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Tue, 16 January 2024

Iran launches missile, drone attacks on Pak sites

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23:26 Iran launches missile, drone attacks on Pak sites

Just In: Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on sites in Pakistan it considers as bases for the terror group Jaish al-Adl, news agencies have reported.

Details soon.

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23:17 17 patients complain of vision loss after cataract surgery in Gujarat hospital

As many as 17 persons have complained of partial or complete loss of vision after undergoing cataract surgery at a trust-run hospital in Ahmedabad district, prompting authorities to order a probe, an official said here on Tuesday.

The Gujarat health and family welfare department has formed a nine-member expert committee to conduct an inquiry and also asked the eye hospital at Mandal village not to perform any more cataract surgeries until further orders, said Satish Makwana, deputy director (health and medical services), Ahmedabad region.

The matter came to light after five persons who underwent surgery at the Ramanand Eye Hospital at Mandal on January 10 were referred to the ophthalmology department at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Monday for treatment, he said.

"Twenty-nine persons had undergone cataract surgery at the Mandal hospital on January 10, and of these, 17 developed complications and complained of loss of vision. Five seriously affected patients were referred to Ahmedabad, while 12 were admitted to the same Ramanand Eye Hospital," Makwana told reporters at Mandal. -- PTI

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22:54 Coast Guard rescues 182 stranded pilgrims off Kakdwip in West Bengal

The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued 182 stranded pilgrims on board a ferry off Kakdwip in West Bengal, a statement said.

Merchant Vessel 'Swasthya Sathi' was ferrying about 400 pilgrims from Ganga Sagar Mela at Sagar island to Kakdwip when it ran aground due to extremely poor visibility, the statement issued by the ICG said.

"In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard rescued 182 pilgrims stranded on a grounded ferry off Kakdwip in West Bengal on January 16," it said.

After receiving a message from the South 24 Parganas district magistrate in the early hours, the operations team of the ICG swung into action and dispatched two air cushion vehicles (Hovercrafts) from Haldia and Sagar island to provide assistance.

"The hovercrafts evacuated 182 pilgrims before guiding the boat with the remaining pilgrims to a safe destination," the ICG said.

"To ensure the safety of people during the annual mela, the ICG had already deployed sea-borne units at various strategic locations," it said. -- PTI

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22:45 Arms case: NIA charges Pak terrorist Ranjot Singh

The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against five persons, including 'designated individual terrorist' Lakhbir Singh Rode and Pakiastan-based terrorist Ranjot Singh in a case relating to cross-border smuggling of arms via drones into Punjab.

Besides Rode alias Baba and Ranjot alias Rana, the others named in the chargesheet are Taranjot Singh alias Tanna and Gurjit Singh alias Paa of Punjab's Gurdaspur, and Rehmat Ali alias Miyan, a Pakistan-based smuggler.

The chargesheet was filed on Tuesday in the NIA special court in Punjab's Mohali in the case in which a cache of firearms and ammunition was recovered from a cremation ground in Bagtana Boharwala village in Dera Baba Nanak, Batala, in the border area of Punjab, on March 24 last year.

The seizure had included five glock pistols, 10 magazines and live cartridges (9 MM).

Investigations so far have revealed connections between members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force and individuals based in Pakistan in the case, said the NIA.

Along with the accused charge-sheeted on Tuesday, the NIA said, it had identified one Malkit Singh alias Pistol also as involved in the intricate network of arms smuggling from across the border.

Malkit was earlier charge-sheeted in the case on November 11 last year.

"Malkit, Tanna and Paa were found to have been in direct communication with Rehmat Ali alias Miyan, Lakhbir Singh Rode and Ranjot Singh," said the anti-terror agency.

"As per investigations, the smuggled arms were meant for use in targeted killings of persons from other faiths and for extortion to raise funds for the KLF and International Sikh Youth Federation," said the NIA, adding "the entire conspiracy was also aimed at creating a stir in the media with the ultimate aim to create an atmosphere of fear and terror in India." -- ANI

Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi

22:14 Assam's highest civilian award to ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, the first person from the northeastern region to reach that post, was named for Assam's highest civilian award 'Assam Bhaibav' on Tuesday.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a press conference here, during which he also named prominent personalities who will get two other major state government awards.

"This year, we have decided to bestow the 'Assam Bhaibav' award on former CJI Ranjan Gogoi for his achievements in the judicial field. He is an inspiration for generations to come," Sarma said.

Gogoi, who was the chief justice of India in 2018-19, had headed the bench that gave the verdict in the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit.

He is currently a member of Rajya Sabha, having been nominated in March 2020.

The 'Assam Bhaibav' award carries a financial component of Rs 5 lakh.

Sarma announced the names of four prominent persons for 'Assam Saurav' awards, including swimmer Elvis Ali Hazarika and sprinter Hima Das. -- PTI

The Directorate of Estates on Tuesday issued a notice to evict former TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month, from her government bungalow, sources in the Union housing and urban affairs ministry said.

The Trinamool Congress leader has been asked to vacate the bungalow immediately, which had been allotted to her as an MP, they said.

"Since the eviction notice was issued to her (Moitra) on Tuesday, a team of officials from the directorate of estates will now be sent to ensure that the government bungalow is vacated at the earliest," a source said.

The TMC leader, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8 last year, was earlier asked to vacate the house by January 7 after her allotment was cancelled.

On January 8, the DoE had issued a notice seeking her reply within three days as to why she had not vacated her government accommodation.

Another notice was also issued to her on January 12.

On January 4, the Delhi high court asked the TMC leader to approach the DoE with a request to allow her to continue to occupy the government accommodation allotted to her.

Justice Subramoniun Prasad, while dealing with Moitra's challenge to an official intimation asking her to vacate the government bungalow by January 7, noted that the rules permitted the authorities to allow a resident to overstay for up to six months on payment of certain charges in exceptional circumstances. -- PTI

AAP's Chhattisgarh chief Komal Hupendi (left)/Courtesy X

21:28 AAP's Chhattisgarh unit chief quits, accuses top leadership of apathy

The Chhattisgarh unit chief of the Aam Aadmi Party Komal Hupendi on Tuesday quit the party blaming the top leadership of an apathetic attitude.

He and six other state leaders have resigned, he said.

