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Centre rolls back use of revamped agriculture trading portal in most Rajasthan mandis
The Union government has significantly scaled back the use of its revamped electronic agriculture trading portal, e-NAM 2.0, across Rajasthan.
70% of poll promises fulfilled in two years, says Rajasthan CM
Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal presents two-year report of his govt, Congress calls claims misleading
JAIPUR: As the Bhajanlal Sharma government approaches its two-year mark on December 15, the Chief Minister on Thursday released a performance report, claiming that 70 per cent of poll promises have been fulfilled and Rajasthan now ranks first in 11 national projects. Citing government data, Sharma said that out of 392 resolutions, 274 have either been completed or are currently underway, and that 73 per cent of the announcements made over the last two years have been implemented. With what he described as sincere intent and transparent governance, he said placing Rajasthan among the countrys leading states is no longer a distant dream. Emphasising transparency and efficiency, Sharma asserted that Rajasthan has moved into the category of best-performing states, listing first-place rankings in 11 national projects, second place in five, and third in nine. He said several projects that remained stuck in files earlier had been directly implemented under his government, accelerating public benefit. Accusing the previous Congress administration of delaying major initiatives such as the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), he reiterated his governments anti-corruption stance, saying they had caught crocodiles and sent them to jail and were ready to face consequences. Sharma said implementing the ERCP was a top priority from day one, claiming that work orders worth Rs 26,000 crore had been issued and the project would benefit 3 crore people in eastern Rajasthan. He noted that an MoU with Haryana was signed in February 2024 to supply water to the Shekhawati region, with the DPR now being prepared. The CM added that securing the future of the youth remained central to his administrations agenda, criticising the previous government for leaving young people frustrated and disappointed. After the BJP came to power, he said, an SIT was formed to take strict action in the paper leak case, and a comprehensive youth policy would be introduced soon. We want the youth of Rajasthan to become job creators, not job seekers, he said. Sharma also stated that the government had implemented over 28 policies in two years to ensure sustainable and transparent development. The Congress dismissed the CMs claims, with Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully calling the statements misleading. He said Sharmas only achievement was keeping his chair despite internal conflicts within the BJP, accusing the government of abandoning promises such as wheat procurement at Rs 2,700, purchasing millet at MSP, and reducing petrol-diesel VAT to match Gujarat and Haryana. The youth are asking where the calendar for 2.5 lakh jobs is. Democracy has turned into bureaucracy, and the public is crying out for help, Jully said. Amid the political sparring, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajes meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi triggered speculation in Jaipurs political circles. It was her first meeting with the PM in the capital after the November 11 Anta by-election, in which the BJP lost a seat considered part of her Hadoti stronghold. The defeat has raised concerns within the party, with observers calling the bypoll a litmus test for the Bhajanlal government.
Bengaluru Shop Owner's Abuse Over Kannada Sparks Outrage, FIR Filed
Bengaluru, shop owner Jalam from Rajasthan abused a customer for requesting Kannada, sparking outrage among Kannada organisations and leading to a police FIR and public apology
SMAT: Haryana Defeats Rajasthan, Kushagra Helps Jharkhand Chase Down 236 Against Punjab
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super: Haryana opened their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League campaign with a commanding sevenwicket win over Rajasthan, while Kumar Kushagra slammed an unbeaten 86 to help Jharkhand chase down a massive 236 against a formidable Punjab. At the MCA Stadium, fast bowlers Anshul Kamboj and Ishant Bhardwaj set the tone by sharing four wickets between themselves to restrict Rajasthan to 132/8. In reply, captain Ankit Kumars fluent 41ball 60 sealed the chase with 22 balls to spare. After electing to field first, Haryana made immediate inroads as Rajasthan lost four wickets inside the PowerPlay. Kunal Singh Rathore fell cheaply, while Deepak Hooda was run out without scoring in bizarre fashion. Shubham Garhwals 33 and Mahipal Lomrors unbeaten 37 offered resistance, while Rahul Chahar chipped in with 20 runs down the order. But the innings never recovered from the early collapse. Kamboj and Bhardwaj finished with identical figures of 2-24. Chasing 133, Haryanas top order ensured there were no early setbacks. Ankit forged stands of 37, 52 and 40 with Aarsh Ranga, Yashvardhan Dalal and Himanshu Rana to keep the scoreboard moving. His knock, laced with eight fours and a six, was his third fifty of the tournament as Haryana cruised home in a modest chase. Meanwhile, at the DY Patil Academy in Ambi, Jharkhand scripted history by overhauling Punjabs 235/6 and set a new record for the highestever chase in the history of the competition. Kushagras unbeaten 86 came off 42 balls, as Jharkhand romped home with six wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare. Punjabs innings was built around a blistering knock from wicketkeeperbatter Salil Arora, who smashed 125 off just 45 deliveries, including reaching his hundred in 39 balls. After his fireworks, Jharkhands response was equally emphatic. Skipper Ishan Kishan struck 47 off 23 balls to set the tone for the successful chase, before Kushagra stitched crucial partnerships with him, Anukul Roy and Pankaj Kumar to secure Jharkhands eighth consecutive win in the tournament. Punjabs innings was built around a blistering knock from wicketkeeperbatter Salil Arora, who smashed 125 off just 45 deliveries, including reaching his hundred in 39 balls. After his fireworks, Jharkhands response was equally emphatic. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Punjab 235/6 in 20 overs (Salil Arora 125 not out, Naman Dhir 27; Sushant Mishra 2-47, Bal Krishna 2-66) lost to Jharkhand 237/4 in 18.1 overs (Kumar Kushagra 86, Ishan Kishan 47; Ramandeep Singh 1-37, Sanvir Singh 1-40) by six wickets Article Source: IANS
UK Man Deceives Rajasthan Woman After Promising To Marry Her, Tricks Her Into Sending Rs 2.5 Lakh
An Indian woman was duped of Rs 2.5 lakh by a UK groom promising marriage before she approached police; a cyber cell investigation is underway
The Rajasthan Village Where a Goddess Guards Trees
In Gola village of Ajmer district, a centuries-old belief in goddess Kalki has preserved a dense green forest and stable water levels, even as the surrounding region turns drier.
A heated exchange erupts between current and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairmen over recent trust scandals. The incumbent chairman linked the YSRCP regime to a Rs. 54 crore silk dupattas scam. However, the former chairman vehemently denied this, stating the purchases spanned a decade, including the TDP's tenure, and accused the current administration of political blame-shifting.
Leopard Kills 7-Year-Old Boy Near Temple In Rajasthan: Cops
A 7-year-old boy was killed in a leopard attack near the Atila Balaji temple in Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur, on Thursday.
Piyush Goyal's BIG statement on India-US trade deal amid tariff tensions: 'We should never...'
Speaking on the sidelines of the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, Piyush Goyal said that a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday. Here's more on this.
Rajasthan faces academic turmoil as five university vice-chancellors ousted amid protests
JAIPUR: A major controversy has erupted in Rajasthan after the removal or forced resignation of five university vice-chancellors under the tenure of Governor Haribhau Bagde, who serves as Chancellor of state universities. The actions follow multiple inquiries into alleged financial irregularities, administrative misuse and contentious public remarks, but the departures have also been linked to sustained pressure from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Senior officials in the states higher education sector said most of the ousters came after persistent protests by the ABVP. While administrative inquiries cited financial mismanagement and misuse of power, the vice-chancellors and several political observers claimed that the removals were driven by organised campaigns by the ABVP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Four vice-chancellors were removed by the Governor, while another resigned under similar pressure. Those removed in recent months include the vice-chancellors of Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner; Agricultural University, Jodhpur; Shri Karan Narendra Agricultural University, Jobner (Jaipur); and Brij University. The vice-chancellor of Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) in Udaipur stepped down after intense protests. The developments have sparked criticism from academics and opposition leaders, who say political pressure is undermining institutional autonomy and weakening higher education governance in the state. At Maharaja Surajmal Brij University in Bharatpur, Ramesh Chandra was removed as VC by the Governor following an inquiry into alleged arbitrary decisions and financial loss to the institution. Chandra, however, maintained that not a single allegation was proven and claimed the removal was orchestrated by the ABVP and the RSS prant pracharak. He said the ABVP had been protesting for 1.5 years before his ouster. In Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Prof. Sunita Mishra faced massive protests after she reportedly called Mughal emperor Aurangzeb a great administrator in September 2025. ABVP activists vandalised the university administrative block during the agitation, and demands for her resignation were echoed by the BJP and Karni Sena before she eventually stepped down. The turmoil comes at a time when Rajasthans state-funded universities are battling a deep financial crisis. In a virtual meeting with Chief Secretary V. Srinivas last Saturday, vice-chancellors outlined their distressing financial situation, with some institutions struggling to meet even basic operational requirements. Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur has reportedly taken loans to pay salaries, while two Udaipur-based universities Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT) and Mohanlal Sukhadia University are contemplating selling portions of their land to remain functional. Rajasthan has 29 state-funded universities, including 17 under the higher education department and six under the agriculture department. At the meeting, VCs warned that without immediate government support, several institutions may soon be forced to shut down. Those present told the media that universities were unable to cover basic expenses. More than 60% of teaching and non-teaching posts are vacant, retired employees are awaiting arrears, and institutions cannot afford routine maintenance, one vice-chancellor said.
BLO deployed for SIR in Rajasthan dies after collapsing; postmortem to ascertain cause of death
There was no pressure on him and no notice issued to him, Sub-Divisional Magistrate said after Vijay Gurjar died
Election Commission's BIG move on SIR, extends deadline for 6 states; check new dates here
New dates have been set for the exercise in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No extension was given for Goa, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where elections are due to be held early next year.
Over 100 booked, 40 detained in protest against proposed ethanol plant in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh
JAIPUR: Farmers in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district continued their protest against an under-construction ethanol factory for the second consecutive day. From early morning, farmers began assembling at a gurdwara near Tibbi, even as internet services in the region remained suspended for the second consecutive day. Around 30 families living near the plant site have left their homes due to fear. Violence after farmers storm site The situation escalated sharply on Wednesday when hundreds of farmers stormed the construction site of Dune Ethanol Private Limited in Rathikheda village. The protesters broke a section of the boundary wall and set fire to offices and several vehicles. When police intervened, clashes broke out. Security personnel resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas, which further angered the crowd. Protesters torched more than a dozen vehicles, including a police jeep. More than 50 people, including women, were injured in the violence. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia suffered a head injury and was taken to the district hospital. Schools, colleges, and markets remained shut on Wednesday due to the unrest. Administration defends plant approvals Hanumangarh Collector Dr. Khushal Yadav said that the ethanol plant had received all required permissions. He noted that the project was approved during the Rising Rajasthan Summit in 2022 and had obtained all clearances, from land conversion to pollution control. He stated that while permission had been granted for a peaceful gathering, anti-social elements violated prohibitory orders and marched toward the factory. People took the law into their own hands. Action is being taken against those involved, he added. More than 107 farmers and villagers have been booked in connection with the December 10 violence. Forty of them have been taken into custody. Heavy deployment, fragile calm Additional forces from the police, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC), and Home Guards have been stationed in Tibbi and Rathikheda. Shops reopened on Thursday and the situation appeared calmer, but groups of farmers continued to gather at the gurdwara. A crucial meeting was scheduled for the afternoon to decide the next course of action. Several injured women spent the night at Gurdwara Singh Sabha. Leaders of the Congress, CPI(M), and farmer organizations from Haryana and Punjab have extended support to the movement. Protest leaders blame administration Ravjot Singh, a leader of the Factory Removal Struggle Committee, claimed that more than 70 people were injured in Wednesdays clash. Over 100 farmers stayed overnight at the gurdwara, and more joined on Thursday morning. Congress leader Shabnam Godara blamed the administration for the violence, saying the situation worsened because authorities refused to provide written assurance that construction would be halted. She alleged that officials had misled people by making claims about employment opportunities. Demand for environment clearance and public consent Farmer organizations have vowed that the factory will not be allowed to operate until fresh environmental clearances are obtained and the consent of local residents is ensured. Chandigarh-based Dune Ethanol Private Limited, which is constructing the grain-based plant, maintains that the project will support the central governments Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme by boosting ethanol production.
A visitor's trip to the Mehandipur Balaji temple took a startling turn when a woman in line began exhibiting violent, multi-voiced outbursts. Despite the unsettling scene, devotees spoke of the deity's power to fulfill wishes and ward off negative energies. The experience left the narrator deeply affected, questioning the woman's fate amidst tales of divine intervention.
