Over 77% of Rajasthans illegal mining FIRs filed in Aravalli districts
Recent proposed changes threaten to aggravate the situation by removing protections
Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests key fugitive in 2002 Rajasthan murder
The News Mill
Southwest Monsoon Retreat Begins in Rajasthan: Country Faces 15% Rain Deficit
Indias Fourth Indigenous 700 MW Nuclear Reactor Begins Initial Fuel Loading At Rajasthans Rawatbhata
Ashiana Housing to invest Rs 1,000 cr in FY27 to acquire land for expansion: MD Vishal Gupta
Realty firm Ashiana Housing will invest 1,000 crore this fiscal to acquire land across major markets like Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Specialising in senior living, the company aims to sustain sales after hitting 2,400 crore pre-sales last fiscal, despite reporting structural industry delays and rising labor costs.
Howitzers roar as India, US armies drill amid tariff threat
Indian and US Army personnel conducted a live-firing demonstration involving the M777 Ultra Light Howitzer at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan as part of the ongoing bilateral Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, showcasing artillery capabilities, operational coordination and exchange of battlefield practices between the two forces.
School Holiday Alert: Are Schools Closed in Kerala and Rajasthan on September 21?
Are schools closed in Kerala and Rajasthan tomorrow? Check the official holiday status for September 21, 2026, including government orders, private school guidelines, and exam updates for students and parents.
Monsoon expected to withdraw from parts of Rajasthan over next 3-4 days
Most parts of eastern Rajasthan are expected to remain mainly dry for the next five to six days
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
THE LEGISLATURE in a parliamentary democracy, apart from holding the Government to account, is mandated to perform two key functions, one of which is to make laws and the other to deliberate on issues concerning people, society and nation. The drought of debate It is rather tragic that, over the years, specifically after 2014, laws are being made by the Parliament without threadbare discussion of Bills introduced by the Government. It is well known that in a democracy laws are made by the legislature by following a deliberative and consultative process in which all stakeholders are involved and even the contents of the proposed legislation are subjected to scrutiny by the concerned committees of the Parliament consisting of members of both ruling and opposition parties. Over the years, especially after 2014, the passage of Bills in both Houses of Parliament without discussion and scrutiny by parliamentary committees has become the new normal, and it was glaringly manifested during the last monsoon session of the Parliament when 11 bills were passed, and 9 of them without any discussion in the Lok Sabha. It is all the more shocking that not a single member spoke on those 9 bills, except the concerned ministers who uttered a few words while introducing them in the House. The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was discussed in detail in both Houses, with nearly 48 members participating. As far as the bill amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 was concerned, only 16 MPs participated in the deliberation when it was taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The total time given to them was just 50 minutes, which means each MP spoke for an average of just three minutes. In the Lok Sabha, the same bill was passed within two minutes, with no MP participating in the discussion. The proportion of bills referred to Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for scrutiny and examination stood at just 21 percent for the 18th Lok Sabha; the corresponding figure was 71 percent for the 15th Lok Sabha. The percentage of bills being referred to the aforementioned standing committees shows a steady decline, with the figure being 28 percent in the 16th Lok Sabha and 16 percent in the 17th Lok Sabha. Incidental slip? This is not a one-off phenomenon, as analysis of previous terms of the Lok Sabha shows that committee referrals have declined sharply after 2014, even though the number of bills being introduced and passed has not declined. This means that more laws are being made with less deliberation or examination, and in some cases, none. It is salutary to recall that the three farm laws were framed and passed in 2020 without following the deliberative and consultative process of making laws. When the farmers, the stakeholders, agitated against those laws and the matter went to the Supreme Court, it appointed a committee so that the Government and farmers could discuss the provisions of law and find a solution to the issues which triggered the agitation. The discussion that the Government should have undertaken with the farmers before framing those laws was carried out only when the Supreme Court appointed a committee to do so. Eventually, the Modi Government repealed those laws because of sustained yearlong agitation launched by farmers against those laws. It is worth noting that the framing of those laws without consulting the farmers set an ominous example of dispensing with the process of deliberation in Parliament while exercising its power to make laws. Earlier in March, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, taking away their right to determine their self-perceived gender identity was prepared without consulting stakeholders such as the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) and eventually passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, disregarding the objections raised by the opposition parties and the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee on transgender rights. The said bill is violative of the 2014 SC judgment in NALSA v. Union of India that upheld the right of transgender persons to self-identification. The bill was not referred to the Standing or Select Committee for further scrutiny and stakeholder consultations, even after demands were made by the opposition to do so. Now the constitutionality of the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that it violates the fundamental rights of the transgender community to define their identities. The passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, providing penal measures for preventing insults to Vande Mataram, was passed in the Lok Sabha with minimal debate that lasted for merely 14 minutes and was hurriedly passed in the Rajya Sabha as well. The importance of deliberation Both the Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, are deliberative chambers, and if Bills are not discussed there before their passage, then the very basis of law-making, anchored in deliberation and scrutiny, gets demolished. While it is important to flag the support of majority members of the ruling party for passing the Bills, it is equally important to underline the legislative intent of the Parliament, which expresses not just the majority principle but also the views which might be contrary to the views of the party in power. Without deliberation, a legislature becomes a forum where voting takes place to pass legislation, bereft of debates backed by public reasoning and persuasive arguments. Without such debates and discussions, laws passed by the legislature by the sheer votes of a majority of MPs would be devoid of robust legislative intent. The legislative authority to enact laws acquires credibility only when it is anchored in the supporting and opposing views through open arguments between the government and the opposition. Deliberation is crucially important for generating legislative intent which underlines the intended purpose sustaining the legislation. The constitutional validity of any statute is assessed by the judiciary not merely by examining its bare provisions but by perusing parliamentary debates, parliamentary committee reports and the statements of the ministers proposing the bill to reconstruct the lawmakers intentions. Ascertaining the purpose of the legislature behind a piece of legislation is essential for all concerned stakeholders, including the citizens on whom the law applies. In a parliamentary democracy, the government is accountable to the legislature, where the executive needs to defend and explain its policies, including the proposed bills, before the opposition and to the public. Article 107 of the Constitution, dealing with provisions regarding the introduction and passing of bills, inter alia, provides, a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments only as are agreed to by both Houses. The wording of the Article that a Bill shall not be deemed to have been passed by the Houses of Parliament unless it has been agreed to by both Houses is significant in conveying the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly that the agreement is not to be achieved mechanically by just casting votes but through debates and discussions on Bills. Ambedkar firmly believed that parliamentary democracy is a government of discussion. A Government that legislates by using the Parliament and decides legislation without debate imposes its intent by dispensing with legislative intent. After all, the Bills framed by the Government represent its intent, and only when they are discussed in both the Houses of Parliament does the legislative intent generated by such discussion fine-tune the government intent. Passage of bills without discussion would violate the deliberative and consultative process through which the government is held accountable in the legislature. It is instructive to note that in India, the practice of reasoned and collective negotiation for making laws can be traced to our freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi started his first Satyagraha in Champaran in 1917 against the terrible exploitation of farmers of that region, forced by British planters to plant indigo in one third of the fertile portions of their land. Gandhi was denied entry into Champaran to investigate the causes of farmers suffering by British authorities, and on his refusal to leave the place, he was arrested for breach of peace and presented before a magistrate. When he was asked by the magistrate if he pleaded guilty, he not only pleaded guilty but also showed extraordinary courage in submitting to the penalty of disobedience. As the stunned magistrate asked him if he had to plead guilty, why did he violate the law at all? Gandhi boldly replied that he did so ...in obedience to the higher law of our being the voice of conscience. That power of truthful assertion to embrace suffering by breaking an unjust application of law put the British authorities at their wits end, and they dropped all charges against Gandhi and allowed him to investigate the causes behind the suffering of farmers. He then extensively consulted with farmers, British planters, scores of peasants, public figures and officials of the British bureaucracy and police. That deliberative and consultative process enabled him to understand the reasons behind the exploitation of farmers and produce a report to that effect. The British regime used it to frame legislation, the Champaran Agrarian Bill, 1918, to prohibit British planters from coercing farmers to plant indigo. The Bihar-Orissa assembly, where that Bill was introduced for consideration and passage, discussed it briefly and then referred it to its Select Committee for scrutiny and examination. Even a copy of the Bill was sent to Gandhi with a request to examine its contents and suggest amendments to its provisions. He did so, and the British authorities accepted his suggestion that the provision dealing with the summary power of the collectors to act against those filing frivolous complaints against British planters should be dropped. The modified Bill subsequently became the law, bringing an end to the exploitation of farmers. The Champaran Satyagraha, which began with Gandhi admittedly breaking a law for the cause of farmers, ended with the framing of a law by British authorities to put an end to the long spell of suffering of farmers at the hands of British planters. The Champaran Agrarian Act was not just a unilateral decision but an example of how an extremely powerful colonial government was forced to negotiate and deliberate with all the stakeholders. Sadly, during the last decade, this deliberation and negotiation process has not been followed for preparing Bills and enacting them as laws. Benchmark of deliberation in Indian democracy It is important to be mindful of the fact that the Constitution of our country is a product of the thoughtful and careful deliberations that took place in the Constituent Assembly, the transcripts of which serve as the most important authoritative guide to understanding the intention of the drafters of the Constitution. Ambedkar urged the citizens to put their trust in constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives. He emphasised the conditions necessary for sustaining democracy not just in form but also in fact. In his speech delivered in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 25th September 1947 at the inauguration of the Siddharth College Parliament, he remarked that in a parliamentary government, the decisions are not the result of the wishes of any particular individual. He proceeded to emphatically add that debate in legislatures is of immense importance and has wider relevance and significance beyond the issue being discussed. In the same speech he said, Although parliamentary democracy for the purpose accepted the principle of a majority rule, do not think that you can by any way you like ill-treat or put to a disadvantage a minority. You will create a great deal of trouble for yourself in this very House. The minority must always be won over. It must never be dictated to. The constitutional methods he urged citizens to follow were also aimed at facilitating reasonable deliberation and consultation to deepen public reasoning so that democracy is deepened and grievances of people are addressed in a peaceful and legitimate manner. A legislature that functions mechanically fails Ambedkar and the constitutional values in which he believed. It is worthwhile to recall that on many occasions the Supreme Court, while adjudicating the constitutional validity of the statutes, finds it hard to understand the intention of the legislature which gave its approval when those were presented in the form of bills to it for consideration and passage. In an event marking the 75 years of Parliamentary Democracy at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in July 2022, the then Chief Justice N.V. Ramana stated that the country was witnessing laws being passed without detailed deliberation and scrutiny. He further stated that instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious. The diversity of opinion enriches polity and society. Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we are sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy. It is becoming harder for the judiciary to trace the legislative intent for the enactments being passed without detailed scrutiny or discussion. The judiciarys burden of interpretation, as stated by Justice N.V. Ramana, is increasing as there is ambiguity in laws and the legislative intent is unclear. In the case of Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India (2023), the Supreme Court, factoring in the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly for establishing an Election Commission of India independent of the executive, directed that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (ECI) and Election Commissioners (ECs) shall be made by the President in consultation with a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India. The same year after the SC judgment, the Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointments, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. It replaced the Chief Justice on the Selection Committee with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. This legislation was enacted with limited public deliberation and its constitutional validity has been challenged in the apex court, as it allegedly gives control of the appointment of the CEC and ECs back to the executive, diluting the judgment in Anoop Barnwal v. Union of India, wherein the invocation of the legislative intent of the Constituent Assembly was defended by the learned judges by quoting from the SC judgment in His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kerala . It was stated by the SC in the Kesavananda Bharati judgment that : If the debates in the Constituent Assembly can be looked into to understand the legislative history of a provision of the Constitution including its derivation, that is, the various steps leading up to and attending its enactment, to ascertain the intention of the makers of the Constitution, it is difficult to see why the debates are inadmissible to throw light on the purpose and general intent of the provision. After all, legislative history only tends to reveal the legislative purpose in enacting the provision and thereby sheds light upon legislative intent. It would be drawing an invisible distinction if resort to debates is permitted simply to show the legislative history and the same is not allowed to show the legislative intent Multiple studies and research have shown that parliamentary deliberation has almost been abandoned. Surely, the NDA government has not uniquely abandoned the practice of parliamentary deliberation, but it definitely has deepened it. The legislature has the responsibility of representing the people and keeping the government in check. Under this current regime, the legislature has slowly started to be treated like a mouthpiece for the government, with multiple laws being passed without deliberation. Lack of deliberation and the control of the executive over Parliament have made the functioning of the legislature a means to give a stamp of approval to what the government does. The problem is structural as well; multiple powers have been given to the government, such as summoning Parliament, deciding the agenda and the functions of Parliament and also referring bills to the standing committees. In such a situation where the executive gains control over important matters, parliamentary deliberation becomes of utmost importance. The executive that treats debate in Parliament as optional or as a formality rather than a constitutional mandate for passing bills risks wiping out the legislative intent that the judiciary and the citizens rely upon to understand the reasoning of the legislature behind the enactments of law. Ambedkar and the members of the Constituent Assembly spent 165 days deliberating every single Article, clause and word of the Constitution. In a democracy, the legitimacy of law lies not only with the majority that enacts it but also with the reasoning behind it. For the judiciary to interpret laws by factoring in the legislative intent behind statutes and for the citizens to hold their representatives accountable, recovering the discipline of deliberation is extremely crucial. The balance of powers needs to be maintained between the executive and the legislature. The decline in the process of parliamentary debate in India has significantly contributed to an increase in the authoritative nature of this government, which imperils the Constitution. Thankfully, people are now at the forefront to save it, and therefore, the powers that be must act in tune with peoples unbending bravery in defence of the constitutional scheme of governance based on deliberation and consultation.
Death by breath: How mining dust in Aravallis is killing residents
Manisha (27) sits with a group of women on a mattress laid out in one corner of her house's veranda in Rajasthan's Sikar's Syalodra village. In the other corner, there are stacks of large oxygen cylinders, used by her 32-year-old husband, Manjeet, for breathing up until his recent death. Manjeet was a labourer at a nearby stone crushing unit, and for more than three years, he suffered from a debilitating, incurable lung illness called silicosis. Its trigger: inhaling silica dust, fine particles that are a by-product of rampant mining operations such as drilling, blasting, and stone crushing in the region. Silicosis has claimed more than 50 people's lives over the years in Syalodra, part of the Aravalli range, say residents. However, the Supreme Court-appointed panel, which concluded its field visits to assess several aspects of the Aravallis on August 11, did not come to the village, much like it skipped going to many other mining-affected areas across Kotputli-Behror and Sikar ...
Indian Oil independent director quits over son's petrol pump dealership
Alka Mundra has resigned as an independent director of state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), barely a month after joining the board, saying her son's petrol pump dealership with the company breaches independence criteria under stock market listing rules. In a September 18 letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, disclosed by the company in a stock exchange filing, Mundra said her son, Madhav Mundra, has operated an IOC retail outlet, Swarn Ganga KSK, in Udaipur, Rajasthan, since 2020. She said the arrangement conflicts with the independence criteria on pecuniary relationships under SEBI's Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations. Mundra said her son conducts his business independently, without any involvement or intervention from my side, and that she was confident her objectivity would remain unaffected. Nevertheless, she wrote, considering he highest standards of Corporate Governance, she found it inappropriate to
IMD: Monsoon exiting Rajasthan as Bay low awaits turn to intensify
A 15% rain deficit as on date leaves kharif yields exposed to a late-season gamble: showers from a deep depression could replenish soil moisture, but extreme rain could damage mature crops
Fire partially damages Katra helipad terminal in Jammu & Kashmir
Digital Desk | Jammu, Sep 20 (IANS) A fire partially damaged the helipad terminal, used to ferry pilgrims to the hilltop Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district early on Sunday. According to local sources, the fire was noticed around 3.15 a.m. The flames were brought under control shortly after by personnel present at the site, with assistance from fire and emergency services. The helipad terminal, an important transit point for pilgrims travelling to the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, was closed at the time of the incident. No casualties have been reported so far. The extent of the damage is being assessed. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, though a short circuit is suspected. In a similar incident in June, a fire had broken out near the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya minutes before the scheduled landing of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said. Police had then launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and determine how it broke out close to the helipad designated for the Chief Minister's arrival, according to an NDTV report. The blaze reportedly started near the helipad and quickly spread towards the nearby Saryu Guest House. According to officials, it affected an area of about 15 metres before being brought under control ahead of the chief minister's landing. Security personnel deployed at the site initially attempted to contain the flames before fire brigade teams arrived and extinguished the blaze. No injuries or loss of life were reported. A massive fire broke out at the Sethi Complex Manihari Katla, also known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, in Jaipur's Tripolia Bazaar in Rajasthan on Thursday morning. More than 20 shops and warehouses, including clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops and bangle stores, were reportedly affected by the blaze. According to initial information, the fire started in goods stored in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor.
10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup begins in Leh
Leh, Ladakh: The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 is being held at the NDS Indoor Stadium in Leh, bringing together Pencak Silat athletes, coaches, officials, team managers and sports administrators from across the country. More than 850 athletes and participants are taking part in the national championship, which has emerged as a major sporting gathering in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Teams from various States, Union Territories and Paramilitary Forces are participating in the championship. The event also features more than 100 technical and federation officials and State/UT representatives, along with over 70 coaches and team managers. The opening ceremony will be attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena as the chief guest. Administrative Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh Bhanu Prabha; Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh Shashanka Ala; Joint Director, Youth Services & Sports, Ladakh Tsering Paldan; Additional Deputy Commissioner to the Lieutenant Governor Shekh Aadil; President, Indian Pencak Silat Federation; President, Ladakh Pencak Silat Association; and District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Leh, will also be present. The championship has brought together sporting delegations from Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, CISF, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, ITBP, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, SSB, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The participation of State and UT teams along with Paramilitary Forces has added diversity to the championship, bringing athletes from different sporting backgrounds onto one national platform. Besides athletes, the championship includes technical officials, federation representatives, coaches, team managers, referees, judges, delegation representatives and members of the organising and support teams. The event has brought together more than 1,000 athletes, officials, coaches, managers, representatives and other sporting stakeholders. Hosting a national-level Pencak Silat championship in Leh at the high altitude of the Himalayas gives the event a distinctive setting. The championship provides athletes from across India an opportunity to compete at the national level while also experiencing the culture and hospitality of Ladakh. The event also highlights Ladakh's potential to host major sporting competitions and provides a platform for promoting sports and sporting activities in the region. The 10th Pencak Silat Federation Cup 2026 brings together athletes and sporting delegations from different regions of the country on a common platform. With more than 850 participants, 100 technical officials and representatives, and over 70 coaches and team managers, the championship provides a significant platform for Pencak Silat athletes to compete and showcase their skills.
Rajasthan Forms Committee to Investigate Deaths of Two Women After C-Section in Bundi
A committee has been established to investigate the deaths of two women following cesarean deliveries at Bundi General Hospital. Rajasthan Forms Committee to Investigate Deaths of Two Women After C-Section in Bundi
Pradip Krishen's journey from cinema to ecological restoration began following an unexpected experience that altered his trajectory. He has been instrumental in launching innovative projects such as the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Jodhpur. Krishen highlights that successful restoration is about much more than planting trees; it necessitates a careful, observational approach where learning from errors is key to revitalizing our ecosystems.
