First India-Ahmedabad Edition-28 September 2020

AHMEDABAD l MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

P5

PM MODI PAYS TRIBUTES TO BHAGAT SINGH, CALLS HIM A SYMBOL OF BRAVERY AND COURAGE

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD 27°C - 35°C

RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 303

INDIA STILL FAR FROM ACHIEVING HERD IMMUNITY SHOWS ICMR’S SECOND SERO SURVEY

P6

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JASOL’S JASWANT

A SOLDIER, ASTUTE POLITICIAN & A TROUBLE SHOOTER Aditi Nagar New Delhi: Jaswant Singh, former Union minister and one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) passed away on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

The 82-year-old leader had a political career that lasted for more than three decades in which he held several positions, including Union minister for defence and external affairs among others.

Jaswant Singh 3 JANUARY 1938 27 SEPTEMBER 2020

According to Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi, Major Jaswant Singh (Retired), former Cabinet Minister, passed away at 6:55 am on Sunday. He was admitted on 25 June and was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome. Singh was born in Jasol village of Barmer district in Rajasthan in 1938. Educated at Mayo College in Ajmer, he later joined Indian Army after passing out from NDA. Turn to P6

NARENDRA MODI @NARENDRAMODI Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise. Jaswant Singh Ji will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society. He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

Indian Army gears up to tackle China & harsh winters at Ladakh

AMIT SHAH @AMITSHAH The death of Jaswant Singhji, a senior politician of the country and a minister in Atal ji’s cabinet, is sad and an irreparable loss for the country. While in various positions in government and organization, he has left a deep impression on his duty. I express my condolences to his family.

Om Shanti

ASHOK GEHLOT @ASHOKGEHLOT51 My heartfelt condolences at the passing away of senior leader from Rajasthan and former Union minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. May God give strength to his family members and supporters in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”

RAJASTHAN ROYALS BEAT KINGS XI PUNJAB IN

RECORD CHASE

Deploys T-72, T-90 tanks, infantry combat vehicles along LAC; these vehicles can operate at temperatures up to -40° Celsius Prez gives nod C h u m a r- D e m c h o k (Ladakh): Engaged in a conflict with China for almost five months, the Indian Army’s armoured regiments are ready to take on the Chinese Army at altitudes of over 14,500 feet in the area which is the world’s highest battlefield for tanks and infantry combat vehicles along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. Along with the enemy across the border, the Indian Army is also working on war footing to fight the extremely harsh winters by building new shelters and prefabricated structures for the soldiers.

A visit near the LAC in the Chumar-Demchok area in Eastern Ladakh shows that for countering the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s deployment of armoured columns, the Indian Army is battleready to face the Chinese Army with its T-90 and T-72 tanks along with the BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles Turn to P6

to all 3 Farm Bills, Centre notifies them

Soldiers of the Indian Army operating T-90 Bhishma tank near the Line of Actual Control in the Chumar-Demchok area of Eastern Ladakh on Sunday. The army uses 3 types of different fuels to ensure that it does not freeze during the harsh winters.

—PHOTO BY ANI

BATTLE READY AT THE HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS  Indian armoured regiments have the capability to reach the LAC within minutes  Army is logistically prepared in terms of tackling the harsh weather, with special winter clothing and other facilities such as fuel, spares and assemblies in place.  Army is also making habitation of

the soldiers on a war footing by placing prefabricated container shelters and barrel shelters that use minimum cement and sand.  In these shelters, there is proper insulation to protect soldiers from strong winds and winter, proper heating facilities along with basic needs like lavatory and kitchen.

There is no doubt that winters in Ladakh are going to be harsh. We are absolutely in control as far as advanced winter and forward winter stocking is concerned. High calorie & nutritious ration, fuel, oil, special winter clothing etc are available in adequate numbers.

—Major General Arvind Kapoor

New Delhi: President Kovind gives his nod to all 3 farm bills, government notifies them President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday gave his assent to the three contentious farm bills passed by the Parliament that has seen farmers and the Opposition hit the streets in protest and one of BJP’s oldest allies, the Shiromani Akali Dal, quitting the NDA fold.

The move comes at a time when farmers, particularly those in Punjab and Haryana, are protesting against the three bills — The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020; The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020; and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Turn to P6

Rajasthan Royals batsman Sanju Samson plays a shot during the Indian Premier League 2020 cricket match against Kings XI Punjab, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, Sunday

Mobiles of Deepika, others seized: NCB Mumbai: Mobile phones of actors Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh and others, have been seized, a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official informed.

“Mobile phones of Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Karishma Prakash, Simone Khambatta and Jaya Shah have been seized,” the NCB official said. “The statements of Karishma Prakash, Sara,

Deepika and Shraddha have been recorded.

Kshitij Prasad has been placed under arrested after questioning. No fresh summon has been issued today. We have arrested more than 18 people,” Jain said.

More on P6

Ex-Bihar DGP joins JD(U) Patna: Former Bihar police chief Gupteshwar Pandey, who took voluntary retirement from service a few days ago, joined the state’s ruling JD(U) on Sunday.

Pandey, an outspoken police officer, joined the party in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also the JD(U) president.

The 1987 batch IPS officer had strongly defended Kumar on the issue of institution of a CBI probe into the mysterious death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Turn to P6

At 80, Shankersinh Vaghela trying to make it big, yet again The key plank of his Praja Shakti Morcha is to remove prohibition from Gujarat Haresh Jhala Gandhinagar: Exactly 25 years ago on this day, September 27, 1995, Shankersinh Vaghela, at 55, decamped with over 55 MLAs to dislodge the first government of his BJP that he built brick by brick with his then pal Narendra Modi

who often rode pillion on his motorcycle.

Cut to September of 2020. Vanquished in all political playfields, the indomitable Vaghela, now at 80, is making his last-ditch effort to stay afloat in karmabhoomi Gujarat. Having carved out a Rashtriya Janata Party from his alma mater in the late 90’s,

Vaghela did accomplish his dream to be the Chief Minister albeit with the support of the Congress that he had earlier helped decimate.

If anyone, it is Shankersinh ‘bapu’, who knows it the best that a third front has been a time-tested failure in Gujarat and had little chance of getting any different now. But then, it is Vaghela, who recently put out his pictures of power-lifting at a gym, days after emerging from Covid-19.

Former Gujarat CM Shankersinh Vaghela is making a last-ditch effort to revive his political fortunes once again.

So, he has come up with Praja Shakti Morcha recently with an allnew plank of lifting prohibition from Gujarat that he perhaps thinks may woo the age group of 16 to 40. He says if he gets an opportunity to be the Gujarat CM, he will throw out prohibition that had become a source of corruption and never served its purpose, besides creating an entire underworld out of it.

Counting his achievements, in what

he famously called his “tanatan sarkaar (Gujarati version of a superhit government)”, in social media posts and his whatsapp groups he has said, “During my tenure as the Chief Minister in 1996-97, I wanted to remove the liquor ban policy, but the coalition government has some limitations. The Congress Party President during those times, Sitaram Kesriji, was against it.”

“But, it is never too

late. I am very firm on this and I promise that within 100 days of the formation of my government, liquor ban will be removed from Gujarat State.”

Political analyst Hari Desai calls Vaghela’s new effort a tool to satisfy his political hunger.

“For those who want to drink liquor, prohibition doesn’t matter in Gujarat,” Desai says. He adds that even in Gandhi’s Wardha, the dry law has not been implemented successfully.

Turn to P6

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AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

THE NEW NORMAL

Four days after local civic body Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) started reporting COVID-19 numbers beyond the stagnant number of 150 cases (as was being reported on the official health department dashboard), officials blamed citizens for spreading the virus. In a video released by AMC on Sunday, snapshots of different locations of the city showed groups of people not adhering to the COVID-19 protocol.

People from all walks of life were caught without masks and not maintaining social distancing, as per official government guidelines. Appealing to Amdavadis, the civic body requested them to comply with the COVID-19 guidelines for their own safety.

Interestingly, the ‘official’ COVID-19 data recorded by AMC underlined the fact that the transmission of nCoV had been curtailed in the city. But now, when citizens have become unworried about the virus, the civic body has reverted back to reporting actual COVID-19 numbers.

Ramrajya Nagar

Bhadra Street Market

Hatkeshwar Cross Road

Gujarat Commerce College

CTM Naka

CORRUPT OFFICIALS PUT A BRAKE ON BIZ: GUJ CHAMBER A MEET OF PRESENT AND PAST MEMBERS OF THE GUJARAT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WAS HELD RECENTLY Gargi Raval Ahmedabad: In a shocking revelation against the current bureaucratic system, members of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in a recently held virtual meeting alleged that corrupt officials had hindered business industries in the state.

Echoing their sentiment, Manish Doshi, Chief Spokesperson of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) said, “The state

Gujarat is at the 10th position in terms of ease in conducting business, due to the shoddy approach of the government.

With the nCoV pandemic in full-force, it may have further slipped five more rungs.

The chamber must bring this to the attention of the state.

The industrial policy which is on paper should be implemented.

There are many issues which have not been resolved due to rampant bribing and corruption.

Several industrial houses are leaving Gujarat as industrial policy commands different interpretations at each table/office.

—Natu Patel, GCCI President

which used to be at the top in terms of industrial businesses no longer holds the same position due to misman-

—Pankaj Patel, former president of GCCI

A high-powered committee should be formed to make industry related policies of the state.

—Rajendra Shah, member of GCCI

The government is in a deep slumber and needs to wake up. What it doesn’t realize is that the new Goonda Act will increase blackmailing incidents in the state. Also, the government should stop harassing industries by calling them out in the name of the environment.

—Shankar Patel, former GCCI chief

agement and new policies favouring a group of businesses.”

Doshi alleged that there had been no ease

in conducting business in Gujarat, a fact which he believed was true only on paper.

“Gujarat ranked high

among states where businesses thrived but was pushed down to number 10 as on March 2020. I fear that it might have dropped a few more rungs in the last few months.

But, it is heartening to see that GCCI members recognized the government’s paralyzed policies,” asserted Doshi.

Several postholders and former presidents of the GCCI admitted that ‘a few corrupt officers’ had not been allowing business industries to function smoothly.

“In the meeting, some of the leaders said that there was a need for a waste disposal policy and that the single window system was not being implemented. The issue of interest and moratorium has also remained at a standstill,” said Doshi.

