played a significant role in taking Wagh Bakri beyond its Gujarat roots and expanding its presence across multiple states, the obituary note issued by Wagh Bakri Tea Group said. Desai was known for his expertise in tea and his approach to business based on quality, integrity, long-term relationships and collective growth, the group said. Former Gujarat Vidyapith vice chancellor Sudarshan Iyengar remembered him as an entrepreneur who reflected the ideals envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, and was entirely self-made and a top-class tea taster himself. Desai's connection with Gandhi stemmed from his grandfather, who had met the Mahatma in South Africa, and because of this ancestral connection, helping people through the
UP affirms its top position in tax collection, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Kerala posts fastest growth of about 22%; Gujarat tops capex
Gujarat reduces tender validation process from 120 to 90 days, fixes approval timelines
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 20 (IANS) The Gujarat government has shortened the tender approval process for development and construction works, fixing maximum timelines of 51 days for tenders involving only financial bids and 66 days for those requiring technical and financial scrutiny. Bhupendra Patel-led government has also reduced the validity period of tenders from the existing 120 days to 90 days, as part of measures aimed at reducing delays in administrative approvals and allowing projects to begin earlier. Under the revised system, tenders where there is no pre-qualification of contractors and only a financial bid is involved will have to complete the entire approval process within a maximum of 51 days. This includes processing from the field or regional office level through the Secretariat and the Finance Department. For tenders requiring pre-qualification of contractors, involving both technical and financial bids, the complete process, including scrutiny at different levels, will have to be completed within 66 days. The government has also decided to restrict negotiations in the tender process. Where more than one tender has been received after giving the prescribed wide publicity under the rules, negotiations will generally have to be avoided except in unavoidable circumstances. If negotiations are considered necessary, they will be conducted at only one level that of the competent authority. Negotiations at multiple levels will not be permitted. The revised procedure also provides for accountability in cases where the prescribed timelines are not met. If a proposal is not disposed of within the stipulated period, the reasons for the delay will have to be recorded at the concerned level and responsibility for the delay fixed on the concerned officer. Similarly, where delays arise because a proposal is incomplete, responsibility for the delay will rest with the level from which the proposal was submitted. The changes are applicable to the tender approval process for various development and construction works, including infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and government buildings. The government said the revised timelines are intended to ensure that the tender approval process is completed within a defined period, allowing projects to commence according to schedule. The procedure would also help reduce administrative delays and enable citizens to access public infrastructure and services at an earlier stage, officials added.
Property insurance rates up as insurers cut discounts after Gujarat floods
Premium rates are hardening by nearly 25-30 per cent, mainly through a reduction in discounts, according to Bajaj General Insurance
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel sets 51-66 day deadline for tender approvals
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has introduced strict timelines for the tender approval process, directing departments to complete approvals within a maximum of 51 days for tenders involving only financial bids and 66 days where pre-qualification and technical and financial bids are required. The tender validity period has also been reduced from 120 to 90 days.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joins Ganeshotsav celebrations in Ranip
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10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup begins in Leh
Leh, Ladakh: The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 is being held at the NDS Indoor Stadium in Leh, bringing together Pencak Silat athletes, coaches, officials, team managers and sports administrators from across the country. More than 850 athletes and participants are taking part in the national championship, which has emerged as a major sporting gathering in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Teams from various States, Union Territories and Paramilitary Forces are participating in the championship. The event also features more than 100 technical and federation officials and State/UT representatives, along with over 70 coaches and team managers. The opening ceremony will be attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena as the chief guest. Administrative Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh Bhanu Prabha; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Shashanka Ala; Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, Ladakh Tsering Paldan; Additional Deputy Commissioner to the Lieutenant Governor Shekh Aadil; President, Indian Pencak Silat Federation; President, Ladakh Pencak Silat Association; and District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Leh, will also be present. The championship has brought together sporting delegations from Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, CISF, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, ITBP, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, SSB, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The participation of State and UT teams along with Paramilitary Forces has added diversity to the championship, bringing athletes from different sporting backgrounds onto one national platform. Besides athletes, the championship includes technical officials, federation representatives, coaches, team managers, referees, judges, delegation representatives and members of the organising and support teams. The event has brought together more than 1,000 athletes, officials, coaches, managers, representatives and other sporting stakeholders. Hosting a national-level Pencak Silat championship in Leh at the high altitude of the Himalayas gives the event a distinctive setting. The championship provides athletes from across India an opportunity to compete at the national level while also experiencing the culture and hospitality of Ladakh. The event also highlights Ladakh's potential to host major sporting competitions and provides a platform for promoting sports and sporting activities in the region. The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 brings together athletes and sporting delegations from different regions of the country on a common platform. With more than 850 participants, 100 technical officials and representatives, and over 70 coaches and team managers, the championship provides a significant platform for Pencak Silat athletes to compete and showcase their skills.