Three wanted in Telangana drug cases tracked down in Rajasthan
During one attempt, personnel reportedly encountered resistance involving live electric wires, while another team was allegedly confronted by a large group of villagers
From IPL Sensation To India 'A': Praful Hinge Opens Up On His Next Big Challenge
Praful Hinge's three-wicket opening over while turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals made him an overnight sensation in this year's Indian Premier League.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 ( IANS) The political contest for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation Mayoral post has taken shape, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) naming Sunil Kothari and the Congress fielding Sunita Mahawar. Kothari, a former Jaipur City BJP President and newly elected Councillor from Ward-112, filed his nomination on Saturday. Mahawar, a Congress Councillor from Ward-118, has also entered the political fray. The BJP has 78 Councillors in the 150-member corporation, while the Congress has 57 and Independents hold 15 seats. The Mayoral election is scheduled for September 25, with voting to be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. if the political contest remains contested after the withdrawal process. The BJP finalised Kothari's candidature after consultations within the party. He reached the Jaipur Municipal Corporation headquarters on Saturday afternoon to file his nomination, accompanied by several senior BJP leaders. Kothari has been associated with the BJP organisation for several decades and has previously served as Jaipur City BJP President. He has also held other organisational responsibilities within the BJP. In the upcoming Jaipur municipal corporation election, Kothari contested Ward-112 and defeated the Congress candidate Ashish Sharma by 905 votes, according to reports on the election result. His election affidavit reportedly puts the value of his movable and immovable assets at around Rs 35.87 crore. The Congress has fielded Sunita Mahawar from Ward-118. She is a long-time Congress worker with experience in Jaipur's municipal politics and has previously held responsibilities in the Municipal Corporation. Mahawar is associated with the Adarsh Nagar area and is considered close to Congress MLA Rafeek Khan. The Congress has also indicated that it is seeking support beyond its own Councillor group ahead of the Mayoral election. Khan has publicly claimed that some BJP Councillors are in contact with the Congress, though such claims have not been independently verified. Mahawar's candidature gives the Congress a woman Councillor with experience in local politics as its challenger to the BJP candidate Sunil Kothari. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation has 150 wards. Following the September 17 repoll results, the final party-wise tally stands at BJP: 78, Congress: 57 and Independents: 15. The BJP therefore has a majority in the 150-member corporation. The four wards that went to repoll were all won by Congress, taking its tally from 53 to 57. The 15 Independent Councillors could nevertheless remain politically significant during the Mayoral election, particularly because the Mayor is elected through a vote of the elected Councillors. The Rajasthan State Election Commission has scheduled the Jaipur Mayoral election for September 25. Nominations were accepted on September 18 and 19, scrutiny is scheduled for September 21, and September 22 is the deadline for withdrawal of candidature. With both major parties, BJP and the Congress, now having formally announced candidates, the focus shifts to the nomination scrutiny, withdrawal process and the efforts of the parties to consolidate support ahead of the September 25 vote.
India shifts counter-terror strategy, moves to bust terror plots before attacks
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) India's counter-terrorism operations have undergone a strategic shift, transitioning from a reactive security apparatus to a pre-emptive, intelligence-driven doctrine aimed at dismantling terror modules before execution, according to senior security officials. Since coming to power, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. A significant shift has been the move by the security establishment handling terror-related cases towards a more pre-emptive approach, aimed at identifying and neutralising threats before they can materialise. An official said that recent events relating to terror clearly indicate that the national counter-terrorism strategy policy for Response against Hostile Activities and Radicalism, or PRAHAAR, that was introduced in February this year has already started to take effect. The official said that the clear directive to the agencies is not to wait for an incident to take place and then react to the same. The focus is on preventing terror attacks and ensuring that terror modules do not grow to such an extent that bringing them under control becomes a Herculean task, the official added. An Intelligence Bureau official said that this is the same pattern that is being applied across the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has been in overdrive mode and plotting big strikes in the Valley. In the last several months, it has tried to work on its overground worker (OWG) network, while also trying its best to get the infiltrations moving. However, the success has been very low thanks to the new doctrine that focuses on busting these plans rather than reacting after something has taken place, the IB official said. In the past couple of months, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have neutralised terrorists, busted multiple modules and ensured that the overground worker network remains grounded. These have been among the major challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, and the agencies have ensured that plotting and carrying out terror attacks is now harder than what the ISI may have anticipated, the official added. Another official said that while terror attacks remain one part of the problem, the bigger challenge confronting the country is radicalisation. He said the issue is not confined to any particular region but has spread across the country. Although unconnected, these radicalisation modules have thrived in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Kerala, the official said. The Islamic State, in particular, has focused only on radicalisation and has been largely successful in infiltrating the minds of the youth in a big way. As the security agencies realised the scale at which the problem was taking place, immediate action was taken, and these modules were busted. The busting of the pan-India radicalisation module in Andhra Pradesh is an example of how the agencies have been handling such cases. The module was threatening to become a massive problem but was nipped in the bud in the nick of time. Officials said security agencies no longer wait for terror modules to grow before taking action. If intelligence is actionable, the agencies move immediately to disrupt the module and prevent it from developing further, the officials added. Similar action was reported in Gujarat when a Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked module was busted. This was a self-styled module that subscribed to the views of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The security agencies, after busting this module, found extremist material in large numbers. This module was becoming a ticking time bomb, but was busted just in time. The approach has been the same when it comes to tackling terror and radicalisation from the Bangladesh side. Multiple attempts made by the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and the Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been thwarted. These groups were looking to target West Bengal and the northeastern states. An official said that this was an important shift in Indias counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation strategy. While PRAHAAR has ensured a pre-emptive, rather than reactive, strategy, it has also ensured seamless integration between the Intelligence agencies, the state police and the central agencies, an official said.
Ashok Gehlot Questions Congress Strategy After Rajasthan Poll Setback | What Went Wrong?
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has questioned the Congresss campaign strategy following the Rajasthan urban local body election results.Gehlot raised questions over the partys campaign planning, roadshows and the large number of victories by Independent candidates. The BJP won 4,179 of the 10,235 declared wards, while Congress won 3,613 and Independents secured 2,273. The BJP and Congress vote shares were separated by just 0.94 percentage points.Gehlots remarks have also brought the Congresss internal dynamics and leadership roles in the Rajasthan campaign into focus.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 19 (IANS) Political manoeuvring and the practice of baadebandi have intensified in Rajasthan ahead of elections for mayor, municipal council president and chairperson posts, triggering tensions across the state after the conclusion of the urban local body polls. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept together and attempted to exert pressure on them. He urged the state Director General of Police (DGP) to immediately stop such actions, warning that the situation could deteriorate if the alleged police intervention continues. The government and the police are yet to publicly respond to Dotasra's allegations. Following the civic election results and withdrawal of nominations, the equations for board formation in 305 local bodies have become clearer. Chairpersons have already been elected unopposed in 32 civic bodies. Of these, BJP candidates secured 28 posts, Congress candidates two, and independents two. The BJP is also in a position to form boards in 18 civic bodies where it does not have a clear majority but can potentially secure the required numbers with the support of independent councillors. Among the 32 unopposed elections, BJP candidates were elected to two mayoral posts in municipal corporations, five president posts in municipal councils and 21 chairperson posts in municipalities. Congress candidates were elected unopposed in two bodies, while independents secured two posts. In four other civic bodies, Congress candidates hold the chairperson's post in two municipalities, while independents hold one municipal council and one municipality post. A significant development took place in Bharatpur on the final day for withdrawal of nominations for the mayoral election. Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, paving the way for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed as mayor. Singh reached the municipal corporation office with her husband, former Bharatpur mayor Shivmangal Singh, and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedam to withdraw her nomination. Meanwhile, political activity has intensified in Ajmer and Alwar, with independent councillors reportedly being approached by both major parties. The BJP is yet to officially announce its candidate for the Jaipur Municipal Corporation mayoral election. Sunil Kothari is being discussed as a possible frontrunner, while the names of Rajendra Saini and Deepa Nathawat are being considered for the deputy mayor's post. The nomination process for the Jaipur mayoral election is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, followed by scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations. Voting will be held on September 25 if required. Dotasra has alleged that police teams visited 13 locations where Congress councillors were being kept as part of the party's baadebandi arrangements. He alleged that police action was reported at several places, including Kuchera and Barmer. Dotasra also claimed that Congress councillors from Bikaner were staying at Hotel Suryagarh in Jaisalmer, where, he alleged, attempts were being made to exert pressure on them. Appealing to the DGP to intervene, Dotasra warned that the government and Rajasthan Police would be held responsible if any councillor came to harm or if the situation escalated into violence. Political tensions have also risen in Kuchera municipality in Nagaur ahead of the September 21 chairperson election. BJP candidate Rishi Pal Mirdha and Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha, who are uncle and nephew, are contesting for the post. Late Thursday night, Mehad, the brother-in-law of independent councillor Nirvaram of Ward 9, lodged a complaint at Kuchera police station alleging that the councillor had been abducted. Congress candidate Tejpal Mirdha was accused in the complaint. Later, a video of Nirvaram surfaced, in which he reportedly gave a different account of the incident. The developments have added another layer of political tension to the ongoing efforts by parties to secure the numbers required for control of municipal boards. Elections for municipal chairperson and president posts are scheduled to begin on September 21. With several bodies witnessing fractured mandates, independent councillors are expected to play a significant role in determining board formation in several municipalities and municipal councils.
