BJPmaintains dominance in Rajasthan urban bodies by winning 6 deputy mayor seats
BJP Attributes Success in Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections to Bhajanlal Model
The BJP credits its strong performance in Rajasthans local elections to the Bhajanlal Model and innovative campaign strategies. BJP Attributes Success in Rajasthan Urban Local Body Elections to Bhajanlal Model
Rajasthan High Court Grants Bail to Naresh Meena in Assault Case Involving SDM
Naresh Meena received bail from the Rajasthan High Court in a case involving the alleged assault of an SDM during a by-election. Rajasthan High Court Grants Bail to Naresh Meena in Assault Case Involving SDM
'Everything Is Fine In Our Schools': CJP Team Stopped In Greater Noida, Locals Question School Visit
The Cockroach Janta Partys School Thik Karo campaign faced another confrontation in Greater Noida after locals stopped co-convenor Saurav Das and his team from entering a government school. Das alleged that schools were locked ahead of their arrival and claimed the team was being followed by a car without a registration plate. The episode follows an earlier dispute over school access in Gautam Buddha Nagar, where education officials rejected claims of ordered closures. The campaign has also led to confrontations in Rajasthan and political demands in Odisha.
BJP Secures Six Deputy Mayor Positions in Rajasthan, Congress Fails to Win Any
In Rajasthans recent municipal elections, the BJP won six deputy mayor positions, while Congress was left empty-handed. BJP Secures Six Deputy Mayor Positions in Rajasthan, Congress Fails to Win Any
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma directs action on public welfare under Viksit Bharat Jan Seva Abhiyan
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Rare female caracal radio-collared released into wild in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer
Councillors, Court, 10 pm Vote: How Congress Won Rajasthan's Tijara Thriller
In the 35-member council, 31 were independents. Congress had just one councillor, while the BJP had three. That left the independents holding the key to the outcome.
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Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy bags orders worth Rs 985 crore in India, South Africa
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy has secured new orders valued over Rs 985 crore. These significant orders were obtained from both domestic and international markets. The company will execute a Balance of System package in Rajasthan. Additionally, two projects in South Africa involve Battery Energy Storage Systems. This expansion highlights the company's growing presence in renewable energy solutions.
Digital libraries helping students prepare for boards, competitive exams
Several districts across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are leading the way in refurbishing unused assets into digital libraries to help students prepare for board exams and competitive entrances. Plan is to set up more such libraries to improve educational outcomes in these districts under the Aspirational District Programme and the Aspirational Block Programme while also initiating crowd funding for some of the best libraries, adoption of libraries and mentoring students to scale up the project and expand outreach.
Syrma inaugurates new medical plastics and precision molding facility in Jodhpur
Syrma Johari MedTech, a Syrma SGS Technology company, inaugurated its new Medical Plastics and Precision Molding Facility in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, marking an important milestone in the company's continued expansion of its MedTech manufacturing capabilities.
Jaipur Weather Today: Rain or Strong Sunshine? Check Rajasthan Forecast for September 22
The monsoon's influence is gradually weakening across Rajasthan, and the weather on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 is expected to remain relatively calm across much of the state. Residents of Jaipur hoping for another spell of heavy rain are unlikely to see widespread rainfall today, while warmer dayti...
The Rajasthan High Court intervened to extend voting hours in Tijara, leading to a Congress candidates victory in the municipal elections. Rajasthan Municipal Elections: Voting Extended After High Court Intervention, Congress Candidate Wins
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) After the completion of elections for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents, attention has now shifted to the second-tier leadership posts in Rajasthan's Urban Local Bodies. Elections for Deputy Mayors, Deputy Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons are being held on Tuesday across 309 urban bodies, including 10 Municipal Corporations. Of the state's 309 urban bodies, 10 are Municipal Corporations, 51 are Municipal Councils and 248 are Municipalities. Deputy Mayors will be elected in the Municipal Corporations, Deputy Chairpersons in the Municipal Councils, and Vice-Chairpersons in the Municipalities. Elected councilors of the respective urban bodies will participate in the elections. Where necessary, voting will be followed by counting and declaration of results. Elections for the post of Deputy Mayor are being held today in Rajasthan's 10 Municipal Corporations. At the same time, elections are taking place for Deputy Chairpersons in 51 Municipal Councils and Vice-Chairpersons in 248 Municipalities. The local councilor arithmetic is expected to play an important role, particularly in bodies where no party has a clear majority. Independent councilors could also be significant in closely contested elections. Following the completion of polling, votes will be counted and the results declared according to the election schedule. With the results for Mayors, Chairpersons and Municipal Presidents already being declared, political activity has now shifted toward the elections for the corresponding deputy posts. The elections will complete the leadership structure of the state's Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities. In bodies where the councilor numbers are closely divided, parties and local leaders have been focussing on securing the required support. The election for Deputy Mayor of the Alwar Municipal Corporation is scheduled for today. The BJP and Congress finalised their respective strategies late on Monday night. Following the mayoral election, councilors from both parties had stayed at their respective camps. They are expected to arrive at the Municipal Corporation today to participate in the Deputy Mayor election. The BJP won the Mayor's post but is also working to secure the Deputy Mayor position. Political activity has increased at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the election. The Deputy Mayor election process in the Udaipur Municipal Corporation begins on Tuesday. BJP leaders continued discussions over the party's candidate late on Monday night. Dinesh Bhatt's name has reportedly been under consideration, although an official announcement had not been made as of the latest update. The nomination process is scheduled to begin at 10 AM, followed by the remaining stages of the election process. Political activity has intensified at the Municipal Corporation ahead of the vote. Elections for Deputy Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson posts are being held today in five Urban Local Bodies in Karauli district. The Deputy Chairperson election will be held in the Karauli Municipal Council, while Vice-Chairperson elections are scheduled in the municipalities of Todabhim, Sapotra, Mandrayal and Suroth. The nomination process will be completed first, with voting taking place if required. Elected councilors will cast their votes to choose the Deputy Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson. After the completion of the Chairperson and Municipal President elections, political activity has now shifted to the elections for these deputy posts.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy shares surged nearly 8% on Tuesday to Rs 186.66 after winning domestic and international orders exceeding Rs 985 crore. The orders include a 534.3 MWp solar project in Rajasthan and a 616 MWh energy storage capacity project in South Africa.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 22 (IANS) The political tussle over the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election, which began on Monday morning, continued late into the night. Following intervention by the Rajasthan High Court, the voting deadline was extended, first to 8 p.m. and later to 10 p.m., amid delays in councilors reaching the polling station. The election result was declared after 10 p.m. with Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini winning the Chairperson's post with 18 votes. Returning Officer and SDM Divya handed him the certificate of election. The Tijara Municipal Council has 35 councilors, and 18 votes were required to secure the Chairperson's post. The dispute reached the Rajasthan High Court following allegations that Congress-backed councilors were stopped in Haryana while returning from a camp in Himachal Pradesh. Congress leaders alleged that the councilors were intercepted near Panchkula while entering Haryana and were unable to reach Tijara in time for the scheduled voting. The matter was heard by a single Bench of the Rajasthan High Court presided over by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand. The court directed the ADM of Bhiwadi to submit a report on the incident to the State Election Commission. Following the developments, the voting deadline was extended to allow the election process to continue. Voting, initially scheduled until 8 p.m., was subsequently extended until 10 p.m. because of delays in the arrival of the councilors. The State Election Commission's instructions stated that if all councilors completed voting before 10 p.m., counting would begin immediately after polling concluded. Earlier, at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, and Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, accompanied by party workers, reached the Returning Officer's residence. They demanded that the election be postponed until the detained councilors were brought safely to Tijara. A complaint was subsequently lodged with Tijara police station SHO Jaiprakash. Congress leaders claimed that some councilors had expressed concerns through video messages, saying they had been taken to an undisclosed location and feared for their safety. Congress workers later staged a protest near the police station. Congress leaders also alleged that former MLA Sandeep Yadav was detained for several hours at Farrukhnagar near Gurugram. The police version of events regarding the allegation had not been released at the time of the filing of the report. The Congress questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged detention of the councilors, while the developments surrounding the election were taken up before the Rajasthan High Court and the State Election Commission. On Monday morning, former MLA Sandeep Yadav, District Congress President Balram Yadav, Congress candidate Ramavatar Saini, Block President Dharmpal Gurjar, and Deputy Pradhan Dayaram Chavda, along with women and other party workers, gathered near the police station. The protesters raised slogans demanding that the councilors be brought safely to Tijara and allowed to participate in the election. By 2 p.m., reports indicated that 16 of the 35 councilors had cast their votes. Meanwhile, the matter was taken up by the Rajasthan High Court. In compliance with the State Election Commission's order, voting for the Tijara Municipal Council Chairperson election was allowed to continue until 10 p.m.. The order stated that if all councilors completed voting before the deadline, counting would begin immediately after polling ended. The election result was subsequently declared after 10 p.m., with Ramavatar Saini securing the Chairperson post with 18 votes.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy surges after bagging orders worth Rs 985 crore
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy jumped 5.60% to Rs 183.05 after the company announced that it has secured one order in Rajasthan totaling to 534.3 MWp from a leading IPP in India.
Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy secures orders worth 985 crore
The orders include a 534.3 MWp project in Rajasthan and a 616 MWh turnkey BESS EPC project in South Africa, the company said
SWSOLAR secures two project worth Rs 985 cr in Rajasthan and South Africa
Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy has secured one order in Rajasthan totaling to 534.3 MWp from a leading IPP in India. The company has also secured one order for two BESS projects totaling 616 MWh energy storage capacity in South Africa from a leading Middle East based renewable energy projects developer. The total value of both the orders, including taxes, amounts to more than Rs 985 crore.
BJP wins six of seven mayoral polls in Rajasthan; Congress cries foul
The BJP defeated the Congress in Alwar, Udaipur, Pali and Ajmer, while its candidates were elected unopposed in Bharatpur and Bhilwara; the only consolation for Congress came in Bikaner
ED probes Belgian funds for Jaisalmer conversions
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, investigating the alleged misuse of Rs 5.10 crore in foreign donations from a non-FCRA registered Belgian entity for proselytisation activities. Two local residents are accused of receiving funds without proper registration, disguising them as educational or cultural services, and using them to influence vulnerable communities.
India's KAL Drone Flies: 1,000 Km Strike Range, Shahed-Style Loitering Weapon Built In Noida
India has tested a new long-range loitering munition. Noida-based IG Defence successfully flew its KAL drone from the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, validating its airframe, propulsion, avionics, navigation and mission systems. Designed for strikes up to 1,000 kilometres away, KAL can stay airborne for up to eight hours, carry a 50-kg explosive payload, and operate autonomously using satellite and inertial navigation. With conflicts from Ukraine to the Red Sea proving the battlefield value of cheap, mass-produced drones, could KAL become India's answer to the Shahed-136? Shreya Chandra has everything you need to know.Watch: https://youtu.be/gLACAPVj0VA
Rajasthan girls team wins silver medal in First Veteran National Shootingball Championship
Ashok Gehlot Voices Concerns Over Rajasthan Municipal Elections
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raises alarms about the fairness of municipal elections amid allegations against the ruling BJP. Ashok Gehlot Voices Concerns Over Rajasthan Municipal Elections
Ashok Gehlot voices concern over conduct of civic polls in Rajasthan
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sept 21 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed concern over the conduct of the recently concluded Urban Local Body elections, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government relied heavily on administrative and police machinery to secure control of municipal boards. In a statement, Gehlot said the ruling party had gone beyond accepted democratic practices in its efforts to form boards. He described the developments as troubling, noting that they raised questions about fairness in the electoral process. Gehlot alleged that individual councillors were offered inducements, while Congress councillors faced notices, police summons and other forms of pressure. He also claimed that police personnel from neighbouring states were present during the election period and pointed out that the Rajasthan High Court had to hold late-night hearings on petitions related to the polls. The former Chief Minister cautioned that such practices could set a precedent ahead of the Panchayat elections. He said bureaucrats and police officers, who are generally expected to remain neutral, appeared to have acted in ways that favoured the ruling party. He added that accountability would eventually be sought for actions that undermined democratic norms. Gehlot further remarked that the use of money and official machinery risked eroding public trust in institutions. He urged Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to ensure that future elections are conducted in a manner that strengthens confidence in democratic processes. The comments come as the Congress prepares for the Panchayat elections, with the civic poll results already sparking political debate in the state. Gehlots statement indicates that the party intends to highlight concerns about the use of state machinery in the run-up to the next round of elections.
Gehlot, Dotasra allege BJP used police, money power to steal ULB mandate in Rajasthan
Cong alleges 18 Raj councillors detained in Haryana
Congress leaders have accused the Haryana Police of illegally detaining 18 municipal councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara in Panchkula, allegedly to prevent them from voting in a crucial municipal council chairperson election. While police deny the claims, Congress has staged protests, calling the incident a murder of democracy and demanding a high-level inquiry into the alleged political interference.
Rajasthan BJP wins 197 urban local body seats as CM highlights 84% grievance resolution rate
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Gujarat: Liquor worth Rs 86.63 lakh seized in Rajkot, eight booked
Digital Desk | Rajkot, Sep 21 (IANS) Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer worth Rs 86.63 lakh during a raid near the Ahmedabad-Rajkot Highway in Rajkot city on Monday, with the total value of the seized liquor, vehicle and other material put at Rs 1.10 crore, officials said. The team, led by Police Inspector P.B. Jebaliya, conducted the raid near Radhe-Krishna Hotel, close to Bamanbhor village, within the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station. According to the State Monitoring Cell, the team seized around 604 boxes of IMFL and beer containing 21,792 bottles. The liquor was valued at Rs 86,63,712. Police also seized one vehicle and other material, bringing the total value of the property recovered to Rs 1,10,91,012. The action followed directions issued by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state. Police registered a case at Airport Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Eight people have been named as accused in the case; one has been arrested, while seven are wanted. The arrested accused has been identified as Dilipsinh Rawat, a resident of Sobiyana village in Beawar, Rajasthan. The seven wanted accused include Jitendrasinh Singh, a resident of Thikarwas, Kalan, in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district; Suresh, a truck owner; and an unidentified associate of Jitendrasinh in Chandigarh. Police have also named an unidentified person who allegedly took a four-wheeler to load the liquor, another unidentified person who arrived on a motorcycle carrying a transport slip, and an unidentified person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment in Rajkot. Further investigation into the seizure and the persons named as wanted accused is underway, the State Monitoring Cell said.
Rajasthan Mayor Election: BJP ? !
Syed Suhail | Rajasthan Mayor Election: BJP ? !