02

SMC must file criminal complaint against Muktidham trustees, says Modhwadia First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Former Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Arjun Modhwadia has demanded that Surat Municipal Corporation file a criminal complaint against trustees of the Muktidham Hindu Smashanbhumi Trust, which is facing allegations of misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs4 crore. He also asked that the local civic body take over possession of the land in Limbayat area of Surat, where it had been constructing a crematorium since the past five years.

Modhwadia alleged that the SMC has not been initiating action against the trust mem-

Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia

bers intentionally because all trustees belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“These trustees have siphoned off Rs4.04 crore of public funds but, the municipal corporation has been a mute spectator,” stated Modhwadia.

He added, “It is a shame that incumbent BJP MLAs on the trust have embezzled taxpayers’ money. They did not feel ashamed while pocketing funds meant for the construction of

a crematorium. Former councillor Nitin Bharucha had even presented all the evidence regarding the embezzlement but the corporation has not taken any action.”

The leader also stated that SMC must take over possession of the land and start construction work by itself. He advised that the civic body should recover the money embezzled from the trustees.

Promoted by Limbayat MLA Sangeeta Patil, BJP councillor Chhotubhai Patil and others partial to the BJP, the trust has succeeded in building only a few pillars of the crematorium. An explanation about the misappropriation of funds has also been sought by SMC Leader of Opposition Praful Togadia.

BREAK FROM TRADITION

125-YEAR-OLD GARUD GARBI WILL NOT BE HELD THIS YEAR l The event, which was to be held in Rajkot, has been cancelled due to nCoV First India Bureau Rajkot: For the first time in 125 years, the historic Garud Garbi will not be organized in the Ramnathpara area of Rajkot on Navratri this year. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic

and rising cases in Rajkot, organizers have been forced to cancel the event.

According to sources, the Garud Garbi has history as well as belief of locals attached to it. People from across the city and even from sur-

Still from a Garud Garbi celebration.

—FILE PHOTO

rounding areas come to participate or witness the Garbi every year.

Lakhajirajsinh Thakore Saheb, the princely ruler of Rajkot flagged off the Garbi around 125 years ago. Locals believe that Goddess Jagdamba comes down from Darbargadh to participate in the Garbi. In order to please her, a wooden Garud is prepared and brought down to the chowk with the help

of ropes. Children are encouraged to sit on the garud, especially girls, and they are ‘flown’ down the street. It is believed that if a child sits on the garud, they do not fall ill ever, because of the blessings bestowed upon them by Goddess Jagdamba.

A few very popular folk dances such as raas and garba are part of the Garud Garbi celebrations. Crowd favourites at the event

include masaal and trishul raas as well as plays enacting demon Mahisasur’s demise, Lord Krishna and gopis, vanars.

With a constantly evolving version of the garba explored each year, the Garud Garbi tradition has remained unchanged through time. Despite hi-tech events organized every Navratri, this event has always managed to attract a huge audience.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

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03

PRESSURE FROM OUTRAGED COMMUNITY FORCED POLICE INTO ACTION; ACCUSED UNDERGOING INTERROGATION

IG FORMS SIT, ONE NABBED IN DALIT ADVOCATE MURDER CASE First India Bureau

Gandhidham: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by border range Inspector General (IG) JR Mothaliya to investigate the murder of a Dalit advocate. An arrest has also been made by Kutch East police, after members of the Dalit community took to the streets to pressurize the police into action.

On Friday evening, Dalit advocate Devjibhai Maheshwari was stabbed to death in Rapar town of Kutch district. The murder sent shockwaves in the Dalit

Dalit youths blocking the Rapar-Adesar Highway protesting police inaction.

community which demanded the arrest of the accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) for the third consecutive day on Sunday. Outraged Dalit youths blocked the Rapar-Adesar high-

way causing a massive traffic jam.

Kutch East Superintendent of Police Mayur Patil said that one of the accused named Bharat Rawal was nabbed in less than 24 hours from the time of

Ahmedabad returns to top nCoV spot in state

the crime.

In response to the Dalit community’s outrage at the murder, the SIT will be headed by IG Mothaliya himself. Other members of the SIT include Kutch (East)

SP Mayur Patil, Investigation officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police VR Patel, Patan Deputy Superintendent of Police JT Sonara, Rapar Circle Police Inspector DM Zala, Rapar Police Sub-Inspector CB Rathod and Anjar Police SubInspector MM Joshi.

The victim’s wife has named 11 people in the FIR lodged for her husband’s murder. According to her allegations, Devjibhai was murdered because a plot of community hall land was sold to a Sodha family against the wishes of the Luhar and Suthar communities.

Illegal miners attack three members of family in Rapar First India Bureau Gandhidham: The state government may have passed new laws to strengthen the course of justice against criminals but, it has done little to invoke fear in criminals.

In Trambau village of Rapar taluka in Kutch district, three members of a family were attacked on Sunday morning by people allegedly involved in illegal mining.

According to a local resident, members of the Rajgaur family had tried to put a stop to illegal mining in the Suvi River. This endeavour had provoked illegal miners and they at-

Sukhdev, Vijay and Ashok Rajgaur being shifted to Adipur.

tacked Sukhdev Rajgaur, Vijay Rajgaur and Ashok Rajgaur with pipes, sticks and other weapons. All three sustained injuries in the altercation and were rushed to Rapar Hospital, where doctors on call referred them to Adipur’s Divine Life Hospital.

On the contrary, the

FIR filed by an officer at Rapar police station offers a toned down version of the incident. According to the officer, two men named Alam Ismail Node and Jasmin Node attacked three members of the Rajgaur family by pelting stones or similar objects on them, injuring them in the process.

12-year-old girl trapped in Pirana landfill, rescue op on

PEDALLING FOR A CAUSE

First India Bureau Gandhinagar: With 178 new cases, Ahmedabad city reclaimed the top spot of novel coronavirus cases in the state in a single day. Since the past three months, the city had been steady at the second position, as the city of Surat city clocked higher numbers.

It was not only the official data released on Sunday evening that indicated that Ahmedabad had returned to the top position in confirmed COVID-19 cases. Nodal Officer Rajiv Gupta hinted at the fact in the afternoon by sharing photos and a video about Amdavadis not adhering to social protocols. It was evident from the gesture that more people were contracting the virus in the city.

For almost three months’ time, the official data showed the COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad between 140 and 167 cases per day. According to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) COVID-19 dashboard, there are 3,810 active cases in the city.

A COVID-19 testing centre in Ahmedabad.

The city reported 178 cases in past 24 hours as Surat slipped down to the 2nd position

Of these, 1,950 cases are from West Ahmedabad, which incidentally accounts for 51.2% of the total active cases in the city.

Ahmedabad also declared seven more micro containment zones taking the total tally to 208.

On Sunday, the state conducted 60, 357 tests, with 1,411 results coming back positive. With 16,660 active cases, 86 patients are on ventilator support and 10 lost their battle with the virus in the past 24 hours. The deceased

patients belonged to Ahmedabad (3), Surat and Vadodara (two each), Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Junagadh (one each).

Surat district reported 269 cases, of which, 160 were from the city and 109 from rural areas. The district has 2,489 active cases, of which, 154 patients are undergoing treatment at the New Civil Hospital and SMIMER. The city of Vadodara tested 4,226 samples, with 124 results coming back positive. Other cases were reported in Rajkot (171), Jamnagar (99), Mehsana (52), Bhavnagar (47), Gandhinagar (45), Banaskantha (36), Kutch and Surendranagar (34 each), Amreli (30), Junagadh (29) and Patan (26).

Cycling enthusiasts participated in an awareness drive about Ahmedabad’s Smart City mission from Nehrunagar area to the Sabarmati Riverfront in the city on Sunday morning.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Diamond unit sealed in Katargam, after three workers test nCoV +ve First India Bureau Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has sealed a diamond polishing unit in Katargam area on Sunday, after three workers were found to be infected with novel coronavirus, a civic official said on Sunday. Another unit of the Surya Vandana building was fined Rs1,000 for violating COVID-19 guidelines.

The SMC had carried out Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) on workers of polishing units in Katargam locality, a diamond industry hub.

Surya Vandana building in Katargam area, where the unit is located.

Test results revealed on Sunday indicated that three employees at the diamond unit of Surya Vandana had contracted the virus. Following the revelation, SMC officials leaped into action and sealed the unit

off completely. All workers were ordered to be quarantined by the civic body.

Diamond units which were closed during the nationwide lockdown imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

but were allowed to operate with lesser restrictions in August.

However, nCoV cases that were at a standstill in localities such as Katargam, Varachha for the past one month started rising slowly. As most of the diamond units are located here, workers who started returning back to work were the most vulnerable group likely to be infected with the virus.

As per the municipal corporation record, more than 1.50 lakh migrant people have reached the city to resume work so far.

CARING FOR THE MIND

7.40 % of state population ill of health mentally: CAG The annual report criticized the lack of proper infrastructure for mental health patients in the state as health budget allocation stands at 0.50% l

First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report released by the central government has strongly criticized the inadequate infrastructure for treatment of people suffering from mental disorders/diseases in the state.

Calling it out for a dearth of public health facilities and implementation of mental health schemes, the report

noted that according to the National Mental Health Survey 2015-16, over 7.40% of the total state population over the age of 13 was afflicted with one or more mental disorders.

With the budget for treatment of psychiatric disorders and public health facilities in the region commanding just 0.50% of the overall health budget of the state, the condition of mental health facilities is abysmal.

The CAG report also

noted that despite having a higher suicide rate than the national average of 10.60 people per one lakh of the population, the state’s health machinery has failed to provide healthcare services to individuals suffering from mental health issues.

More than 50% vacancies for doctors at psychiatric hospitals in the state lie unfilled. Furthermore, the patients who do manage to seek treatment have to stay in a psychiatric hospital for five years due to

lack of rehabilitation centres.

With 84% of public awareness campaigns floated by the state government failing, the CAG report pointed out that there was no plan of action in place to create awareness about mental health at the state or district level. In fact, the information disseminated through educational material until now had been distributed by a nodal agency deputed by the government.

JCB machines at work to find the missing girl at Pirana landfill.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: After a minor girl went missing at the Pirana landfill site on Saturday evening, a rescue operation heralded by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the city fire department has been underway. It has been more than 20 hours since she got crushed under a pile of garbage, but the 12-year-old girl hasn’t been found yet.

Two sibling ragpickers got trapped under a pile of garbage after a huge load of rubbish tumbled down from above the spot where the pair was at work.

While the 9-year-old boy managed to find his way out with help from fire department personnel, there was no sign of the missing girl.

