Gujarat

AI can assist justice delivery, but cannot be decision-maker, says SC judge N V Anjaria

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 13 (IANS) Artificial intelligence can help analyse large volumes of judicial data and identify trends that may escape the human eye, but it cannot decide what should be done in an individual case, Supreme Court judge Justice N V Anjaria said on Saturday, while stressing that AI must remain an aid, rather than a decision-maker, in the justice delivery system. Justice Anjaria was speaking at the inauguration of the India Digital ADR Summit-2026 at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar. He also launched the SAMYAK portal, a digital initiative of the universitys International Digital Dispute Resolution Centre (IDDRC). If AI is to be used on a large scale in arbitration or any judicial process, certain essential aspects have to be taken into consideration. AI can be part of the justice delivery system, but cannot be the decision-maker, Justice Anjaria said. He said AI could help understand what had happened across hundreds of cases and identify patterns and trends that might not be readily visible to humans. However, he made a distinction between using technology to assist in analysing cases and allowing it to determine the outcome of a particular case. Attorney General of India, R Venkataramani, who also addressed the gathering, spoke to law students about the importance of developing an investigative approach. Doubt, refutation and verification are the foundations of science and students must cultivate the habits of questioning, challenging and verifying information, he said. Venkataramani also described NFSU as having the potential to emerge as a global hub of excellence and said its early achievements would help establish its international reputation. Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal congratulated the IDDRC on the launch of the SAMYAK portal, describing it as a unique initiative. She said clear rules are needed for the incorporation of artificial intelligence into legal institutions. Such rules should clearly distinguish between tasks where AI could be used and those that must remain within the exclusive domain of human judgement and discretion in the dispute resolution process, she asserted. The summit was attended by former Supreme Court judges M R Shah and Rajesh Bindal, besides Gujarat State Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr K J Thaker, former Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Justice Soniya Gokani and former Chief Justice Justice Dr A C Joshi.

After 5-day Gujarat tour, BJP state in-charge stresses coordination, public service and scheme delivery

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 12 (IANS) Gujarat BJP in-charge Tarun Chugh concluded a five-day organisational tour of six districts in the state on Saturday, with a visit to Vadodara district where he held meetings with party office-bearers, elected representatives and cooperative leaders to review organisational work and discuss coordination in public service. Chugh, along with state BJP Organisation General Secretary Ratnakar, visited Gandhinagar, Kheda, Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhota Udepur and Vadodara between September 8 and 12. During the tour, meetings were held with party functionaries and other stakeholders to review the organisation's functioning and discuss measures to make it more active and stronger. During the Vadodara visit, Chugh and Ratnakar held separate meetings with organisational office-bearers, elected public representatives, cooperative leaders and the district coordination committee at the district BJP office. The meetings covered organisational planning, ongoing activities and programmes under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. Discussions also focused on strengthening coordination between the party organisation and public service activities. At the meeting with elected representatives and cooperative leaders, the BJP leaders called for continuous public contact at the local level and efforts to ensure the quick resolution of people's problems through public service activities. They also stressed the need to ensure that various government schemes reach every eligible beneficiary through saturation coverage. The meeting with the district coordination committee focused on improving coordination between organisational activities and public welfare work, as well as ensuring their effective implementation. The visit was attended by state BJP General Secretary Hitendrasinh Chauhan, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha national president and MP Hemang Joshi, state vice-president Rasik Prajapati, Vadodara district BJP president B.J. Brahmbhatt, district in-charge Dr Ritvij Patel, MLAs, party office-bearers, cooperative leaders, senior members and other party workers. The organisational tour was aimed at reviewing the party's functioning across the six districts and metropolitan areas and providing guidance on strengthening its organisational activities and coordination with public service initiatives, party sources said.

Surjewala seeks welfare board for Surat diamond workers, says exports fell to USD 12 bn

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 12 (IANS) Newly appointed Gujarat Congress in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday demanded the creation of a welfare board for diamond workers in Surat, claiming an economic crisis in the industry and a fall in diamond exports from USD 24 billion to USD 12 billion. Surjewala, who arrived in Ahmedabad on Saturday, said 12-14 lakh diamond workers in Surat are facing economic difficulties amid an international slowdown and policy-related challenges. He demanded a Diamond Workers' Welfare Board to provide salary security for up to 24 months, meet medical expenses and provide financial assistance to workers' families during periods of unemployment. He also sought relief for Surat's textile industry, including the removal of the five per cent GST on fabric and relief on job work, saying this is necessary to revive textile centres such as Surat, Tiruppur and Ludhiana. Surjewala made the remarks while addressing a press conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan following his first extended meeting with senior leaders and office-bearers of the Gujarat Congress after taking charge as the party's state in-charge. He said the Congress would begin a fresh campaign for a ew, strong, progressive and employment-oriented Gujarat based on what he described as Mahatma Gandhi's four fundamental principles of ruth, courage, organisation and movement. On education, Surjewala said around 20 incidents of paper leaks and irregularities, including the BAMS surgery examination, are a serious concern. The Congress would raise the issue and challenge the government over the impact on the future of young people, he said. He said state leaders, MLAs and office-bearers would submit issues and suggestions from their respective areas, which would be compiled into a New Agenda for New Gujarat. The party would then formulate a movement-oriented programme focused on people's issues. State party president Amit Chavda said farmers, youth and other sections are facing various difficulties, including economic distress, unemployment, inflation and rising costs of education and healthcare. The Congress would work as a united team to fight for the rights and issues of people across the state, he asserted.

Gujarats Jal Jeevan Mission data had discrepancies, reporting flaws: CAG

The implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Gujarat was marked by discrepancies in data and reporting, with the CAG finding a mismatch between state-level claims and district records. While the e-Jalshakti portal and state plan showed 100% tap coverage by October 2022, district plans showed 1.48 million households pending coverage in April 2024.

Gujarat Deputy CM Praises Bhupendra Patels Anti-Corruption Efforts

Gujarats Deputy CM highlights Chief Minister Bhupendra Patels effective anti-corruption measures during a major development project launch. Gujarat Deputy CM Praises Bhupendra Patels Anti-Corruption Efforts

Gujarat Chief Minister Highlights Urgent Need for Coastal Environmental Protection

CM Bhupendra Patel emphasizes climate change and coastal erosion at a national conference, advocating for sustainable development in Gujarat. Gujarat Chief Minister Highlights Urgent Need for Coastal Environmental Protection

Gujarat CM flags coastal erosion, marine pollution as key challenges

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Climate change, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, marine pollution and plastic waste have emerged as major global concerns, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on Saturday, stressing that economic development along the coastline must go hand in hand with environmental protection and conservation of marine biodiversity. Patel was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the national conference on 'Coastal Ecology, Security and Sustainability' held at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. He said that development should ensure that progress goes hand in hand with conservation of nature, industry with environmental protection and employment with the protection of marine biodiversity. Gujarat's coastline is not just a geographical boundary; it is a pathway to development, a gateway to maritime trade, a symbol of cultural heritage, and a source of livelihood for lakhs of people, Patel added. He said that Gujarat had a long maritime tradition, noting that traders from the state had connected with the wider world through the ancient port of Lothal thousands of years ago. Today, ports such as Mundra and Kandla have placed Gujarat on the global trade map, he added. Patel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recognised the potential of the coastline and envisioned it as a gateway for the development of ports, trade, industry, energy, fisheries, tourism and the environment. He added that the approach was reflected in the country's Blue Economy policy and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Saptadhara'. The Chief Minister highlighted the ecological role of mangroves, saying they act as natural protective barriers for coastal villages, support fishermen's livelihoods and provide habitats for several aquatic species. During cyclones and storms, mangroves serve as a natural shield for coastal areas, he said. While stressing the importance of government efforts for mangrove conservation and plantation, Patel said protecting nature could not be the responsibility of the government alone and that conservation of coastal ecology was a shared responsibility of the government and society. He also described traditional marine fishing communities, or Sagar Khedus, as guardians of the sea and said their livelihoods and safety were being strengthened through the 'Sagarkhedu Sarvangi Vikas Yojana', modern boats, diesel subsidies, safety equipment and satellite-based navigation facilities. Technology could play an increasingly important role in maritime security, with satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, remote sensing, drones and smart boats helping to monitor and secure the sea, he said. He added that Gujarat's coordination of technology, administration and human sensitivity had helped achieve zero casualties during cyclones, showcasing that while disasters could not be prevented, loss of life could be minimised through preparedness. He said that Gujarat could develop a new model of growth through green ports, sustainable shipping, coastal connectivity, sustainable fisheries and responsible coastal tourism. The economy and environment are not in conflict but can grow together, he added. Patel said the ideas emerging from the conference should provide new direction to government policies rather than remaining limited to discussions and paper presentations. During the programme, Chief Minister Patel launched a digital platform for Gujarat University alumni and inaugurated the university's historical digital repository.

