LIVE! Madhya Pradesh reports first case of H3N2

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Thu, 16 March 2023

Madhya Pradesh reports first case of H3N2

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23:30 Comedian Khyali booked for rape in Jaipur

Famous stand-up comedian Khyali Saharan has been booked for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman in a hotel room in Jaipur, police said on Thursday.

On the basis of a complaint lodged by the woman, a case was registered against the comedian on Tuesday at Mansarovar police station in Jaipur, they said.

According to police, the incident took place on Monday when the comedian, who is an AAP activist, in an 'inebriated condition' allegedly raped the woman in a hotel room in Mansarovar area on the pretext of helping her get a job.

"A case under IPC Section 376 (rape) has been registered against the comedian following a complaint lodged by the woman. The matter is being investigated," said sub-inspector Sandeep Yadav who is posted at Mansarovar police station.

Police said that the woman hailing from Sriganganagar worked as a marketing executive for a firm.

She, along with another woman, came in contact with the comedian nearly a month ago seeking help for a job.

According to police, Khyali booked two rooms in a hotel, one for himself and another for the two women. The comedian allegedly consumed beer and forcibly asked the women to drink beer.

Later, one of the women left the room and he raped the other woman, police said.

When contacted, Aam Aadmi Party's state spokesperson Yogendra Gupta said, "AAP has lakhs of workers and he (Khyali) is one of them. What he does in his private life is a different matter. It has nothing to do with the party." -- PTI

23:21 Madhya Pradesh reports first case of H3N2

The first case of H3N2 influenza has been detected in Madhya Pradesh, where a young man tested positive for the virus in the state capital Bhopal, an official said on Thursday.

The patient, aged between 20 to 25 years, tested positive for the H3N2 virus on Wednesday and is asymptomatic now, Bhopal Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Prabhakar Tiwari told PTI.

Health department officials said he had complained of cough and cold after which his swab sample was sent for laboratory test.

The patient, a resident of the Bairagarh area in Bhopal, was not admitted to any hospital and is currently recovering at home, they said.

There are four types of influenza viruses - A, B, C, and D.

The H3N2 is a sub-type of Influenza A virus. -- PTI

A scene from Happy New Year

23:03 Court acquits 12 in firing case at Karim Morani's house

A special MCOCA court in Mumbai on Thursday acquitted 12 people in a case related to the firing at film producer Karim Morani's bungalow in 2014, allegedly carried out on the orders of gangster Ravi Pujari.

The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court judge B D Shelke directed the police to file a separate charge-sheet against the three wanted accused including Pujari in the case.

The 12 accused were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The detailed court order was yet to become available.

The prosecution had alleged that there was a conspiracy to target Morani over overseas promotion rights of the Hindi film Happy New Year, and Pujari had called and threatened Morani's family during this period.

During the trial, Sonu Sood, one of the actors in the movie, had deposed as a witness, stating that Pujari had called him and asked him not to participate in the promotion of Happy New Year.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had to cancel its rally and roadshow that was to be attended by party strong man and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa in Mudigere on Thursday, following a protest by a group of partymen urging the leadership not to give ticket to sitting MLA M P Kumaraswamy from the segment in the upcoming assembly elections.

The developments forced the veteran leader, who is also the party's Parliamentary Board member, and other leaders including its national general secretary C T Ravi, and MLC M K Pranesh to abandon the event, which was organised as part of the BJP's ongoing 'Vijaya Sankalpa Yatre', and go back.

As Yediyurappa was on his way to take part in the road show, a group of party men surrounded his car and raised slogans against Kumaraswamy and wanted the senior leader to hear their appeal; following this, another group of workers gathered at the spot shouting slogans in favour of the MLA.

The group opposing the MLA had reportedly even planned to submit a memorandum to Yediyurappa, expressing their opposition to Kumaraswamy being given the ticket.

Repeated attempts by Ravi and other BJP leaders to pacify both sides, with an appeal to allow them to carry on with the roadshow and rally, were not successful.

Yediyurappa, who was said to be upset with the behaviour of the workers, did not get out of his car, party sources said.

They said, he instead cancelled the roadshow and rally, and travelled to Chikkamagaluru.

Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy turned emotional stating that he was pained that a senior leader like Yediyurappa was not allowed to take part in the rally in Mudigere, to organise where lakhs of rupees were spent.

Stating that Yediyurappa has instilled confidence in him and has asked him to work for the party and people, he hit out at those protesting against him, and said, "I'm being targeted as I come from SC community." -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on March 24 and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth Rs 1,450 crore, officials said on Thursday.

He will also lay the foundation stone of the country's first urban transport ropeway in Kashi, they said.

Varanasi's Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said that during his one-day visit to his constituency, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone of 25 projects worth Rs 1,450 crore for the people of Kashi, and will also inaugurate projects worth Rs 200 crore.

Sharma said that the PM will lay the foundation stone of the country's first urban transport ropeway in Kashi during his visit.

The ropeway costing Rs 664.49 crore would pass through five stations, he said, adding that with the completion of this project, the distance from Cantt to Gudaulia can be covered in just 16 minutes that currently takes at least 45 minutes. -- PTI

The controversial colonial-era Kohinoor diamond claimed by India is to be cast as a symbol of conquest as part of a new display of Britain's Crown Jewels at the Tower of London set to open to the public in May.

Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity that manages Britain's palaces, said this week that the new Jewel House exhibition will explore the history of the Kohinoor also known as Koh-i-Noor through a combination of objects and visual projections.

The infamous diamond, which is set within the Crown of the mother of the late Queen Elizabeth II, remains within the Tower after Camilla in a diplomatic move chose not to use this traditional crown for her coronation with King Charles II on May 6.

The history of the Koh-i-Noor, which is set within the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, will be explored, HRP said, with reference to the new planned display.

A combination of objects and visual projections will explain the stone's story as a symbol of conquest, with many previous owners, including Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran, Emirs of Afghanistan, and Sikh Maharajas, it said.

Kohinoor, which means mountain of light in Persian, came into Queen Victoria's possession from the treasury of Maharaja Ranjit Singh a few years before she was to be crowned empress of India and has played a starring role in British coronations of the past.

It will now take centre-stage at the new post-Coronation exhibition at the Tower of London.

We look forward to expanding the stories we are telling about the Crown Jewels, and to showcasing this remarkable collection for millions of visitors from around the world to enjoy, said Andrew Jackson, Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House.

We are delighted to unveil our brand-new Jewel House display from May 26, offering visitors a richer understanding of this magnificent collection.

As the home of the Crown Jewels, we are delighted that the Tower of London will continue to play its part during this historic Coronation year, he said.

The new exhibition will open just weeks after the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who will be crowned with the Queen Mary Crown.

It marks the first major change to the Jewel House at the Tower of London for over a decade, which has been home to Britain's Crown Jewels for nearly 400 years.