Vadodara Use of corn in ethanol will be beneficial for tribal farmers of Gujarat - Sandesh
Gujarat Chief Minister Participates in Ganesh Festival, Prays for States Prosperity
Gujarats Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the Ganesh Festival, praying for the prosperity of the states people. Gujarat Chief Minister Participates in Ganesh Festival, Prays for States Prosperity
SC Strikes Down Maharashtra Methanol Rules
Prohibition failed to prevent Gujarat hooch deaths: SC
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Celebrates Ganesh Festival with Devotional Spirit
CM Bhupendra Patel participated in Ganesh Festival celebrations, embracing devotion and community spirit in Gujarat. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Celebrates Ganesh Festival with Devotional Spirit
Now, test milk for adulteration at home
Rent garba partners online posts come under police lens in Surat
Class 10 student jumps to her death from terrace
Woman cheated of 6.90L by city couple
Consultant booked for cheating man of 1L over Malaysia work visa
Original Marathi article: Roshan Ara Originally published in: Kadbole Writer: Atmaram Jog Translator: Dhananjay Jog It was about the year 1951. I was with the Police of then Bombay State, comprising of todays Maharashtra and substantial areas of Karnataka and Gujarat. I was posted at Bijapur. Language-based States reorganization brought about by the fast unto []
Pre-MSEFC hearing conclave resolves 425 cases
Ex-employee lit Shyam Sangini textile market fire
Sardar Sarovar Dam at 96% Capacity Amid Heavy Rainfall in Gujarat
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is nearly full, and Gujarats reservoirs are experiencing significant rainfall, prompting safety measures and rescue operations. Sardar Sarovar Dam at 96% Capacity Amid Heavy Rainfall in Gujarat
Railways has approved multiple infrastructure and safety projects across the country, including Kavach 4.0 installation on 607.7 route kilometres in Lucknow Division at Rs 252 crore, Electronic Interlocking at seven Solapur Division stations for Rs 209 crore, a 1x25 kV to 2x25 kV traction upgrade on the Savalyapuram-Guntur section for Rs 142 crore, and a four-lane road overbridge in Gujarat costing Rs 133.2295 crore. The projects aim to strengthen railway safety, signalling, traction capacity and operational efficiency.
Gujarat CM urges Sabarmati jail inmates to follow path of self-restraint
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday visited Sabarmati Central Jail as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years of public service and good governance, interacting with prisoners and visiting skill development centres inside the facility. During his interaction with inmates, Patel listened to them sing the bhajan Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye and urged them to imbibe its values and become Vaishnavs in the true sense. The Chief Minister said even a small mistake could have serious consequences, affecting not only the individual but also their entire family, and urged the prisoners to follow the path of self-restraint. Patel also shared light-hearted moments with the inmates, creating a relaxed atmosphere during the interaction. He noted that products made in jails are used by citizens and that bhajiyas prepared at the facility are also popular. Referring to the Prime Ministers approach of considering the entire country as his family, Patel said: The state government is similarly committed to ensuring that inmates receive the facilities they need. He also encouraged the prisoners to contribute to the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. As part of the visit, Patel distributed fruits among the prisoners and visited several skill development centres operating inside Sabarmati Central Jail. He visited the computer centre, carpentry, weaving and book-binding centres and learnt about the activities undertaken there to provide inmates with skills. The Chief Minister also purchased various products made by prisoners at the jail. Patel further visited the rooms at Sabarmati Central Jail where freedom fighters and prominent figures including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jhaverchand Meghani, Abbas Tyabji, Ravishankar Maharaj and Rasiklal Parikh had stayed during the freedom struggle. Later, the Chief Minister visited Dakshini Society in the Maninagar area of Ahmedabad on the occasion of the Ganeshotsav festival. He offered prayers to Lord Ganesha and performed the aarti. On the occasion of the Chief Minister's arrival, the entire Dakshini Society premises echoed with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya.
Youth meet: Gujarat Dy CM asks participants to check development data with AI
Digital Desk | Dahod, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday asked tribal youth at Bhadbha village in Dahod district to use AI tools on their mobile phones to independently check development figures from before 2014 and compare them with the current situation. Who among you uses AI? Just check this... How many universities and seats were there from Independence until Modi Saheb came, and how many are there now? Sanghavi asked during an interaction with tribal youth organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi bike rally. The youth used AI tools during the programme to look up figures and shared the information from their seats. According to the figures presented during the interaction, the number of medical colleges in the country increased from 387 before 2014 to 780, while MBBS seats rose from 51,348 to 1,15,900. Postgraduate medical seats had increased from 31,885 to 74,306, the youth said, citing information attributed to Rajya Sabha data. The discussion also covered the expansion of engineering and higher education seats, with Sanghavi and the participants discussing how increased educational opportunities had helped young people from ordinary families in tribal areas to pursue careers such as medicine and engineering. The youth interaction was held at Bhadbha in Bhuval taluka as part of the bike rally linked to the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Sanghavi said the enthusiasm of young people travelling thousands of kilometres by motorcycle over 22 days to undertake cleanliness and social service activities from village to village was encouraging. More than 50 per cent of those participating in the journey came from non-political backgrounds and had joined with a resolve to serve the country, he noted. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years of public service, from his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister to his tenure as Prime Minister, Sanghavi said PM Modi had worked continuously during this period without taking a single leave for personal work. He urged young people to draw inspiration from the Prime Ministers energy and dedication. Sanghavi also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes. A young farmer said he received Rs one lakh directly into his bank account as assistance to purchase a tractor. A youth said his grandfather had undergone heart surgery free of cost using an Ayushman card. In contrast, an older man said his wife had received free treatment worth Rs 70,000 for a stone-removal operation at a multi-speciality hospital through the scheme. Free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh is now available under the scheme in Gujarat, he said. A student said he received Rs 50,000 in education assistance through an E-Nirman card for B.Sc Nursing, while his sister, pursuing BAMS, received the full benefit of a Free Ship Card. Another youth said his family had received Rs 3.5 lakh in assistance under the PM Awas Yojana to replace their old kutcha house with a pucca home. Participants also highlighted the annual Rs 6,000 assistance deposited directly into farmers accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and emergency animal treatment through the 1962 helpline. At the end of the interaction, Sanghavi urged the youth to dedicate 25 minutes every day to social service for the next month. He suggested activities including village cleanliness, teaching children in government schools, blood donation, helping the elderly and assisting needy people in accessing government schemes. During his Dahod visit, Sanghavi also visited the Sports Complex in Devgadh Baria, where he watched wrestling, karate, archery, tug-of-war and running competitions. He also participated in a running event and interacted with players. Sanghavi told the players that sport is not only a means of maintaining physical fitness but also helps develop discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and leadership. The government is making efforts to provide appropriate opportunities and facilities to sporting talent in rural and tribal areas, he said.