According to reports, while the brother and sister pair was weaving through the garbage late on Saturday evening, both of them were crushed under a pile of garbage. The fire brigade was immediately informed about the incident and rescued the brother late at night. Fire teams have continued searching for the girl by removing garbage with the assistance of JCB machines.

Since the landfill is very large, it may prove to be difficult for officials to locate the child due to the enormous build-up of toxic gas.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

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COMMON SENSE A UNIQUE INTELLIGENCE

IN-DEPTH

PM HAILS WHILE AKALIS & FARMERS ATTACK FARM BILLS

I

n his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded farmers for their efforts to make India self-reliant.

The farmers, he said, are now empowered they can now sell their products anywhere and to anyone and grow the crops of their choice and also demand a price of their choice.

The choice of topic for Sunday’s radio talk was obvious. On Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party’s oldest ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, broke its ties with the National Democratic Alliance, of which it was a founding member, after 24 long years over the controversial farm Bills passed by parliament. The break-in ties came a week after Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned as Union minister. The Akalis’ decision came after a three-hour-long meeting.

Also, farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Kerala went on the warpath over the farm Bills which got the President of India’s assent on Sunday.

Farmers continued to squat on railway tracks in Amritsar, unmoved by Modi’s Mann ki Baat. They got support from villagers and local gurdwaras which provided them with “langar”. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti demanded that all 13 MPs from Punjab should resign but it is doubtful if those from the BJP, Congress, and AAP would heed the demand.

Farmers, who apprehend that the farm reform Bills would leave them at the mercy of corporates, will continue their stir till September 29. Train services remain disrupted because of the rail roko. They claimed that their protest was not instigated by any political party. In fact, they told all politicians to stay out of their agitation.

Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Saturday that the “government’s decision on the farm Bills is deeply injurious to the interests not only of farmers, but also the khet mazdoor (farm labour), traders, arhatiyas (commission agents) and the Dalits who depend on the well-being of agriculture.

While Akali Dal leaders were angry with the BJP for “riding roughshod” over them, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described it “a desperate move” as Badals had no alternative left.

Amid these developments, the prime minister stood his ground and hailed the legislations and stood his ground in the 68th edition of his radio talk. He said that the revocation of Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees will benefit the farmers all over the country. Modi had earlier blamed the Opposition of “lying to farmers” but Sarwan Singh Pandher, Punjab unit secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti said that they have read the ordinances and that the changes were incorporated at the behest of corporate houses.

With the Bills getting the presidential nod the Opposition has been dealt with another blow as it had requested the President to withhold his consent. Earlier eight opposition MPs were suspended for their conduct in the Rajya Sabha.

REKHA KUMAR The writer is a personal development trainer working with corporate sector and government departments

A

Common sense enables us to do more than simply follow a set of detailed instructions or rules. Rather than believing everything we hear, it is best to take time out to examine all available facts and never take a one-sided view of matters.

It helps us to be cautious and be open to suggestions from others in all aspects of life

new breed of super-smart computers are intricate systems that have specialized knowledge encoded in their data banks. They have some problem-solving ability; can perform difficult mathematical calculations in a fraction of time. But are they able to think? Can they understand the complexities of human reasoning?

More then a machine, we have the advantage to reason and make analogies. We can look at a problem from many different angles; can distinguish important data from what is irrelevant. We have no difficulty dealing with language concepts or with learning from experience. We have common sense.

‘Wow!’ we may say when a good idea comes to mind.

But just how we get the idea remains a mystery.

The word ‘sense’ is defined as the ability to perceive and understand. It is the ability to judge and decide with intelligence. Common sense requires that we use thinking ability.

Many persons let others do the thinking for them. They allow the media, their friends , or popular opinion to make decisions for them. Common sense is very rare in present times.

Common sense comes with time and is gained with experience and foresight. It requires thought and consistent effort to develop acute judgment and prudent behaviour. It can also be developed through observation and training. We can learn from our mistakes, and do things better over a period of time.

Being rigid is not a manifestation of common sense. It can save time and reduce the frustration that comes from doing things thoughtlessly. Persons, who have academic qualifications, but lack good judgment, make life harder for themselves.

They tire themselves out, yet accomplish nothing worthwhile.

Common sense enables us to do more than simply follow a set of detailed instructions or rules. Rather than believing everything we hear, it is best to take time out to examine all available facts and never take a onesided view of matters. It helps us to be cautious and be open to suggestions from others in all aspects of life.

Common sense can alert us to dangers and motivate us to plan ahead and avoid hasty reactions when provoked. It helps us to stay within the limits of our strength, find a reasonable balance, allowing us to get the necessary things accomplished without losing our peace.

Common sense enables us to take into account the long term as well as the immediate consequences of our actions. We will carefully consider our options before we act, especially when important decisions are to be made.

Some persons at times go to extremes – being guided either by rules or by conscience.

Those who see the weakness of one extreme, overreact by going to the other extreme. Rather than having rules on every matter, it is important to develop our internal faculties –

COMMON SENSE ENABLES US TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LONG TERM AS WELL AS THE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS

thinking ability, conscience, and common sense.

Conscience is the capacity to look at oneself and render a judgment about ourselves.

A person can say, ‘if something does not bother my conscience, it is all right.’ But a weak and misguided conscience can mislead us. By proper education and good association, it can be built up.

Our medicine cabinet can be stuffed with remedies. Does it make good sense to use medicines so freely? Medicine is a chemical that can alter the function of living tissue. Even the most beneficial medicines have side effects. Overuse and misuse of it can be avoided.

It makes sense, not to use

Getting education in the age of COVID-19 I

n a matter of months, the novel coronavirus has swept across the globe and entirely up-ended our understanding of normality.

Now, as the virus continues to rage and signs of a second surge are emerging even before the first has ended, we’re rethinking everything we’d assumed and hoped for at the start of the lockdowns. One of the bigger questions that educators, parents and students are having to face right now is how to return to school safely, if at all?

There’s a lot at stake behind the decision to return to classes this fall, especially if you are a college student hoping a degree would promise a better ca

04

reer. For many students, especially first-generation college students and those from immigrant families, a degree is a ticket to a better life. Having to put your education on hold simply may not be an option for those who are struggling to make ends meet and have limited resources, for whom a delay may easily become denial. Delays may mean that students won’t be able to find the resources to finance their degree at a later date or that life’s momentum will simply carry them further away from their dream of a college education. In fact, studies show that those who delay going to college by a year or more are 64% less likely to earn their degree.

And that can mean not only a loss of education but also a loss of a

tion of whether or not to return to school this fall is far from straightforward.

career. Fair or not, in an increasingly competitive job market, those college credentials might be the determining factor in getting the job that opens the door to the rest of your professional life.

But even at the entry level, they’re not just handing out tech jobs on the street corner. Even if you don’t complete a full undergraduate program,

you’re still going to need, at the very least, a good deal of training and, better still, a certification or two in software development, network administration, cybersecurity or a related field just to get your foot in the door. What all this boils down to is that for a college student trying to weigh up the present health risks against hopes and dreams of a professional future, the ques-

A QUESTION OF SAFETY As undeniably important as education is, health is even more so.

After all, pursuing education will mean very little if students contract the virus and have a bad outcome because of it. Studies are increasingly suggesting, for instance, that those who recover from more severe cases of COVID-19 may have significant long-term impacts, including cognitive and physical impairments that may linger or may even prove permanent.

But because we simply don’t know what the lasting effects of the virus may be, we also

don’t know how this might affect survivors’ future academic or professional life.

There’s no question that COVID-19 is a terrifying enemy. And the fear of the danger that it may pose to students, teachers, and their families is leading many to wonder if campuses should continue to be shuttered, at least through the start of the fall session. However, we are learning rapidly about this new pathogen, including how to identify unexpected symptoms and what kind of hygiene, isolation, and quarantine practices work best. When it comes to the question of school safety in the age of coronavirus, though many questions remain, we also have a lot of important answers.

a powerful drug when less potent ones will serve the purpose. For every little discomfort, we can avoid medicines if other remedies will work. Over-the-counter pain killers have shown adverse effects. Continual use of laxatives can be harmful; they can be replaced by non-medical measures – good eating habits and regular exercise.

We can heal ourselves with minimum medicines and maximum common sense.

Common sense is the art of knowing how to live with one another in peace. It is to say the right thing at the proper moment. It also reflects in our grooming and manner of eating. We can avoid eating in a way that is offensive to others.

Actions done in one’s own home cause us to commit errors when in the company of others.

To be thoughtful of others, to give attention to their feelings, is the essence of common sense. Such a person behaves properly at all times.

It is easy to smile and to be agreeable. To do the small and kind things for others. It is these little kind things we do each day for each other that promote the beauty of living for everyone.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Sustainability must be interwoven with tourism. We can collaborate our efforts to switch our prime tourist cities to 100% clean fuels.

This will further help protect our monuments and ensure a cleaner environment for the tourists. #WorldTourismDay KC Venugopal @kcvenugopalmp I was among the many MPs who witnessed the Chair’s highhandedness during the passage of the draconian anti-farmer Bills, curtailing Opposition’s democratic rights. Shri @digvijaya_28 & myself were both seated in the back row & demanded division of votes.

Spiritual SPEAK

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. —Buddha

SOURCE: FAIR OBSERVER

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Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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PM MODI PAYS TRIBUTES TO BHAGAT SINGH

‘A SYMBOL OF BRAVERY AND COURAGE’ New Delhi: A day before the 113th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to the freedom fighter and called him the symbol of bravery and courage.

Speaking at the 69th edition of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, the Prime Minister recalled the life of Bhagat Singh. “I want to take you down the memory lane.

This pertains to something that happened 101 years ago. In 1919, British rulers massacred innocent people at Jalianwala Bagh. After the massacre, a 12-yearold boy went to the incident spot and saw which was even beyond his imagination. He was shocked to see how can

—PHOTO BY ANI

“Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not only brave but also knowledgeable and a thinker,” the Prime Minister said WHERE THERE IS A SOUL, THERE’S A STORY: MODI New Delhi: Speaking at the 69th edition of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, the PM said that the country had a rich tradition of the art and spoke about some people who are contributing in the process. “There has been a thriving tradition of storytelling in India. We are proud that we are citizens of the country where there has been a tradition of ‘Hitopdesh’ and ‘Panchatantra’. In the stories, an imaginary world of animals and birds was created so that words of wisdom and intellect be made easily understood,” the PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Mann Ki Baat programme in New Delhi on Sunday.

anyone be so cruel. The innocent boy was quite furious. He swore to fight against British rule. Yes, I am talking about Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Tomorrow, on September 28, we will observe his birth anniversary. I join countrymen in bowing before Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the symbol of bravery

and courage,” the Prime Minister said.