The Crown Jewels are the most powerful symbols of the British monarchy and hold deep religious, historic, and cultural significance.

From their fascinating origins to their use during the Coronation ceremony, the new Jewel House transformation will present the rich history of this magnificent collection with more depth and detail than ever before, said Charles Farris, Public Historian for the History of the Monarchy at HRP.

Among some of the other changes, the story of the famous Cullinan diamond will also feature, with the hammer and knife used to make the first cuts to the huge diamond going on display in the Jewel House for the first time.

Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the diamond is the largest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found at 3,106 carats.

It was split into nine major stones and 96 smaller brilliants, with the largest two stones featuring in the British Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Imperial State Crown.

At the heart of the new display will be a room dedicated to the spectacle, pageantry and community of the Coronation Procession. The display will present Coronation Processions throughout history, celebrating the contributions of the many people who take part in these unique events.

On display will be a series of objects from the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, including an exquisite court suit worn at the Coronation of George IV and a herald's tabard which would have been worn during royal processions.

The display will culminate in the Treasury, the vault that protects most of the Crown Jewels collection, comprising over 100 objects in total.

Among the spectacular items on display in the Treasury is St Edward's Crown of 1661, which is used at the moment of crowning and is the most important and sacred crown within the collection.

The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Orb, which are presented to the monarch during the moment of investiture, are also on display in the Treasury.

New lighting will allow visitors to experience the world-famous collection like never before, HRP claimed of the re-presentation which is the culmination of a major four-year project. -- PTI

Asaram Bapu

21:48 Asaram files appeal against conviction in rape case

The Gujarat high court on Thursday admitted for hearing an appeal filed by self-styled godman Asaram against a recent trial court order convicting him of rape.

The Gandhinagar sessions court in January this year sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment in a rape case, based on a complaint filed by a former woman disciple in 2013.

A division bench of Justices S H Vora and Mauna Bhatt heard the appeal briefly on Thursday and admitted it for final hearing.

The sessions court had convicted Asaram for rape, unnatural offences and wrongful confinement.

A woman disciple from Surat had alleged that Asaram raped her on several occasions between 2001 to 2007 at his ashram at Motera near Ahmedabad.

The 81-year-old `godman' is currently serving life sentence in a Jodhpur jail in another case where he was accused of raping a girl at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013.

In its order, the Gandhinagar court noted that Asaram sexually abused a victim who was younger than his daughter.

"The accused committed a very serious crime against society and such a heinous crime cannot have any place of sympathy and should be punished to the fullest extent prescribed by law... It becomes the moral responsibility not only of the society but also of the court to set an example and prevent such behaviour," additional sessions judge D K Soni noted in the order.

Representational image

21:24 Police team attacked, held hostage in Haryana

Five policemen were seriously injured when a criminal and his family members and villagers allegedly attacked and took them hostage in Gokulpur village in Nuh, Haryana, the police said on Thursday.

A team of Faridabad police had gone to the village on Wednesday to nab the criminal involved in a case of theft of a tractor-trolley. It was held hostage at gunpoint by the accused in a house for two hours and later chased away, they said.

Mobile phones, cash and other belongings of the policemen were also snatched, they added.

After getting information, a team of Nuh Police reached the spot and took the injured policemen to a hospital, the police said.

On the complaint of the sub-inspector in-charge of the police team, a case was registered against 15 identified men and women and around 30 unidentified people at Punhana police station.

They were booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including attempt to murder, wrongful confinement, obstructing public servant in discharge of public function, and under the Arms Act, the police said.

All the accused are absconding. Our teams are conducting raids at suspect places and they will be arrested soon, Superintendent of Police, Nuh, Varun Singla said.

According to the complaint filed by Jalaluddin, a sub-inspector of the crime branch at Uncha in Faridabad, the police had arrested one Talim, a resident of Gokulpur village, in a case of theft of a tractor-trolley.

During interrogation, he revealed that after stealing the tractor-trolley, he sold it to a person, Ajruddin, of his village for Rs 1.40 lakh.

To nab Ajruddin, an eight-member police team was formed under the sub-inspector and a raid was conducted at the house of Ajruddin in Gokulpur on Wednesday afternoon, as per the complaint.

When we reached Ajruddin's house and called his name he climbed the roof of the house and made some noise, following which a number of people including women gathered there and surrounded us.

"They all were carrying arms and sticks in their hands and launched a murderous attack on the police team, resulting in injuries to the policemen. Even after this, they did not stop and took the police party hostage at gunpoint in Ajruddin's house," the sub-inspector said.

"Flashing weapons, they snatched the mobile phone and purse from me and one of my colleagues. After about two hours, they released us and sent us away saying that if we again come to the village again, they will not let us go alive," he said in the complaint.

Siachen glacier

21:07 Fire and Fury Corps commander meets troops at Siachen

Siachen, the world's highest battle ground, was the first port of call of Lt General Rashim Bali who took over as the corps commander of the strategically based XIV Corps of the Army earlier this week.

During his visit to the Siachen Glacier on Thursday, Lt Gen Bali interacted with the troops and commended them for their zeal and enthusiasm in the harsh terrain and inclement weather.

Lt Gen Bali took over the reins of XIV Corps, also known as the Fire and Fury Corps, from Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta.

Lt Gen Bali was earlier posted as corps commander of the Victor Force comprising Rashtriya Rifles of the Army that looks after the crucial South Kashmir area.

During his earlier tenure, his corps conducted successful operations leading to elimination as well as surrender of terrorists. It also educated parents to wean their children off militancy.

He them moved to the Army headquarters in the national capital and later got promoted to the rank of lieutenant general to head strategic army formations.

Eknath Shinde

20:40 Talks with marching farmers positive, says Shinde

As thousands of farmers continued their march to Mumbai on Thursday to press their demands, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said his meeting with their representatives went well and the government would make a statement in the legislature on the issue.

The foot march, which started from Nashik district four days ago, has entered the Thane district neighbouring Mumbai.

Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis met a delegation of farmers leaders here.

"There was a detailed discussion and it was positive. There will be a statement on this in the Legislature (on Friday)," the chief minister told reporters later.

The government on Wednesday night rushed ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save to hold a discussion with the farmers who entered Thane district.

The farmers' demands include an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.

The protesters, holding red flags, started their foot march from Dindori town in Nashik district, around 200 km from Mumbai, on Sunday.

Rajesh Gopinathan

20:24 Rajesh Gopinathan quits, Krithivasan is TCS CEO

IT major TCS CEO Rajesh Gopinathan has reigned, and the company nominated its global head of the BFSI division K Krithivasan as the CEO designate with immediate effect, the firm said on Thursday.

Gopinathan will continue with the company till September 15, 2023, to provide transition and support to his successor.