Rajasthan civic polls: BJP converts narrow vote edge into board control
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Rajasthan urban local body elections have produced a political paradox: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress remained separated by less than one percentage point in overall vote share, yet the BJP emerged with a substantially larger number of elected councillors and subsequently converted that advantage into control of several urban bodies. The numbers raise a bigger question: was the difference created at the ballot box or after? The answer appears to lie in a mix of electoral arithmetic, organisational mobilisation, the fragmented independent vote, and parties' ability to negotiate support during the crucial process of forming municipal boards. The Congress, meanwhile, faces questions over internal coordination and its ability to retain the support of its own councillors. The BJP and Congress were separated by only around 0.94 percentage points in vote share. The BJP polled about 35.18 per cent of the vote, compared with 34.24 per cent for the Congress. Yet the BJP won 4,179 wards, compared with 3,613 for the Congress, while independents won 2,273 wards. That gap shows how vote distribution across individual wards can produce a very different result from the statewide vote-share comparison. Ward delimitation in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota showed that Congress received a slightly higher combined vote count than the BJP in those three corporations but won fewer wards. Analysts attributed this partly to the concentration of Congress votes in fewer wards, while BJP votes were more evenly distributed. Congress leaders, however, alleged that the delimitation process disadvantaged the party. The real political battle began after the ward results. The BJPs advantage became more significant in municipal board formation. In several urban bodies, neither major party secured an outright majority, leaving independent councillors in a pivotal position. The BJP was the largest party in several such bodies, while Congress led in places including Ajmer and Pali but remained short of a majority. This is where post-election political management became central. The contest was no longer simply about how many councillors each party had won. Parties had to secure the support of independents and maintain cohesion among their own councillors before the mayoral and chairperson elections. The outcome in Pali provides perhaps the clearest illustration. In Pali, Congress had 29 councillors, but BJP got the mayor. Pali Municipal Corporation has 65 councillors. Congress emerged as the largest group with 29 seats, followed by the BJP with 21 and independents with 15. The majority mark was 33. Yet in Monday's mayoral election, BJPs Namita Bubakia won with 33 votes. Congresss official candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes, while Congress rebel Rajbala Hingad, contesting as an independent, received 29 votes. All 65 councillors voted. The result dramatically changed the political picture created by the ward election. The BJP entered the mayoral contest with 21 councillors and needed 12 additional votes to reach a majority. The final tally indicates that the party succeeded in attracting sufficient support from outside its elected bloc. Because the mayoral ballot was secret, however, the result alone cannot establish the individual identity of every councillor who supported each candidate. The Pali result therefore raises a pointed political question for Congress: how did a party with 29 elected councillors end up with its official mayoral candidate receiving just three votes? Across the 309 urban local bodies, independents won 2,273 wards, making them a significant force in board formation. In Bharatpur, independents won 36 of 65 wards and crossed the majority mark on their own. In cities such as Pali, Ajmer, Alwar and Jodhpur, their numbers were crucial to determining who would control the civic administration. This changed the traditional BJP-versus-Congress equation. Where neither party had the numbers, the ability to communicate with, negotiate with and retain the support of independent councillors became decisive. Congress raised allegations that the BJP used government power and resources to influence board formation in some places. Those allegations are political claims and should be distinguished from the confirmed election results. At the same time, Congress leaders pointed to other explanations, including delimitation. Rajasthan PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra argued that the delimitation process contributed to the partys losses, despite the narrow vote-share difference. The available numbers also support another explanation: the BJP was more successful in converting its councillor strength and outside support into control of municipal leadership posts in several closely contested bodies. The sequence of events shows that the political environment surrounding board formation mattered greatly, particularly where independents held the balance. The civic election results expose a distinction between electoral support and organisational conversion. Congress secured 34.24 per cent of the overall vote, almost matching the BJPs 35.18 per cent. Yet the BJP won substantially more wards and subsequently secured key mayoral and chairperson posts in several places. For Congress, therefore, the issue is not simply whether it retains its voter base. It is also whether it can maintain unity among elected councillors, manage competing local factions, prevent internal rebellions, build relationships with independents, and convert ward-level victories into control of municipal boards. Pali demonstrates the scale of that challenge in particularly stark terms. The BJPs success in securing municipal leadership positions gives the party an organisational advantage at the local-government level. But winning the mayoral post is only the beginning of the political test. BJP leader Madan Rathore said, Regarding organisational strength, consider that Dotasras candidate received zero votes in Sadri (Pali), while the official Congress candidate in Pali secured only three votes; how, then, can I possibly match him? We believe in the organisation. The new municipal boards will now be judged on issues that directly affect everyday life: roads, drainage, sanitation, street lighting, water supply, waste management and other civic services. The political story of Rajasthans 2026 urban elections, therefore, is not simply BJP versus Congress. It is a story of three layers of electoral politics, moving from vote share to ward strength to board formation. The first two stages produced a closely contested picture. The third stage demonstrated the importance of alliances, independent councillors, internal cohesion and post-election political management. And that is perhaps the most important lesson from Pali: winning the most wards and controlling the board are not necessarily the same thing.
Rajasthan womans kidnap bid was part of plot to remarry her in Hyderabad: Police
The woman, identified as Pooja, a native of Rajasthan, had fallen in love with Omprakash, who belonged to a different sub-caste. Her family had opposed their relationship and refused to accept their marriage.
Rajasthan womans kidnap bid was part of plot to remarry her in Hyderabad: Police
The woman, identified as Pooja, a native of Rajasthan, had fallen in love with Omprakash, who belonged to a different sub-caste. Her family had opposed their relationship and refused to accept their marriage.
BJP Dominates Rajasthan Municipal Elections, Congress Retains Bikaner
In Rajasthans municipal elections, BJP wins six out of seven mayoral seats, with Congress holding onto Bikaner. BJP Dominates Rajasthan Municipal Elections, Congress Retains Bikaner
RLPs Alka Kandoi Wins Mundwa Municipality Presidency, BJP Candidate Receives No Votes
Alka Kandoi of the RLP secures victory in Mundwa, Rajasthan, while BJPs official candidate shockingly receives no votes. RLPs Alka Kandoi Wins Mundwa Municipality Presidency, BJP Candidate Receives No Votes
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 21: Lehar Footwears Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao as the Brand Ambassador for its in-house athleisure brand Rannr,
BJP wins 197 Rajasthan civic body posts, Congress bags 94; AAP springs surprise
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Results for 301 civic bodies in Rajasthan have been declared so far, with the BJP emerging as the dominant force in the mayoral and chairperson elections. BJP candidates have secured 197 posts, while Congress has won 94. Independents have bagged seven posts, while AAP, CPM and RLP have won one post each. The BJP has also secured mayoral posts in six of Rajasthan's seven municipal corporations whose results have been declared. Congress managed to retain the mayor's post in Bikaner. The results have produced several reversals for Congress, including in Ajmer and Pali, where the party initially appeared to have an advantage based on its councillor numbers. In Ajmer, BJP's Anamika Sharma was elected mayor after securing 43 votes, despite the BJP having won 32 councillor seats in the corporation. In Pali, BJP candidate Namita Bubakia won the mayoral election with 33 votes. The BJP secured 21 councillor seats, while Congress won 29. However, Congress candidate Sumitra Jain received only three votes. The BJP also secured the mayoral posts in Udaipur and Alwar. Paras Singhvi won in Udaipur, while Sumanlata Agarwal emerged victorious in Alwar. Agarwal secured 42 votes against Congress candidate Kamlesh Sharma, who received 23 votes. In Bikaner, Congress candidate Anil Kalla was elected mayor. Kalla is the nephew of former minister BD Kalla. Another notable result came from Atru municipality in Baran, where Congress candidate Nisha Nainwal defeated Krishna Murari Dilawar, brother of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, by three votes in the chairperson election. The results also saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) make a surprise entry by winning a civic body chairperson post. CPM and RLP also secured one post each, while independents won seven posts. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations. The electoral process is not yet complete. Elections for mayoral posts in three municipal corporations, including Jaipur, and one municipality are scheduled for September 25. With the remaining mayoral contests still to be decided, the final political picture of Rajasthan's urban local bodies will emerge only after the September 25 elections.
Rajasthan: BJP secures 197 civic body heads, twice as many as Congress; election for the rest on
According to results available so far, Independents have won seven posts, while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), CPI(M) and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) have secured one each. Elections for the posts were held in 273 urban local bodies on Monday after heads of 32 of the 305 bodies covered under the current schedule were elected unopposed.
Rajasthan: Hanuman Beniwal's RLP retains Mundwa Board
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) candidate Alka Kandoi was elected chairperson of the Mundwa Municipal Council in Nagaur district of Rajasthan, securing the post for a second consecutive term. Kandoi polled 13 votes, defeating independent candidate Ghanshyam Sadawat, who secured 12 votes. Sadawat had rebelled against the BJP after being denied the party's ticket and contested the chairperson election as an independent. The most notable feature of the result was the performance of the BJP's official candidate, Geeta, who received no votes. The BJP had emerged as the largest party in the Mundwa municipal council elections, winning 10 councillor seats. Four independent councillors supported by the BJP also won, giving the BJP-backed camp the support of 14 councillors in the 20-member house. A total of 11 votes were required to secure the chairperson's post. The RLP had won seven councillor seats, while Congress had three. The RLP-Congress camp also received the support of a BJP rebel councillor, taking its strength to 11enough to secure the required majority. However, the final voting pattern saw Kandoi receive 13 votes, while Sadawat polled 12. The BJP's official candidate Geeta did not receive a single vote. During the selection of its chairperson candidate, the BJP chose Geeta, a first-time elected councillor, over leaders including Ghanshyam Sadawat and Ramakant Sharma. After being denied the ticket, Sadawat rebelled and entered the contest as an independent. The result allowed Kandoi to retain the chairperson's post for a second consecutive term, while the zero-vote tally for the BJP's official candidate emerged as one of the most striking results of the Mundwa civic election. It may be noted that elections had already been decided unopposed in 32 civic bodies, including the Bhilwara and Bharatpur municipal corporations.
