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Fri, 19 January 2024
Air India staffer shot dead by bike-borne men in UP
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23:32 Two children crushed by goods train in Raj while being chased by dogs
Two school children were crushed to death by a goods train in the Banar area in Jodhpur on Friday when they were running to escape from dogs chasing them, the police said.
Both the children, who were cousins, were returning from school when some pet dogs from a house en route began chasing them.
Frightened, the children began to run.
While running, they mounted the railway tracks, during which a boy and a girl were hit by a goods train and crushed to death barely a few metres away from the Banad Cantt railway station, the police said.
The children's family members refused to accept the bodies as they, along with neighbours, began a protest against the dog owner and demanded immediate capture of the pets by a dog squad, they said.
The police team, which had rushed to the spot on information about the incident, called the dog squad of the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation (South), they added.
After the dog squad captured the pets, the family members accepted the bodies.
The deceased children Ananya Kanwar (9) and Yuvraj Singh (11) were residents of Ganeshpura in Banar area, studying at the Army Children Academy in Classes 5th and 7th respectively, the police said.
The pet dogs were owned by one Omprakash Rathi residing in the area, they said.
The children's mothers are sisters.
Yuvraj's father lives in Karnataka for work, while Ananya's father is an ex-serviceman, they added. -- PTI
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23:11 Public hearing held for proposed mega port in Maha's Palghar
A public hearing for people to air their grievances and give suggestions for the upcoming mega Vadhavan port in Palghar district in Maharashtra was held on Friday, an official said.
The hearing, which lasted for more than five hours, was held under the leadership of collector Govind Bodke and was attended by citizens as well as officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, he said.
Outfits like the Bandar Anti Sangharsh Committee, Fishermen Association as well as MLAs Vinod Nikole and Sunil Bhusara and Shiv Sena leaders Jyoti Mehr and Kundan Sankhe took part, the official added.
"Over 2,500 police and other staffers were deployed at the site of the hearing to maintain law and order. Several issues were raised, with some suggestions and objections coming in via e-mails and letters. All of these will be documented in the minutes of the meeting and will be submitted to the state environment department," he said.
He said among the issues discussed were "faulty translation" into Marathi of the technical report that was provided to citizens, concerns related to livelihood of fishermen and the affect on it by the port etc. -- PTI
23:00 Air India staffer shot dead by bike-borne men in UP's Noida
A 30-year-old crew member of Air India was shot dead allegedly by unidentified bike-borne men near a high-end market in Noida on Friday, the police said.
An official told PTI that the murder could be a fallout of a gang rivalry involving the family of the deceased, who has been identified as Suraj Mann.
The incident took place near the Sector 104 market when Mann came out of a gym and sat in his car.
The assailants soon arrived at the spot and one of them opened fire in the air while another shot at Mann.
Noida DCP Harish Chander said the Sector 39 police station was alerted about the incident at around 2.30 pm and a team was rushed to the crime spot.
"The man was taken to a nearby hospital but he did not survive," Chander said. Mann, who worked as a crew member with Air India, lived as a tenant in the posh Lotus Panache society nearby, according to the police.
"The body has been sent for post-mortem and the man's family is being contacted," the DCP said.
He said an investigation has been launched into the case and efforts are underway to identify the accused. -- PTI
22:48 BMC declares holiday for employees on Jan 22
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday announced a holiday for its employees on January 22, the day when the idol consecration ceremony will take place at the new Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The civic body, however, excluded the employees of emergency services like fire brigade, disaster management, Deonar abattoir and hospitals from the holiday.
The BMC employees and workers posted in neighbouring Thane district will also get a holiday, an official circular said.
Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra government declared holiday on January 22 on the occasion of the Ram temple 'pran pratishtha' (consecration) ceremony. -- PTI
22:16 China issued 1.8 lakh visas to Indian citizens in 2023
More than 1,80,000 Chinese visas were issued to Indian citizens in 2023, Chinese embassy in India spokesperson Wang Xiaojian said on Friday.
He also shared that last year, the Chinese Embassy in India took a series of measures to facilitate Indian citizens travelling to China and hoped that India would also resume normal visa channels for people from China coming to India.
Taking to X, Wang Xiaojian said, "More than 180,000 Chinese Visas have been issued to Indian citizens in 2023! In the past year, Chinese Embassy & Consulates-General in India have taken a package of measures to better facilitate Indian citizens traveling to China, such as online appointment removed, fingerprints exemption and temporary fee reduction."
He added, "It's sincerely hoped that the India side would resume normal visa channels for Chinese citizens traveling to India ASAP to jointly promote mutual people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China & India."
Earlier in 2022, India suspended tourist visas for Chinese nationals, International Air Transport Association said in a circular for its members.
IATA issued a circular for its member carriers regarding entry into India and said, "Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People's Republic) are no longer valid." -- ANI
22:12 MP man tears Ram temple poster, shoots video; held
A man was arrested in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly tearing a poster having an image of the Ram Temple and uploading a video of his act on social media, a police official said on Friday.
He was held for hurting religious sentiments and other offences on the complaint of a Hindu Sena functionary on January 16, Gwalior senior superintendent of police Rajesh Singh Chandel said.
"He was charged under Section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code," he said.
The police said no one should indulge in such acts. -- PTI
21:41 MP declares half-day for its offices, holiday for schools, colleges on Jan 22
All government offices in Madhya Pradesh will remain closed for half a day, and schools and colleges will have a holiday on January 22 on the occasion of consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said.
The entire country will be celebrating the consecration ceremony on January 22, and all offices and institutes of the state government will remain closed till 2.30 pm so that people can participate in the celebrations, a government notification issued on late Thursday night said.
Two separate notifications were also issued by the School and higher education department declaring holiday for schools and colleges on January 22.
The Union government on Thursday announced a half-day holiday for all its employees on January 22. -- PTI
Indian Army's Pinaka missiles during the 75th R-Day parade rehearsal, in New Delhi on Thursday/ANI Photo
21:13 R-Day preparations: Security agencies conduct drill to combat CBRNE attacks
Counter-terrorist force NSG has conducted a multi-agency drill in Delhi to combat chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (attacks through 'dirty bombs' as part of the Republic Day security preparedness, a senior officer said on Friday.
Apart from the National Security Guard, specialised teams of the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi police, Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation, department of atomic energy, State Disaster Management Authority and other emergency services were involved in the drills that were planned by the National Disaster Management Authority, he said.
