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Fri, 11 November 2022
HC quashes charge against Soren for code breach
Timeline Refresh
Jana Sena Party president K Pawan Kalyan
23:58 Pawan Kalyan calls on Modi in Vizag
Film star and Jana Sena Party president K Pawan Kalyan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Visakhapatnam on Friday with the actor-cum-politician predicting "good days for Andhra Pradesh in the future" after the interaction.
The meeting between Modi and Kalyan during the Prime Minister's visit to Andhra Pradesh assumes significance amid the current political scenario in the state.
Jana Sena is an ally of the BJP in AP. On the invitation of the BJP national leadership, Kalyan met Modi as the latter camped in the port city on Friday night as part of a two-day visit to the state. Kalyan, along with Jana Sena political affairs committee chairman Nadendla Manohar, met the Prime Minister at the INS Chola suite.
In a 30-minute meeting, Modi had a one-on-one interaction with Kalyan, party sources said. Making a brief statement to reporters after returning to his hotel room upon meeting the Prime Minister, Kalyan said their meeting happened in "special circumstances".
"I met him after a gap of over eight years. He enquired about AP and I told him whatever I knew," Kalyan said. The Jana Sena chief said the meeting would usher in "good days for AP in the future".
The Prime Minister desired that AP should progress and people should prosper, he added. -- PTI
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren
23:31 HC quashes charge against Soren for code breach
The high court of Jharkhand on Friday set aside criminal proceedings against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a case of violation of the model code of conduct during the 2019 assembly elections in the state.
Soren had challenged the case registered at the Argora police station three years ago.
The court of a judicial magistrate in Ranchi had earlier issued a summons to Soren and also ordered him to appear in person, which was also challenged before the court.
During the hearing of the petition, the court of Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi was informed that the case was filed by an executive magistrate whereas the law provides that only a complaint can be lodged in the matter.
Soren was charged with the violation of an order promulgated by a public servant, which can only be initiated by way of a complaint.
The court, after hearing all the parties in the case, was convinced that there was a technical flaw, and it quashed the criminal proceedings against Soren. -- PTI
Rozlyn Khan/Instagram
22:59 Actor Rozlyn Khan battling cancer, says it needs 'courage to work with bald model'
Actor-model Rozlyn Khan has been diagnosed with cancer.
On Friday, Rozlyn took to Instagram and informed her fans, followers and work associates that she will be undergoing chemotherapy for the next seven months.
"Cancer....Mushkil logon ki zindagi Aasaan nahi hoti ye kahin pada tha ... but now I know it's for people like me...god gives toughest battles to his strongest soldiers..This can be one chapter of my life, keeping faith n hope...Every setback makes me strong..this shall too...I have lovely people praying for me..jo hota hai achchey ke liye hota hai aur wo achcha mein hoon," she wrote, sharing a picture from hospital.
Rozlyn said she experienced symptoms like "severe pain in neck and back."
"There were no signs except severe pain in neck n back and I mistook it for gymnastics pain n stress on my back ..anyways early detected. Dear brands I will be available for you to shoot with me on 2nd week of every month as I will have to go under chemotherapy for coming 7 months and need rest of one week after each chemotherapy.. you need courage to work with bald model ..,But now I Will live one day at a time...#onedayatatime #cancer #cancer #kokilabenambani #bald #nohair," she concluded.
After learning about Rozlyn's health, fans and members from the film and television industry chimed in the comment section and expressed their concern. -- PTI
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22:44 Punjab announces holiday for voters of Himachal Pradesh
The Punjab government announced on Friday a special holiday for employees who are voters of Himachal Pradesh due to the polling for the assembly election in the hill state.
If any of the government officials or employees who are working in Punjab government offices, boards, corporations and educational institutions, and is a voter in Himachal Pradesh, the person can avail special holiday on Saturday by presenting a voter card to the authority, according to an official spokesperson
This leave will not be deducted from their leave account.
A paid holiday has been declared for all the persons who are voters in Himachal Pradesh and working in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment in Punjab, the spokesperson said.
The decision has been taken under sub section-1 of Section 135-B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. -- PTI
22:19 Bose was first PM of undivided India: Rajnath Singh
Subhas Chandra Bose was the first prime minister of undivided India, in that he had formed the 'Azad Hind Sarkar' independent of the British rule, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.
He also said that Bose's contributions were either ignored or undermined after the country got independence.
The senior BJP leader also said that ever since Narendra Modi became the prime minister, continuous efforts are being made to accord Bose the respect which he rightly deserves.
"There was a time in independent India when the contributions of Bose were either deliberately ignored or undermined, it was not evaluated correctly. It was done to the extent that several documents related to him were never made public," Singh said while addressing a programme at a private university in Greater Noida.
"In 2014, when Narendra Modi became the prime minister of India, he started giving the respect to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which he always and rightly deserved," the minister said.
Singh said he was serving as the home minister of India when he got to meet the family members of Bose, after which over 300 documents related to him were declassified and dedicated to the people of India. -- PTI
22:11 Where is justice for us? asks survivor in Rajiv assassination suicide bombing
"What about justice for those killed and injured survivors in the 1991 suicide bombing that assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi?" asked Anusuya Daisy Ernest, a retired woman police officer.
Ernest, then police sub inspector was regulating crowd when people jostled to move forward at the venue of a Congress public meeting at Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991 to garland Rajiv Gandhi.
Asked on her reaction to the Supreme Court ruling that set free the 6 Rajiv case convicts, she told PTI: "I am still undergoing treatment for pellet injuries. This is the plight of the injured people. Where is justice ? I am talking about justice for those killed and injured people like me who survived the dastardly terrorist attack."
Terrorists should be treated as per terror laws and not as ordinary criminals, she said.
Ernest retired as additional police superintendent in 2018.
Now, she is 62.
A total of 16 people were killed in the 1991 suicide bombing, including Rajiv Gandhi, 9 police personnel and 6 others.
The woman sucide bomber Dhanu and LTTE sympathiser Haribabu, a photographer, died in the blast. Also, 45 others were injured. -- PTI
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21:52 SC to hear on Nov 16 pleas against Bombay HC order on feeding stray dogs
The Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear on November 16 the pleas challenging an order of the Bombay high court which had directed that no citizen of Nagpur and areas surrounding it shall feed or make any attempt to feed stray dogs in public places, gardens, etc.
The high court on October 20 had also directed that if any person is interested in feeding stray dogs, he shall first adopt it, bring it home, register it with the municipal authorities or put it in some dog shelter home and "then showering his love and affection on it, may feed it while taking its personal care in all respect".
The pleas against the high court order came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and J K Maheshwari.
The bench, which said assistance of the municipal corporation concerned is needed in the matter, orally observed that the order may require some modifications.
It posted the matter for hearing on November 16.
In its order, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court had noted that in the past, the authorities had taken certain steps in the direction of controlling the nuisance of stray dogs, but they were seen to be not enough to eliminate it or even reduce it. -- PTI
21:22 US removes India from currency monitoring list
The US Department of Treasury on Friday removed India along with Italy, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam from its currency monitoring list of major trading partners that merit close attention to their currency practices and macroeconomic policies.
India had been on the list for the last two years.