Gujarats Deputy Chief Minister Participates in Cleanliness Drive During Service Journey
Gujarats Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi joined a cleanliness campaign in Panchmahal, promoting hygiene and community service during a bike rally. Gujarats Deputy Chief Minister Participates in Cleanliness Drive During Service Journey
Watch the Official teaser from gujarati movie 'Chhaydo' starring Aruna Irani, Akash Khurana and Nikhil Parmar. 'Chhaydo' movie is directed by Piyush Ranjitbhai. To know more about 'Chhaydo' teaser watch the video. Check out the latest gujarati teasers, new movie teasers, trending gujarati movie teaser, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Watch the Official trailer from gujarati movie 'Chhaydo' starring Aruna Irani, Akash Khurana and Nikhil Parmar. 'Chhaydo' movie is directed by Piyush Ranjitbhai. To know more about 'Chhaydo' trailer watch the video. Check out the latest gujarati trailers, new movie trailers, trending gujarati movie trailer, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Gujarat Congress is yet to appoint its district presidents, more than a year after naming Amit Chavda as its state chief in July 2025. With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the party faces growing discontent over its state leadership, with several senior leaders expressing frustration and signalling a possible withdrawal from active politics.
Gujarat Strengthens Emergency Healthcare in Tribal Areas with New Ambulance Fleet
Gujarat enhances emergency healthcare in tribal regions by adding 89 ambulances, aiming to reduce response times significantly. Gujarat Strengthens Emergency Healthcare in Tribal Areas with New Ambulance Fleet
Gujarat: Sardar Sarovar Dam reaches 96 pc capacity as monsoon rainfall hits 88 pc
Gandhinagar The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam is 96 per cent full, while the states other 206 reservoirs have reached 70.49 The post Gujarat: Sardar Sarovar Dam reaches 96 pc capacity as monsoon rainfall hits 88 pc appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Gujarat Cyber Crime Cell Arrests Youth in Operation Mule Hunt 2.0
A youth was arrested in Valsad for using family bank accounts in a cyber fraud scheme, totaling over 11 lakh. Gujarat Cyber Crime Cell Arrests Youth in Operation Mule Hunt 2.0
Traditional Sports to Feature in Gujarats Sports Mahakumbh, Focus on Youth Talent Hunt
International shooter Anju Sharma urges registration for Gujarats Sports Mahakumbh, highlighting traditional games and youth talent development. Traditional Sports to Feature in Gujarats Sports Mahakumbh, Focus on Youth Talent Hunt
Gujarat Dy CM joins cleanliness, temple maintenance drives during 'Seva Yatra'
Digital Desk | Panchmahal, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday joined Seva Yatris in cleanliness and maintenance activities at Ghoghamba in Panchmahal district as the Seva Sankalp bike rally passed through the area. Sanghavi reached the Ghoghamba Bus Station along with the Seva Yatris and participated in a cleanliness 'shramdaan', personally removing litter from the premises. The activity aimed to promote cleanliness and the message of service among citizens during the bike rally. During the drive, Sanghavi also interacted with sanitation workers and appreciated their contribution towards keeping villages and the country clean and healthy. He thanked the workers for their dedicated service and expressed gratitude on behalf of the people. Local officials and a large number of Seva Yatris attended the programme. Later, Sanghavi and the Seva Yatris undertook another 'shramdaan' at the Bhathiji Maharaj Temple near Ghoghamba, where they painted and maintained the temple premises. Sanghavi said that maintaining cleanliness and preserving religious and sacred places is the collective responsibility of citizens. The Seva Yatra is encouraging young people in villages to contribute to such activities and promote the preservation of culture and cleanliness, he added. The activities formed part of the Seva Sankalp bike rally, with the Seva Yatris undertaking service-oriented activities during their journey through Gujarat. Earlier, Sanghavi also interacted with farmers at the Natural Farming University in Halol as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. He inspected natural farming and its production process and spoke about the role of youths and citizens in carrying forward the service activities associated with the campaign. During the interaction, Sanghavi highlighted the annual assistance of Rs 6,000 provided to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, 24-hour electricity supply, irrigation water for farms and free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He also appealed to the farmers present to undertake at least 25 minutes of voluntary labour in the coming month as part of cleanliness and other service activities.