CM Patel made corrupt officials drink Gangajal in Gujarat: Deputy CM

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday praised Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's approach to combating corruption, saying Patel's actions against corrupt officials had been more significant than his public statements. Speaking at a programme where development works worth Rs 1,848 crore were inaugurated and launched in Gandhinagar, Sanghavi said: Bhupendra Patel is not in the habit of speaking much; he is in the habit of working directly. Our Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has made the highest number of corrupt officials in the entire country drink Gangajal. Sanghavi said the state government under Patel had consistently taken decisions keeping citizens' interests at the centre and without political vendetta. The Chief Minister continued to announce development works one after another, he said. Turning to Gandhinagar's transformation, Sanghavi said the city was once identified primarily with the Secretariat but had now become an active urban centre with modern facilities, education, industry, trade and cultural activities. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, important facilities and projects had been developed in Gandhinagar and surrounding areas, he asserted. He cited universities, the Helipad Exhibition Ground, GIFT City and Mahatma Mandir among the projects that had become part of Gandhinagar's identity. He said the city had also undergone a visible change in its evening and night-time activity. Earlier, the streets of Gandhinagar would become deserted after evening. Today, the situation has changed. Gandhinagar has become a city that remains vibrant until late at night, and the streets that remained deserted years ago can now be seen bustling with activity, he said. Sanghavi also highlighted the government's support for Navratri, saying the festival is an important part of Gujarat's cultural identity. Citizens had been given the opportunity to play garba and worship Maa Amba until late at night, while efforts had been made to create an environment in which small traders could also receive business comparable to that during Diwali, he said. He said the government's working style under Patel had been based on taking direct and quick decisions and delivering development works to citizens one after another. The Deputy CM also appealed to citizens to share responsibility for cleanliness and support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cleanliness campaign. Sanghvi said even educated and degree-holding people were sometimes seen throwing water bottles, wafer packets and other waste in public places. Such behaviour increased the workload of sanitation workers, he said. He urged citizens to collectively resolve not to litter and to fulfil their responsibility towards keeping public spaces clean. The Deputy CM also congratulated residents on the Rs 1,848 crore development package and called for continued public participation in the city's development journey. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Sanghavi jointly flagged off around 30 new e-buses and travelled in one of them as ordinary passengers from the venue to the Ministers' Residential Complex.

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates Rs 1,848 crore development works in Gandhinagar

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Gujarat man held for allegedly posing as IAF Squadron Leader, cheating job seeker of Rs 1.95 lakh

Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 12 (IANS) The Rajkot city police have arrested a 33-year-old man for allegedly posing as a Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Suryakiran team on Instagram and cheating a complainant of Rs 1.95 lakh on the promise of securing an Air Force job. The accused, identified as Pratik Bhardwaj, was arrested by a team of Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station following a technical analysis of the online fraud. Police said the accused had created an Instagram page in the name of Pratik Bhardwaj and claimed that he was serving as a Squadron Leader in the Flying Branch of the Suryakiran team, Squadron 52, at Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka. According to the police, Bhardwaj gained the complainant's confidence through social media and offered to help secure a job in the Air Force. He allegedly induced the complainant to transfer money online in instalments to bank accounts, with the total amount reaching Rs 1.95 lakh. A case was registered at Gandhigram-2 (University) Police Station under Sections 318(4), 319(2) and 204 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Police Inspector K K Gohil, with Assistant Sub -Inspector (ASI) Sanjaybhai Thakar, Police Head Constable Rahul Thakur, Police Constable Savanbhai Vasoya and Traffic Regulation Brigade personnel Hemangbhai Rajeshbhai involved in the probe, officials said. Police said technical analysis helped establish the identity of the accused, following which he was arrested and legal proceedings were initiated against him. Bhardwaj was residing in a rented house belonging to a person identified as Deepak at D-32, Shantiniketan Park-4 at Nanavati Chowk in Rajkot. Police seized two mobile phones during the operation with a combined value of Rs 16,000. The operation was conducted on the instructions of senior officials, officials added. Further investigation is underway to trace any co-accused, where the money was utilised and people who may have been a victim of such promises.

Gujarat Professor Calls For Ban On All Religious Rituals On University Campus

Citing the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati Supreme Court verdict, which established secularism as part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, the senior faculty member that state-funded institutions must remain non-religious.

The House of Makeba Launches OVanta, Indias First-of-Its-Kind Interactive, Immersive Dining Experience

Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 11:The House of Makeba, Gujarats growing vegetarian dining brand, has entered the experience-led dining space with the launch ofOVanta by House of Makeba, an immersive dining

Sungrace School, Sunlight School, And Sunrise School, along With Five Teachers From The Leo Group, were Honored By The Divya Bhaskar Daily Newspaper

Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 12: Sungrace School, Sunlight School, and Sunrise Schoolalong with five teachers from the Leo Groupwere honored by the Divya Bhaskar daily newspaper in the presence of

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel seeks blessings at Devkinandan Derasar, honours forest martyrs

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Firki - Official Trailer

Watch the Official Trailer from Gujarati movie 'Firki' starring Johny Lever, Vatsal Sheth, Vrajesh Hirjee, Esha Kansara. 'Firki' movie is directed by Dharmessh Mehta. To know more about 'Firki' trailer watch the video. Check out the latest Gujarati trailers, new movie trailers, trending Gujarati movie trailers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V meets Gujarat CM, discusses grassroots development cooperation

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Aga Khan Development Network Chairman Prince Rahim Aga Khan V discussed expanding cooperation in areas, including water conservation, natural farming, millets, solar energy, cooperatives and women-led enterprises during a meeting in Gandhinagar on Saturday. Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who is the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), paid a courtesy visit to CM Patel and held discussions on opportunities for grassroots-level collaboration for sustainable, inclusive and people-centric development. Welcoming Prince Rahim to Gujarat, CM Patel said the AKDN's focus on sustainable development, education, skill development, enterprise promotion and empowerment of underprivileged and vulnerable communities was aligned with Gujarat's development approach. Water conservation was among the key areas discussed. Chief Minister Patel highlighted the state's efforts in rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and rejuvenation of water bodies, saying water conservation had become a people's movement across Gujarat. The Chief Minister also outlined the state's initiatives to promote millets and natural farming. Gujarat had undertaken measures to increase millet production, processing and value addition, he noted. He also highlighted the state's 'Millet Development Scheme', aimed at expanding millet cultivation, creating awareness about the health benefits of millets and encouraging farmers to take up processing. Possibilities for cooperation in solar energy and solar pumps were also discussed. According to the state government, Gujarat's installed solar capacity has reached 34,880 MW. Under the 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana', the state has set a target of installing 10 lakh rooftop solar systems, of which more than 8.39 lakh have been installed so far. Chief Minister Patel also spoke about Gujarat's cooperative sector, with more than 87,000 cooperative societies currently functioning in the state. Efforts are underway across the country to further strengthen cooperatives under the 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' approach, he noted. The discussions included the role of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) in taking the cooperative system to rural communities. Possibilities of further strengthening the rural economy and developing PACS as 'small corporate companies' offering a range of services at the village level were also considered. Women's empowerment and entrepreneurship formed another part of the discussions. Chief Minister Patel highlighted the state's women's self-reliance ecosystem, under which thousands of women receive awareness and enterprise development training to establish micro-enterprises and achieve economic self-reliance. Prince Rahim expressed willingness to further strengthen grassroots-level collaboration with the Gujarat government, particularly in areas of mutual interest including water conservation, natural farming, millet-based food and women's self-help groups. Both sides expressed a positive approach towards deepening cooperation by leveraging their respective strengths for sustainable, holistic and people-centric development. Prince Rahim has contributed to initiatives relating to environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, education, skill development, entrepreneurship and improving the quality of life of underprivileged and vulnerable communities. Additional Chief Secretary (Industries Department) Mamta Verma, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sanjeev Kumar, were also present at the meeting.