The move came on a day when Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen visited New Delhi and held talks with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
China, Japan, Korea, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan are the seven economies that are a part of the current monitoring list, the Department of Treasury said in its biannual report to the Congress.
The countries that have been removed from the list have met only one out of three criteria for two consecutive reports, it said.
China's failure to publish foreign exchange intervention and broader lack of transparency around key features of its exchange rate mechanism makes it an outlier among major economies and warrants Treasury's close monitoring, said the report.
Notably, Switzerland once again exceeded the thresholds for all three criteria, which is a parameter for being labelled as a "Currency Manipulator".
But the term was not used by the Report and the Treasury Department maintained that there is not enough evidence to use the label for Switzerland.
The Treasury will continue its enhanced bilateral engagement with Switzerland, which commenced in early 2021, to discuss the Swiss authorities' policy options to address the underlying causes of its external imbalances, a media note said. -- PTI
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21:12 NCP workers protest on Mumbra Bypass near Mumbai against Awhad's arrest
Several hundred Nationalist Congress Party workers blocked the Mumbra Bypass in Maharashtra's Thane district for an hour to protest against the arrest of MLA Jitendra Awhad.
Awhad was arrested on Friday in connection with the November 7 disruption of a show of the Marathi film Har Har Mahadev.
Video footage of the incident showed some cine-goers were beaten up when they protested against the forcible stopping of the screening.
A First Information Report was registered at Vartak Nagar police station under Indian Penal Code sections 323 (assault) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) following the November 7 incident.
Speaking about the NCP protest, a police official said the route was opened for traffic after an hour.
He said workers shouted slogans in support of Awhad, who is NCP MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa seat in Thane. -- PTI
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20:34 70K central forces to be deployed for Gujarat polls
In an unprecedented move, nearly 700 companies of the Central Armed Police Force, comprising 70,000 personnel, will be deployed for the upcoming Gujarat assembly polls, top government sources said.
These forces will include over 150 companies each from Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other CAPFs.
A total of 162 companies, (approximately 16,200 personnel), of the CAPFs have already been deployed and the remaining forces will be deputed by the third week of this month, a source said, requesting anonymity.
The decisions have been taken by the ministry of home affairs and an internal circular is expected to be moved very soon directing these CAPFs to deploy their forces, said the source, privy to the development, adding "this is an unprecedented deployment of paramilitary (or CAPFs) forces in Gujarat assembly polls ever so far".
"The decision to deploy such a huge number of CAPF personnel during Gujarat assembly elections is to ensure fair and incident-free polls," said another official.
Last year, over 320 companies (nearly 32,000 personnel) of CAPF were deputed for the Gujarat Assembly elections. -- ANI
20:23 Aaditya Thackeray joins Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray joined the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' at Kalamnuri in Hingoli, where the march arrived during the day from neighbouring Nanded district, and walked along Rahul Gandhi.
Aaditya Thackeray was joined by party colleagues Ambadas Danve, who is the leader of the opposition in the state legislative council, and former MLA Sachin Ahir.
They walked along Gandhi, who is leading the cross-country foot-march which has entered the 65th day.
The Congress MP from Kerala and Aaditya Thackeray waved to people assembled along the route.
Flowers were showered on the participants in Seni village in Nanded's Ardhapur taluka, with the march entering Hingoli district at Choramba Phata.
In Hingoli, a group of people who arrived to cheer the march, including a large number of women and children, even brought an elephant along.
Among those who stood along the route and shouted slogans in support of the march and sought implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' were 22 former servicemen.
"We feel the Congress can fulfil this demand (OROP)," said former Army man Sahebrao Hone. Gandhi interacted with people along the route of the march. -- PTI
19:59 Pune civic body urges cat owners to get pets registered
The civic authorities in Maharashtra's Pune city have appealed to cat owners to get their pets registered with them, an official said on Friday.
Till now, only dog owners were supposed to get their pets registered with the Pune Municipal Corporation.
"Like dogs owners, people owning cats will have to get their pets registered with the PMC. They have to follow norms regarding vaccination and birth control of their pets," said Dr Ashish Bharti, the health chief of the PMC.
Earlier, people had to approach ward offices to get their pets registered, but now the civic body has provided the facility on its website and the registration can be done at Rs 50 per pet, he said.
Pets have to be vaccinated before registration, he said.
"At least 5,500 dogs have been registered with the PMC, which is very low and we appeal to pet owners to get their pets, be it dog or cat to get registered with PMC," he said.
If a complaint is received about an unregistered pet, the PMC issues a notice to the owner and ask them to register the animal, the official said. -- PTI
19:32 NIA files charge sheet against 3 LTTE men in TN
The National Investigation Agency on Friday filed a charge sheet against three supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam who were planning terrorist acts to revive the proscribed group in Tamil Nadu, an official said.
The charge sheet was filed against the arrested accused from Tamil Nadu -- Naveen alias "Chakaravarthy M', Sanjay Prakash J and A Kabilar alias "Kabilan' -- a spokesperson of the NIA said.
The NIA said the case related to the recovery of two country-made pistols, ammunition and gun powder during a vehicle check near Puliyampatti division in the Omalur police station area of Salem district in Tamil Nadu on May 19.
"The duo were inspired by LTTE, a proscribed terrorist organisation, and wanted to create an organisation similar to the LTTE with the aim to wage an armed struggle against the government,' the spokesperson said. The case was first registered at Omalur police station on May 19 and was later re-registered by the NIA," the spokesperson said.
The NIA said investigations have established that the three accused had conspired and associated themselves with the LTTE, a proscribed outfit, and created an organisation, called "World Tamil Justice Court'.
"They had made plans to attack people who work in quarries, crushers and TASMAC liquor shops by using illegal firearms, lethal weapons and explosive substances and also cause destruction to property," the spokesperson said. -- PTI
18:45 DMK receives contributions over Rs 308 crore in FY 2021-22
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which rules Tamil Nadu, received over Rs 308 crore in contributions in the 2021-22 fiscal, including Rs 306 crore through electoral bonds, according to its latest filing before the Election Commission.
According to the party's contribution report for 2021-22 put in the public domain by EC on Friday, the DMK received Rs 306 crore from electoral bonds purchased by corporates.
It got another Rs 60 lakh from the corporate sector as donations.
The party received nearly Rs 1.55 crore from non-corporate donors.
The party said nearly Rs 5.84 lakh was received from volunteers and party functionaries through donations which were less than Rs 2,000.
Several DMK members of Parliament also contributed to the party's kitty. -- PTI
18:22 Gyanvapi case: Varanasi district court fixes Dec 5 as next date of hearing
District judge AK Vishvesha on Friday fixed December 5 as the next date of hearing in the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri case following the orders of the Allahabad high court.
District government advocate Mahendra Pandey said the district judge has posted the case to December 5 following the high court's decision to conduct hearing in the matter in the first week of December.
On November 2, the Gyanvapi mosque management committee filed its objection to the petitioners' demand for a survey of two underground places (tahkhana) on the mosque premises.
The petitioners' lawyers had sought time to file their counter-objection, following which the district judge had fixed November 11 as the next date of hearing in the matter.