"After a stellar career of over 22 years with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and a successful stint as managing director and CEO during the last 6 years, Rajesh Gopinathan has decided to step down from the company to pursue his other interests," the company said in a statement.

TCS has nominated its current president and global head of the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) business group K Krithivasan as CEO designate with immediate effect.

"The board has nominated K Krithivasan as the CEO designate, with effect from 16th March 2023. Krithivasan will go through a transition with Rajesh Gopinathan and will be appointed as the managing director & CEO in the next financial year," the statement said.

India on Thursday said it continues to extend political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine by various means over the years.

Minister of State for External Affairs B Muraleedharan said in Rajya Sabha that India has regularly expressed concerns over acts of violence, loss of life and destruction during the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine.

The minister was replying to a question.

Muraleedharan said India has consistently supported immediate de-escalation of the situation and urged the parties concerned to exercise restraint and resume dialogue.

He said India reiterated the same in the aftermath of escalation between Israel and Palestine in May 2021 and again in August 2022.

"India continues to extend political, diplomatic and developmental support to the state of Palestine by various means over the years," he said.

Muraleedharan also referred to bilateral visits from both sides and especially referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stand-alone trip to Palestine in February 2018.

"India has supported/endorsed Palestine in various international and multilateral forums from time to time, including at meetings of the United Nations and its various agencies," he said.

Muraleedharan said India extends financial and developmental support for Palestinian nation building through capacity building, project assistance and budgetary support.

To a separate question, he said there are approximately 2,30,000 Indian students studying in Canadian colleges and universities.

He also said that more than 2,00,000 Indian citizens in Canada have a work permit.

Asked about reported incidents of attacks on Indians living in Canada in the last five years, he said one incident was reported in 2019, two in 2022 and one in 2023.

One Indian was killed in 2022, according to the written reply.

"The safety and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries is the top priority for the government. Indian ission/Consulates in Canada are constantly engaged with the Indian community including on measures to ensure their safety and well-being," Muraleedharan said. -- PTI

Delhi Police has issued a notice to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to give details about those victims who approached him regarding their sexual harassment, to provide them security.

"Police took cognisance of the social media posts and sent a list of questionnaires," Delhi Police said.

He gave a statement in Srinagar during Bharat Jodo Yatra, "In one particular case I asked a girl, she had been raped, I asked her should we call the police, she said that don't call the police then I will be shamed." -- ANI

Pic: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

19:16 Akhilesh to meet Mamata in Kolkata tomorrow

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to be in Kolkata on Friday to attend his party's two-day-long national executive and will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence, party sources said on Thursday.

The party is holding its two-day national executive in Kolkata from March 18 to discuss policies and strategies for assembly election in Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh later this year and the Lok Sabha poll in 2024, they said.

Yadav is slated to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on March 17 at her residence at 5 pm, the sources said.

"On March 17 Akhilesh Yadav ji will meet Mamata Banerjee at her residence. It is a courtesy visit, but they will discuss the country's political situation. He will address party workers at Moulali Yuva Kendra in the afternoon," SP vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda said.

Banerjee and Yadav share a very cordial relationship. Yadav had lent his party's support to TMC during the 2021 Bengal assembly poll, which was reciprocated by Banerjee when she campaigned for the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister during the 2022 election in that state.

18:53 UK bans TikTok from govt phones over data leak

TikTok will be banned from UK government phones amid security concerns around the Chinese-owned social media video app, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announced in Parliament on Thursday.

The ban brings the UK in line with the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) and also India which banned TikTok entirely from the country, even as the company strongly denies sharing user data with the Chinese government.

Dowden told MPs that there "could be a risk to how government data and information is used by the app".

The security of sensitive government information must come first, so today we are banning this app on government devices, said Dowden.

The use of other data-extracting apps will be kept under review.

Restricting the use of TikTok on government devices is a prudent and proportionate step following advice from our cyber security experts, he said.

-- Aditi Khanna in London/PTI

Representational image

18:40 Both pilots killed in Army's Cheetah chopper crash

Two pilots were killed after an Indian Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, officials said.

A search operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police after the crash.

"Both the pilots involved in the crash have lost their lives," said Army officials.

The pilots have been identified as Lt Colonel VVB Reddy and Major Jayanth A.

Earlier, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Defence Guwahati Lt Col Mahendra Rawat had said the Army's Cheetah helicopter, on an operational sortie, was reported to have lost contact with the Air Traffic Controller at around 9:15 am on Thursday.

It was reported to have crashed near Mandala, West of Bomdila.

Search parties have been launched, he had informed.

According to the Arunachal Pradesh police, an Army chopper lost contact midway and could not be located while it was en route to Missamari from Senge village.

At around 12:30 pm villagers from Bangjalep under Dirang police station informed that a crashed chopper was found.

The police said the area has no signal and the weather was extremely foggy with a visibility of five metres.

18:14 Apologise publicly first: BJP to Rahul Gandhi

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday insisted on an apology from Rahul Gandhi and asked him to 'first demonstrate' his regret as the Congress leader met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking permission to speak in the House amid an impasse in Parliament over his comments in Britain on the state of democracy in India.

Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi told reporters after another day of washout of parliamentary proceedings that not only MPs but the entire country is angry over his comments which gravely insulted not just Parliament but the entire nation.

He has levelled 'absolutely baseless and false allegations without any iota of truth', Goyal said even as the Congress rejected the BJP's charge and ruled out any apology from its former president.

Gandhi has to first demonstrate publicly that he is apologising for the mistake he has made, Goyal said, replying to a question about the Congress leader's stand on the issue.

Gandhi himself appeared unfazed by the political storm raging over his comments made at different events in Britain.

Taking a swipe at the Congress leader, who was also in Lok Sabha before it was adjourned for the day, Goyal said he is behaving as if he has come after performing some 'great act of patriotism' without showing any sign of remorse.

The BJP has accused him of seeking intervention of foreign powers in India by portraying the state of democracy in the country in a poor light.

With the ruling party seizing on his remarks and seeking his apology and the Congress remaining unfazed, the second leg of the session which began on Monday has been a washout so far.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi said, "India's prestige has not been attacked in such a manner before. Political differences may be there but there cannot be a graver crime than to seek interference from foreign powers. Anger prevails across the country for the grave insult Rahul Gandhi has inflicted upon what even the world acknowledges as the mother of democracy."

He should seek an apology as this is what MPs and the country are demanding, he said.

Joshi insisted that parties other than the BJP are also demanding Gandhi's apology.

Goyal said Gandhi has demonstrated his and the Congress' small-mindedness by not apologising so far.

To a question if the session is headed for a washout if the Congress sticks to its guns on the issue, Joshi said, "I don't think so."

He, however, insisted that other parties are also of the view that he should apologise.

The minister said many precedents exist of senior most leaders apologising in the House and accused Gandhi of belittling the image of Parliament and the Speaker.

