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Thu, 23 January 2020
Haven't changed my saffron colour: Uddhav

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23:22   Haven't changed my saffron colour: Uddhav
Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday that though he had found new allies in state politics, he had not changed his 'saffron' colour.

Thackeray, whose party espoused Hindutva from early on, ditched the Bharatiya Janata Party after the assembly polls last year and formed government with the help of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.

The Shiv Sena on Thursday felicitated Uddhav for fulfilling his promise to his father and late Sena founder Bal Thackeray that he would install a Shiv Sena chief minister in the state.

January 23 is Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary.

"I have chosen a new political path by taking along old political rivals as allies. I have not changed my colour, my core ('Antarang'). It continues to remain saffron," he said, apparently countering criticism that he forsake Hindutva for the sake of power.

Uddhav's remark also followed a barb from his estranged cousin and MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who, speaking at his party's function earlier in the evening, said, "I don't change the colour of my party to form the government."

Hitting out at the BJP, Uddhav alleged that the former ally broke its pre-poll promise (to share the chief minister's post) and tried to label him as a liar.

"The BJP had broken ties with the Sena in 2014 and formed government with `invisible' support. It was then that when you (BJP) were exposed," he said.

In 2014, the BJP and Shiv Sena fought the state elections separately but the Sena joined the BJP government as a partner later.  -- PTI
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23:16   Pak FM unveils '10-day campaign' over Kashmir
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday unveiled a 10-day campaign to highlight the Kashmir issue at local and international level.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Qureshi said the activities will start on January 25, leading up to the mega event on February 5, which Pakistan observes as the Kashmir solidarity day.

"We are launching a program to effectively highlight Kashmir (issue)," he said.

Qureshi said that Islamabad-based diplomatic corps will be invited at the President House on February 4 to apprise them on the situation in Kashmir.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on February 5 and address the Legislative Assembly.

He will also address a public gathering in Mirpur later in the day.

Qureshi said that Pakistan was effectively presenting the case of Kashmir despite challenges and influence of India worldwide.

"But we have been successful and the UN Security Council twice discussed the issue," he said.

He said that President Donald Trump during his meeting with Prime Minister Khan in Davos this week expressed concern on Kashmir and also said that his concern was conveyed to India.

Qureshi also rejected India's insistence that Kashmir can be only resolved by bilateral means, saying that New Delhi was taking unilateral actions to change the status of Kashmir.  -- PTI
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21:54   Queen gives assent to London's Brexit bill
Queen Elizabeth II gave her formal assent on Thursday for Britain to end its decades-long involvement in the European Union and seek a more independent but uncertain future at the end of the month.

The head of state's ceremonial approval of the withdrawal legislation allows Britain to leave its closest neighbours and trading partners after years of bickering and three delays.

Two top EU officials in Brussels are expected to sign the separation treaty on Friday and Prime Minister Boris Johnson will put his name on it in the coming days.    -- Agencies
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21:28   Lt Gen Y K Joshi made Northern Army Commander
Lieutenant General Y K Joshi has been appointed commander of the strategically crucial Northern Command which takes care of overall security scenario along the border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir as well as with China in Ladakh.

Lt Gen Joshi, with vast experience of anti-terror operations in Kashmir, succeeds Lt Gen Ranbir Singh who retires from service on January 31.

Lt Gen Joshi is currently serving as Chief of Staff of the Northern Command.

He will take charge of the Northern Command as General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) on February 1, official sources told PTI.

Lt Gen C P Mohanty has been appointed commander of the Southern Command.

He succeeds Lt Gen S K Saini who will take charge as new vice chief of the Army on Saturday.

The post of vice chief fell vacant after General M M Naravane was appointed Chief of Army Staff.

Lt Gen Mohanty has operational experience along the borders with Pakistan and China and also in active counter-insurgency operations in Assam.

He led a multinational UN brigade in Congo.

At present, he is serving as General Officer Commanding of Uttar Bharat area.  -- PTI
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21:19   Planned protests outside mission: India takes up issue with UK govt
In the wake of planned protests by some Pakistani and pro-Khalistani groups outside its mission in London, India on Thursday said it has taken up the matter with the United Kingdom and hoped adequate steps will be taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

India's High Commissioner to the UK Ruchi Ghanshyam called on British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Wednesday and conveyed security and safety concerns flowing from planned protests, including on Republic Day at India House, the Indian mission in London said in a tweet.