“Can you imagine that the Britishers who rule a huge part of the world and it is said about them that the sun never set in their regime... such a powerful regime got scared of a 23-year-old man.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not only brave but

also knowledgeable and a thinker,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said whether “we become like Bhagat Singh or not but to have a love for the country like him and feeling to do something for the country like him would be our biggest tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

MHA to send 300 CAPF companies to Bihar New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to send 300 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies initially to Bihar for area domination to ensure peaceful conduct of polls.ITBP, CISF, CRPF, SSB, RPF and BSF companies of troops are supposed to reach Bihar soon.

The total number of COYS of CAPF to be deployed are as follows, CRPF 80, BSF 55, CISF 50, SSB 70, ITBP 30, and

RPF 15. Election Commission of India on Friday announced that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held in three phases with polling to take place on October 28, and November 3 and 7, and the counting of votes to take place on November 10.

The Assembly elections for 243 seats in Bihar are due in OctoberNovember and the tenure of the current Assembly is scheduled to end on November 29.

—ANI

CONG HAS BETRAYED TRUST OF FARMERS, YOUTH OF MP: SCINDIA Indore: Hitting out at Congress for calling him a ‘traitor,’ BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the opposition party has betrayed the trust of farmers, women and youth of the state.“Today, they (Congress) say that Jyotiraditya Scindia is a traitor. My question to them is that they had promised that within 10

days they will waive off the loans of farmers but why did that not materialise?” Scindia said while addressing a public meeting here. “It is the party that has betrayed the trust of farmers, they are not just unfaithful but they are traitors,” he added. MP govt has been giving Rs 25,000 under Kanyadaan Yojana, he said.

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen will hold a virtual bilateral summit today, Ministry of External Affairs said. MEA said that the summit is being hosted by India. India-Denmark bilateral relations are marked by regular high-level exchanges and are based on historical links, common democratic traditions, and shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability, MEA stated. An MoU on intellectual property cooperation between India and Denmark will be signed on the occasion.

—ANI

PM Modi strongly represented India’s culture to UN: Nadda New Delhi: Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday said that the former presented a strong representation of India’s culture and thinking to the United Nations.

“Prime Minister @ narendramodi in his address to the United Nations General Assembly today, presented a strong representation of India’s culture and thinking to the United Nations, which I welcome from the depths of the heart,” Nadda tweeted.

“Representing 130 crore Indians, Prime Minister @narendramodi ji spoke of making

—PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that northeastern culture is the jewel of Indian culture and without northeast, India and Indian culture are incomplete.

“Without northeast, India & Indian culture are incomplete. Indian culture can’t be completely imagined until the northeastern culture meets that of India because the northeastern culture is the jewel of Indian culture,” Shah said while inaugurating Destination North East 2020 fest via VC. Modi government is committed to development of northeastern states, he said.—ANI

Home Minister Amit Shah addresses during the inauguration of Destination North India 2020 via video conference, in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

As Home Minister I would like to tell all CMs and people of northeast that remaining problems will be resolved before 2024.

We want to make northeast a hub of IT, organic farming and education. I hope, we will work together for the better future of the states and its people.

—Amit Shah, Home Minister

‘No political talks held in meet with Raut’ Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that ‘no political talks held during his meeting with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut. ‘ “Sanjay Raut ji wanted to take my interview for Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamana. The meeting was held to discuss the same and I had put certain conditions, I wanted it to be published unedited. No political talks held during the meeting,” Fadnavis told ANI.

India a part of the decisive structure of the United Nations. India has always been in favour of peace, security and prosperity,” he tweeted.

“The PM in his address also spoke about the relevance of objectives of the United Nations in today’s time, assessment of achievements, the problem of terrorism and the global damage caused by it, Nadda said. —ANI

Northeastern culture is the jewel of Indian culture: Shah

GETTING BACK TO NORMALCY...

Locals enjoy shikara ride at Dal lake on the occasion of World Tourism Day, in Srinagar on Sunday.

MODI, DANISH PM TO HOLD VIRTUAL BILATERAL SUMMIT

05

He (Fadnavis) is a former CM. Also, he’s the leader of opposition in Maharashtra and Bihar Polls -in charge of BJP. There can be ideological differences but we are not enemies. CM was aware about our meeting.

—Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena leader Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that his party “does not have any discussion with the Shiv Sena to form the government.”

“There is no discus-

BIHAR: CONG GEARS FOR ‘MAHILA KRANTI SAMMELAN’ New Delhi: As women have been hailed as the ‘silent force’ behind CM Nitish Kumar’s electoral victories in Bihar, the Congress party has decided to woo them by launching ‘Mahila Kranti Sammelan’ ahead of the State Assembly polls. Party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address this conference via virtual mode, which is likely to be held in second week of October. “We are preparing to hold a huge women’s conference. For this, we have sought time from Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Gandhi,” a top Congress said.

sion of the coalition.

There is no need for it.

People are angry with the way this government is working. We are working as a strong opposition. The day this

government will collapse, we will answer how will we provide an alternate government.

We are not in hurry to form the government,” Fadnavis said.

INDIA, JAPAN NAVAL EXERCISE JIMEX-2020 BEGINS IN ARABIAN SEA New Delhi: Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships conducted operations in close formation at JIMEX-2020, the 4th edition of India-Japan Maritime bilateral exercise.It is being held in the North Arabian Sea from September 26 to 28. The 4th edition of India-Japan maritime bilateral exercise

JIMEX, which is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime SelfDefense Force (JMSDF) will be held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020.

JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that he met former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to discuss certain issues —ANI

Bird hit forces IndiGo’s flight to return Mumbai: An IndiGo flight operating from Mumbai to Delhi had to turn back after a bird hit on Sunday.

“IndiGo flight 6E 5047 operating from Mumbai to Delhi had to turn back to Mumbai due to a bird hit,” said IndiGo in a press statement. An alternative aircraft was arranged to operate the flight from Mumbai to Delhi. “We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers,” IndiGo stated. —ANI

ENCOUNTER BREAKS OUT IN JAMMU& KASHMIR’s AWANTIPORA Pulwama: An encounter broke out at Samboora area of Awantipora on Sunday, said Kashmir Zone Police, while informing about the incident.

Police and security forces are on the job. Further details are awaited, police informed. On September 24, on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in the Machama area of Awantipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched

by Awantipora Police, 42 Rashtriya Rifles, and 180 Battalion CRPF in the said area following which one terrorist was killed.

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India’s total recoveries close to 50L The single-day recoveries on an average for the last few days have been more than 90,000, the ministry said underlining New Delhi: A total of 92,043 people have recuperated from COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, taking India's total recoveries close to 50 lakhs and exceeding the active cases of coronavirus infection by 39,85,225, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The single-day recoveries on an average for the last few days have been more than 90,000, the ministry said underlining, “This high rate of daily recoveries has sustained India's leading global position as the country with the maximum number of recovered cases.”

A total of 92,043 recoveries have been registered in a span of 24 hours in the country, while 88,600 new infections were recorded during the same period, according to the data updated at 8 am.

“Maintaining its upward trend, the national recovery rate presently has risen to 82.46 per cent,” the ministry highlighted.

As many as 21 states and UTs have reported higher numbers of new recoveries than the new cases, the ministry said.

A total 76 per cent of

Kshitij Ravi Prasad sent to NCB custody till Oct 3

Kshitij Ravi Prasad

Mumbai: The Esplanade Court here on Sunday sent Executive Producer Kshitij Ravi Prasad, who was arrested by the NCB on Saturday to the bureau’s custody till October 3.

Prasad was produced before Esplanade Court here today after being arrested by in connection with the alleged drug abuse nexus in Bollywood. The NCB had launched an investigation into the drugs case after it received official communication from the ED, which was investigating the money trail related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.

76 pc of new recovered cases reported from 10 States, UTs: Ministry

A doctor checks a patient at CWG village COVID-19 Care Centre, near Akshardham in New Delhi, Sunday.

the new recovered cases are found in 10 states and UTs --Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, Delhi Chhattisgarh, Kerala and West Bengal.

Maharashtra continues to top this list. It has alone contributed more than 23,000, the ministry said. As India records more recoveries than the new cases, the gap between the recovered cases and active cases is nearly 40 lakh (39,85,225).

“The number of active patients has been below 10 lakh for several successive days. The active caseload is merely 15.96 per cent of the total caseload,” the ministry said.

India still far from achieving herd immunity against Covid: Vardhan New Delhi: Indian population is still far from achieving herd immunity against COVID-19 as shown by ICMR second Sero Survey, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.

While interacting with social media users during Sunday Samvaad-3, Dr Vardhan said: “The findings of the second sero survey are going to be released soon. But second sero survey indications are that we are far from having achieved any kind of herd immunity

Dr Harsh Vardhan

which necessitates that all of us should continue following COVID appropriate behaviour.” “ICMR is also actively investigating and researching reports of reinfection

Cong dares BJP allies JDU, LJP & JJP to oppose Centre Chandigarh: A day after the Shiromani Akali Dal exit the NDA, the Congress on Sunday dared BJP allies JDU, LJP and JJP to oppose the Centre and not to support the agriculture Bills, which it alleged were like cancer and slow poison that will kill farmers and farming.

At a joint virtual press conference, Congress' Haryana chief Kumari Selja and Punjab president Sunil Jakhar urged all parties to come together and oppose the farm Bills while asking the Centre to take back the legislations, saying these will make farmers slaves of big businessmen .

The two Congress leaders also urged the President not to grant his assent to the Bills as farmers are on the roads against them.

Selja and Jakhar said

—PHOTOS BY PTI

Farmers block railway tracks during Rail Roko Andolan against the central govts introduced farm bills, at Devi Dass Pura village.

NDA allies should support the opposition parties, the same way they extended support against the Land Acquisition Bill, which the BJP-led Union government was forced to withdraw.

On the Shiromani Akali Dal's exit from the NDA, Jakhar said the party did not quit the ruling coalition of its own. It was forced to do so by farmers, who made it difficult for the Akalis to enter Punjab

without doing so, he said.

Jakhar said the Akalis had only staged a drama of first quitting the Union cabinet and then the alliance as the BJP openly said that they were very much party to the clearing of the Bills in the cabinet.