Gujarat: Gandhinagar gets Rs 1,848 crore development projects; 30 new e-buses flagged off

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Gujarat's Gandhinagar district received development projects worth Rs 1,848 crore on Saturday, including works aimed at improving road connectivity, drainage, water supply, healthcare, public transport and urban amenities, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also flagging off around 30 new electric buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa'. The projects include works worth Rs 798 crore by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and Rs 1,050 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department. The Chief Minister also announced new projects worth Rs 48.26 crore for the capital's comprehensive development, including measures to address traffic and strengthen urban infrastructure. Patel and Sanghavi travelled as ordinary passengers in one of the newly inaugurated e-buses from the venue to the Ministers' Residential Complex after flagging off the buses. Minister of State for Urban Development, Darshna Vaghela, MLAs Rita Patel and Alpesh Thakor, Mayor Mira Patel, Deputy Mayor Natuji Thakor, Standing Committee Chairman Gaurang, other municipal office-bearers, City BJP president Dr Ashish Dave and former mayors also travelled with them. Among the newly announced works is a Rs 20.76 crore underpass at Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing to address the increasing traffic burden on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road. The government will allocate Rs 12.80 crore for strengthening the bridge over the Sabarmati River connecting Raksha Shakti Circle towards GIFT City-Shahpur. Another Rs 7.70 crore has been earmarked for junction and road development from GIFT City towards PDPU, while Rs 7 crore will be allocated for road safety and paver works from Raksha Shakti Circle to GIFT City Circle. The civic works include an 80-metre road connecting Airport Road with Raysan and a service road from Raksha Shakti to Sargasan. New CC roads will be taken up in Khoraj, Pethapur, Randheja, Kolavada, Vavol, Vasana Hadmatiya and Adivada. A new overhead water tank will come up in Randheja, while new drainage lines will be laid in Sectors 1 to 30 and seven surrounding villages to address monsoon waterlogging. An urban primary health centre will be established in Sargasan. Modern theme-based smart Anganwadis will also be opened, designed to provide children with facilities similar to a private play school. Development works include modern gardens in Jhundal, Amiyapur and Sector 20, renovation of the Swarnim Cultural Centre at Raysan and development of Raysan Chowk. Mayor Mira Patel said the works covered both old sectors and newly incorporated villages, with equal emphasis on basic facilities and connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation for Gandhinagar's development, and the vision of transforming it from an administrative centre into a world-class smart and green city is being realised, she said. She also credited Gandhinagar MP and Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah with continued attention to the city's development, including planning for new lakes, gardens and facilities in outlying villages. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister had provided approvals and financial support for development proposals and projects, she said. She thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for municipal works worth about Rs 798 crore. Gandhinagar North MLA Rita Patel said the capital had developed modern infrastructure in education and healthcare, including libraries, UN Mehta Hospital, Civil Hospital, PHCs, CHCs and health centres. Around 125 modern gardens, including Central Vista, had been developed and around 18 lakh trees had recently been planted, she noted.

NTPC Green Energy adds 6.3 MW capacity

NTPC Green Energy (NTPCGREEN) announced commercial operation of the second part capacity of 6.3 MW of its Vanki Wind Energy Project in Nakhatrana, Kutch, Gujarat with effect from on 13 September 2026.

No shortage of funds for development works, says Gujarat CM

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday said that no development project would be allowed to remain stalled for want of funds, as he announced a fresh package of Rs 48.26 crore for traffic, road and urban infrastructure in the state capital. Speaking at a programme where development works worth Rs 1,848 crore were inaugurated or launched, Patel said Gujarat's financial management had ensured that funds were available for development. The government is committed to ensuring that no development work is stalled due to lack of funds, he said. The Chief Minister said the Rs 1,848 crore package comprised Rs 798 crore of works undertaken by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation and Rs 1,050 crore under the Roads and Buildings Department. He urged citizens to communicate local requirements and pending works to the municipal corporation so that necessary projects could be taken up quickly and conveyed to the government. The Centre and state government had consistently pursued development by keeping the common man and the last-mile citizen at the centre, he said. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Gujarat, he said the state had received development projects worth more than Rs 34,000 crore from Vadodara. The Prime Minister's work mantra was Nagrik Devo Bhava and the trust placed by people in the government over the past 25 years had been repaid through public welfare and development. The government had sought to keep the common citizen, poor and last-mile resident, at the centre of every scheme and project, he noted. Patel stressed that creating welfare schemes is not enough and that their benefits had to reach every eligible beneficiary. Under the saturation approach being pursued under the Prime Minister's guidance, efforts were being made to ensure 100 per cent coverage of eligible beneficiaries, he asserted. He cited Ayushman, housing and Ujjwala schemes and tap water connections among the benefits being delivered to citizens, adding that he government is proactively reaching beneficiaries instead of waiting for them to approach it. He said development processes in Gandhinagar had previously been slow, with even small projects requiring lengthy waits. The situation had changed with development works worth crores now being implemented rapidly in the municipal corporation area, he added. The Chief Minister also referred to GIFT City, saying that while several people had once expressed surprise at the idea, it had now emerged as a global financial hub. Patel said environmental protection had been given importance alongside development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Sustainable development cannot take place at the cost of the environment, he said. He said tree plantation, interlinking of lakes, filling lakes with water and recharge borewells were being undertaken to promote environmental protection and water conservation. Library facilities were also being extended to villages. Wherever there is a library, knowledge grows, and where knowledge grows, the pace of development also increases, he said. The Chief Minister said the new Gandhinagar works would strengthen traffic and urban facilities. He announced Rs 20.76 crore for an underpass at Bhat-Koteshwar Crossing, Rs 12.80 crore for strengthening the Sabarmati bridge from Raksha Shakti Circle towards GIFT City-Shahpur, Rs 7.70 crore for junction and road development from GIFT City towards PDPU and Rs 7 crore for road safety and paver works between Raksha Shakti Circle and GIFT City Circle. He also participated in the flagging off of around 30 new e-buses under the 'PM-eBus Sewa' and travelled in one of them with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, MLAs, the mayor and municipal office-bearers.

NEET UG 2026 Round 2 Alert: Revised Merit Lists Released

NEET UG 2026 Round 2 rank shift? Multiple states have released revised merit lists. Check the latest updates for Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Rajasthan, and ensure your preferences are locked before the reporting deadline.

GSSSB Class 3 Exam Date 2026 - Check Assistant Engineer and Agriculture Overseer CBRT Schedule at gsssb.gujarat.gov.in

GSSSB Class 3 Exam Date 2026 announced on 11 September 2026. Check Assistant Engineer and Agriculture Overseer exam dates, timing, CBRT mode, and links.

Prashant Kishor mocks JD(U)'s renaming bid, claims party being run by 'appointees of Amit Shah'

Prashant Kishor derided the JD(U) party's potential renaming, calling it irrelevant. He stated Union Home Minister Amit Shah controls the JD(U) to serve the BJP's interests. Kishor also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for its indifference towards Bihar's floods. He alleged Gujarat's interests take precedence over Bihar's development projects. Kishor believes public mood is changing due to Jan Suraaj's focus on education.