During an event in the UK, Gandhi had alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and there is a 'full-scale assault' on the country's institutions. -- PTI

17:53 This is 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb', says Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday defended her recent visit to a Shiv temple in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and performing a ritual there, saying "we live in a country that is home to the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb" and there is no need to discuss the matter further.

A video of the former chief minister offering water to the Shivling inside Navagraha temple, Mandi-Ajote in Poonch, on Tuesday has gone viral, drawing criticism from some quarters.

"We are living in a secular country that is home to Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. The temple was built by Yashpal Sharma (former PDP leader who died last year) and his sons want me to visit the place. I went inside and someone gave me a small vessel filled with water with a lot of belief and love.

"I do not want to break his heart by refusing to pour water (on the Shivling). He asked for it and I did it (out of respect for him)," Mehbooba Mufti told reporters.

Asked about some Islamic scholars from Deoband in Uttar Pradesh disliking it, she said she did not want to go into it and whether it is allowed or not in her religion.

"In our country, Hindus and Muslims live together and there are more Hindus offering 'chadar' at Muslim shrines than Muslims themselves. This issue is related to myself and there is no need for further discussion over it," she said.

Protesting farmers rest in Thane this morning

17:31 Maha CM, Dy CM meet protesting farmers

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday met a delegation of farmers in Mumbai even as thousands of farmers continued their march towards Mumbai from Nashik district to press their demands.

The meeting was underway, said an official in the Chief Minister's Office.

Earlier, the state government rushed ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save to hold a discussion with the farmers whose demands include an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans.

17:19 Historian, writer Patrick French passes away

Author William Dalrymple tweets to say that historian and writer Patrick French has passed away. "Heartbroken to hear about the death of Patrick French, who I have loved and admired since we were both thirteen, and who was the Best Man at my wedding. He was funny & clever & charming, always full of enthusiasm & energy. He was also the greatest biographer of our generation," Dalrymple said.

Read our 2017 interview with Patrick French here.

Historian and writer Ramachandra Guha tweeted the news to say, "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Patrick French. He was a wonderful writer, whose books on Francis Younghusband and VS Naipaul are classics of modern biographical writing. He was also a very fine human being, unfailingly generous to friends and strangers alike."

Patrick French is a British writer, historian and academician. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh where he studied English and American literature, and received a PhD in South Asian Studies. He was appointed as the inaugural Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Ahmedabad University in July 2017.

17:09 Parl logjam won't end till JPC on Adani: AAP

Parliament will continue to witness logjams and the opposition will carry on its protest until a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) is set up to probe alleged irregularities by the Adani Group, the Aam Aadmi Party said on Thursday.

At a press conference at the party headquarters, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sanjay Singh alleged a nexus between Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted that the Opposition will not spare those "who looted the country's assets worth lakhs and crores of rupees".

"Right now our issue is: 'Modi-Adani bhai bhai, desh bech ker khayee malai' (Modi and Adani are selling the country's assets for their own benefit). The prime minister should give a reply on this.

"To divert attention from this, cases are being filed against everyone and raids being conducted.... Modi ji's action has become a comedy circus now, Singh told reporters when asked about the CBI lodging a fresh case against jailed AAP leader Manish Sisodia. The CBI has booked Sisodia in a fresh case related to alleged misuse of official position and using the city government's Feedback Unit for "political snooping".

The probe agency registered the case against Sisodia and five others on Tuesday for alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and forgery and under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, officials said on Thursday.

"Hang us, Modi ji, if you want.... But we will not spare those who looted Bharat Mata's assets worth lakhs and crores of rupees. The fight has begun. You will have to set up a JPC," the AAP leader said.

"The logjam in Parliament will continue. Demonstrations, rallies, protests, public meetings will be organised across the country against you every day to tell people that you and Adani looted Bharat Mata's assets," Singh added, targeting the prime minister.

A major political controversy erupted after Adani Group stocks took a beating on the bourses after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation. The Gautam Adani-led group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements. PTI

Pic: KBK Graphics

16:44 Sensex snaps 5-day losing streak

The domestic equity market on Thursday snapped the five-day losing streak as the benchmark Sensex recouped its lost ground and closed 78 points higher on fag-end value buying in banking, energy and financial stocks.

A positive opening in the European market helped the investor sentiments even as clouds hovered over the health of the global banking system amid Credit Suisse woes and bank failures in the US.

Halting its five-day losing streak, the 30-share BSE benchmark rose 78.94 points or 0.14 per cent to close at 57,634.84 points, with 17 of its constituents ending in the green. During the session, it touched a high of 57,887.46 points and a low of 57,158.69 points.

The 50-share NSE Nifty advanced 13.45 points or 0.08 per cent to settle at 16,985.60 points. As many as Nifty 32 stocks closed in the green. Equity benchmarks bounced back to end in the positive territory after trading lower for the most part of the volatile session.

Nestle India was the biggest gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 2.54 per cent, followed by Asian Paints, HUL, Titan, Sun Pharma, SBI, PowerGrid and Bajaj Finserv. On the other hand, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Tech and Reliance were among the losers, slipping up to 3.31 per cent.

The Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena made an impassioned plea before the Supreme Court on Thursday for setting aside then Maharashtra Governor B S Koshyari's June 2022 order to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to take a floor test, asserting democracy will be in danger if it is not overturned.

Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the Thackeray bloc, urged a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud to rescind the order, a day after the apex court questioned Koshyari's conduct in calling for a trust vote merely on the ground of differences between Shiv Sena MLAs.

It had said on Wednesday such action by the governor can topple an elected government and that the governor of a state cannot lend his office to effectuate a particular result.

Concluding his rejoinder arguments, Sibal told the bench, also comprising Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha, it's a moment in the history of this court when the future of democracy will be determined.

"I am absolutely certain that without the intervention of this court our democracy will be in danger because no elected government will be allowed to survive. It is with this hope I make this plea to this court to allow this petition and set aside the order (of floor test) of the governor," Sibal said.

The apex court is hearing arguments on the events that unfolded during the June 2022 political crisis triggered by a revolt in the then undivided Shiv Sena by MLAs loyal to Eknath Shinde. Sibal said if the Sena MLAs had lost their faith in the government, they could have voted against it in the House when a money bill was moved and reduced it to minority.

His argument was in line with the views expressed by the bench on Wednesday when it recalled the Monsoon session of the assembly was about to commence at the relevant time.

The surest way to test its majority would have been when the government placed the supplementary demands before the House. If it had failed to get the money bill passed, it would have been out, it had said.

"It is not that the government cannot run in minority. Former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao ran a minority government. There is no scope for the governor to recognise those (rebel) MLAs and call for the floor test. Here, what they want is to topple the government and become chief minister and deputy CMs and use the position of governor for that. I don't want to say more, everything is in the public domain," Sibal said.