The agencies used robotic equipment, decontamination tools and gadgets while personnel undertaking the drills wore HAZMAT (hazardous material) protection suits during the three-hour exercise held recently.
"This was part of preparing a proactive response in an integrated manner by the joint forces and agencies in response to a dirty bomb and radiological attack or outbreak. This is also known as a CBRNE attack," the officer said.
The NSG and the NDRF are two important stakeholders in this domain, another officer said. -- PTI
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21:03 TATA-SIA Airlines summoned over child's Rs 2.5cr burn claim
The Delhi high court has issued summons to TATA SIA Airlines, which operates Vistara, on a plea by a minor and her parents seeking more than Rs 2.5 crore damages for bodily injuries the child suffered after a hot beverage was allegedly spilled on her by a flight attendant.
Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said summons be sent to the defendant, TATA SIA Airlines Ltd, which is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, by all permissible modes and it shall file a written statement along with an affidavit of admission or denial of the documents filed by the plaintiffs within 30 days.
"Upon a prima facie conspectus of the matter, let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons in the suit," the court said.
It listed the plea for March 6 for hearing the interim application in which the plaintiffs have sought a direction to the airline to remove the official statement relating to the incident and to restrain it from publishing any defamatory contents against them or concerning the incident.
The girl, aged 10, and her parents have claimed damages of Rs 2.68 crore along with medical expenses incurred by them in Frankfurt, Germany and other consequential reliefs arising from the incident that occurred on August 11, 2023 on the flight from Delhi to Frankfurt which occurred due to the alleged negligence of a member of the crew. -- PTI
Congress MLA CJ Chavda handing over his resignation to Gujarat Speaker Shankar Chaudhary/ANI Photo
20:37 Gujarat: Cong MLA quits over party's approach towards Ram temple
In a jolt to the Congress in Gujarat, its senior member and three-time MLA from the Vijapur constituency, CJ Chavda resigned on Friday.
The move is seen as a prelude to Chavda's joining the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He gave the reason for resignation as the Congress' approach towards Ram Mandir. CJ Chavda handed over his resignation to Gujarat assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary at his residence in Gandhinagar.
"I have resigned from Congress. I have worked in the Congress for 25 years. The reason is that when the people of the whole country are joyous because of the Pran Pratishtha at Ram Mandir and there is a wave of joy among the people, instead of being a part of that wave of joy, the approach that this party (Congress) has shown is the reason for being upset."
"We should support the works and policies of the two huge leaders of Gujarat PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. But I would not have been able to do that while being in Congress. Hence, I resigned," he added. -- ANI
20:00 CPI-M defends CM Vijayan amidst allegations involving daughter's IT firm
The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist in Kerala on Friday came out in support of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan amidst growing criticism from the opposition regarding allegations linked to his daughter's now-closed IT company, Exalogic Solutions.
The party's state secretary, MV Govindan alleged that there is an attempt to unjustly implicate the Chief Minister in the affairs of his daughter T Veena's company.
According to him, the reports on this matter do not have a solid factual basis and seem to be a calculated political move, orchestrated in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
"The news seems to be fabricated with the intention of targeting the chief minister's daughter. It is anticipated that such news will persist until the conclusion of the general elections," Govindan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, VD Satheesan, claimed that there is a clandestine agreement between the CPI-M and the BJP to resolve cases before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. -- PTI
Security personnel stand guard at Kartavya Path, New Delhi on Friday/ANI Photo
19:39 Yet another pro-Khalistan graffiti found in Delhi
Just days ahead of Republic Day, pro-Khalistan graffiti was found written on the wall of a government school in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar area, the police said on Friday.
The slogan "Khalistan SFJ Zindabad" written on the wall came to notice on Thursday night, they said.
A senior police officer said a case was registered in Dwarka district under section 3 of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act.
Several teams of the district, including special staff, are working on the case to nab the accused, the officer said, adding that CCTV footage of the area was being checked.
Pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice, released a video after the incident.
This is the second such incident to take place in less than three days.
On January 16, similar graffiti was found on a pillar in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar. The graffiti read "SJF, January 26, Khalistan".
Pannu had released a threatening video then as well. -- PTI
19:13 Amrit Udyan to open for public from February 2: Rashtrapati Bhavan
The famed Amrit Udyan of the Rashtrapati Bhavan will open for public viewing from February 2 to March 31, an official statement issued on Friday said.
People can visit the Udyan six days a week except on Mondays which are maintenance days, it said.
They will be allowed to visit in six hourly slots between 10 am and 4 pm, said the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The capacity for the two forenoon slots (10 am to noon) will be 7,500 visitors during weekdays and 10,000 visitors in each slot on weekends, it added.
The capacity for the four afternoon slots (noon to 4 pm) will be 5,000 visitors in each slot during weekdays and 7,500 visitors on weekends.
Booking can be made on https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/visit/amrit-udyan/rE.
The Amrit Udyan will be open for special categories on February 22 (for differently abled persons), February 23 (for personnel of defence, paramilitary and police forces), March 1 (for women and tribal women's self-help groups) and March 5 (for children of orphanages).
Walk-in visitors have to register themselves at the facilitation counters as well as at the self service kiosk near gate no 12 of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the statement said. -- PTI
19:01 Now Raj declares half-day on Jan 22 for Ram Mandir consecration
The Rajasthan government on Friday declared half-day on January 22, the day the consecration of Lord Ram is scheduled to take place in Ayodhya's Ram temple.
According to the order issued by the general administration department, all government offices will stay shut till 2 pm on January 22.
Besides these offices, all other government undertakings such as schools and colleges too will be closed for the first half of the day. -- PTI
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18:46 Tata Steel to cut 2,800 jobs at UK's Port Talbot plant
More than 2,800 jobs will be axed as Tata Steel plans to close its blast furnaces at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales in the UK.
Of the total job cuts, 2,500 will be in the next 18 months, said Indian conglomerate Tata.
A further 300 jobs are to go in three years. Statutory consultation on the cuts will begin, Tata Steel said but did not specify when.
Voluntary redundancies will be sought and more than 130 million pounds will be committed to a support package for affected employees.
It comes as Tata Steel announced it was to press ahead with plans to close blast furnaces at the Port Talbot plant in South Wales.