"I was in government service, and wanted to do something for society, so I joined the Aam Aadmi Party. I found this party better than others and was impressed by the work it was doing in Delhi. AAP's organisation in Chhattisgarh was weak but we did some good work and the organisation grew. When assembly elections were held in 2023, AAP had announced it would contest all 90 seats, but it did not contest all the seats despite our insistence," he said.

The top leaders should have at least told him the reason, but they did not even pick up his phone calls, Hupendi claimed.

"Candidates were given tickets but there was no support from the top leadership," he said.

He had not decided which party he would join, Hupendi said. -- PTI

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21:11 Ahead of R-Day, pro-Khalistan graffiti found in Delhi

Ahead of the Republic Day, pro-Khalistan graffiti was found on a pillar in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, according to the police.

An FIR was registered in connection with the incident on Tuesday, police said.

A senior police officer said the graffiti reading "SJF, January 26, Khalistan" was painted on the pillar by an unidentified person.

"The area where the graffiti has been painted is very secluded and hardly anyone goes there. We suspect that the person painted the graffiti on Monday night," the officer said.

"Our staff came to know about the graffiti through a video. A case was registered in the matter on Tuesday," the officer said.

The police said they are checking CCTV footage of the area to identify the person who painted the graffiti. -- PTI

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20:46 R-Day: Airspace curbs in national capital for 11 days starting from Jan 19

Airspace restrictions will be in place in the national capital for 11 days starting from January 19, in connection with the Republic Day preparations and celebrations, according to an official.

The restrictions, which will be in force till January 29, will not impact scheduled flights.

Landing or take-off of non-scheduled flights of scheduled airlines, and chartered flights will not be permitted from 10 am to 1.15 pm during the January 19-25 period, the official said on Tuesday.

As per the NOTAM issued by the Airports Authority of India, these restrictions will be in force from 6 am to 9 pm during the period from January 26 to 29.

Generally, a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is a notice with information that is essential to personnel involved in flight operations.

The official said the curbs will not impact the movement of scheduled flights of scheduled airline operators.

Besides, there will be no impact of NOTAM on IAF, BSF, Army aviation helicopter operations as well as state-owned aircraft/helicopters that are flying with the Governor/Chief Minister of a state. -- PTI

The rupee slumped 23 paise to 83.09 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, as a strong greenback against major rivals overseas and negative equity market dented investor sentiment.

Besides, volatile crude oil prices in the international markets weighed on the domestic currency, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic currency opened at 82.95 and traded in the range of 82.92 to 83.09 against the greenback during intra-day.

The unit finally settled at 83.09 (provisional) against the dollar, registering a loss of 23 paise from its previous close.

On Monday, the rupee settled with a gain of 9 paise at 82.86 against the US dollar.

This was the ninth consecutive day of gain for the Indian currency. -- PTI

Uddhav Thackeray

19:48 Uddhav dares speaker, Shinde: Debate on real Sena

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to a public debate with him on which faction is the real Shiv Sena.

Narwekar on January 10 held in a long-awaited ruling that the Shinde faction was the real Sena while dismissing disqualification petitions filed by both Shinde and Thackeray camps against each other's MLAs following a split in the party in June 2022.

"I am taking this battle to the people's court," a combative Thackeray said at a press conference here. If he was not the Shiv Sena chief, why did the BJP seek his support in 2014 and 2019 after Lok Sabha elections, he asked. This battle (between his party and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena) would decide whether democracy will prevail in the country, Thackeray, a former chief minister, added. -- PTI

National award-winning playback singer KS Chitra has come under social media attack for her recent video message urging people to chant Lord Ram hymns during the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22.

In a brief video circulated on social media platforms in the last two days, the eminent singer asked everyone to chant the Sri Rama, Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama mantra at 12.20 pm, when the consecration ceremony is held.

She also asked people to light five-wick lamps in their houses in the evening on the same day to mark the occasion.

The 60-year-old singer concluded her message by reciting the Sanskrit hymn Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu, wishing that the Almighty's blessings may be showered on everyone.

However, the video message from the singer didn't go down well with a section of netizens who vehemently criticised her for the action.

Many felt that she shouldn't have endorsed the Ram temple, while some others charged that she took political sides by delivering such a message.

There were also many social media users who extended support to the singer, saying that she has every right and a freedom to express her opinion.

Well-known singer G Venugopal, who strongly supported Chitra in the row, said the online remarks insulted and hurt her, which was disheartening.

In a Facebook post, he requested the critics to forgive Chitra if they have any difference of opinion with her statements. -- PTI

A metropolitan court in Ahmedabad on Tuesday acquitted Congress legislator Jignesh Mevani and 30 others in a 2017 case of obstructing a train as a mark of protest against the state government's policies.

The court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate PN Goswami acquitted Dalit leader Mevani and others after giving them the benefit of doubt.

Mevani and others were booked by Ahmedabad railway police in 2017 for blocking a Rajdhani train for nearly 20 minutes at Kalupur railway station here as part of a 'rail roko' protest call given by them to protest against the state government's policies.

A case was registered against him along with 30 others under sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to unlawful assembly, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty, and criminal conspiracy. Thirteen out of 31 accused were women.

They were also booked under section 153 of the Railways Act that deals with endangering the safety of persons travelling by railway by rash or negligent act.

Mevani represents Vadgam assembly constituency as a Congress MLA and is a convener at NGO Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch.

A sessions court had in 2021 refused to discharge him in the case. -- PTI

Former PM Rajiv Gandhi/File image

18:38 Ram temple shilanyas done by Rajiv Gandhi, Pawarreminds BJP

Shilanyas for a Ram temple at Ayodhya was conducted when Rajiv Gandhi was the country's prime minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rasthriya Swayamsevak Sangh are doing politics on the issue, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday.

The veteran leader was speaking at a public meeting at Nipani in Karnataka.

A consecration ceremony would be performed at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

"The shilanyas (laying of first stone) was conducted during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure, but today the BJP and RSS are doing politics in the name of Lord Ram," Pawar said.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertaking an 11-day fast ahead of the consecration ceremony, Pawar said, "I respect his faith in Ram, but had he decided to observe a fast to eliminate poverty, people would have appreciated it." -- PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Uttar Pradesh authorities to continue with the security measures to ensure that gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is currently lodged in Banda jail in the state, is not visited with any "unforeseen situation".