Pandey said during the hearing on November 2, the Hindu petitioners had demanded a survey by opening the locks of the closed cellars on the Gyanvapi campus.
The lawyers representing the mosque committee had objected to it and the other side had sought time for filing a counter-objection, he said. -- PTI
18:05 Factory output at 3.1% in Sep from 4.4% last year
India's industrial production grew 3.1 per cent in September, according to official data released on Friday.
The Index of Industrial Production had grown 4.4 per cent in September 2021.
As per the IIP data released by the National Statistical Office, the manufacturing sector's output grew by 1.8 per cent in September 2022.
The mining output rose 4.6 per cent and power generation increased 11.6 per cent during the month. -- PTI
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17:48 CR to run a few trains during 27-hr megablock on Nov 19-20
In a big relief to the Mumbai local commuters, the Central Railway said on Friday that it would run a few local trains between Byculla and Thane during the 27-hour megablock from November 19 to 20.
The CR lines coming under Mumbai zone will hold a megablock of 27 hours from November 19 to 20 to dismantle a British-era Carnac Bridge between CSMT and Masjid Bunder.
"For the ease of passengers, a few suburban trains will run between Byculla and Thane during the megablock,' said Shivaji Sutar, chief PRO of the CR. -- ANI
17:30 Andaman ex-CS sent to police custody in rape case
Former Andaman & Nicobar Islands chief secretary Jitendra Narain was on Friday remanded in police custody till Monday, November 14, in an alleged gang-rape case filed by a 21-year-old woman against him and others.
The judgement was pronounced by the chief judicial magistrate of Port Blair after he was produced in court.
The police sought remand to continue their probe against him and other co-accused who are yet to be apprehended in the case which has rocked the island territory.
The police on Thursday had arrested the senior IAS officer after his plea for an anticipatory bail was rejected by a local court.
Soon after the verdict, a team of policemen reached a private resort where Narain was staying and took him to the Police Line amid heavy security. -- PTI
Get jabbed, observe Covid protocol
17:04 This is why Covid cases in India are falling
Hybrid immunity has led to the steady decline of Covid in India but the virus is destined to stay long-term, becoming endemic rather than getting eliminated, say scientists as masks rapidly become a thing of yesterday and pandemic memories begin to fade.
Though Covid deaths have virtually ceased and case numbers are sliding, it would be a mistake to drop caution, they said, pointing to the impact of long Covid and the need to continue testing.
According to immunologist Satyajit Rath, the future trajectory of the Covid pandemic depends to a large extent on two questions will new variants with unexpected characteristics arise, and how long will vaccine or infection-triggered immune protection last.
"While the outlook seems good, I think caution is advisable," Rath, professor emeritus at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, told PTI.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, India recorded its lowest single-day rise of 625 fresh COVID-19 cases since April 9, 2020 and reported no death in a 24-hour span, the first time since March 2020.
On Friday, the health ministry reported 842 new coronavirus infections and six fatalities, including five reconciled by Kerala and one in Rajasthan. It's a far cry from the summer of 2021.
The daily number of cases in the country peaked at 4,14,188 (over 4.1 lakh) on May 7, 2021. The following month, on June 10, 2021, the number of deaths peaked at 6,148.
"It appears that the hybrid immunity that the Indian population enjoys is substantially protective," said Gautam Menon, professor, Departments of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, who has been tracking Covid numbers in India since the start of the pandemic Epidemiologist Ramanan Laxminarayan agreed.
He noted that Covid is waning due to a combination of vaccination and the fact that many people were already infected during 2020 and 2021.
"There seems to be sufficient cross-protection between vaccination, especially those who have received a booster, and the new strains so we should be protected for a while," Laxminarayan, director of the Washington-based One Health Trust, formerly known as the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, told PTI.
Many variants of concern have emerged for SARS-CoV-2, with the latest Omicron strain mutating into multiple sub variants. Going forward, the scientists said Covid will most certainly become endemic in the country and not disappear altogether.
A disease is called endemic when it is always present in a population but it spreads at predictable rates that can be managed by communities. Menon added that Covid is destined to stay over the long term like influenza.
"There's a precedent for this - another coronavirus causes cold-like symptoms and has been around for some decades now," he explained, referring to the influenza virus. Both COVID-19 and influenza (flu) are infectious respiratory diseases, and they share some similar symptoms. "It is unlikely that Covid will disappear. It has already become endemic," Laxminaryan concurred. -- PTI
16:42 NCP leader Jitendra Awhad arrested
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Jitendra Awhad was arrested on Friday in Thane in connection with the disruption of a show of the Marathi film "Har Har Mahadeo" earlier this week. Nine of his supporters were also arrested, said a police official.
Awhad, the MLA from Mumbra-Kalwa constituency in Thane city, tweeted that he was summoned to the Vartak Nagar police station in the afternoon and put under arrest.
On November 7, Awhad and his supporters barged into a multiplex in the city and stopped a show of "Har Har Mahadev", alleging that the film distorted the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
16:39 Modi makes 'previous regimes' taunt in Bengaluru
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said unlike previous regimes, his government believes speed as India's aspiration and scale as its strength. He also stressed that along with physical infrastructure, social infrastructure of the country needs to be strengthened, for India's advancement.
"Whether it is governance or developing a physical and digital infrastructure, India is working on a different level. The world is admiring the strides India has made in the digital payments system, was it thinkable eight years ago?" Modi said.
Addressing a mega public event in Bengaluru, he said, all these things including Made in India and 5G technology were beyond imagination before 2014.
"The reason for this is that the then governments had old thinking. Earlier governments believed speed is a luxury and scale a risk, but we changed the notion, we believe speed as India's aspiration and scale as India's strength," he added.
The Prime Minister was addressing a public meeting after unveiling a 108-feet tall statue of Bengaluru founder 'Nadaprabhu' Kempegowda and inaugurating terminal 2 of the international airport near Bengaluru.
16:35 TV actor Siddhaanth Surryavanshi dies after collapsing in gym
Actor Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi is no more. Confirming the news of his demise, singer-actor Suyyash Rai took to Instagram and wrote, "Gone too soon. Numb."
Actor Kishwer Merchant also paid her condolences. "Kya bolu main... this is shocking, numbing and just too said!! Will never forget your loving hugs and warm smiles. RIP Anand prayers and strength to the family," she wrote on Instagram.
After learning about the unfortunate news, Gautam Rode tweeted, "Really shocked to have read about Siddhaanth's passing away. My condolences to friends and family. Om shanti."
According to reports Siddhaanth passed away while working out at a gym on Friday. He was 46.
Siddhaanth had acted in TV serials like 'Kkusum', 'Krishna Arjun', 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay'. Last he played the role of Major Param Shergill in 'Ziddi Dil Maane Na'. He is survived by his wife and two children.
16:06 PM on 4-state tour: Stalin receives Modi in TN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is received by Chief Minister MK Stalin upon his arrival in Tamil Nadu today.
The Prime Minister will address the 36th Convocation ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute. More than 2300 students of 2018-19 and 2019-20 Batches will receive their degrees in the convocation ceremony.
PM visited Karnataka this morning. After Tamil Nadu, he will visit Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as well.