Tension simmers in Rajasthans Hanumangarh over under-construction ethanol factory
As the violence around the ethanol factory simmers, a farmers' meeting is scheduled at noon to decide the next course of action
SC Rejects Sanjiv Bhatt's Plea Seeking Suspension of Sentence in 1996 Drug Seizure Case
Bhatt was found guilty of falsely implicating a Rajasthan-based lawyer by claiming that in 1996, police had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur where the lawyer was staying
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt seeking seeking suspension of the 20-year jail sentence imposed on him in a 1996 drug seizure case. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi said it was not inclined to entertain the matter. The top court was hearing an appeal filed by Bhatt seeking suspension of sentence in the case. A sessions court in Palanpur town of Gujarat's Banaskantha district had sentenced Bhatt to 20 years in the case dating back to 1996. Bhatt was found guilty of falsely implicating a Rajasthan-based lawyer by claiming that in 1996, police had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur where the lawyer was staying. Bhatt, who was sacked from service in 2015, was a superintendent of police in Banaskantha district in 1996. The district police under him had arrested Sumersingh Rajpurohit, a Rajasthan-based lawyer, in 1996 claiming they had seized drugs from a hotel room in Palanpur town where he was staying. However, the Rajasthan police later said Rajpurohit was falsely implicated by the Banaskantha police to compel him to transfer a disputed property located at Pali in Rajasthan. Former police inspector I B Vyas had moved the Gujarat High Court in 1999 demanding a thorough inquiry into the case. Bhatt was arrested by the state CID in September 2018 in the drug case under the NDPS Act and is in Palanpur sub-jail since then. Last year, the former IPS officer had approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the trial in the 28-year-old drug case to another sessions court alleging bias. He had also sought directions for recording of the trial court proceedings. However, the Supreme Court had dismissed Bhatt's plea and imposed a cost of Rs 3 lakh on him for alleging bias against a lower court judge conducting his trial in the drug planting case.
Diaspora urged to play role for prosperous Rajasthan
The launch of 1 lakh crore in memorandums of understanding raised total implemented investments from the December 2024 Rising Rajasthan global investment summit to 8 lakh crore
US gives mixed signals as trade talks resume
NEW DELHI: AS the US and India look to finalise a broader bilateral trade agreement, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that Indias offers are the best Washington has received, though challenges remain in getting New Delhi to open up its agriculture sector. There is resistance in India for certain crops and meats and products. They are a difficult nut to crack but they have been quite forward leaning. The types of offers they have been talking to us about are one of the best that we have ever received as a country, said Greer while speaking at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC. The comments came as the US trade negotiation team led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer commenced the two-day talks in New Delhi on Wednesday. On the first day, he held discussions with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Both reviewed the ongoing negotiations for the agreement. Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch is the US chief negotiator. Indias chief negotiator is Darpan Jain, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Indias former chief negotiator and current Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will be supervising the progress of the negotiations. The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Department of Commerce said. Meanwhile, speaking on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas in Jaipur on Wednesday, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated that the ongoing trade negotiations with the US are progressing well. Talks are continuously progressing. We are moving forward towards a bilateral trade agreement, Goyal said.
Caught in the cyber cobweb: How TN women are fighting the deepfake battle
August 21, 2025, started like any other day for Rajathi Kamalakannan until a familiar face popped up on her phone while scrolling. An AI-generated morphed picture of hers with her contact details was circulated on Facebook. I was shocked, says Rajathi, who operates a food business, Rajis Kitchen in Dindigul, and runs a popular YouTube channel, RK Family Vlogs. When she checked this profile, it had 16K followers. Photos of several other women were misused similarly, says the 35-year-old. What followed was a nightmare that consumed three months of Rajathis life. I received more than a hundred calls from old friends, distant relatives, all enquiring about it. Many blamed me for having an indecent photo on Facebook. Having to respond to each one of them was really painful, she says. Rajathi was determined to fight the case. She filed a complaint against Facebook, seeking the removal of the AI-generated image. In an email, Facebook refused to take action. The response read, Well remove photos and videos reported through this channel if it infringes or violates your privacy. Unfortunately, based on the information you provided, we were unable to determine how the reported content infringes or violates your privacy. We recommend reaching out to the owner of this content to resolve this issue (sic). The email infuriated Rajathi. Along with her husband, she went to the Dindigul cybercrime office and filed a complaint on August 25. She recounts at least 10 visits to the police station, even on her husbands birthday, giving statements and signing documents. The accused was eventually arrested on November 14, but Rajathi is yet to get full closure. I couldnt work for a week due to the fear of being shamed, she says. But the larger question that she pondered was why was she targeted. On the other hand, her business continued, and the popularity of the YouTube channel rose. Her online presence remained essential to her livelihood, even as it made her prone to abuse. Such people get involved in crime since they think no one will complain, she says, asserting, You [perpetrator] hid your face while doing this. I will not hide mine while seeking justice. There is growing awareness around such crimes against women across Tamil Nadu, who realise that their faces from cooking videos, travel photos, business profiles, and even passport-size images are being weaponised by strangers. While some of them find the courage to speak out, many remain silent due to a wide range of social factors. Systemic issue Tamil Nadu recorded 1.75 lakh reported cybercrimes last year alone, with financial scams exceeding `1,600 crore, according to retired director general of police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu. The sheer scale of the loss reveals how the tentacles of crime have found new ways to evade police action despite the presence of cybercrime police stations in each of the 38 districts. If you put together crimes like chain snatching, motorcycle theft, robbery, murder for gain, these cannot cross `100 crore. But in cybercrime, money is lost just like that. A small percentage of these are women paying money due to harassment. With an overwhelming number of complaints, we cant cope, he states. He also observes that a vast majority of women never come forward. They change their number or block the caller, but the damage is already done. They live in perpetual fear of who will receive the photo or video next? The methods have evolved beyond photo-morphing. The retired DGP describes a new pattern where criminals target women with fake romantic or professional contacts, then use AI to create explicit content when the women refuse to engage. They access the victims contact lists and send sample images to relatives, demanding anywhere from `10 lakh-`20 lakh from women earning `30,000-`40,000 monthly. Women silently pay, but how long can they keep paying? he asks. Such crimes have links across the world, and it makes the job difficult for the police. Gangs operating from Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand lure women through apps disguised as dating platforms. Indian scam hubs operate from Jamtara in Jharkhand, Mathura in UP, and Neem at the Rajasthan-UP-MP border, Sylendra Babu notes. Its a new generation of organised crime with no borders. Easy access Priyanshu Raikar, a security researcher who has been tracking AI-generated abuse, believes that the tools for carrying out such crimes have become more accessible. Some widely available open-source image models that come with safeguards can be easily bypassed, he says. Girithar Ram Ravindran, a cybersecurity specialist, seconds the opinion. Most of these suspects do not have a strong technical background. If access becomes difficult, they will give up, he says. Comparing the models available, Priyanshu is shocked by the manner in which Chinese models manipulate images. The shadows, skin texture, background details, everything is convincing. The people in the images dont even exist in real life, he states. While the technology is getting better, the infrastructure for abuse online is already laid out. You have click farms, fake followers and bots run from China. With one click, they can send you 1,000 likes; with one phone, they can manage 10,000 profiles. Now imagine this infrastructure combined with powerful AI models, he explains. On Reddit, Priyanshu even found numerous forums dedicated to AI-generated explicit content, including deepfakes of celebrities being sold commercially. Some people in India are already producing non-consensual content and selling it, he says. The crisis has gone to an extent where high-profile celebrities like actor Rashmika Mandanna and dancer Anita Ratnam had to move court to protect their digital identity. Battles beyond deepfakes AI-generated images represent only one facet of a broader crisis of image-based abuse. Swetha Shankar, executive director of programmes at the International Foundation for Crime Prevention & Victim Care (PCVC), works with survivors of various forms of digital violence and sees patterns that extend far beyond deepfakes. A lot of abuse happens when intimate pictures shared during a relationship are used against the person after a breakup, Swetha says. PCVC works with the cyber cell and uses a resource called Stop NCII (Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image sharing), a website that partners with large platforms like Meta and even Pornhub. When someone uploads an image there, the site creates a digital ID for it. If anyone tries to upload the same image anywhere else, it automatically gets flagged. We help survivors create this digital ID so they can track and prevent their images from being re-uploaded. The fear extends beyond the immediate violation. A lot of survivors are terrified that their parents or husbands will come to know. For married women whose ex-boyfriends are threatening them, there is fear that their marriages will end. Younger women who have moved away for work, are petrified that the police will involve their parents. They worry that if families find out, their mobility and freedom will be cut off, they may be taken back home, forced to marry, and even have their phones taken away, she says, adding They constantly check messages because theyre scared something might be leaked. It affects them very deeply. Police responses can compound the problem. Even when a woman is above 18, the police say things like, Call your parents, Are you married? This makes women even more worried that approaching the police will lead to further control, she adds. For minors, the situation is even more complex. Its hard for them to say theyre in an abusive relationship when being in a relationship itself is a taboo, Swetha says. The pattern of abuse is also consistent. In many of the cases we work with, intimate images are used to blackmail individuals. There is a lot of assault, and the person feels helpless because they are scared the images will be leaked. It gets held over them repeatedly, Swetha adds. Never-ending trauma Priyanshu shares the story of a minor girl whose Instagram account was hijacked by a gang. They demanded `50,000, and when she couldnt pay, the man forced her to send a nude video. Once she sent it, he leaked it anyway, then asked for more money, he says, adding that the case exposes the relationship between financial blackmail and sexual exploitation. For content creators and entrepreneurs, the threat creates a chilling effect. Many are afraid to maintain the online presence their livelihoods require. Once the content spreads, tracking it becomes nearly impossible. Girithar describes how metadata, the digital fingerprints attached to photos, gets erased when images are shared. When sent through WhatsApp or shared multiple times, metadata gets stripped away. Once it spreads through thousands of groups, connecting the dots becomes very hard, he says. Priyanshu adds that investigators rely on open-source intelligence tools to track where the content first appeared, but many platforms lack robust traceability. People download leaked or generated videos from one platform, then re-upload them across many others. For each view and engagement, they get paid. Thats their business model. For women like Rajathi, the intensity of the crisis has a huge impact. Girithar warns, Keep accounts private unless necessary. But even from a private account, photos give enough data for criminals to create fake images or videos. Priyanshu is more practical about the reality: Once you post anything online, you lose control over it. Its your image, but if someone downloads and shares it, you cant really do much. The courage to fight The Facebook profile that violated Rajathi's privacy remains active, with its last post dated November, and is still accessible despite her repeated complaints and the accused's arrest. Meta's own Oversight Board has noted that the platform often fails to remove AI-generated explicit images unless cases receive significant media attention, leaving ordinary victims to hunt down and report every instance themselves. Having gone through the ordeal, Rajathi says women should not suffer in silence, and points out how screenshots, URLs, and other evidence of such abuse could help their case. She also sought faster police action. Response time shouldnt be too late. Women need supportive and swift systems so that they dont lose courage halfway, she says. Priyanshu suggests large-scale awareness campaigns. Every household seems to have at least one creator or influencer now. We need the media, lawmakers and police to join together for nationwide education, in schools, colleges, and communities. While Sylendra Babu believes social media poses a threat to privacy, and that laws alone cannot help prevent these crimes, Swetha notes that gender-based violence has always adapted to whatever tools are available. Long before AI, controlling devices was already a part of domestic violence, monitoring phones, knowing passwords, controlling mobility, and isolating women. Technology is just another tool. The deeper issue is how we view women and how we normalise abuse. We often elevate the idea of family over the safety and well-being of women. The legal labyrinth Current laws provide some recourse but lack teeth, specifically for AI-generated abuse. Sylendra Babu suggested that a separate clause for AI-enabled offences can be added to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita due to the gaps in the existing laws. Priyanshu demands that authorities constitute a specific, standalone offence. From here, it will only get worse if we dont, he says. The IT Act 2000 contains relevant sections, particularly Section 67 with subsections for sexually explicit content and child protection, with potential punishments of 5-7 years. But Girithar notes these provisions were written before AI: These open-source models must have stricter guardrails or should be banned. Updated IT rules from 2021-22 require large platforms to appoint officers responsible for handling takedown requests under the Indian law. Priyanshu says success stories remain exceptions, as most survivors have a difficult and uncertain path to justice. If you or someone you know is affected by deepfake abuse, file a complaint at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call 1930. Tamil Nadu has cybercrime police stations in all 38 districts. (The author is a Laadli Media Fellow. The opinions and views expressed are those of the author. Laadli and UNFPA do not necessarily endorse the views.)