ED raids Jaisalmer premises in Rs 5.1 crore foreign funding case, probes FCRA violations
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 21 (IANS) The Jaipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations at two locations in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district in connection with the alleged misuse of foreign donations worth around Rs 5.10 crore received from a Belgium-based entity without mandatory registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), officials said on Monday. The searches were carried out on September 19 under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, following intelligence inputs that a Jaisalmer resident, identified as Deu Ram, was allegedly receiving foreign funds from Belgium-based organisations and using them for activities aimed at influencing vulnerable sections of society under the guise of educational and social welfare initiatives. According to the ED, its investigation found that Deu Ram and his associate, Gyan Chand, received around Rs 5.10 crore in foreign remittances, largely by declaring the funds as payments for educational services, cultural and recreational activities, and family maintenance or savings from non-resident Indians. A substantial portion of the funds was allegedly received from Amar ASBL, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation. During the searches, officials recovered several incriminating documents and digital records. The probe revealed that Amar ASBL, established in Brussels in 2011, is managed by Belgian nationals Jose Goffinet and his son Salian Goffinet. Despite operating exclusively in Jaisalmer, the organisation has neither registered any trust nor set up an NGO in India, and has allegedly conducted its activities through Deu Ram and Gyan Chand for the past 14 to 15 years. The ED alleged that the foreign donations were received without obtaining the required FCRA permissions and that the purpose of the remittances was misdeclared. Investigators further claimed that a portion of the funds was diverted for personal expenditure, while the remaining amount was used to influence the cultural and religious beliefs of vulnerable communities under the cover of providing educational support to children. According to the agency, nearly Rs 2.60 crore was withdrawn in cash from bank accounts linked to the recipients, while no proper books of accounts or financial records were maintained regarding the receipt and utilisation of the foreign funds. The investigation also found that Jose and Salian Goffinet allegedly visited Jaisalmer annually, interacted with families of beneficiary children, and organised meetings and religious gatherings. The ED said the foreign funds were routed through multiple purpose codes, including family maintenance, educational services, cultural and recreational services, commission agent services, and employee compensation, even though no such services were actually rendered to the Belgian organisation. The agency further alleged that after banks recently stopped accepting foreign remittances into the accounts of Deu Ram and Gyan Chand, efforts were made to route the funds through the personal bank accounts of other associates in Jaisalmer. Further investigation is underway.
Southwest monsoon has withdrawn from Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana: IMD
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the withdrawal line currently passes through Jaisalmer, Nagaur, Sikar, Rohtak, Patiala and Gurdaspur
BJP dominates Rajasthan mayoral polls, wins 6 of 7; Bikaner sole consolation for Congress
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday further strengthened its position at the grassroot level in Rajasthan after winning the mayoral elections in the municipal corporations in Alwar and Udaipur, while the only consolation for Congress came in Bikaner.
NPCIL begins fuel loading at 700 MW Rajasthan nuclear project's Unit 8
NPCIL begins fuel loading at 700 mw Rawatbhata unit 8, prepares for commercial operation
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Closed in Rajasthan, Kerala, and Assam Today?
Are schools closed today, September 21, 2026? Check the latest updates on school holidays in Rajasthan, Kerala, and Assam due to state-specific festivals. Get details on exam schedules and bank closures.
In Pune Murder, Garland Photo Hints At Secret Marriage At Rajasthan Temple
Police developed suspicion of a hidden marriage after analysing mobile phone chats between the two accused.
Liquor worth over Rs 45 lakh seized in separate raids in three days across Gujarat
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 21 (IANS) The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized IMFL and beer worth Rs 45.35 lakh in four separate raids across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surendranagar and Surat over the past three days, with the total value of liquor, vehicles and other material seized during the operations exceeding Rs 77 lakh, officials said on Monday. The latest seizure was made in Ahmedabad on Sunday, September 20, when the State Monitoring Cell recovered around 105 boxes containing 5,030 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor and beer valued at Rs 15,58,800. The raid was conducted near Hanspura Overbridge on Sardar Patel Ring Road, on the public road leading from Dahegam towards Ahmedabad. Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar led the operation. A vehicle and other material were also seized during the operation, taking the total value of the seized property to Rs 30,58,800. A case was registered at Naroda Police Station against 10 accused, including one arrested and nine wanted, under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83 and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The arrested accused has been identified as Jitendra alias Jitu Damor (Meena), a resident of Kherwada taluka in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. The wanted accused include Pravin Damor of Kherwada, Anil Dadu Bharda and Lokesh Patel, along with six others, including the person who allegedly ordered the liquor consignment to Ahmedabad. In another operation, the State Monitoring Cell seized around 94 boxes containing 4,326 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 13,03,315 from the parking area of Sahyog Hotel near Chotila in Surendranagar district on Saturday, September 19. The raid was conducted by Police Sub-Inspector D.A. Tuvar on Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway 47. One vehicle was also seized, taking the total value of the seized material to Rs 20,03,315. A case was registered at Chotila Police Station against four wanted accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act. The accused include the driver and owner or custodian of the four-wheeler allegedly carrying the liquor, the person who sent the foreign liquor consignment, and the person who ordered it. On September 18, the cell seized around 91 boxes containing 3,372 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 10,13,544 near D-Mart Circle on Mehsana Bypass Road. Police Inspector P.P. Brahmbhatt conducted the raid opposite Osiya Mall. A vehicle, a mobile phone, and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 20,43,544. A case was registered at Mehsana Taluka Police Station against five accused under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act and Sections 111(3)(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Navrang Bhat was arrested, while Anand Raval of Sathiyala and the owner and FASTag holder of the four-wheeler carrying the liquor were among those listed as wanted. In Surat city, the cell seized around 55 boxes containing 2,143 bottles of IMFL and beer worth Rs 6,59,783 during raids at Singanpor village and at a room near Krupa Residency in Dargah Mohalla. Police Sub-Inspector A.G. Enurkar conducted the operation. Two mobile phones, cash and other material were also seized, taking the total value to Rs 6,76,273. Two accused, Rahul Vamanrao Lakdu (Ahire) and Shubham Kashyap, were arrested. Divyaben alias Dipu Patil, Jitubhai Patil and the persons who allegedly supplied the foreign liquor were named as wanted accused. The State Monitoring Cell said the raids were conducted following directions from Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik to take legal action against illegal liquor and gambling activities in the state.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (September 21) secured the mayor's post in Pali Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan after receiving the support of 12 independent councillors.
A political controversy erupted after 18 Congress councillors from Rajasthan's Tijara Municipal Council went missing in Haryana while returning from Himachal Pradesh ahead of the chairperson election on Monday.The councillors had reportedly been staying together...