Asked about planned protests by pro-Khalistani groups outside the Indian High Commission in the UK, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said there have been incidents which have happened in London in the past and India has taken up the matter very strongly with the UK Foreign Office.

"This was again done a few days back by the High Commission of India in London. We have sensitised them about the need to secure our premises, the safety of our persons who are working there and this is all part of what constitutes a normal diplomatic behaviour by other countries," he said.

"We do hope the UK government will take adequate steps to ensure that there is no untoward incident as has happened in the past," Kumar said.  -- PTI
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20:35   100-125 women booked for anti-CAA protests in UP
A first information report has been registered against 100-125 unidentified women for allegedly violating prohibitory orders by participating in anti-Citizenship Act protests in Ujariyaon locality in Gomti Nagar in Lucknow, police said.

They said only five women have been named in the FIR.

"The FIR was registered for violating prohibitory orders and other sections of IPC on Wednesday," a senior police official said.

Protests by women and other activists against the Citizenship Amendment Act are taking place in many areas here including the Clock Tower and Ujariyaon.  -- PTI
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20:30   Mahatma's favourite Christian hymn to remain in Beating Retreat list
Christian hymn 'Abide With Me', a favourite of Mahatma Gandhi, will continue to figure in the list of tunes to be played during the Beating Retreat ceremony, amid uncertainty over its inclusion at the ceremonial event.

The hymn will be the finale piece in the iconic ceremony at Vijay Chowk on January 29.

'Abide With Me' was written by Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte and it was the only western tune played at the event last year.

"Earlier the band was asked to discontinue practising the hymn 'Abide With Me', but in last 2-3 days, instructions were given to again practice it. It will be the finale piece as it has been traditionally," a source said on Thursday.

The soulful tune also figured in the official list of tunes in a brochure on the Beating Retreat ceremony released by the Army on Thursday.

The tunes to be performed by the bands also include 'Vande Mataram' which precedes 'Abide With Me' in the list.

Sources, a week ago, had indicated that the ceremony was likely to conclude with 'Vande Mataram'.

Traditionally, it concludes with 'Abide With Me'.  -- PTI
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19:04   CRPF commando found dead at Ambani's residence
A Central Reserve Police Force commando deployed in the security cover of Mukesh Ambani was found dead at the Reliance Chairman's residence with authorities probing if he killed himself or died after his service weapon went off accidentally, officials said.

They said constable Botara D Rambhai was found dead Wednesday night at the 'Antilia' residence of the businessman in south Mumbai.

It is yet to be ascertained if the jawan committed suicide or his weapon went off accidentally, they said.

It, however, looks to be a case of suicide, the officials said.

The deceased hailed from Junagadh district of Gujarat and had joined the force in 2014.

The CRPF is entrusted with securing Ambani under the top 'Z+' category of VIP security cover.

His wife Nita Ambani is also protected by the force under a similar cover but she has a smaller category of 'Y' cover.   -- PTI
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18:21   Davinder, 4 others sent to 15-day NIA custody
Suspended Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Davinder Singh, who was arrested for helping terrorists, was produced in a special court in  Jammu on Thursday and was sent to 15-day National Investigation Agency custody with four co-accused, officials said.

They said the suspended officer was produced in the special NIA court along with the two terrorists, who he was helping travel out of Jammu and Kashmir, and their two associates.

Syed Irfan, brother of a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist arrested along with Singh, was also produced in the court by the NIA after it arrested him on Thursday.

The NIA sought 15-day custody to interrogate the five, officials said, adding the court granted the request.

The accused were brought to the court in bullet-proof vehicles with their faces covered. A battery of mediapersons was seen outside the court complex.

The NIA, which took over the investigations into the case last weekend, brought them here on Wednesday on a transit remand from Kulgam in south Kashmir.  -- PTI
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17:46   Davinder Singh produced in special NIA court
Suspended Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Davinder Singh, who was arrested for helping two terrorists travel out of Jammu and Kashmir, was produced in a special court in Jammu on Thursday, officials said.

They said the suspended officer was produced in the special National Investigation Agency court along with the two terrorists and their two associates.

Syed Irfan, brother of a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist arrested along with Singh, was also produced in the court by the NIA after it arrested him on Thursday.

The NIA sought 15-day custody to interrogate the five, officials said.