Ministry of Rural Development to begin DDUGKY 2.0 training batches in Oct
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) The Ministry of Rural Development will roll out Deen Dayal UpadhyayaGrameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUGKY) 2.0 training batches across most states and union territories (UTs) from October 2026, an official statement said on Saturday. As many as 1,164 batches enrolling 34,920 rural youth will start training in October, against a sanctioned target of 3,57,112 rural youth to be trained by December 31, 2027, in these 14 jurisdictions. The statement from the Ministry of Rural Development said preparedness for the commencement of training batches was reviewed with 14 States and UTs in the first phase. Preparedness was evaluated at Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Karnataka, Telangana and Bihar. As per the DDU-GKY 2.0 portal, allocation of 5.6 lakh targets towards more than 1,200 projects has been done by 24 states or UTs. Other states are in the advanced stages of target allocation. Review meetings in phases will expedite the processes of batch commencement. The Ministry emphasised that that scheme is in a crucial phase and called upon implementing States/UTs to accelerate the allocation of targets to Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) and to commence batches as per envisaged timelines. DDU-GKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for poor rural youth providing placement-linked skill training. The duration of the training varies from 3 months to 12 months. The meeting reviewed the preparedness of states/UTs for implementation of DDU-GKY 2.0. The targets have been allocated to all the 31 participating states or UTs for a 2-year period 2026-28. States or UTs are supposed to ensure allocation of targets to PIAs for commencement of training latest by October 31, 2026. Over 5 lakh targets have already been allocated to PIAs for mobilisation of eligible rural youths, the statement noted.
Bollywood actress Sonal Chauhan is soaking in the response to Mirzapur: The Movie, but the actress admits that the scale of its box office opening caught her and the team by surprise. While she was confident about the project when she signed it, she did not expect the film to connect with the masses to this extent.
Delhi-NCR likely to stay mostly dry; air quality remains in satisfactory category
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) Delhi and most parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) are likely to experience predominantly dry weather on Saturday, with no major spell of heavy rain forecast for New Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and several other areas, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather agency has forecast partly cloudy skies over Delhi, with the maximum temperature expected to remain between 34 degrees celsius and 36 degrees celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to settle in the range of 22 degrees celsius to 24 degrees celsius. The forecast comes at a time when the Southwest Monsoon is showing signs of retreat from northwest India. According to the IMD, atmospheric conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of the monsoon from some parts of West Rajasthan on Saturday. However, Delhi is expected to continue witnessing largely dry conditions in the immediate forecast period. For New Delhi, the IMD has predicted partly cloudy skies and has issued no weather warning. The wider Delhi region is also expected to remain free of significant rainfall, with temperatures staying within the forecast range. Some parts of the NCR could, however, see isolated changes in weather. Gurugram is likely to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of one or two spells of rain or thundershowers during the day. No warning has been issued for the city. Meanwhile, several districts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Dhule, Jalgaon and Nandurbar, are expected to receive rainfall on Saturday. Rain is also likely in areas including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Latur, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna and Osmanabad. The IMD has forecast scattered monsoon showers and thunderstorms over Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and West Rajasthan on Saturday. East Uttar Pradesh may also experience similar conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Himachal Pradesh is likely to receive isolated rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms through September 24. Central India is also expected to remain active weather-wise. West Madhya Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh may witness fairly widespread to widespread rainfall along with thunderstorms on Saturday. Chhattisgarh could also receive fairly widespread rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning in several areas. In southern and coastal regions, Kerala, Mahe and Lakshadweep are likely to experience fairly widespread rainfall through September 24. Parts of Karnataka may also see similar conditions during the period. North Interior Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka and Telangana are likely to receive rainfall on Saturday . Coastal Andhra Pradesh may witness isolated to scattered rainfall between Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the air quality of Delhi remained in the satisfactory category. CRRI Mathura Road (131), Burari Crossing (99), North Campus DU (125), IGI Airport (T3) (102), Pusa (89), Aya Nagar (75), Shadipur (79), ITO (88), DTU (94), R K Puram (128), Ashok Vihar (91), Dwarka-Sector 8 (116), Narela (120), Rohini (107), Chandni Chowk (98), and IIT Delhi (131).
Rajasthan Election Commission opens nominations for Jaipur mayor
The News Mill
Have you heard? Ishaan Khatter is back as Prince Aviraaj Singh for The Royals 2
Ishaan Khatter has begun shooting for The Royals 2 in Rajasthan, returning as Prince Aviraaj Singh. The actor shared a glimpse from the set while keeping details under wraps. He will also be seen in Palash Vaswanis upcoming comedy Jugaadu
Two more women die in Rajasthan after C-sections; probe committee formed
Women underwent procedure at Bundi govt. hospital; died in Kota, where they were rushed after complications; OT at Bundi medical facility sealed; 19 maternal deaths in State in 3 months
Rajasthan pilgrim immolates self, dies during treatment
Tragic Loss: Two Women Die After C-Section at Bundi Hospital
Two women die following C-sections at a hospital in Bundi, Rajasthan, prompting investigations into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Tragic Loss: Two Women Die After C-Section at Bundi Hospital
Both BJP And Congress Opt For Resort Politics After Civic Polls In Rajasthan
The difference in seats between these parties is slim, necessitating the locking away of their winning candidates in resorts.
Beyond civic poll numbers: Rajasthan Congress leadership in focus again
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) The Rajasthan Congresss old fault lines have once again come to the fore, with a fresh war of words between former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior party leader Sachin Pilot following the partys performance in the recently concluded urban local body elections. The BJP emerged as the largest party in civic polls. However, the statewide vote-share contest between two principal parties was remarkably close. The BJP polled 35.18% of the vote against 34.24% for the Congress, a difference of just 0.94 percentage points. Against this backdrop, Gehlot has questioned Congresss election strategy, campaign planning and organisational preparedness. Though he did not explicitly name Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra, his remarks have been interpreted as a criticism of the state organisations handling of the campaign. Speaking to the media, Gehlot said the Congress should have prepared a more effective strategy to counter the BJPs aggressive campaign, including the roadshows led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other BJP leaders. Gehlot said that had the Pradesh Congress Committee drawn up a stronger programme and ensured that all senior leaders campaigned together, the party could have performed better. He also suggested that the Congress should have responded to the BJPs roadshows with roadshows of its own. Gehlot further argued that, in his assessment, the political environment offered the Congress an opportunity and that better campaign planning could have translated into more seats. His comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding the Congresss performance in the civic elections and have put the spotlight on the state organisations campaign preparedness. Sachin Pilot has now pushed back against the criticism, defending the work of the Pradesh Congress Committee and its state leadership. Pilot said the PCC had done a good job during the local body elections and had worked at the grassroots level. He pointed to the partys door-to-door campaign and said responsibilities had been assigned to leaders and workers in their respective areas. Pilot also noted that political parties have access to different levels of resources when they are in government, drawing a distinction between resources available to the ruling BJP and those available to the opposition Congress. The exchange has once again brought the Gehlot-Pilot divide into focus, while simultaneously placing Dotasra at the centre of the debate over the Congresss electoral strategy. The latest confrontation comes amid a series of episodes that have exposed competing power centres within the Rajasthan Congress. Dotasra has previously stressed the importance of the party organisation over individual leaders, remarks that came amid renewed discussion about Gehlots influence in the state unit. Separately, political tensions resurfaced when slogans calling for Gehlot to return as Chief Minister were raised at a party-related event following the entry of workers associated with the Bharat Adivasi Party into the Congress. Although the leaders involved have distanced themselves from interpretations suggesting an open internal confrontation, the episodes have fuelled speculation about competing leadership camps within the Rajasthan Congress. The current dispute, therefore, is not simply about the outcome of the civic polls. It has reopened questions about who sets the Congresss political strategy in Rajasthan, how the organisation should be run, and how much space should be given to its established leadership versus emerging leadership centres. The election numbers have provided ammunition for the competing narratives within the Congress. The BJP finished ahead of the Congress in overall vote share and ward tally, while the Congress has highlighted the narrow 0.94 percentage-point vote-share gap. Dotasra has attributed part of the disparity between vote share and ward wins to what he described as unfair delimitation, a claim that has been publicly disputed and remains part of the political debate. The results have consequently produced two parallel narratives within the Congress: one focusing on the narrow statewide vote-share gap and electoral factors such as delimitation, and another questioning whether the partys campaign and organisation did enough to convert its vote base into ward victories. For years, the Gehlot-Pilot relationship has been one of the defining fault lines of Rajasthan Congress politics. The latest exchange shows that the rivalry remains politically relevant even as a new generation of state-level leaders, including Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, occupies a more prominent organisational space. With the 2028 Rajasthan Assembly election still ahead, the latest war of words has once again brought the Congresss internal leadership question into the spotlight. For now, Gehlot is questioning the strategy, Pilot is defending the state organisation, and Dotasra is confronting the electoral numbers and defending the partys performance. The public exchange has ensured that the Congresss internal political battle is once again running alongside its contest with the BJP.
Rajasthan man dies after self-immolation at Jwalamukhi temple
Digital Desk | Jhalawar, Sep 18 (IANS) A 40-year-old man from Jhalawar, Rajasthan, died after allegedly setting himself ablaze at the Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, a Shaktipeeth in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday evening. The deceased, identified as Ramdas, son of Gajanand, reportedly poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire outside the sanctum sanctorum around 7 p.m. He suffered burns over nearly 70 per cent of his body. Temple staff and devotees present at the spot extinguished the flames with water. Ramdas was first taken to Jwalamukhi Hospital and later referred to Tanda Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. SP Dehra, Sandeep Dhaval, said police reached the temple after receiving information and began an investigation. A forensic team also visited the site and collected evidence. Police are examining all aspects of the incident, including the circumstances and possible reasons behind Ramdass act. According to the 108 ambulance staff, Ramdas was conscious during the journey and identified himself. He told them he had come alone to offer prayers. Though he struggled to speak clearly, he continued to communicate his identity and other details. Family members said Ramdas had left home around 15 months ago following a dispute. His uncle, Prahlad Chandel, said the family had searched for him at several places but failed to trace him. Attempts to contact him on his mobile phone were unsuccessful. Ramdass father, Gajanand, died about 10 years ago. Ramdas had earlier run a scrap business and later operated a clothing store on Jail Road in Jhalawar. He was married to Saloni, a sanitation worker with the Jhalawar Municipal Council. The couple had a 12-year-old son, Rudra, while their daughter had died earlier. Kotwali police informed family members of the incident on Thursday night, and they left for Himachal Pradesh.