Rajasthan sees Zira repeat as ethanol plant protest erupts in violence
Rajasthan gang arrested in Tumakuru for attempted daylight jewellery heist
Rajasthan govt announces Rs 1 lakh crore investment proposals in first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas
JAIPUR: The first-ever Pravasi Rajasthani Divas began in Jaipur on Wednesday, marking a major step toward boosting industrial growth in the state. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma inaugurated the event, which included a groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals worth over Rs 1 lakh crore. The government said these projects would usher in a new era of economic development in Rajasthan. The state also unveiled the NRR Policy-2025 for overseas Rajasthanis and launched the Rajasthan Development Support Portal, a digital platform to help non-resident Rajasthanis connect directly with development initiatives. Speaking at the event, CM Sharma said, We have established the Department of National and International Overseas Rajasthani Affairs keeping in mind the needs of our overseas community enabling NRRs to play an active role in the development of their homeland. He urged overseas Rajasthanis to come forward as benefactors and promised full government support. To strengthen investor confidence, the government announced 12 new policies covering industrial growth, technology, trade promotion, tourism, green development, food processing, aerospace and defence, sports, outsourcing, agro-forestry, AI, and vehicle scrappage. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Rajasthans strong position in land, energy, water, raw materials and safety had made it an attractive investment destination. Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore highlighted improvements in ease of doing business, citing transparency and faster decision-making. At the inaugural session, the Vedanta Group announced plans for an industrial park in Rajasthan. Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said, Just as Punjab feeds the nation, Rajasthan has the potential to provide minerals to meet the needs of the entire world , emphasising the states unique mineral reserves. The industrial park will host units with investments between Rs 2 crore and Rs 200 crore. The state government also felicitated leading industrialists including Anil Agarwal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Vineet Mittal, Ajay Piramal and Madhav Singhania. The event, however, triggered a political controversy after videos showing empty chairs at the venue circulated on social media. PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra posted the video on X, saying, This is the true face of the BJP government: empty promises, empty stage, empty chairs, and empty, hollow achievements. Industries Minister Rathore countered the allegation, saying, Those who are only used to chairs keep looking for empty chairs we are not filling chairs; we are instilling confidence in the businessmen and youth coming to Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel also rejected the claims, stating the hall was full and accusing the opposition of sharing fake images.
Vedanta to invest Rs 1 lakh cr in Rajasthan to ramp up output
Vedanta Limited will invest Rs one lakh crore in Rajasthan. This investment aims to double production across zinc, lead, silver, oil & gas, and renewable energy. The company is also establishing a zinc park to support MSMEs. North India's first phosphate fertiliser plant is also being set up.
42,000 bottles of 'illicit' foreign liquor worth Rs 10 crore seized from vendor in Gurugram
CHANDIGARH: A joint team of Haryana Police and state Excise Department seized a large consignment of 'illicit' foreign liquor from a high-end liquor vendor under the name Theka Wine Shop near Signature Tower in Gurugram. Around 42,000 bottles of liquor estimated to be worth Rs 10 crore were seized. The seized stock was smuggled into the country without paying customs or excise duty. These bottles of premium international brands are sold between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh per bottle. It is believed that this liquor consignment was routed through airports using organised smuggling channels and sold at high margins to premium customers in the Millennium City. The Excise Department acted on a tip-off that that illicit liquor was being sold at this 'Theka Wine Shop', and reached the liquor shop late Tuesday evening during rush hours. The officials claimed that they had suspected that a hundred illicit bottles would be found, but the quantity of seized goods left them shocked. Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner Amit Bhatia claimed that this is the largest illegal stock of foreign liquor ever seized in the state and added that more raids and arrests are expected as the investigation progresses. Some 3,921 cases of illicit foreign liquor each containing 6 to 12 bottles along with 176 loose bottles were seized. A first information report has been registered against wine shop contractor, and further investigation is underway. Now raids would now be conducted on all wine shops in Gurugram, he said. It is learnt that an internal investigation has been started by the excise department into how such a large quantity of such liquor reached a licensed shop and why the department failed to detect it in time. Officials pointed out that the illicit sales caused crores in revenue loss to the state. Officials further claimed that during questioning of the employees at the liquor shop, it was said that daily sales were around Rs 50 lakh, as high-profile customers bought these expensive imported brands. Preliminary inquiries suggest links between smuggling networks operating across Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan, said sources.
Around 42,000 bottles of illicit foreign liquor worth Rs 10 crore seized in Gurugram
CHANDIGARH: The largest-ever consignment of illicit foreign liquor was seized from a high-end liquor outlet named Theka in Gurugram by a joint team of Haryana Police and the state excise department. Around 42,000 bottles, allegedly smuggled into the country, were confiscated, with an estimated black market value of Rs 10 crore. According to sources, the seized bottles, lacking valid holograms, were recovered from The Theka Wine Shop near Signature Tower. The stock, comprising premium international brands priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh per bottle, was allegedly smuggled through airports using organised channels and sold at high margins to upscale customers. The excise department acted after receiving complaints that illicit liquor was being sold at the shop. Officials raided the outlet late in the evening during rush hours, initially expecting around 100 bottles, but were shocked by the large quantity seized. Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner Amit Bhatia said this is the largest illegal stock of foreign liquor ever seized in the state. He added that further raids and arrests are expected as the investigation continues. A total of 3,921 cases containing 6 to 12 bottles each, along with 176 loose bottles, were seized. An FIR has been registered against the wine shop contractor, and raids are planned at other wine shops in Gurugram. An internal investigation has been launched by the excise department to determine how such a large quantity of illicit liquor reached a licensed outlet and why it was not detected earlier. Officials noted that the illicit sales caused crores in revenue loss to the state, with employees reportedly stating that daily sales were around Rs 50 lakh due to high-profile customers buying imported brands. Preliminary inquiries suggest links to smuggling networks operating across Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
4 killed, 27 injured in bus-truck collision on Jaipur-Bikaner National Highway
Jaipur: Four people were killed and 27 others injured after a bus collided head-on with a truck on Jaipur-Bikaner National Highway in the Sikar district of Rajasthan on Tuesday night. The sleeper bus was travelling from Bikaner towards Jaipur when they rammed into each other. Also ReadTN: 5 including 4 Ayyappa devotees from AP killed Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
World Animal Protection Calls for Enhanced Institutionalized Protection of Animals
As 2025 comes to a close, there are major developments that impact both humans and animals and these lead us into 2026 and beyond. These include the deliberation at the recently concluded Conference of Parties (COP 30) in Belem in Brazil, the Conference On International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (NAP-AMR 2.0) announced in India, announcement of the Global Big Cat Summit in India next year, persistent revelations of wildlife trade, concerning reports of treatment of animals in zoos and exploitation of animals for entertainment, fashion and pets. Gorilla Bua Noi in Pata Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Shubhobroto Ghosh World Animal Protection strongly presented the case against industrial animal agriculture at the COP 30 event, given the evidence that shows widespread animal abuse and environmental damage. It is a matter of continuing concern that industrial agriculture and factory farming are causing massive cruelty to animals by confining them to inadequate spaces, using antibiotics for their husbandry for greater quantities of meat, fish, milk and eggs and are releasing harmful effluents into marine and air ecosystems. With rising awareness on the destructive and counterproductive characteristics of these industries towards environmental pollution and climate change, it is of pressing urgency to tackle their further growth and institute systemic change to mitigate current practices. The burgeoning global trade in wildlife affects India strongly with a marked rise in the demand for non native exotic pets that are being seized in different parts of the country and also in different parts of the world designated for arrival in India. This is a worrisome trend and graphic visual images have emerged showing captive animals kept in conditions of extreme confinement and enormous cruelty. It is of utmost necessity to recognise that this cruel and counterproductive trade be immediately stopped and international linkages are identified and transnational action is initiated to curb this trade. World Animal Protection has done extensive research on exotic animal pets and is of the strong view that wildlife belongs in the wild and should be cherished there and not exploited for a few greedy people. This point was made very cogently during the recently concluded CITES conference in Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Wild animals in entertainment present a difficult challenge all over the world, with the resurgence of elephant rides in Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and the continuing spectacle of abuse of elephants in Amer Fort in Jaipur. Tigers are being captivity for tourist photo opportunities at close quarters in many venues in Thailand and several other countries and a very significant number of tourists visit these places and patronise them with tourist revenue and destination guidance. World Animal Protection has an ongoing programme of engaging with tour companies and resorts to take a responsible stance on wildlife tourism by not promoting abusive activities involving wildlife in entertainment. In this regard, World Animal Protection is pleased to have Her Expeditions, Svasara, Indian Wildlife Adventures, Pandav Hotels and Marttik Gardens take the wildlife friendly pledge to promote responsible wildlife tourism in India and beyond. World Animal Protection hopes that the example set by these companies will encourage other groups to follow suit and desist from offering itineraries in their tours and destination guidance to places that exploit wildlife in captivity. Elephant in Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Abhishek Shankhwar World Animal Protection has also engaged with the Prime Minister’s Office in 2025 to raise awareness on the plight of India’s National Heritage Animal and hundreds of schoolchildren from N K Bagrodia School and Cambridge International School have written letters to the Prime Minister urging him to ban elephant rides in India. Endeavours have also been taken to engage with the Rajasthan Forest Department to obtain the latest update on the status of the riding elephants of Amer Fort in Jaipur. “World Animal Protection is calling upon all stakeholders as well as tourists to take a pledge not to ride elephants in any venue,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India . 10 December, 2025 is World Human Rights Day and International Animal Rights Day. It is not a coincidence that Human Rights Day and Animal Rights Day fall on the same date, 10 December, the date was intentionally chosen by animal rights advocates to highlight the connection between human rights and animal rights and to emphasize that all sentient beings deserve respect and protection from suffering and torture. Human Rights Day commemorates the date in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a foundational document in international human rights law and activism. International Animal Rights Day (or World Animal Rights Day) was established in 1998, on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to call for the recognition of a universal declaration for animal rights, modelled on the principles of the human rights declaration. Across the globe, billions of human beings and animals are suffering in silence, because of systemic injustice. On this day, we call for all living creatures, humans and non humans, to be treated respectfully and with compassion, with institutional safeguards put in place against their abuse. gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in . Phone: 9313333283
Four killed, 27 injured in bus-truck collision on Jaipur-Bikaner National Highway
JAIPUR: Four people were killed and 27 others injured after a bus collided head-on with a truck on Jaipur-?Bikaner National Highway in the Sikar district of Rajasthan on Tuesday night. The sleeper bus was travelling from Bikaner towards Jaipur when they rammed into each other. The police said that four persons died in the accident, adding that 15 injured were admitted to the Sikar district hospital while 13 were given primary treatment at Fatehgarh. One critically injured person referred from the Sikar district hospital to SMS Hospital in Jaipur died during treatment, the police said. The group of passengers was returning Gujarat after visiting Jammu and Kashmir when the accident occurred, the police added.
Rajasthan govt clears ACB probe against six officers in Rs 900-crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam
JAIPUR : In a significant move, the Rajasthan government has approved an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation against six officers, including former Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Water Resources Department, Subodh Agarwal, in connection with alleged fraud and irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission tenders. The list also includes Gopal Singh, brother of BJP MLA Devi Singh Shekhawat. The sanction for investigation under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act was granted at the Chief Ministers level. Earlier, permission had been granted to probe 12 officers, taking the total number of officials under scrutiny to 18. Both the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are already conducting parallel inquiries into the alleged scam, which investigators estimate to be worth nearly Rs 900 crore. Former minister Mahesh Joshi recently secured bail from the Supreme Court in this case. Sources said that approval was originally sought to investigate eight officers, but after nearly a years wait, the government has cleared action against six. Subodh Agarwal served as ACS of the Water Resources Department from May 16, 2023, to January 12, 2024. He is currently Chairman and Managing Director of the Rajasthan Finance Corporation and is scheduled to retire later this month. Gopal Singh, now Secretary of the Housing Board, earlier worked as Deputy Secretary in the Water Resources Department from April 25, 2022, to December 18, 2023.
JAIPUR: To mark the completion of two years of the Bhajanlal-led BJP government in the state, Pravasi Rajasthani Divas 2025 is being organized at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) on December 10. The state government has made extensive preparations to ensure that the event becomes a major showcase of Rajasthans investment potential. The event is expected to serve as a significant platform for economic expansion, with reports indicating that industrialists will announce large-scale investments that could reshape the states development trajectory. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth Rs 1 lakh crore are likely to be signed during the event. Dignitaries attending the program include Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, along with cabinet ministers and senior bureaucrats. A strong presence from the corporate sector is also expected. The inaugural session will feature prominent industry leaders such as Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, Piramal Group Chairman Ajay Piramal, and Tata Power CEO and MD Praveer Sinha, who will share their perspectives on investment opportunities, industrial growth, and ongoing reforms in Rajasthan. Earlier, there were concerns that disruptions in Indigo Airlines services could prevent some expatriates from reaching Jaipur. However, the Commissioner of the Rajasthan Foundation Department the nodal department for expatriate Rajasthanis clarified that all invited guests have already arrived and that the airline issues have not significantly affected the event. More than 8,700 people have registered for Pravasi Rajasthani Divas so far. With registrations surpassing expectations, the online portal was closed ahead of schedule. This is the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas being held after Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharmas announcement at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit last year. He had declared that the day would be celebrated annually on December 10 to connect the global Rajasthani diaspora with their homeland. On November 19, the state cabinet approved the creation of a separate department for non-resident Rajasthanis, and an official notification has since been issued. The new department aims to strengthen engagement with expatriate Rajasthanis living in India and abroad, and facilitate deeper cooperation between them and the state government.