India Coast Guard rescues 21 after two vessels collide off Gujarat

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'Glimpse of new India': CM Yogi hails PM Modi's years in public service

Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 12 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's years in public service, from Chief Minister of Gujarat to the Head of State, calling it a glimpse of new India. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said the government and the BJP's state unit has prepared a list of programmes that will be undertaken for a month, from PM Modi's birthday on September 17, till marking the completion of his 25 years in public service on October 7, being celebrated as 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. October 7 is when PM Modi will complete 25 years in governance, including his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister and as the Prime Minister of the country. So the party and the govt has prepared a list of programmes to celebrate these glorious years, CM Yogi said. He referred to PM Modi's years in public service as a vision that has led to successful implementation of all schemes across various fields, till the last person is served. Gujarat was like any other state before 2001, which faced drought, connectivity and drinking water issues and other challenges. PM Modi, during his tenure as the Chief Minister, ensured the availability of proper drinking water till the last village in the state. During his 13 years of tenure, he transformed Gujarat into a welfare state, a centre of attraction for the world, which is today considered as a model for infrastructure and technology, he said. CM Yogi termed PM Modi's tenure since 2014, as a glimpse of new India with visions of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Viksit Bharat'. For this, he ensured the construction of world-class infrastructure, welfare schemes, produced a model that established India from 'Fragile Five' to 'Top Five' economies of the world, he stated. The Chief Minister asserted that under PM Modi's leadership, India has established itself as a nation that is capable of providing leadership to the world. More than three dozen countries have conferred their highest honour on PM Modi. Moreover, the G20 leaders have hailed the successful completion of the Summit and its related events in the country, under the Prime Minister's leadership, he said. Further, he lashed out at the then regime for opposing the consecration ceremony of the Somnath Temple, accusing it of insulting India's heritage and seeding the mindset of slavery among people. Only after 2014, India could come out of the mindset of slavery and move towards the vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', he said while invoking the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ayodhya's Ram Temple and organisation of the Mahakumbh Mela. He also praised PM Modi's leadership towards advancement of railway infrastructure, including electrification, trains like 'Namo Bharat', 'Amrit Bharat' and construction of new stations. The construction of waterways, ports, airports, highways, and public transport, etc, has become the backbone of India's development, he added. He further said: During the Congress regime only one AIIMS was built, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji took it to seven, while PM Modi took its number to 23. While the vaccine for encephalitis took around 100 years to reach India, the Covid vaccine was produced here itself within nine months, CM Yogi added. Detailing the list of programmes, the UP Chief Minister said: Apart from distribution of fruits at hospitals on the morning of September 17, blood donation camps will be organised. A 'yatra' is also being organised under which holy water from Vadnagar in Gujarat will be brought to Kashi, while holy water from 10 separate rivers will be taken from Kashi to Vadnagar. It will start from September 17 and reach its destination on October 7. The participants will also interact will the public every day during the course of the 'yatra'. He added that various competitions will also be held among school students, under the campaign, who will be felicitated on October 7. Various other programmes are also being organised by the UP government and the state BJP unit as part of the Seva Sankalp Yatra.

Paresh Rawal on National Awards shifting to Gujarat: Is it in Pakistan?

Mumbai: Paresh Rawal has a blunt response to the controversy over the National Film Awards being shifted from Delhi to Gujarat. The veteran actor has backed the decision to host this years ceremony in Gujarat, questioning why the change of venue has become a political issue. Speaking to ANI, Paresh Rawal said Gujarat is as 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 .

Gujarat Trust hands over 58 exotic animals of 14 species to Nandankanan Zoo

The Nandankanan Zoological Park here on Saturday received 58 exotic animals belonging to 14 species from the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), Gujarat, as a donation.

Cyber fraud case cracked in Delhi, three mule account holders arrested

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS) The Delhi Polices East District Cyber Police Station has cracked a cyber fraud case involving the cheating of a Gujarat-based victim on the pretext of supplying washing machine spare parts at a low price, with three alleged mule account holders apprehended during the investigation. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) from Patan, Gujarat. The victim, Husen Chunawala, had intended to purchase washing machine spare parts and made an online payment of Rs 1.5 lakh. However, the promised spare parts were not supplied and communication with the persons concerned subsequently stopped. During the enquiry, police found that part of the cheated amount had been withdrawn through an ATM in East District. Police traced the bank account into which part of the cheated amount had been transferred and found it to be in the name of Naitik, a resident of Shakarpur. Further investigation allegedly revealed that Naitik had received the amount through Vikas Soni, also from Shakarpur. Both were apprehended. Police subsequently apprehended another accused, Sagar, a resident of Trilokpuri, who allegedly received part of the cheated amount in his bank account, withdrew it through an ATM and handed over the cash to an absconding associate in exchange for a commission. According to police, the three accused allegedly acted as mule account holders and cash handlers on the directions of the absconding associate, who coordinated the receipt, withdrawal and delivery of the cheated funds. A black iPhone 13 was recovered from Vikas Soni. Police said the device contains chats and communications relevant to the transactions and is being examined for further digital evidence. Another NCRP complaint has also been found linked to bank account(s) allegedly used by the accused. Police said the accused allegedly targeted people searching online for washing machine spare parts. In some cases, persons posing as sellers or service providers allegedly contacted customers searching for customer-care or contact numbers of reputed brands through Google and offered spare parts at unusually low prices. Victims were then allegedly induced to make online payments, which were routed through multiple mule accounts. Vikas Soni, 22, is a BA third-year student and allegedly handled cheated funds and provided/used his bank account on the directions of the absconding associate. Naitik, 21, a BA second-year student of the School of Open Learning, allegedly became involved for easy monetary gain. Sagar, 31, a Class 12 pass-out and Rapido rider, allegedly withdrew the funds and handed over the cash to the absconding associate. Police said efforts are underway to trace the absconding associate, identify other members of the network and establish the complete money trail.

Accuracy Shipping receives LoI for proposed Container Freight Station at Kandla, Gujarat

Accuracy Shipping today announced that A.R.S. Terminals (India), a subsidiary in which Accuracy Shipping holds a 99.80% stake, has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) dated 10 September 2026, from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for setting up a Container Freight Station (CFS) at Kandla, Gujarat.

Nandankanan Zoo Receives 14 Exotic Animal Species From Gujarat Trust

Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar has received 58 animals belonging to 14 exotic species as a donation from the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), Gujarat. The animals were received at the zoo on September 12, 2026. The collection includes a diverse range of mammals and birds from different geographical regions. 14 Exotic Species [] The post Nandankanan Zoo Receives 14 Exotic Animal Species From Gujarat Trust appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Gujarat: 195 girls fall sick after eating hostel food, 20 hospitalised

Girls at Ranak Girls Hostel in Vallabh Vidyanagar complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain from early Friday morning following their dinner the previous night, District Epidemic Medical Officer Dr Rakesh Patel said

Gujarat, UP, MP, Mizoram achieve 100 pc HPV vaccination coverage

Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram have achieved 100-per cent coverage of their respective identified target populations under the National HPV Vaccination Campaign, while Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Assam have crossed 90-per cent coverage, the Union health ministry said on Friday. Karnataka has achieved more than 85-per cent coverage, while Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Kerala, Telangana 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 .