Ishaan Khatter begins The Royals 2 shoot in Rajasthan; shares horse riding glimpses
Ishaan Khatter has begun shooting for the second season of the Netflix series The Royals. The actor is currently in Rajasthan for the upcoming season and has shared a glimpse of his time on the sets, giving fans a peek at the location and some of his preparations for his return as Prince Aviraaj Singh. Ishaan took to Instagram to share pictures of a picturesque haveli, along with videos of himself practising horse riding. The training appears to be part of his preparation for reprising the role of the royal heir in The Royals 2. While the actor has shared glimpses from Rajasthan, details about the storyline and his characters journey in the new season continue to remain under wraps. Sharing the pictures and videos, Ishaan captioned his post, Lock in. Log out. See yall on the other side. Ishaans return as Prince Aviraaj Singh comes after the first season of The Royals, which premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025. The series follows a financially struggling royal family in modern-day India and centres on the heir as he teams up with a hospitality entrepreneur to revive the familys ancestral palace by turning it into a luxury resort. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ishaan (@ishaankhatter) Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana and written by Neha Veena Sharma, The Royals is produced by Pritish Nandy Communications. The ensemble cast of the first season featured Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea and Milind Soman. Meanwhile, Ishaan Khatter also has Jugaadu in his upcoming lineup. The comic entertainer is directed by Palash Vaswani, known for Gullak, and stars Tania alongside Ishaan. With the actor now shooting for The Royals 2 in Rajasthan, fans will be waiting to see what the new season brings for Prince Aviraaj Singh. This keeps the focus on The Royals 2 and Ishaans on-set glimpse, without adding unsupported details beyond the pointers you provided. Also Read: Ishaan Khatter shares intense workout glimpse ahead of The Royals Season 2: Brick. By. Brick. Earned, not given.
BJP Claims Uncontested Victories in Rajasthan Local Body Elections
BJP secures uncontested wins in 25 local bodies of Rajasthan, while political tensions arise in Bharatpur over mayoral nominations. BJP Claims Uncontested Victories in Rajasthan Local Body Elections
Watch: Delhi-NCR air pollution: Schools advised to suspend outdoor sports in November, December
The Commission for Air Quality Management has advised schools in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to suspend physical sports activities and competitions during November and December. While the advisory aims to protect children from winter air pollution, school administrators are seeking a more permanent solution.
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) A political controversy has erupted over the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation mayoral election after Independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination, clearing the way for BJP candidate Anuradha Singh to be elected unopposed. Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, termed the development extremely unfortunate and condemnable and alleged that the Independent candidate was intimidated into withdrawing her nomination. In a post on X, Gehlot alleged that the administration had intimidated Vichitra Singh at her business premises a day before her withdrawal and claimed that Rajasthan Minister of State for Home, Jawahar Singh Bedham, subsequently met her and facilitated the withdrawal. Gehlot also alleged that the BJP government and administration were using their machinery to influence the mayoral election. He claimed that the people of Bharatpur had rejected the BJP, pointing out that the party had won only 20 of the 65 councillor seats in the civic body. According to Gehlot, despite the BJP not having a majority of councillors, efforts were being made to install a BJP mayor through what he described as undemocratic means. He accused the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma government of setting a new precedent through the alleged misuse of government machinery. Vichitra Singh had entered the Bharatpur mayoral race as an Independent candidate, and it was reported that she had the backing of the Congress. Her candidature had set the stage for a contest against BJP nominee Anuradha Singh. However, the electoral contest changed dramatically after Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination on Thursday. Rajasthan Congress President, Govind Singh Dotasra, also launched a direct attack on the BJP and the Bhajanlal Sharma government, alleging that events in the Chief Ministers home district of Bharatpur unfolded exactly as the Congress had feared. In a post on X, Dotasra alleged that the BJP, having been rejected by voters in Bharatpur, murdered democracy by misusing state power and police machinery to install its own mayor. Dotasra pointed out that the BJP had won only 20 of the 65 councillor seats in the Bharatpur Municipal Corporation. He alleged that, despite lacking a majority, the ruling party used the power of the government and administration to engineer the mayoral election in its favour. According to Dotasra, Congress-backed Independent candidate Vichitra Singh had a clear numerical advantage and her election as mayor appeared certain. He alleged that instead of respecting the electoral mandate, Chief Minister Sharma sent a government minister to put pressure on the Independent candidate and ensure that she withdrew her nomination. He alleged that the withdrawal of Vichitra Singhs nomination has exposed the BJP governments attempt to overturn the mandate of Bharatpurs voters through the use of government machinery. The Congress leader demanded that the BJP government respect the democratic mandate and questioned the circumstances under which the Independent candidate withdrew from the mayoral contest. With Vichitra Singhs withdrawal leaving BJP candidate Anuradha Singh as the sole contender, the Bharatpur mayoral election has become a fresh flashpoint between the BJP government and the Congress, with the Opposition alleging political coercion and misuse of administrative machinery. According to reports cited in connection with the development, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham held a meeting with Vichitra Singh that lasted nearly two hours before she withdrew her nomination. Following the meeting, Bedham also met Vichitra Singhs husband, former Bharatpur Mayor Shiv Singh Bhont, in connection with the election. The circumstances surrounding the withdrawal have become a political flashpoint, with the Congress questioning whether the candidate was subjected to pressure. Following Vichitra Singhs withdrawal, BJP candidate Anuradha Singh became the sole candidate in the mayoral race. After withdrawing her nomination, Vichitra Singh said she wanted to play a significant role in Bharatpurs development and had taken the decision with that objective in mind. The episode has intensified the political confrontation in Rajasthan, with the Congress alleging coercion and misuse of administrative machinery, while the withdrawal itself has paved the way for the BJP candidates unopposed election.
Weather tomorrow September 19: IMD has forecast active weather conditions across several parts of India from September 19, with significant rainfall expected over northwest, central, east, west and southern India. The southwest monsoon is also likely to begin withdrawing from some parts of West Rajasthan around September 19. Several regions may experience thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusty winds. The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen due to rough sea conditions over parts of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Ashok Gehlot demands compensation for traders affected by Purohit Ji Ka Katla fire
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, on Friday visited Purohit Ji Ka Katla in Jaipur to take stock of the damage caused by the massive fire that broke out there on Thursday and met with the traders affected by the incident. Gehlot expressed concern over the losses suffered by the traders and said that those whose shops and businesses were damaged in the fire must be provided appropriate compensation without delay. He also questioned the state governments response to the incident, pointing out that, according to the affected traders, no representative of the state government had visited the site or met them even after the fire. Gehlot said the government should demonstrate sensitivity towards the traders who have suffered substantial losses and immediately send its representatives to meet the affected families and business owners. He stressed that the government must assess the losses and ensure that adequate compensation is provided to all those affected. Gehlot said that traders facing the aftermath of such a devastating incident need support and reassurance from the government, and called for prompt action to address their grievances. Speaking to the media, the former Rajasthan Chief Minister said that after receiving information about the fire, NDRF and fire brigade teams reached the spot promptly and immediately began rescue and firefighting operations. Appreciating the efforts of the emergency response teams, Gehlot noted that while there was fortunately no loss of life, and the incident could have caused far greater damage had the fire spread further. Gehlot demanded that the state government conduct an inspection of buildings that have been issued Fire NOCs and ensure that all necessary fire-safety measures are in place. He emphasised that corrective steps must be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a social media post, Gehlot said that he had visited the site of the fire at Purohit Ji Ka Katla in Jaipur to assess the damage and meet the affected traders. According to Gehlot, the distressed traders told him that no representative of the state government had visited them following the incident. He appealed to the government to meet the affected traders, understand their grievances and ensure that appropriate compensation is provided to all those who have suffered losses. A major fire broke out on Thursday morning at Purohit Ji Ka Katla in Jaipur, engulfing several shops and warehouses. The blaze spread rapidly, aided by the presence of cloth, plastic and other combustible goods stored at the premises. Firefighting teams faced considerable difficulties in controlling the blaze because of the areas narrow lanes, but managed to bring the fire under control after several hours of operations. A short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire, although an investigation into the exact cause is underway. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported in the incident.
RSSB BCI SCI Answer Key 2026 Out - Download Provisional Key, Response Sheet
RSSB has released the provisional answer key, master question paper and response sheet for the Basic Computer Instructor (BCI) and Senior Computer Instructor (SCI) Recruitment 2026 (Advt No. 07/2026). Check the BCI SCI exam answer key release date, objection window (19-21 September 2026 online), how to download the PDF from rssb.rajasthan.gov.in, and what happens next before the result.
Rajasthan: BJPs Anuradha Singh set to become unopposed mayor of Bharatpur
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Anuradha Singh is set to become the unopposed Mayor of Bharatpur Municipal Corporation after independent candidate Vichitra Singh withdrew her nomination in the presence of BJP government minister Jawahar Singh Bedham. Following the developments in Bhilwara, BJP State President Madan Rathore extended his best wishes to Singh, stating that public faith and trust in the BJP continue to strengthen. With Vichitra Singhs withdrawal, Anuradha Singh remains the sole candidate for the mayoral post, paving the way for her unopposed election. Rathore remarked that this growing trust in the BJP is reflected in the party securing unopposed mayoral and chairperson positions in approximately 18 civic bodies. He said independent councillors in Bharatpur have decided to join the BJP for the development of the region, expressing confidence in the partys ideology and the public-welfare policies of the Bhajanlal Sharma government. He added that the alignment of independent candidates and councillors with the BJP indicates their desire to work alongside the states BJP government for regional development. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, the state government is working with a focus on public welfare and development, Rathore said. Rathore further stated that the support received by the BJP in Bharatpur would provide new momentum to the regions development. He said the BJP is committed to working in the public interest with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, Development for all). He added that not only in Bharatpur, but in several other places as well, BJP candidates are emerging as unopposed mayors and chairpersons. In some places, opposition candidates did not file nominations, while in others, independent candidates withdrew their nominations and extended their support to the BJP.