The apex court, which perused the chart placed before it indicating the security arrangements made for Mukhtar Ansari, observed they appeared to be "formidable enough".

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra was hearing a plea filed by Umar Ansari, son of Mukhtar Ansari, raising the issue of safety and security of his father even within the jail premises and also to transfer him to any other prison outside Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, placed before the bench the details about number of cases pending against Mukhtar Ansari at different stages and on the security arrangements.

He said details of cases involved those which are at the stage of investigation and also at trial stage.

"They (security arrangements) appear formidable enough. That is our impression," the bench observed. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, requested the bench to adjourn the matter to July. The bench observed that the ASG has brought to its notice certain measures.

"Even with all the measures, things may happen. We may not be certain about that. For the moment, whatever is being done, let it continue," the bench said. -- PTI

Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader Kavitha K did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday for a fresh round of questioning in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, officials said.

The 45-year-old daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao is understood to have communicated her decision not to comply with the ED summons to the investigating officer through an email. Her lawyer, Nitesh Rana, said on Monday that "there is a Supreme Court order that has said that the ED cannot summon Kavitha in this case".

However, ED sources have said that the BRS leader had obtained a temporary relief from the apex court last year and it is not valid now.

The federal agency might issue a fresh summons to her.

The sources said the ED will take a decision in this context soon.

Kavitha K or Kavitha Kalvakuntla was questioned thrice last year in connection with the case and the ED had recorded her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLC has asserted in the past that she had done no wrong and accused the BJP-led Centre of "using" the ED as the saffron party could not gain a "backdoor entry" into Telangana. -- PTI

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17:23 10th Namibian cheetah dies in Kuno

Namibian Cheetah Shaurya dies at around 3:17 pm today. The Director Lion Project, says the cheetah was observed with a incoordination and a staggering gait by the tracking team at around 11 am. The animal was tranquilised and was found to be weak. The animal was revived but complications arose after revival and the animal failed to respond to CPR. The cause of death will be ascertained after a postmortem.

Nine cheetahs have died in Kuno so far.

Parliament breach accused Neelam

17:19 All Parl breach accused disrupted sovereignty: Police

The Delhi Police on Tuesday opposed the bail plea of accused Neelam Azad in the Parliament security breach case and said the present accused is involved in the offence, which is punishable up to a life sentence or death penalty.

The allegations against the accused are grave, serious and heinous in nature. The accused persons are involved in disrupting the sovereignty and integrity of India, as per the police.

There is strong, cogent, convincing, clinching and credible material, evidence and other documents against the present accused, which disentitles him to be released on bail. There is adequate, substantial and sufficient material, evidence and other documents against the present accused that show his involvement, the police said.

The police further stated that the material, evidence and other documentary evidence show her complicity in the offence and thus disentitle her to be released on bail.

Rahul Gandhi holds a press conference in Nagaland

16:54 Rahul lives in la-la land, lies: Union minister

Reacting to the remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have made the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya a 'Narendra Modi' function, Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that Rahul Gandhi lives in his own 'la-la' land and repeatedly keeps on spreading lies.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is an emotional and important issue for crores of Indians and whatever Wayanad MP states regarding it holds no importance.

"Rahul Gandhi lives in this 'la-la' world where he thinks that everything that he says is predicated by nobody understanding the truth and that he can get away with these atrocious lies he tried in 2014 and 2019 and he is trying it again today," Union MoS said.

Stating that the people of India are wise enough, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "They understand Rahul Gandhi's politics. And we will leave it to the people of India to decide what answer they should give to Rahul Gandhi. His guru, Sam Pitroda, also said the same thing a few days ago. So he can think whatever he wants but it's a deeply felt emotional issue for crores of Indians." -- ANI

Beautification work at Ayodhya

16:32 Ram Lalla sculptor worked through eye injury

Scupltor Arun Yogiraj, whose chiselled "Ram Lalla" will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, braved pain in the eye due to an injury and spent sleepless nights over ensuring the perfect idol to be placed in the shrine, his family said on Tuesday.

The family of the Mysuru-based sculptor is jubilant after the Ayodhya Ram temple trust announced that the idol of 'Ram Lalla' made by him has been selected for installation at the temple coming up at Lord Ram's birthplace in the Uttar Pradesh town.

Yogiraj's wife Vijetha said she was extremely happy with the achievement. She also shared an anecdote about how he got an eye injury while chiseling the idol.

"I am very happy. We are assigned to do this virtuous job," she told reporters. "When the task was given (to Yogiraj), we got the information that the ideal stone is available near Mysuru. However, that stone was very hard, so hard that its pointed flake pricked into his eye and it was removed through an operation. Even during the pain, he did not stop and continued with the work. His work was so good that it impressed everyone. We thank one and all," Vijetha said.

She explained there was no scope for making any error while carving the idol. "He (Yogiraj) had many sleepless nights thinking and concentrated on making the Ram Lalla idol. There were days when we hardly spoke, and he hardly gave time to the family also. All this is now compensated by this great news," she said.

Yogiraj's brother Suryaprakash said it was a memorable day for the family. "Yogiraj made history and he deserved it. It is his hard work and dedication that took him to such heights," he added.

Suryaprakash said Yogiraj learnt the nuances of sculpting from his father as he was a keen observer since childhood. Yogiraj's mother Saraswati said it is a matter of great joy that the idol sculpted by her son has been selected.

"We are extremely happy ever since we got the news that the idol made by Arun Yogiraj has been selected (for installation). The entire family is jubilant," she told PTI.

"He (Yogiraj) spoke to me in the morning and said his idol had been selected. It was really a Happy Sankranti for us," she added. Speaking about the idol, Saraswati said no one had seen Lord Rama but God himself gave her son an insight to chisel out a figure out of a stone.

"Probably God only blessed him to carve his idol," she said.

The Ram temple trust's general secretary Champat Rai said on Monday in Ayodhya that the new idol depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy in a standing posture and added that it would be placed at its 'Aasan' in 'Garbh Griha' (sanctum sanctorum) on January 18.

As the news broke, the neighbours and some leaders visited Yogiraj's family and offered garlands to Saraswati as a tribute to her son. Yogiraj had earlier sculpted the idol of Adi Shankaracharya, which has been placed in Kedarnath, and the statue of Subhas Chandra Bose which has been installed near India Gate in Delhi.