The accused were brought to the court in bullet-proof vehicles with their faces covered.

A battery of mediapersons was seen outside the court complex.

The NIA, which took over the investigations into the case last weekend, brought them in Jammu on Wednesday on a transit remand from Kulgam in south Kashmir.   -- PTI
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17:32   Iltija Mufti alleges harassment by security
People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti's daughter Iltija Mufti on Thursday alleged that she was being 'harassed' by her security detail, Special Security Group (SSG), and said the Union Home Ministry should focus its resources on matters of grave importance rather than 'stalking young women like me'.

She also alleged that she was constantly being monitored by the SSG, Intelligence Bureau and Crime Investigation Department in the valley.

'After being manhandled & illegally detained in Kashmir, I am now being harassed by SSG which reports to MHA. My right to freedom cant be curtailed under (the) guise of 'security & safety'.

'Given that a top cop was caught red handed with militants, I'm certainly safer without them,' Iltija Mufti wrote on Twitter.

'I was constantly monitored by SSG, IB and CID in Srinagar. Wish MHA would focus its resources on matters of grave importance as opposed to stalking young women like me. Why waste taxpayers money?' she said.

Iltija Mufti has been operating her mother's twitter handle since 5 August when the PDP president was placed under detention in the wake of abrogation of Article 370.  -- PTI
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17:08   2-seater plane lands on Ghaziabad expressway
A two-seater aircraft made an emergency landing on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway in Ghaziabad on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place around 1.45 pm on the highway near Sadarpur village, Ghaziabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani said. 

"The plane had two pilots on-board and both of them are safe," Naithani told PTI. 

"The incident is said to have occurred due to a technical glitch in the plane but its cause could be ascertained by authorities concerned only," the officer said.

The left wing of the aircraft suffered some damages in the incident, but traffic movement on the highway remained normal, he said. 

The Eastern Peripheral Expressway or Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway or National Expressway 2 is a 135-km-long, six-lane expressway passing through the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is located around 50 km from the national capital.

-- PTI
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17:05   No role for any third party in Kashmir: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday categorically said that there is no scope for third party mediation on the Kashmir issue and outlined that any discussion on bilateral matters should be held only between India and Pakistan.

Responding to a media question about United States President Donald Trump raising the Kashmir issue during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We have reacted to similar statements in the past. Our position on the Kashmir issue and the third party mediation has been very clear and consistent.

"Let me reiterate that there is no role for any third party in this matter."

Kumar, who was addressing the weekly media briefing, also said the onus is on Pakistan to hold talks on conducive conditions free from violence and terrorism.

"If there are any bilateral issues between India and Pakistan that needs to be discussed, it should be done between the two countries under provisions of the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

"But the onus is on Pakistan to create such conducive conditions -- free from terror, hostility, and violence," said Kumar.

The comments came after Trump on Tuesday said the US was watching the developments between India and Pakistan in relation to Kashmir 'very closely' and again offered his 'help' to resolve the issue.

"We are going to be talking about trade and many other things. But trade is going to be of very, very paramount importance. And we are doing more trade as it turns.

"We are working together on some borders and we are talking about Kashmir and the relation to what is going on with Pakistan and India.

"If we can help, we certainly will be helping. And we have been watching that and following it very, very closely," Trump said with Khan sitting by his side on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

This was the fourth time that Trump had offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue in the last six months.

The last time Trump and Khan had met was in September 2019 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

The US President had raised the issue of 'mediating' between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue following which India had ruled out third party mediation. -- ANI
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16:58   Those in power are real 'tukde-tukde' gang: PC
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday accused the Central government of being the real 'Tukde Tukde' gang while stating the country has slipped 10 places in the global democracy index owing to 'debilitation' of democratic institutions.

Taking to Twitter, former Union Home Minister Chidambaram warned that every patriotic Indian should be alarmed.

'India has slipped 10 places in the Democracy Index. Anyone who has closely observed the events of the last two years knows that democracy has been eroded and democratic institutions have been debilitated. Those who are in power are the real 'Tukde Tukde' gang,' tweeted Chidambaram.

He said that the world is alarmed by the direction the country is taking.