"I have my political experience and lordships have their judicial experience, which is enough to understand this. I can say we have reduced ourselves to a level that we are mocked. People don't believe us anymore," Sibal said, making a fervent pitch for setting aside the governor's order for a floor test. Governors can only deal with alliances and political parties and not individuals, otherwise it will "create havoc", the senior lawyer asserted.

"The governor based his decision on the claim made by the legislative majority of Shiv Sena. On what constitutional basis can the governor recognise a faction, whether minority or majority, to hold a floor test?" he said.

He said there is no space for factions when the governor has to appoint a chief minister. "Now, if all of Shiv Sena had gone to the BJP, would the governor still have called for floor test. That's the 'Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram' principle which we gave up long ago. It's disastrous for democracy the legislator has no identity other than being a representative of the political party," Sibal, who was assisted by lawyer Amit Anant Tiwari, said.

"When we enter this court we are in a different aura, we come with hope, expectations. If you look at the history of civilizations, all injustices are based on power. You (top court) are the hope of 1.4 billion people and you cannot let democracy be destabilised in this callous, uncouth fashion," he said. During the hearing, Sibal also referred to Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. -- PTI

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi speaking at a press conference.

"As an MP my first responsibility is to reply in Parliament, only after that I can explain before the media. I am hopeful though not very sure that they will allow me to speak in Parliament on Friday.

"I told the Lok Sabha Speaker that I want to speak in Parliament. Four ministers made allegations against me, and I have the right to respond. If Indian democracy was functioning, I will be able to speak in Parliament. The PM yet to reply to moot questions I asked in my last Parliament speech about the Adani Group."

Gandhi arrived in Parliament House after his return from abroad and smiled when asked if he would apologise for his remarks made in London. During an event in the UK, Gandhi had alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and there is a "full-scale assault" on the country's institutions.

The BJP has stepped up the heat on Gandhi, accusing him of speaking against India and the country's institutions including Parliament and has demanded an apology from him.

15:22 ED issues another notice to KCR's daughter

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons for March 20 to BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy money laundering case, after she skipped Thursday's notice citing her pending plea before the Supreme Court where she has sought protection from arrest and quashing of summons in the case, officials said.

Sources in the agency said the six-page representation of the Telangana MLC, daughter of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has been rejected in view of the ongoing investigation which is at an important phase.

She has been asked to appear on March 20, officials said.

Kavitha had on Thursday sent her authorised representative (a BRS party office bearer) who handed over to the investigating officer of the case the representation against her personal deposition along with her bank statement, personal and business details. The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on March 24 the plea by Kavitha seeking protection from arrest and challenging the summons by the ED in this case.

The 44-year-old politician was first questioned in this case on March 11 following which she was asked to depose again on March 16. In the letter sent to the ED, Kavitha said as the summons explicitly does not require her to appear in person she was sending her "authorised representative".

"I humbly beseech your good self that the proceedings before the Supreme Court being sacred and sacrosanct, the outcome thereof must be awaited before any further proceedings take place with respect to the subject summons," she wrote. PTI

A class 10 student ended his life by hanging himself in a rented room due to exam pressure in Rajasthan's Dholpur district while his landlord died of a heart attack after seeing the body hanging, police said Thursday.

The incident took place at Madhavanand colony in Dholpur where Pushpendra Rajput (17) lived as a tenant and studied in a private school, police said. He had returned from his village on Wednesday and committed suicide in the night, police said.

One of the family members of the landlord, identified as Bahadur Singh (70), saw the body hanging in the room and screamed for help. When Singh saw the body hanging, his health suddenly deteriorated and he eventually collapsed, police said.

"A suicide note has been recovered from the student's room. The landlord apparently died of a heart attack after seeing the body hanging in the room. Bodies have been kept at a hospital mortuary," Nihalganj Station House Officer Vijay Meena said.

The bodies were handed over to the family members after post mortem. A case has been registered under CrPc section , police added. PTI

@INC shared this image on its Twitter handle

14:47 Rahul asks Om Birla for permission to speak

Lok Sabha was adjourned Thursday with proceedings lasting just three minutes through the day as the Opposition and treasury benches remained at loggerheads over Rahul Gandhi's democracy remarks and the demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani issue.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had said that Rahul Gandhi met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament and requested him to allow him time to speak about the allegations made by BJP against him.

As the House reconvened at 2 pm, Rahul Gandhi was present in the House for the first time since the controversy around his remarks in the UK broke out.

Kirit Solanki, who was in the chair, urged members to be seated and stop the sloganeering if they want a debate but the Opposition and treasury benches continued with their slogan-shouting and the House was adjourned for the day just a minute after reconvening.

In the morning session, the House proceedings had lasted only for two minutes. Trinamool Congress members, with their mouths covered with a black ribbon, had gathered in the Well of the House as the proceedings got underway in the Lok Sabha.

BJP members from West Bengal were seen raising slogans against the Trinamool Congress over the school recruitment scam in the state, while other members of the ruling party were demanding an apology from Gandhi over his remarks in London.

Congress members also trooped in the Well of the Lok Sabha raising slogans but they couldn't be heard clearly in the din. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged the members to allow the House to function.

"I want to run the House, I want to give you enough opportunities and time to speak. You have to go to your seats. You come to the well and then go outside and tell that you don't get a chance to speak. This is not right," he said.

The House has to function smoothly, Birla said, also gesturing at the members of the treasury benches to take their seats.

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14:27 Army chopper on sortie crashes in Arunachal

Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Army has crashed near Mandala, west of Bomdila, in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, a defence spokesperson said in Guwahati.

The chopper, which was flying an operational sortie near Bomdila, lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) around 9.15 am, Lt Col. Mahendra Rawat said. "It crashed near Mandala, west of Bomdila. Search parties have been sent to the spot," he said, adding that more details were awaited. PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to "slap several false cases" against AAP leader Manish Sisodia to keep him in jail for a long time.

His comments came after the CBI registered an FIR against Sisodia and others in connection with the Delhi Government's Feedback Unit (FBU) which has been accused of doing political snooping.

"PM's plan is to slap several false cases against Manish and keep him in custody for a long period. Sad for the country!" Kejriwal said in a tweet.

The AAP dispensation had proposed setting up the Feedback Unit in 2015 to gather relevant information and actionable feedback regarding the working of the various departments and autonomous bodies, institutions and entities falling under the jurisdiction of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and also to do "trap cases", the CBI said.

The unit started functioning in 2016 with a provision of Rs 1 crore for secret service expenditure, it said. -- PTI

The CBI has registered an FIR against former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and others in connection with the Delhi Government's Feedback Unit (FBU) which was allegedly doing political snooping, officials said on Thursday.