Gujarat Assembly Concludes Monsoon Session, Passes Seven Bills in 18 Hours

Gujarat Assemblys monsoon session ends with the passage of seven bills aimed at state development and public welfare. Gujarat Assembly Concludes Monsoon Session, Passes Seven Bills in 18 Hours

Diamond firm director duped of 76L by stamp vendor

ED attaches 17 properties worth 6.52cr of Daman liquor mafia

Arsonist entered market 3 hours before fire

Industry-backed blood donation camp sees strong response

Bite victim brings dead snake to hospital

Insurer told to pay 2.2cr to mother of deceased NRI doctor

MSU prof seeks policy against rituals on campus

195 girls fall sick after suspected food poisoning at Anand hostel

Two men lose 8.45L after clicking fake e-challan links on WhatsApp

Bail cancelled for two history-sheeters

Marengo Asia Hospitals raises Rs 400 crore from LeapFrog Investments to double bed capacity

Marengo Asia Hospitals has raised Rs 400 crore from LeapFrog Investments to expand its hospital network, with plans to more than double capacity to over 4,000 beds within two years. Backed by Samara Capital and Godrej and Havells family offices, Marengo operates five hospitals across the NCR, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Maha lags in HPV vax coverage with just 8.4%, Gujarat & UP cover 100%

Actors support hosting 72nd National Film Awards across India starting in Gujarat

The News Mill

Gujarat Assembly passes Rent Bill, replacing 1947 law; sets three-tier dispute resolution system

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 11 (IANS) The Gujarat Assembly has unanimously passed the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, paving the way for a new legal framework governing rental agreements across the state and replacing the decades-old system under the Bombay Rents, Hotel and Lodging House Rates Control Act, 1947. The Bill, introduced by Urban Development Minister Kanu Desai, makes written rent agreements mandatory for both residential and commercial properties and proposes a three-tier mechanism comprising a Rent Authority, Rent Court and Rent Tribunal for time-bound resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants. Desai said the existing law had to be extended from time to time and its limitations had resulted in legal complications for both landlords and tenants. The new legislation has been framed to meet the present-day requirements of Gujarat, he said. Under the new framework, details of every written rental agreement will have to be jointly submitted to the Rent Authority. The authority will also develop a digital platform in Gujarati within three months, with each registered agreement being assigned a unique identification number and uploaded on the website. The ID will serve as an important record for both parties. The Bill also caps the advance security deposit at three months' rent. Once a tenant vacates the property and all accounts are settled, the deposit will have to be returned within one month. The proposed three-tier system is aimed at providing a structured mechanism for dealing with rental disputes. The Bill also prohibits landlords from cutting off essential services such as electricity, water and gas to tenants. In such cases, the Rent Authority will have the power to order immediate restoration of the services. The legislation sets out specific grounds for eviction under Section 21. A landlord can approach the Rent Court for eviction if a tenant continuously fails to pay rent, damages the property or sublets it without permission. The Bill also provides relief to tenants when a property becomes uninhabitable due to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or cyclones. In such circumstances, tenants can receive exemption from rent or a reasonable opportunity to extend the rental agreement. Section 18 provides legal recognition to property managers appointed by landlords and defines their role and responsibilities within the legal framework. Certain properties and institutions have been exempted under Section 3, including government premises, service quarters provided by companies to employees, properties belonging to religious and charitable institutions, the Waqf Board and public trusts. However, such parties can mutually agree to come under the provisions of the Act. Desai said the legislation was intended to bring greater clarity to landlord-tenant relations and improve transparency in the rental and real estate sector. The Gujarat Rent Act is not merely a legal document, but an important link connecting the economic and social fabric of Gujarat. This law provides the landlord with appropriate justice and the tenant with a roof under which to live with dignity. This Bill will bring transparency to the real estate market, enhance 'Ease of Living' and further strengthen an atmosphere of mutual trust in the state, he said. The Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, was passed unanimously without opposition in the Assembly on Friday.

Gujarat Assembly Monsoon Session ends after 18 hours, seven bills passed

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 11 (IANS) The three-day Monsoon Session of the 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly concluded after 18 hours and 32 minutes of proceedings, with the House passing seven government Bills aimed at public welfare and the development of the state. Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani, while giving details of the session after its conclusion, said the proceedings were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere in accordance with democratic traditions. He thanked Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, members of the ruling party and Opposition, and the government machinery for the successful conduct of the session. The Assembly held three sittings during the session, with a total of 18 hours and 32 minutes of proceedings. Vaghani said 52 MLAs participated in various discussions during the three-day session. Seven government Bills were passed within two days, with the measures focused on the development of the state and public welfare. The passage of the Bills reflected the government's commitment to public-interest work, he said. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also made a statement in the House on a matter of public importance under Rule 44. On the final day of the session, a special discussion was held under Rule 102 on the Tribal Welfare Scheme. A minister also made a statement on a matter of public importance under Rule 116. The House paid tribute to five leaders who had died, with obituary references made during the session. During Question Hour, 1,356 starred questions were received for oral answers, of which 29 were taken up for oral discussion in the House. A total of 152 unstarred questions were received, while 88 unstarred questions were laid on the Table under Rule 87(A), he noted. The proceedings also saw the presentation of five reports of various committees. Twenty-three reports relating to government companies, boards and corporations, along with one budget, were laid on the Table. In addition, 69 notifications, two ordinances and one statement of assurances were laid before the House. The Comptroller and Auditor General's audit report on the Jal Jeevan Mission was also tabled, he said. One Bill that had received the President's assent and five Bills that had received the Governor's assent were also laid on the Table during the session. The Assembly also recorded participation from members of the public, with around 5,246 visitors from across Gujarat visiting the legislature to witness its proceedings and observe the functioning of the democratic system.

Mumbai Ganeshotsav 2026: Bandra mandal creates iconic Somnath Temple replica

Ganeshotsav 2026: Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has created a detailed replica of Gujarat's Somnath Temple, showcasing its architecture and heritage. The installation is part of the mandal's tradition of temple-themed festival dcor

Manasi Parekh: We need stories that remind us of simple, beautiful things that still matter

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) The National Award-winning actress Manasi Parekh, who is awaiting the release of her upcoming Gujarati film Mitrata: Friendship Ni Lovestory, has spoken up on the importance of stories that remind of the simple, beautiful things that still matter. The film also stars Viraj Ghelani, Deep Vaidya and Vishal Parekh. It touches upon the subject of friendship. The trailer of the film was unveiled on Friday, and introduces the life of 3 friends and the dynamics that bind them together. The film explores the many shades of friendship and the bonds that grow stronger through lifes changing phases. Talking about the film, Manasi Parekh and Parthiv Gohil, producers at Soul Sutra, shared, At the heart of Mitrata is a very simple and universal emotion: friendship. In these cynical times, we need stories that remind us of the simple, beautiful things that still matter, and friendship is one of them. We all have people in our lives who have seen different versions of us and stayed through them all. Oneel has brought that emotion into a world that is entertaining, warm and full of emotions. We are excited to finally share the world of Mitrata with audiences. The film marks the actress reunion with him after their Gujarati blockbuster Jhamkudi. Viraj Ghelani said, Friendship is probably one of the few relationships where you can be your most unfiltered self, and that is what makes Mitrata so relatable. The film has the banter and madness you expect from a group of friends, but it also has those quieter moments that remind you why these relationships mean so much. The energy between all of us on set was very natural, and I think that comes through in the trailer. Im really excited for audiences to meet these characters and experience their journey. The film has already begun building anticipation with the Mitrata Anthem, composed by Amit Trivedi, which captures the spirit of friendship at the heart of the story. The hook of the song Tari Mari Dosti has instantly become a rage on social media with audiences recreating the step with their gang. Presented by Soul Sutra, the film is directed by Oneel Karnik, produced by Parthiv Gohil and Manasi Parekh, and is set to release in cinemas on September 25,2026.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar calls for greater voter participation, transparency at ELC Conference

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 11 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday stressed the need for greater voter participation and transparent electoral processes as he interacted with more than 1,000 Electoral Literacy Club (ELC) members, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), campus ambassadors and other stakeholders at a regional conference on ELC and the ECINET app in Ahmedabad. Held under the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) flagship SVEEP programme, the conference focused on electoral literacy, informed voting and the use of digital technology to improve transparency in the electoral process. Kumar said India, with more than 90 crore voters, is the worlds largest democracy and around 1.8 crore personnel, including staff deputed during Lok Sabha elections, are involved in the electoral exercise. The entire process, from the electoral roll to voting, is as clear, transparent and impartial as sunlight, Kumar said, while explaining the safeguards in place during elections. He said electoral rolls are prepared through the work of more than 11 lakh BLOs and scrutiny by political parties. The presence of polling and counting agents, along with verification through Form 17C, further ensures transparency during voting and counting, he said. Kumar also highlighted Indias current chairmanship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), an organisation comprising 35 major democracies, saying it reflected international recognition of Indias electoral system. Urging greater participation among young voters, he said every citizen completing 18 years should be enrolled on the electoral roll and exercise their franchise. He called upon ELC members to download the ECINET app and help family members and people around them with voter registration. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale said the ELC programme, launched under SVEEP in 2018, aims to familiarise young citizens with democratic values and the electoral process. Under ELC 2.0, school and college clubs are being developed as year-round, experiential and digital platforms, he said. The effort is to prepare empowered young voters on the foundations of awareness and trust, Sagale said, adding that more than 40 voter and election-management applications have been brought together on the ECINET platform. Presentations at the conference covered ELC 2.0, voter education, ECINET, trust and transparency in Indian elections, and its functioning and features. A live demonstration of voter registration, voting and counting was also held. Ahmedabad District Election Officer and Collector Bhavya Verma said the presentations and demonstrations would help make voter-awareness activities more effective. Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education) Mukesh Kumar, Dahod District Development Officer Hiren Barot, Joint Chief Electoral Officers Rinkesh Patel and Devayat Bhamar, among others, attended the conference.