The first blast furnace will be closing around mid-2024 and the remaining heavy end assets will wind down during the second half of the year, Tata Steel said on Friday.
The steel giant in September said that it had secured 500 million pounds of taxpayer cash to support the site's transition to cheaper, greener steel production to cut emissions and stem financial losses.
Job cuts had been expected as part of the deal though 5,000 UK staff are due to remain within the wider UK operations following the agreement with the government. -- PTI
18:27 ED summons Mumbai ex-Mayor Kishori Pednekar in Covid body bag scam
Uddhav Thackeray faction leader and Mumbai ex-mayor Kishori Pednekar has been summoned before the Enforcement Directorate on January 25 in connection with the COVID body bag scam case.
Earlier in November last year, ED summoned the former Mumbai Mayor in connection with the COVID body bag scam case.
The Enforcement Directorate investigations claimed that a company was giving body bags for dead Covid patients to another company for Rs 2,000.
That company was giving the same body bags to the Central Procurement Department for Rs 6,800 and this contract was signed by the then-BMC mayor and Shiv Sena-UBT leader, Kishori Pednekar.
A case was also registered by the Mumbai police against Pednekar. -- ANI
18:00 Money markets will open at 2.30 pm instead of 9 am on Jan 22: RBI
Money markets will open at 2.30 pm instead of 9 am on January 22 following half-day holiday declared by the central government, said Reserve Bank of India on Friday. -- PTI
17:55 Ram temple opening: Public holiday declared in Maha on Jan 22
The Maharashtra government has declared public holiday on January 22 in view of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
17:51 Forex reserves jump $1.63 bn to $618.9 bn
India's forex reserves jumped $1.634 billion to $618.937 billion for the week ended January 12, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday.
In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had declined sharply by $5.89 billion to $617.3 billion.
The country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion in October 2021.
The reserves took a hit as the central bank deployed the kitty to defend the rupee amid pressures caused majorly by global developments since last year.
For the week ended January 12, the foreign currency assets -- a major component of the reserves -- increased $1.859 billion to $548.508 billion, the data said.
Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound, and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.
Gold reserves were down $242 million to $47.247 billion during the week, the RBI said. -- PTI
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud/File image
17:41 CJI, SC judges invited for Ram temple consecration
Five Supreme Court judges including present Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who were part of the Constitution bench which paved way for the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, are invited as state guests to witness the consecration ceremony on January 22.
Besides the present CJI Chandrachud, former CJIs Ranjan Gogoi and SA Bobde and former judges Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer were part of the bench which had delivered the historic verdict on November 9, 2019.
The unanimous and anonymous verdict had backed the construction of a Ram temple by a government trust at the disputed site in Ayodhya and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot must be found for a mosque in the Hindu holy town.
The Uttar Pradesh government's list of invitees also include over 50 jurists, including former chief justices, judges and top lawyers, as well as K Parasaran, the counsel for 'Ram Lalla'.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and former Attorney General KK Venugopal are also among the invitees.
According to the temple trust, over 7,000 people, including politicians, celebrities, industrialists, saints are slated to attend the ceremony.
The invitation has been sent by the special secretary protocol of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. -- PTI
MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participates in the preparation of 5 lakh laddus for Ayodhya, in Ujjain/ANI Photo
17:36 MP sends five trucks carrying 5 lakh laddus to Ayodhya
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday flagged off five trucks carrying five lakh laddus, prepared at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, to Ayodhya for the consecration of the Ram temple and said the earlier shrine was built by Emperor Vikramaditya.
Taking a dig at Opposition leaders, Yadav said good sense should prevail upon those who have turned down the invite for the consecration ceremony on January 22.
Opposition parties have declined the invite contending that the Ayodhya event is politically motivated. Emperor Vikramaditya had built the (earlier) temple in Ayodhya. Lord Ram is returning to garbh griha' (sanctum sanctorum) after a struggle of 500 years, he said. It is unfortunate that some people have turned down the invitation for the consecration of Ram temple. May good sense prevail upon them on January 22 so that they get a glimpse of Lord Ram, he said
Pic: Saisuresh Sivaswamy
16:49 See: Lord Ram's face uncovered at Ayodhya
The new idol of Lord Ram was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi temple on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the January 22 consecration ceremony. Here's a closer look.
The 51-inch Ram Lalla idol, sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj.Arun Dixit, a priest associated with the consecration ceremony said the 'pradhan sankalp' was performed by Anil Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
16:36 Amitabh likely to take chartered flight to Ayodhya
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family as well as Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan are among those who feature in a select state guest list of invitees to the consecration of the Ram temple next week.
While about 8,000 people are in the long list of invitees, the select list features just a few hundred people, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, bureaucrats and diplomats.
According to the list, which PTI has accessed, Bachchan will fly into Ayodhya in a private chartered plane for the opening of the 161-feet tall pink sandstone shrine.
From the film industry, the list features actors Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Allu Arjun, Mohanlal, Anupam Kher and Chiranjeevi. Besides, sarod maestro Amjad Ali, lyricist and poet Manoj Muntashir and his wife, lyricist and writer Prasoon Joshi, and directors Sanjay Bhansali and Chandraprakash Dwivedi are invited too.
Also on the list are billionaire Mukesh Ambani, his mother Kokilaben, wife Neeta, sons Akash and Anant, daughter-in-law Shloka and would-be-daughter-in-law Radhika Merchant. Other prominent industrialists invited include Aditya Birla Group chairperson Kumar Mangalam Birla and his wife Nirja, Piramal Group chairperson Ajay Piramal, Mahindra and Mahindra's Anand Mahindra and DCM Shriram's Ajay Shriram and TCS CEO K Krithivasan. K Satish Reddy of Dr Reddy's Pharmaceuticals, Zee Entertainment Enterprises CEO Punit Goenka, L&T CEO S N Subrahmanyan and his wife, Durali Divi of Divis Laboratories, Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy, Jindal Steel & Power head Naveen Jindal and Naresh Trehan of Medanta Group are there as well.
Former Lok Sabha speaker Meera Kumar and former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia are also on the list. India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, former diplomat Amar Sinha, former attorney generals K K Venugopal and Mukul Rohtagi, and Indian women cricket captain Mitali Raj are among others finding mention on the list.
Artists dressed as Lord Ram and Laxman sit in a chariot
16:26 Chariot from Lord Hanuman's birthplace in Ayodhya
A chariot from Lord Hanuman's birthplace Kishkindha, traced in the region of present-day Hampi in Karnataka, has arrived in Ayodhya ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22.