16:01 From the courts: Gyanvapi, Jacqueline cases
Gyanvapi case: The SC extends till further orders protection of area where 'Shivling' was stated to be found at Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi. SC allows Hindu parties to move application before Varanasi district judge for consolidation of lawsuit on Gyanvapi row.
Jacqueline Fernandez case: Delhi's Patiala House Court extends the interim bail of actor Jacqueline Fernandez till 15th November. The order on regular bail will be pronounced on that day.
15:46 An evening with Gundappa Vishwanath
Legendary cricketer Gundappa Vishwanath will hold court at Mysuru tomorrow, where he will be in conversation with senior journalist Krishna Prasad. They will essentially talk about the cricketer's autobiography, Wrist Assured, but it promises to be an evening of surprises.
Wrist Assured traces the cricketing journey of genius Gundappa Vishwanath from the dusty by-lanes of erstwhile Bangalore to the most iconic venues in the world.
Vishwanath followed up a first-innings duck with 137 in the second against Australia in Kanpur in 1969. The same crowd that had hurled matkas on his way back in the first innings rose as one to celebrate his century, providing him his first important lesson -- nothing succeeds like success.
His solid middle-class upbringing instilled in Vishwanath a clear sense of right and wrong which he harnessed throughout his 91-Test career.
Wrist Assured provides a ringside view of what made Vishwanath tick and why he is one of the most adored and respected cricketers to have graced the cricketing stage.
See the invite alongside. If you're nearby, drop in.
15:36 Ramdev's Patanjali told to stop making 5 medicines
Uttarakhand Ayurveda and Unani Licensing Authority has asked Divya Pharmacy to stop the production of five medicines and produce their revised formulation sheets for approval.
Divya Pharmacy manufactures Yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali products.
According to the notice issued on Wednesday, Bpgrit, Madhugrit, Thyrogrit, Lipidom tablets and Eyegrit Gold tablets are being promoted as medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, goitre, glaucoma, and high cholesterol.
The notice says the company can restart manufacturing these products only after the authority approves their revised formulation sheets.
A panel constituted by the authority has already examined the original formulation sheets and label claims of the products.
The action was taken following a complaint filed by a doctor from Kerala, K V Babu, in which he had accused Divya Pharmacy of violating Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act and Drugs and Cosmetic Act. Babu had lodged his complaint against the firm with Uttarakhand Ayurveda and Unani Licensing Authority in July this year and followed it up with another via email on October 11.
The notice signed by joint director and drug controller of the state health authority G C N Jangapangi has sought a reply from Divya Pharmacy within a week.
It has also asked the firm to remove all its misleading and objectionable advertisements immediately from the media space.
However, Patanjali spokesperson S K Tijarawala said no such notice has so far been received by the firm.
A similar controversy had erupted when Ramdev had launched Patanjali's "Coronil" tablet in 2021 claiming it to be an evidence-based cure for Covid. PTI
Nalini Sriharan
15:17 What lawyer of Rajiv killer said at her release
The decision of the Supreme Court to release six convicts, including Nalini Sriharan in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case is a thing of joy, her counsel, P Pugalenthi said on Friday.
"Magizhchi" the advocate said when his reaction was sought on the release ordered by the apex court. The Tamil word denotes a state of joy or jubilation and happiness.
"The SC verdict is a reminder that Governor must act on Cabinet recommendation and release the prisoners," he told PTI and cited the Maru Ram versus Union of India judgment of the apex court to support his point.
The previous AIADMK government had in September 2018 recommended to the then TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit, the release of all seven convicts in the high profile assassination case. One of the seven, Perarivalan, was freed by the Supreme Court earlier this year. PTI
Rajiv Gandhi with his son, Rahul
14:54 Decision to free Rajiv Gandhi killers wrong: Cong
The Congress on Friday termed "totally unacceptable and completely erroneous" the Supreme Court order directing the premature release of six convicts serving life sentence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and said the apex court has not acted in consonance with the spirit of India on this issue.
The Supreme Court directed the premature release of six convicts, including Nalini Sriharan and R P Ravichandran, serving life sentence in the case.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and B V Nagarathna said the judgement of the top court in the case of A G Perarivalan, one of the convicts in the case, is equally applicable in their matter.
In a statement, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the decision of the Supreme Court to free the remaining killers of the former prime minister is "totally unacceptable and completely erroneous".
"The Congress party criticises it clearly and finds it wholly untenable. It is most unfortunate that the Supreme Court has not acted in consonance with the spirit of India on this issue," he said.
Nalini Sriharan and Ravichandran had moved the top court seeking premature release. Both of them had challenged a June 17 order of the Madras High Court, which rejected their pleas for early release, and cited the apex court judgment ordering the release of co-convict Perarivalan. Nalini, Ravichandran, Santhan, Murugan, Perarivalan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar were sentenced to life terms in the case.
Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu by a woman suicide bomber, identified as Dhanu, at a poll rally. PTI
Nana Patole, Supriya Sule and Rahul Gandhi at the Yatra. The Cong-NCP was in alliance with Sena in Maharashtra
14:39 Cong-NCP ally for Guj polls, NCP gets 3 seats
The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) entered into a pre-poll alliance for the next month's Gujarat Assembly elections, as part of which the Sharad Pawar-led party will contest three of the total 182 seats in the state, the leaders of the two parties announced here on Friday.
In the 2017 Assembly elections, the two parties had contested the Gujarat elections separately. NCP's Kandhal Jadeja was the only MLA to win from the party.
He represents the Kutiyana Assembly seat in Porbandar district. Making an announcement about the alliance, Gujarat Congress president Jagdish Thakor said, "NCP will fight the upcoming Assembly polls in the state in alliance with the Congress.
The NCP will contest three seats - Umreth (Anand district), Naroda (Ahmedabad) and Devgadh Baria (Dahod district) as part of the alliance." These three seats are currently held by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"The Congress has decided to forge an alliance with those parties that were with us in UPA-1 and 2 at the national level," Thakor said while expressing confidence that the grand old party would return to power in the state by winning 125 seats.
He said that people sharing the same ideology and working to save the Constitution as well as the country's unity are coming together against the fascist forces, and this alliance is a part of the same. Talking to reporters, NCP's state unit president Jayant Patel Boskey said the NCP will support Congress in fighting the Gujarat Assembly election.
"We will make sure that we contest these three seats with honesty. I am thankful for the trust reposed in us by Congress. We will not do anything that will harm the image of the NCP," he said. Thakor said there is a possibility that NCP workers would demand more seats, but as per the alliance, the party will contest only three seats. -- PTI
14:27 Smile at the cameras
PM Narendra Modi poses in front of the statue of Kempegowda in Bengaluru and tweets, "The role of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda in the making of Bengaluru is unparalleled. He is remembered as a visionary who always put the welfare of people above everything else. Honoured to inaugurate the 'Statue of Prosperity' in Bengaluru."
14:25 A look at sale of vehicles in India
Vehicle sales have gone up by 6% over a year since October.
A waterlogged street in Chennai
14:21 Rains pound Tamil Nadu, flights unaffected
Widespread rains, moderate to heavy, lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu on Friday and the India Meteorological Department said a well marked low pressure area lay over Bay of Bengal.