India has slipped to 51st position in a 2019 global democracy index ranking. -- ANI
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16:40   Hardik held in 2017 case as soon as he walks out of jail
Congress leader Hardik Patel, who walked out of the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad on Thursday a day after he was granted bail in a sedition case, was immediately arrested by Gandhinagar district police in a 2017 case of addressing a rally without police permission, an official said.

A local court in Ahmedabad had on Wednesday granted bail to Patel, four days after he was arrested for failing to appear before the trial court in a 2015 sedition case.

As soon as he walked out of the jail on Thursday afternoon, he was arrested by Mansa tehsil police of Gandhinagar district in connection with a first information report registered against him in 2017 for disobeying a police order.

"We arrested Hardik Patel as soon as he walked out of the jail today. Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections in December 2017, he had addressed a gathering in Mansa town without police permission. While the FIR was lodged at that time, he was arrested in the case today," police sub inspector of Mansa, S S Pawar, said.

Patel was arrested on January 18 by the crime branch of Viramgam tehsil in Ahmedabad district for failing to appear before the trial court in Ahmedabad in the 2015 sedition case, after a warrant was issued against him.

He had been previously arrested in connection with this sedition case filed by the Ahmedabad crime branch after violence broke out during a rally of the Patidar community in the city on August 25, 2015.

The quota agitation spearhead was granted bail in July 2016, and in November 2018, the court had framed charges against him and other accused in the case.

Patel had joined the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.  -- PTI
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16:20   CAA, J-K internal issues of India: Brazil envoy
The amended citizenship law and the situation in Kashmir are internal issues of India and the country with its dynamic democracy will find solutions to these "challenges", Brazilian envoy Andre Aranha Correa do Lago said on Thursday.

His comments on the two issues comes a day ahead of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's maiden visit to India after he assumed power in January last year following a sweeping electoral victory.

Lago said  that over 15 agreements will be signed during the Brazilian president's visit, including one on the investment protection and facilitation treaty.
"These (Citizenship (Amendment) Act and Kashmir situation) are two internal issues of India that obviously we are following with great interest. Naturally, in the conversations probably the Indian government will bring elements about this but we see this very clearly as internal questions of India," he said.

"India being such a dynamic democracy with such fantastic institutions and civil society, we know that with this very open society, you will discuss and you (will) go ahead with solutions for these challenges," the Brazilian envoy said.

He made the remarks when asked if the CAA and the Kashmir issue could be discussed during talks.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro will on Friday begin a four-day visit to India, primarily as the chief guest on Republic Day and also to explore ways to boost trade ties at a time both the large economies are hit by slowdowns.

He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind separately on Saturday. 

Bolsonaro will be accompanied by seven ministers, top officials and a large business delegation. 

-- PTI
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15:57   In a first, PM to visit National War Memorial before Republic Day Parade
During the Republic Day parade this year, for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial before the parade.

This would also be the first time that the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat would attend the Republic Day parade and welcome the PM along with the three defence chiefs.

"For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on the Republic Day where he would be received by the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Services Chiefs," said Republic Day Deputy Commander Major General Alok Kakkar.

The National War Memorial was inaugurated last year in February by the PM. The national war memorial has been built in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid down lives for the country in the post-independence era.

-- ANI
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15:29   AAP's Mundka candidate richest with Rs 292 cr
The Aam Aadmi Party candidates figure in the list of some of the richest in the fray for the Delhi Assembly election 2020, with its Mundka nominee Dharampal Lakra declaring assets of over Rs 292 crore, as per the affidavits filed before the election comission.

Other candidates in the list are AAP's incumbent MLA from RK Puram Pramila Tokas, who will again contest from the same seat, with declared assets of Rs 80 crore.

AAP's Hari Nagar candidate Rajkumari Dhillon's declared assets are worth over Rs 51 crore.

Dhanwati Chandela, AAP candidate from Rajouri Garden, also has declared assets of close to Rs 55 crore.

The movable assets of Lakra amount to over Rs 3.24 crore and his wife's amount to over Rs 13.57 lakh. His immovable assets are worth Rs 243 crore and his wife's Rs 45 crore, taking the total worth of the assets to Rs 292 crore.
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15:06   NCC training aircraft makes emergency landing on highway near Delhi
A small NCC training aircraft made an emergency landing on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Ghaziabads Sadarpur village on Thursday.

As per reports, the aircraft made an emergency landing after it faced a technical fault.