Visiting temples across the country, the chariot went to Goddess Sita's birthplace Janakpur in present-day Nepal before arriving in Ayodhya.
A group of 100 devotees travelled with the chariot, singing and dancing, raising slogans of "Jai Shree Ram" and waving saffron flags with Lord Ram's pictures.
"When thousands of people are heading to Aydohya for the big day of the arrival of Lord Ram, how can Lord Hanuman not be there? We set out for this Rath Yatra and travelled to several places in the last two months. The chariot will be in Ayodhya till January 25," Abhishek Krishnashastri from Sri Hanuman Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, told PTI.
"We have come here from Kishkindha to offer our seva (service) to Lord Ram. The chariot has a statue of Lord Ram hugging Hanuman, who is considered to be His biggest devotee," he added.
After touring the temple town of Ayodhya, the chariot has been parked on the banks of the Sarayu river where it is catching the attention of tourists and devotees. The huge chariot looks like a temple with carvings in golden colour. On one side of the chariot are pictures of various places it has visited as well as from the day of the start of its tour.
"We want to build a similar temple for Lord Hanuman at his birthplace. During the yatra, whatever donations we are receiving will be used for the temple," Krishnashastri said.
The Hampi-based Hanuman Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust is also planning to build a 215-metre statue of Lord Hanuman at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore in Kishkindha over the next six years.
Kishkindha is believed to be located on the outskirts of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three places in Karnataka are believed to have a direct connection with Ramayana, including Kishkindha. The other two are the Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna and the Chandra Drona Parvatha range in Chikkamagaluru. -- PTI
16:00 Rape convict Ram Rahim gets 9th parole in 4 years
Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted 50-day parole, official sources said on Friday. This is Ram Rahim Singh's seventh parole in the past 24 months, and ninth in the last four years.
The parole comes two months after the Sirsa-headquartered sect chief had walked out of the Sunaria jail in Haryana's Rohtak district on November 21 last year after he was granted a 21-day furlough -- his third temporary release from jail in 2023.
During his temporary release period, Singh will go to the Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram in Barnawa in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. Singh is serving a 20-year jail term for raping two of his disciples.
The Dera chief had walked out of the Sunaria jail on a 30-day parole on July 30, 2023, while he was granted a 40-day parole in January last year as well. In October 2022 too, he was granted a 40-day parole.
Before that, he had come out of prison on a month-long parole in June 2022. Besides, he was granted a three-week furlough on February 7, 2022. In 2021, the Dera chief, along with four others, was also convicted for hatching a conspiracy to kill Ranjit Singh, a Dera manager.
The Dera chief and three others were convicted in 2019 for the murder of a journalist more than 16 years ago. PTI
15:40 PM in Karnataka
Karnataka Deputy CM on X: "Welcomed Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri. @Narendramodi at the airport on his visit to Karnataka, today."
When civility takes precedence over political rivalry.
Crowds at the Hanumangarhi temple
15:35 World's largest oil lamp to be lit at 5pm in Ayodhya
As devotees countdown to the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, the world's largest 300-foot lamp will be lit in the city at 5:00 pm. on Friday.
Paramhans Acharya said, "This lamp will be lit using 1.25 quintals of cotton and 21000 litres of oil. Soil and water from different places across the country and cow's ghee have been used to prepare this lamp. This is the world's largest lamp."
Paramhans Acharya highlighted the significance of the festival of Diwali.
"When Lord Ram came back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, people celebrated the event as Diwali. We thought that we could start another Diwali at Ram Mandir as the statue of Ram Lalla would be seated in Ayodhya."
Paramhans Acharya elaborated on the hard work needed to complete the task of preparing the grand lamp.
"This is not a common lamp. Over 108 teams worked to prepare it for one year. It was not an easy task to complete this lamp. The lamp will mark the biggest Diwali in the world. It is also unique because oil was especially brought from Sita Mata's parental homeland."
As the vedic rituals ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's temple entered its fourth day today, Govind Dev Giri, member of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, said that the 'Netronmelan' (unveling of Ram Lalla's statue) will be done by applying honey to a gold bar. -- ANI
15:15 India needs over 2,500 new aircraft by 2042, says Boeing
Backed by high traffic growth, India will need more than 2,500 new aircraft deliveries by 2042, Darren Hulst, Boeing vice-president of Commercial Marketing said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Hulst said to meet rising passenger and cargo demand, South Asian carriers are projected to quadruple the size of their fleets over the next two decades and they will require more than 2,705 new airplanes to address growth and fleet replacement.
"Over 92 per cent of that (2,705) or over 2,500 (aircraft India will need) by 2042. It is based on the (forecast given in) middle of the last year," he told reporters.
"We project that carriers here (South Asia including India) will need more than 2,700 aircraft deliveries by the year 2042," he said, adding a similar composition of the fleet with more than 2,300 single aisle, nearly 400 wide body aircraft for long haul.
15:09 Centre withholds release of Rs 7,000 crore to WB to procure paddy for National Food Security Act
While India rejoices and celebrates the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, read this: "According to central government, Bengal has not put up the NFSA logo in ration shops, which multiple sources say is likely to hit procurement in the ongoing Kharif season owing to the eventual funds crunch." Read the report here.
The UP CM at the Ram Mandir
14:54 Yogi visits Ayodhya for 3rd time ahead of big day
As the country awaited the grand opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reached 'Ram Nagri' to take stock of the arrangements and preparations for the mega 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony.
CM Adityanath offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple, one of the popular shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Thereafter, the CM reached the Ram Mandir, where he performed 'Aarti' and 'Parikrama' of Shri Ram Lalla.
On January 22, Ram Lalla will be enthroned or ceremonially seated in the sanctum sanctorum of the majestic temple amid Vedic chants and rituals.
The idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on Thursday.
Covered with a veil, the first photo of the idol was revealed during the placement ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday.
The images were shared by Sharad Sharma, media in-charge of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Brahmins and revered Acharyas were seen leading worship ceremonies inside the sacred precincts of the Sri Ram Temple.
The visit on Friday marked Chief Minister Adityanath's third to Ayodhya within 11 days. He was seen making enquiries about preparations for the 'Pran Pratishtha' event from officials of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust during this visit.