Under its influence, rainfall is expected till November 13 and it could be heavy to very heavy in select regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the IMD said.
Almost all parts of Chennai, the neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpet, coastal regions falling under Villupuram, Cuddalore, the Cauvery Delta zone regions including Thanjavur district and southern Ramanathapuram as well experienced rainfall.
Intermittent showers began on the night of Thursday and it intensified in several regions of the state, leading to waterlogging and disruption in vehicular movement like on the Avadi-Poonamallee stretch.
Areas falling under districts including Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kancheepuram, Chennai and Tiruvallur witnessed heavy rains ranging between 7 and 11 CM.
Other regions experienced moderate showers. In as many as 23 districts including Chennai schools and colleges were closed and in 6 other districts including Dharmapuri and Sivaganga schools were shut.
Neighbouring Puducherry recorded heavy rains since Thursday night. The territorial government too declared a holiday for all schools and colleges.
14:01 Bengaluru represents India's start-up spirit: PM
Hailing the contribution of Karnataka to the country's development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Bengaluru city represents the country's start-up spirit which has placed India in a separate league.
He began his speech by paying rich tributes to the great leaders from the land of Karnataka during a programme at the inauguration of the 'Statue of Prosperity' in Bengaluru.
"I am fortunate to have arrived in Bengaluru on a very special day. It's a day on which falls the birth anniversary of two great sons of the nation- Sant Kanaka Das and Maharshi Valmiki. I pay my tributes to both of them," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister said today is the big day for Karnataka as it gets Vande Bharat Express, Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train and a world-class airport terminal.
He said the 108 feet tall statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda will inspire Indians to built their identity globally as leaders. "Today, Karnataka got its first Vande Bharat Express train. Along with that, a new terminal at Bengaluru airport was inaugurated which was the requirement of the people of Bengaluru," said PM Modi.
13:46 Three shooters in Dera Sacha Sauda follower's murder held
Three shooters accused of killing Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pradeep Singh in Punjab's Faridkot have been apprehended on Friday, the Delhi Police informed.
Earlier in the day, the Punjab Police Intelligence Unit and Delhi Police Counter-Intelligence unit had identified six persons who were accused of killing Pradeep Singh, in Faridkot.
Following the identification, the forces carried the raids to apprehend them. The police team conducted raids in the police station area of Bakshiwala in Patiala at around 3.30 am today and apprehended three of the six involved in the murder of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower.
The police have identified these apprehended persons as residents of Haryana, of which two hailed from Rohtak and one from Bhiwani.
Vir Das at the 'I come from two Indias' show
13:35 TMC invites Vir Das to Kolkata after B'luru show cancelled
TMC MP Derek O'Brien has invited stand-up comedian Vir Das to Kolkata, a day after his show in Bengaluru was cancelled at the last minute following protests by Hindu right-wing groups.
The protesting groups alleged that the show, scheduled to be held on Thursday, would hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
"Hello @thevirdas Come to #Kolkata. We would love to have you here this winter. DM me please. Let's get this going," the TMC's leader of the House in Rajya Sabha said in a tweet.
Das later uploaded a video on Twitter to deter any assumptions made on his content. "I made this video after one of my shows, Just in Case. I have no interest in media spectacles or being used for headlines. I'm an artist. I shouldn't be on the news. Many assumptions are made about my content. I trust my art and my audience to speak for me. #TrustTheAudience," Das tweeted.
Das' monologue "I come from two Indias" had stirred a row a year ago when he was criticised for allegedly defaming the country. PTI
Nalini Sriharan
13:30 Rajiv Gandhi killers freed
Rajiv Gandhi assassination case: Supreme Court orders release of convicts Nalini Sriharan, 5 others. Details awaited.
12:52 PM unveils 108-feet statue of Kempegowda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday unveiled the 108-feet tall statue of the city's founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, which is the "first and the tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city", as per the 'World Book of Records'. Called the "Statue of Prosperity", it has been built to commemorate the contribution of Kempegowda towards the growth of Bengaluru.
The statue weighing 218 tonnes (98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel) has been installed at the Kempegowda International Airport here. It has a sword weighing four tonnes.
The project, besides the statue, has a heritage theme park in an area covering 23 acres dedicated to the 16th century chieftain, together costing about Rs 84 crore to the government.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and several of his cabinet colleagues, Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa, former Chief Minister S M Krishna, BJP legislators, officials, among others were present at the event. Kempegowda, a feudatory ruler under the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire founded Bengaluru in 1537.
He is revered, especially by the Vokkaliga community that is dominant in Old Mysuru and other parts of southern Karnataka.
12:27 Bharat Jodo Yatra: Solidarity in a jar of pickle
Along with everything else, an unusual vehicle of support was a little jar. A jar containing pickle, that has travelled from Mumbai to Nanded and, as I write this, awaits its opening by none other than Mr Gandhi himself.
Read the column here.
12:21 AAP's 10 guarantees for MCD polls are...
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced the AAP's 10 guarantees for the December 4 MCD polls, including clearing the three landfill sites in the city, ending corruption in the civic body and timely payment of salaries to its employees.
"Unlike the BJP which did not do anything during its 15-year tenure in the MCD," Kejriwal said during a press conference, the AAP always fulfils its promises.
He claimed the BJP will not win more than 20 seats in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections.
"We guarantee that we will make the MCD corruption-free by introducing a simple online process building map approval, provide a permanent and practical solution to the problem of parking space, control stray animals that create nuisance on roads and repair broken roads," the AAP national convenor said.
The AAP also intends to improve the quality of MCD schools and dispensaries, beautify parks under the civic body and ensure timely payment of salaries to its employees, Kejriwal said.
"The traders have also faced a lot of hassles. We intend to provide relief to traders by scrapping conversion charge, ending 'inspector raj' and creating vending zones and providing licenses to street vendors," he added.
The chief minister alleged that the MCD elections and the Gujarat Assembly polls are being held at the same time to stop the AAP. "But we will win both Gujarat and MCD polls," Kejriwal said.
"I can give it in writing that they (BJP) will not win more than 20 seats. People have been betrayed for the last 15 years but we do what we say," Kejriwal said. "The BJP had promised to bring funds from the Centre, make Delhi garbage-free and remove the garbage mountains but did not do anything," he said. PTI
Pic: Reuters/Jason O'Brien Livepic
12:13 How did India not max Pant, asks Michael Vaughan
India are the most under-performing team in white-ball history, says former England skipper Michael Vaughan, who lambasted the 'Men in Blue' for playing outdated style of cricket in the T20 World Cup.
"In yet another ICC tournament India's campaign ended in heartbreak. This time by England as Jos Buttler and Co. handed the former champions a 10-wicket drubbing in the T20 World Cup semifinal in Adelaide on Thursday. "India are the most under-performing white-ball team in history," Vaughan wrote in his column for 'The Telegraph'.
"Every player in the world who goes to the Indian Premier League says how it improves their game but what have India ever delivered?
"Since winning the 50 over World Cup on home soil in 2011 what have they done? Nothing. India are playing a white-ball game that is dated and have done for years," he added.
The 48-year-old slammed the Indian team management for not using the prodigiously talented Rishabh Pant effectively.