Speaking about the challenges in sculpting the new idol of Ram Lalla, Yogiraj had told PTI earlier this month: "The idol should be of a child, who is divine too, because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity". -- PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Tuesday that she will lead a 'rally for harmony' with people of all religions in Kolkata on January 22 amid the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Banerjee, the chief of the ruling TMC, said she would begin the procession from the Hazra crossing in south Kolkata after paying obeisance to Goddess Kali at the Kalighat temple.

"On January 22, I will visit the Kalighat temple and offer puja. Then I will take part in a harmony rally with people of all religions. This has nothing to do with any other programme," she said, addressing a press conference at the state secretariat.

The march, to be organised by the TMC, will touch upon places of worship of different religions, including mosques, churches and gurdwaras, before culminating at the Park Circus Maidan, she said. Banerjee also asked party workers to organise similar rallies in all the districts of the state.

She said that 'Pran Pratistha' or consecration is not the job of politicians but of priests. "It is not our job to do 'Pran Pratistha'. It is the job of the priests. Our job is to create infrastructure," he said. PTI

Indigo passengers brave it out on the airport tarmac

16:02 Scindia: SOPs, war rooms to help passengers

Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reacts to the horrific inconveniences faced by air passengers due to the prevailing fog in North India.

"In view of the fog-induced disruptions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on mitigating passenger inconvenience were issued yesterday to all the airlines.

1. In addition to these SOPs, we have sought incidence reporting thrice daily for all the 6 metro airports.

2. Implementation of the @DGCAIndia Directives, SOPs and CARs will be monitored and reported regularly.

3. 'War Rooms' will be set up by airports and airline operators at the 6 Metro Airports to address any issues with regard to passenger inconvenience with immediacy.

4. Sufficient CISF manpower availability will be ensured round-the-clock. 5. RWY 29L at @DelhiAirport has been made CAT III operational today.

6. Operationalization of RWY 10/28 as CAT III at Delhi Airport after re-carpeting will also be undertaken.

Aviation security watchdog BCAS has issued show cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL over the incident of passengers having food on the airport tarmac on Sunday, according to official sources.

Many passengers rushed out of an IndiGo aircraft at the Mumbai airport, sat on the tarmac, and some were also seen having food there as soon as their diverted Goa-Delhi flight landed after a long delay on Sunday.

Both IndiGo and MIAL were not proactive in anticipating the situation and making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport, as per the notices issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched the BJP's wall-writing campaign in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections with the slogan ek baar phir Modi sarkar, is baar BJP 400 paar.

The chief minister first drew a lotus flower on the wall of Shri Vishwakarma Bhagwan Panchayat temple in Jatashankar and wrote the slogan below "ek baar phir Modi sarkar, is baar 400 paar" to start the campaign, which aims at enthusing the BJP workers ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing the party workers present at the event organised by the BJP, Adityanath exhorted them to take the campaign to new heights of success like the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra'.

He said the campaign is very significant in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's programmes to communicate with the voters as well as three massive rallies to be held ahead of the elections.

The chief minister urged all the MPs, MLAs as well as representatives of the panchayat and municipal bodies to play their role with full responsibility.

"Draw the lotus and write the slogan underneath it wherever there is space on public buildings. However, permission must be taken before writing on someone's personal property. Efforts should be made to ensure that no space is empty of slogan," he said.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening booth management, Adityanath said, "The stronger are our booths, the more effective will be our dialogue with the voters, with our candidates winning with huge margins."

Asserting the resolution for 2024 is to cross 400 seats, the chief minister said that the party workers should dedicate their efforts towards achieving this end.

He added that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda has by launching this campaign on Monday given a new resolution to the country from Delhi.

"The schemes of the Central and state governments have created new trust among the citizens. Infrastructure works of global standards have taken place in the country and state. Highway, railway and air connectivity have strengthened. New AIIMS and IITs have been formed," said Adityanath. "Many schemes have created new standards. The plans have not just been announced but have also been implemented to ensure their 100 per cent saturation," he added. PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the proceedings before a trial court on a defamation complaint filed by the Gujarat University against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MP Sanjay Singh for their alleged remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualification.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing Singh's plea seeking a transfer of the case pending before a trial court in Gujarat outside the state, preferably in Kolkata.

The apex court asked the Gujarat High Court to take a decision within four weeks on a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders seeking quashing of the summonses issued to them by the trial court.

The bench said in the meantime, the proceedings before the trial court will remain stayed. Singh, in his plea filed in the top court through advocate Karan Sharma, had alleged bias in the proceedings before the trial court, saying while the plea was pending before the high court, the trial judge was proceeding with the matter.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said it is difficult for his party's leaders to attend the January 22 Ram temple consecration ceremony as the BJP and the RSS have turned it into a "political event" centred around Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His remarks at a press conference during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra here comes days after the Congress top brass declined the invitation to the event at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

"The Ram temple consecration ceremony is a political event centred around the prime minister. The BJP and the RSS are giving an election flavour to it and that is why it is difficult for us to attend," Gandhi said.

"It is difficult for us to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony when our principal opponents the BJP and the RSS have captured the function and turned it into election event," he said.

On the opposition INDIA bloc, the Congress leader said the alliance will defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The seat sharing discussions among INDIA bloc partners are being carried out amicably, he said. "I am confident that small problems within the INDIA bloc will be resolved and we will together defeat the BJP. The issue of seat sharing is being taken up with INDIA bloc allies. Talks are going quite well," Gandhi said.

He asserted that the opposition alliance will win the Lok Sabha poll together.

The yatra reached Nagaland on Monday evening after it began in Thoubal in Manipur on January 14. The march will pass through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 15 states, traversing 6,713 km, mostly in buses but also on foot, and culminate in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. PTI

Forty-two survivors of Hamas's October 7 massacre at the Supernova music festival at Kibbutz Re'im are suing the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Security Agency and Israel Police for negligence and are claiming 200 million shekels (USD 53.6 million) in damages.

The claim was filed by lawyers Anat and Gilad Ginzburg, who note that the night before Hamas's invasion, top security brass held meetings amid intelligence indicating abnormal activity in the Gaza Strip.

"One phone call would have prevented 364 people from being murdered, raped, or both, and another 40 from being kidnapped into Gaza," Gilad Ginzburg told the Tazpit Press Service.