He also interacted with seers and mahants, taking stock of necessary arrangements while making enquiries about further requirements, if any. People associated with the trust briefed the chief minister on all the developments around the January 22 event. -- ANI
14:32 Spotted: Anup Jalota at Mumbai airport
The bhajan king was waiting for a flight, which had been delayed, at Mumbai airport. Watch the video by Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com here.
The 108-ft long incense stick in Ayodhya
14:24 NDRF teams trained for nuke attacks in Ayodhya
Multiple NDRF teams trained to tackle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks as well as disasters like earthquakes and drowning incidents, have been deployed in Ayodhya ahead of the consecration ceremony, an official said on Friday.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) director general Atul Karwal told PTI that the teams are undertaking continuous familiarisation exercises and conducting simulation drills in the temple town to respond to any contingency.
"Multiple NDRF teams, few HAZMAT (hazardous material) vehicles that were procured by the force during the recently concluded G20 summit in Delhi have been stationed in Ayodhya to effectively deal with any kind of disaster or trouble," he said on the sidelines of the 19th raising day event of the force here.
The commanding officer of our battalion is permanently based in Varanasi along with his personnel and experts are camping in the city, Karwal said.
The DG said the teams continue to be stationed in Ayodhya after the January 22 event, till the hectic activity and rush of pilgrims in the city continues.
The consecration ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of dignitaries from the government and private sector.
The multi-tonne HAZMAT vehicles were made by Bharat Electronics Limited, an aerospace and defence PSU under the Ministry of Defence, and each of these indigenously made vehicles costs about Rs 15 crore.
The NDRF has seven such vehicles at present and out of them about two to three have been sent to Ayodhya. Another officer of the federal disaster response force said that diving teams of the force have been deployed at the Sarayu River and other water bodies in the city to tackle any drowning incidents.
The rescue teams along with their equipment and canines are in Ayodhya. They are adept at initiating rescue operations in case of an earthquake and structure collapse and are working in coordination with other central security, intelligence agencies and state authorities.
The NDRF was raised in 2006 and it has 16 battalion bases along with 28 regional response centres (RRCs) in various states to launch rescue and relief operations in quick time. PTI
14:12 Bilkis Bano convicts have to surrender before January 21
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the applications filed by convicts in the Bilkis Bano case seeking an extension of time to surrender before jail authorities.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan while dismissing applications said that the reasons cited by them to seek postponement of surrender and report back to jail have no merit.
"The reasons cited by applicants to seek postponement of surrender and report back to jail have no merit in as much as those reasons in no way prevent them from complying with our directions. Hence, the miscellaneous applications are dismissed. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed," said the bench.
The time for convicts to surrender will expire on January 21.
The 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case have approached the apex court seeking an extension of time to surrender before the jail authorities, citing health issues, caretaking of aged parents, impending harvest of crops and other issues.
The convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government in the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment but released in August 2022 after serving 14 years of sentence.
14:02 PM now drinking only coconut water, feeding cows
As part of his special religious practise for 11 days in the run up to the 'Pran Pratishtha' at the Ram temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been sleeping over a blanket on the floor and drinking only coconut water, sources said on Friday.
Modi has also been doing "gau-pooja", feeding cows and has been engaged in various forms of 'daan' (charity) like 'annadaan' and giving away clothes in accordance with scriptures, they added.
As a devout "Ram Bhakt", Modi has been visiting temples in different parts of the country in the last few days, including Ramkund and Shree Kalaram Temple in Nasik, Veerbhadra Temple in Lepakshi in Andhra Pradesh and Guruvayur Temple and Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple in Kerala.
Similarly, he will visit more such temples in Tamil Nadu over the next two days. These temples not only act as a unifying force for different parts of the country but also have a connection with Lord Ram, they noted.
His visit to temples across the country in the last few days and listening to Ramayana in multiple languages and participating in bhajans in the temples is significant as its impact goes much beyond the commonly understood realm of religion, they said.
His efforts are also aimed at strengthening the "bharatiya" socio-cultural fabric in line with the his vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', they added. He also launched the initiative to clean up temples and cleaned the premises of Shree Kalaram Temple in Nasik in an effort to lead by example to spark a mass movement. -- PTI
13:18 SC rejects Bilkis convicts' plea seeking more time
JUST IN: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by the convicts in Bikis Bano case, seeking extension of time to surrender.
The SC said reasons cited by the 11 convicts for extension of time to surrender have no merits.
More details awaited. -- PTI
12:57 Guess where Anupji is headed?
Spotted at the lounge in Mumbai airport, waiting for the delayed flight to depart for the destination everyone is heading to, is bhajan samrat Anup Jalota.
Ever approachable, the singer happily posed for people, as they came forward for a selfie. So what is taking Anupji to Ayodhya?
Wait for our update on Rediff.com.
A wall being painted in Ayodhya
12:41 Light homes with Ram Jyoti on Jan 22, asks Modi
PM Narendra Modi today asked people to illuminate their homes with Ram Jyoti on January 22.
During the inaugural address of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-Urban) scheme in Solapur, Modi highlighted the challenges faced by the poor under previous governments and reiterated his commitment to a government dedicated to the welfare of the poor since 2014.
"Our government, following the ideals of Prabhu Shree Ram, has been ensuring that good governance and honesty exist in the country," the Prime Minister said.
During the address, the Prime Minister inaugurated 7 Amrit Projects worth Rs. 2,000 crore across different cities in Maharashtra, extending congratulations to the people of the state on this special occasion.
AMRUT 2.0 is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all the statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage management.
"As soon as the government was formed in 2014, I had said, 'My government is a government dedicated to the poor.' Therefore, we implemented such schemes one after the other, which would reduce the difficulties of the poor and make their lives easier," he said.
"Prabhu Shree Ram has been the greatest inspiration for us to remain dedicated and committed. It is Ramrajya which has inspired everyone's support, everyone's development, everyone's faith and everyone's efforts," he added.
PM Modi concluded with anticipation for the historic consecration of Ram Lalla, expressing devotion during this special time ahead of the grand 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya.
The Prime Minister shared the significance of the moment and the end of the decade-long practice of having darshan in a tent.
"I am now busy with my Yama Niyamas under the guidance of some saints and I am following them strictly before the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Ram Lalla. It is also a coincidence that my ritual started from the land of Panchavati from Nashik in Maharashtra," PM Modi said.