195 girls fall sick due to suspected food poisoning at Gujarat hostel

Silver Touch Technologies secures comprehensive IT services contract from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam

This engagement covers the computer servers, storage Systems, SAN-Switches, Tape Library and backup architecture with Silver Touch committed to ensuring application uptime services at a 99% SLA that empower GUVNL's e-Urja platform, the ERP backbone connecting the state's electricity generation, transmission and distribution utilities and serving over a crore consumer.

Indian technician

Abu Dhabi: An Indian technicians first solo Big Ticket entry has won him Dh 100,000 (Rs 26 lakh) in the latest Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw after he selected the number at random. Sandeepkumar Nanera, a 43-year-old freelance technician from Gujarat, India, has worked in the Middle East for more than 13 years. He has 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 .

Paresh Rawal reacts to National Film Awards 2026 moving from Delhi to Gujarat

Actor Paresh Rawal has reacted to the controversy surronding the National Awards Ceremony 2026 being moved to Gujarat from Delhi. He noted that Gujarat is a part of India and not in Bangladesh or Pakistan

Gujarat Paramedical 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result Out - Direct Link to Check at medadmgujarat.org

Gujarat Paramedical 2026 Round 1 seat allotment result has been released by GPNAMEC on September 9, 2026 at medadmgujarat.org. Check the result date, direct PDF links, fee payment deadline, reporting schedule, required documents, and step-by-step process to download your allotment letter.

India administers over 80 lakh HPV vaccine doses under national campaign since Feb

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) India has crossed a significant milestone in its efforts to prevent cervical cancer, with over 80 lakh doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered under the National HPV Vaccination Campaign since its launch in February 2026, an official statement said on Friday. Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram have achieved 100 per cent coverage of their respective identified target populations, the statement from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Assam have crossed 90 per cent coverage, while Karnataka has achieved more than 85 per cent coverage. Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Kerala, Telangana and Odisha have crossed 60 per cent coverage. The nationwide drive, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2026, offers voluntary, singledose HPV vaccination free of cost to 14yearold girls at government health facilities with parental consent. As per Registrar General of India (RGI) 2021 estimates, approximately 1.2 crore girls constitute the annual cohort of 14-year-olds who are expected to benefit from the initiative each year. The progress in Assam and other Northeastern States also demonstrated the role of integrated community health networks and coordinated field-level action in expanding access across geographically diverse areas. Healthcare providers, including paediatricians, gynaecologists and experts from institutions such as AIIMS, along with teachers and frontline health workers including ASHAs and ANMs, have supported awareness and mobilisation efforts across states and districts. The campaign has also leveraged Indias digital health infrastructure through the U-WIN platform, enabling programme managers to monitor vaccination coverage at the district level, identify coverage gaps and missed beneficiaries, and support more effective programme planning and resource allocation. Currently, 87 per cent of upper-middle-income countries, 78 per cent of lower-middle-income countries and 54 per cent of low-income countries have adopted HPV vaccines in their National Immunization Programmes. All vaccination sessions under the campaign are conducted under the supervision of trained medical officers at government health facilities. Government health facilities are also linked with 247 healthcare facilities for appropriate management of rare Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). This mechanism ensures timely assessment, monitoring and management of any vaccination-related adverse event. With the campaign progressing towards its final phase, the focus remains on reaching the remaining eligible beneficiaries and ensuring that no eligible girl is left behind, the ministry said. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues to work closely with States and Union Territories, healthcare professionals, frontline health workers and communities to strengthen awareness, facilitate access and support effective implementation of the HPV Vaccination Campaign, the statement noted.

Shortcoming in electoral roll is my responsibility, credit for accuracy goes to BLOs: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 11 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday said any shortcoming in the electoral roll would be his responsibility as the head of the Election Commission of India, while credit for ensuring that the rolls remain accurate and updated should go to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). If there is any shortcoming in the electoral roll, the responsibility as the head of the family is mine, but the credit for making the roll proper and accurate goes to our BLO brothers and sisters, Kumar said while interacting with the states BLOs at an Interaction with Booth Level Officer programme held at Gujarat Universitys Atal Kalam Hall. Kumar described BLOs as the most important members of the Election Commissions family, saying that for a voter, the officer who visits their home or speaks to them over the phone is the reflection of the Election Commission. He said BLOs play a crucial role in reaching crores of voters across the country and ensuring proper registration, corrections in electoral rolls and participation in polling. More than 11 lakh BLOs are working across the country to facilitate an electoral process involving the rights and expectations of around 90 crore voters. The Election Commission is using training programmes, meetings and digital platforms such as ECI-Net to maintain regular communication with its field-level personnel, he said. Kumar also stressed the need to keep electoral rolls accurate. Political parties and their Booth Level Agents participate in the verification process, while BLOs identify cases involving Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Foreigner (ASDDF) voters. Every eligible Indian citizen who has completed 18 years of age should have their name included in the electoral roll, he maintained. Referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, Kumar said the Election Commission undertakes revisions from time to time to maintain the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls. BLOs visit voters homes, establish direct contact and verify the required information. Processes including verification of documents, mapping and hearings are used to make the rolls more accurate, he said. The CEC urged BLOs to regularly check electoral rolls in their areas and ensure that newly eligible voters are added. Whenever you get time, check the electoral roll in your area and complete the necessary process to ensure that the names of young people who have completed 18 years of age are added to the electoral roll. This is the greatest service to the democracy of the country, he said. Explaining the safeguards in the polling and counting process, Kumar said EVMs and VVPATs are checked during mock polling in the presence of candidates polling agents before voting begins. After polling, the EVM-related result procedures are completed in the presence of candidates agents, and the required documents are signed, he said. During counting, the votes recorded in EVMs are verified against the votes mentioned in Form 17C in the presence of candidates counting agents. Political parties, candidates or their agents have opportunities for verification at every stage of the electoral process, making the process highly transparent, he said. He said Indias democracy is unique not only because of its size but also because of its depth, diversity and vibrancy. Referring to high voter turnout in recent elections, Kumar said: Voter awareness and the efforts of election personnel helped strengthen democracy. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale, while welcoming Kumar, said direct interaction between the countrys highest election official and Booth Level Officers was a golden opportunity. He said BLOs are an important link between the Election Commission and citizens and ambassadors of democratic participation. Giving importance to the experiences, challenges and suggestions of BLOs working on the ground, alongside a technology-based electoral system, would help make the election process simpler, more transparent and effective, he added.

HPV vaccination drive crosses 8 mn doses as India targets cervical cancer

Seven months after the national campaign was launched, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram have achieved 100 per cent vaccination coverage

'Is Gujarat in Pakistan?': Paresh Rawal defends 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia

Is Gujarat in Pakistan?: Paresh Rawal's blunt defence of National Film Awards move

Is Gujarat in Pakistan?: Paresh Rawal's blunt defence of National Film Awards move

Cochin Shipyard Ltd leads losers in 'A' group

Godrej Properties Ltd, Lodha Developers Ltd, Gujarat Energy Ltd and P I Industries Ltd are among the other losers in the BSE's 'A' group today, 11 September 2026.