Gurugram hit-and-run case: Both accused sent to judicial custody for 14 days
Digital Desk | Gurugram, Sep 18 (IANS) A Gurugram court on Friday sent Kalyan Bainsla, the driver accused of hitting a woman biker on the city's Golf Course Road, and his cousin to 14 days of judicial custody. Both the accused will be again produced before the court after 14 days. Earlier, Bainsla and his cousin Lavneesh were produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC), Nidhi Beniwal, who had sent them to two days of police custody. The Gurugram Police had arrested Bainsla from Rajasthan's Dausa and Lavneesh from Haryana's Palwal in connection with the hit-and-run incident. Lavneesh was allegedly present in the car along with Bainsla at the time of the incident. The Gurugram Police had earlier added Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to attempt to murder, to the FIR after the victim, Sia, and her family approached the police seeking stringent action against those involved. The case was initially registered after the police took suo motu cognisance of a video showing a car hitting a female biker on the Golf Course Road. Following a detailed investigation and analysis of CCTV footage, the police added the attempt-to-murder charge, which carries a punishment of up to 10 years. The development came after Sia's family submitted her written statement to Inspector Manoj Kumar, Station House Officer of Gurugram's Sector-56 police station. The Gurugram Police have maintained that lawlessness will not be tolerated and said they are committed to taking strict action against those responsible. Meanwhile, Sia had appealed for strict punishment for all four occupants of the car, saying it was necessary to send the right message to society regarding women's safety. Speaking to IANS, Sia said she had great expectations from the court and wanted justice in the case. I stated in court yesterday that all four, who were in the car, should be arrested and that strict action be taken against all of them. In my opinion, they should face harsh consequences; that is the only way to send a message to such young menso that anyone thinking of committing such an act would think twice, she said.
Gurugram Hit-And-Run Accused Kalyan Bainsla Sent To 14-Day Judicial Custody
Bainsla, 33, and his cousin Lavneesh, 34, who was allegedly in the car with him at the time of the incident, were arrested on Tuesday by Gurugram Police from Rajgarh in Rajasthan following a two-day search operation.
Rajasthan civic polls: Police, Congress workers clash in Degana; Kuchera power tussle intensifies
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Sep 18 (IANS) Political tensions flared in Rajasthan's Degana late Thursday night as the police lathi-charged Congress workers protesting outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office over alleged irregularities in the nomination process for the Kuchera Municipal Council Chairperson post. The Congress alleged that facts were concealed during the nomination process for the Kuchera Municipal Council Chairperson post. Congress workers staged a sit-in outside the SDM office, demanding an enquiry into the nomination process and action against the Returning Officer. Several Congress workers gathered at the SDM office and raised slogans. A police team led by station house officer (SHO) Ashok Kumar Jhajharia reached the spot after being informed about the protest. Citing the Model Code of Conduct, the police urged the protesters to end the sit-in. However, the Congress workers remained firm on their demands, calling for scrutiny of the nomination papers and action under the rules over the alleged concealment of facts. During attempts to persuade the protesters to disperse, an altercation broke out between police and Congress workers, followed by a scuffle. As the situation escalated, the police attempted to clear the area and used lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. Some youths were also chased away from the area. The police action led to chaos around the SDM office, Tehsil office and surrounding areas. Amid the commotion, the police arrested Congress block president Prakash Kunkuna. Congress workers subsequently raised slogans against the police action. They alleged that the administration and the police were acting under pressure and claimed that protesters were subjected to a lathi-charge during the night. Congress members informed Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra about the developments. Nagaur District Congress president Hanuman Bangda also reached the spot. The Congress has reiterated its demand for an inquiry into the nomination process. Dotasra condemned the police action and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was misusing power to form boards in the municipal elections. He said Congress workers in Degana were demanding a fair hearing on objections raised against a BJP candidate over alleged concealment of facts in nomination papers. He also referred to developments in Mandhan, where he alleged that elected councillors were being prevented from taking their oaths, and to the situation in Khandar, where he alleged that the family of BJP councillor Manvendra had been seeking his release after he was taken away. Dotasra said the incidents raised questions about the functioning of the police, administration and the government, and urged the BJP to accept the peoples mandate. Meanwhile, the political contest over the Chairperson's post in Kuchera Municipality has also intensified. Following the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday, some individuals allegedly attempted to stop vehicles carrying Congress-backed councillors near Jhunjhala while they were travelling to Nagaur under the leadership of outgoing Chairperson Tejpal Mirdha. According to allegations, a pickup truck and a camper vehicle were used in attempts to ram the councillors' vehicles. The councillors managed to leave the area and reached the Mundwa DSP's office, where they reported the incident. They were subsequently brought to Nagaur under police protection led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharam Poonia. A police contingent led by DSP Jatin Jain was also deployed outside Tejpal Mirdha's vehicle showroom on Bikaner Road. Kuchera Municipality has 12 Congress and eight BJP councillors. Four independents have extended support to the BJP camp, taking its tally to 12, while 13 councillors are required for a majority. With the numbers closely balanced, the single remaining vote, currently with the Congress, has become crucial to the Chairperson's election.
Delhi Police bust narco-extortion network, seize 2 kg Pakistani-origin heroin
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police Special Cell, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Crime Branch, has busted a narco-extortion network operating between Delhi and Gujarat and recovered 2 kg of Pakistani-origin heroin valued at around Rs 12 crore. Police said an accused associated with the Rohit Godara and Mahendra Delana gang was arrested during the operation. The accused has been identified as 31-year-old Kuldeep Swami, a resident of Rajasthan's Churu. According to police, Swami was involved in a major narco-extortion module and was wanted in connection with a high-profile extortion case involving approximately Rs 10 crore registered in Gujarat's Vadodara. During the investigation, police recovered 2 kg of high-quality heroin, a car, and currency notes used for hawala token verification. A secret cavity was also found in the recovered vehicle, police said. Investigators are now probing the alleged links of the network with gangsters Godara and Delana, along with possible connections to Pakistan-based narcotics networks. The latest action comes amid a series of operations by the Delhi Police against criminal networks involved in extortion, narcotics and arms-related offences. Earlier, on August 26, the Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested two alleged sympathisers of the Gogi gang who were reportedly planning to commit extortion-related crimes. Police had identified the accused as 22-year-old Chirag, a resident of Narela, and 26-year-old Sagar, a resident of Haryana's Sonipat. The two were arrested near the Munak Canal on August 19 following a tip-off, officials said. A .32-bore semi-automatic pistol along with four live cartridges, a country-made single-shot pistol and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession, according to a senior police officer. In another case, on March 19, a team of the Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended a proclaimed offender who had allegedly been evading arrest in connection with an Arms Act case registered in Delhi. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Haryana's Ambala, was wanted in an FIR registered at Jagatpuri Police Station under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Police had said Singh had been absconding since the registration of the case and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by a court.
The woman told Bengaluru police that the abductors were sent by her mother-in-law, based in Rajasthan, as families of the couple were opposed to their marriage
EC announces mayoral elections in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Municipal Corporations, check schedule
The Rajasthan State Election Commission on Friday issued the full schedule for the Mayoral elections in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Kota Municipal Corporations and the Chairperson of Suket Municipality, with polling to be held on September 25.
Delhi weather: Dry spell ahead as monsoon withdrawal begins on September 19
Delhi is likely to remain partly cloudy with no rain through September 20 as the monsoon begins withdrawing from parts of West Rajasthan, while rain remains active across eastern and southern India
Rajasthan to hold mayoral polls in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota on Sept 25
The News Mill
Westview Cricket Ltd and Poonawalla Sports and Fitness Pvt Ltd will be buying Rajasthan Royals (India), Paarl Royals (South Africa) and Barbados Royals (Barbados).
Rajasthan order asking students to join PM Modi's birthday celebrations sparks controversy
Congress leader Tika Ram Jully asked why the government departments and educational institutions were being involved in PM Modis birthday celebrations.
CCI nod for Lakshmi Mittal-Poonawalla Rajasthan Royals stake buys
The competition regulator in India has sanctioned the acquisition of three cricket franchises, with Westview Cricket and Poonawalla Sports set to buy the Rajasthan Royals along with two overseas teams. Moreover, the approval extends to deals made by Great White Global and ITVIS Innovations. OMERS Infrastructure Asia also received the nod for purchasing a larger share in Azure Power Global.