"This time is full of devotion for all of us. That historic moment is going to come on January 22, when Lord Ram is going to sit in his grand temple. The decades-old pain of having darshan of our idol in a tent is now going to go away," he added.
12:33 BJP wants to confine tribal people to forests, deprive them: Rahul
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that the BJP wants to confine tribal people to forests and deprive them of education and other opportunities.
Addressing his first public meeting in Assam as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi claimed the Congress recognises the rights of 'adivasis' over resources as first dwellers.
"We call you advisasi which means the first dwellers. The BJP calls you vanvasi, which means people who live in forests," Gandhi said.
He alleged the BJP, which leads a coalition government in the state, wants to confine the tribals to the forests, and deprive their children of the opportunities to go to schools and universities, learn English and run businesses.
"We want what is yours should be returned to you. Your water, land, forest should be yours," Gandhi said, addressing the gathering of predominantly tribal people in the island district of Majuli.
The Yatra, led by Gandhi, commenced from Manipur on January 14 and will culminate on March 20 or 21 in Mumbai. It is scheduled to cover 6,713 km in 67 days while passing through 110 districts in 15 states. In Assam, it will continue till January 25, travelling 833 km across 17 districts. PTI
12:08 Adar Poonawalla: Will go to Ayodhya soon
Adar Poonawalla, CEO Serum Institute of India and the man who first gave us the Covid vaccine says he will visit Ayodhya.
"I am humbled to receive the invitation to the Prabhu Shri Ram Lalla Mandir at Ayodhya through senior RSS functionaries like Shri. @Manojpochat, Pracharak Shri. Kedar Kulkarni & Shri. Prasad Lawalekar. Wholeheartedly I have accepted the invitation and it will be an honour to visit the Shri. Ram Mandir soon."
11:58 House was fully vacated, no eviction needed: Mahua
House number 9B Telegraph Lane occupied by Mahua Moitra was fully vacated by 10 am this morning. No 'eviction' took place: Mahua Moitra's Counsel Shadan Farasat.
The Directorate of Estates on Friday sent a team of officials to evict former TMC MP Mahua Moitra from her government accommodation, an official said.
Earlier this week, the DoE issued an eviction notice to Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month. "A team has been sent to evict the TMC leader from the government bungalow allotted to her as an MP," an official told PTI.
A woman shows a saree with the theme of Pran Pratishtha
11:42 BJP writes to Mamata, urges her to declare holiday on January 22
West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to declare holiday on January 22 so that people can participate in the celebrations marking the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
Central government establishments, public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and regional rural banks (RRBs) across the country will remain closed for half a day on January 22.
Several states, including neighbouring Assam and Odisha, have also declared half-day holiday to mark the consecration ceremony.
"I have requested our Hon'ble CM @MamataOfficial (Mamata Banerjee) to kindly consider declaring 22nd January 2024 to be a school holiday, so that the youth of West Bengal gets to rejoice in the Ram Mandir consecration celebrations," Majumdar posted on X, sharing a copy of the letter he wrote to the chief minister.
In his letter, he said the chief minister has declared holidays on several special occasions in the past.
"So we think that on the occasion of the Ram Temple inauguration, the people of the state should also be allowed to participate in the festivities. We therefore request you to officially declare the day as a holiday," he said. -- PTI
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel meets the injured victims
11:26 Vadodara boat tragedy: 18 people booked
A day after 14 lives were lost and several injured in a boat capsize in Vadodara, an FIR was filed against 18 persons in connection with the incident, the police said on Friday.
According to Harni police, among the 18 booked for negligence were the manager and employees of Kotia Project, the private firm handling the boating in the Harni legzone. Preliminary investigation suggests that the boat was packed beyond capacity, the police informed.
A total of 27 people were onboard the boat during the accident, the police said, adding that it had a capacity to seat 14.
The FIR alleged further that the passengers were not given life jackets and neither were they given a run-through on the safety guidelines.
The victims belonged to a group of 80 that included children and teachers from New Sunrise School in Waghodia, the police said, adding that they had arrived for a school picnic on January 18.
The 12 deceased children included seven girls and five boys. Also among the deceased were two teachers.
The Opposition demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident, alleging negligence. Raising allegations against Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Leader of Opposition in Gujarat assembly, Ami Rawat, questioned the allotment of the boating contract to a private firm.
"This was an act of murder, not an accident. We demand a probe into this incident by a sitting judge. It is a sheer act of negligence," Rawat said. "No life jackets or lifeguards were in the boat at the time of the incident. Criminal proceedings should be initiated against those found responsible. In 2016, when this project was allotted to contractors, we had objected to it," she added. -- ANI
11:07 Directorate of Estates sends team to evict Mahua Moitra from govt bungalow
Update: The Directorate of Estates on Friday sent a team of officials to evict former TMC MP Mahua Moitra from her government accommodation, an official said.
Earlier this week, the DoE issued an eviction notice to Moitra, who was expelled from the Lok Sabha last month.
"A team has been sent to evict the TMC leader from the government bungalow allotted to her as an MP," an official told PTI. On Thursday, Moitra failed to get any relief from the Delhi High Court which refused to stay the DoE notice and asked her to vacate the government bungalow.
Justice Girish Kathpalia said no specific rule has been brought before the court which dealt with the eviction of MPs from government accommodation after they cease to be lawmakers. PTI
10:58 Govt sends team to evict Mahua from bungalow
Directorate of Estates sends team to evict former TMC MP Mahua Moitra from govt bungalow.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to grant relief to the TMC leader and expelled MP by denying the stay on the operation of eviction of the government bungalow.
Moitra had challenged the eviction order and sought a stay. The high court noted that her expulsion has not been stayed by the Supreme Court. Justice Girish Kathpaliya dismissed the interim application seeking a stay of operation of the eviction order of January 16, 2024.
Ayodhya will be draped with Marigold garlands
10:44 Ram mandir doors to shut today till Jan 22
As the Vedic rituals ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's temple have entered their fourth day on Friday, the holy fire was lit, which will be followed by the establishment of 'Navagraha' and a 'Havan'.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at the temple will take place on January 22.
The fourth-day rituals began at the temple today at 9 am with the lighting of the holy fire.
The idol of Shri Ram Lalla, which was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on Thursday, will be given 'Aushdhadhiwas' (medicinal abode), 'Kesaradhiwas' (saffron abode), 'Dhritashiwas' (Dhrita abode), and 'Pushpadhiwas' (flower abode).