Citing dry Gujarat, Supreme Court says prohibition does not end alcoholism, hooch tragedies
A total ban on alcohol only succeeds in sending the liquor trade underground, increasing the prevalence of unregulated, lethal brews, says the top court
Citing dry Gujarat, Supreme Court says prohibition does not end alcoholism, hooch tragedies
A total ban on alcohol only succeeds in sending the liquor trade underground, increasing the prevalence of unregulated, lethal brews, says the top court
Mother Dairy sets up its first butter chiplet line in Gujarat, plans pan-India supply
The new line has been established at Mother Dairys existing milk processing facility in Junagadh and will supply butter chiplets to markets across the country
Special Train Service Launched for Bhadarvi Poonam Festival in Gujarat
A new special train service is introduced between Asarwa and Khedbrahma for the Bhadarvi Poonam festival, enhancing travel for devotees. Special Train Service Launched for Bhadarvi Poonam Festival in Gujarat
Ramesh Powar, Ashish Winston Zaidi Tipped To Join Junior Mens Selection Committee
Ashish Winston Zaidi: Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar and Uttar Pradeshs fast bowling stalwart Ashish Winston Zaidi are tipped to join the new national junior mens selection committee. On August 24, the BCCI invited applications for filling five positions in the committee, with September 5 being the deadline to submit applications. Even as the India Under-19 men's team is engaged in an ongoing one-day series against Australia Under-19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the process to constitute the next junior selection panel has started to gather momentum. The incoming panel will replace the current committee headed by former Tamil Nadu cricketer S Sharath, and comprises Ranadeb Bose (East Zone), Harvinder Singh Sodhi (North Zone), Pathik Patel (West Zone), and Krishen Mohan (Central Zone). Yes, Powar and Zaidi have applied for being a part of the committee. If all goes well, then Powar may become new chief junior selector, as well as West Zone representative and Zaidi could become the junior selector from Central Zone, said sources tracking the development to IANS on Saturday. Powar, 48, served as head coach of Gujarat senior mens team for the last two seasons before recently stepping down from the role. He served twice as head coach of the Indian women's cricket team, with his second stint ending when he was moved to the National Cricket Academy (now known as BCCI Centre of Excellence) in Bengaluru as a spin-bowling coach. Mumbai-based Powar represented India in two Test matches and 31 ODIs from 2004 to 2007. Zaidi, meanwhile, picked 427 wickets across 110 first-class matches and 47 List A games while turning out for Uttar Pradesh. Further information on remaining three likely members of the new junior selection panel is expected to arrive in coming days. The committee will be responsible for selecting age-group teams up to Under-22 for coaching camps, and for Indias junior fixtures against domestic and international opposition, both at home and overseas, across formats. It will also play a key role in developing a strong talent pool and bench strength for Indias junior teams. Per a BCCI press release, the committee will scout and assess players through domestic and international matches, and contribute to the selection and development of teams for coaching camps, tours and tournaments in India and abroad. The committee will be responsible for selecting age-group teams up to Under-22 for coaching camps, and for Indias junior fixtures against domestic and international opposition, both at home and overseas, across formats. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It will be tasked with promoting strong ethical values among young cricketers, including awareness around issues such as drugs, betting and match-fixing, through interactions with senior and former players, the BCCI had said on the responsibilities of the new junior selection panel. Article Source: IANS
Gujarat adds 89 ambulances to reduce emergency response time in tribal areas to 10 minutes
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Gujarat: Special train begins between Asarva, Khedbrahma for Bhadarvi Poonam Fair
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 19 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway has started a daily unreserved special train between Asarva and Khedbrahma to facilitate travel for devotees attending the Bhadarvi Poonam fair, with the service beginning Saturday and continuing until October 1. The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is a seven-day religious festival held at the Ambika Mataji Temple (known as Mini Ambaji) in Khedbrahma in Gujarat's Sabarkantha, running from September 18 to September 25. The special train has been introduced following a representation made by Sabarkantha MP Shobhana Baraiya and Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana to Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash for additional rail connectivity during the fair. Thousands of devotees travel to Khedbrahma during the Bhadarvi Poonam period to attend religious events and offer prayers. The special service will operate in both directions every day during the period. Train No. 09405, the Asarva-Khedbrahma Special, will depart from Asarva at 9:35 a.m. and reach Khedbrahma at 12:10 p.m. It will halt at Naroda from 9:43 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Himmatnagar from 10:58 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Vadali from 11:40 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. In the return direction, Train No. 09406, the Khedbrahma-Asarva Special, will leave Khedbrahma at 3:35 p.m. and reach Asarva at 6:10 p.m. It will halt at Vadali from 3:43 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Himmatnagar from 4:23 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. and Naroda from 5:23 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. The train will be operated with an eight-coach MEMU rake, with all coaches designated as unreserved second class. The service will halt at Naroda, Himmatnagar and Vadali stations in both directions. The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is held in Khedbrahma and attracts devotees for religious observances and darshan. The special service is intended to provide an additional public transport option for passengers travelling to and from the fair during the 13-day operating period. Passengers can check train timings, stoppages and other detailed information on the official railway website.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government organisations at the 20th Rozgar Mela, newly appointed candidates on Saturday across the country expressed happiness and thanked their families and the government for the opportunity. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, several candidates who received appointment letters at the Rozgar Mela spoke to IANS about their achievement. I have been appointed as an Inspector in the Income Tax Department. I would like to express my gratitude to my parents and God. Through this process, I received my appointment letter at the Rozgar Mela. For this, I would like to thank the Prime Minister and all the officials present here, one of the appointees told IANS. Another appointee said, It feels great. I have been selected for the Income Tax Department, and this is a moment of immense happiness for me and my family. Through this process, recruitment is taking place in a regular and time-bound manner, which is an extremely significant milestone for the youth and their careers. Another newly appointed candidate said, It feels wonderful. The hard work put in has ultimately proven successful. It brings immense happiness to my family and me. With the blessings of my family and God, I am extremely happy with what I have achieved today. I am thrilled to be selected for the Income Tax Department. Similarly, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, IANS spoke to several new appointees who shared their experiences after receiving their appointment letters. First of all, Im feeling very happy. It has been a long wait, with a lot of hard work and patience. So, Im finally very happy now. Actually, as builders of the nation, we will be serving the government, and we will try to fulfil the aspirations of the government, specifically the aspirations of the Prime Minister, one appointee said. Another newly appointed candidate said, Im really happy that today I got my appointment letter. It has been years of hard work, and finally, I got it today. Im very thankful to everyone who helped and supported me throughout my journey. Another appointee said, I am feeling very happy. The Prime Ministers aspirations for 2047 and the way he has inspired all of us have motivated us to strive to achieve those aspirations. We will work with the same dedication as the Prime Minister does and try to achieve the Prime Ministers goals by 2047. Another candidate from Bengaluru said the appointment brought both relief and a sense of responsibility. Yeah, its a relief initially, but its also a great responsibility to take on the post that I have to hold. In the Income Tax Department, every penny is valuable. It is the peoples money. So, we have to be very conscious while spending every amount, and I will also do my best to serve the people, he said. Similarly, in Pune, Maharashtra, candidates spoke to IANS and expressed their happiness after receiving appointment letters. I have been selected as a Scientist B at DRDO. We are receiving our appointment letters, and we are all very happy, one appointee said. Another candidate said, I have been appointed as a Scientist B at DRDO. My family is very happy. I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Because of him, many young people like me have got employment. We will serve the country in our respective fields. Another appointee added, I would like to thank the Government of India and the Prime Minister. I have been selected as a Scientist B at DRDO. I would like to thank you for this opportunity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Rozgar Mela, said that Indias talent and skills have earned global trust and that the world has high expectations from the countrys innovators, entrepreneurs and youth. The Prime Minister made the remarks while distributing over 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government organisations at the 20th Rozgar Mela. The newly appointed candidates attended the event at 45 locations across the country. The newly recruited candidates will join various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, including the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Financial Services and Ministry of Defence, among others.