Take her back to Rajasthan: Cops say in-laws behind womans abduction in Bengaluru
Womans in-laws behind Bengaluru abduction? Police arrest 3 from Rajasthan
Kalki Koechlin curates Max Fashions Festive 2026 line: Art, craft and purpose take centre stage
This festive season, actor Kalki Koechlin steps into the role of curator for Max Fashion, helming a new collection that merges original artwork, traditional hand-block printing and contemporary silhouettes. The launch marks the debut edition of MAX PROJECT NEW, the retailers purpose-led platform that seeks to push creativity beyond the design studio and into everyday wear. A key pillar of the collection is its collaboration with the Kairassi Foundation, Chennai, a design-inclusive organisation that empowers specially-abled artists. Max Fashion worked with three artistsSimron, Pavithra and Manastranslating their original paintings directly onto garments and accessories. Simrons watercolour landscapes lend a dreamlike quality to skirts, while Pavithras fluid, ocean-inspired blues feature across shirts. Manas, the youngest of the trio, creates his work using a straw instead of a brush, resulting in a spontaneous, playful aesthetic that now appears on a tote bag. According to the brand, these are not reinterpretations, but the artists original paintings moved from canvas to fabric. Parallel to the art-led pieces, the collection also spotlights craft. Working with artisans in Sanganer, Rajasthan, Max Fashion developed an exclusive design that blends Japanese floral motifs with the regions signature hand block printing. The process involved hand-carving wooden blocks, mixing colours and printing each fabric layer one shade at a time. The outcome is a festive range where paint and pigment, contemporary expression and traditional technique coexist, underlining the stories behind what people wear. Sumit Chandna, CEO, Max Fashion, said, Fashion, for us, has always been more than what we wear, its a form of expression, a way to tell stories, and a platform that can create real impact. Kalki shared a vision with us that we instantly connected with, and together we built on it, the idea that festive dressing could carry meaning, not just style. MAX PROJECT NEW brings that belief to life, whether through an artists brushstroke or an artisans hand-carved block. And this is only the beginning. Kalki Koechlin added, Ive always wanted festive fashion to feel like its saying something, not just selling something. Whether its a tiny painted detail on a bag or a hand-carved print on a dress, you put it on and youre carrying someone elses story with you. I think that makes what you wear feel much more special. The collection is styled with an effortless, contemporary sensibility, favouring fluid silhouettes and unexpected pairings that work for festive evenings as well as everyday wardrobes. Max Fashion has indicated that MAX PROJECT NEW will continue across seasons, inviting new artists, craftspeople and creative voices into the fashion ecosystem. The campaign encapsulates this approach with the line: HOW NEW IS YOUR NEW. Also Read: 15 Years of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Kalki Koechlin recalls Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif walking FREELY in Spain: We walked on the cobbled streets and nobody bothered uswe werent HIDING in our vanity vans
Priyanka Chopra marked husband Nick Jonas 34th birthday on September 17 with a series of personal pictures and a video featuring their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. The actor and singer received a birthday tribute from Priyanka, who shared glimpses of their family celebrations on Instagram. Priyanka began the post with a picture of herself kissing Nick on the cheek. In the photograph, Nick can be seen wearing a cap with the text, Sorry were golfing. The carousel also featured a few candid pictures of the birthday boy, including one in which he posed inside a private vehicle decorated for the occasion. The final slide of Priyankas post featured a video of Nick with their daughter Malti. In the clip, Malti can be heard singing while Nick accompanies her on the piano. Sharing the post, Priyanka penned in the caption, Happy birthday to the man that makes all our dreams come true.. everyday. We love you Gaga. Sound on @nickjonas @maltimarie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) Priyankas mother, Madhu Chopra, also extended her wishes to Nick on his birthday. She shared a series of pictures featuring Nick, his brothers Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas, and Malti. Sharing the pictures, she penned in the caption, Happy Birthday, @nickjonas So grateful to have you as a part of our family. You're not just my son-in-law but truly like a son to me. She added, Your kindness, hard work, and the love you have for our family mean so much. Wishing you a day filled with happiness, love, and everything you deserve! Priyanka and Nick first sparked romance after connecting through direct messages on X. Their relationship progressed quickly, and the couple got engaged in August 2018. They married later that year in Rajasthan, holding both a traditional Christian wedding and a Hindu ceremony. The couple welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy in January 2022. Since then, Priyanka and Nick have occasionally shared glimpses of their family life on social media. On the work front, Priyanka is set to return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamoulis Varanasi. She will be seen as Mandakini in the film, which also stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. Directed by SS Rajamouli, Varanasi marks Priyankas upcoming appearance in an Indian film. Also Read : Priyanka Chopra Jonas speaks on the magic of the unknown in new Bentley campaign BTS
Lower Kharif output expected due to rainfall deficit in Rajasthan
Rain deficit may cut Rajasthan's Kharif output, with guar, moong and moth crops facing sharp yield losses
Bengaluru: Car carrying abducted woman crashes into 20 vehicles
Bengaluru: A speeding vehicle crashed into more than 20 vehicles, injuring six people in Bengaluru on Wednesday night, September 16, while attempting to abduct a 21-year-old girl from Rajasthan who married a man from another caste against her familys wishes. Police have arrested the accused, 21-year-old Rakesh, 25-year-old Karan and 18-year-old Ayas, while the driver, 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 .
Rajasthan civic polls: Cong wins 6 of 9 wards in repolling
The Congress party won six out of nine wards where repolling was conducted across four urban local bodies in Rajasthan, while the BJP secured three. These results finalise the tally for all 10,244 wards, with the BJP holding the overall lead in total wards won, followed by Congress and Independents. The process for electing mayors and chairpersons is now underway.
On Nick Jonas birthday, Priyanka Chopra shares adorable video of daughter Malti singing with dad
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Singer and actor Nick Jonas turned 34 on Thursday, and his wife, actress Priyanka Chopra, made his special day even more memorable with a heartfelt birthday tribute on social media. Desi Girl shared a collection of photos and videos on Instagram, offering a glimpse into some of the couples special moments. The post opened with a picture of Priyanka giving Nick a kiss on the cheek. Nick was seen wearing a cap carrying the playful message, Sorry were golfing. The actress then shared a series of candid moments featuring Nick. One of the pictures showed him posing inside a vehicle that had been decorated for his birthday celebrations. The sweetest moment came towards the end of the post, when Priyanka shared a video of Nick spending some musical time with their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas. In the clip, Malti can be heard singing while Nick plays the piano alongside her. For the caption, the Quantico actress wrote, Happy birthday to the man that makes all our dreams come true.. everyday. We love you Gaga. Sound on @nickjonas @maltimarie. Priyankas mother, Madhu Chopra, also joined the birthday celebrations by sending her wishes to Nick. She posted several pictures featuring Nick with his brothers, Kevin and Joe Jonas, as well as Malti. Alongside it, she wrote, Happy Birthday, @nickjonas So grateful to have you as a part of our family. You're not just my son-in-law but truly like a son to me. For the unversed, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas first connected through direct messages on X, which eventually blossomed into a relationship. After a brief courtship, the couple got engaged in August 2018. Later that year, the couple exchanged wedding vows in Rajasthan in both Christian and Hindu ceremonies, celebrating their union with traditional customs. In January 2022, the couple welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, through surrogacy.
Rajasthani womans abduction: 3 arrested, one woman critical, says Bengaluru DCP Bengaluru: Three persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 21-year-old married woman from her residence in Agrahara Dasarahalli, while police are investigating the involvement of a fourth person, DCP West Bengaluru, Yathish N. said on Thursday. Addressing the media, [] The post Rajasthani womans abduction: 3 arrested, one woman critical, says Bengaluru DCP appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
India, US Begin Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 In Uttarakhand
The 22nd edition of India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 has begun. The exercise is being conducted simultaneously at Auli in Uttarakhand and Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Around 600 personnel from India and the US are participating in the joint drill. Troops will train in integrated battle group operations across mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain. The exercise focuses on infantry operations, interoperability and strengthening joint operational capabilities. Drones, autonomous systems and modern weapon technologies will also feature in the exercise
Bengaluru cops file FIR, expedite probe into married womans kidnapping by Rajasthan gang
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 17 (IANS) The Magadi Road Police on Thursday registered an FIR in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 21-year-old woman from Agrahara Dasarahalli in Bengaluru by some people from Rajasthan and a subsequent series of road accidents involving the vehicle used by the accused. The case has been registered under Sections 137, 61 and 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the police, Pooja, daughter of Gunaramu and a resident of Melwas village in Rajasthan, had married Om Prakash, 23, son of Shesh Ram, in a love marriage around eight to nine months ago against the wishes of their families. The couple subsequently moved to Bengaluru and had been residing in the Agrahara Dasarahalli locality. Unable to accept the marriage, Pooja's family allegedly sent four persons to Bengaluru to bring her back. The accused allegedly abducted Pooja from her residence and fled in a Hyundai Venue car. After the incident, local residents reportedly chased the vehicle. In an attempt to escape, the accused allegedly drove the car recklessly at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, hitting more than 35 cars and over 100 two-wheelers during the chase. The chase continued for around nine kilometres before members of the public managed to intercept the vehicle at 4th Cross Road in Vijayanagar Hoshalli. The enraged public allegedly pelted the vehicle with stones, damaging it, and dragged three persons out of the car before assaulting them. They were subsequently handed over to the Vijayanagar police. Six people were injured in the series of accidents. They have been identified as Prithviraj, 12, Yashika, 9, Amul, 35, Mani, 64, Jayalakshmi, 57, and Santosh, 33. Jayalakshmi sustained a head injury and is undergoing treatment in the ICU, while the other injured people are also receiving treatment. The arrested accused have been identified as Rakesh, 31, Karan, 35, and Ayan, 18, all from Rajasthan. Saddam, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, managed to escape and police are conducting a search to trace him. The vehicle used in the alleged kidnapping and the three arrested accused are currently in police custody. During questioning, police reportedly found that Pooja's paternal aunt had allegedly hired the accused to kidnap her. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the aunt had remained in contact with Pooja after her marriage and had allegedly obtained her address recently. Police are continuing their investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and the role of others in the incident.
Congress councillor switches to BJP, elected as Khetri chairperson unopposed in last-minute twist
The political equations in Rajasthan's Khetri municipality changed dramatically at the last moment after Congress councillor Geeta Saini switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and filed her nomination for the chairperson's post. Saini had won from Ward 5 on a Congress ticket by 178 votes in the recent municipal elections . However, just before the nomination deadline, she joined the BJP and entered the chairperson's race as the party's candidate. With no rival candidate filing a nomination, she was subsequently elected unopposed.