Following this, the idol will be kept in saffron and later in grains.
The temple doors will be closed to visitors until January 22 and will be reopened the next day.
Devotees arrive in Ayodhya
10:29 'Nitish Kumar' cycles from Bihar to Ayodhya
Walking, cycling and even skating! Covering long distances amid bone-chilling cold, people from all over the country and cutting across religions are flocking to the temple town of Ayodhya ahead of the consecration ceremony on January 22.
Driven by their faith in Lord Ram and carried through by the overwhelming religious mood in the country, they say they desire to be a part of the historic day and want to send out a message of love and unity.
Nitish Kumar, a resident of Bihar's Madhepura district, has cycled more than 600 kilometres to reach Ayodhya. "It took me seven days to cover 615 kilometres from Bihar to Ayodhya. I have reached today. I was carrying a sleeping bag and some essentials with me on my cycle only to help me take some breaks on the way. I had decided to do this when the Supreme Court verdict came, I was still in school then," the 21-year-old told PTI.
"I will come next time with my family. We are a strong believer in Lord Ram. They will also be celebrating on January 22 but I wanted to be part of this historic day in Ayodhya," he added.
Kumar has adorned his bicycle with four flags -- a tricolour and three saffron flags bearing pictures and 'Jai Shree Ram' message.
Soni Chaurasia, a Guinness Book record holder for the "longest dance marathon" (124 hours), is among the invitees for the consecration ceremony and is skating her way to Ayodhya from Varanasi.
"I left from Varanasi on January 17 and will reach on January 22. I have skated this long before too but the weather right now is a challenge. The entire journey is 228 kilometres. I am being accompanied by my coach and doctor who will follow me on a motorbike," Chaurasia told PTI.
Himanshu Soni, who is just 10-year-old, set out for Ayodhya on skates from Rajasthan's Kotputhli on January 16 is aiming to cover a distance of 704 kilometre.
"My family is a believer in Lord Ram and when we looked around, the atmosphere is no less than Diwali right now. I wanted to be in Aydohya on the day of the consecration ceremony and what better way to reach there other than pursuing my talent," Soni said.
Aiming to spread the message of Hindu-Muslim unity, Shabnam Shaikh is walking from Mumbai to Ayodhya. "The total journey is over 1,400 kilometres. I walk around 60 kilometres a day and take multiple breaks. Being a girl, it is an obvious concern to look for a safe space to take breaks during the journey but wherever I am going I am being welcomed by people," she said. Dressed as Mahatma Gandhi with round spectacles and stick in his hand, Muttna Tirlapura, a resident of Karakitti in Karnataka, has marched over 2000 kms on foot to reach Ayodhya.
"Gandhiji used to take 'Ram naam' daily. Who other than him to spread the message of Lord Ram! I am going places to spread this message only," said Tirlapura, who refers to himself as 'adhunik Gandhi' (Modern Gandhi). Omesh Bhagat (47) who refers to himself as "Buddha Uncle" is on an all-India cycling tour with a message to save the environment.
With a solar panel installed on the backseat of his cycle, Bhagat has cycled over 13,000 kms since May and has now reached Ayodhya.
"The religious mood that we see in the country is overwhelming. Have never seen this before. But there is also a message that though Ayodhya will see an economic boom now, we should not forget that we need to preserve the environment here," he said.
Jaswinder Singh Lucky and his son, who are from Uttarakhand, are cycling to Ayodhya from the hill town. They will reach the holy city on January 20. "The message we want to send out is of communal harmony. We are Sikhs and we believe in Lord Ram too," he said.
Similarly, Nitin Bhatia, a Sikh from Batala in Punjab, is cycling over 1,100 kms to reach Ayodhya on the same day as Lucky and his son. -- PTI
Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya
10:18 Ram Lalla idol doesn't look like a child: Digvijaya
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh has stroked a fresh controversy ahead of the "Pran Pratishtha" ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir saying Ram Lalla idol being seated in the temple does not look like a child.
"I have been saying this from the beginning, where is the idol of Ram Lalla whose idol was controversial and destroyed? What was the need for the second statue? Our Guru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Ji Maharaj had also suggested that the idol of Lord Ram in the Ram Janmabhoomi temple should be in the form of a child and should be in the lap of Mother Kaushalya. But the idol that is being seated in the temple does not look like a child," Singh wrote on X on Friday.
Notably, ahead of the Ayodhya Rama Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, the idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on Thursday.
Covered with a veil, the first photo of the idol was revealed during the placement ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday.
09:55 See: Inside the sanctum sanctorum of Ram Mandir
Ahead of the Ayodhya Rama Mandir Pran Pratishta ceremony on January 22, the idol of Lord Ram was placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in Ayodhya on Thursday.
Covered with a veil, the first photo of the idol was revealed during the placement ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum on Thursday.
The photos were shared by Sharad Sharma, media in-charge of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Vedic Brahmins and revered Acharyas were seen leading worship ceremonies inside the sacred precincts of the Sri Ram Temple.
According to the VHP, members of the Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra also participated in the prayers.
The idol of 'Ram Lalla' was carved by Arun Yogiraj - a famed sculptor from Karnataka. The idol is 51 inches tall and weighs 1.5 tonnes.
The idol portrays Lord Ram as a five-year-old child standing on a lotus also crafted from the same stone.
The city of Ayodhya is adorned with vibrant flowers on Thursday in preparation for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple scheduled on January 22. -- ANI
A 'ghost' train
09:40 Dense fog from Punjab to Bengal, visibility zero
A layer of fog, stretching from Punjab to West Bengal, lowered visibility over the Indo-Gangetic plains starting Thursday night, affecting road and rail traffic, officials said on Friday.
Satellite imagery showed fog developing over parts of Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan, and west Uttar Pradesh starting at 8 pm on Thursday.
An official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said dense to very dense fog blanketed parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Tripura. Moderate fog prevailed in parts of Uttarakhand, east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
At 5.30 am, visibility levels stood at zero metres in Bathinda and Bikaner; 25 metres in Amritsar and Patiala; 50 metres in Ganganagar, Churu, Hisar, Palam, Safdarjung, Jaipur, and Agartala; and 200 metres in Ambala, Dehradun, Sultanpur (east UP), Purnea, Bhagalpur, Ranchi, and Jharsuguda. A spokesperson for the Indian Railways said 22 trains arriving in Delhi were delayed by up to six and a half hours due to the foggy weather.