"We blame the police and the army for allowing the producers to hold the festival (along the border), even though we know that IDF surveillance officers raised the alarm and felt that it would be unsafe," he added.

On October 7, Hamas terrorists launched a multi-pronged cross-border assault on southwestern Israel, killing 1,200 people.

Ilya, 34, a software engineer from Tel Aviv, attended the festival and escaped unharmed, at least physically. One of the plaintiffs in the case, he stressed the difficulties survivors face in their daily lives.

"While I was not injured physically, I will need to undergo psychological treatment, probably for the rest of my life. I struggle to function, so I will need financial help to take care of myself in every possible way," Ilya told TPS.

As a result of the trauma, he suffers from anxiety, depressive thoughts, trouble sleeping, and has difficulty interacting with others, he added.

However, the lawsuit is primarily about justice and holding people accountable, he emphasized.

"A lot of things happened that should not have. Someone needs to take responsibility for it," he said. "We feel that we were abandoned. We should have been protected."

All 42 plaintiffs underwent medical/psychological evaluations indicating that they suffer from physical or mental trauma as a direct result of the massacre.

According to Ginzburg, the suit could take years to make its way through the courts. He also expects additional Oct. 7 survivors to take legal action. -- ANI

Former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday emphasised that Israel would not have been attacked if he were still president and further promised to solve the situation "very fast" if reelected, as reported by The Times of Israel.

Trump, on Tuesday, won the Iowa caucuses, according to CNN, solidifying his position as the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination to turn up against incumbent Joe Biden in a 2020 rematch.

Following his win at the Republican Iowa caucuses, Trump called President Joe Biden the "worst president that we've had in the history of the country," as per The Times of Israel.

He further said that if he were still president, "Russia would not have attacked, and Israel would never have been attacked." -- ANI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a split verdict on former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's plea challenging the high court order refusing to quash the FIR against him in the Skill Development Corporation scam case.

A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi differed on the interpretation and applicability of section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in the case.

Section 17A was introduced by an amendment with effect from July 26, 2018 and the provision stipulates a mandatory requirement for a police officer to seek prior approval from the competent authority for conducting any enquiry or inquiry or investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. Justice Bose said prior approval for conducting probe for the alleged offences under the PC Act against Naidu was needed.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said people of Nagaland should feel at par with others in the country despite hailing from a "small state". Addressing a rally in the heart of Nagaland's capital Kohima, as part of his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', he said the idea of the march is to give "justice to the people" and to "make politics, society and the economic structure more equal and accessible to everyone".

Gandhi visited Kohima War Cemetery and paid homage to those who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty during World War II. It doesn't matter if you're a small state; you should feel equal to all other people in the country. That is the idea of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'.

"To give justice to the people, to make politics, society, and the economic structure more equal & accessible to everyone," Gandhi said.

Gandhi, who embarked on the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' from Manipur on January 14, reached Nagaland on Monday evening.

Addressing another rally at the High School Junction, he said the Congress had earlier conducted the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from South India to Kashmir with the idea to "bring together different cultures, religions and languages". This time, the party decided to have another yatra starting from the north-east as the region is "very central to the idea of India", he said.

"We started from Manipur and now crossing Nagaland. It's a lovely experience. Thank you for all the affection. Jai Hind," he said. As the yatra crossed the state capital, hundreds of people, including women and children greeted him. -- PTI

Hanumangarhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das on Tuesday rejected Congress leader Digvijay Singh's statement that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has not been built on the "disputed" land that the Supreme Court gave to the Temple Trust. He said that the temple is being constructed exactly at the place for which the Hindu organisations fought.

"They said that the temple is not being constructed where the court had ordered. Then where is it being constructed? Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should come and tell," Mahant Raju Das said while talking to ANI.

"The temple is being constructed exactly at the place for which we fought," he added. His statement came after Digvijay Singh alleged on Tuesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS wanted to demolish the Babri Masjid and not build a temple because until the mosque is demolished, the issue does not become a communal issue.

In a long post on X, Digvijay Singh said that the Congress never opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya but asked to wait till the court's decision.

"Congress never opposed the construction of RamMandir in Ayodhya. Was asked only to wait till the court's decision for construction in the disputed land. 'Bhoomi pujan' on non-disputed land was also done during the time of Rajiv ji. Narasimha Rao ji had also acquired non-disputed land for the construction of Ram temple," he said. "But BJP, VHP and RSS wanted to demolish the mosque, not build a temple. Because until the mosque is demolished the issue does not become a Hindu-Muslim issue. Destruction is in their behaviour and character; taking political advantage by spreading unrest is their strategy. That's why their slogan was "Ram Lalla hum aayenge, Mandir wahi Banayenge," he added.

He further added that now why not build it (temple) there? When the Supreme Court gave the disputed land to the Trust? "Only Champat Rai ji of VHP or Narendra Modi ji can answer this. My sympathies are with the families of the volunteers who were martyred in the temple construction movement and those against whom criminal cases were filed in the court. Have they been invited? Are the people of Nirmohi Akhara, who fought for Ram Janmabhoomi for 175 years, invited? Is this Raj Dharma? Is this Ram Raj?" Digvijay Singh said on X.

Aviation security watchdog Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued show cause notices to IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL over the incident of passengers having food on the airport tarmac on Sunday, according to official sources.

Both IndiGo and the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) were not proactive in anticipating the situation and making the appropriate facilitation arrangements for passengers at the airport, as per the notices issued by the BCAS.

The sources said the aircraft was allotted a remote bay C-33 instead of a Contact Stand, an aircraft parking stand that is suitable for walking passengers to and from an aircraft from an allocated boarding gate. This further added to passenger woes and deprived them the opportunity to avail basic facilities like rest rooms and refreshments at the terminal, they added.

After a video of passengers eating on the tarmac at Mumbai airport went viral on social media on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia held a meeting with all ministry officials at around 12.30 am on Tuesday, the sources said.

In the early hours of Tuesday, BCAS issued show cause notices to Indigo and MIAL, they added.

Mumbai airport is operated by the MIAL. -- PTI

An artist works on a sculpture of Lord Ram in Ayodhya

12:58 Consecration rituals begin at Ram temple in Ayodhya

Rituals in the run-up to the January 22 Ram Mandir consecration ceremony started at the temple complex in Ayodhya on Tuesday, its chief priest said. These will continue till January 21.