BJP misusing government agencies to pressure elected councillors: Congress leader Jully
Tikaram Jully alleges that councillors were stopped, harassed and threatened ahead of the elections to the boards of urban local bodies in Rajasthan
Two Alleged Shooters Linked to Lawrence Gang Arrested in Jodhpur Operation
Rajasthan Anti-Gangster Task Force arrests two shooters linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Jodhpur, targeting a local businessman. Two Alleged Shooters Linked to Lawrence Gang Arrested in Jodhpur Operation
Rajasthan High Court Halts Arrests of 10 Councillors Ahead of Local Elections
Rajasthan High Court grants interim protection to councillors from arrest just before local elections, ensuring their participation. Rajasthan High Court Halts Arrests of 10 Councillors Ahead of Local Elections
When schools turn children into props
In many of our Schools today, a familiar scene unfolds whenever an official or dignitary visits; students are lined up in neat rows, trained to clap, cheer and smile on cue, often performing dances or songs as if they were a professional troupe. Photographs and videos of these moments are routinely uploaded on school social media accounts, websites and WhatsApp groups. What is presented as discipline, respect or school pride is, in reality, a systematic erosion of childrens dignity, privacy and right to a fear-free childhood. The teachers and the management of these schools, without knowing the consequences, direct the children to be show-pieces and this culture has snowballed in to a crisis and a matter of deep concern for parents who do not want their children, especially girls to perform like this. The ritualistic reception staged for visiting officers, new headmasters or principals. Children, overwhelmingly girls, are lined up and made to sing film and folk numbers such as Aayiye aap ka intizaar tha or the Kashmiri song Shoukeh chaaneh waayou changeh taye saazo, aakhou shehr-e-sheerazo while showering flower petals on the arriving official, who often walks in as if on a red carpet, posing like a groom. This spectacle, redolent of the colonial-era babu culture, reduces young boys and girls to ornamental greeters and performers whose only role is to flatter authority. It has no place in a rights-based, democratic education system and stands in direct conflict with the childs right to dignity under Article 21 and Article 39(f) of the Constitution. On numerous occasions, children, again mostly girls, are orchestrated into public displays of grief when a teacher retires or is transferred. They are encouraged, sometimes actively coached, to weep, cry and moan while surrounding the departing teacher. These highly emotional scenes are filmed and later circulate widely on social media. Only after the videos go viral do the children and their parents grasp the lasting consequences; the girl who was seen sobbing and clinging in public becomes an object of mockery and ridicule for years. The trauma and shame she carries are neither spontaneous nor harmless; they are the direct result of adults engineering a performance of grief for sentimental or self-promotional effect. Such practices inflict mental harassment prohibited under Section 17 of the RTE Act and violate the childs right to privacy and dignity. A similar pattern appears during picnics, cultural programmes and even inside school buses. Girls are urged to sing, dance and perform in the heat of collective excitement, only for the moments to be recorded and shared. Later, when the videos surface online, the same children and their families experience deep embarrassment and mental agony, realising that in a moment of unguarded joy the child was pushed into behaviour she would never have chosen with full awareness of its permanent digital afterlife. Once again, schools failure to protect childs image and future reputation constitutes a clear breach of the protective obligations placed on educational institutions by the NCPCR guidelines, the DPDP Act and the constitutional guarantee of dignity. These practices are not harmless tradition. They treat children as decorative props for adult display and place their long-term honour and mental well-being at risk. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) is clear. Education must take place in an environment free from fear, trauma and anxiety. Section 17 explicitly prohibits mental harassment. Forcing children to stand in formation, cheer like cheerleaders, or perform on demand for administrators or VIPs turns the school into a hierarchical stage rather than a space of learning and respect. This contradicts the very spirit of the Right to Education Act, which prioritises the childs all-round development and dignity. Article 39(f) of the Constitution further directs the State to ensure that children grow in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood is protected against exploitation and moral abandonment. Compulsory performances, especially when filmed, sit uncomfortably close to the line of exploitation. Photography and Videography of children inside schools or for that matter outside schools on roads by the school authorities or by any other agency including the media outlets, followed by posting on open social media platforms, raise even sharper concerns. Once an image or video is online, it can be downloaded, edited, shared and weaponised indefinitely. Children have no real control over this digital footprint. The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v/s Union of India (2017) held that privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21. Childrens privacy interests are heightened because they cannot fully understand or consent to lifelong digital exposure. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 reinforces this: anyone under 18 is a child and processing their personal data, including photographs and videos, requires verifiable parental consent. Vague permissions buried in admission forms do not meet this standard. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has repeatedly stressed the need for a child-friendly, safe school environment. Its manuals on school safety and security, cyber-safety guidelines, and advisories on preventing bullying and cyber-bullying underline that schools act in loco parentis. Recent administrative orders, such as those issued by the Rajasthan Directorate of Secondary Education, explicitly cite NCPCR guidelines, Article 21 and the right to privacy while restricting unauthorised Photography, Videography and circulation of student images precisely to protect childrens dignity and safety. The risk is especially acute for girl students. When girls are asked or compelled to perform before authorities, or queue-up for a visiting officer or bow or bend for authorities or make special performances on the retirement of any Teacher, Headmaster or Principal, (which has recently become a norm in our UT Schools) and the videos remain online for years, the consequences can be severe in socially conservative settings. Such content has been known to attract moral policing, online abuse, character assassination and attempts to damage future careers and relationships. What begins as an innocent school performance can later become a source of lasting mental distress and social stigma for girls and hundreds of such cases have been reported. NCPCRs Guidelines for Child and Adolescent Participation in the Entertainment Industry caution against subjecting children to performances that expose them to ridicule or emotional harm, or that are beyond their maturity. Even when the performance is not commercial, filming and public posting effectively place the child in the digital public sphere without adequate safeguards. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Acts foundational principles, dignity of the child, protection of privacy and confidentiality further reinforce that schools must not create situations in which a childs image can later be used to stigmatise or exploit her. Schools must stop treating children as accessories for official visits and social-media engagement. This is both legally necessary and morally urgent to end compulsory lining-up, cheering and performing solely for the benefit of visiting authorities, obtain specific informed and verifiable parental consent before any photography or videography intended for public or social-media use, with a clear and easy opt-out. In situations where it is necessarily to post or disseminate any education related function involving students, school authorities must prefer non-identifiable images or blur faces when posting is unavoidable. School authorities must also recognise that the schools primary duty is to protect the childs dignity and future, not to generate content or impress officials. Children are not cheerleaders for the administration. They are rights-bearing individuals whose honour and mental peace must not be sacrificed for a few minutes of ceremonial applause or a social-media post. Education departments, school managements and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights have both the legal mandate and the moral responsibility to draw a firm line. A childs dignity is not a photo opportunity. It is a fundamental right and a prime responsibility for all the stakeholders. The Union Territorys Education Ministry, Directorate of School Education and all concerned education departments must take immediate cognizance of these deeply problematic practices. Strict notices and clear orders should be issued to every school; government, private and aided, directing them to end the use of children, particularly girls, as ornamental performers, emotional props or social-media content. In a society that still attaches high value to religious, moral and ethical norms, the lasting stigma, ridicule and mental trauma that can follow a girl from a viral school video are neither imaginary nor minor. Safeguarding the dignity, honour and future of every child is not optional; it is a constitutional and statutory duty. The authorities must act now to ensure that no school is allowed to compromise that duty in the name of tradition, ceremony or publicity. Meraj Zargar is a Tral-based social worker, has authored two books, with over two decades of literary and humanitarian work. Ideas are personal.
Gujarat Police Arrests Murder Accused After 24 Years on the Run
Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehends Dinesh Desai, wanted for a 2002 murder in Rajasthan, after he evaded capture for 24 years. Gujarat Police Arrests Murder Accused After 24 Years on the Run
The BJYMs Seva Sankalp Yatra continues in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, highlighting community service and social responsibility. BJYMs Seva Sankalp Yatra Reaches Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Promoting Service and Community Engagement
Ahmedabad Crime Branch Arrests Fugitive in 2002 Rajasthan Murder Case
A 54-year-old man wanted for a 2002 murder in Rajasthan has been arrested by Ahmedabads Crime Branch after 24 years on the run. Ahmedabad Crime Branch Arrests Fugitive in 2002 Rajasthan Murder Case
On The Run For 24 Years, Rajasthan Man Arrested From Gujarat For Murder
To evade law enforcement, Desai spent 24 years continuously shifting locations, concealing his identity, and working daily-wage labour jobs to stay under the radar.
Japan's air chief takes sortie in Tejas, hails it as 'truly invaluable experience' | WATCH
Japanese Air Force chief General Takehiro Morita on Sunday undertook a sortie in India's indigenously developed Tejas fighter aircraft during the bilateral aerial exercise 'Veer Guardian' in Rajasthan's Jodhpur. General Morita, the Chief of Staff of...
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma orders timely completion of Rs 2 lakh crore water projects
The News Mill
Bhupender Yadav asserts BJPs early success in Rajasthan local elections, citing public trust and development achievements under the party. BJP Takes Early Lead in Rajasthan Local Body Elections, Bhupender Yadav Claims Trust in Double Engine Government
Initial fuel loading begins at Rajasthan Atomic Power Projects units 7 and 8
September 21 school holiday: Are schools closed tomorrow? Check state-wise list
Schools in Kerala and Rajasthan will close on September 21, 2026. Assam schools also observe a holiday for Srimanta Sankardeva's Janmotsav. Telangana schools are expected to remain open as no general holiday is listed. Many other states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have no September 21 holiday. Students and parents should verify local school notices for any changes.
Rajasthan farmers sell moong below MSP as Govt yet to decide MSP purchase
Rajasthan moong arrivals surge 10-fold, but farmers get 15% below MSP; average realisation at 7,452/quintal against MSP of 8,780
Which City Is Known As The Kachori Capital Of India?