Gujarat Health Minister makes surprise visit to Navsari PHC, stresses patient-centric healthcare
Digital Desk | Navsari, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on Saturday made a surprise inspection of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Alipor in Navsari district's Chikhli taluka, checking the availability of medicines, medical equipment, staff functioning and basic facilities for patients. During the visit, Pansheriya inspected the treatment being provided to patients, OPD services, medicine distribution, cleanliness, drinking water facilities and other arrangements at the health centre. He also interacted with doctors, nursing staff, health workers and other employees to understand the functioning of the facility. The visit also included an assessment of the availability of medicines and medical equipment, as well as the condition of basic infrastructure and the services being provided to patients. The Minister said Primary Health Centres are an important first point of contact with the healthcare system for ordinary citizens and stressed that cleanliness, discipline, proper arrangements and sensitivity towards patients were as important as quality treatment. The cleanliness, arrangements and disciplined functioning observed at the Alipor PHC could be followed at other Community Health Centres (CHCs) and PHCs across the state, he said. He expressed the expectation that all CHCs and PHCs would provide the best possible healthcare services while maintaining cleanliness, systematic functioning and discipline. The Minister also instructed officials and employees to maintain a sensitive approach while dealing with patients and ensure timely resolution of any shortcomings in healthcare services. During the inspection, Pansheriya felicitated health workers and sanitation workers on duty by presenting them with shawls, appreciating their dedicated work after observing the cleanliness and functioning of the facility. The purpose of surprise visits is not limited to inspection, but also to encourage good work and ensure immediate corrective measures wherever improvements were required, he noted. The state government is working to extend quality, accessible and sensitive healthcare services to rural and remote areas under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday joined students in playing football, handball and tug of war at KJ Institute of Technology (KJIT) College in Savli as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', before flagging off a bike rally of more than 500 youth towards Dahod. Sanghavi participated in the sporting activities alongside students and youth at the college campus, encouraging them to take part in sports. The programme was held as the Seva Yatra, organised to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service journey, passed through the area. Speaking during the programme, Sanghavi said sports help improve physical fitness while also developing team spirit, the ability to face challenges and leadership qualities among young people. The sporting spirit being fostered among Gujarat's youth through initiatives such as 'Fit India' and 'Khel Mahakumbh' was contributing to nation-building, he said. After the sporting activities, Sanghavi flagged off the bike rally with more than 500 youth participating in the Seva Yatra. The rally resumed its journey from the KJIT College campus and proceeded towards the Dahod route. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is being organised in connection with the 25 years of PM Modi's public service journey. The bike rally is part of the Seva Yatra being undertaken by youth as part of the campaign. The programme brought together the sporting activities involving students and the onward journey of the service-oriented youth participating in the bike rally, which continued towards Dahod after the flag-off. The motorcycle yatra is part of a twin-route Seva Yatra between Vadnagar and Varanasi, launched on September 17 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public life. Around 1,000 volunteers are participating in the two routes, with the yatras involving about 500 motorcycles and passing through 10 states, 193 districts and 1,159 villages over a total distance of around 40,000 km. The campaign is scheduled to continue until October 7.
Women-led committees to monitor nutrition, early education at every Anganwadi in Gujarat
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 19 (IANS) Gujarat will constitute women-led Anganwadi Management Committees (AMCs) at every Anganwadi Centre in the state to increase community participation in nutrition, healthcare and early childhood education, while improving monitoring of services for children and mothers. The decision, taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is aimed at strengthening the grassroots implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0'. The committees will focus on reducing malnutrition and developmental delays among children aged 0 to 6 years and supporting their overall development. Under the guidance of Women and Child Development Minister Manisha Vakil, each AMC will be constituted by the concerned Child Development Project Officer (CDPO). All seven members of the committee will be women, with the woman supervisor serving as Chairperson and the Anganwadi worker as Member-Secretary, officials said. The committee will also include an ASHA worker, two mothers of children aged 3 to 6 years enrolled at the Anganwadi, a woman member of a local Self-Help Group (SHG) or NGO/CSO, and a woman teacher from the nearest government primary school. The arrangement is intended to improve coordination between Anganwadi, health, education and local self-government institutions, while giving the community a greater role in ensuring transparency and accountability in service delivery. AMCs will meet once every two months at the Anganwadi Centre to review its functioning and the quality and timely delivery of services. They will examine facilities including the Anganwadi building, drinking water, toilets, kitchen, storage, furniture, equipment, Teaching Learning Material (TLM), food quality and hygiene. The committees will also monitor supplementary nutrition services, including Take Home Ration (THR) and Hot Cooked Meals (HCM), with attention to food quality, freshness, hygiene and nutritional standards. They will review the growth of children aged 0 to 6 years, developmental milestones of children aged 0 to 3 years, health check-ups, identification of malnourished children, referrals and follow-up of referred cases. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) will form another key area of monitoring. The committees will review daily pre-primary activities under 'Aadharshila', curriculum-based activities and Children's Day theme-based activities, besides checking whether records relating to children's development and monthly activities are maintained properly. The initiative will also help ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not left out of Anganwadi services. Through household surveys and community mapping, the committees will support identification of pregnant women, lactating mothers and children aged 0 to 6 years, officials asserted. They will monitor registration, attendance and inclusive services for children with special needs, besides ensuring that beneficiary information on the Poshan Tracker is updated. AMCs will also encourage parents, volunteers, private organisations, corporate entities, NGOs, CSOs and other community groups to contribute time, skills and resources to Anganwadi Centres. Support in the form of toys, clothes, activity materials and educational resources will be encouraged, while Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies will be involved in establishing and maintaining Poshan Vatika or Nutri-Gardens. At least four of the seven members, including the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, will have to be present for a meeting. Decisions will be taken by consensus wherever possible and by majority when required. Minutes, including attendance, discussions, decisions and follow-up status, will be recorded in the prescribed format and submitted to the concerned CDPO within seven days. The CDPO will review the functioning of each committee at least twice a year. Major issues that cannot be resolved locally will be referred to the Programme Officer and CDPO. The state government said the mechanism would bring mothers, ASHA workers, teachers, SHG members and other community representatives into the regular review of nutrition, child growth, early education, hygiene, infrastructure, beneficiary coverage and grievance redressal at Anganwadi Centres. The initiative comes as the Centre has also focused on strengthening ECCE and nutrition services, with approval given in July 2026 for upgrading two lakh Anganwadi Centres as Saksham Anganwadis.