On January 22, the minimum essential rituals needed for the "Pran Pratishtha" (consecration) of the idol of Ram Lalla will be conducted, temple trust general secretary Champat Rai had told reporters on Monday.

"The 'anushthan' has started and will continue till January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony. Eleven priests are performing the rituals invoking all the "devis and devtas" (goddesses and gods)," Ram temple chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said.

The trust said there are seven adhivasas in the "Pran Pratishtha" and a minimum of three adhivasas are in practice. There are 121 "acharyas" who are conducting the rituals and Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid is overseeing, coordinating and directing all proceedings of the "anushthan".

The principal "acharya" will be Laxmikant Dixit Dixit of Kashi. The Ram temple "Pran Pratishtha" will begin at 12:20 pm on January 22, Rai had said.

The rituals preceding the "Pran Pratishtha" started with the "prayaschita" and "karmakuti poojan", according to a schedule released by the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

On January 17, the idol's "parisar pravesh" will be completed, followed by "teerth poojan", "jal yatra" and "gandhadhivas" on January 18 and "aushadhadhivas", "kesaradhivas", "ghritadhivas" and "dhanyadhivas" on January 19.

On January 20, rituals related to "sharkara dhivas", "phaladhivas" and "pushpadhivas" will be held. On January 21, the "madhyadhivas" and "shaiyadhivas" rituals will be completed, according the schedule. -- PTI

Around 1000 kilos of laddus are ready for dispatch from Shri Krishna's birthplace in Mathura to Ayodhya.About 45 tonnes of delectable laddoos are being prepared to be distributed to devotees and VIPs in attendance from across the country.

The laddus were arranged in a manner that spelt out the name 'Ram' in both Hindi and English.

A dedicated team of confectioners from Varanasi has also been working round the clock to ensure the timely production of these laddus.

12:09 First match of BJP vs INDIA begins on Thursday

After the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party decided to jointly contest the Chandigarh Mayor elections on January 18, AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Tuesday said that this election will change the picture and direction of politics, adding "This will be the first match of BJP vs INDIA bloc."

Addressing a press conference, Raghav Chadha said "Chandigarh Mayor election to be held on January 18 is not a general election. This is an election that will change the picture and direction of the politics of this country. We believe that this will lay the foundation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. INDIA Alliance as a coalition is going to face the BJP in the election battlefield for the first time. This will be the first match of BJP vs INDIA."

"We believe that India Alliance will fight this election with full strength and register a historic and decisive victory. This victory chariot of India Alliance will not stop only till Chandigarh, but it will also extend from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," he added.

He further added that whenever the Indian Cricket team have a match with any other team, the people of the country have made Team India win.

"They will make INDIA (bloc) win in this mayor's election also and after this election, the scorecard will be India-1 and BJP-0," he asserted.

The AAP MP also emphasized that this mayoral election will set the tone for the Lok Sabha elections and the results of all the upcoming elections.

"This will awaken the hope in the minds of the people that they want freedom from a dictatorial and useless BJP government. Whatever collides with the INDIA bloc will be shattered to pieces. This message will come out from this election," he said.

Responding on seat-sharing in the alliance, Raghav Chadha said that it is not right to comment on anything now."INDIA alliance is that alliance in which different parties of the country kept aside their individual interests and decided to come together, decided in the interest of the country. It is not appropriate to do regular commentary on seat sharing today. As soon as any important decision is taken, its information will be known," he said.

Chadha also mentioned the recent meeting of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and said that it was an important meeting. -- ANI

11:57 The 'kahan gaye woh din' moment in Kohima

Congress senior leader Jairam Ramesh makes an interesting observation: "RahulGandhi made an impromptu stop at a sports stadium where the Kohima Village Sports Association had organised a week-long sports meet. The Association was started in 1944! The plaque at the stadium is most telling. Woh bhi ek zamaana tha!"

The image is self-explanatory.

The 108-feet incense stick from Gujarat has reached Ayodhya. The stick was lit in the presence of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra President Mahant Nrityagopal Das.

India is preparing for the upcoming consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. The Ram Temple is 380 feet long, 250 feet wide, and 161 feet high. Numerous gifts are being received from devotees across the world, including the 108-foot-long incense stick, 7,000 kg of 'Ram Halwa', a 400 kg lock and key, and a 2,100 kg bell made of 'Ashtadhatu'. However, there is a shortage of 'Ramcharitmanas' due to the high demand ahead of the inauguration.

Nearly five months after his arrest, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to an 18-year-old man in the case of allegedly spitting on the Mahakal Sawari procession held in Ujjain in July last year.

The court accepted the bail application of Adnan Mansoori, the only adult accused in the case, observing that the complainant and one of the eyewitnesses in the case turned hostile and "did not support the prosecution's case".

The order was issued by the high court on December 15, an advocate associated with the case said on Monday.

Justice Anil Verma of the Indore bench of the high court, while allowing Mansoori's bail plea said, "Considering all the facts and circumstances of the case, arguments advanced by counsel for the parties, nature and gravity of allegation as also taking note of the fact that complainant Sawan Lot has been examined before the trial court but he has turned hostile and did not support the case of prosecution and he has also denied his relevant portion of his FIR. Eyewitness Ajay Khatri also turned hostile and did not support the case of the prosecution."

"No T.I. (test identification) parade has been conducted by the investigating officer; investigation is over and charge sheet has been filed; applicant is not having any criminal background. In view of the above, I deem it proper to release the applicant on bail. Accordingly, without commenting on the merits of the case, the application is allowed," it said.

"It is directed that the applicant be released on bail upon his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs 75,000 with one solvent surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court for his appearance before the trial court, as and when required. He shall abide by the conditions enumerated under section 437(3) CrPC," the court added.

During the arguments in the high court, the prosecution objected to Mansoori's bail plea and said he has been identified in the CCTV footage of the alleged incident, and that there are serious allegations against him of harming communal harmony.

Actor Ranvir Shorey on his IndiGo ordeal.

"A rough account of what @IndiGo6E put us through yesterday: Our flight was scheduled for 2 PM. All 8 of us checked in 2 hours prior as stipulated, and only then were we informed that the flight is 3 hours late due to bad weather (fog). We were not intimated prior to reaching the airport. Still, we did not complain, thinking there must have been a communication issue and were completely understanding, as we were aware that at this time of the year these things happen sometimes.