Crispy, flaky and packed with flavour, kachori is more than just a snack in this Rajasthani city, it's a tradition that's best experienced fresh from the fryer.
Over 77% of Rajasthans illegal mining FIRs filed in Aravalli districts
Recent proposed changes threaten to aggravate the situation by removing protections
Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests key fugitive in 2002 Rajasthan murder
The News Mill
Southwest Monsoon Retreat Begins in Rajasthan: Country Faces 15% Rain Deficit
Ashiana Housing to invest Rs 1,000 cr in FY27 to acquire land for expansion: MD Vishal Gupta
Realty firm Ashiana Housing will invest 1,000 crore this fiscal to acquire land across major markets like Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Specialising in senior living, the company aims to sustain sales after hitting 2,400 crore pre-sales last fiscal, despite reporting structural industry delays and rising labor costs.
Howitzers roar as India, US armies drill amid tariff threat
Indian and US Army personnel conducted a live-firing demonstration involving the M777 Ultra Light Howitzer at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan as part of the ongoing bilateral Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, showcasing artillery capabilities, operational coordination and exchange of battlefield practices between the two forces.
Ashiana Housing to invest 1,000 cr in FY27 to acquire land for expansion
Realty firm Ashiana Housing will invest Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal to buy land parcels for development of housing projects as part of its expansion plan, a top company official said. Listed entity Ashiana Housing is one of the leading real estate developers in the country. It specialises in building homes for elderly people. In an interview with PTI, Ashiana Housing MD Vishal Gupta said housing demand continues to be strong despite global uncertainties. To tap this demand, he said the company is expanding business across major markets including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. On land acquisition, Gupta said the company is continuously looking for land to develop regular group housing and also senior living projects. We will be investing around Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal on land acquisition, he said, adding that the company has enough cash to fund the investment. The land acquisition would be outright as well as joint development with landowners. On sales book
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Closed in Kerala and Rajasthan on September 21?
Are schools closed in Kerala and Rajasthan tomorrow? Check the official holiday status for September 21, 2026, including government orders, private school guidelines, and exam updates for students and parents.
Monsoon expected to withdraw from parts of Rajasthan over next 3-4 days
Most parts of eastern Rajasthan are expected to remain mainly dry for the next five to six days
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
THE LEGISLATURE in a parliamentary democracy, apart from holding the Government to account, is mandated to perform two key functions, one of which is to make laws and the other to deliberate on issues concerning people, society and nation. The drought of debate It is rather tragic that, over the years, specifically after 2014, laws are being made by the Parliament without threadbare discussion of Bills introduced by the Government. It is well known that in a democracy laws are made by the legislature by following a deliberative and consultative process in which all stakeholders are involved and even the contents of the proposed legislation are subjected to scrutiny by the concerned committees of the Parliament consisting of members of both ruling and opposition parties. Over the years, especially after 2014, the passage of Bills in both Houses of Parliament without discussion and scrutiny by parliamentary committees has become the new normal, and it was glaringly manifested during the last monsoon session of the Parliament when 11 bills were passed, and 9 of them without any discussion in the Lok Sabha. It is all the more shocking that not a single member spoke on those 9 bills, except the concerned ministers who uttered a few words while introducing them in the House. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was discussed in detail in both Houses, with nearly 48 members participating. As far as the bill amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 was concerned, only 16 MPs participated in the deliberation when it was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The total time given to them was just 50 minutes, which means each MP spoke for an average of just three minutes. In the Lok Sabha, the same bill was passed within two minutes, with no MP participating in the discussion. The proportion of bills referred to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for scrutiny and examination stood at just 21 percent for the 18th Lok Sabha; the corresponding figure was 71 percent for the 15th Lok Sabha. The percentage of bills being referred to the aforementioned standing committees shows a steady decline, with the figure being 28 percent in the 16th Lok Sabha and 16 percent in the 17th Lok Sabha. Incidental slip? This is not a one-off phenomenon, as analysis of previous terms of the Lok Sabha shows that committee referrals have declined sharply after 2014, even though the number of bills being introduced and passed has not declined. This means that more laws are being made with less deliberation or examination, and in some cases, none. It is salutary to recall that the three farm laws were framed and passed in 2020 without following the deliberative and consultative process of making laws. When the farmers, the stakeholders, agitated against those laws and the matter went to the Supreme Court, it appointed a committee so that the Government and farmers could discuss the provisions of law and find a solution to the issues which triggered the agitation. The discussion that the Government should have undertaken with the farmers before framing those laws was carried out only when the Supreme Court appointed a committee to do so. Eventually, the Modi Government repealed those laws because of sustained yearlong agitation launched by farmers against those laws. It is worth noting that the framing of those laws without consulting the farmers set an ominous example of dispensing with the process of deliberation in Parliament while exercising its power to make laws. Earlier in March, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, taking away their right to determine their self-perceived gender identity was prepared without consulting stakeholders such as the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) and eventually passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, disregarding the objections raised by the opposition parties and the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee on transgender rights. The said bill is violative of the 2014 SC judgment in NALSA v. Union of India that upheld the right of transgender persons to self-identification. The bill was not referred to the Standing or Select Committee for further scrutiny and stakeholder consultations, even after demands were made by the opposition to do so. Now the constitutionality of the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that it violates the fundamental rights of the transgender community to define their identities. The passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing penal measures for preventing insults to Vande Mataram, was passed in the Lok Sabha with minimal debate that lasted for merely 14 minutes and was hurriedly passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. The importance of deliberation Both the Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, are deliberative chambers, and if Bills are not discussed there before their passage, then the very basis of law-making, anchored in deliberation and scrutiny, gets demolished. While it is important to flag the support of majority members of the ruling party for passing the Bills, it is equally important to underline the legislative intent of the Parliament, which expresses not just the majority principle but also the views which might be contrary to the views of the party in power. Without deliberation, a legislature becomes a forum where voting takes place to pass legislation, bereft of debates backed by public reasoning and persuasive arguments. Without such debates and discussions, laws passed by the legislature by the sheer votes of a majority of MPs would be devoid of robust legislative intent. The legislative authority to enact laws acquires credibility only when it is anchored in the supporting and opposing views through open arguments between the government and the opposition. Deliberation is crucially important for generating legislative intent which underlines the intended purpose sustaining the legislation. The constitutional validity of any statute is assessed by the judiciary not merely by examining its bare provisions but by perusing parliamentary debates, parliamentary committee reports and the statements of the ministers proposing the bill to reconstruct the lawmakers intentions. Ascertaining the purpose of the legislature behind a piece of legislation is essential for all concerned stakeholders, including the citizens on whom the law applies. In a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, where the executive needs to defend and explain its policies, including the proposed bills, before the opposition and to the public. Article 107 of the Constitution, dealing with provisions regarding the introduction and passing of bills, inter alia, provides, a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses. The wording of the Article that a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses is significant in conveying the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly that the agreement is not to be achieved mechanically by just casting votes but through debates and discussions on Bills. Ambedkar firmly believed that parliamentary democracy is a government of discussion. A Government that legislates by using the Parliament and decides legislation without debate imposes its intent by dispensing with legislative intent. After all, the Bills framed by the Government represent its intent, and only when they are discussed in both the Houses of Parliament does the legislative intent generated by such discussion fine-tune the government intent. Passage of bills without discussion would violate the deliberative and consultative process through which the government is held accountable in the legislature. It is instructive to note that in India, the practice of reasoned and collective negotiation for making laws can be traced to our freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi started his first Satyagraha in Champaran in 1917 against the terrible exploitation of farmers of that region, forced by British planters to plant indigo in one third of the fertile portions of their land. Gandhi was denied entry into Champaran to investigate the causes of farmers suffering by British authorities, and on his refusal to leave the place, he was arrested for breach of peace and presented before a magistrate. When he was asked by the magistrate if he pleaded guilty, he not only pleaded guilty but also showed extraordinary courage in submitting to the penalty of disobedience. As the stunned magistrate asked him if he had to plead guilty, why did he violate the law at all? Gandhi boldly replied that he did so ...in obedience to the higher law of our being the voice of conscience. That power of truthful assertion to embrace suffering by breaking an unjust application of law put the British authorities at their wits end, and they dropped all charges against Gandhi and allowed him to investigate the causes behind the suffering of farmers. He then extensively consulted with farmers, British planters, scores of