62 Lions, Lionesses, Cubs Died of Disease in Gujarat in One Year: Govt

Other causes included arthritis, gastroenteritis, roundworm infestation, encephalitis, central nervous system disorder, ascites, bronchopneumonia, acute illness and septic shock, among others.

Govt pushes private sector to secure critical mineral assets overseas: Minister

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) The government is encouraging private companies to acquire critical mineral assets overseas and bring raw materials to India as part of a broader strategy to strengthen supply security and reduce import dependence, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Friday. Speaking on the sidelines of the CII Global Summit on Advanced Minerals, Reddy said the government is increasingly relying on private sector participation to secure access to critical minerals that are essential for sectors ranging from electronics and clean energy to defence and space technology. We are giving encouragement to the private sector. Through Indian embassies and foreign embassies in India, companies can go to mineral-rich countries for land acquisition, mining and semi-processing and bring raw materials back to India, he said. The minister stressed that private firms have a key role to play in expanding India's global footprint in critical minerals, describing overseas acquisitions as a pressing requirement for the country. Reddy told reporters that critical minerals have become central to global economic and industrial development and further added that India has signed several agreements in the sector and is engaging with multiple resource-rich nations to strengthen supply chains. While domestic exploration activities have intensified, lithium remains scarce within the country, he said. To address this gap, India has acquired five lithium blocks in Argentina where exploration work is underway. The government is also in discussions with Australia and Chile and is encouraging private companies to pursue overseas lithium assets, according to him. Government-to-government and private-to-private efforts are both progressing simultaneously, the minister said. On the domestic front, the minister highlighted the National Critical Mineral Mission, under which incentives worth Rs 36,000 crore have been announced to support the sector. He said India is also focusing on urban mining and recycling of e-waste, estimating that 25-30 per cent of the country's critical mineral requirements could eventually be met through recycled materials. According to him, the government has shortlisted 58 entities from 125 applicants in the first phase of a recycling initiative backed by an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore. He added that four mineral processing plants are being established in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to process imported minerals, domestic resources and recycled material.

Gujarat CM pays tribute to forest martyrs; announces Rs 50 lakh aid for victims family

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 11 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday paid tribute to forest personnel who lost their lives protecting forests and wildlife, marking National Forest Martyrs Day at the Vanpal Memorial in Gandhinagar. CM Patel, accompanied by Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State, Pravin Mali, paid floral tributes to the forest martyrs and observed a two-minute silence along with forest officials and personnel. Since 1981, around 11 forest personnel in Gujarat have sacrificed their lives while protecting forests and wildlife, according to the state government. The Chief Minister commended their dedication to duty and remembered their contribution to forest and wildlife conservation. The Chief Minister also met the family of Vyara Range Forest Officer Vikas Desai, who recently died while attempting to prevent the illegal transportation of timber. CM Patel expressed condolences to the family and handed over Rs 50 lakh from the Benevolent Fund as financial assistance. The Chief Minister also felicitated forest personnel Kalu Parmar, who was injured in a human-lion conflict on July 6 this year. CM Patel presented him with a cheque for Rs two lakh as assistance. National Forest Martyrs Day is observed every year on September 11 to honour forest guards, foresters and range forest officers who have lost their lives while protecting forests and wildlife. The occasion also seeks to promote awareness and commitment towards forest and wildlife conservation. MLA Rita Patel; City Organisation President Dr Ashish Dave; Principal Secretary of the Forest and Environment Department, R.C. Meena; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Dr Jaipal Singh; Chairman of the All India Forest Association, Delhi, and officials from the forest departments of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Uttarakhand were among those present. A large number of forest personnel also attended the event and paid tribute to their colleagues who died in the line of duty.

Gujarat's public debt rose to Rs 4.30 lakh crore in 2025-26: Govt

In 2024-25, the state paid Rs 25,604 crore towards interest and Rs 29,126 crore as principal, while for 2025-26, the revised estimates show that Rs 27,095 crore was paid towards interest and Rs 34,025 crore as principal.

Vantara supports Madhuri's return to Kolhapur under strict conditions, pledges continued care

Elephant Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, is set to return to the Nandani facility in Kolhapur following a September 9, 2026 ruling by the High-Powered Committee (HPC) appointed by the Supreme Court. Gujarat, on July...

Clean-food startup Khetika is betting on pesticide-free spices. Can it clear the global quality bar?

Khetika has invested 10 crore in a pesticide-free spice facility in Gujarat, aiming for a 1,000-crore spices business and global markets. But is pesticide-free enough?

Gujarat couple digitally arrested for five days defrauded of Rs 13 lakh; accused held from Delhi

Digital Desk | Surat, Sep 11 (IANS) The Surat Cyber Crime Branch has arrested a 35-year-old man from Delhi for allegedly helping a cyber fraud network that digitally arrested a man and his wife for five days and made them transfer Rs 13 lakh on the pretext of verifying their bank accounts, police said on Friday. The arrested accused has been identified as Afaq Alam Ansari, an equipment supplier residing in Malad West, Mumbai, and originally from Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh. Police said he was traced to Delhi following a technical investigation. According to the police, the accused involved in the case contacted the complainant through phone and video calls and claimed that a SIM card had been obtained in his name and that a Canara Bank account had also been opened using his details. They allegedly told him that large financial transactions had been carried out through the account. The accused allegedly sent the complainant a fake identity card bearing the logos of Mumbai Police and Maharashtra Police, along with purported letters from the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Financial and Crime Branch, Mumbai Department, the Reserve Bank of India and the Supreme Court of India. They allegedly told the complainant that the Canara Bank account in his name had been used in a money laundering and fraud case involving Naresh Goyal and that his own involvement in the case had also emerged. The accused further threatened that an arrest warrant had been issued and that he would be arrested if he failed to cooperate with the investigation. The complainant and his wife were allegedly kept under digital arrest for five days. The accused then told them that the money in their bank accounts had to be transferred for verification. Acting on their instructions, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 13 lakh to different bank accounts. A case was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station under Sections 308(7), 204, 205, 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008. Police said Alam had formed a firm in his own name, showing a Delhi address, and opened a current account with Yes Bank in the firm's name. He allegedly handed over the bank account to an absconding accused in exchange for a commission of Rs three lakh. Investigators found that transactions totalling Rs 1,05,37,721 had taken place in Alam's current bank account between December 6, 2025 and January 21, 2026. A check of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP) also revealed three complaints from different states linked to the account, involving alleged fraud of Rs 2,43,03,521. The police appealed to people not to share personal or banking information with individuals claiming to be police or government officials through video or audio calls. Police said officials do not digitally arrest or interrogate people by asking them to download Skype or other video-conferencing applications, nor do they demand money as a fine. Police also advised people not to transfer money to accounts provided by persons impersonating police officers or other officials, even if they show arrest warrants or other documents online.

Gujarat Biotechnology University Junior Research Fellow (JRF) Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online

Gujarat Biotechnology University has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 1 Junior Research Fellow (JRF) post. The application process is open until 1 October 2026. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official website, gbu.edu.in.

Foreign Policy in Shambles For 10+ Years: Priyank Kharge Ahead of BRICS

If you recollect, the Prime Minister of India and the Chinese Premier sat on a swing in Gujarat, had discussions in Mahabalipuram, and what happened after that? They annexed Arunachal Pradesh Kharge said.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals shares up 34% in 3 months: Whats driving the rally?

The shares of Gujarat Fluorochemicals have experienced notable growth, driven by strong results from the June quarter. The company is gearing up for significant capital investments to broaden its reach in advanced fluoropolymers, strategically targeting booming markets like semiconductors and green hydrogen. Additionally, the shift towards battery materials is poised to act as a crucial source of growth, leading to enhanced earnings and returns in the near future.