"The flight was now scheduled for 5 PM.

"At 3 PM, after being checked checked in at the airport for more than 3 hours, we were told that the flight will now depart another 3 hours later at 8 PM! This seemed fishy to us, as the "fog' should be clearing up, not getting worse as the day progresses. One of my friends looked up the Indigo website to check the routing of our aircraft. It very clearly said that the aircraft that was supposed to fly us was coming in from Kolkata, which had reported no fog issues, and had already arrived at Bangalore.

"When we confronted the Indigo staff with this information, he simply said that the website has not been updated properly, and gave us his "personal guarantee' that the flight will take off at around 8 PM.

"This was important for me as my child would be alone at home if I did not get back by around 10-10:30 PM. At about 7 PM, the flight time was changed to 9 PM.

"I began to panic as this would leave me in a spot as a parent, but still did not complain and somehow managed the situation. At 8 PM we were told that now the flight will take off after 10 PM!

"This is when I lost my cool, as this would mean that I would not be able to get back home in time to my child! I reached out to the staff who had given me his "personal guarantee' that the flight will take off at 8 PM. He told me on the phone that he had left the airport(!) and that another staff member will now deal with me, still not telling me the real reason of why the flight was delayed further and when it will take off!

"The new staff assigned to handle me tried the same, usual airline platitudes and lies to try to pacify me, and I told him not that it will not work with me anymore, as it is obvious that the delay is not due to fog! I appealed to his personal integrity as a human being instead of being a mouthpiece for the airline.

"Only after this he made a few calls and finally told us the real reason, which was that they did not have a pilot for the flight! He assured me that a pilot has now been assigned and the flight will take off by 10:30 PM. By now I was feeling completely helpless. I somehow made arrangements for someone to watch over my child as I knew that we had been fed lies non-stop for the last 8 hours and were in a hopeless situation.

"After this, we had to face another 2-3 hours of lies and delays before a pilot showed up and our flight took off at around midnight, 10 hours after the scheduled time of the flight! We will be filing a complaint for the trauma we have been doled out yesterday by @IndiGo6E in the name of air travel."

As the national capital woke to freezing weather on Tuesday, around 30 flights departing from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport were delayed and 17 were cancelled due to weather conditions, airport officials said.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 5 degrees Celsius. Many passengers were seen waiting at the airport with their luggage.

"My flight was about to depart at 8:40 am but it is now scheduled to depart at 10:30 am...The reason they have given is mainly due to weather and fog," a passenger told ANI.

The Delhi airport issued an advisory in this regard that stated, "Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information."

Supreme Court stays Allahabad High Court order appointing commissioner to inspect mosque in connection with Mathura's Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute.

Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis. Reuters/Brendan McDermid

11:08 DeSantis ekes out second-place finish in Iowa

Ron DeSantis edged out Nikki Haley to finish second in the Iowa caucuses, all but ensuring that the Florida governor will continue campaigning at least until the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primary. DeSantis and Haley both finished far behind Donald Trump, the runaway winner of the caucuses.

After a video went viral showing passengers sitting unfazed on the tarmac as the Indigo flight from Goa to Delhi was diverted to Mumbai, the airline on Monday issued a statement and apologised to the customers, assuring that it would take necessary steps to avoid any such instances in the future.

In a viral video, passengers of an IndiGo Goa-Delhi flight, which was diverted to Mumbai (confirmed by airport sources) due to operational issues, were seen eating and sitting on the airport tarmac at Mumbai Airport.

Referring to this, Indigo Airline said in an official statement, "We are aware of the incident involving IndiGo flight 6E2195 from Goa to Delhi on January 14, 2024. The flight was diverted to Mumbai due to low visibility conditions in Delhi. We sincerely apologise to our customers and we are currently looking into the incident. We will take the necessary steps to avoid any such instances in the future."

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also issued a statement in connection to the incident and said that the passengers were kept under the strict watch of the airline authorities and security until further actions were taken.

"Indigo 6E 2195 (Goa to Delhi) was diverted due to unfavourable weather conditions. As the flight was already significantly delayed in Goa, passengers were irate and rushed out of the aircraft as soon as the step ladder was connected. The airport operators, in coordination with CISF QRT, cordoned off the passengers into a safety zone as passengers refused to get into the airline coach and proceed to the terminal building. Passengers were kept under the strict watch of the airline authorities and security until further action was taken," it said. -- ANI

President Joe Biden has called former President Donald Trump the 'front runner' of the "other side" after his landslide victory in Iowa caucuses and termed the 2024 contest as, "you and me" versus the "extreme MAGA Republicans".

Notably, Trump's victory has solidified his position as the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination to turn up against incumbent Joe Biden in a 2020 rematch.

"Looks like Donald Trump just won Iowa. He's the clear front runner on the other side at this point. But here's the thing: this election was always going to be you and me vs. extreme MAGA Republicans. It was true yesterday and it'll be true tomorrow," Joe Biden posted on X.

President Biden's remarks come after Trump won the Iowa caucus according to multiple projections.

India Meteorological Department tweets this image saying, "Layer of fog is seen from Punjab to northeast India across Haryana, North MP, UP, Bihar and West Bengal at 0530 hrs IST. The patches of fog are also seen along the east coast of India as shown in the attached Satellite Imagery."

Vivek Ramaswamy has dropped out of Republican presidential race. Ramaswamy, the 38-year-old entrepreneur and political newcomer who briefly made a splash dropped out of the race for the Republican White House nomination after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.

From Uttar Pradesh's Pakhawaj to Tamil Nadu's Mridang, different classical instruments from across the country will be played to celebrate the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, the temple trust has said.

Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, said musicians from different parts of India have been selected to perform during the grand function on January 22.

Asked about questions raised by many on the ceremony being held in an "incomplete temple", Rai on Monday told a press conference, "I will not respond to any criticism".

He said the 'Pran Pratishtha' at the temple will begin at 12:20 pm and is expected to be completed by 1 pm. "The ceremony will take place in the august presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and president of the temple trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das," Rai said.

Seating arrangements have been made for around 8,000 people, he added. The selected musicians will play different kinds of "vadya yantra" (musical instruments) of Indian tradition from their respective regions, the trust's general secretary said.