As per the logo on the tail, the small aircraft belongs to the National Cadet Corps. One of the wings of the aircraft was also damaged in the emergency landing, following which the Indian Air Force rescued the pilots.
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14:57   More Shaheen Baghs coming up across country: Nandita Das
Lauding the efforts of students and common people who have been protesting against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, actor Nandita Das said on Thursday that more places like Shaheen Bagh are coming up across the country.
 
Das also exhorted people to speak up against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens.
"They (government) are asking those who have been living here for four generations to prove that they are Indians. This is very sad. I think everyone should speak up," she said on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

The actor said the protests against the CAA and the NRC are "spontaneous" and no political parties are involved in them.

"These are led by students and common people. The youth has created a hope in the country. Every other place is becoming a Shaheen Bagh now, and I think as human beings, we should speak up against these laws," Das said.

She emphasised that with the economic slowdown, growing unemployment rate, and now with the CAA and the NRC, the country has become a topic of discussion across the world as "people are being divided on the basis of religion".

"We haven't seen this kind of unemployment in possibly 50 years. The economy is going down. International newspapers are writing about what's happening. This is the first time that we are being divided on religious lines.

"Our Constitution has given us the right to equality. You may belong to any caste, gender or religion but you are equal under the Constitution. And if you believe in that equality, you wouldn't want to see any sort of segregation," Das said.

She added it was a great thing that people from the film fraternity have also spoken strongly against the CAA and the NRC.

-- PTI
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14:46   Delhi gangrape case judge transferred to SC as addl registrar
The sessions judge who recently issued death warrants against the four death row convicts in the 2012 Delhi gangrape and murder case has been transferred.   

Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora has been transferred to the Supreme Court as additional registrar on deputation basis for one year, a letter sent by the registrar general, Delhi high court, to the district judge, Patiala House Courts, said.   

Before his transfer, Arora was hearing the gangrape case, besides other cases.   

The case is likely to be assigned to new judge soon.   

The hanging of all the four convicts, image alongside, was to take place on February 1 at 6 am.
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14:40   'India vs Pak' on Feb 8, says BJP's Kapil Mishra
BJP candidate from Model Town Kapil Mishra on Thursday termed Delhi Assembly elections as a contest between India vs Pakistan. 

In an apparent reference to Aam Aadmi Party, Mishra tweeted, There will be contest between India and Pakistan on the streets of Delhi on February 8. 

Last year in August, Mishra lost his assembly membership and was disqualified as AAP MLA from Karawal Nagar for having campaigned for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi prior the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Matiala MLA Gulab Singh Yadav, held a roadshow in northwest Matiala Assembly constituency. Atop an open yellow coloured jeep, Kejriwal shook hands with the people as his roadshow moved through the narrow lanes of the Matiala Assembly.
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14:27   Modi's younger brother part of Gujarat tableau team for Republic Day
Gujarat will present 'Rani ki Vav: Jal Mandir' (Queen's Stepwell) tableau for the Republic Day parade in Delhi, showcasing the state's culture, civilisation, arts, and water conservation system.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's younger brother named Pankaj Modi is the Deputy Director in the Gujarat government's Information Department and is in Delhi as part of the Republic Day tableau team from Gujarat. 

"Gujarat will present the 'Rani ki Vav: Jal Mandir' tableau in the national parade organised as a part of the Republic Day celebration to be held in New Delhi on January 26," an official statement read.

"This 'Rani ki Vav' tableau is going to exhibit the great heritage of Gujarat to become a central attraction for the nation at the national parade," the statement further read.
'Rani ki Vav', which was built by Rani Udayamati as a memorial to her husband King Bhimdev I in the 11th century in Patan district, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014.

The original grandeur seven storeyed mausoleum monument of 'Rani ki Vav' is located on the banks of historical Sarasvati River at Patan town in Gujarat.

The water wells and reservoirs (chiefly lakes) have always been the lifeline of Gujarat; among them, the 'Rani ki Vav' has remained vitally important as 'Jal Mandir' (water temple) since centuries.

According to the statement, Gujarat's tableau will showcase the grandeur of the 'Rani ki Vav'. To exhibit the importance of the precious water resources, a large sculpture of rural Gujarat with water-filled earthen pots has been placed in the foreground of the tableau.

-- ANI
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13:52   Can you guess who?
Ratan Tata, who joined Instagram less than three months ago after a long hiatus from public life, seems to be learning the ways of social media. 