“The resignation by the Akali minister was not given but taken by the BJP and the Akali Dal did not quit the NDA of its own but were thrown out, he claimed.

ha and elected to the Rajya Sabha five times.

After India conducted the nuclear tests in 1998, and the US imposed sanctions on India, Singh was the lead negotiator for talks with the then US deputy secretary of state, Strobe Talbott. The two-year negotiations paved the way for the visit of the then US President Bill Clinton, considered to be a turning point in IndiaUS relations.

the Congress party by this. “Take 2017 assembly polls. Wherever Vaghela’s men contested, they only spoiled Congress’ chances,” Patel asserted. Political analysts also claim that the purpose of Vaghela’s joining the NCP was to sabotage Congress’ chances since the party never made him a chief minister candidate or hand over the reins of the party.

and although the number of reinfection cases is negligible at this moment, the government is fully seized of the importance of the matter,” added the health minister.

Ladakh group calls off council poll boycott New Delhi: An influential organisation of Ladakh Sunday withdrew its call for a boycott of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council polls in Leh after the Centre assured its demands for protection of local language, jobs, land and demography will be considered.

Home Minister Amit Shah also assured a delegation of the People's Movement for Constitutional Safeguard Under Sixth Schedule for Ladakh that the Central government is committed to empower the LAHDC of Leh and Kargil and would protect the interests of the people of the Union Territory.

New Delhi: A total of 92,043 new COVID-19 recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.

The Ministry informed that 76 per cent of the new recovered cases are from 10 States and Union Territories.

“92,043 new recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country. 76 per cent of the new recovered cases are found in 10 States and UTs,” said the Ministry.

Maharashtra has contributed more than 23,000 COVID-19 recoveries, followed by Andhra Pradesh with more than 9,000 cases.

While 77 per cent of the newly reported cases were from 10 States and UTs. Maharashtra continues to lead this tally and contributed more than 20,000 cases followed by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh

A doctor checks a patient at CWG village COVID-19 Care Centre, near Akshardham in New Delhi, Sunday.

with more than 8,000 and 7,000 cases respectively.

“A total of 88,600 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country. 10 States/ UTs account for 77 per cent of the new confirmed cases, the Ministry added.

There have been 1,124 deaths in the past 24 hours and 38 per cent of these deaths were reported from Maharashtra with 430 deaths.

Satyendar Jain

Delhi’s Covid fatality rate less than 1% in last 10 days New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Sunday the COVID-19 fatality rate in the national capital was less than one per cent in the last 10 days and asserted that a massive increase in testing for detection of coronavirus infection has led to the rise in cases.

He said Delhi recorded 3,372 fresh cases on Saturday and 4,476 patients recovered within 24 hours.

About 46 deaths reported during the same period, which has been the highest in nearly 70 days, Jain said, “We do not look at the figures for a single day. The average fatality rate of the last 10 days has been 0.94 per cent.

“The patients who have succumbed are not those who tested positive in a day. These are people who tested positive 15-20 days back. That is why we take the average of 10 days,” he stressed.

Amend state laws to shield farmers from centre’s attack: Amarinder Chandigarh: Punjab will see whether it can amend state laws to protect farmers from any fallout of the centre’s move to pass three controversial agriculture bills, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said today.

“We are already consulting with legal and agricultural experts, and all those impacted by the central government’s calamitous legislations, to decide on the future course of action,” Amarinder Singh said in a statement.

All the three controversial farm bills that cost the ruling BJP its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal became laws on Sunday with the signature of President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Chief Minister said he will sit on protest on Monday at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of freedom

Captain Amarinder Singh

fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh, on his birth anniversary. This will be Amarinder Singh’s first public protest against the farm bills.

Amarinder Singh said it was unfortunate that President Kovind signed the three “unconstitutional and antifarmer bills without giving the congress and other opposition parties the opportunity to put their concerns before parliament.”

“The President’s assent comes as a big blow to farmers, who are out on the roads

protesting against the centre’s assault on their interests,” Amarinder Singh said.

“Implementation of these dangerous new laws in their current form would destroy Punjab’s agriculture the lifeline of its economy,” said Amarinder Singh, adding the “very livelihood of farmers was at stake due to these legislations, which the government had succeeded in imposing on the states and the farming community by brute majority.”

dip to minus 35 degrees in the night during winters coupled with highspeed freezing winds.

“The Fire and Fury Corps is the only formation of the Indian Army and also in the world to have actually deployed mechanised forces in such harsh terrain. The maintenance of the tanks, infantry combat vehicles and heavy guns is a challenge in this terrain. To ensure crew and equipment readiness, adequate arrangements are in place for both man and machine,” Major General Arvind Kapoor said.

The capability of In-

dian tank regiments, like the crossing of rivers and overcoming other obstacles, was on full display in the region where the Indus River flows all along the Eastern Ladakh sector.

“Mechanised infantry is the advanced part of the Indian Army. It has experience of working under any weather condition and any terrain. Due to features like high mobility ammunition and missile storage, it has the capability to fight for a longer duration,” said a tank soldier deployed at an altitude of 14,700 feet.—PTI

FROM PG 1 Jasol’s Jaswant...

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and other top leaders cutting across the political spectrum paid rich tributes to Singh. Jaswant Singh had strong ties with Rajasthan, which was his home state. Many leaders from Rajasthan took to Twitter to condole his death.

Singh—considered close to Vajpayee and veteran BJP leader LK Advani—was twice expelled from the party; in 2009, the parliamentary board of the BJP

expelled him after his book Jinnah-India, Partition, Independence was published. He rejoined the party after 10 months, but faced a second expulsion in 2014 when he defied party orders and challenged the BJP’s decision of not fielding him as a contestant from Barmer.

Often called “Atalji’s Hanuman,” Singh served on the cusp of historical change as well as an overhaul in domestic politics led by the inimitable Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Singh was a four-time member of the Lok Sab-

At 80,...

Senior journalist Dilip Patel is acerbic. He says Vaghela is trying to sabotage the prospects of

Ex-Bihar...

Ever since he took VRS weeks before the October- November assembly elections, there was speculation that he

could take the political plunge.

“Nitish Kumar ji personally called me and offered party membership with great love. I accepted it,” Pandey said.“I don’t know anything about politics. I will do what I am asked to do,” he told reporters.

Speculation is rife that he may be offered ticket to contest the assembly election from a seat in his native Buxar district. —PTI

Prez gives...

Calling it a “dark day”, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the President

refused to act as per the nation’s conscience.

“It’s really a dark day for India that the President has refused to act as the nation’s conscience. We were very hopeful that he would return these bills to Parliament for reconsideration as demanded by SAD and some other opposition parties,” Badal said.—Agencies

Indian Army... which can operate at temperatures up to minus 40 degree Celsius.

The Eastern Ladakh area witnesses the harshest winters where temperatures normally

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

JAIPUR METRO…

Inauguration of Phase 1B by Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister with Shanti Dhariwal and Pratap Singh Khachariyawas

HOW IT ALL STARTED (2009-2013) CABINET APPROVAL

DR GS SANDHU

THE WRITER IS A RETIRED IAS, RAJASTHAN He served as Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Housing during most of 2009-13.

W

ith the commissioning of Phase 1(B) of Jaipur Metro on 23rd September 2020 its entire first phase stands commissioned. It has been a long and remarkable journey of about 11 years. Both Sh Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister and Sh Shanti Dhariwal, Minister for Urban Development and Local Self Government have every reason to feel satisfied since they both had spearheaded the project. Personally for me there is a sense of great fulfillment as I have been intimately involved with it right from the beginning.

The vision behind this project was to initiate a pollution-free and efficient transport system for Jaipur city without waiting for another 10-15 years by which time the city would become too congested and the project too costly to be executed.

The then government headed by the present Chief Minister had assumed office in December 2008. After completing my deputation with the Central Government, I too joined the State in January 2009 as Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Local Self Government. At that juncture the BRTS project was being implemented in several cities of India as a game-changer for urban traffic. A Metro project for Jaipur looked like a far fetched dream.

One fine morning in February 2009 a statement of Dr E. Sreedharan, the Metro-man, appeared in the newspapers stating that Jaipur is now a fit case to have a Metro project. The occasion was his visit to Kota for receiving the honorary degree of D.Litt from Rajasthan Technical University. The timing of this news seemed just right and when it was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister he not only showed a keen interest but asked me to meet Dr Sreedharan at the earliest and explore the possibility of Metro for Jaipur city. This first green light heralded the start of the metro project. Meeting with Dr Sreedharan took place after a week in his office in New Delhi where he agreed to visit Jaipur to evaluate the project. On the scheduled date he, alongwith his team, visited Jaipur and took a round of the city. Since depot land was available only at Mansarover, he thought it would be a good idea to start the project from there. The same day in the meeting with the Chief Minister, it was agreed that DMRC would prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) which would include two Metro routesMansarover to Bari Choupar (12 Kms) and Sitapura to Ambawari (23 km).

AUGUST 5, 2010 : Agreement between JMRC and DMRC signed at Jaipur.

FEBRUARY 24, 2011 : Foundation Stone laying ceremony-Kamal Nath, Union Urban Development Minister and Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister.

SEPTEMBER18, 2013 : Flag Off ceremony of Phase 1A by Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 : Foundation laying ceremony of Phase 1B (Chandpole to Bari Chaupar) by Dr Manmohan Singh, seen here with Farooq Abdullah, Ashok Gehlot, Shanti Dhariwal and others.

JUNE 3, 2015 : Flag Off ceremony by Vasundhara Raje, the then Chief Minister.

CM Ashok Gehlot reviews progress of the first phase of Jaipur Metro Rail project.

MATTER BEFORE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT After a few months, armed with the DPR, the State Government approached Union Urban Development Ministry for their in-principle approval and financial assistance on the pattern of Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru Metro projects.

The Ministry expressed helplessness as they had exhausted their budget allocation and instead suggested that we may expand BRTS in Jaipur (by then BRTS was loosing its popularity with public anger against it in Delhi). When we approached Planning Commission they too declined to consider any central funding for Metro project. It was suggested that the way forward is to do it on the PPP model for which elaborate guidelines and legal documentation were available. In Hyderabad, L&T had been

awarded Metro project on PPP basis. When Dr Sreedharan was asked about the PPP model he (totally) rejected the idea. So the State Government was in a quandary for a few months. We realized that there were three different schools of thought prevailing in the Central Government at that time i) No new Metro project, only BRTS –Urban Development Ministry ii) Metro on PPP model- Planning Commission and iii) Metro with government funding - DMRC. We had informal discussions with officers in the Finance Ministry, they encouraged us to take up the project with state funding and thereafter approach Government of India. Our teams then visited Bangalore and Chennai to learn about their project models,both state-funded.