The event will have bansuri and dholak artistes from Uttar Pradesh; veena from Karnataka; sundari from Maharashtra; alghoza from Punjab; mardala from Odisha; santoor from Madhya Pradesh; pung from Manipur; nagada and kali from Assam; tamboora from Chhattisgarh; pakhawaj from Bihar; shehanai from Delhi; and ravanhatha from Rajasthan, he added. Shrikhol and Sarod artistes from West Bengal; Ghatam from Andhra Pradesh, Sitar from Jharkhand; Nadaswaram and mridang from Tamil Nadu; and Hudka from Uttarakhand will also take part in the event.

They will play the instruments when ritualistic chants are not taking place or when someone is not addressing, Rai said.

He also told reporters that representatives of L&T and Tata Consulting Engineer -- the two companies serving as project management consultants for the Ram temple -- will also attend the temple opening event.

There will be arrangements for refreshments and lunch for the guests and arrangements have been made for drinking water, toilet blocks, and shoe racks, among others, Rai said.

Over 7,000 people have been invited by the temple trust to the 'Pran Pratishtha'. The invitees include cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and billionaire industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, according to official sources.

From January 26 onwards, workers of RSS and VHP will start visiting the temple in batches, which would continue till February end, Rai said.

He added that gifts have come in for the occasion from Jankakpur in Nepal and different parts of India, including Sitmarhi in Bihar, in the last several days. Stay arrangements for the invitees are being made at Karsewakpuram, Teerth Kshetra Puram, and rooms have also been booked in several hotels and dharmashalas, Rai said.

A total of 53 guests from 50 countries, including the US and those in Africa and the Gulf region, and Hong Kong, will be coming for the temple event, the general secretary said. PTI

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it can record his statement at his secretariat on January 20 in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

The ED had on January 13 sent a letter to the chief minister, asking him to be available for questioning in the case between January 16 and January 20, sources said on Monday night.

The ED sent the letter after Soren skipped seven summonses of the agency in connection with the case.

A person from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Monday submitted Soren's reply to the letter to the ED's office in Ranchi, informing that he would be available to record his statement in the case on January 20, the sources said.

The investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, according to the ED. The agency has so far arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan who has served as the director of the state Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

Soren, 48, has been asked by the central agency to inform the investigating officer of the case about the date, venue and time of his choice so that his statement can be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Despite several summons issued to Soren, he has never deposed before the ED in connection with the case. -- PTI

09:32 Govt slashes windfall tax on crude petroleum

The government has cut the windfall tax on domestically-produced crude oil to Rs 1,700 per tonne from Rs 2,300 per tonne with effect from Tuesday.

The tax is levied in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED). According to an official notification, SAED on export of diesel, petrol and jet fuel or ATF has been retained at nil.

The new rates are effective from January 16. India first imposed windfall profit taxes on July 1, 2022, joining a growing number of nations that tax supernormal profits of energy companies. The tax rates are reviewed every fortnight based on average oil prices in the previous two weeks. PTI

Anybody who wants to board Rahul Gandhi's 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' bus for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra must get a 'special ticket' which has a picture of the former Congress president in his yatra avatar printed on it.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed with the 'ticket' which has a T-shirt and trouser-clad Gandhi in a walking pose and is autographed by him.

Posing with the ticket, Ramesh said in a post in Hindi on X, "This is the ticket for the 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' bus in which Rahul Gandhi is travelling in the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra."

"Those who want to meet and talk to Rahul Gandhi in this journey of justice against the injustice of the last 10 years, have been given such tickets and called in the bus," he said.

Gandhi is travelling in a custom-made Volvo bus that has a hydraulic lift for the leader to address the crowds from atop the vehicle. The bus has 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' printed on it and Congress leaders are calling the vehicle 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' on wheels.

Gandhi had first used the term 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' during the Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying he was opening 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan (shop for spreading love)' in 'Nafrat ka Bazaar (market of hate)'.

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Gandhi reached Nagaland on Monday evening as he arrived in Khuzama village in Kohima district, bordering Manipur, along with his party colleagues.

The march will pass through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 15 states, traversing 6,713 km, mostly in buses but also on foot, and culminate in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. -- PTI

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it can record his statement in a money laundering case at his secretariat on January 20, sources said on Monday night.

The ED had on Saturday sent him a letter, asking him to be available for questioning in the case between January 16 and January 20, they added.

The ED sent the letter after Soren skipped seven summons of the agency.

A person from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) submitted Soren's reply to the letter, informing that he would be available to record his statement in the case on January 20, to the ED's office in Ranchi.

The investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, according to the ED.

The agency has so far arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan who has served as the director of the state Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

State Congress working president Bandhu Tirkey said the tribal community was angry with the way a tribal CM was being targetted by the central agency.

"In every 12 years, the tribal community goes hunting. If they become angry, they don't see ED or CBI," he told reporters. -- PTI

Former United States Presdient Donald Trump won the Iowa caucuses on Monday with his closest rivals languishing far behind, cementing his status as the presumptive Republican candidate.

It was not immediately clear who would emerge as the second-place finisher, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis or former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

DeSantis and Haley are competing to emerge as the top alternative to the former president.

The results are just the first in what will be a months-long effort for Trump to secure the GOP nomination a third consecutive time.

Trump was already looking ahead to a potential general election matchup against President Joe Biden as he addressed hundreds of cheering supporters at a caucus site at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, Iowa.

In a significant move to deepen cultural ties, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the Government of India has decided to include Farsi (Persian) as one of the nine classical languages in India under the New Education Policy.

"The government of India has decided to include Farsi as one of the nine classical languages of India in our New Education Policy," said Jaishankar, highlighting the cultural, literary, and linguistic connections between Iran and India.

Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to Iran, made the above remarks during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, H Amir-Abdollahian on Monday.

This recognition reflects a commitment to fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Farsi's rich heritage within the Indian educational framework.

Tamil was the first language in India to be accorded classical language status in 2004.

Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia are the other languages that have been declared classical languages in India by the central government.

"In addition to these classical languages Pali, Persian, and Prakrit; and their works of literature too must be preserved for their richness and for the pleasure and enrichment of posterity," according to India's National Education Policy-2020. -- ANI

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