"How they have not maximised someone like Rishabh Pant is incredible. In this era, put him up the top to launch it. "I'm just staggered by how they play T20 cricket for the talent they have. They have the players, but just do not have the right process in place. They have to go for it. Why do they give the opposition bowlers the first five overs to bed in?"
He also highlighted the lack of all-rounders in the side.
"How have they only got five bowling options when you think 10 or 15 years ago all of India's top six could bowl a little bit Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag and even Sourav Ganguly?
"None of the batsmen bowl so the captain has only got five options."
The team management's decision to not play leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also cost India. "We know in T20 cricket the stats tell you a team needs a spinner who can turn it both ways. India have plenty of leg-spinners. Where are they? Vaughan questioned. In the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumarh and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian bowlers cut a sorry figure while defending 169 against England as Buttler and Alex Hales raced to the target with four overs to spare.
Vaughan questioned Rohit Sharma's tactics. "They have a left-armer in Arshdeep Singh who swings it back into the right-handers. So what do they do defending 168? They put on Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling outswing to give Jos Buttler and Alex Hales width," he wrote.
"Where is the left-arm seamer swinging it in to Buttler and Hales in the first over? "Madness. Cramp them for room. Do not give them a chance to get off to a flyer in the first over and settle nerves."
While India are no doubt the most popular team playing the game, they have failed to live up to the expectations in recent times.
"India are so important for world cricket but for all the advantages India have, they must win more. Even in their own backyard at the 2016 World T20 they did not reach the final. They were nowhere last year," Vaughan wrote. "This time it took an outrageous innings by Virat Kohli, probably the best in T20 of all time, to beat Pakistan in the group stages. They massively underachieve for their skill levels." -- PTI
12:06 Game, anyone?
"Roads turned into football arena during morning leg of the Maharashtra leg. A fresh start to today's Padyatra. Our fight for the truth continues! #BharatJodoYatra," tweets Congress.
12:02 The picture that makes us go... awww
Preity Zinta shares this heartwarming image on her daughter's birthday. "I always knew I wanted you. I prayed for you, I wished for you & now you are here & it's been a year My heart is full & I will forever be grateful for your precious smiles, your warm hugs & your presence in my life my little Gia Happy birthday my little doll."
11:57 HC dismisses with cost PIL against Justice Chandrachud's appointment as CJI
The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed with a cost of Rs 1 lakh a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of Justice D Y Chandrachud as the Chief Justice of India.
A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad termed the petition as a "publicity interest litigation".
The bench said the petition was filed only to gain publicity without there being any material.
Petitioner Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, who claimed to be the national president of an organisation named Gram Uday Foundation, challenged Justice Chandrachud's appointment as the CJI alleging that it was against the Constitution. Justice Chandrachud took oath as the 50th CJI on November 9. Last week, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition with a similar prayer.
11:50 Guj: 21 MLAs in Cong's 2nd list of candidates
The Congress, which has been out of power in Gujarat for more than two decades, has fielded 21 of its sitting MLAs in the state for next month's Assembly elections.
In its second list of 46 candidates, the grand old party has also named four Muslim candidates.
The Gujarat Assembly elections will be held in two phases - on December 1 and 5, and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.
Of the total 182 seats of the Gujarat Assembly, voting for the 89 seats will be held on December 1 in the first phase.
On November 4, the Congress had announced its first list having names of candidates for 43 seats of both first phase and second phase of polls. But in the second list, all the 46 candidates are for the first phase.
The Congress has so far announced candidates for 68 seats of the first phase, while announcement is awaited for 21 seats, including Morbi, Talala, Bhavnagar-Rural, Dhari, Kodinar, Rapar, Bharuch, Rajkot East, Rajkot West, Jambusar, Navsari and Jamnagar Rural.
As per the latest list of 46 candidates, the party appears to be playing safe as it has repeated its 21 sitting MLAs, including former Leader of Opposition and Amreli MLA Paresh Dhanani, state working president and Tankara MLA Lalit Kagathara and senior MLA Punja Vansh of Una seat, for the upcoming polls.
11:40 PM inaugurates Bengaluru's swanky airport terminal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
Thereafter, at around noon, he will unveil the 108 feet bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, followed by a public function in Bengaluru at around 12:30 pm.
At around 3:30 pm, PM Modi will attend the 36th Convocation ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.
11:33 Smiles all around
NCP MP Supriya Sule had shared this picture from the Yatra yesterday, saying, "Participated in the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi Ji in Nanded today." Her father and NCP chief Sharad Pawar was also supposed to join the yatra but doctors advised against it after he was hospitalised recently.
11:29 Rahul gets a thumbs up
Purva Walse Patil shares this image with Rahul Gandhi, tweeting, "Uniting the nation, and winning hearts! @RahulGandhi is the epitome of decency, grace, and compassion."
She is the daughter of senior NCP leader, Dilip Walse Patil.
11:25 Sensex rallies 1000 points in early trade
Indian markets rallied on Friday's early session, tracking Asian markets and US stocks. S&P BSE Sensex went up more than 1,000 points in the start of the session and was up 992 points to 61,609 level at 10.30 am whereas Nifty50 was up 283 points to 18,311.95 level.
In broad-based indices, S&P BSE LargeCap went up 104 points to 7,110 points with stocks like Zomato, Naukri, Bajaj Finance as most active ones on the index. BSE MidCap moved up 130 points to 25,558.73 level as Godrej Properties and NHPC were gainers in the index. Among the most active stocks in Nifty50, Infosys shares went up 4.30 per cent and TCS was up 3.94 per cent. Most of the IT stocks were up in the morning trade.
The BSE IT was up 3.58 per cent to 1026.63 level with Mindtree, Infy, Latent View, LTI, Birla Soft as most active ones in the index. All the Sensex components were trading higher in the early trade on Friday.
Gains in the early deals were led by Infosys, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, HCL Technologies and IndusInd Bank. In global markets, dollar had steep losses after a smaller-than-expected increase in US consumer prices fuelled hopes that the Federal Reserve could tone down its aggressive pace of interest rate hikes.
Dow Jones is up 3.70 per cent, Nasdaq is up 7.35 per cent, every stock market indexes in Europe is trading in the green territory as well as Asian stock markets indexes like Nikkei 225 are Hang Seng have also gained till now.
11:06 Men Who Fought To The Last Bullet And Last Breath
'Rezang La was a unique battle."It was not a large scale battle like the Battle of Kohima which involved a large number of troops.''Here there was just a company that fought it out till the last man."
Brigadier Raghunath V Jatar [retired] who turned 90 last month, is among the last of the brave men of the 13 Kumaon battalion who fought in the 1962 War with China.
Read the interview with Archana Masih/Rediff.com here.
10:59 Kohli: Disappointed, but thanks for the memories
Virat Kohli tweets, "We leave Australian shores short of achieving our dream and with disappointment in our hearts but we can take back a lot of memorable moments as a group and aim to get better from here on. Thank you to all our fans who turned up in huge numbers throughout to support us in the stadiums. Always feel proud to wear this jersey and represent our country."
Kohli on Thursday became the first player in history to cross the 4,000 run mark in T20I cricket. India's star batter accomplished this landmark during the second semifinal match of the ICC T20 World Cup against England at Adelaide Oval.