70 pc Punjab Congress with me, 90 pc AICC with me; won't support 'thieves': Navjot Kaur
Navjot Kaur Sidhu also attacked Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa for serving a legal notice on her for her alleged defamatory remarks against him and accused him of selling party tickets in Rajasthan and also having links with smugglers.
Punjab: Randhawa serves legal notice to Navjot Kaur Sidhu; turmoil in Congress escalates
The crisis in the Punjab Congress deepened a day after former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, was suspended from the party for making anti-party remarks. Kaur again hit out at the state leadership, including president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, accusing them of misleading the high command. She claimed she remains in touch with the high command but would not support thieves. Meanwhile, senior Punjab Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, served a legal notice on Kaur, asking her to apologize for making defamatory remarks against him or face legal action. Several other party leaders also criticized her. The legal notice served on Kaur by Randhawas advocate states: On December 7 and 8, you made false, baseless, and defamatory statements against my client during your media interactions, which were widely broadcast and reported across electronic media, print media, and social platforms. Specifically, you alleged that my client indulged in corruption while serving as the in-charge of Rajasthan for the Indian National Congress, including in the distribution of party tickets in exchange for monetary gratification. These statements were made without any evidence or basis and were intended to malign my client's character and reputation. The notice further states: My client has always upheld the highest standards of probity and transparency in his public and political roles. Your statements have no foundation in truth and were uttered recklessly, knowing fully well that they would cause irreparable harm to my client's reputation. It adds that Kaur's statements amount to defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Your actions do not qualify under any exceptions to defamation as provided in the BNS, as they were not made in good faith, for the public good, or based on verifiable facts. Instead, they were deliberate attempts to defame and injure my client's standing. The notice seeks an unconditional public apology from Kaur for her defamatory statements. The apology must be published prominently within seven days in the same media outlets where the original statements were made. Failing compliance, my client shall be constrained to initiate criminal defamation proceedings against you under Section 356 of the BNS read with Section 222 of the BNSS before the competent court of law, including the court of Judicial Magistrate at Batala, it states. Reacting to the legal notice issued by Randhawa, who is also the partys in-charge for Rajasthan, over her corruption allegations against him, Kaur said, At present, I am reverting to Randhawa. He was a follower of my husband and is now speaking against me. I will pay him back in the same coin. She further alleged that Randhawa could not ensure his wife's electoral victory and accused him of openly selling tickets for crores of rupees in Rajasthan. She said she has sent evidence of this to the Congress high command. Kaur reiterated that she had spoken her truth. If the high command needs people who speak honestly at the ground level, they will understand. Kaur maintained that she remains in touch with the high command and will not compromise on her stance, claiming she has support from the AICC and 70 per cent of the Congress. The entire overseas Congress and high command leaders are with me. Seventy per cent of Punjab Congress is with me. I have spoken the truth; now the ball is in the high commands court, she said. Kaur added that she had apprised central leaders about her statements, which she claimed were twisted. I have told them that the Sidhus would not side with thieves. I do not consider Raja Warring the Punjab party president. There are fourfive leaders who are harming the party, and if the party wants to form a government in the state, it should sideline such leaders, she claimed. Regarding her controversial statement after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Kaur said her comments were distorted by the media. She further alleged that those troubled by her statements own 10,000 acres of land in the Shivalik range and, in collaboration with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, want to legalize the land. She said she stands firmly against this. Kaur added that she had wanted to raise these issues with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, but before she could meet him, she received an appointment with the governor. I was hoping that Rahul Gandhi would address these issues and become the hero. He was misguided by people around him, resulting in a delay. Until then, I got my appointment with the governor. I wanted Rahul to give this presentation there because it is a matter of Punjabs victory, she said. Reacting to her suspension, Kaur said, This notice has been issued by a state president who has no legitimacy. Many such notices are issued. Discussions are taking place with the party, but we have one condition we will not support thieves. If we want to form a government, remove those who are destroying the party.
News headlines for December 10, 2025, cover national developments like the deferred MBBS seat capping and a Red Fort blast probe. Internationally, a Jakarta fire claimed 20 lives, and Pakistan reported six soldiers killed. Sports news includes the IPL auction and Rajasthan Royals' stake sale, while business updates feature Boeing's acquisition and a record airline profit forecast.
Judoka Ritik Sharmas KIUG Triumph Fuels His 2026 CWG Dream
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Hall: Since relocating to the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal six years ago, Ritik Sharmas career has experienced a rapid ascent. The young Punjab-born judoka once again highlighted his progress with a commanding performance at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) Rajasthan 2025. Competing in his fourth KIUG at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Hall in Udaipur, Ritik, representing Lovely Professional University (LPU), secured his third gold medal, adding to his existing bronze. What made the victory more meaningful was the way he bounced back from a recent setback. Flying straight to Udaipur after a first-round exit at the Asian Open Championships in Hong Kong, Ritik wasted no time dwelling on the disappointment. Instead, he channelled the lessons from his overseas trip into a composed, confident performance, overcoming familiar rival Yash Ghangas in the mens +100kg final. The rivalry between Ritik and Yash dates back to their teenage years. The two first competed in the final of the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, and even now, as products of the same NCOE, their matchups remain intensely competitive. There are a handful of judokas in our category, so we have known each other for years now. I beat him for the first time in the Guwahati KIYG, and Im glad that I could get the better of him in KIUG 2025 too, said Ritik, emphasising the need for more international exposure trips. Despite being out in the first round, I have come back with a lot of learnings and positives from Hong Kong. What also matters is the mental aspect of the sport, as such exposure trips help you in understanding how the world and Olympic champions approach the game, their techniques, and sparring with some of the best in the world, he added. Ritiks journey started far from Indias main sporting centres, in Gurdaspur, a remote border district in Punjab bordering Pakistan. Growing up, opportunities were scarce, with few organised sports programmes or training centres available. Yet in 2015, at the age of 14, Ritik found his passion for judo and dedicated himself to the sport with steadfast focus. Born to an ASI in the Punjab Police and the youngest of three siblings, Ritik began his initial training at the renowned Shaheed Bhagat Singh JFI coaching centre, which has produced over 50 international and 100 national-level judokas. The foundation he built there kept him steady even as he faced challenges on the global stage. Ritiks journey started far from Indias main sporting centres, in Gurdaspur, a remote border district in Punjab bordering Pakistan. Growing up, opportunities were scarce, with few organised sports programmes or training centres available. Yet in 2015, at the age of 14, Ritik found his passion for judo and dedicated himself to the sport with steadfast focus. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Ritik, the lack of quality sparring partners in his weight class remains a major obstacle. However, he continues to push his boundaries and is now aiming for the next significant goal of breaking into the 2026 Commonwealth Games squad. Article Source: IANS
Why creators and founders will share the same stage at Rajasthan DigiFest TGS 2026
Rajasthan DigiFest X TiE Global Summit 2026 is building a bridge between technology and creativity through film, gaming, art, and storytelling.
Marwari Catalysts Launches Thrive 9.0: Accelerating Women-Led Startups in Healthcare and AI
Marwari Catalysts (MCats) has unveiled the next cohort of its flagship accelerator program, Thrive 9.0, spotlighting six high-potential, women-led startups that are transforming India's Healthcare and AI landscape. MCats backing the boldest female founders In an ecosystem where only 15% of funding goes to women founders, MCats is taking a decisive stand. With 35% female founders across its portfolio and women leading from within its own ranks, MCats is actively investing in an inclusive future. Thrive 9.0 is designed to scale these ventures from solving real-world Indian problems to achieving global impact. MCats backing the boldest female founders Introducing the Thrive 9.0 Cohort: Women Founders Driving Innovation The current batch features visionary women founders building meaningful, scalable, and culture-rooted solutions across high-growth sectors: Affordable Fertility & Healthcare Access, Founder - Dr. Renu Sharma, Elara IVF An Affordable chain expanding access to trusted fertility care, piloting in Rajasthan. AI Sales Agent & Workflow Automation , Founder - Ruchika Sureka, Tvara Private AI agents that automate sales workflows, boosting productivity and learning continuously. Global Enablement Platform & MSME Growth, Founder - Mallika Jain, Leap Ahead India Helping Indian MSMEs and founders access global buyers, funding, markets, and mentors. AI for Mental Health & Memory Preservation, Founder - Neha Rajpurohit, Nostalgia Pages A self-publishing memory capsule brand, preserving priceless school and college memories and community culture. AI Fintech & Explainable Intelligence, Founder - Priyanka Bairathi, InteliQuant AI InteliQuant AI empowers CXOs with real-time anomaly detection and AI enabled assurance that safeguards profitability and eliminates hidden losses. AI Legal Tech & Compliance Solution, Founder - Rupal Mathur, Rhett Reimagining legal compliance as a straightforward, accessible, and affordable process for startups and businesses. Investing in Impact: Opportunity Without Bias “ We do not only speak about women empowerment — we invest in it ,” said Sushil Sharma , CEO & Founder - Marwari Catalysts Group. “ These women founders come from real India, solve real challenges, and are ready for real scale. Their success proves that innovation has no gender — and leadership has no boundaries. ” Marwari Catalysts is one of the partner organisations Women in Innovation Science & Entrepreneurship (WISE), an initiative led by BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Women Empowerment Vertical (BRICS CCI WE). According to Ms. Ruby Sinha , President, BRICS CCI WE and Programme Lead, BRICS CCI WE WISE, “ Innovation, collaboration and access to funding are core pillars of the WISE initiative and we commend Marwari Catalysts for their efforts to empower women entrepreneurs with a focus on technology, thus advancing the cause of inclusive innovation for creating a sustainable global economy .’’ Divya Multani Jain , Partner - Marwari Catalysts Group, added, “ MCats understands India beyond metros, and together, we are building solutions rooted in culture and community, giving them a global platform .” MCats’ mission for women-led ventures is clear: Discovered early in non-metro ecosystems. Backed with capital and conviction (seeking co-investors to accelerate the journey). Supported with networks that accelerate 5-10x scale in revenue and valuation. Celebrated as powerful leaders shaping tomorrow. Ankita Sachdeva , Joint Director - BRICS CCI, highlighted: “ With the joint efforts of BRICS and MCats, we will provide domestic and global fund, exposure, and network access from the international market. We are happy to collaborate with the MCats team and the founders. ” We extend an invitation to strategic co-investors and global ecosystem enablers whose vision aligns with supporting women entrepreneurship and scaling their impact. Become a member of the MCats Club to deploy capital with conviction and actively participate in our mission to champion diverse founders. About Marwari Catalysts (MCats)- Marwari Catalysts Group (MCats) is one of India’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem players (Accelerator and Venture Studio). Headquartered in Jodhpur, with regional offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, MCats manages a SEBI-approved CAT-I AIF. MCats is actively supporting 100+ early-stage ventures across 20+ cities, backed by mentors with skin in the game. Its portfolio drives inclusion with 35% women-led startups and has already created 5,000+ jobs and successfully completed 11+ exits. Welcome to MCats Family!
'Where Were Police Patrol Teams?': Family After Rajasthan Couple Dies Trapped In Car For Hours
The family of a Rajasthan couple who died trapped in their car on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has blamed authorities and delayed rescue efforts for their deaths.