peasants, public figures and officials of the British bureaucracy and police. That deliberative and consultative process enabled him to understand the reasons behind the exploitation of farmers and produce a report to that effect. The British regime used it to frame legislation, the Champaran Agrarian Bill, 1918, to prohibit British planters from coercing farmers to plant indigo. The Bihar-Orissa assembly, where that Bill was introduced for consideration and passage, discussed it briefly and then referred it to its Select Committee for scrutiny and examination. Even a copy of the Bill was sent to Gandhi with a request to examine its contents and suggest amendments to its provisions. He did so, and the British authorities accepted his suggestion that the provision dealing with the summary power of the collectors to act against those filing frivolous complaints against British planters should be dropped. The modified Bill subsequently became the law, bringing an end to the exploitation of farmers. The Champaran Satyagraha, which began with Gandhi admittedly breaking a law for the cause of farmers, ended with the framing of a law by British authorities to put an end to the long spell of suffering of farmers at the hands of British planters. The Champaran Agrarian Act was not just a unilateral decision but an example of how an extremely powerful colonial government was forced to negotiate and deliberate with all the stakeholders. Sadly, during the last decade, this deliberation and negotiation process has not been followed for preparing Bills and enacting them as laws. Benchmark of deliberation in Indian democracy It is important to be mindful of the fact that the Constitution of our country is a product of the thoughtful and careful deliberations that took place in the Constituent Assembly, the transcripts of which serve as the most important authoritative guide to understanding the intention of the drafters of the Constitution. Ambedkar urged the citizens to put their trust in constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives. He emphasised the conditions necessary for sustaining democracy not just in form but also in fact. In his speech delivered in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 25th September 1947 at the inauguration of the Siddharth College Parliament, he remarked that in a parliamentary government, the decisions are not the result of the wishes of any particular individual. He proceeded to emphatically add that debate in legislatures is of immense importance and has wider relevance and significance beyond the issue being discussed. In the same speech he said, Although parliamentary democracy for the purpose accepted the principle of a majority rule, do not think that you can by any way you like ill-treat or put to a disadvantage a minority. You will create a great deal of trouble for yourself in this very House. The minority must always be won over. It must never be dictated to. The constitutional methods he urged citizens to follow were also aimed at facilitating reasonable deliberation and consultation to deepen public reasoning so that democracy is deepened and grievances of people are addressed in a peaceful and legitimate manner. A legislature that functions mechanically fails Ambedkar and the constitutional values in which he believed. It is worthwhile to recall that on many occasions the Supreme Court, while adjudicating the constitutional validity of the statutes, finds it hard to understand the intention of the legislature which gave its approval when those were presented in the form of bills to it for consideration and passage. In an event marking the 75 years of Parliamentary Democracy at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in July 2022, the then Chief Justice N.V. Ramana stated that the country was witnessing laws being passed without detailed deliberation and scrutiny. He further stated that instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious. The diversity of opinion enriches polity and society. Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we are sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy. It is becoming harder for the judiciary to trace the legislative intent for the enactments being passed without detailed scrutiny or discussion. The judiciarys burden of interpretation, as stated by Justice N.V. Ramana, is increasing as there is ambiguity in laws and the legislative intent is unclear. In the case of Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court, factoring in the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly for establishing an Election Commission of India independent of the executive, directed that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be made by the President in consultation with a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. The same year after the SC judgment, the Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointments, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. It replaced the Chief Justice on the Selection Committee with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. This legislation was enacted with limited public deliberation and its constitutional validity has been challenged in the apex court, as it allegedly gives control of the appointment of the CEC and ECs back to the executive, diluting the judgment in Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India, wherein the invocation of the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly was defended by the learned judges by quoting from the SC judgment in His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kerala . It was stated by the SC in the Kesavananda Bharati judgment that : If the debates in the Constituent Assembly can be looked into to understand the legislative history of a provision of the Constitution including its derivation, that is, the various steps leading up to and attending its enactment, to ascertain the intention of the makers of the Constitution, it is difficult to see why the debates are inadmissible to throw light on the purpose and general intent of the provision. After all, legislative history only tends to reveal the legislative purpose in enacting the provision and thereby sheds light upon legislative intent. It would be drawing an invisible distinction if resort to debates is permitted simply to show the legislative history and the same is not allowed to show the legislative intent Multiple studies and research have shown that parliamentary deliberation has almost been abandoned. Surely, the NDA government has not uniquely abandoned the practice of parliamentary deliberation, but it definitely has deepened it. The legislature has the responsibility of representing the people and keeping the government in check. Under this current regime, the legislature has slowly started to be treated like a mouthpiece for the government, with multiple laws being passed without deliberation. Lack of deliberation and the control of the executive over Parliament have made the functioning of the legislature a means to give a stamp of approval to what the government does. The problem is structural as well; multiple powers have been given to the government, such as summoning Parliament, deciding the agenda and the functions of Parliament and also referring bills to the standing committees. In such a situation where the executive gains control over important matters, parliamentary deliberation becomes of utmost importance. The executive that treats debate in Parliament as optional or as a formality rather than a constitutional mandate for passing bills risks wiping out the legislative intent that the judiciary and the citizens rely upon to understand the reasoning of the legislature behind the enactments of law. Ambedkar and the members of the Constituent Assembly spent 165 days deliberating every single Article, clause and word of the Constitution. In a democracy, the legitimacy of law lies not only with the majority that enacts it but also with the reasoning behind it. For the judiciary to interpret laws by factoring in the legislative intent behind statutes and for the citizens to hold their representatives accountable, recovering the discipline of deliberation is extremely crucial. The balance of powers needs to be maintained between the executive and the legislature. The decline in the process of parliamentary debate in India has significantly contributed to an increase in the authoritative nature of this government, which imperils the Constitution. Thankfully, people are now at the forefront to save it, and therefore, the powers that be must act in tune with peoples unbending bravery in defence of the constitutional scheme of governance based on deliberation and consultation.
Death by breath: How mining dust in Aravallis is killing residents
Manisha (27) sits with a group of women on a mattress laid out in one corner of her house's veranda in Rajasthan's Sikar's Syalodra village. In the other corner, there are stacks of large oxygen cylinders, used by her 32-year-old husband, Manjeet, for breathing up until his recent death. Manjeet was a labourer at a nearby stone crushing unit, and for more than three years, he suffered from a debilitating, incurable lung illness called silicosis. Its trigger: inhaling silica dust, fine particles that are a by-product of rampant mining operations such as drilling, blasting, and stone crushing in the region. Silicosis has claimed more than 50 people's lives over the years in Syalodra, part of the Aravalli range, say residents. However, the Supreme Court-appointed panel, which concluded its field visits to assess several aspects of the Aravallis on August 11, did not come to the village, much like it skipped going to many other mining-affected areas across Kotputli-Behror and Sikar ...
IMD: Monsoon exiting Rajasthan as Bay low awaits turn to intensify
A 15% rain deficit as on date leaves kharif yields exposed to a late-season gamble: showers from a deep depression could replenish soil moisture, but extreme rain could damage mature crops
Fire partially damages Katra helipad terminal in Jammu & Kashmir
Digital Desk | Jammu, Sep 20 (IANS) A fire partially damaged the helipad terminal, used to ferry pilgrims to the hilltop Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district early on Sunday. According to local sources, the fire was noticed around 3.15 a.m. The flames were brought under control shortly after by personnel present at the site, with assistance from fire and emergency services. The helipad terminal, an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, was closed at the time of the incident. No casualties have been reported so far. The extent of the damage is being assessed. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, though a short circuit is suspected. In a similar incident in June, a fire had broken out near the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya minutes before the scheduled landing of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said. Police had then launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and determine how it broke out close to the helipad designated for the Chief Minister's arrival, according to an NDTV report. The blaze reportedly started near the helipad and quickly spread towards the nearby Saryu Guest House. According to officials, it affected an area of about 15 metres before being brought under control ahead of the chief minister's landing. Security personnel deployed at the site initially attempted to contain the flames before fire brigade teams arrived and extinguished the blaze. No injuries or loss of life were reported. A massive fire broke out at the Sethi Complex Manihari Katla, also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar in Rajasthan on Thursday morning. More than 20 shops and warehouses, including clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops and bangle stores, were reportedly affected by the blaze. According to initial information, the fire started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor.