However, a thoroughly professional England annihilated an out-of- sync India by 10 wickets to sail into the World Cup final as Alex Hales and Jos Buttler's relentless hitting mortified Rohit Sharma's clueless attack, in Adelaide on Thursday.
10:49 PM flags off south India's 1st Vande Bharat Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the inaugural special of south India's first Vande Bharat Express at Krantiveera Sangolli Railway station here.
The train connects Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru.
The Prime Minister also flagged off the 'Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan' train, which is operated by Karnataka's Muzrai Department, under the 'Bharat Gaurav' train policy of Railways.
"It will fulfill the dream of numerous travellers intending to undertake Kashi Yatra," according to the South Western Railway.
The train offers a eight-day tour package at discounted rates for pilgrims.
Official sources said the Government of Karnataka gives cash assistance of Rs 5,000 to the Kashi Vishwanath Yatra pilgrims.
This train covers holy places including Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj. -- PTI
10:19 Delhi's air quality slips back to 'very poor' category
Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'very poor' category on Friday, after marginal improvement over the last few days, with a layer of smog shrouding several parts of the city.
The city recorded a minimum temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius, a notch above normal, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The national capital's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 331 at 9 am, Central Pollution Control Board data showed.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
The relative humidity was 79 per cent at 8:30 pm, the IMD said.
The weather department has forecast mainly clear skies during the day. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 29 degrees Celsius.
The Delhi government had on Monday decided to reopen primary classes from November 9 and revoke the order asking 50 per cent of its staff to work from home in view of an "improvement" in the city's air quality over the last few days.
The Commission for Air Quality Management had said on Thursday that it will review the air pollution situation in Delhi on Friday. -- PTI
10:07 It's CJI Chandrachud's birthday today
Law minister Kiren Rijiju tweets, "Warm birthday wishes to Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India. I also wish him success in all his noble endeavours. I pray for his long & healthy life."
Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud, who was part of the Supreme Court benches that delivered several landmark verdicts including the Ayodhya land dispute case, was sworn in as the 50th Chief Justice of India on Wednesday.
10:03 Modi pays tributes to Kanaka Dasa, Valmiki
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid floral tributes to the statue of saint-poet Kanaka Dasa on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Modi, on his arrival in Bengaluru to take part in various events, visited Legislators Home premises, near the Vidhana Soudha, to pay tributes to Kanaka Dasa. He also paid his respects to the statue of Maharshi Valmiki, the author of the epic Ramayana, in the vicinity.
Kanaka Dasa, whose birth anniversary is being celebrated today, is a renowned name in the field of 'Kirtanas' and 'Ugabhoga' (Carnatic music compositions in the Kannada language).
Arvind Kejriwal's AAP has launched a sustained campaign in Gujarat
09:53 Denied ticket two-time BJP MLA joins AAP in Guj
The Bharatiya Janata Party MLA representing the Matar Assembly constituency in Gujarat's Kheda district has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after the ruling party denied a ticket to him from his seat for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Kesarisinh Solanki, who had won the election twice from the seat, joined the AAP, said the Arvind Kejriwal-led party's state unit president Gopal Italia on Twitter.
"Kesarisinh Solanki ji, a popular, hardworking, fearless MLA of Matar Vidhan Sabha, has joined the Aam Aadmi Party today after getting inspired by the honest politics of Arvind Kejriwal. I heartily welcome Shri Kesari Sinh ji to the Aam Aadmi Party. Together we will form an honest government in Gujarat," Italia said in a tweet late Thursday night.
The tweet carried a photograph, which showed Italia welcoming Solanki. The ruling BJP, which on Thursday released its first list of 160 candidates for the state elections, has named Kalpesh Parmar as its candidate for the Matar seat, which was represented by Solanki in 2014 and 2017.
Solanki had won the bye-election to the seat in 2014 after the then MLA Devusinh Chauhan won the Lok Sabha election. Chauhan is currently the Union Minister of State for Communications.
Solanki had also won the 2017 Assembly election from the constituency on the BJP ticket. The AAP has already declared the name of one Mahipatsinh Chauhan as its candidate for the seat. PTI
09:45 India's loss to UK in T20 WC match felt in UN Human Rights Council
India's disheartening loss to England in the T20 Cricket World Cup semifinal in Australia was felt in far-away Geneva where the UN Human Rights Council was meeting to examine India's human rights record under the Universal Periodic Review process.
The Universal Periodic Review of India's human rights record is underway at the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council. In brief statements, UN Member States voiced their recommendations and concerns to India over various issues.
As the delegate from the United Kingdom concluded his brief remarks, he said to laughter from the delegates, "thank you and I didn't even mention the cricket."
Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Verma, delivering India's closing remarks at the review, responded, "Unlike my colleague from the UK, we have absolutely no reason today to refer to cricket."
A clinical England annihilated an out-of-sync India by 10 wickets to sail into the T20 World Cup final as Alex Hales and Jos Buttler's relentless hitting mortified Rohit Sharma's clueless attack, on Thursday.
Indian cricket fans were hoping for an exhilarating final match against arch-rival Pakistan on Sunday but were left disappointed after the loss to England. PTI
09:41 There you go...
Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hand over laptop to Sarvesh Hatne, a young tech enthusiast and padyatri. "A little gesture from our end to help him discover more. #BharatJodoYatra," tweets Congress.
The 'green' corridor at the new Bengaluru terminal
09:31 PM's 2-day, 4-state South India visit begins today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to four southern states starting today to launch various developmental projects worth over Rs 25,000 crore.
PM Modi will visit Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on November 11 and 12.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, on November 11, at around 9:45 am, the Prime Minister will pay floral tributes to the statues of saint poet Sri Kanaka Dasa and also to Maharshi Valmiki at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.
At around 10:20 am, he will flag off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR railway station in Bengaluru.
At around 11:30 am, PM Modi will inaugurate Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport. Thereafter, at around 12 noon, he will unveil the 108 feet bronze statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, followed by a public function in Bengaluru at around 12:30 am.
At around 3:30 pm, PM Modi will attend the 36th Convocation ceremony of Gandhigram Rural Institute at Dindigul in Tamil Nadu.
On November 12, at around 10:30 am, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
At around 3:30 pm, he will visit the RFCL plant in Ramagundam, Telangana. Thereafter, at around 4:15 pm, Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects at Ramagundam.PM in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore.
The Prime Minister will flag off Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express. Bengaluru at Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station. This will be the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India.
"It will enhance connectivity between the industrial hub of Chennai and the Tech & Startup hub of Bengaluru and the famous tourist city of Mysuru," the PMO said.
The Prime Minister will also flag off the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train from Bengaluru KSR Railway Station. Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which Government of Karnataka and Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi.
The Prime Minister will unveil a 108-metre long bronze statue of Sri Nadaprabhu Kempegowda. It is being built to commemorate the contribution of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, the founder of the city, towards the growth of Bengaluru.
PM in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: Modi will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 10,500 crores. He will lay the foundation stone of Andhra Pradesh section of six-lane Greenfield Raipur- Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor. It will be built at a cost of more than Rs 3,750 crore.