STAGE, the OTT platform built for India's regional language audiences, has completed a INR 4.2 crore secondary transaction that allowed early employees and angel investors to partially exit their holdings. The transaction was facilitated by Hissa Fund, which specializes in providing liquidity to startup employees before traditional exit events. STAGE in partnership with HISSA Fund completes INR 4.2 Crore liquidity event - 8 early employees cash out ESOPs after 6-year bet on regional content Six years, from zero to six million For the eight employees who participated, this wasn't a routine financial event. Several joined STAGE when the idea of building a premium OTT platform for Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Bhojpuri content seemed like a moon shot. Junaid and Kunal, both founding team members who have been with STAGE since day one. They are among those who sold a portion of their vested ESOPs. " I used the money to pay off my home loan ," says Junaid . "In the Indian context, fully owning the house where your family sleeps means something. Six years ago, I took a risk when I decided to back my founders. Today, that bet has paid for my home ." Kunal's first move was simpler: " I gave it to my mother ,” he said. " Watching her face when she saw the amount credited, I'll remember this moment for a long time ." Rohit Deshmukh (Product Manager at STAGE) saw the buyback as proof of something he'd sensed when he joined. " I've worked at places where 'ownership culture' is a slide in an all-hands deck. Here, I got ESOPs on day one. Now I've cashed a portion of them out. That's the difference between talking about ownership and actually doing it. " Why this matters STAGE has grown to over 6 million+ paying subscribers, making it one of India's largest regional language OTT platforms. The company is preparing to launch in two additional markets like Marathi & Gujarati in 2026. " As a founder, this is one of the most satisfying milestones ," says Vinay Singhal, Co-Founder of STAGE . " The people who believed in us when we had nothing now have something real to show for it. That's how it should work ." For Satish Mugulavalli, Managing Partner at Hissa Fund, STAGE represents a broader shift. " Early employees at high-growth companies often wait years for any liquidity. We are proud to help STAGE's team realize returns while the company is still scaling ." About STAGE STAGE is India's leading hyperlocal entertainment OTT platform, offering original web series, films, micro-dramas and entertainment in Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and Bhojpuri. The platform serves audiences who want premium content in their own dialects. About Hissa Fund The Hissa Fund I is a $35 million effort to solve an overlooked but important problem; Employees in growth stage startups are sitting on nearly $3 billion of ESOP value they can’t actually monetise. We’re the first fund designed to change that. By purchasing shares representing exercised options, we help them turn years of hard work into real liquidity. Thereby, we also help the startups to maximise the value of the grants they make.
RU BA RU, an award-winning 29-minute short film exploring sisterhood, caste and female agency in rural Rajasthan, was screened yesterday at the India Habitat Centre. The exclusive showcase drew members of the press, film enthusiasts, cultural voices and representatives from women-focused organisations. Award-winning short film ‘RU BA RU’ Hosted by Anita and CP Gurnani and the entire team of RU BA RU, the screening follows the film’s growing international momentum. The filmmakers’ debut venture has shown remarkable promise, earning multiple Best Short Film awards across prominent Indian and global festivals. Among its major recognitions, the film received an enthusiastic response at the Indian Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, the 56th International Film Festival of India (Indian Panorama – Non-Feature), Kolkata International Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of Shimla. Featuring Indira Tiwari, Richa Meena and Lokesh Mittal, RU BA RU is led by an all-women producing team, Anvita Gupta, Anita Gurnani and Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Kapil Tanwar who co-wrote the film with Farauq Malik, its story traces a deeply emotional journey of two sisters—one a rudaali (professional mourner) and the other a nachaniya (folk dancer), as their intertwined lives confront questions of caste, class, desire, and the burdens placed on women. With its evocative use of folk music, dance traditions, and raw emotional storytelling, the film has been widely praised for bringing an underrepresented Rajasthani cultural world to the global cinematic landscape. The post-screening interaction featured the film’s director, producers and leading cast members, who engaged with eminent personalities, attending journalists and spoke about the film’s journey, creative choices and the larger social themes it confronts. Anita Gurnani, Co-Producer, RU BA RU said, “ Watching RU BA RU spark such heartfelt conversations in this intimate Delhi screening has been incredibly meaningful. This film was always meant to hold space for women whose realities are rarely shown with honesty and seeing the audience engage with that truth validates everything we hoped to achieve. Each screening reinforces that stories rooted in lived experience resonate deeply, no matter where they’re told .” Sharing his thoughts, Kapil Tanwar, Director said, “ To share RU BA RU with a Delhi audience today felt like bringing the story home in a new way. This film began with a quiet question about dignity and survival, and every screening shows me how universal those questions truly are. Listening to the reflections in the room reminded me why I made this film, to honour the emotional world of women we often look at but rarely see. I’m grateful for the conversations it continues to ignite .” “ Each time RU BA RU meets a new audience, it reveals another layer of what women endure and overcome. Today’s screening reaffirmed my belief that stories shaped by authenticity and cultural memory hold immense power. Seeing the film resonate so deeply in Delhi strengthens our commitment to bringing such voices to the forefront, one honest story at a time ,” added Anvita Gupta, Producer, Ru Ba Ru . As the film continues its festival journey through 2025, RU BA RU stands poised as a powerful voice within independent Indian cinema, offering a deeply local story with universal emotional reach, while amplifying stories of communities whose realities often remain invisible. About the Film RU BA RU is a powerful short film that brings women’s stories to the forefront through the journey of two sisters, one a rudaali (professional mourner), the other a dancer, fighting against caste, class and gender barriers. Set in Rajasthan and marking the directorial debut of Kapil Tanwar, the film blends rich cultural roots with emotional depth, telling a story that is both specific in its setting and deeply relatable across contexts. RU BA RU has been recognised through multiple awards, including Best Short Film at the ImagineIndia Film Festival Madrid 2025, Best Cinematography (Short) at the Atlanta Indian Film Festival, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Design, and Second Best Short Film at the Ayodhya International Film Festival, as well as Best Director at Goa Short Film Festival 2025. The film was additionally selected among the Top 21 Shorts at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF) and was “ In Competition ” at the Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2025, Europe’s biggest Indian film showcase. Following the successful private screening, the team announced their plans to develop a full-length cinematic version of the film. While the short explores themes of power and empowerment, the expanded feature will deepen this narrative with child education at its heart. The makers emphasized that the story is not limited to rural India—its themes resonate equally across middle-class families and communities where education for girls is still not given the attention it deserves. They are now seeking support from government agencies, media organizations, NGOs, and socially committed companies to bring this vision to life. The upcoming film aims to spark meaningful conversations on women’s empowerment and the transformative role of child education, creating an emotional and lasting impact across diverse sections of society.
Video: Rajasthan Women Drop Cash, Bikers Dash In Before They Notice
The CCTV footage reveals how the thieves stopped their bike, picked up the cash, and sped away in seconds.
CBCI moves Supreme Court against Rajasthans anti-conversion law
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2025. The petition came up before the court on December 8, when the bench issued notice to the state government and linked the case with several ongoing challenges to anti-conversion [] The post CBCI moves Supreme Court against Rajasthans anti-conversion law appeared first on India Legal .
Cluster-level federations of womens SHGs promoting rural entrepreneurship in Rajasthan
Chief Secretary Srinivas interacted with the women entrepreneurs engaged in the blue pottery craft and the traditional hand block printing on cotton fabrics
Rajasthan Royals begins play to sell majority stake
Rajasthan Royals is on the hunt to offload a majority stake in its IPL franchise. They've enlisted the expertise of Raine Group to navigate the sale. With numerous interested parties stepping forward, this comes at a time when the IPLs allure to investors is soaring. The valuation for the team is anticipated to be quite impressive.
Centre opposes Sonam Wangchuks request to appear via video in Supreme Court NSA case
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday strongly opposed climate activist Sonam Wangchuks request to appear before the Supreme Court via video conferencing from Jodhpur jail in the case related to his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Wangchuks wife Gitanjali J Angmo, requested that the 52-year-old activist be allowed to join the proceedings via video from jail. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, opposed the request, saying, We will have to give the same treatment to all convicts across the country. The Supreme Court, however, did not pass any order on the request and adjourned the matter to December 15. The two-judge bench, headed by Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, is hearing a plea filed by Angmo alleging that Wangchuks detention was illegal and arbitrary, violating his fundamental rights. On October 29, the court had sought responses from the Centre and the Ladakh administration on her amended plea. In her petition, Angmo claimed that her husbands detention was not based on genuine concerns of public order or security and described it as a calculated attempt to silence Wangchuks right to dissent. She argued that the detention order relied on stale, irrelevant, and extraneous FIRs, noting that three of the five FIRs cited were from 2024 and bore no direct connection to his detention in September 2025. She further stated that four of the five FIRs, three of which were registered against unknown persons, did not name Wangchuk, and thus there was no clear, live, proximate, or intelligible connection between the FIRs and his preventive detention under the NSA. Angmo also contended that the authorities had violated safeguards under Section 11(1) of the NSA, as Wangchuk was not given an effective opportunity to make a representation before the Advisory Board. She added, Section 11(1) of the NSA necessarily contemplates that the Detenu must not only be informed of his right of representation but must be placed in a fair position to exercise that right effectively, with access to all material relied upon by the detaining authority. She further submitted that by denying Wangchuks authorised friend access to the complete grounds and supporting documents, the detaining authority obstructed his preparation of a meaningful representation, frustrating the very purpose of Section 11(1) of the NSA. The continued detention of Wangchuk should be vitiated on account of the grave and incurable procedural lapses committed by the Respondents. These lapses strike at the foundation of the constitutional and statutory safeguards embodied under the NSA, 1980, she argued. The Ministry of Home Affairs has accused Wangchuk of inciting violence in Leh town. According to reports, Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since September 10, and when protests turned violent, he broke his fast and left the site in an ambulance. He was later detained under the NSA and shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan. Angmos petition, filed as a habeas corpus plea under Article 32 of the Constitution on October 2, questioned the legality of her husbands arrest and the application of the NSA. She said she had not been allowed to contact him after his detention and described the arrest as without cause. Groups leading the movement for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), have demanded Wangchuks unconditional release along with others detained. Angmo added that Wangchuk had condemned the violence on social media, stating that it would undermine Ladakhs peaceful five-year struggle, and called the day of the protests the saddest day of his life. The NSA allows the Centre and states to detain individuals for up to 12 months to prevent them from acting in a manner prejudicial to the defence of India, though detention orders can be revoked earlier.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the entire order of the Allahabad High Court's March 17 decision, which had held that mere grabbing the breasts of a minor victim and breaking the string of her pyjama to bring down her lower garment were not sufficient facts to infer that the accused were determined to commit rape. A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said it will hear the case in January for a final hearing and indicated that it will lay down guidelines for trial courts to follow while passing orders in POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases. Senior Advocate Shobha Gupta, appearing as amicus curiae, argued that the Allahabad HC had earlier remarked in another case that the victim invited trouble by drinking liquor and agreeing to go to the place of the accused at night. She said courts in Calcutta and Rajasthan have also made similar remarks in sensitive gender crime cases, which are totally insensitive, legally unsustainable, and send a wrong message to society. Advocate Prashanth Padmanabhan, appearing for NGO Stree Shakti, added that in a sessions court proceeding earlier in the day, a girl was allegedly harassed during an in-camera hearing. Gupta stressed that a word of caution must be issued to High Courts and lower courts to display sensitivity and responsibility while making observations in such cases, noting that the impugned order is not an isolated incident and that the frequency of such remarks is disturbing and alarming. Taking note of these submissions, the CJI said, You cite all these instances in a written note. We shall issue a set of guidelines for all High Courts and lower courts because such observations, as impugned, can have a chilling effect on victims and society at large. The top court also noted that Gupta, appearing as amicus, has been asked to submit a brief note of submissions. Let the SLP (Special Leave Petition) be listed along with these proceedings. Meanwhile, so that no prejudice is caused to the victim, operation of the HC order is stayed. The trial court shall proceed with the trial based on the summoning order under Sections 376 (rape) and 511 (attempt to commit offences punishable with imprisonment) of the Indian Penal Code, and under POCSO. The trial court shall proceed on the basis that we have not expressed any final opinion, the bench ordered.
Another hoax bomb threat at Rajasthan HC triggers panic, forces evacuation
The Rajasthan High Court experienced another hoax bomb threat via email on Monday, leading to the evacuation of the entire complex and suspension of judicial proceedings. This marks the second threat in four days and third in six weeks, causing disruption and panic among staff and litigants.
Top 10 Indian & International destinations to explore in 2025 for an unforgettable year-end holiday
Check out the top 10 travel destinations both in India and abroad: As 2025 ends, plan a memorable getaway. Explore India's Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Meghalaya. Experience pleasant weather for skiing, beaches, hill stations, desert safaris, and trekking. International options include Dubai, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Turkey. These destinations offer ideal conditions for diverse experiences before 2026 begins.
Denim exporter Manomay focuses on capacity expansion, cleaner production
Rajasthan-based Manomay Tex India is prioritizing capacity expansion and cleaner production for sustainable growth. The company is also enhancing its presence in domestic and international markets, with plans to boost exports to countries like Colombia and Mexico. Manomay Tex has implemented measures such as zero liquid discharge and water recycling to improve sustainability.
Fillmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt have been arrested by Rajasthan Police in connection with a Rs 30 crore fraud case. The case involves Dr Ajay Murdia, the owner of Udaipur's Indira Group of Companies. The complaint filed by Indira IVF founder Dr Ajay Murdia accused Vikram Bhatt and his associates of financial wrongdoing and false promises of making a biopic of his late wife.