This morning, the 82-year-old Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Group took to Instagram to share a #ThrowbackThursday picture from his days in Los Angeles. 

In the caption, he explained that he would have posted the picture yesterday - but for the fact that someone told him about "'throwbacks' and how they occur on Thursdays."

"I was going to post this yesterday, but I was then told about 'throwbacks' and how they occur on Thursdays," wrote Ratan Tata, sharing an old picture that shows him in a white T-shirt, smiling for the camera.
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13:24   Abrogation of Art 370 irreversible: Centre to SC
The Central government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the abrogation of Article 370 allowed the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the Indian union and said that the move is "irreversible".

A five-Judge Constitution Bench of Justices NV Ramana, SK Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant today continued hearing various pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370, which conferred special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Attorney General KK Venugopal submitted how accession of the new Union Territory to Indian union took place and said that "it (abrogation of Article 370) is irreversible".
"I want to show that sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir was indeed temporary. We are a Union of States," Venugopal told the court.

Advocate Dr Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said: "A state was demoted to the status of a Union Territory using Article 3 of the Constitution of India for the first time. If they (Centre) do this for one state, they can do it for any state."

Dhavan said that the Central government deliberately imposed President's Rule in the erstwhile state and pointed to a map of Jammu and Kashmir.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing Jammu and Kashmir, interrupted Dhavan and said that "what he is saying is irrelevant".

On this, Dhavan replied, "If Attorney General could bring (JL) Nehru in his historical trip, I can surely show milords a map. I do not have to take your permission."

The top court on Wednesday also heard petitions which were filed after the central government scrapped Article 370 in August last year and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. 

-- ANI
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12:55   Shabana Azmi is recovering well: Javed Akhtar
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who was injured in a car accident last week, is "recovering well" at Mumbai's Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, her husband Javed Akhtar tweeted on Wednesday evening. 

The veteran lyricist also thanked friends and fans for their prayers and blessings for Shabana Azmi on behalf of the entire family. "Our family would like to thank all the friends and well-wishers for their concern and messages for Shabana Azmi. This is to let everyone know that she is recovering well and most probably will be shifted to a normal room tomorrow," read Javed Akhtar's tweet. 

Shabana Azmi was admitted to the Mumbai hospital's Intensive Care Unit last Saturday.
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12:29   I stand with people of Shaheen Bagh: Sisodia
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today appealed to Delhiites, especially Congress and BJP supporters, to vote for his Aam Aadmi Party even if they wish to continue supporting their party.

Meanwhile, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has says that he stands with the people of Shaheen Bagh, but also said that opening of the Kalindikunj  road does not fall under his jurisdiction. 

Sisodia also said that for AAP the poll issues are electricity, road connectivity, health and education.  "I will talk about Shaheen Bagh, but will first talk about education.," he said.

As many as 1,029 candidates have filed 1,528 nominations for the Delhi Assembly polls on February 8, according to data shared by the poll panel. 
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11:59   'Jaising should be kept with Nirbhaya's rapists'
Kangana Ranaut never shies away from controversy.

Recently, at a press conference, Kangana demanded that the convicts of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and muder case should be hanged publicly.

She said, "A person who has committed such a gruesome crime should not be considered a minor. He should be hanged publicly to set an example. Nirbhaya's parents are fighting this battle for a long time. Killing the convict quietly will be of no use as you won't be able to set an example."

Senior lawyer Indira Jaising had urged Nirbhayas mother Asha Devi to forgive Nirbhaya's convicts like Sonia Gandhi forgave her husband's killer. She wrote on Twitter, "While I fully identify with the pain of Asha Devi I urge her to follow the example of Sonia Gandhi who forgave Nalini and said she didnt not want the death penalty for her. We are with you but against the death penalty."

Reacting to Jaising's statement, Kangana said, "She should be kept in jail along with the convicts. How can these women pity the convicts. It is these kind of women who give birth to such monsters."
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11:42   At Mumbai mega rally, Raj Thackeray unveils MNS's new flag
Maharashtra Navanirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday unveiled the new flag of the party, which is saffron in colour and has a Rajmudra in centre.

The colour was changed from saffron, blue and green to just saffron, while the Raj mudra was used during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's rule.