FOUNDATION STONE BY KAMAL NATH, THE THEN UNION MINISTER FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT

By the beginning of the year 2011, Sh Kamal Nath had taken over as the Union Minister for Urban Development. He was very supportive of the Metro projects and within a few days the long-awaited in-principle approval of the Union Government was received, much to the relief of the State Government. The Foundation-stone laying ceremony of Phase1A was held on 24th February 2011 and commissioning was done on 18th September 2013 exactly after 2 years and 7 months. DMRC claimed this to be the fastest metro project in India and second fastest in the world after Dubai Metro, which was completed in two years.

For the underground Phase1B work, State Government was able to get funding from ADB and foundation stone for this was laid

by Dr Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister on 21st September 2013.

After having completed the entire Phase1 project and gaining experience of operating the Metro, the State Government is now much better prepared to start the next phase of work.

(Today work on Metro projects is going on in several cities namely, Indore, Bhopal, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Pune, Coimbatore, Patna, Guwahati, Vishakhapatnam and Varanasi)

Discussions were then restarted with the State Finance Department and the Chief Secretary.

Their concern was to reduce the financial burden on the state exchequer. This was addressed by deciding that i) Phase 1 should be split up into 1A and 1B and initially only 1A to be taken up (Mansarover to Chandpole) ii) RIICO, RHB, JDA would each contribute Rs 100 crores being the major beneficiaries of the project iii) a Fund would be set up by pooling resources for meeting the recurring expenditure of Metro iv) some land could be used to offset the cost.

The State Cabinet took the call on 22nd April 2010 and decided that Phase 1 of the project be taken up with state funding. DMRC was appointed as the implementing agency for which an Agreement was signed with them on 5th August 2010. Dr Sreedharan’s conditions that State Government will not interfere in matters relating to i) the recruitment of personnel ii) awarding of contracts , were agreed and adhered to by the State Government.

MISSION MODE

Once the decision to execute the project was taken and DMRC appointed as the executing agency, work started on a mission mode. Every department and agency of government fully cooperated and assisted in the work. It is one of the few projects where each Department developed a feeling of ownership for the project and there was huge public support. Several court cases were filed against land acquisition but not a single stay was granted by the courts. One PIL went right up to the Supreme Court where it was summarily rejected in the first hearing itself with the Hon’ble Judges commenting that the petitioners should be happy that a Metro project is coming to their city.

IMPORTANT MILESTONES DPR by DMRC

January, 2010

Cabinet Approval

22nd April, 2010

Agreement between JMRC and DMRC signed at Jaipur

August 5th, 2010

Foundation Stone laying ceremony-Kamal Nath, Union Urban Development Minister and Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

February 24th, 2011

Flag Off ceremony of Phase 1A by Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

September18th, 2013

Flag Off ceremony by Vasundhara Raje, the then Chief Minister

June 3rd, 2015

Foundation laying ceremony of Phase 1B (Chandpole to Bari Chaupar) by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh September 21st, 2013 Inauguration of Phase 1B by Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

September 23rd, 2020

Have the patience to learn, understanding will come sooner or later. In a rush to understand we sometimes forget to learn.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

10,00,588 3,32,12,069 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 35,191 DEATHS 13,21,176 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

TAMIL NADU 9,313 DEATHS 5,80,808 CASES

INDIA

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

KARNATAKA 8,582 DEATHS 5,75,566 CASES

Haresh Jhala

CASE HISTORY

everyone waiting while the judge had pointed questions regarding the investigation.

The court was hearing the bail application of one of the accused Sunil Sosa and wanted to conduct the proceedings in presence of the Investigation Officer in view of certain critical issues raised by the defence lawyer.

There were pointed

Gambler dies of heart attack in police custody First India Bureau Ahmedabad: A gambler, who was detained on Saturday night, died in the Vejalpur police custody reportedly after cardiac arrest even before he was declared arrested. An inquiry would be conducted, a senior official said.

The State monitoring cell had conducted raids at a gambling den in Vejalpur and detained 7 persons. They were brought to the Vejalpur police station and an offence was lodged. Since they had to undergo corona tests, they were not officially

arrested.

On Sunday morning, accused Abdul Shaikh complained of chest pain and the 108 ambulance service was called. The paramedical staff on the ambulance declared him dead because of cardiac arrest.

A senior police officer told mediapersons that Shaikh was suffering from throat cancer and under treatment.

His body will be sent for post mortem and a detailed inquiry conducted. His family, however, alleged that he would have survived if given timely treatment.

questions for the investigating officer. The key issue was when the FIR spoke of theft of Rs 29.22 lakh, the chargesheet mentioned only over Rs 19 lakh recovered from 2 accused persons, including prime accused Vipul Patel and nothing about the rest of the money stolen from the ATM. The chargesheet, curiously, does not mention anything about the

—FILE PHOTO

rest of the money -whether recovered or search is on. The defence lawyer made a serious allegation of malpractices against the investigating officer while probing the case.

Another moot question was how could Vipul Patel, named as the prime accused in the case, could be termed an approver and his statement recorded under

Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The defence lawyer called this “completely illegal.”

Surat SP(Rural) Usha Rada told First India, “I haven’t received official communication. Once we peruse it, a departmental inquiry will be conducted by a DySP- level officer.”

First India Bureau

Government Medical College and Hospital, Surat. —FILE PHOTO

Temple near Udhna Canal road around 1 a.m. when the incident happened.

They said TRB jawan Ganesh and 2 others were also present at the tea stall.

Ganesh asked Ankit for a matchbox. When Ankit was pulling it out from his pocket Ganesh suddenly got angry and started abusing him. Both the students apolo-

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN 1,441 DEATHS 1,28,859 CASES

Coast Guards rescue crew from sinking ship First India Bureau Okha: In a valiant effort around Saturday midnight, the Indian Coast Guards rescued 13 crew members from a sinking cargo vessel, MSV Krishna Sudama, in the Arabian Sea, about 10 nautical miles from Okha port off the Gujarat coast.

It was around 9 pm on Saturday when the captain of the ship sent distress messages to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Okha about flooding on board the cargo vessel.

It had set sail from Mundra in Kutch on Saturday morning for Djibouti in East Africa with 905-tonne cargo comprising rice and sugar. ICG said in a statement later that the rescued persons had been brought to Okha.

On receiving the information, a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched with “Coast Guard Ship C-411 sailing from Okha,

TWO MBBS STUDENTS INJURED IN A CLASH WITH TRB JAWAN IN SURAT Surat: Two MBBS students attached to the Government Medical College here were injured in an assault by a traffic brigade (TRB) jawan and his 2 accomplices well past midnight on Saturday following a tiff over giving a matchbox.

According to a complaint lodged with the Salabatpura police station by the students, Ravi Kumar Meena and Ankit Gurjar, they had gone to have tea at Rokadia Hanuman

DEATHS

DELHI 5,235 DEATHS 2,71,114 CASES

FIR says Rs 29.22 lakh stolen, chargesheet mentions only ` 19 lakh missing

A theft took place at the ICICI Bank ATM in Palsana in Surat district in July 2020.

GUJARAT

94,101 60,50,875 3,419 1,33,219

SURAT ATM THEFT: Needle of suspicion points to cop Surat: Even as rural towns in Surat district have emerged as hotspots for ATM break-ins, the sensational Rs 29.22 lakh theft case from an ICICI Bank ATM in Palsana town has become curiouser with the needle of suspicion pointing towards none other than the investigating officer.

Police sources said a departmental inquiry was likely to be ordered against Palsana Police Sub-Inspector CM Gadhvi for his allegedly suspicious role and his misconduct in the district court.

What seemed to have confirmed the suspicion was when the PSI sought permission for absence for a few minutes from the Surat District and Sessions Court and disappeared for over 3 hours on Saturday. The court was livid since Gadhvi was keeping

08

gized but the jawan and 2 others started beating them. They won’t stop despite requests.

During this, the bracelet on Ganesh’s hand struck Ankit on his head and he started bleeding profusely. But the thrashing continued and the 3 even threatened to kill the students before fleeing from the spot.

Ravi and Ankit were then admitted to the government hospital for treatment and they subsequently lodged the police complaint.

Coast Guards rescued all crew members of sunken ship off Guj coast.

‘MSV Krishna Sudama’ had set off for Djibouti in East Africa with 905-tonne cargo containing rice and sugar

C-161 was diverted from off Mundra and MV Southern Robin in the vicinity of the area was diverted to render assistance,” ICG officials said.

An ICG statement said the, “Coast Guard ship C-411 arrived in the approximate position indicated by Southern Robin and

undertook an extensive search. After a thorough search C-411 located the craft carrying 12 crew who had abandoned MSV Krishna Sudama that was sinking.

The rescue effort was undertaken under challenging circumstances owing to “night hours, floating dangerous debris, and unfavorable weather conditions,” ICG said.

The Coast Guard Ship C-161 has been retained there to monitor and combat any probable oil pollution incident from leakage of fuel from the sunken dhow.

Over 150 people donate blood to Thalassemia-hit kids First India Bureau Ahmedabad: When Covid-19 seems to have outpaced all other diseases, there have been complaints of blood shortage for non-Covid patients especially children suffering from Thalassemia.

Rising to the occasion, Ahmedabad-based Jeevan Charitable Trust and Indian Red Cross Society jointly organised a blood donation camp for Thalassemia-hit children at the former’s Dudheshwar Road office.

Nilesh Jani, a trustee of Jeevan Trust, said, “Even in these tough times, more than 150 people donated blood for the cause. We want to ensure no child with Thalassemia suffers because of blood shortage.”

Another trustee of Jeevan Charitable Trust, Jayesh Purohit, said it was heartening to see the enthusiastic response of the people for the cause of Thalassemia affected children as well as the support from the Red Cross Society.

NAVRATRI BLUES

Businesses limp as world’s longest dance festival skids to halt With Navratris off this time, ethnic wear makers suffer



First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Even as the Gujarat Government has already cancelled its Navratri garba, touted as the world’s longest dance festival, and other popular venues may either remain closed or celebrate the 9-day events on a low key, local vendors are in a deep crisis.