Provogue India , the Lifestyle Partner of the Jaigarh Heritage Festival 2025, announced the launch of MYN by Provogue , India’s first design-it-yourself luggage platform. The innovative initiative empowers travellers to personalise their luggage with unique designs, themes, and artwork allowing them to express their identity, passions, and personal style wherever they go. HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Princess Gauravi Kumari and Pravin Prabhakar (CEO, Provogue) at the launch of MYN by Provogue heritage collection Heritage Limited Edition Collection , co-created with the Jaigarh Heritage Festival. The collection draws inspiration from Rajasthan’s royal artistry and cultural motifs, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics. The collection was introduced in the esteemed presence of HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur and other key dignitaries. The collection received immense appreciation from HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh describing it as “a beautiful collection.” Through this collaboration, Provogue aims to bring a fresh cultural narrative to the travel lifestyle space offering modern travellers the opportunity to carry a piece of India’s regal heritage with them. This launch represents a significant step in travel fashion, where personal expression meets innovative, design-led craftsmanship. Speaking on the occasion, Pravin Prabhakar, CEO, Provogue India , said, “Provogue, in collaboration with the Jaigarh Heritage Festival, is proud to introduce the Limited Edition MYN Jaigarh Heritage Collection, a curation that brings Rajasthan’s cultural richness into the modern travel lifestyle. Today’s travellers seek more than functionality; they look for travel gear that mirrors their personal style and individuality. Under the new management, our vision is to lead the evolution of travel by making it a seamless blend of style, functionality, and self-expression and this launch is a meaningful step forward on that journey.” About Provogue Provogue is a leading travel lifestyle brand with a strong legacy of over 28 years in India’s fashion industry. Rooted in a rich fashion legacy, the brand brings a style-driven approach to travel gear for today’s style-conscious consumers. Its portfolio includes premium luggage, backpacks, and travel accessories that seamlessly combine contemporary style with durable functionality. With innovation at its core and fashion in its DNA, Provogue continues to redefine modern travel empowering people to move with confidence and individuality.
Rajasthan Public Service Commission has announced interview schedules for RAS and Assistant Professor recruitment. RAS interviews are set from December 15-24, 2025, while Assistant Professor interviews for 22 subjects will run from December 15-30, 2025. Candidates must bring all original and photocopied documents, including ID and photos, to the interview venue.
Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATRA, Dec 7: The 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Championship 2025 concluded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex, Katra, after three days of spirited competition and exemplary sportsmanship. The championship, organised by J&K Lacrosse Association under the aegis of the Lacrosse Association of India, witnessed participation from 15 States including Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Delhi, and J&K. Around 280 male and female players showcased talent, [] The post Rajasthan dominates 2nd Federation Cup Lacrosse Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, wife arrested for allegedly cheating Rajasthan doctor of Rs 30 crore
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari were arrested by Udaipur police in Mumbai over a Rs 30 crore cheating case. The couple, along with six others, are accused of defrauding Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira Group of Companies. Murdia alleged he was promised Rs 200 crore for a biopic that never materialized.
Cheetah cub killed by speeding car hit as Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradeshs cheetah population suffered a second blow in three days after a 20-month-old male cub born to South African cheetah Gamini was fatally hit by a speeding car in Gwalior districts Ghatigaon area early Sunday. The incident occurred around 6.30 am when the two cubs were crossing National Highway-46 near the Ghatigaon forests. According to an official statement from the field director of the Cheetah Project, A speeding vehicle (car) struck one of the cubs, killing it instantly. The cheetah tracking team and the local forest staff were continuously monitoring both cubs. The accident happened suddenly even as the tracking team attempted to stop the speeding vehicle from hitting the cheetah. The vehicle suspected to have caused the collision was traced hours later in Rajasthans Kota district, and a forest offence case has been registered. Officials at Kuno National Park (KNP) said the second cub is safe, though its exact location has not been disclosed yet. This is the first recorded death of a cheetahadult or cub due to a vehicle strike since the Cheetah Project began in September 2022 with the arrival of eight Namibian cheetahs. Sundays death comes just two days after a 10-month-old cub of South African female Veera was found dead in the KNP forests on December 5, a day after it was released into the wild with its mother and sibling. The cub is believed to have been separated from them the same night and is suspected to have died after falling and colliding with rocks near a hillock. The cub killed on Sunday had been roaming freely since March 17, 2025, when Gamini and her four cubs were released into the open forests of the Khajuri area. With the loss of both cubs aged 10 months and 20 months, the cheetah count inside KNP now stands at 27, including 19 cubs and eight adults. Three more adult cheetahs housed at the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary bring the total in Madhya Pradesh to 30. Reacting to the twin deaths, Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey said, The unnatural death streak of cheetahs continues in Madhya Pradesh. A cheetah was run over by a vehicle in the Gwalior district. The MP government has failed to fix responsibility for the criminal negligence.
Rajnath Singh inaugurates record 125 BRO projects in Ladakh
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday described Operation Sindoor as a historic success, crediting the missions scale and efficiency to Indias rapidly strengthened border connectivity. Singh, who was in Ladakh to inaugurate 125 strategically significant infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) the highest number ever launched simultaneously, said the forces exercised restraint despite having the capability to go further. Speaking about the counter-operation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, Singh said, Our Armed Forces launched the operation in response to the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Everybody knows what befell those terrorists. We could have done much more, but our forces, demonstrating both courage and patience, did only what was necessary. The success of the operation was made possible by seamless logistics and uninterrupted connectivity to forward areas. The projects inaugurated on Sunday span two Union Territories Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir and seven states: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram. They include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous facilities, collectively built at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore, marking the highest-value set of inaugurations in BROs history. As first reported by The New Indian Express , the assets represent a major boost to Indias border infrastructure push. These upgraded roads and bridges are expected to significantly enhance last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military posts, helping integrate these areas more closely into the national mainstream. The main event was held on the DarbukShyokDaulat Beg Oldie road at the newly completed Shyok Tunnel, one of the marquee projects unveiled by the minister. Calling the tunnel an engineering feat built in one of the worlds toughest terrains, Singh said the 920-metre cut-and-cover structure will ensure all-weather access to a strategically vital region frequently cut off by heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme temperatures. The tunnel, he said, will boost mobility, security and rapid deployment capability, especially during harsh winters. Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Ladakh, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. Reaffirming the governments commitment to developing border regions, the Defence Minister said robust connectivity acts as a lifeline for security, economic growth and disaster management. There are numerous benefits of strong border infrastructure. It enables military mobility, smooth transport of logistics, increased tourism and employment opportunities, and most importantly greater public faith in development, democracy and the government, he said. He noted that the BRO spent a record Rs 16,690 crore in 202425 and has been set a target of Rs 18,700 crore for 202526. In the past two years alone, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated to the nation, underscoring the agencys capability to operate in high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone and forested terrain. The Union Budget 202526 has raised the BROs allocation from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore, reflecting its expanding role in national security and development.
Severe cold grips north India; IMD warns of cold wave, fog across multiple states
NEW DELHI: Cold conditions prevailed across north India on Sunday, with the Amarnath yatra base camp being the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius and parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan reporting minimum temperatures between three and seven degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said cold wave conditions were very likely to prevail in isolated pockets over Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha on Monday and Tuesday. In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at eight degrees, up from 6.8 degrees a day ago and yet 1.6 notches below normal. The maximum temperature was 24.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 notch below normal, while the relative humidity was 92 per cent in the morning. For Monday, the weather department forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius, with mist expected. Pollution levels in Delhi remained in the very poor category on Sunday, prolonging the spell of toxic air that has hung over its residents for several weeks now. The city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 308. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and 401 and 500 severe. Further in the north, the night temperatures in Kashmir rose by several degrees but stayed below the freezing point, officials said. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as the minimum settled at a low of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar -- the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir -- settled at minus 0.9 degrees Celsius, a rise of 3.2 degrees compared to the previous night. The gateway town to the valley, Qazigund, recorded a low of minus one degree Celsius, while the minimum settled at minus 0.8 degree Celsius in north Kashmir's Kupwara, and 1.1 degrees Celsius in south Kashmir's Kokernag, according to officials. The meteorological department said the weather would remain generally cloudy but dry on Sunday, and a brief spell of light snowfall at isolated places in the higher reaches of north and central Kashmir is likely on December 8. In Himachal Pradesh, The IMD predicted dense fog in parts of the state until Wednesday. A yellow alert for dense fog was also issued in parts of the reservoir area of the Bhakra dam in Bilaspur district and over some parts of the Balh valley in Mandi district during early morning till Monday. In Punjab, Faridkot remained the coldest place, with the minimum temperature settling at 4.4 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, Narnaul saw the lowest temperature at 4.6 degrees Celsius, according to the local meteorological department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Bathinda and Gurdaspur recorded a minimum temperature of 4.6 degrees Celsius, while Ferozepur recorded 6 degrees, Amritsar 6.1 degrees, Ludhiana 6.8 degrees, and Patiala 8.9 degrees. In Haryana, Bhiwani recorded a low of six degrees, Hisar 6.2 degrees, Sirsa 6.6 degrees, Karnal seven degrees, Rohtak 7.8 degrees, and Ambala 9.8 degrees. Rajasthan, similarly, reeled under intense cold, the Meteorological Centre here said. Fatehpur in the Sikar district continued to record the lowest minimum temperature, albeit at 3.5 degrees Celsius, slightly up from 2.3 degrees a day ago. According to the weather department, Lunkaransar (Bikaner) recorded a low of 5 degrees Celsius, followed by Dausa at 6 degrees, Churu at 6.3 degrees, Vanasthali (Tonk) at 6.4 degrees and Jhunjhunu at 7.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning. The department said a fresh but weak western disturbance is likely to cause partly cloudy skies in some parts of the state over the next few days. Under its influence, the minimum temperature is expected to rise by two to three degrees Celsius, providing relief from the cold wave, it said. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, eight districts recorded minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, noting a cold wave in parts of the state. Gumla recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 3.5 degrees Celsius up from three degrees Celsius while Khunti logged five degrees Celsius, the IMD weather bulletin stated. The minimum temperature in Jharkhand's capital, Ranchi, was 7.5 degrees Celsius, while Daltonganj recorded 6.5 degrees and Jamshedpur recorded 9.6 degrees Celsius. Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, North-westerly winds prevailing in the lower tropospheric levels over Jharkhand have caused the drop in mercury. Dry weather conditions are likely to prevail across the state over the next five days.The minimum temperature may rise by 2-3 degrees Celsius during the next 72 hours, he added. In West Bengal, the mercury dipped below the 10-degree mark for the first time this winter in the state's plains with Sriniketan in Birbhum districts recording a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the IMD said. Its forecast for West Bengal suggested dry weather across all districts of West Bengal for the next week, with shallow to moderate fog likely in the northern districts. Darjeeling was the coldest in the hills at 6.2 degrees Celsius, while the other Himalayan tourist town of Kalimpong was warmer at 10.5 degrees Celsius. The other places which recorded low night temperatures are Alipurduar (11 degrees), Kalyani (11.4 degrees), Purulia (11.4 degrees) and Panagarh (11.9 degrees). Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 15.2 degrees Celsius, the IMD said, forecasting mist in the morning on Monday. IMD further predicted dense fog conditions in isolated pockets of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura between December 8 and 12. It was also very likely in parts of west Madhya Pradesh on Monday and in Odisha until Tuesday. In west India, a gradual fall by two to three degrees over the next three-four days is expected, and no significant change is anticipated thereafter, the IMD said.