Thackeray began his mega rally by garlanding the picture of Savarkar along with B R Ambedkar, Probodhankar Thackeray and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Earlier, it was said that Thackeray may launch his son Amit into mainstream politics during the mega show of hi party in Goregaon. The reports of the Raj-led party joining hands with the BJP have been doing the rounds after former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met Raj Thackeray recently.
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11:26   Pavan Varma is free to leave: Nitish hits back
It appears that all is not well in the Janata Dal-United. 

Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U party chief has shot back at his senior leader Pavan Varma on the latter's anti-CAA stance and the letter he wrote. 

"If anyone has any issues then the person can discuss it within party or at party meetings, but such kind of public statements are surprising. He can go and join any party he likes, my best wishes," said Nitish Kumar. 

Earlier, Kumar wrote a letter to party chief Nitish Kumar over tie-up in Delhi while saying public actions need to match with personal views and that there is no room for double standards.

"I am not the only person disagreeing with Nitish Kumar. Our party vice president and National General Secretary have also shown their opposition several times and asked him to reconsider his decision. One MLA even quit the party due to Nitish Kumar's allegiance to the BJP in these troubled times," Pavan Varma said.

"Nitish Kumar has categorically come out against NRC but hasn't said anything on the NPR, whose dates have been announced by Deputy CM Sushil Modi. Now when CAA came, he said we will discuss, but he hasn't come out categorically against the CAA-NRC combination," Pavan Varma was quoted as saying.

Pavan Varma went on to ask how did Nitish Kumar take a decision to extend the alliance with the BJP when his personal views are different.

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11:14   Delhi CM carries out roadshow
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal holds roadshow in Matiala. 

Photograph: ANI/Twitter
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10:21   Case against Azharuddin, 2 others for 'cheating' travel agent
A case has been registered against former Indian cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin and two others in Maharashtra after a travel agent lodged a police complaint alleging that they cheated him to the tune of Rs 20.96 lakh, an official said on Thursday.

Azharuddin, however, dismissed the allegation as "baseless", and said he will take legal action against the complainant, Mohammed Shahab.

Shahab, owner of Danish Tours and Travels agency in Maharashtra's Aurangabad city, alleged in his complaint that he booked various international flight tickets worth Rs 20.96 lakh for Azharuddin and some others in November last year on the request of the former India captain's personal assistant Mujib Khan, the police official said.

Shahab alleged he was repeatedly promised payment online, but he did not receive any money.

In his complaint, Shahab said when he asked for the payment, Khan's associate Sudesh Awakkal sent an e-mail saying he has transferred Rs 10.6 lakh to him, but it was not received, the official said.

On November 24, Awakkal sent Shahab a picture on WhatsApp of a cheque issued by him and Khan also did the same on November 29, but the complainant alleged that he did not receive any of the cheques, he said.

-- PTI
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10:00   Nirbhaya convicts silent on last wishes: Sources
The four Nirbhaya case convicts, who are to be hanged on February 1, have given no reply to questions about meeting their family for the last time or willing their property, sources at Tihar jail said on Thursday.

The rules allow death row convicts to choose which family member they want to meet for the last time and when. Convicts are also asked to state whether they want to leave their property to anyone.

Sources say on both counts, the convicts - Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Singh and Pawan Gupta - were silent. This was seen to suggest that they remain hopeful of buying more time.

Eleventh-hour petitions by the convicts resulted in their execution, first scheduled on Wednesday, being deferred to February 1 at 6 am.

Nirbhaya's parents are among those who have denounced the delayed execution of the convicts, sentenced to death for the 2012 gang rape, torture and murder of a 23-year-old medical student.

Six men were arrested after the young woman was brutally assaulted on a moving bus in south Delhi for hours, tortured with an iron rod and thrown off the vehicle. One man was found hanging in his jail cell and the sixth, the youngest, just short of 18 at the time, was released after three years in a reform home.
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09:44   Modi pays tributes to Bal Thackeray on his birth anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his birth anniversary, saying he never hesitated from raising issues of public importance.
  
Thackeray was born in 1926 in Pune.
"Tributes to the great Balasaheb Thackeray on his jayanti. Courageous and indomitable, he never hesitated from raising issues of public welfare," the prime minister wrote on Twitter.
Thackeray always remained proud of Indian ethos and values, and continues to inspire millions, Modi said.
The Shiv Sena recently formed a government in Maharashtra with the support of the NCP and the Congress, breaking a decades old alliance with the BJP.