The agency has booked Sisodia, a 1992-batch IRS officer Sukesh Kumar Jain who was then secretary of vigilance, retired CISF DIG Rakesh Kumar Sinha who was working as special advisor to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and joint director in FBU, they said. Besides, former joint deputy director of Intelligence Bureau Pradeep Kumar' Punj, who was working as deputy director of the Feedback Unit, retired assistant commandant of CISF Satish Khetrapal who was working as feedback officer and Gopal Mohan, advisor, anti-corruption, to Kejriwal were also booked in the case, officials said. Sisodia was earlier arrested by CBI in the Delhi excise policy case and is behind bars in an Enforcement Directorate case.

13:35 Rahul waits it out inside Parliament

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with party MPs in the Central Hall of Parliament in Delhi. Parliament has been adjourned till 2pm.

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday arrived in Parliament House after his return from abroad and said he has said nothing against India or the Parliament during his London visit. He said he would speak in Parliament if he is allowed by the chair.

"If they allow me to speak in Parliament, then I will say what I think," he told reporters while leaving Parliament. He said it will not be to the BJP's liking when he speaks inside Parliament. Gandhi said if he is not allowed, he would speak outside Parliament.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrives in Parliament, remains silent on the question of BJP's demand to tender an unconditional apology for this London speech.

"I didnt speak anything anti-India (in London seminar). If they will allow I will speak inside the parliament," Rahul Gandhi says.

12:52 BRS leader Kavitha skips ED summons

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha on Thursday skipped the summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case related to Delhi Excise Policy case.

The BRS leader had approached the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing claiming that as a woman, she cannot be summoned to the ED office, and the probe agency's representatives must visit her instead.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court had agreed to hear her plea challenging the ED summons on March 24 but refused to grant her interim relief.

Kavitha did not appear for the third round of ED questioning conveying to the probe agency that the matter is still pending before the apex court.

According to the sources, Kavitha has sent the necessary documents sought by the probe agency through her legal representative.

The ED had asked the BRS MLC to appear before it today.

Heavy security was deployed outside the Delhi residence of the Kavitha ahead of her questioning by ED.

The court has agreed to hear her petition on March 24, in the Delhi excise policy case.

Kavitha, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, approached the Supreme court saying as per norms a woman cannot be summoned for questioning before ED in office and her questioning should take place at her residence. -- ANI

File pic

12:42 Mumbai, parts of Maharashtra receive rain

Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra on Thursday reported light showers, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The rains could exacerbate crop losses in the state.

The rains come after the city earlier this week recorded the season's highest temperature 39.4 degrees Celsius so far, and at a time when the state has been witnessing a spike in influenza cases and viral infections.

Most of central Maharashtra reported thunder and rain. Raigad also reported light rain, the IMD said. Farmers are already reeling under losses after the heavy showers last week destroyed standing crops. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said the city could see a cloudy sky with light rain or thundershowers in the evening or night. PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's wife Amruta Fadnavis has filed a police case against a designer for allegedly trying to offer her money to intervene in a criminal case as well as threatening her, a police official said here on Thursday.

On Amruta's complaint, a first information report (FIR) was registered on February 20 at the Malabar Hill police station against the woman, identified by her as Aniksha, and her father, the official said.

No one has been arrested in the case so far, the official said.

As per the FIR, Aniksha was in touch with Amruta for the past 16 months and also visited her residence.

In her statement to the police, Amruta said she first met Aniksha in November 2021. Aniksha claimed that she was a designer of clothes, jewellery and footwear and requested the deputy CM's wife to wear them at public events saying it would help her promote the products, said the official from Malabar Hill police station.

Aniksha allegedly told Amruta that her mother was no more and she was taking care of her family's finances, the official said. After gaining Amruta's trust, Aniksha offered to provide her with information on some bookies through which, she claimed, they could make money, the official said.

She then directly offered Amruta Rs 1 crore to get her father off the hook in a police case, said the official. Amruta told the police that she was upset by Aniksha's behaviour and blocked her number, the official said.

The woman then allegedly sent Amruta video clips, voice notes and many messages from an unknown number. She and her father indirectly threatened and conspired against Amruta, said the official citing the FIR.

The city police have registered the FIR against Aniksha and her father under Indian Penal Code sections 120-B (conspiracy) and the Prevention of Corruption Act sections pertaining to using corrupt and illegal means to induce a public servant. An investigation is underway and no arrest has been made so far, the official added. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a meeting with his top ministers in Parliament.The minister included Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi, Commerce, and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister Information, and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur.

Today is the fourth day of the second leg of the Budget session of Parliament.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced disruptions for the third successive day with Congress and other opposition parties insisting on their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg row while the BJP members seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks made in London.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a lecture at Cambridge University in London recently, said, "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space."

11:41 Parl adjourned yet again over Rahul's remarks

Yet again, both houses of Parliament were adjourned till 2 pm as the government refused to blink over the apology from Rahul Gandhi.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday due to slogan shouting by the opposition and treasury benches over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "democracy under attack" remarks made in London.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, some opposition members came to the well of the house and began shouting slogans, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into alleged stock manipulation by the Adani Group. Members of treasury benches also raised counter-slogans from their seats, demanding an apology from Gandhi for his remarks.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla urged the members to allow the House to function. "I want to run the House, I want to give you enough opportunities and enough time to speak. You have to go to your seats. You come to the well and then go outside and tell that you don't get a chance to speak. This is not right," he said.

As the opposition members ignored his pleas, the speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes on Thursday soon after it met for the day, with the proceedings adjourned till 2 pm.

Trinamool Congress MPs were in the well of the House even before the start of the proceedings and raised slogans saying they are not being allowed to speak. TMC members were also wearing black masks as a mark of protest. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urged the members to take to their seats but treasury benches raised their pitch demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his democracy remarks made abroad.

Richard Carpenter sings for RRR

11:15 Richard Carpenter sings for Keeravaani, Chandrabose!

What could have 'topped' the Oscar win for "Naatu Naatu" for MM Keeravaani? A congratulatory message from Richard Carpenter, one-half of his childhood favourite The Carpenters, is the "most wonderful gift" he has admittedly received from the universe.

"I grew up listening to The Carpenters and now here I am with the Oscars. There was only one wish on my mind, so was Rajamouli's and our families' -- 'RRR' has to win Pride of every Indian must put me on the top of the world," Keeravaani said in tune to The Carpenters' much loved 1970s song Top of the World in his speech as he accepted the Academy Award for Best Original Song winner "Naatu Naatu", the foot-tapping, irreverent Telugu track.

Days later, Richard Carpenter shared a reimagined rendition of "Top of the World" on his official Instagram account, congratulating Keeravaani and "Naatu Naatu" lyricist Chandrabose on the feat.

"We are on the top of the world for your winning creation and we hope you know how proud of you we are. You are the best there is around and we hope you know it now your win puts us at the top of the world. Congratulations!" the American vocalist sang on the piano with two other singers.