Defence Minister dedicates 125 BRO projects to nation
These projects built at a cost of 5,000 crore and spread across the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and seven States including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram consisted of 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous works
IndiGo flight crisis disrupts Rajasthans peak tourist season
Hotels, particularly those catering to weekend and short-stay travellers, reported higher cancellations than usual
Delhi fourth most polluted city in India; all top 10 cities from Haryana, UP: Study
CHANDIGARH: Delhi ranked fourth among the most polluted cities in the country in November, as per a report released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Ghaziabad topped the list, followed by Noida, Bahadurgarh, Delhi, Hapur, Greater Noida, Baghpat, Sonipat, Meerut and Rohtak. Despite a significant reduction in stubble-burning, 20 out of 29 cities in National Capital Region (NCR) recorded higher pollution levels than the previous year. Punjab and Haryana had been blamed in the past for being the primary cause of air pollution in the NCR; the two states have registered an 80 to 90 per cent drop in farm fire cases over the last four years. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)s November 2025 Monthly Air Quality Snapshot, draws data from real-time continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) PM2.5. The report indicates a substantial deterioration in air quality across the country. Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city in the country in November this year with a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 224 g/m, violating the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on every day of the month, the report stated. It further said the city experienced 19 Very Poor days, 10 Severe days, and one Poor day. The report further reads, Uttar Pradesh accounted for six of the top ten cities, followed by Haryana with three, along with Delhi. All cities in the top 10 list recorded higher PM2.5 levels than the previous year, except for Delhi. Delhi ranked as the fourth most polluted city, recording a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 215 g/m in November, about twice its October level of 107 g/m. The city experienced 23 Very Poor days, six Severe days, and one Poor day throughout November, the report stated. Despite widespread pollution, the contribution of stubble burning was an average of 7 per cent in November, down from 20 per cent last year. Peak contributions of stubble burning reached 22 per cent, significantly lower than 38 per cent recorded in the previous year. Except for Bahadurgarh, none of the top ten cities recorded even a single day within the safe daily NAAQS limit. Several other cities, including Charkhi Dadri, Bulandshahr, Jind, Muzaffarnagar, Gurgaon, Khurja, Bhiwani, Karnal, Yamunanagar and Faridabad, also recorded PM2.5 levels above NAAQS every day of the month. Sonipat recorded very poor' air quality with PM 2.5 at 121-250 g/m on 29 of the 30 days, while Bahadurgarh remained the second most polluted with a PM 2.5 average of 215 g/m, it added. While seven cities of Punjab exceeded the standard as Mandi Gobindgarh was the most polluted in Punjab with PM 2.5 at 93 g/m. Despite a significant reduction in stubble-burning influence, 20 out of 29 NCR cities recorded higher pollution levels than the previous year, and many still did not register a single day within NAAQS limits. This clearly indicates that the dominant drivers are year-round sources such as transport, industry, power plants, and other combustion sources. Without sector-specific emission cuts, cities will continue to breach standards, said Manoj Kumar, analyst at CREA. At the state level, Rajasthan had the largest number of polluted cities, with 23 of 34 exceeding the NAAQS in November. Haryana had 22 of 25 such cities, while Uttar Pradesh had 14 of 20 above the standard. Pollution levels were also high across other states, with 9 of 12 cities in Madhya Pradesh, 9 of 14 in Odisha, and 7 of 8 in Punjab recording concentrations above NAAQS.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated Rahul Gandhi disrespects constitutional institutions. He cited Gandhi's absence from key events, including the Chief Justice of India's swearing-in. Meghwal also affirmed the government's commitment to securing constitutional recognition for the Rajasthani language.
New Rules Threaten Aravalli Range: 90% Hills May Lose Protection
The Aravalli range, one of the world's oldest mountain systems, stretches from Delhi in the north to Gujarat in the south, with nearly two-thirds of its expanse passing through 15 districts of Rajasthan.
SMAT | Kushagra, Virat dazzle in Jharkhands emphatic victory over Tamil Nadu
Sai Sudharsan flatters to deceive before being involved in a mix-up with his opening partner Raheja; Mukuls six blitz helps Rajasthan stun Delhi
Rajasthan first state to digitise 100 pc of voter rolls under SIR
Rajasthan has achieved a significant milestone by completing 100 per cent digitisation of its electoral roll. This makes it the first state in India to reach this goal. The state also leads in voter mapping, with over 97 per cent completed. This effort simplifies the process for voters. The draft electoral roll will be published on December 16.
38 high-risk districts in Rajasthan selected for drive against child marriage
Chittorgarh and Bhilwara districts have a child marriage prevalence of over 40%, while nine other districts have a 30% to 40% prevalence; NGO drive to focus on community efforts, legal interventions
Central Govt makes U-turn, cancels Gang Canal anniversary celebration fearing backlash in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: With Punjab Assembly elections just 14 months away and fearing political backlash, the BJP-led Union Government made a U-turn by cancelling the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Gang Canal, which had been scheduled for today at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur. The canal carries water from Punjab to parts of Rajasthan, and the event was considered politically sensitive. This marks the fourth reversal in a little over a month by the Centre in order to avoid further controversy. Sources said Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Member of Parliament from Bikaner, had landed at Amritsar International Airport on Thursday evening en route to Ferozepur. However, he did not leave the terminal and instead boarded a return flight after reportedly being asked to return. According to sources, the decision was taken because holding the event risked unrest, with farmers and political parties preparing protests against the celebrations. Senior Punjab BJP leaders had also alerted the central leadership that proceeding with the event could turn sour for the party in the state. Already the intelligence agencies had warned that Meghwals visit might lead to protests once news of the function became public late yesterday, said an official. Punjab BJP leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, formerly with the Congress, had been organising the event at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district, where the canal originates. For many Punjabis, the mention of the Gang Canal reopens a century-old wound. Sources said top state leaders of the saffron party had instructed the central leadership that the state unit should not be associated with the event. The party has nothing to do with this program, as the interests of the state are paramount, it was an individual event organised by Rana Sodhi. We told the central leadership how this can backfire for the party in the state, and thus the minister was then accordingly instructed by the centre to return. We are grateful that the centre understood the sensitivity of the issue well in time, as the Gang Canal is a contentious issue in Punjab due to water sharing concern, said a senior party leader on condition of anonymity. Despite repeated attempts, Rana Sodhi was not available for comment. Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa had already condemned the BJP for its insensitive and politically provocative decision to celebrate the centenary of the Gang Canal from Punjab's soil. The BJP has once again demonstrated its disconnect from Punjab's history and the emotions of its people, he said. Bajwa reminded that the Gang Canal was constructed by the British in the early 20th century, primarily to appease the Maharaja of Bikaner, whose loyalty to the British Crown was rewarded through generous allocations of Punjab's river waters. To organise a celebratory event on Punjab's land is nothing short of reopening these painful wounds, he said. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, Punjabs water crisis cannot be papered over with staged events and speeches. The BJP is glorifying a canal that historically drained Punjabs waters, while our fields remain parched. We are not against acknowledging history, but against hypocrisy. First, safeguard Punjabs water rights, fix the canal system, stop water theft, and ensure clean water for every farmer only then celebrate. The Gang Canal project, inaugurated on December 5, 1925 and named after Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, was built to address famine and irrigation issues in the Bikaner region. Stretching 1,398 kilometers including distributaries, the canal runs along the northeastern Indo-Pak border and remains a vital water source for both regions. This is not the first reversal by the Union Government in the recent past. Earlier, it withdrew the notification regarding the Panjab University senate and syndicate polls, clarified that no final decision had been taken on the proposed bill to include Chandigarh under Article 240 (which would allow the President to appoint a separate Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory), and rejected the Haryana governments proposal to construct a separate Assembly building in Chandigarh.
With Sanju Samson leaving Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, speculation is swirling around the franchise's next leader. Young all-rounder Riyan Parag has finally responded to the rumours linking him to the captaincy role. Here's what he said and what it means for RR going forward.
Rajasthan begins Ferozepur Feeder reconstruction to strengthen canal irrigation network
Bhajan Lal Sharma launches 1,717-crore works to enhance irrigation in northern Rajasthan and improve water supply through the Gang Canal system
RPSC Assistant Professor admit card 2025 released: Check direct link to download hall ticket here
The Rajasthan Public Service Commission has released the Assistant Professor admit card 2025 for the examination scheduled from December 7-20. Candidates can download their hall tickets from the official RPSC website, rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in, after logging in via the SSO portal. The admit card contains essential details like exam center, reporting time, and instructions.
Can livein relationships start before marriage age? Rajasthan court weighs in
AI Video of Sachin Pilot Talking About Being Pulled From Debate Goes Viral
The original video is from October and shows Pilot talking about not being able to meet NSUI Rajasthan President.
Rajasthan reels under intense cold conditions, Fatehpur coldest at 1.9C
According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, minimum temperature remained below 10C across many regions
Mpower's 5-Year Data Reveals Rising Mental Health Challenges Among Indian Men
Mpower, a leading holistic mental health care provider and an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, founded by Mrs Neerja Birla, has released a consolidated analysis of five years of data from its helpline, counselling ecosystem and youth outreach programmes, highlighting a steady rise in mental health challenges experienced by Indian men. The findings show that more men are reaching out for help than ever before, yet the emotional strain they carry continues to intensify, particularly among younger and working-age groups. Across all service verticals and outreach channels, Mpower engaged with an estimated 2.83 lakh men over the review period, with the largest segment being young men between 18 and 25 years. Youth-focused programmes alone reached around 2,07,350 young men through screenings, early-intervention initiatives, campus engagements, community projects and multi-city outreach efforts. This indicates not only high vulnerability within this age group but also greater receptiveness to mental health conversations when support is made accessible at educational and community touchpoints. For working-age men between 26 and 40 years, help-seeking behaviour was most visible on the 24×7 Mpower 1on1 helpline, which recorded 75,702 male callers between 2022 and 2025. Many of these callers reached out anonymously, reflecting the hesitation men often feel about approaching in-person services due to stigma or fear of judgment. Of these calls, 16,698 were specifically linked to relationship issues, depression and stress, indicating that emotional strain, interpersonal conflict and mood-related concerns remain the most prominent triggers for seeking support. Encouragingly, 40% of male callers reported feeling a reduction in stress by the end of the call, demonstrating the tangible value of immediate, empathetic intervention. Geographically, urban and semi-urban regions showed strong engagement, with Pune accounting for 1,13,435 young male beneficiaries and Mumbai engaging 53,657 young men through clinical services, outreach and youth initiatives. Other regions including Rajasthan, Delhi, Bangalore, Goa and Hyderabad collectively contributed over 40,000 additional young male engagements, reflecting a broad, national footprint of mental health needs across diverse communities. The most common mental health challenges reflected across Mpower’s helpline and programme interactions include stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, relationship distress, academic pressure, family conflict, low self-esteem, loneliness and financial uncertainty. Many men expressed difficulty sharing their emotional struggles openly and frequently described coping by suppressing feelings, withdrawing socially or over-focusing on work. Some also reported resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance use. These behavioural patterns underline the cultural and social expectations that continue to discourage men from acknowledging or expressing distress. Mpower’s clinical presence ensures access to qualified experts in key metros, including: best psychiatrists in Mumbai best psychiatrist in Kolkata psychiatrists in Bangalore psychiatrists in Pune best psychiatrist in Delhi This multi-city network enables timely and professional support for men nationwide. Mpower continues to strengthen its mental health services for men through clinical care, multi-lingual helplines, university and school programmes, early screening, community-based initiatives, capacity-building workshops pan India. Its integrated model, combining clinical expertise with proactive outreach, aims to create safe spaces for men across age groups, cities and socio-economic backgrounds to seek help without stigma. Furthermore, for those in need of immediate, confidential support, Mpower’s 1on1 Mental Health Toll-Free 24x7 Helpline is available at 1800-120-820050. About Mpower Mpower, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming India approach to mental health. Founded 9 years ago, Mpower has emerged as a leading force in spreading awareness, reducing stigma, and delivering holistic mental health care. With a robust team of over 200 trained professionals, Mpower impacts more than 121 million lives across seven cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi and Pune. Operating through five key verticals—Movement, Clinical Care, Outreach, Academia, and Mpower 1 on 1—Mpower offers a comprehensive range of services. The Movement focuses on changing cultural perceptions and alleviating stigma. Clinical Care provides world-class mental health services through the Centre, the Foundation, and the Cell, catering to various needs from holistic care to affordable support for the underprivileged. The Outreach vertical drives awareness and capacity-building through IGNITE Programs for schools, colleges, NGOs, and corporates. Academia equips individuals and professionals with skills to handle mental health crises and foster empathy. The Helpline offers 24/7 multilingual support, while special projects like Samvedana enhance mental health care in primary health centers. Mpower’s integrated approach and collaboration with government agencies underscore its commitment to creating a supportive and stigma-free mental health landscape.
Northern India shivers as temperatures plunge; Delhi chokes under very poor air
North India continued to reel under sharp winter conditions on Friday, with large parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana recording minimum temperatures well below normal, even as Kashmir saw a brief improvement in the cold due to overcast skies. Delhi, meanwhile, remained choked under very poor air quality as a cold wave was forecast for the day. Rajasthan recorded the lowest temperature in the region, with Fatehpur in Sikar district plunging to 1.9C on Friday morning. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre said minimum temperatures stayed below 10 degrees Celsius across several districts, including Sikar at 3C, Nagaur at 3.1C, Lunkaransar at 3.2C, Churu at 4.5C and Pilani at 4.8C. Dry conditions are likely to persist over most parts of the state for the next week, it added. Bone-chilling cold also gripped Punjab and Haryana. Faridkot, at 3C, was the coldest among the two states. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded 3.2C, while Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur reported lows between 5.5C and 6.2C. In neighbouring Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest at 3.5C, while Hisar recorded 3.7C. Karnal, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered temperatures ranging between 5.4C and 7.7C. Chandigarh, the shared capital, reported a minimum of 6.1C. Kashmir, however, witnessed an improvement in night temperatures as cloud cover pushed the mercury above those recorded in recent days. Srinagar, which had plunged to 4C the previous night, recorded a low of 0.4Cover four degrees higher. Qazigund reported 0.2C, Kupwara 0.2C, Kokernag 0.8C, Pahalgam 1.8C and Gulmarg 0C. Konibal in Pulwama district remained the coldest in the Union Territory at 3C. The weather office said light snowfall is possible in the higher reaches later on Friday, while another brief spell is likely on December 8. In Delhi, there was no respite from toxic air as the Air Quality Index stood at 323 at 9 am, firmly in the very poor category. Bawana recorded the highest AQI in the city at 373, while 30 monitoring stations reported very poor levels. The capital saw fluctuating pollution levels through the week, with the AQI rising from 279 on Sunday to 372 on Tuesday before settling at 304 on Thursday. The IMD said a cold wave is expected through the day, with the minimum temperature dipping to 5.6C, nearly four degrees below normal. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 22C, while relative humidity touched 100% in the morning. (With inputs from PTI)
Adults can be in live-in relationship even without attaining marriageable age: Rajasthan HC
The court says the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be denied merely because the petitioners are not of marriageable age
Two businessmen from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, vacationing in Thailand with their families, died under mysterious circumstances. They were found dead in the swimming pool of their hotel.