The IMD reported that the visibility level plummeted to zero metres at the Amritsar airport by 8 pm, while it abruptly dropped from 1400 metres at 9.30 pm to 400 metres at 10 pm at the Palam Observatory, near the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It further dropped to 50 metres by 11.30 pm and zero metres by 4.30 am, before improving to 300 metres by 7.30 am.
Early morning foggy weather in north and northeast India has heavily impacted road, rail, and air traffic since the end of December.
IMD scientists say the absence of active western disturbances -- weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region and bringing unseasonal rainfall to northwest India -- is the reason behind the blinding layer of fog persisting over the plains in northwest India since December 25. -- PTI
09:24 Ayodhya countdown: 500 kg of kumum leaves sent
Five hundred kilograms of kumkum leaves have been sent from Amravati in Maharashtra to Ayodhya for the idol consecration of the Ram temple on January 22.
Spiritual leaders Rajeshwar Mauli and Jitendranath Maharaj are taking the kumkum leaves to Ayodhya. The function to mark their departure to Ayodhya on Thursday was attended by local MP.
08:58 Pak strike 'unacceptable', we hit terrorists: Iran
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Pakistan's drone attack on non-Iranian villagers on the border of the two nations, calling it 'unbalanced and unacceptable'.
It said Iran adheres to the policy of 'good neighbourliness and brotherhood' between two nations and does not allow enemies to strain the ties between Tehran and Islamabad.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns Pakistan's unbalanced and unacceptable drone attack on non-Iranian villagers on the border of the two countries," the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
"At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Iran adheres to the policy of good neighbourliness and brotherhood between the two nations and the two governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. It does not allow enemies to strain the amicable and brotherly relations of Tehran and Islamabad," it added.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement comes after Pakistan said that it has launched missile strikes into Iran and that 'a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation', codenamed 'Marg Bar Sarmachar'.
Pakistan's action came after Iran carried out strikes on a terrorist group in Balochistan.
In the statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iran considers the security of its people and its territorial integrity as a 'red line' and expects the Pakistani government to adhere to its obligations in preventing the establishment of bases and deployment of terrorist groups on its soil.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the security of its people and its territorial integrity as a red line and strongly expects the friendly and brotherly government of Pakistan to adhere to its obligations in preventing the establishment of bases and the deployment of armed terrorist groups on its soil," Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
In the statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Border Taskforce of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force situated in Sistan and Baluchistan province on Tuesday took 'preventive action' against a terrorist group preparing to infiltrate the territory of Iran to carry out 'another terrorist operation similar to the criminal and terrorist attack in Rask'.
It further said, "The action was carried out against the terrorist group's barracks and headquarters located in the heights of the region, kilometres away from residential areas--a procedure which is part of the inherent duties of the border forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran to 'proportionately deal' with any 'imminent terrorist threat' against the people and citizens of the country."
In the statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "It is emphasised that the Islamic Republic of Iran differentiates between Pakistan's friendly and brotherly government and armed terrorists."
It further said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran always adheres to its policy of good neighbourliness and does not allow its enemies and terrorist allies to strain these relations, especially when the genocide and crimes of the Zionist regime are the foremost issues affecting the Islamic world."
After Iran carried out missile and drone strikes to destroy two 'important headquarters' of Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) in Pakistan, which Islamabad said killed two children and injured three girls, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said that it had undertaken a series of 'highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts' in Iran's Siestan-o-Baluchistan.
"A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar," it said.
Pakistan's military action comes after it condemned Tuesday's strike by Iran, which it said killed two children.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that in its engagements with the neighbouring country Iran over the last several years, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani-origin terrorists who called themselves 'Sarmachars' on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.
Pakistan said it also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.
"However, because of a lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars," it said.
The statement said, "This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred." -- ANI
00:37 Light diyas, celebrate Ram temple consecration like Diwali: Modi at Cabinet meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked his Cabinet colleagues to celebrate the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22 like Diwali by lighting up diyas at their homes and also feed the poor, sources said.
He made these remarks at the Union Cabinet meeting amid a nationwide religious fervour in the run-up to the ceremony which he will be attending.
Cabinet ministers, sources said, have also been urged to visit the temple along with devotees from their respective states after January 22.
With the exercise by Hindutva organisations to mobilise the masses ahead of the ceremony drawing positive response, the BJP-led NDA believes the event will add to the popular appeal for the temple and may help it in the Lok Sabha elections expected in April-May.
The BJP has already mobilised its members across the country to facilitate people's visit to Ayodhya and stay in the holy town after the ceremony. -- PTI
Neelam Azad
00:27 Parliament breach: Court denies bail to Neelam Azad citing serious allegations
A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of Neelam Azad, arrested in the Parliament security breach case, noting that the investigation was at a nascent stage and she was accused of attempting to disrupt the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Additional sessions judge Hardeep Kaur said the FIR in the case was registered under various sections of anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code.
"Investigation in the present case is at nascent stage. The allegations against the accused are serious in nature as she is alleged to be involved in disrupting the sovereignty and integrity of India along with other co-accused persons," the judge said.
She said since the investigation was in the initial stage, it was not a fit case for bail.
"In view of the above discussions, considering the nature and seriousness of allegations levelled against the applicant /accused and the initial stage of investigation, I do not find it to be a fit case to release the applicant/accused on bail. The present bail application stands dismissed," the judge said. -- PTI
MLA Rajan Salvi/Courtesy X
00:18 ACB raids 7 places linked to Uddhav Sena MLA
The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Thursday conducted raids at seven premises linked to Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLA Rajan Salvi in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, and filed a case against him and two family members for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets, an official said.
The raids, which started in the morning and went on till around 9 pm, covered seven locations linked to the opposition legislator, including his house, office and hotel, in the coastal district, around 360km from Mumbai, he said.
The ACB's Thane unit, which conducted the raids, has started recording the statement of Salvi, said the official. Salvi, a three-time MLA from Rajapur in Ratnagiri district, belongs to the Shiv Sena faction led by former CM Uddhav Thackeray.
According to the official, Salvi, his wife and son have amassed assets to the tune of Rs 3.53 crore, which are allegedly disproportionate to their known sources of income. -- PTI
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