"To @mmkeeravani_official and @chandraboselyricist: Heartfelt congratulations on your win for Best Original Song. Here is a little something from our family to you and yours," Richard Carpenter captioned the video clip.

Hearing from his idol, Keeravaani was blown away. "This is something I didn't expect at all ..tears rolling out of joy. Most wonderful gift from the Universe," the elated composer wrote Wednesday night in the comments section of the post. SS Rajamouli, "RRR" director and cousin of Keeravaani, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards Richard Carpenter for the "memorable" gesture.

"Sir, throughout this Oscar campaign my brother maintained a calm composure. Whether it is before or after he didn't let his emotions out. But, the moment he saw this, he couldn't control the tears rolling down his cheeks... most memorable moment for our family. Thank you so much," Rajamouli wrote in the same post. The win for Naatu Naatu, Naacho Naacho in Hindi, is the fourth non-English song to win an Oscar in the category and the first song in foreign language since Jai Ho in 2009 to bag the prize. PTI

Pic: KBK Graphics

10:50 India's merchandise trade over a year

India's exports contracted in February for the third consecutive month, falling 8.8 per cent to USD 33.88 billion against USD 37.15 billion in the same month last year.

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10:47 Rajasthan: Four Australian tourists test Covid positive

Four foriegn tourists including a woman who came to visit Rajasthan from Australia were on Wednesday tested positive for CVovid-19 infection, officials said on Thursday.

Rajasthan University for Health Sciences (RUHS) Vice Chancellor Dr Sudhir Bhandari said, "Australian were staying at a hotel in Sawai Madhopur, and were brought to Jaipur where they were found positive for Covid-19 infection. Have been admitted to RUHS hospital and they got admitted on Wednesday night".

"The condition of three tourists is normal, while the fourth has cold," RUHS VC Dr Sudhir Bhandair said. Earlier on Saturday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to the States and Union Territories. Bhushan flagged that the gradual rise in COVID-19 test positivity rates in some States is a concerning issue that needs to be promptly addressed.

"Despite the low number of new cases, equally low number of hospitalisations and significant advances made in terms of COVID-19 vaccination coverage, there is still a need to remain vigilant and focus on the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour," Bhushan said in his letter. -- ANI

10:36 Ayodhya Ram temple 70% complete: Treasurer

The idol of Lord Ram Lalla will be placed at its original place in the upcoming temple in Ayodhya in the third week of January 2024, said Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj on Wednesday.

The treasurer came to Dombivli in Maharashtra to inaugurate various programs on Wednesday. While talking to the media persons, he said, "The work of Lord Ramchandra's temple in Ayodhya is going on very fast and well. At present, the work of the temple is 70 per cent complete... We are sure that Ramlalla will be installed at that original place in the third week of January 2024 and arrangements will be made for devotees to visit and offer prayers from that day itself."

"Our target is to complete the work on the sancturn sanctorum, a first floor and arrangements for darshan while the work of the rest of the temple's craftsmanship will continue," he added.

On November 9, 2019, a five-judge Supreme Court bench led by then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi ruled in favour of Ram Lalla and said that the entire disputed land spread over 2.7 acres will be handed over to a trust formed by the government, which will monitor the construction of a Ram Temple at the site. -- ANI

Around 80 persons were rescued while ten, including three children, were hospitalised after a fire broke out at a seven-storey residential building in Mumbai's Mulund on Wednesday, an official said.

The incident happened at Jagruti society in Mulund West on March 15 at around 2:55 pm.

"A total of 80 persons were rescued by BMC's Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) from the staircase to the terrace and a few were brought down to the ground floor, out of which 10 persons were found unconscious state at the staircase, they were removed and sent to Agrawal Hospital" said the official statement.

It further said, "The fire was confined to electric wiring, electric installation, electric main cables, all meters, all switches etc. in a common electric meter cabin on the ground floor plus upper seven floored residential building." The fire was extinguished by BMC's Mumbai Fire Brigade.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will attend Parliament today and is likely to talk to the media about the controversy over his speech made in London. The Congress leader was in the United Kingdom for the past couple of weeks, where he levelled serious allegations against the Centre during several interactions.

Rahul Gandhi's remarks at his alma mater Cambridge University -- that Indian democracy is under attack and several politicians, including himself, are under surveillance -- have become the latest flashpoint between the Congress and the BJP.

The BJP has accused him of "defaming" the country abroad after repeated electoral defeats.

While addressing a lecture at Cambridge University in London, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everybody knows and it's been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space. The institutional framework which is required for a democracy; Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilisation, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy."

His remarks drew flak from the ruling party, which demanded an "apology" from the Wayanad MP. However, Congress hit back alleging that it is the Prime Minister who "discredited" the country's achievements since Independence.

Compared to the US, politicisation of the police system and laws is the problem in India, and not so much police brutality. There is a mistaken feeling here that a perfect police system will emerge if all states implement the seven measures ordered by the SC in 2006. Unfortunately, none of these measures would ensure justice to the common citizen. The basic aim of freeing the police from politicians was not achieved even after many of these measures were adopted.

Read the column here.

Latest data released by the Department of Telecommunications show that India had about 102,000 5G Base Stations (BTS), commonly called 5G radios, as of March 5.

Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu had the highest number of installed BTS, the data shows.

A BTS is a fixed radio transceiver in any mobile network, most often installed on mobile towers.

The two telecom companies currently racing for 5G domination, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, are putting up 5G BTS rapidly in cities across the country. The total number of installed BTS stood at 84,346 on February 16, 2023, up from 20,980 on December 20, 2022.The government had earlier mandated the two telcos to put up at least 10,000 BTS per week.

Currently, 5G is being introduced in India on two different technological platforms. In the Standalone (SA) mode, the network is built only on 5G, while in the Non-Standalone (NSA) mode, it is built as a top-up on an existing layer of the 4G radio network.

While Reliance Jio has launched its 5G network on the SA mode, Bharti Airtel has opted for NSA. As a result, industry experts have pointed out that Reliance Jio would need to instal more BTS than Bharti Airtel.

-- Subhayan ChakrabortyBusiness Standard

09:50 Shinde, Fadnavis to meet farmers' reps at 3 pm

Amid the ongoing farmer's march, under the leadership of All India Kisan Sabha and the Communist Party of India, to draw the attention of the government towards their problems and plight, state ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save on Wednesday met and held talks with a delegation of the protesting farmers.

The farmers have been holding a long foot march from Nashik to Mumbai in a bid to put forward their demands before the government. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Dada Bhuse said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will meet representatives of the protesting farmers at 3 pm in Mantralaya on Thursday.

"We discussed 14 issues that they flagged. We accepted their positions and agreed to many of their demands. We held detailed discussions with them. We requested the CPI and the protesting farmers to meet CM and Dy CM at the Mantralaya. They agreed to meet the chief minister and the deputy CM at 3pm in Mantralaya tomorrow," he said.