Malayali women's Kashmir adventure fuelled by teen love for thump
It was something they had dreamt of since they were teenagers. A dream that sprouted from a shared fascination for motorcycles, and the thump. They wanted to be riders. For Shyni C V, that passion has now become as essential as breathing. For Uma Mahesh, the enduring love has slowly turned into a realisation. And for Nishi Khan, it felt like finally coming home. The three women, all in their 40s, recently completed a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride. That teenage dream has now evolved into a lifestyle for the trio. Uma, who heads a business in Kochi, knew how to ride a motorcycle by 18. But she mustered the confidence to get one for herself only last year. When I was a young woman, people looked at me differently for riding a motorcycle, she recalls. Stare I got meant I had to stop. And I was given a gender-appropriate two-wheeler instead. But the call of the thump persisted. After years spent building a career and family, she finally decided to go full throttle. I met Shyni, who is an ace rider. She had done five all-India trips, Uma says. Nishi Khan, Shyni C V and Uma Mahesh pose in front of the CRPF camp in Jammu Nishi, too, received her licence as soon as she turned 18. But I was never able to buy a motorcycle for myself, she rues. It was during the lockdown that I rekindled my dream, thanks in part to social media reels. Soon, she bought her dream machine. She also came to know of Shyni during a Womens Day celebration. Quite poetic, isnt it? The trio soon decided to embark on an adventure: a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride with a cause Say No To Drugs. Among riders in India, Shyni is a familiar figure. Her driving school in Thiruvananthapuram trains women to ride motorcycles. And taking Nishi and Uma on their maiden long-distance ride is something she was always happy to do. The trio set off from Kanniyakumari. But as we started crossing geographies, things became difficult, recalls Uma. What kept us on the road was that thrill, that excitement of reaching a new place. They reached Delhi amid a flood. Our planned schedule drowned in the waters and we were stuck there for a week, Nishi says. Rain followed them all the way to Kashmir. There were floods. All the roads were damaged. It was pouring everywhere, says Uma. The trio at Kanniyakumari It took the trio 20 days to cover over 3,400km from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir. After spending a few days there, Uma returned to Kochi via Goa and Nishi took a detour from Chandigarh with another biker group headed to Ladakh, before returning to Thiruvananthapuram. Shyni, who accompanied Uma till Goa, headed back to Rajasthan for another impromptu all-India ride. Called the first woman Iron Butt of India, she is on her sixth cross-country trip. I reached Guwahati from Patna today. And after speaking at a school to students about the dark side of drugs and addiction, I will ride on first to the ongoing Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, and then to Arunachal Pradesh, Shyni says over phone. Inspired, Uma and Nishir are dreaming of even more journeys.
Singareni in First Out-of-State Deal with Rajasthan
These projects will meet critical power needs across both states, prompting Rajasthan's swift Cabinet nod for rapid execution, Nagar stated. He highlighted SCCL's plans for similar green energy tie-ups with other states.
RajasthanCabinet approves construction of 2,300 MW power projects jointly with SCCL
RRVUNL has entered into an agreement with Singareni for the production of 1,500 MW of solar power and 800 MW of thermal power
CM Mohan Yadav releases South African cheetah Veera, twin cubs into wild at Kuno National Park
BHOPAL: A South African female cheetah, Veera, and her ten-month-old twin cubs were released into the free-ranging forests of Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park (KNP) on Thursday. The release by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, marked International Cheetah Day at KNP, the first Indian home to African (Namibian and South African) cheetahs since September 2022. The mother and cubs, born in India in February, were released in the Parond forest area, a designated tourism zone. Their presence is expected to boost ecotourism and public engagement with Project Cheetah. Post-release monitoring will continue through advanced radio-tracking and field teams to ensure the animals safety and successful integration into the landscape. Veera, known for her adventurous behaviour, previously strayed out of Kuno during the summer of 2024, travelling through villages and jungles of Morena district into neighbouring Gwalior. In May 2024, she attacked a herd of goats, killing three in front of a shepherd. The latest release comes two weeks after a landmark development at Kuno, the birth of five cubs to 33-month-old Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah to an African mother. The six-year-old Veera and her cubs now join 16 other cheetahs and cubs already living and hunting independently in the parks forests, often dispersing into adjacent districts of Gwalior and Morena, as well as parts of Rajasthan. These include two females, Jwala and Asha, and their six cubs each. Namibian female Jwala and her four cubs were released into the forest in February 2025. One of her cubs, a 20-month-old female, died reportedly after a fight with a leopard on September 15. Kuno currently hosts eight adult cheetahs and 21 cubs. Meanwhile, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts is home to three South African cheetahs, a male coalition and a female. On Thursday, the Chief Minister also released Kunos 2026 calendar and the newly developed Field Manual for Clinical Management of Free-Ranging Cheetahs in Kuno National Park. He further inaugurated the parks new souvenir shop, aimed at enriching visitor experience and promoting conservation awareness.
SMAT | Tamil Nadu finally gets it act together with a win against Tripura
CRICKET | An all-round effort from Badoni highlights Delhis 45-run win over Karnataka; Rajasthan owes it to Nagarkoti whose unbeaten knock takes it past Saurashtra by two wickets
ED arrests educational trust chief in Rajasthan for 'money laundering, radicalisation'
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Mohammed Sadeeque, former President of Alfurkan Educational Trust in Rajasthans Bikaner, on Thursday for money laundering linked to forced religious conversions and radicalisation activities, the agency said. The federal investigations allegedly reveal systematic diversion of public donations, extensive cash-based criminal operations and suspicious foreign associations and conduct indicative of radicalisation. The arrest of Mohammed Sadeeque marks a significant step in dismantling a network of shadow financial operations, suspected radical influences and unlawful activities operating under the guise of charitable and religious work, the agency claimed. Following the arrest, the court granted ED custody of Sadeeque for three days for further investigation. The agency initiated a probe based on two cases registered by Rajasthan Police and credible information wherein it is alleged that Sadeeque was involved in radicalisation activities, Dawah activity and forced religious conversions, association with various overseas radical outfits and suspicious high-value financial transactions routed through his and his family members bank accounts, running into crores of rupees. The police FIRs and chargesheets also mention charges of attempt to murder and use of illegal arms by Sadeeque. The federal agency, during probe, found that Sadeeque formed Alfurkan Educational Trust, which manages Masjid-e-Ayesha and routinely collected sizeable public donations for and through this trust, primarily in cash, with no financial record keeping. The donations collected for religious, social and charitable use were allegedly retained entirely in cash by Sadeeque under his sole, undocumented control. The probe indicates that these unaccounted cash collections became the primary source of funds that he diverted for personal use and deployed to finance a range of illegal activities, including those of undertaking frequent foreign visits and meeting banned and radical outfits overseas and promoting his radical agenda, the agency said. Examination of his foreign travels shows that Sadeeque undertook multiple visits to Bangladesh, Nepal, Qatar and Oman using unverified cash funds, without any lawful financial trail. During his visit to Bangladesh, he worked closely with Md. Salim alias Saurabh Vaidya, later arrested by the Madhya Pradesh ATS for alleged links with the proscribed organisation Hizb-ut-Tahrir, the agency said. Further probe established that Sadeeque had no legitimate or consistent source of income for several years and subsisted on unlawful cash-based operations, including gambling, illicit liquor trade and suspected dealings in illegal country-made firearms. The link between these criminal activities and the misappropriated donations is reinforced by the recovery of three country-made weapons and live cartridges from him and his associates in a case already charge-sheeted by the local police. The faade of religious and charitable work was thus consciously used by Sadeeque to conceal deeper networks of unaccounted, clandestine and criminal operations, the agency said. During probe, the agency further said, it also found that Sadeeque met members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB/JuM) and maintained contact with them even after returning to India. He was also encouraged by JMB-linked individuals to travel to Nepal for further meetings and allegedly intended to travel onwards to Syria to access conflict zones, but was intercepted by immigration authorities. The probe also examined a widely circulated video in which an inflammatory speech is attributed to him which was made with the deliberate intention of provoking communal sentiments, the agency added that he was involved in burning of foreign country's flag at public gatherings and then mobilising cash donations by orchestrating such activities.
Three arrested from Rajasthan in 37.70 lakh digital arrest case
Bomb threat at Kudankulam nuclear plant: Search ops launched; email mentions Putin visit
Security agencies launched an extensive search operation in Ajmer, Rajasthan, following a bomb threat email claiming RDX-based explosives were planted at the Ajmer Sharif dargah, district collectorate, and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The email warned of detonation coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival. Premises were evacuated and thoroughly checked, with no suspicious objects found so far.
Rajasthan : Bomb Threat To Ajmer Sharif, Atomic Plant; Search Operation Underway
A probe into the source of the email is underway
2 Arrested For Siphoning Fuel From Pipelines For Over 30 Years In Delhi: Cops
The Delhi Police has arrested two men, wanted for fuel theft from petroleum pipelines in Rajasthan and several other states, in West Delhi's Vikaspuri, an official said on Thursday.
Rajasthan govt replaces jail term for minor violations with monetary penalties
JAIPUR: The Bhajan Lal Sharma Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rajasthan Jan Vishwas Ordinance, aimed at promoting ease of living and ease of doing business, mirroring the Centres Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The Rajasthan Public Trust (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025, cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday, eliminates jail terms for minor or technical breaches under 11 state laws and substituties them with monetary fines. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the Jan Vishwas ordinance is being introduced to promote ease of living and ease of doing business and to help reduce litigation. As part of the ordinance, several laws will undergo important changes. Under the Forest Act, for instance, the earlier provision of up to six months imprisonment for grazing cattle on forest land has been removed; only fines and compensation for damage will now apply. The government claims that this amendment will benefit tribal and rural communities that often face criminal action due to inadvertent entry into forest areas. Similarly, the Industrial Units Act will no longer allow imprisonment for minor procedural offences such as failure to present documents for inspection in state-aided industries. These provisions will now attract only financial penalties, offering relief to MSMEs and reducing fear of inspector raj. The Jaipur Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act has also been amended, removing jail penalties for relatively minor offences such as water wastage, obstruction of sewer lines, or unauthorized connections; such violations will now only lead to fines. Jogaram Patel said, he ordinance will give freedom from litigation to small industries and forest-dependent communities, which often spend years fighting cases over technical lapses. The government, he said, wants to create an environment of trust rather than fear. The reforms are expected to greatly benefit the states industrial and commercial sectors by eliminating jail terms for minor paperwork errors and reducing lengthy court processes. The minister added, Faster resolution of cases through fines will minimise disruptions to business operations and enhance compliance. The government also believes that simplifying legal procedures will strengthen Rajasthans appeal as an investment-friendly destination for domestic and international investors. The ordinance will come into effect soon after formal notification. It will apply only to violations categorized as minor or technical; existing penalties for serious offences will remain unchanged. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, also approved several other decisions, including extending the application deadline for compassionate appointments from 90 to 180 days and increasing the validity of recruitment waiting lists from six months to one year. In addition, the cabinet cleared the Pravasi Rajasthani Policy, 2025, to enhance engagement with non-resident Rajasthanis, the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy for supporting small businesses, and the Rajasthan Tourism Policy aimed at promoting investments in the tourism sector.
The official date-sheet PDF will include exam timings, subject-wise schedule, centre details and important instructions.
RBSE board exam dates 2026 announced: Check schedule for classes 9, 10, 11, and 12
The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has announced the 2026 examination schedule for classes 9, 10, 11, and 12. Class 10 and 12 exams will commence on February 12 and conclude on March 12, 2026. Meanwhile, Class 9 and 11 annual exams are set to run from March 10 to March 25, 2026.