Gujarat Chief Minister Approves

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel allocates 20 crore for the first phase of the Visavadar bypass road to ease traffic in Junagadh district. Gujarat Chief Minister Approves 20 Crore for Visavadar Bypass Road Project

'Healthy competition' helps Tanya Chaudhary set national record in hammer throw

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) A healthy competition with fellow trainee Anushka Yadav proved beneficial for Tanya Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh as he set the national record in women's hammer throw in the Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi. It was like the fulfilment of a dream for Tanya, and the fact that she set a new mark just before the upcoming Asian Games was like icing on the cake as the 22-year-old took the spotlight on the opening day of the meet on Thursday. Day One of the prize-money meet saw two national records being set in the hammer throw, with Tanya achieving the feat that she has been chasing for the past three years. Tanya achieved her quest by improving the national record in the womens hammer throw as she hurled the iron ball to a distance of 68.35m, improving the national record of 65.25m, which was set by Sarita Singh in 2017. My previous personal best is 63.91m. I have done 65m-plus two or three times (at the inter-university level), but those were not official. Now, I am able to do it (break the national record). It is a new beginning, she said. Normally, I used to be nervous. But I was focused on my technique today. Tanya, who trains along with Anushka at the same ground at Bhagpat in Uttar Pradesh under different coaches, said the healthy competition helped her move forward. We both are from the same ground. So, there is healthy competition between us. So, it is good for both of us to move forward. Though Tanya could not breach the Asian Games qualifying mark, she has made it to the team for the mega event in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan and is looking forward to continuing the momentum in Japan. It was because of injury. Now I feel I will do better. I had multiple injuries at the same time: a hamstring injury and a stress injury in the femur bone. The injuries were going on since January. In the men's section, Delhis Nirbhay Choudhary recorded a throw of 71.02m, which was better than the previous national record of 70.73m set by Neeraj Kumar in 2016. The other major attraction for Indian athletics fans was the successful return to action by Avinash Sable in the men's 3000m steeplechase. Sable, representing Maharashtra, won the steeplechase in a time of 8 minutes 32.39 seconds in his first race in the distance in more than a year. Spotlight was also on 400m runners as the top six finishers in the mens race clocked below 46 seconds. Top three in the womens 400m race also dipped below 53 seconds. I will do better and win a medal at the Japan Asian Games, said Vishal TK, winner of the gold medal and national 400m record holder, in the post-race interaction. Maharashtras promising sprinter Harita Bhadra, winner of the womens 100m dash, said the Indian Athletics Series Final was good preparation for the Asian Games. It was a good experience for me to race in the 100m dash with the top sprinters, Harita added. Odishas Animesh Kujur won both the 100m and 200m dash in the mens section. Results: Men: 100m: Animesh Kujur (Odisha) 10.21 seconds, Gurindervir Singh (Punjab) 10.32 seconds, Rushiprasad Desai (Maharashtra) 10.33 seconds. 200m: Animesh Kujur (Odisha) 20.59 secs, Jishnu Prasad (Kerala) 20.63 secs, Abhay Singh (Madhya Pradesh) 21.04 secs. 400m: Vishal TK (Tamil Nadu) 45.36 seconds, Jay Kumar (Uttar Pradesh) 45.50 seconds, Manu TS (Kerala) 45.68 seconds. 800m: Mohammed Afsal (Kerala) 1:46.40 secs, Prakash Gadade (Maharashtra) 1:46.56 secs, Krishan Kumar (Haryana) 1:46.73 secs. 1500m: Rahul Baloda (Rajasthan) 3:39.89 secs, Yoonus Shah (Uttar Pradesh) 3:40.37 secs, Sunil Dawar (Madhya Pradesh) 3:43.68 secs. 110m hurdles: Krishik M (Karnataka) 13.65 secs, Muhammed Lazan (Kerala) 13.84 secs, Manav R (Tamil Nadu) 13.85 secs. 400m hurdles: Santhosh Kumar (Tamil Nadu) 50.08 secs, Ruchit Mori (Gujarat) 50.61 secs, Subhas Das (West Bengal) 50.73 secs. 3,000m steeplechase: Avinash Sable (Maharashtra) 3:32.39. Shubham Bhandare (Maharashtra) 8:50.31, Vikash Dalal (Haryana) 8:50.43. Shot put: Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Punjab) 20.64m, Samardeep Singh Gill (Madhya Pradesh) 19.59m, Karanveer Singh (Punjab) 19.51m. Hammer throw: Nirbhay Choudhary (Delhi) 71.02m (NR, previous best 70.73m), Damneet Singh (Punjab) 68.12m, Ashish Jakhar (Haryana) 67.51m. Javelin throw: Rohit Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) 81.10m, Manoj Kumar (Tamil Nadu) 80.73m, Yashvir Singh (Rajasthan) 80.40m. Pole vault: Dev Kumar Meena (Madhya Pradesh) 5.40m, Reegan G (Tamil Nadu) 5.30m, Ramratan (Rajasthan) 5.10m. High jump: Aadarsh Ram (Tamil Nadu) 2.18m, Aaditya R (Madhya Pradesh) 2.15m, Basant (Rajasthan) 2.15m. Long jump: Mohd Atta Sazid (Haryana) 8.01m, Arya S (Karnataka)7.90m, Sarun Payasingh (Odisha) 7.61m. Triple jump: Karthik Unnikrishnan (Kerala) 16.43m, Gailey Venister (Tamil Nadu) 16.04m, Vishal Bahadur (Jharkhand) 15.85m. Women 100m: Harita Bhadra (Maharashtra) 11.22 seconds, Abinaya Rajarajan (Tamil Nadu) 11.31 seconds, Giridhrani R (Tamil Nadu) 11.35 seconds. 400m: Aishwarya Mishra (Maharashtra) 52.51 secs, Prachi (Uttar Pradesh) 52.75 secs, Poovamma MR (Karnataka) 52.76 secs. 800m: Lili Das (Uttarakhand) 2:03.41 secs, Pooja (Haryana) 2:04.02 secs, Gowthami J (Tamil Nadu) 2:05.63 secs. 1500m: Thota Sankeertana (Chhattisgarh) 4:37.95, Nikita Sharma (Himachal Pradesh) 4:38.62 secs, Pragati (Haryana) 4:39.88 secs. 100m hurdles: Nandhini Kongan (Tamil Nadu) 13.30 seconds, Anjali C (Kerala) 13.33 secs, Pragyan Prashanti (Odisha) 13.37 secs. 400m hurdles: Anu Raghavan (Kerala) 57.23 secs, Sinchal Kaveramma (Karnataka) 59.91 secs, Tanu Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) 1:01.47 secs. 3,000m steeplechase: Praul Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) 9:22.49, Prachi Devkar (Maharashtra) 10:28.35, Susmita Tigga (Odisha) 10:33.94. Pole vault: Nitika (Madhya Pradesh) 4.10m, Baranica Elangovan (Tamil Nadu) 4.10m, Karthika V (Tamil Nadu) 4.10m. High jump: Pooja Singh (Haryana) 1.81m, Reet Rathor (Uttar Pradesh) 1.81m, Supriya SB (Karnataka) 1.78m. Triple jump: Lasha Ilango (Tamil Nadu) 13.76m, Niharika Vashisht (Punjab) 13.24m, Bhairabi Roy (West Bengal) 13.06m. Long jump: Ancy Sojan (Kerala) 6.76m, Shaili Singh (Uttar Pradesh) 6.65m, Bhavani Yadav (Andhra Pradesh) 6.42m. Hammer throw: Tanya Chaudhary (Uttar Pradesh) 68.35m (NR, previous best 65.25m), Anushka Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) 66.34m, Kulvinder Kaur (Rajasthan) 59.13m. Shot put: Manpreet Kaur (Haryana) 17.19m, Krishna Jayashankar (Tamil Nadu) 16.61m, Srishti Vig (Delhi) 15.99m. Discus throw: Seema Kaliramana (Haryana) 56.52m, Priya (Haryana) 54.82m, Nidhi Rani (Haryana) 54.16m. Javelin throw: Annu Rani (Uttar Pradesh) 57.50m, Rashmi K (Andhra Pradesh) 57.22m, Uma Choudhary (Rajasthan) 52.89m. Prize money: Total cash awards: R 65 lakh. 1st: R 1 lakh, 2nd: R 50,000, 3rd: R 25,000, 4th: R 20,000, 5th: R 15,000, 6th: R 10,000.

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