After meeting the farmers' delegation, state minister Atul Save claimed that 40-50 per cent of issues have been resolved.

"Discussions were held on all the issues that the farmers raised. 40-50 per cent of their issues have been resolved and the rest will be resolved after meeting the CM, Dy CM tomorrow," he said.

After reaching Mumbai on March 14, the farmers started demonstrations at Azad Maidan in a bid to highlight the issues that they are faced with.

Owing to the large-scale protest, security was beefed up to control the traffic in two lines and avoid any inconvenience to commuters.

"Considering the scale of protest, we deployed adequate policemen for maintaining law and order in the event of an emergency. As the foot march is being held from Nashik to Mumbai, we have deployed forces for controlling the traffic in two lines and avoid any inconvenience to commuters," said DCP Kiran Kumar Chavan.

"We have started this march to draw the attention of the government towards our problems. We have put forward 14-15 demands and will hold discussions with the government about them," a protesting farmer told ANI.

Another farmer said that their demand includes a remunerative price for onions, full loan waiver, waiver of pending electricity bills and 12-hour daily power supply.

"We demand compensation from government insurance companies for losses incurred due to unseasonal rains and other natural calamities," said another farmer.

The Maharashtra government on Thursday will hold another round of talks with a delegation representing thousands of farmers and tribals, who are walking towards Mumbai, in its bid to address their demands, said former MLA Jiva Gavit spearheading the long march.

The talks will be held with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, ministers concerned and top state officials, he said.

As scores of farmers and tribals marching towards Mumbai from Nashik district in North Maharashtra entered Thane district, ministers Dada Bhuse and Atul Save met a delegation of farmers late Wednesday night.

Former legislator Gavit said the ministers have invited the delegation of farmers and tribals for a meeting with Chief minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday.

"They have responded to 40 per cent of the demands," Gavit said.

"Respecting the invitation extended to us, we are going to attend the meeting," Gavit said. He added that the march will continue if the answers from the government remain unsatisfactory.

In the meeting held on Wednesday night, Gavit said the ministers were positive about some of their demands. However, the decisions will be taken in the state secretariat.

The protesters, holding red flags, started their foot march from Dindori town in Nashik district, around 200 km from Mumbai, on Sunday in support of their various demands, including an immediate financial relief of Rs 600 per quintal to onion growers, uninterrupted electricity supply for 12 hours and a waiver of agriculture loans. -- PTI

A couple died due to suffocation allegedly caused by a geyser gas leak while they were bathing in their house in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan, police said on Wednesday.

Their five-year-old son, who was also in the bathroom, fell unconscious and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, they said.

Shivnarayan Jhanwar (37), his wife Kavita Jhanwar (35) and son Vihaan, residents of Shahpura, had played with colours on Sheetla Ashtami, investigating officer Jitendra Singh said.

When the trio did not come out of the bathroom for more than two hours, the family members knocked on the door but there was no response. They broke open the door and found them lying unconscious on the floor while the geyser was on.

The three were taken to the district hospital where the doctors declared the couple brought dead while the child is undergoing treatment, the official said. -- PTI

The United States Senate has confirmed Indian-American Ravi Chaudhary as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Air Force, one of the top civilian leadership positions in the Pentagon.

The Senate on Wednesday voted 65-29 to confirm the former Air Force officer's nomination with more than a dozen votes being cast by the opposition Republican party.

Chaudhary previously served as a Senior Executive at the US Department of Transportation where he was Director of Advanced Programs and Innovation, Office of Commercial Space at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

He was responsible for the execution of advanced development and research programs in support of the FAA's commercial space transportation mission. While at the transportation department, he also served as the executive director of the regions and centre operations, where he looked over the integration and support of aviation operations in nine regions.

During his service in the US Air Force from 1993 to 2015, Chaudhary completed a variety of operational, engineering, and senior staff assignments. As a C-17 pilot, he conducted global flight operations, including numerous combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as ground deployment as the director of the personnel recovery centre at multi-national corps in Iraq.

As a flight test engineer, he was responsible for flight certification of military avionics and hardware for the force's modernisation programs supporting flight safety.

Earlier in his career, he supported space launch operations for the global positioning system (GPS) and led third-stage and flight safety activities to ensure the full operational capability of the first GPS constellation.

As a systems engineer, Chaudhary supported NASA's International Space Station protection activities to ensure the safety of NASA Astronauts. He also served as a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the Obama Administration. In this role, he advised the president on executive branch efforts to improve veterans' support for the AAPI community.

Chaudhary holds a Doctorate specialising in executive leadership and Innovation from the Georgetown University D.L.S. Program, an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from St. Mary's University as a NASA graduate fellow, an M.A. in Operational Arts and Military Science from Air University, and a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and holds Department of Defense acquisition certifications in program management, test and evaluation, and systems engineering. -- PTI

At least three international flights of Air India have been affected in two days due to technical issues, according to sources.

The flights from Chicago and Vancouver were cancelled on Tuesday as the aircraft was grounded on account of technical issues.

Both flights were to be operated with Boeing 777 aircraft, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the sources also said that an aircraft has been grounded in Paris on Wednesday.

The plane was to operate the flight from Paris to Delhi.

When contacted, an Air India spokesperson said that flight AI 126 had to be cancelled due to technical reasons on March 14.

"The affected passengers were offered all-around support and every effort is being made to accommodate them on alternate flights. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Details about the number of passengers who were booked in the three flights could not be immediately ascertained. -- PTI

00:36 Tejashwi moves HC for quashing CBI summons

Bihar deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has approached the Delhi high court seeking quashing of summons issued to him by the Central Bureau of Investigation for appearing before it in connection with a case related to the alleged land-for-job scam.

The petition is listed for hearing on Thursday before Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma.

Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav in his plea said section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, under which the Central Bureau of Investigation has issued the summons, states that notices for appearance of a person should be within the local jurisdiction of a police station or within the adjoining police station of the place the person is located.

He said he is a resident of Patna in Bihar and he has been asked to join the investigation in Delhi which is neither within the jurisdiction of Patna nor adjoining the same.

The case relates to alleged appointments made in the railways in return for land parcels gifted or sold to Lalu Prasad's family when he was railway minister between 2004 and 2009.

The CBI, in its charge sheet, alleged that irregular appointments were made in the railways, violating laid down norms and procedures of the Indian Railways for recruitment.

"The petitioner (Tejashwi Yadav) is currently holding a Constitutional post as he is serving as the deputy chief minister of Bihar, the minister of health, minister of road construction and public works department, minister of urban development and housing as well as the minister of rural works and development in the Bihar government and is thus, a public servant within a meaning of Section 2(c) of the Prevention and Corruption Act, 1988," the petition filed on Monday said. -- PTI

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