Gland Pharma and CAMS among 5 smallcap stocks sold by mutual funds in August
Gland Pharma, LIC Housing Finance, Gujarat Energy, CAMS and Amber Enterprises India saw the highest mutual fund selling among smallcap stocks in August, according to Dolat Capital.
AM/NS International Schools Somnath Mukherjee Named Top 5 Geography Finalist
Hazira/Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 19: Somnath Mukherjee, PGT Geography from AM/NS International School was selected among the Top 5 national finalists in the Geography category at the inaugural Indias
Gujarat High Court Grants 7-Day Parole To Convict In Bilkis Bano Case - thequint.com
Gujarat forms women-led Anganwadi committees to boost Mission Saksham
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GMRC Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 29 Assistant Manager, Engineer and More Posts
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited has released the GMRC Systems Recruitment 2026 notification for 29 vacancies. The recruitment includes Additional General Manager, Joint General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Manager, Assistant Manager and Engineer posts in different systems disciplines. The vacancies are for the Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat Metro projects. Appointments will be made on a contract, deputation or post-superannuation basis, depending on the post. The initial appointment period is three years and may be extended up to five years based on performance.
GMRC Recruitment 2026 Notification Out - Apply Online for 48 Draftsman, Engineer and More Posts
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited has released the GMRC Civil Recruitment 2026 notification for 48 vacancies. The available positions include Chief General Manager, General Manager, Additional General Manager, Joint General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Manager, Assistant Manager, Engineer, Draftsman and Surveyor. Eligible and experienced candidates can apply online through the GMRC Careers portal. The last date to submit the online application is 3 October 2026. The appointments will be made on a contract, deputation or post-superannuation basis, depending on the post.
Shalby Hospital, Surat Sets New Benchmarks in Advanced Kidney Transplants
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 16: Shalby Hospital has successfully completed 25 kidney transplants in the last 12 months, anchored by advanced clinical breakthroughs in swap and ABO-incompatible procedures Advanced Transplant
Karnataka to Decide on Kasturirangan Reports Area Survey After Public Hearing
The Kasturirangan Committee had recommended declaring 37 per cent of the Western Ghats, covering around 60,000 sq km across six states-Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Keralam and Tamil Nadu-as an Eco-Sensitive Area to balance environmental conservation with development
Gujarat Deputy CM holds Matru Samvad with Nadiad Sakhi Mandal women
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Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi receives warm welcome during Sankalp Yatra in Nadiad
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Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during Sankalp Yatra
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Industry flags renewable power curtailment issues
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Maruti Suzuki Dispatches 1 Million Vehicles Via In-Plant Railway Terminals in 3 Years
The automaker began operations from its in-plant railway siding at Hansalpur in Gujarat in March 2023, followed by the Manesar facility in Haryana in June 2025
Kaynes Semicon ramps up Sanand plant with 2.3-billion-unit annual capacity
The Union Cabinet, in 2024, approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat
Are murders turning to norm? In a shocking incident a 40 year old construction site supervisor murdered his five year old daughter and then committed suicide in their house located in the Amreli district of Gujarat. The incident came to light
Sarvajanik University Hosts Youth Conclave on Climate Resilience and Sustainable City
Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 18: On 16 September 2026, Sarvajanik University, under the aegis of Sarvajanik Education Society, organized a Youth Conclave on Climate Resilience and Sustainable City through its
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi meets Women Milk Producers in Kheda
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Weather tomorrow September 19: IMD has forecast active weather conditions across several parts of India from September 19, with significant rainfall expected over northwest, central, east, west and southern India. The southwest monsoon is also likely to begin withdrawing from some parts of West Rajasthan around September 19. Several regions may experience thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds. The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen due to rough sea conditions over parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Gujarat rural women earn through traditional handicrafts under NRLM
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OPINION | What makes Modi different from other leaders?
BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday as Seva Sankalp Diwas. Motorbike yatras were held from Vadnagar (Gujarat) to Varanasi, and from Ujjain to Kolkata. Blood donations camps were organised and millions of diyas were lighted...