He will also dedicate to the nation, Narasannapeta to Pathapatnam section of NH-326A built at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore as a part of the Srikakulam-Gajapati corridor.
09:20 Delhi AQI improves, Centre to review curbs
With air pollution levels in Delhi coming down to the 'poor' category from 'very poor', the Commission for Air Quality Management has said it will review the situation on Friday.
The Centre's air quality panel may take a call on revoking curbs in place in Delhi-NCR under stage 3 (severe) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), an official said on condition of anonymity.
The panel also issued an order on Thursday, asking authorities to immediately stop polishing, varnishing and painting work at construction sites as these activities create volatile organic compounds which further increase the toxicity of the air and cause harm to human health.
"These activities cannot be treated as non-polluting category of construction and demolition activities under the clause 4 (iii) of Stage-III of GRAP and need to be stopped at projects sites, whenever GRAP Stage-III orders are invoked or in operation," the order read.
All construction and demolition work, except for essential projects, is banned in Delhi-NCR under stage 3 of GRAP. Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers are also not allowed to operate. -- PTI
09:16 Modi to open Bengaluru airport's new terminal today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bengaluru on Friday to unveil the 108-feet bronze statue of the city's founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda and inaugurate Terminal 2 of the International Airport in Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore.
Modi, who will attend a public function and address a mass gathering later in the day, will also flag off south India's first 'Vande Bharat Express' between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru.
After arriving in the city in the morning, Modi will pay floral tributes to the statues of saint poet Kanaka Dasa (on account of Kanaka Jayanti, his birth anniversary) and Maharshi Valmiki at the Vidhana Soudha premises here.
He will then leave for Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station here, where he will flag off the Mysuru-Chennai Vande Bharat Express.
At the same venue, Modi will also flag off the 'Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra' train. Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from the state to Kashi.
Later, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport on the outskirts of Bengaluru, built at a cost of around Rs 5,000 crore.
The terminal is expected to double the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 5-6 crore passengers per annum, from the current capacity of about 2.5 crore. -- PTI
08:32 Chinese incursions into India strategically planned: Study
Chinese infringements into the Aksai Chin region are not random, independent events but are part of a strategically planned and coordinated "expansionist strategy" to gain permanent control of the disputed border area, according to a study on Chinese border incursions into India by a team of international experts.
The study Rising tension in the Himalayas: a Geospatial Analysis of Chinese Border Incursions into India' by Northwestern University, Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands and the Netherlands Defence Academy presented a geospatial analysis of the incursions, using an original dataset that covers the past 15 years.
"We find that the conflict can be separated into two independent conflicts, west and east, centered around the major contested areas of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. Building on insights from game theory, we conclude that the Chinese incursions in the west are strategically planned and aim for a permanent control, or at least a clearer status quo of the contested areas," the study said released on Thursday said.
For the study, the team defined an incursion' as any movement of Chinese troops across the border -- by foot or in vehicles -- into areas that are internationally accepted as India's territory. Then, they plotted each location on a map, identifying 13 hotspots where incursions happen most frequently.
In the 15-year dataset, the researchers noted an average of 7.8 incursions per year even though the Indian government's estimates are much higher.
The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet while India contests it. Aksai Chin is a vast area in Ladakh which is currently under Chinese occupation.
According to Indian government data in 2019, the Chinese Army transgressed into Indian territory 1,025 times between 2016 and 2018. Then Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik told the Lok Sabha in November 2019 that the number of transgressions by the Chinese Army in 2016 was 273 which rose to 426 in 2017. The number of such cases reported in 2018 was 326.
The study's authors are Jan-Tino Brethouwer and Robbert Fokkink of the Technical University of Delft, Delft Insititute of Applied Mathematics in Netherlands, Kevin Greene of Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, Roy Lindelauf of Netherlands Defence Academy, Faculty of Military Sciences in Breda, Netherlands, Caroline Tornquist of Dartmouth College's Department of Computer Science and V.S. Subrahmanian of Northwestern University's Department of Computer Science and Buffett Institute for Global Affairs in Evanston, US.
A press release from Northwestern said that the authors assembled a new dataset, compiling information about Chinese incursions into India from 2006 to 2020 and used game theory and statistical methods to analyse the data.
The researchers found that conflicts can be separated into two distinct sectors: west/middle (the Aksai Chin region) and east (the Arunachal Pradesh region).
08:10 Biden, Modi have productive relationship: US NSA
United States President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a productive and very practical relationship, the American national security advisor has said ahead of the bilateral between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
"I would point out Prime Minister Modi has already been to the White House since President Biden took office, and the two of them have had the opportunity to meet in person multiple times and to talk by phone and on video multiple times," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
He said the two leaders see common interests on a number of critical issues and have really worked together to strengthen the US-India partnership.
"When you add all that up, it is a productive, very practical relationship," Sullivan added.
"President Biden is looking forward to seeing Prime Minister Modi at the G20 this year, as we look ahead to the next year," he said.
India will hold the presidency of the G20 next year and there is a possibility of a US presidential visit to the country.
"President Biden certainly intends to be a participant in that G20. I don't have anything to announce about visits prior to that, to India, or visits to the White House," Sullivan said. -- PTI
00:45 Gujarat assembly polls: Congress announces 2nd list of 46 candidates
The Congress on Thursday released its second list of 46 candidates for the Gujarat assembly elections scheduled to be held in two phases on December 1 and 5.
The total number of candidates declared so far by the party is 89.
The Congress last Friday had released its first list of 43 candidates for the elections.
Among the candidates named in the second list, Arjanbhai Bhudia has been fielded from Bhuj, Bhikhabhai Joshi from Junagadh, Aslam Cyclewala from Surat East, Ashokbhai Patel from Surat North and Kamlkumar Patel from Valsad.
The Congress is seeking to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party from government in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the saffron party has been in power for more than two decades. -- PTI
00:10 Vir Das show cancelled after Hindu group's protest
Comedian Vir Das and controversies go hand-in-hand.
Das' show, scheduled to be held on Thursday evening in Bengaluru, was cancelled due to protests by a right-wing outfit.
The show was cancelled last minute after the members of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti carried out protests, alleging Das hurt their religious sentiments.
"In one of his previous shows, Das made fun of our country and women and insulted Hindu religion. We filed a police complaint with Vyalikaval police station and forced organisers to cancel the show. We request people to boycott such shows," Mohan Gowda, spokesperson, Hindu Janajagriti Vedike, said.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had even filed a police complaint a few days ago.
In a complaint to the Vyalikali police station on Monday, the Samiti leaders said, "Das had made derogatory statements against women, our prime minister, and India at John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC, America, and denigrated the nation."
"The comedian had said that in India, we worship women during the day and rape them at night during the performance," they claimed while adding that a case was also registered by the Mumbai police in this regard.
It is a serious offence under the Indian Penal Code, they said.
They said that it was not right to allow such a controversial person to hold a program in a communally sensitive area like Bangalore.
"When Karnataka is already facing many law and order problems due to communal incidents, such events could vitiate the law and order and should not be allowed. We demand that this program should be cancelled immediately," Samiti's state spokesperson Mohan Gowda said in a complaint.
Das also took to Instagram and informed his fans that the show was pushed due to "unavoidable circumstances." -- PTI
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