The most worried

among them perhaps are the vendors at the famous Law Garden street market of ethnic wear and handicrafts in Ahmedabad.

During festivals like Navratri and Diwali, the sale of traditional chaniya cholis and handicraft items increases exponentially not only with local buyers but also Indian and foreign tourists crowding the place.

The sellers are poor artisans and traders from North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch who have settled in the eastern suburbs in Ahmedabad. Besides them, there are boutique owners in various cities who have also been hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

Expressing disappointment over a business setback, a local shopkeeper at the Law Garden market said, “Navaratri festival boosts our sales, but this time it won’t be or-

Ethnic wear artisans and sellers at Law Garden are a harried lot.

ganised. People are not buying lehengas or oth-

er stuff which used to be profitable for us.”

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Similarly, boutique owner Jasdeep in Su-

rat said, “Navratri is one of the festivals whose preparation starts right from January-February, we procure the fabric and start designing keeping in mind the need of the market.

This year has been unfortunate and we are not sure what to expect out of the festival.”

Jewellery business has also been simultaneously hit by the pandemic. “Navratri brings an annual big sale opportunity for our jewel-

lery business, we hold back to back exhibitions, but this time everything has been cancelled and our business is suffering,” handmade jewellery vendor Deval Bhutti said.

Surat Deputy Mayor Nirav Shah said, “Due to the circumstances caused by the pandemic, the glorious festival of Navratri may not be organised with the usual grandeur. We have to be careful and avoid public gathering.”

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09

AHMEDABAD, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Sumitra Godara

(From left) Sumitra Godara, Archana Lodha, Isha Agarwal and Tanu Chaudhary

Gaurav Gaur with the Jodhpur finalists of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020

Beauty with Brains

WHAT THE FINALISTS FROM JODHPUR HAVE TO SAY:

City First introduces the Top 4 winners of the Jodhpur auditions of ‘Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020’, who will now be competing with the other participants in the Pink City very soon!

SWATI JANGID cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

E

lite Miss Rajasthan 2020, one of the renowned beauty pageants in the state,

ISHA AGARWAL

started its first auditions from the Blue City of Rajasthan, Jodhpur.

A total of 150 girls registered themselves for the auditions in the city, from which the judges selected the Top 4 winners- Archana Lodha, Isha Agarwal, Tanu Chaudhary and Sumitra Godara. These win-

Focus on present and prepare yourself for your desired future.

Modeling is my dream and Elite is my present platform for which I will give my best.

SUMITRA GODARA

Never let your dreams go, live your dreams the best way you can. Don’t underestimate yourself for any reason. I want to become a super model and represent India.

ners were selected on the bases of their confidence, attitude, cat-walk, selfpresentation, and communication skills among many other things. The event was organised on 20 September, at Hotel Radisson Blue, Jodhpur.

In order to follow all the safety precautions, the bio-

TANU CHAUDHARY

bubble system was maintained during the event.

Maintaining social distancing was the utmost priority, and wearing a mask was strictly followed by everyone during the auditions.

Director of Elite Miss Rajasthan, Gaurav Gaur stated, “It was a successful

Belonging from a orthodox family background can’t stop me to become a super model. I have started my journey and promised myself to achieve my dreams. Elite is my biggest opportunity and I will give my best to become the winner of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020.

event with necessary precautions being our utmost priority.

The top 4 contestants have been selected from Jodhpur and seeing the amazing response from the participants, we are even more excited for our upcoming auditions in Udaipur.”

ARCHANA LODHA

Modeling is my passion and my parents says live your passion. I want to represent India as Miss India and Elite is my first step towards my pinnacle of success.

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AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

10

All About Life:

SERENDIPITY! MARIAM ABUHAIDERI

I

have always liked Jaipur and animals, but never really realized that the two would come together. My trip to Jaipur was spontaneously planned as I desperately needed a break from the hustle of Pune. Little did I know then that I would be stranded in Jaipur and end up moving here for work!

And I ain’t referring to some boring corporate work that pays a fat check but has no substance. This is work that I believe is what ensures I can go to bed feeling content, work that is pleasing to my conscience, and work that I believe is my purpose in life: Serving animals, translating their voice so humans can understand, and contributing towards the creation of a world where we can all peacefully coexist.

I came to Jaipur and one thing led to the next and here I am living a life of fulfillment despite the no-sohefty paycheck. No complaints. The feeling of helping animals surpasses any monetary gains. I got involved with animal feeding and rescue. The street dogs that lived outside the gates of the hostel where I resided for the first few months of the lockdown were my only friends. They made my lockdown days quite interesting and happy. So I never complained except about not having packed enough clothes!

Gradually they introduced me to their other feeders. I was added to so many WhatsApp groups and went on so many rescue drives. I had finally found my calling! And in a manner of speaking, all of it was absolute serendipity!

This brings me to the point I want to make, a hefty

Mariam Abuhaideri

FA CE OF TH ED AY

paycheck does not guarantee peace of mind and neither is it analogous to happiness. You have to identify your calling. And despite the common belief that drives us to chase our dreams, let the dream comes to you. And you would know because everything falls into place. You will attract what is meant for you into your life, but you must also have the sense to embrace it. Gosh, I am beginning to sound a lot like someone who has just read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

The paycheck didn’t mat-

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ter. I live in a beautiful apartment just as I had imagined in my subconscious mind and I have some of the best colleagues and have built a beautiful life here in the Pink City. Everything fits just right as though it was all waiting for me.

But my words are guided by my experience. The lockdown has offered us a lot of time to reflect and while many have lost a lot of their earnings and sanity, others have managed to unearth their true calling. People have been wondering why the lockdown hasn’t taken a

ARIES

TAURUS

These days taking your family out on a rejuvenating trip isn’t possible right now but having fun at home is so don’t miss the chance to smile. You will start getting good returns from your business in a matter of time but you should focus on making it bigger.

Get ready to say goodbye to your problems bugging you for so long as you will finally change your outlook towards the problems. Be careful about how you want to invest your money and take professional advice if you need to as it would be more favourable. You will get fame.

while to recover from it. To be honest I am not sure if I have completely healed. I worked on campaigns where I had tears as I was typing up reports and content because the story was so gruesome. I have to deal with people who I believe need psychiatric treatment.

People who I wish I could bring to justice and give them a taste of their own

GEMINI

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

You should not spend your majority of time in worrying about the future because good days will be surely back soon, nothing lasts forever and so won’t coronavirus . Be optimistic in life and always respect everyone’s opinions as you cannot be always right.

The only way that you will overcome your weaknesses is with sheer will power. Don’t wait for others to motivate you, motivation can be self driven too. Don’t be hasty when it come to money matters as the best opportunities are yet to come but only if you are optimistic.

It is the need of the hour to take sometime off everything and learn more about your inner self and this break may give you an idea or an opportunity of lifetime. For those sitting for an interview, give your everything and showcase the best you have got.

SAGITTARIUS So it’s high time to change your sleeping and getting up routine as it is a must need of the hour for you own health sake. Your finances are at place so don’t take unnecessary tension.

Keep your promises as one should be a person of words. You may not be that busy these days.

MAR 21 - APR 20

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

NOV 23 - DEC 22

MRUNAL PANCHAL, Content Creator

toll on me. Why should it? I am doing what I love and the blessings of the animals I save have protected me.

My work is not all hunkydory. I have experienced a lot of painful passings of animals in front of my eyes, including one from the family of dogs I was caring for during lockdown. It was the most painful loss I have experienced. It took me a

AUG 24 - SEP 23

Always remember that you must always do as your heart wishes and stay happy. You are in safe zone as far as money is concerned so why to worry. An overseas travelling is not going to happen for a long time but you will find some or the other ways to get your business going.

medicine. I have witnessed animals suffering because of the wrath of humans as though it is they who are responsible for the lockdown. I have questioned why humans subject animals to such cruelty. I have challenged the laws of our country. I will continue to raise awareness until humans and animals can coexist peacefully.

CANCER

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

You may be lucky that money is constantly flowing in your life but at the same time you must also learn to have lots of gratitude but without it you cannot guarantee if all that you have will last forever or not. You may meet your sibling after long time today.

SCORPIO

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Don’t fall in the trap of mood and you must do something to get yourself out of laziness. Professional will make big bucks today because of being attentive and opportunist. Your practical approach in work will be the topic of discussion among your colleagues today.

Today some of you can expect big profits and some of you have to be bit patient but it will be rewarding in the end. Life is not always fair but you have to cheat with the rules sometimes. Scold your kid for his/her wrong doing but only to an extent that it won’t play with his/ her psychology.

Its may not be easy to believe but you can achieve all the success in the world if you continue to believe in yourself and it’s as simple as that.

Don’t worry about how things will turn out in future rather keep giving your best, it’s not just you, everyone is facing these difficult times.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

One thing is commendable that how you are very regular with your meditation and exercises routine and how you don’t miss it for anything I’m the world. In life never let anyone decide what you wear, eat and how you think because it your life and make your own rules.

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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AHMEDABAD | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

11

Karisma’s

CELEBRATING YASH CHOPRA

gunda look K

areena Kapoor Khan entered her 40th year in complete style with her family by her side. Recently, Kareena celebrated her birthday at home with Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor and other family members by her side and photos from the celebration went viral.

Kareena is extremely close to her sister Karisma and on her birthday, the latter shared the cutest childhood photo on social media

Late Yash Chopra

T

he country’s leading production house and film studios Yash Raj Films clocks 50 historic years on Sunday and head honcho Aditya Chopra penned a heartfelt note on this momentous occasion. Thanking the people of YRF and the audience for making what YRF is today, Aditya Chopra also remembered his late father Yash Chopra. Coincidentally, it also marks late Yash Chopra’s birth anniversary on Sunday.

Sharing Aditya Chopra’s message, YRF tweeted “50 years of celebrating movies, 50 years of entertaining you. Aditya Chopra penned down a heartfelt note where he recalled how his late father set out on his own journey and created a legacy. —Agency

to surprise her.

The Laal Singh Chaddha star saw the adorable childhood photo that her sister shared on Instagram and commented on it in a funny way. In the photo, elder sister Lolo was seen with her protective arm around Bebo as they posed. Seeing the stance, Kareena commented on her sister’s pose and said that she looked like a ‘gundaa’ (goon). However, she also clarified that in life she is not that at all.

—Agency

HILARIOUS SELFIE Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor

...Karisma’s post

NOT DATING?