Ties with India expanding very rapidly: South Korean envoy Lee Seong-ho
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) South Korea's Ambassador to India, Lee Seong-ho, said on Friday that ties between the two nations are expanding very rapidly and termed the relationship between Seoul and New Delhi as one of the most promising partnerships in the 21st century. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Korea Education Fair in New Delhi on Friday, Lee Seong-ho said that the two nations are cooperating in various sectors, including education. On how he sees India-South Korea ties, the Ambassador said, We are building and expanding very rapidly. This is one of the most promising relationships in the 21st century, I believe. Politically, economically, industrially, culturally, education in everything we are becoming much, much closer. I am very excited about this relationship. Lee Seong-ho described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great leader and facilitator of bringing India and South Korea closer. On PM Modi completing 25 years in public service in the coming days, he said, He is a great leader, respected by the whole world, I believe. And, he is the facilitator who is bringing our relationship very closer. We rely upon his wonderful leadership. PM Modi will complete 25 years in public service in October. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014, being currently in his third term, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Lee Seong-ho said that India and South Korea will continue to build and expand educational bridge and described Korea Education Fair as the beginning of it. This is a historical milestone in terms of our bilateral relationship. We are actually building strong bridges connecting Korea and India, and students are the people who will continue to build our partnership and friendship. This is the very beginning of the Korean Education Fair in India. I believe this is the first, but not the last of course. We will continue to build and expand our educational bridge between Korea and India. The Korea Education Fair is being held in New Delhi to provide a platform for long-term Korea-India education cooperation and not just student recruitment, according to the official statement. It has been organised to show that studying in South Korea leads to real academic, professional and global opportunities. Diplomatic ties between India and South Korea were established in 1973. Both countries formed a Strategic Partnership in 2010, which was elevated to Special Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to South Korea in 2015. Both countries commemorated 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023.
BCCI Office Bearers Authorised To Take Decision Related To Chief Selector Ajit Agarkars Future
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers have been authorised to take a call on all things related to the mens selection committees and offered no clarity on the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday. The development comes amid rising uncertainty over Agarkars position as the chairman of the senior mens selection committee. Agarkars contract runs till October 2026 and its yet to be known if it will be extended till next years ODI World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Apart from this, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council. Today's meeting went well, everything went well. The same people are repeated in the IPL Governing Council - Arun Dhumal and Mamon. Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior mens committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later, Shukla said to reporters after the AGM ended at the BCCI headquarters. If Agarkar doesnt continue, the BCCI will have to follow the standard procedure, which involves inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting candidate interviews. It is understood that former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, currently the assistant coach at Gujarat Titans in the IPL and ventured into commentary duties, has emerged as a potential contender to take Agarkars spot in the panel if the BCCI office bearers decide to bring in a change in the panel. The murmurs of Patel coming into an influential role in the selection committee have been in on and off mode since March, but with him already past 5 years of retiring actively from the game, he can be a potential contender to replace Agarkar. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. In the second game held on Tuesday, Shukla along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Mithun Manhas were present in the stadium alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories One of the agendas at the AGM was the inclusion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the BCCI fold, but it is understood that their bid for affiliate membership is deferred because of legal issues. Domestic umpires, match referees, and scorers are in line for a significant pay raise, with the BCCI likely to form a three-member committee to finalise the fee structure. Article Source: IANS
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joins Vadnagar-Varanasi bike yatra
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Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Bolstered by the experience of competing in international events in the last five-six months, Indias soft tennis stars Jay Meena and Aadhya Tiwari are aiming to clinch an elusive medal at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The dynamic duo, who have a world championship medal and multiple Asian championship medals in mixed doubles, are leading a six-member soft tennis squad in Japan. Jay is competing in mens singles, mens team and mixed doubles events, while Aadhya will participate in womens singles and mixed doubles categories. The other members of the team include Yogesh Choudhary (mens team), Om Yadav (mens team), Aniket Chirag Patel (mens team) and Aryan Thakur (mens singles and mens team). The squad is accompanied by coach Devanshi Hareshbhai Patel and physiotherapist Utsav Kumar Dubey. India began their Asian Games campaign in the mens team event on a winning note entering the quarterfinals of the soft tennis competition. India defeated Laos 3-0 in the first preliminary match of Group C. The nation endured a 3-0 loss against Chinese Taipei in the second encounter before trumping Mongolia 3-0 in the third match to qualify for the quarterfinals, where they lost to Indonesia. Hailing from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, Jay developed interest in soft tennis by chance. As a young boy, he was more interested in cricket and initially aspired to become a cricketer before his curiosity led him to watch boys play the sport at a soft tennis court adjacent to his school. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally. He also represented India in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games before bagging gold in mens singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat. He never looked back thereafter. In 2024, partnering Aadhya, Jay created history by winning Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, securing bronze in mixed doubles. He strengthened his credentials by becoming the national champion in 2025. He also became the first Indian to secure a medal at the continental level by clinching bronze in the mens singles at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Recently he won bronze in mens singles at the 2026 Sunchang Open. Following his consistent performances, Jay was inducted in Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) last year by Sports Authority of India, offering him financial assistance towards international competition exposure and national coaching camps in Jammu and Ahmedabad. Jay said that competing in international competitions gave him and his team members the edge over their rivals. In 2018 I played my first Asian Games in Jakarta. It was a very different experience of my life. I came to know what the value of Asian Games is. This is my third Asian Games. In China too, when the Asian Games were held in Hangzhou, I reached the quarterfinals in singles and there I lost very narrowly. But this time, the Indian federation and Indian government have done a lot of hard work on the players. I want to thank the Sports Ministry and our government for their unprecedented support. We had international camps; we stayed out of the country for four-five months, playing in Korea and Japan. I am in TAGG scheme. I was provided equipment, which are generally imported, like racquets and balls etc. free of cost apart from shoes and playing kits and tracksuits. Playing in Korea and Japan has boosted my confidence. Both the countries organise leagues and tournaments throughout the year which helps the players keep in shape. You develop good muscle memory and then when there is a pressure situation in the match your body doesnt feel it. We have never won a medal at the Asian Games and this is our target this time, Jay explained. Aadhya, who hails from a small town Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh, started playing tennis from the age of three years even though her father was a Ranji Trophy cricketer. She initially struggled as there were no coaches to teach her the nuances of tennis. I learned tennis by myself. Then I was playing lawn tennis and was the Asia No. 6 seed. I played lawn tennis quite well; almost until 2013. After that, I went to a tournament, and there the soft tennis secretary from Madhya Pradesh approached me, saying, Why don't you try soft tennis? So, I was like, Okay, sir, I'll try once. In my very first tournament, I got two bronze and one silver medal, and my name came up in the Junior World Championship, and Senior World Championship. Ever since then, I have been continuing soft tennis because in lawn tennis, there were high costs involved, Aadhya told SAI Media from Japan. Aadhya is currently India No. 1 in soft tennis. In 2018, she was the youngest to represent India in the Asian Games at the age of 15. At 2023 Hangzhou edition, Aadhya finished fifth in womens team event. In 2025, she won bronze medals in mixed doubles and mixed team events at the Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Inducted in TAGG scheme, Aadhya was also part of the international competition exposure and national camps organized by SAI. I am very thankful to the TAGG scheme because the camps we got helped our game develop and improve a lot. SAI has helped us a lot. The training we got in the camps, and all the infrastructure, equipment, and even racquets - everything was provided by SAI, and the training went very well this time. In Korea too, there was a full one-month camp, and in Japan, a pre-Asian Games camp was held for 20 days. Right now, I would just say that there are high chances of getting a medal, Aadhya said.