-- PTI
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09:21   Maha govt to review Koregaon Bhima cases today
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh met senior police officials on Thursday to review the case of violence at Koregaon Bhima in Pune on January 1, 2018.

The meeting is currently underway at the state secretariat in Mumbai, an official said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar last month demand that a Special Investigation Team be set up under a retired judge to probe the action taken by Pune Police in the Koregaon Bhima case.

NCP leader Deshmukh, after taking charge as home minister, said earlier this month that he would seek a status report on the case and then take a decision.

The term "urban Naxal" was used by the Pune Police probing the alleged links between the Elgar Parishad conclave of December 31, 2017 and the caste clashes around Koregaon Bhima in Pune district the next day.

While some rights activists were arrested in the case by the Pune city police, their rural counterparts had booked Hindutva leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide for
allegedly inciting violence.

Ekbote was granted bail by the Supreme Court, while Bhide was never arrested.

The Pune Police have claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. The parishad, they alleged, instigated violence near the Koregaon Bhima war memorial on January 1, 2018. 

-- PTI
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08:54   Six students injured in bus accident in Delhi
Six students have been injured on Thursday morning after a school bus and a cluster bus collided in Naraina.

The injured have been shifted to hospital.
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08:45   Gogoi complainant reinstated after she promises not to pursue matter
The former Supreme Court employee who levelled charges of sexual harassment against former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi was reinstated by the apex court after she gave a written assurance that she would not pursue the matter, a person close to the complainants family revealed on condition of anonymity.

The assurance, this person added, was given at the insistence of a top government functionary. 

The top functionary said everything would be sorted out and they should not tarnish the image of the country by focussing attention on the case, an aide to the complainant said then. The complainant, however, had retained the right to re-file the appeal. Now she has put it in writing that she will not pursue the complaint in any way, the person cited in the first instance added.

The complainant, who was reinstated about a month ago, was being helped by two senior advocates, Vrinda Grover and Prashant Bhushan. She was reinstated with retrospective effect with full wages, Bhushan said. The reinstated employee is on maternity leave for a year, he added. The SC staffer stands vindicated. Her reinstatement with full back wages is an acknowledgment of the truth of her affidavit, complaining of sexual harassment and the systematic victimisation suffered by her, Grover said.
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08:29   Musician Vishal Dadlani to campaign for AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, music composer Vishal Dadlani are among the party's 39 star campaigners who will seek vote for the party during the Delhi assembly election 2020.

The list of star campaigners released by the party for the February 8 Delhi Assembly election includes the name of Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Punjab state head Bhagwant Mann, Delhi state convenor Gopal Rai, Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh, Sushil Gupta and ND Gupta.

Music composer Vishal Dadlani, Pankaj Gupta, Prithvi Reddy, and national spokespersons Preeti Menon and Ajoy Kumar, along with a number of MLAs from Punjab, like Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema and Rupinder Kaur `Ruby`, and Gurmeet Singh Haher have also ben included in the list of party's star campaigners.

Polls are due for the 70-member Delhi Assembly on February 8.
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07:58   Coronavirus-hit Chinese city shuts transport
China has suspended all public transport, including flights in and out of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus as the confirmed cases climbed to 571 mostly from the city with 17 deaths so far.

The World Health Organization which held an emergency meeting in Vienna to deal with the global impact of the virus has extended the talks till Thursday to decide on whether the outbreak in China constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, like Ebola and Swine flu.

Such a declaration, if made, will be seen as an urgent call for a coordinated international response in view of fears that millions of Chinese are travelling at home and abroad for the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival holidays starting from January 24.

It said its staff in China are closely monitoring the situation.

The festival triggers biggest mass migration, clogging road, rail and air networks every year.

China's Health Commission which is periodically updating the steps being taken to deal with the virus said on Thursday morning that so far a total of 571 confirmed new coronavirus cases and 17 deaths in Chinese mainland.

Majority of these cases are from Wuhan and surrounding areas.
-- PTI
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00:07   Trump impeachment: Opening arguments begin
Democrats began presenting their opening arguments at the historic impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, took the podium on the floor of the Senate to make the case that Trump should be removed from office for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Democrats have 24 hours over the next three days to make their case and will be followed by White House lawyers who will defend the Republican president.  -- Agencies

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