'Tell us where to come, schools being fixed before our visit': CJP mocks Rajasthan govt
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.
Rajasthan Forms Committee to Investigate Deaths of Two Women After C-Section in Bundi
A committee has been established to investigate the deaths of two women following cesarean deliveries at Bundi General Hospital. Rajasthan Forms Committee to Investigate Deaths of Two Women After C-Section in Bundi
Pradip Krishen's journey from cinema to ecological restoration began following an unexpected experience that altered his trajectory. He has been instrumental in launching innovative projects such as the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Jodhpur. Krishen highlights that successful restoration is about much more than planting trees; it necessitates a careful, observational approach where learning from errors is key to revitalizing our ecosystems.
Three wanted in Telangana drug cases tracked down in Rajasthan
During one attempt, personnel reportedly encountered resistance involving live electric wires, while another team was allegedly confronted by a large group of villagers
From IPL Sensation To India 'A': Praful Hinge Opens Up On His Next Big Challenge
Praful Hinge's three-wicket opening over while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals made him an overnight sensation in this year's Indian Premier League.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 ( IANS) The political contest for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral post has taken shape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) naming Sunil Kothari and the Congress fielding Sunita Mahawar. Kothari, a former Jaipur City BJP President and newly elected Councillor from Ward-112, filed his nomination on Saturday. Mahawar, a Congress Councillor from Ward-118, has also entered the political fray. The BJP has 78 Councillors in the 150-member corporation, while the Congress has 57 and Independents hold 15 seats. The Mayoral election is scheduled for September 25, with voting to be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if the political contest remains contested after the withdrawal process. The BJP finalised Kothari's candidature after consultations within the party. He reached the Jaipur Municipal Corporation headquarters on Saturday afternoon to file his nomination, accompanied by several senior BJP leaders. Kothari has been associated with the BJP organisation for several decades and has previously served as Jaipur City BJP President. He has also held other organisational responsibilities within the BJP. In the upcoming Jaipur municipal corporation election, Kothari contested Ward-112 and defeated the Congress candidate Ashish Sharma by 905 votes, according to reports on the election result. His election affidavit reportedly puts the value of his movable and immovable assets at around Rs 35.87 crore. The Congress has fielded Sunita Mahawar from Ward-118. She is a long-time Congress worker with experience in Jaipur's municipal politics and has previously held responsibilities in the Municipal Corporation. Mahawar is associated with the Adarsh Nagar area and is considered close to Congress MLA Rafeek Khan. The Congress has also indicated that it is seeking support beyond its own Councillor group ahead of the Mayoral election. Khan has publicly claimed that some BJP Councillors are in contact with the Congress, though such claims have not been independently verified. Mahawar's candidature gives the Congress a woman Councillor with experience in local politics as its challenger to the BJP candidate Sunil Kothari. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 wards. Following the September 17 repoll results, the final party-wise tally stands at BJP: 78, Congress: 57 and Independents: 15. The BJP therefore has a majority in the 150-member corporation. The four wards that went to repoll were all won by Congress, taking its tally from 53 to 57. The 15 Independent Councillors could nevertheless remain politically significant during the Mayoral election, particularly because the Mayor is elected through a vote of the elected Councillors. The Rajasthan State Election Commission has scheduled the Jaipur Mayoral election for September 25. Nominations were accepted on September 18 and 19, scrutiny is scheduled for September 21, and September 22 is the deadline for withdrawal of candidature. With both major parties, BJP and the Congress, now having formally announced candidates, the focus shifts to the nomination scrutiny, withdrawal process and the efforts of the parties to consolidate support ahead of the September 25 vote.
IPL Breakout Star Praful Hinge Relies On 'one Ball At A Time' Approach For India 'A'
Vidarbha Pro T20 League: Praful Hinge's three-wicket opening over while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals made him an overnight sensation in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL). But with his first India A assignment looming, via a red-ball series against Australia A in Puducherry, the right-arm fast bowler said he will take the simplest of approaches into the game starting on September 22: stay in the present and think about nothing beyond the next delivery. I don't think too much in my brain about what will happen next or what may not happen. I just focus on the present like what I have to do with the ball in hand in a match. I just focus on bowling one ball at a time. As a bowler, there are a lot of challenges and I love those challenges. When the ball comes, I just have to do my bowling. I'll do my best. The rest, and whatever happens, will have to happen, Hinge told IANS in a chat ahead of the series to be played at the picturesque CAP-Siechem Stadium. Hinge learned of his India 'A' selection while away from his residence in Nagpur, and only believed it once he had checked for himself. I got a message from a friend who works in media, and said that I got India 'A' call-up. I was out of station at that time and then got a message from the friend, who said, 'Congratulations on getting India 'A' team call-up'. To see that for real, I saw on the BCCI website and it began to sink in that I was in India 'A' team. This is what is going on right now - if you work hard, you'll definitely get something. I've been playing red-ball cricket since Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket has been my favourite format since childhood, he added. Since the IPL ended, Hinge has kept bowling. He took eight wickets in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League and played Under-25 emerging matches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru - all with an eye on keeping himself in good bowling rhythm. I mean, now that I've got a chance, I should do well. So, in all the matches, everything was good for me and I performed well. Whatever the match was either bowling my overs, fielding, batting, it was the same. The experiences were the same - I just have to keep myself ready so that I can get a chance someday. My body is doing well. I mean, my fitness is great and everything is going well. Yes, I briefly attended a SRH off-season camp. We had a good volume of bowling there as well and our fitness was good, he added. Hinge was largely unknown outside domestic cricket circles before his breakout time in IPL 2026 for SRH. He acknowledges that the attention has changed his life off the field, even if he tries not to dwell on it and keeps social media at arm's length. A lot of people do recognize me. Now, everyone knows me wherever I go. So, it feels really good. Sometimes, I do think about it in my mind - like, I've done this too. Nothing much as such. I don't use it (social media) much. I don't pay much attention to it. I just use it for a bit of fun, humour and work things. His family in Nagpur has also felt the difference. Yes, the parents and family members get more recognised now. Like if they needed something before, it would come late. Now whenever they need something, it comes a little earlier than expected since my good showing in the IPL. Hinge also credited former India fast bowler Varun Aaron, SRHs fast bowling coach, for keeping a close watch on his development since the IPL ended. After the IPL, he's always been following me. Like, what are you doing? How's the training and bowling going? Once or twice, I went for bowling with him. I even bowled with the red-ball in a camp. So, he keeps asking me how I'm doing and takes constant updates about my progress. Aaron, whose own playing career was repeatedly interrupted by injuries, has also helped Hinge fine-tune his action. He faced a lot of things and saw a lot of ups and downs. So, it feels like he's of immense help to me. When I met him at MRF, I told him that I was injured. So, since then, he's been in touch with me. Like, how's it going? What's going on? Like, the bowling action, whatever needs to be done up and down, he adjusted it. Whatever I have seen of him, I've learnt a lot from him as well. Hinge has also leaned on the experience of CoE fast-bowling coaches, former India fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji and P Krishnakumar. I asked them a lot about the little things I can do better in a bowling situation, and what we can't do. I always used to ask them about whatever I could think of in terms of questions about fast bowling and related topics. Hinge made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024 and has 27 wickets from 10 first-class matches. He has already played Ranji Trophy cricket in Puducherry via his debut game and expects the afternoon heat to be a test for the pacers. I've played matches in Pondicherry before as well in the Ranji Trophy. So, I have a bit of an idea about the conditions there. But the temperature is going to be a bit high. The sooner I can adapt to the conditions, the better it is as bowling in the afternoon is a bit tough. But doing tough things is a habit now for me. So, it will be good when the matches happen. Hinge made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024 and has 27 wickets from 10 first-class matches. He has already played Ranji Trophy cricket in Puducherry via his debut game and expects the afternoon heat to be a test for the pacers. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories With the series just a few days away, Hinge's focus is on the task in front of him, including wearing India A whites for the first time while playing. It's just a few days away. I'm more excited for it, as this is what everyone practices for, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