BCCI office bearers authorised to take decision related to chief selector Agarkars future
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers have been authorised to take a call on all things related to the mens selection committees and offered no clarity on the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday. The development comes amid rising uncertainty over Agarkars position as the chairman of the senior mens selection committee. Agarkars contract runs till October 2026 and its yet to be known if it will be extended till next years ODI World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Apart from this, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council. Today's meeting went well, everything went well. The same people are repeated in the IPL Governing Council - Arun Dhumal and Mamon. Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior mens committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later, Shukla said to reporters after the AGM ended at the BCCI headquarters. If Agarkar doesnt continue, the BCCI will have to follow the standard procedure, which involves inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting candidate interviews. It is understood that former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, currently the assistant coach at Gujarat Titans in the IPL and ventured into commentary duties, has emerged as a potential contender to take Agarkars spot in the panel if the BCCI office bearers decide to bring in a change in the panel. The murmurs of Patel coming into an influential role in the selection committee have been in on and off mode since March, but with him already past 5 years of retiring actively from the game, he can be a potential contender to replace Agarkar. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. In the second game held on Tuesday, Shukla along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Mithun Manhas were present in the stadium alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials. Asked about potential venue change for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Ranchi, Shukla clarified that no such deliberations took place during the meeting. No, there was no discussion about the venue for that Test match. There were some fixtures. Out of them, the fixtures which were of 50 overs, it is now done of 20 overs, added Shukla. One of the agendas at the AGM was the inclusion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the BCCI fold, but it is understood that their bid for affiliate membership is deferred because of legal issues. Domestic umpires, match referees, and scorers are in line for a significant pay raise, with the BCCI likely to form a three-member committee to finalise the fee structure.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn completes acquisition of MicroBiopharm Japan Co.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in MicroBiopharm Japan Co. (MBJ), Japan, through Themis Biosyn Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Japan.
Man kills daughter, places her in fridge, dies by suicide
A 40-year-old man in Amreli, Gujarat, allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter and then died by suicide, citing severe financial distress. The tragic incident, discovered by his wife, involved the man leaving suicide notes and decorating the room, suggesting a final, desperate act.
Gujarat Man Kills Daughter, Stores Body In Fridge, Then Dies By Suicide
According to the first information report (FIR), the man had written three suicide notes and placed them on a bed.
National workshop promotes deep-sea fishing with Gujarat leaders
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Over 6.25 lakh girls vaccinated in Gujarat HPV campaign till Sept 16
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Asian Games: Indian men's soft tennis team bows out in QFs
Digital Desk | Nagoya, Sep 18 (IANS) Indian mens soft tennis team, comprising Jay Meena, Yogesh Choudhary, Aryan Thakur, Aniket Patel and Om Yadav, concluded its Asian Games 2026 campaign with a 02 defeat against Indonesia in the quarterfinals. Jay and Yogesh lost the first men's doubles tie to Tio Hutauruk and Fernendo Sanger 25, before Aryan Thakur lost to Bagus Pradewa 34. With this loss, Indias mens team campaign come to an end at the Asian Games 2026. However, the competition continues for the Indian athletes, with Jay and Aryan set to compete in the mens Singles on September 22. Jay will also feature in the Mixed Doubles on September 21. Indian Men began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Laos before suffering a 0-3 defeat to group toppers Chinese Taipei. Needing a win in their final group encounter to secure a knockout berth, India responded strongly and defeated Mongolia 3-0 to progress to the last eight with four points from three ties. India made a confident start against Laos as Jay and Yogesh clinched the opening doubles match 5-0. Aryan then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in the singles contest before Aniket and Om completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Chinese Taipei, however, proved a tougher challenge. Meena and Choudhary lost the first doubles match 0-5, while Thakur went down 1-4 in the singles tie. Patel and Yadav also suffered defeat in the second doubles match as India lost the contest 0-3. With a quarter-final place at stake, the Indian players bounced back in style against Mongolia, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 win to finish behind Chinese Taipei in the group standings. Aniket and Om won the opening doubles match against Mongolia by 5-0, and Meena then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in singles before Thakur and Choudhary completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Indias campaign is being led by Jay , one of the countrys most accomplished soft tennis players in recent years. The Madhya Pradesh athlete represented India at the 2018 Asian Games and won the mens singles gold medal at the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. Meena also etched his name in history in 2024 when, alongside Aadhya Tiwari, he secured Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships by winning bronze in mixed doubles. He followed it up by becoming national champion in 2025 and later claimed bronze in mens singles at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the continental event.
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi distributes grain kits to Ganga Swarupa beneficiaries at Chiloda
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