South Bengal to get relief from heat as thunderstorms, rain forecast for five days
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 17 (IANS) After days of sweltering heat, weather conditions in south Bengal are likely to change as the Met office on Thursday forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain over the next few days. Rain is likely at one or two places in almost all districts of south Bengal. Gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 km per hour are also expected. Kolkata, too, is likely to receive rain and thundershowers. According to a Met department official, the monsoon axis extends from a low-pressure area over Rajasthan to the northwest Bay of Bengal through Ranchi and Digha. In addition, a cyclonic circulation is currently present over the northwest Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to gradually strengthen and influence the West Bengal and Odisha coasts. As a result, south Bengal is likely to witness another spell of heavy rain from Thursday, which may continue for the next five days. A yellow warning for rain and thunderstorms has been issued for eight districts, including coastal and western areas. Thunderstorms are likely in Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. However, the intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease from Monday. Meanwhile, rainfall is likely to increase in north Bengal on Thursday. A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour is likely across the region. Rainfall activity in north Bengal is expected to decrease from Friday. Kolkata is likely to see cloudy skies from Thursday afternoon, with the possibility of rain increasing during the day. Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is expected to continue until Saturday. Gusty winds reaching 30 to 40km per hour are also likely. On Wednesday, Kolkata and adjoining areas recorded a maximum temperature of 34.08 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 27.06 degrees Celsius, 1.02 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 52 and 97 percent.
Congress sweeps four Jaipur repoll wards, Dotasra hits back at BJPs massive majority claim
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. He stated that repolling results in Jaipur debunked the BJP's majority claims. Congress swept all four wards where repolling was conducted in Jaipur city. Dotasra accused the BJP government of misusing power and the Election Commission. He asserted that the people's mandate was clear and the BJP's actions were exposed.
RPSC SI Re-Exam Admit Card 2026 Out - Download Hall Ticket at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in
Download RPSC SI Re-Exam Admit Card 2026 released on 17 September for the Sub Inspector Police / Platoon Commander Re-Examination scheduled on 20 September 2026. Check hall ticket download link, exam centre details, required documents, and exam-day instructions for 859 posts from the cancelled 2021 recruitment exam.
Rajasthan Family Allegedly Kidnaps Daughter In Bengaluru After Love Marriage, SUV Crashes
A 21-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped in Bengaluru by four men reportedly sent by her family after she married a 23-year-old man against their wishes. The accused allegedly fled with her in an SUV, which collided with several vehicles during reckless driving, injuring six people. Three accused have been arrested, while the alleged driver remains on the run. Police have seized the vehicle and are investigating the case.
Rajasthan To Allot 552 Acres For Three Private Industrial Parks In Dausa, Balotra And Dholpur
Weather Alert Today: Rain and Thunderstorms Forecast Across 20 States, Check City-Wise Update
Weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled across several parts of India on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as a low-pressure area over southwestern Rajasthan influences the regional weather pattern. Rain, thunderstorms and strong winds are forecast across multiple states, while some areas co...
Upasana Singh on PM Modis 76th birthday: Thank God that he was born in India and made history
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Actress Upasana Singh showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday, describing herself as a big fan and saying she thanks God that he was born in India. Speaking to IANS, Upasana heaped praise on the iconic leader for making history and doing so many good things for India, while wishing him a long life and continued service to Indians. Upasana told IANS: I'm a big fan of him and I thank God that he was born in India and he has made history. He has done so many good things. She added: I don't think there is a problem with him being the Prime Minister for so long. There is a problem with Modi ji. If it's Modi ji, it's possible. I agree with that. Happy birthday, Modi ji. May God bless you with a long life and may you continue to do good for all Indians. On the iconic leaders birthday, BJP will launch 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service. September 17 marks PM Modi's birthday, while October will mark the completion of 25 years of his public service. Earlier on September 9, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, announced that PM Modi will complete 25 years of public service on October 7, and to mark this occasion, the BJP will conduct a special month-long campaign, 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. The BJP's nationwide campaign is expected to include a range of public outreach and service-oriented programmes during the month. Talking about Upasana, the actress has worked in Hindi, Punjabi, and Rajasthani language films. She played the role of a deaf-mute in the 1997 film Judaai. She appeared on television in Son Pari, in the sitcom Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Tamanna House. She played the character of Bua in the TV show Comedy Nights with Kapil, which got her widespread critical acclaim.
India-US Army joint military exercise; M777 deployment demo, shoot & scoot drills in Rajasthan
28 sittings a year, J&K leads in legislative time: Speaker
Srinagar, Sept 16: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday defended the duration of the forthcoming Autumn Session, rejecting criticism from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma that a short sitting reflected a lack of legislative accountability. Rather said Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 Assembly sittings a year against the national average of 24, arguing that the Union Territory compares favourably with other legislatures in terms of annual sitting days. The Leader of Opposition should introspect before making statements like that. Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 sittings per year against the national average of just 24, Rather toldmedia personsduring an interaction ahead of the Autumn Session. The session is scheduled to be held in Srinagar from September 21 to September 30. Sharma had demanded a month-long session, alleging that the Government was avoiding adequate legislative scrutiny and failing to provide sufficient time for raising public issues. The Speaker said the Autumn Session in J&K had traditionally been relatively short and cited examples from other States to counter the Opposition's criticism. Assam had a one-day session, Rajasthan had a two-day session, and Gujarat, Delhi and Goa had three-day sessions, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had five-day sessions. These are all BJP-ruled States, he said. He also referred to the period when the BJP was part of the Government in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Autumn Session had been short during those years as well. In 2015, the Autumn Session was from October 4 to October 10 while in 2017, it was held in July for only four days, Rather said. The Speaker's remarks came a day after Sharma accused the Government of undermining legislative accountability and called for a longer session to enable members to raise issues concerning the public. Rather, however, maintained that the number of sitting days alone should not be viewed as the sole measure of legislative performance, stressing the importance of the quality of debate and the functioning of the House. He also made an appeal to the media to give greater prominence to substantive legislative work rather than disruptions and uproar inside the Assembly. The Presiding Officers will certainly try to bring them under controlthat is indeed their responsibility. However, your responsibility is even greater. Those who create uproar and show no respect for the rules, please write less about them, he said. Rather urged journalists to focus more on the quality of speeches and the legislative performance of members. Give more coverage to whichever member delivers a good performance. That will help us conduct the House in a civilised and orderly manner, he said. The Speaker said excessive coverage of disruptions could encourage other members to resort to similar tactics for publicity. Generally, it is seen that those who create a ruckus receive the most coverage. The consequence of this is that the number of rabble-rousers continues to grow day by day, he said. Rather said new members could get the impression that shouting slogans and creating disruptions was an effective way of attracting media attention, and urged the press to instead highlight members who respect parliamentary rules and contribute substantively to proceedings. The exchange between the Speaker and the Opposition comes ahead of the September 21 opening of the Autumn Session, with the duration and functioning of the House emerging as an early point of political contention.
Rajasthan urban local body elections: Candidates for mayors, chairpersons file nominations
According to a list containing 989 nominations, multiple nominations have been filed in several urban bodies, including cases where the same candidate figures more than once
Rajasthan Police Arrests Another Suspect in Digital Arrest Scam
Rajasthan Police have arrested a third suspect in a scam involving 76 lakh defrauded from an elderly couple in Jaipur. Rajasthan Police Arrests Another Suspect in Digital Arrest Scam
Who Will Teach?: Abhijeet Dipke Flags Teacher Shortage, School Gaps In Tribal Areas
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke has launched the Adivasi School Thik Karo campaign, focusing on the condition of schools and educational facilities in tribal areas. The campaign team plans to visit schools across Maharashtra, including Gadchiroli, as well as Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha, Gujarat and other states. Dipke has raised concerns over infrastructure, teacher vacancies, student deaths, medical access and Eklavya Model Residential Schools. He has also questioned teachers being deployed for election duties. Dipke says the campaigns objective is simple: document ground realities, improve schools and uplift marginalised tribal communities.
Indian worker loses leg after crane accident at Jerusalem construction site
An Indian worker from Rajasthan lost his left leg after tiles being lifted by a crane fell on him at a construction site in Jerusalem. He is undergoing treatment at Hadassah Hospital, while the Indian embassy and his employer are helping coordinate his care and insurance
The resort politics is back in Rajasthan ahead of mayoral elections in Ajmer as Congress has sent all its councillors to Karnataka. According to sources, the councillors are being housed at Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's resort. It is to be noted that neither BJP nor Congress got a clear majority in the Ajmer Municipal Corporation Elections, although Congress has emerged as the largest party here.
Weather Tomorrow: The Meteorological Department has issued a new weather advisory for various regions of India. On Thursday, September 17, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in areas such as Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and Odisha, which may also experience lightning strikes. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan could receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms. Scattered showers and storms are predicted for Haryana and West Bengal as well.
Weather Tomorrow: The Meteorological Department has issued a new weather advisory for various regions of India. On Thursday, September 17, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in areas such as Delhi-NCR, Bihar, and Odisha, which may also experience lightning strikes. Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan could receive light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms. Scattered showers and storms are predicted for Haryana and West Bengal as well.
AI Deepfake Scam Exposed: How a Fake CM Video Tricked Thousands into Paying Cash
A Rajasthan man was arrested for using AI deepfakes of the Tamil Nadu CM to run a scholarship scam. Learn how this 2026 fraud worked, why students were targeted, and how to spot synthetic voice cloning before you lose money.
Orange Vande Bharat Train Crosses Rajasthans Sambhar Salt Lake
Indias Orange Snake in Rajasthan! A Vande Bharat train crossing the vast Sambhar Salt Lake creates a surreal sight, with the bright orange train appearing to glide across the shimmering salt pans like a giant snake
Indian Worker Loses Leg In Jerusalem Construction Site Accident
Tiles falling from crane reportedly severed the Rajasthan workers left leg