C I

ardi B is sticking to her decision to divorce Offset. The 27-year-old rapper reportedly went live on her OnlyFans account on Wednesday night and addressed her split from the Migos member and her new life as a single woman.

“You cannot hurt my feelings trying to throw the divorce in my face because, at the end of the day, I decided I wanted to

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner

t’s been all about baby Willa Jonas for new parents Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, who welcomed their daughter on July 22. This time, Jonas took to his IG page to post an adorable yet hilarious mirror selfie of the pair. Our attention was diverted to his face mask which was adorned like a Phantom mask while his hair was pulled back.

On the other hand, a Sophie was seen looking ethereal in a baby pink and white striped shirt she stared at her hubby.

—Agency

leave,” she told viewers on the subscription-based service.

“I didn’t wait until he cheated on me again. I didn’t wait [for] another controversy with him being involved. I decided to leave. If I wanted to stay, I could have stayed. I decided to leave.”

Cardi was adamant that she is single by choice. “I could date any man I want,” she declared.

“My DMs are flooded. I don’t actually want to date nobody. I’m so focused on my business that it’s crazy.”

—Agency

BINGE SELFIE

SESSION

Cardi B

M

BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR MIMI Rose Leslie and Kit Harington

Preparing for motherhood

2

020 is truly the year of families in Hollywood! Joining this list are ‘Game of Thrones’ lovebirds Kit Harington and Rose Leslie. The Death on the Nile star is pregnant with the couple’s first child as revealed by her latest magazine cover story. While Rose didn’t verbally reveal she was pregnant during her interview, one of the photos sees the 33-year-old actress proudly showing off her growing baby bump in a gorgeous Stella McCartney floor-length silk frock. Ursula Lake in her Instagram caption, writing, “A very special all-woman team photographic shoot capturing Rose at this wonderful time as she prepares for motherhood for the first time!”

—Agency

Neha Dhupia with mother Babli Dhupia

B

ollywood actor Neha Dhupia loves to keep her fans hooked with her latest feeds. The actress often shares pictures and videos of her daily routine.

On Sunday, Neha took to her Instagram handle to share an adorable birthday post for her mother Babli Dhupia. Along with the post, the actress has shared two beautiful throwback pictures from her wedding celebrations. Neha Dhupia got married to former Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi’s son and actor Angad Bedi in 2018 in a lowkey ceremony. The actress penned a sweet and note for her mom as she dropped throwback photos from her wedding ceremony with her. While sharing the birthday post along with a few clicks, Neha wrote, “Happy birthday .. words fall short ... I love you soooo much my mama @babsdhupia ... and we love you sooo much our Mimi I wish we were together and celebrating this special day ... Koi na ... agli vaari” —Agency

...her post

Heading back to work

K

Katy Perry

aty Perry is sharing her thoughts on being a working mom! The 35-year-old singer, who gave birth to daughter Daisy last month, took to Twitter on Thursday 24 September 24, to talk about heading back to work after welcoming her child into the world.

“Popular misconception: being a mom isn’t a full time job,” Katy tweeted.

She continued, “part 2: when a mom finally goes back to work (whatever profession they do) it’s not like they have been coming from months of ‘time off…’ she’s coming from a full time job… of being a mom, lol.”

—Agency

alaika Arora had tested positive for COVID 19 recently and was under home quarantine. Now the actress is completely fine but she is still in quarantine at her residence in Mumbai. Malaika knew that she was coronavirus positive even before the reports were out. However, the doctors advised her to quarantine herself at home as she had no vital symptoms. Now, the actress has recovered and she recently shared a cute picture on her Instagram story.

While sharing the photo, Malaika Arora wrote, “Yes, I ate laddoos.” The actress has used a cute filter for the postbinge bedtime selfie. In the picture, Malaika can be seen wearing her bedtime pyjamas. The gorgeous star often used to keep fans updated about her shenanigans at h o m e .

H o w e v e r, post-testing COVID 19 positive, she was staying at home, away from her son Arhaan. She even shared an emotional photo of communicating with him.

—Agency

Malaika Arora

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12

DAUGHTERS - A BLESSING AND A JOY | GLIMPSES FROM DAUGHTERS’ DAY!

Suhasini and Surangma Shekhawat with their father, Union Minister and MP Jodhpur, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

Gajendra Singh shared this photo with the caption, “The biggest wealthdaughters, water and forests.

Anoushka Poonia with her father, BJP State President Satish Poonia.

Devangana Bhupesh with her mother Minister of Women and Child Development, Mamta Bhupesh.

Creating a Massive

RECORD

CITY FIRST

O

n World Tourism Day on Sunday, the world was at one palace, the virtual platform of an application for ‘ARL Rotary Jaipur Cyclothon’. This Cyclothon has been included in the World Book of Records – London for the mammoth participation of 4857 cyclists from around the world in 7 catego-

ries of 2 km, 5 km, 10 km, 20 km, 30 km, 50 km and 100 km. Participants from all over the world started their cycling by the dawn of sunlight at 4 am in the morning.

United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Bangladesh and Australia participated with 25 States in India like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Ben-

gal, Punjab, and Haryana among others participated in the biggest ever COVID-19 awareness drive ever organised.

Director, Jaipur Runners Club, Mukesh Mishra said that the biggest problem of all the countries in 2020 is battling with COVID-19, it is necessary to keep our immunity system strong. Stroke, high blood pressure and heart attack are common diseases in today’s race of life. But regular cycling reduces the risk of heart and lung diseases and improves blood circulation. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

ADTOI CELEBRATES Education

Kashvini with her father, RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot

FACEBOOK POST!

STAY SAFE AND SECURE

R

obert Vadra on Sunday morning took to his Facebook account and shared 3 images, with a message for the viewers to stay safe by being extra careful. He also shared a hilarious caption for the street board resembling his name and cleared some rumours about him. He wrote, “God Morning All.... feel like saying that, keeping with the increase in Corona cases in our country. Every second person you hear is getting the virus.

Well, we might have to live with it, but no harm in being extra careful... Masks are the safest !! Was checking some pics in the archives, and found a picture of a street where I added a victory “V” sign, to complete my second name, and found a few streets, with my first name and most of all land I owned on the Moon !! The government can create any perception, but you will find, I don’t own anything in Haryana other than my apartment and my 26 room Guesthouse.

Anyway, I’m Here and will fight to clear my name and answer each time, I’m asked by the Courts or Agencys, etc.. Have a healthy Sunday and make sure your family takes masks v very seriously. I can always send you some masks too, as I do send

Robert Vadra to Children living on the streets, and the poor and needy living under flyovers and in abandoned “STREETS” (not only the streets named on me).”

—Vaishali

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

WORLD TOURISM DAY FOR GEZ

CITY FIRST

CITY FIRST

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ssociation of Domestic Tour Operators of India, Rajasthan chapter, uniquely celebrated World Tourism Day, where members of ADTOI Rajasthan gathered at Jalmahal and participated in the #SaveTourism drive which was a Pan India campaign by ADTOI and IATO. The drive started at 10.30 am from Jalmahal to Hathi Gaon via Amer Fort.

At Hathi Gaon as a token of support ADTOI Rajasthan chapter, members contributed and offered two trucks of Elephant feed (Chara). Mahender Singh, ADTOI Rajasthan Chapter Chairman also

visited Hathi Gaon and met with the Elephant Owners Association Officials, Forest Department officials and mahouts families. After the discussion, he also assured the best possible support to 60 mahouts families staying at Hathi Gaon during this pandemic. Senior

members of ADTOI Rajasthan, Sanjay Kaushik and Sukhdev Singh was also present during the drive. Viren Shekhawat thanked everyone for attending the event and wished a very Happy World Tourism Day to all trade colleagues. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

ART DURING PANDEMIC! RAJASTHAN: Art is very therapeutic and has a healing touch. During these pandemic times, the artists and the monuments will need a lot of support because of the financial impact the society is facing.

These are also the times when the public will need a lot more art for the simple reason that it is what keeps humanity alive and sane. This was stated by the Secretary, Department of Art & Culture, Government of Rajasthan, Mugdha Sinha. She was addressing the interactive talk session on ‘Public Art’ held on the occasion of World Tourism Day today. The programme was organized by the Centre Head Center for Design Excellence (CODE), Vivekananda Global University (VGU) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Rajasthan; Department of Art and Culture, Archaeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan and JKK. The programme was moderated by Centre Head Center for Design Excellence (CODE), Vivekananda Global University (VGU), Ar. Shweta Chaudhary.

webinar in Leadership Webinar Series Education for Gen Z was organised by Manipal University Jaipur titled ‘Opportunities in Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ on Sunday. The webinar was addressed by Ravishankar Kochak, Vice President, South Asia Region Institution of Mechanical Engineering, who had the distinction of developing the design of AC Double Decker Coach.

Emphasizing on the philosophy of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ or ‘Self Reliant India’, Kochak, IIT Alumuunus stated that there are various opportunities available in the market which the young minds need to grab.

He informed that since 55% of Indian GDP is generated by Service Sector, it is extremely necessary to focus on a sector which offers a plethora of opportunities as In the field of New Technology and Engineering, lot of opportunity lies in the arena of Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Cloud Computing, Data Centres etc.

Even in the defence sector, and India is looking forward to enhancing the manufacturing opportunities and slowly getting self-reliant.

RAJASTHAN: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, an online learning class on the ‘Architectural Drawings of Monuments’ was organised by JKK and Department of Art and Culture, Archaeology & Museums, Government of Rajasthan on the JKK Facebook page on Sunday. It was conducted by the Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Shuvankar Biswas. During the online class, viewers learned the techniques and tools used in architectural drawing of building and monuments.

Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik celebrated his birthday on 27 September, Sunday. We wish him all the best!

IAS Tanmay Kumar celebrated his birthday on 27 September, Sunday.

We wish him all the best!

DURING THE DAY!

RAJASTHAN: Gopal Kataria of Resident Welfare Association inaugurated the Hi Dome lights in Rajendra Nagar park, Jaipur in the presence of Ashok Sharma block director and senior resident Sunayan Sharma, Brig. PS Shekhawat, Chain Singh, and Hira Lal along with other residents of the society on Saturday. All present during the occasion were highly appreciative of the efforts of the Resident welfare association. The Samit President Wg Cdr Retd SS Dhankhar thanked Lal Chand Kataria, Agricultural Minister for his help and support for the welfare of the residents.

GUJARAT: On-duty Police officials during the Corona pandemic were seen taking steam after their duty hours, inside the Commissionerate in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI