First India-Jaipur Edition-04 January 2021

JAIPUR l MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00

P5 OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW

Aditi Nagar New Delhi: Under a Sonia Gandhi mandate, after a three month long ‘homework’, Gandhi family’s trusted loyalist and AICC Rajasthan Incharge Ajay Maken finally succeeded to bring back Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot on the same dining table at 8, Civil Lines on Sunday evening.

Surprisingly, during the dinner ‘event’ in the presence of a number of cabinet ministers and MLAs, Gehlot invited Pilot to come and sit on the dias along with other senior leaders, whereas at the moment Pilot enjoys the status of only a MLA. Everyone including

15°C - 21°C

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SONIA AND MAKEN BRING BACK

GEHLOT-PILOT ON THE SAME DINING TABLE! PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra and others senior cabinet ministers, curiously witnessed this surprising development.

After Pilot’s rebellion, this was perhaps the first opportunity when Gehlot and Pilot dined together. In political circles in Jaipur and New Delhi, this development is being seen as a moral victory for a low profile and silent performer Ajay Maken, who virtually worked as a bridge between the two warring Gehlot and Pilot

Sonia Gandhi

Ashok Gehlot

Ajay Maken

Sachin Pilot

camps.

However, there was visible sense of unease

and embarassment in the Gehlot camp and their leader CM Gehlot,

who has been virtually forced to take a U-turn on his relationship with

Pilot, under a compelling mandate from the Congress high com-

DCGI nod paves way for Covaxin & Covishield to shield Indians against Covid massive inoculation drive

23 people died as they got trapped after roof of a crematorium caved in; Modi & Yogi express sorrow, UP announces `2 L to next of kin

STERN ACTION, LAW NEEDED AGAINST STONE-PELTERS: SHIVRAJ SINGH

PROBE AGENCIES CARRYING OUT AN ‘AUDIT’ OF MY FATHER’S GRAVE, SAYS MEHBOOBA MUFTI

GAME ON: INDIA GETS 2 VACCINES IN A DAY New Delhi: India’s drugs regulator on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted the approval on the basis of recommendations by a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

“After adequate examination, CDSCO has decided to accept the recommendations of the Expert Committee and, accordingly, vaccines of M/s Serum and M/s Bharat Biotech are being approved for restricted use in emergency situations,” DCGI Dr V G Somani told the media here.

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RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 209

DCGI Dr V G Somani along with Principal Director General of PIB KS Dhatwalia (R) announce approval of Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Modi: Approval for vaccines a decisive turning point New Delhi: Hailing the approval given to two coronavirus vaccines as a “decisive turning point” in the spirited fight against the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that this will accelerate the process for India to become a COVID-free nation.

In a series of tweets, Modi said it will make every Indian proud that both the vaccines are made in India. “This

shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfil the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and com-

passion,” he said, congratulating the nation, scientists and innovators. He once again extended his gratitude to doctors, medical staff, scientists, police personnel, sanitation workers and all ‘Corona warriors’ for the outstanding work they have done in adverse circumstances, and said the nation will remain eternally grateful to them for saving many lives.

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Vax approval sparks battle between Cong and BJP New Delhi: Congress leaders on Sunday raised serious concern over the grant of approval to Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine for restricted use, saying it is “premature” and can prove dangerous. However, there were different voices within the party as its chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala lauded scientists and researchers of Bharat Biotech for the indigenous vaccine.

Leaders like Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh and Shashi Tharoor asked the health minister to explain why mandatory protocols and verification of data “had been dispensed with”, prompting a sharp retort from Union Minister Hardeep Puri who said the Congress leaders were behaving “true to their form” and were on a “quest for permanent political marginalisation”.

Sharma, who heads the Parliamentary panel on Home Affairs which dealt with the issue at length, said the matter of granting authorisation for vaccine Turn to P6

WATERSHED MOMENT IN CORONA BATTLE: VARDHAN Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan also welcomed the emergency use approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca’s and Bharat Biotech’s vaccines against coronavirus and termed it a “watershed moment” in India’s battle against COVID-19. Vardhan said the country’s wait for a COVID-19 vaccine is over with these approvals. A watershed moment in India’s famed battle against #COVID19 Turn to P6

WHO WELCOMES INDIA’S COVID-19 VACCINE APPROVAL New Delhi: The World Health Organisation on Sunday welcomed India’s decision giving emergency use authorisation to COVID-19 vaccines, saying it will help “intensify” and “strengthen” its fight against the ongoing pandemic. “WHO welcomes the first emergency use authorisation given to COVID-19 vaccine in the WHO South-East Asia Region. P6

mand, specially Priyanka Gandhi.

Notably, under a Priyanka mandate, Gehlot had already implemented all the four ‘assurances’ which were reportedly given by Priyanka to an ‘aggressive’ Pilot at the time of his ‘homecoming’.

According to political observers, Pilot’s presence at Sunday afternoon’s dharna on the farmer’s issue along with Gehlot and Dotasra and his subsequent presence at 8, Civil Lines for dinner clearly indicates

Leave arrogance, withdraw farm

laws: Sonia to PM

New Delhi: In a scathing attack on the Centre over the farmers’ protests, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said that for the first time since independence such an “arrogant” government has come to power that cannot see the sufferings of ‘annadatas’, and demanded that the new farm laws be immediately withdrawn unconditionally.

Sonia said that governments and their leaders who ignore public sentiments in a democracy cannot govern for long and it is now quite clear that the protesting farmers will not bow in the face of the Centre’s policy of “tire and pushover”.

“There is still time, the Modi government should leave the arrogance of power and immediately withdraw the three black laws unconditionally to end the

23 KILLED IN ROOF COLLAPSE IN UP Vishal Srivastav In a traumatising incident at least 23 people (all men) died and 15 people were injured after a concrete roof fell over them in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district’s Muradnagar region on Sunday afternoon. While the news was being written, a few people were said to be still trapped under the debris.

The excruciating incident took place when around 50 people were attending a funeral of a man who had died on Sunday. An FIR was registered against unknown persons under sections 304, 337, 338, 427 and 409 of the IPC with local police station.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh

Rescue operations on after the roof of a crematorium collapsed due to heavy rain, in Ghaziabad on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths.

Since it was raining quite heavily on Sunday afternoon, people attending funeral had taken shelter under the concrete structure built at the site.

The dead, all of them men, were mostly relatives or neighbours of Jai Ram, who was being cremated at that time,

that under a close Sonia and Maken supervision, both the camps have by now reached to some reasonable and respectable power sharing agreement in the areas of PCC revamp, political appointments and coming up cabinet reshuffle, where Pilot has been assured, at least on the face value, to have his ‘due’ in all these three matters.

According to sources close to 10, Janpath, Pilot has been clearly told that he will have no role in Rajasthan, will be given a suitable responsibility at AICC Headquarters at New Delhi and Gehlot will complete the remaining three years of his five year tenure.

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officials said. Given the heavy spell of rain, the relief and rescue teams had a harrowing time clearing the rubble and sifting for those trapped.

During the incident, the first responders were the locals who rushed to help people trapped under the debris.

An eye witness of the incident said that since the rain was heavy everyone had taken shelter

HEAVY RAINS IN DELHI NCR FAIL TO DENT PROTESTING FARMERS’ SPIRITS New Delhi: A sudden drop in temperature coupled with heavy rains on Sunday added to the miseries of farmers protesting against the contentious farm laws at the gates of Delhi. Meanwhile, the Haryana Police on Sunday evening fired teargas canisters to thwart a march of a group of agitating farmers towards Delhi at Masani barrage in Rewari district. Farmers first broke police barricades put up near Bhudla Sangwari village and then started moving towards Delhi in the evening.

Turn to P6 agitation of the farmers who are dying in the cold and rain. This is Rajdharma and a true tribute to the farmers who have lost their lives,” Gandhi said.

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under the roof and when it fell, they had no chance of escaping. “I saw that the roof came down crashing within a blink of an eye and no one got a chance to escape at all.

I was shocked and when I gathered courage, I ran to help them,” said a person who was standing nearby the shed when it came down. Various Police teams followed by a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) unit also then reached the spot, pulling out the dead and the injured from the pile. Turn to P6

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‘Modi govt is with capitalists, not with farmers’ ‘Modi does Mann ki Baat but does not talk about the farmers’, said Dotasra at Cong dharna First India Bureau Jaipur: Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra and transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas on Sunday said that the Modi government is with capitalists rather than with common people and farmers.

“Modi does Mann ki Baat but does not talk about the farmers. Modi is arranging donations for elections to be held after 3 years,” said Dotasra while speaking at the Congress dharna at the Shaheed Samarak in support of the farmers’ agitation and against the Centre’s agricultural laws.

“Godowns are being built for 4 years to store grains and for the first time, any company advertised in the country that the godowns are being built to strengthen FCI. There will be no subsidy on LPG cylinders in future,” he said.

“From today we have blown the bugle of agitation in Rajasthan.

Congressmen of Rajasthan will go from village to village,” Dotasra said.

Khachariyawas said the Gehlot government’s actions are better than those of the Modi government. “If the lathi shoots, nobody will save the Central government. This is not the voice of the farmer but the voice of India.

BJP is doing conspiracy over the agricultural laws. Central government should avoid farmers’ woes,” he said.

Aishwary Pradhan

People gathered at the Congress dharna at the Shaheed Smarak in support of the farmers’ agitation and against the Centre’s agricultural laws.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CONGRESS DHARNA

Vaibhav Gehlot, Dharmendra Rathod, Raghu Sharma, Rajendra Gudha, Brij Kishor Sharma, Bhanwar Singh Bhati during a protest against the Centres new farm laws, at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Sunday.

Govind Singh Dotasra addressing the gathering.

PLEA AGAINST RAJE, OTHERS TO BE HEARD ON JAN 16 First India Bureau

Jaipur: No one appeared on behalf of the complainant, who had filed a complaint in 2015 on a loss of Rs 5000 crore to exchequer by changing land use change for land allotment to a Mahindra group company MLHD, during hearing in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate- 11 in Jaipur on Saturday.

The court has posted the matter for next hearing on 16 January.

Sanjay Chhabra, a resident of Suratgarh, had filed the complaint against the former Chief Minister Vasund-

‘Cong govt did not fulfill promises made to farmers’

GOVT VIOLATED MOU

hara Raje and others, alleging that the government had violated the MoU by allocating 500 acres of land left for infrastructure facilities in SEZ area to Mahen-

dra Group’s company MLHD and changed the land use for this.

He had alleged that the move caused a loss of Rs 5000 crores to the exchequer.

Congress workers listening to the leaders during the dharna at Shaheed Smarak on Saturday.

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

‘Negligence’ kills 14-year-old labourer Satyanarayan Sharma

Jaipur: A child labourer was on Sunday killed after being stuck in the roller of a flour grinding machine at Khandelwal flour mill in Govind Rao Ji Ka Rasta in Chandpole Bazaar. On finding out about the incident, top officials including Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi, Nahargarh police station in-charge Mukesh Kumar reached the spot.

The police said

14-year-old Amit, a resident of West Bengal, has been working at the Khandelwal flour mill for a long time along with his mother. The accident happened at around 5 pm.

Rajasthan Child Protection Commission has d irected strict action in the matter. Commission member and incharge of Child labour cell Dr Shailendra Pandya said that a case has been filed against employers of the mill under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Jaipur: The opposition BJP leaders on Sunday lambasted the Ashok Gehlot government for holding sit-in while not fulfilling promises made to the farmers.

BJP state president Satish Poonia said the Congress government is not going to repeat as such Gehlot is training his team for dharnas. He asked 7 questions from CM on the issue of farmers of the state. Questioning the Congress dharna, Poonia said that first Gehlot should clarify why he did not fulfill the promises made to the farmers while being the Chief Minister of the state.

“Gehlot, who has failed as Chief Minister, wants to spoil the atmosphere of the state by provoking the farmers.There is nothing to be counted in the twoyear period, so lie to divert attention. The entire government, which the people had chosen for the good of the state, had only been protesting against the Modi government for the last two years,” he said.

He questioned Gehlot over farmers’ loan waiver, suicides, electricity, and crop loans from cooperative banks.

Raising questions on CM Ashok Gehlot’s dinner to MLAs, deputy

‘CONG GOVT WILL FALL’

leader of opposition Rajendra Rathore said that it was ironic that ministers and MLAs first held dharna to show sympathy with farmers and then enjoyed the dinner with various types of dishes.

He said that Gehlot has not forgotten his words like ‘Nadan, Nakara, Nikamma and Nalayak’ which he had used four months back when the target was somewhere else and even today, the words are the same but the target is elsewhere.

Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said that whenever the cabinet expansion happens, it will make the government fall. The state government will not run for 5 years. Kataria accused Gehlot of breaking the Corona guidelines. He said that if BJP would have done this, an FIR would be registered against the leaders.

Blood donation camp held to celebrate Parnami’s birthday First India Bureau Jaipur: A one-day blood donation camp and other medical counselling camps were organized on the birthday of the former state president of BJP Ashok Parnami.

The BJP Adarsh Nagar assembly workers organised the camp at Arihant Vatika Mohan Bari at Galta Gate and Vijayapura Panchayat Agra Road, Jaipur. The local people of the area benefitted from the camp along with hundreds of young people; women and minority communities took part in the blood donation.

A blood donation camp was organised to celebrate birthday of Ashok Parnami at the Arihant Vatika Galta Gate. Satish Poonia honored the blood donors on the occasion.

Since there is a lack of blood because of coronavirus pandemic, the blood donation camps were organised to set off that deficiency. It was decided to set up a

blood donation camp on the eve of Ashok Parnami’s birthday. The blood donors were honoured by a commemorative sign and a letter of appreciation.

MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN

Crows found dead at Jal Mahal, authorities on toes

Nirmal Tiwari

Jaipur: Fifteen crows found dead on Sunday at the iconic Jal Mahal here have sent the authorities and the residents in a tizzy as a bird flu alert has already been sounded in the state. More than 260 crows have died in the last one week across the state.

A bird flu alert was sounded after the presence of the dreaded virus was confirmed in dead crows in Jhalawar

and more avian deaths were reported in other districts, including Jaipur, officials said.

Tension gripped Shahpura area on Sunday after more than 150 dead chickens were found in a field and highway drains. The Animal Husbandry Department has set up a state-level control room and sent its teams to the districts for effective monitoring.

“It’s a serious matter. An emergency meeting of concerned

officials has been called. We are also in contact with the forest department. The administration is on high alert,” Animal Husbandry Minister Lalchand Kataria said on Sunday.

Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Kunji Lal Meena, told the media persons on Sunday that the virus is dangerous and necessary guidelines have been issued. “All field officers and poultry

Senior officials of the Animal Husbandry Department Kunji Lal Meena, Arushi Malik, Mohan Meena at the meeting held in the auditorium of Pashu Dhan Bhavan on Sunday.

farm owners have been asked to remain vigilant. Effective monitoring is ensured at all sites, especially in wetlands, Sambhar Lake and Kaila Devi bird sanctuary,” Meena said.

Crow deaths were first reported on December 25 from Jhalawar and their samples were sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal and the bird flu virus was detected.

So far, the death of

100 crows has been reported from Jhalawar, 72 from Baran, 47 from Kota, 19 from Pali, seven from Jodhpur and seven from Jaipur.

Department Secretary Arushi Malik said the Centre’s guidelines are being followed and an alert has been sounded in all districts.

The situation is not alarming, but we are vigilant, ensuring that this virus does not enter domestic animals, said Additional Director

Bhawani Rathore. Over 75 samples from various places have been sent for testing, he added.

Pali MP PP Chaudhary and BJP state president Satish Poonia have demanded prompt action by the state government in the matter of bird flu.

They said the government should take it seriously to save the life of birds, so that these infections do not spread to birds of other species.

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Dense fog completely engulfs the Vidhan Sabha building in Jaipur. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

—PHOTO BY HIMANSHU SHARMA

Dense fog covers the Ajmer city on Sunday morning.

RAIN, HAIL LASH JAIPUR, OTHER PARTS OF STATE

R

ain lashed several parts of the state including Jaipur on Sunday while hail storm was reported from Kaman in Bharatpur. In most places, it has been very cloudy since Sunday morning. However, temperatures remained above 10 degrees in most places. The meteorological department has

released yellow fog alerts in five districts including Bikaner, Churu on Monday and Tuesday due to a western disturbance in the upper levels of the atmosphere. At the same time, there is a yellow alert for light and moderate rain in 12 districts including Churu, Hanumangarh.

At the same time, the minimum temperature is expected to fall

by three to five degrees in the next two days. On Wednesday, the cold will return again and a cold wave is expected in six districts including Jhunjhunu, Churu.Thick fog may occur in Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Jodhpur districts on Monday and Tuesday.

Hailstorm also reported from Kota on Sunday evening.

CORONA SCARE

UK returnee’s family member has tested positive in Kota Bhanwar S. Charan Kota: The family member of a Kota resident, who returned from London, has tested positive for Corona in a second report. Health officials have got into alert mode after the report. The authorities have sent the report to the National Virology Lab, Pune for genome sequence test to determine the new Corona strain.

As soon as the report was found positive, the medical team immediately got the infected person admitted in a single room of the medical college, while all the people and family members who came to the close contact of the man who returned from London have been institutionally quarantined.

The first report of all the 17 people and family members who returned from London was negative, but the second report of a family member in the list released on Saturday night created a panic after getting positive.

Kalraj Mishra @KalrajMishra Today is an important day for the country to fight against Corona, when Drug Controller General of India got approval for two Corona vacccine made in country. Country will free soon from pandemic

Raj records 5 more Covid-19 deaths The state also reported 502 new Coronavirus cases on Sunday First India Bureau Jaipur: Rajasthan recorded five more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Sunday, taking the COVID-19

death toll in the state to 2,710, according to a health department bulletin.

The state also reported 502 new C OV I D - 1 9 cases on Sunday, bringing the tally to 3,09,821, it said.

The number of active cases in Rajasthan

stands at 8,491, the bulletin said.

According to it, 2,98,620 people have been discharged after r e c o ve r i n g from the infection.

The death toll from the pandemic stands at 504 in Jaipur, 291 in Jodhpur, 219 in Ajmer,

166 in Bikaner, 166 in Kota, 120 in Bharatpur, 111 in Udaipur, 109 in Pali and 98 in Sikar. Of the fresh COVID-19 cases, 81 were recorded in Jaipur, 46 in Kota, 36 in Jodhpur, 34 in Nagaur, 33 in Bhilwara, 32 in Ajmer, 27 in Jhalawar, besides cases reported in other districts of the state, according to the bulletin.

—PTI

Commuters tread cautiously on road while rain lashes the Jaipur city on Sunday.

HC to open from Monday, hearings through VC Rajiv Gaur Jodhpur: After winter vacation judicial work will begin from today in the main bench of the Rajasthan High Court and the Jaipur bench. In view of Coronavirus infection, both the benches will hear cases through video conferencing till January 8.

Moreover, judicial work has already started in subordinate courts from Saturday. In the presence of the parties and advocates in the High Court, the advocates

will be able to make a request on the home page of the Court’s website for urgent listing by 12.30 pm before the commencement of the hearing. These urgent listing will be brought to the notice of the bench of the concerned roster.

Cases will be listed as per the order of the bench. The e-filing counter will be open for filing new cases.

Six killed in three accidents in Churu, Bhilwara, Dholpur

Cops inspecting ill-fated bike that trapped under the truck.

First India Bureau Churu/Bhilwara/ Dholpur: Two people were killed on Ratangarh road in the district when a truck and a Bolero collided head-on In a late-night accident.

Police reached the spot after getting information. Police shifted the body to mortuary where post-mortem was conducted. The accident happened between Sehla Dausar on Ratangarh road. The Bolero was going from Churu to Ratangarh and collided head-on with the truck.

Passengers of the Bolero Hetram Saharan and Gopal Godara died on the spot. Both were residents of Ajitsar,

Churu. The police brought the bodies to Ratangarh.

Meanwhile, in Bhilwara two people were killed when a trailer hit a bike near Sankhara village in Kotdi in the district.

The incident is reported to have taken place on Sunday morning.

While one person died on the spot, the other died on the way to the hospital.

Meanwhile, a report from said Dholpur, a woman and a young man lost their lives after being hit by an illegal gravel-laden tractor in Dholpur district. Both died on the spot. Police reached the spot and had sent bodies for post-mortem.

SC to hear BSP plea on Kularia donates Rs 2.5-cr for temple MLAs’ merger today AYODHYA TEMPLE

Laxman Raghav Bikaner: Industrialist Narsi Kularia has donated Rs. 2.5 crore for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

He said that he has contributed under Samrpan Maha Abhiyan being run by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for the construction of the temple Kularia said that it was the inspiration from Nimbaram of RSS along

Industrialist Narsi Kularia announcing to donate Rs 2.5 crore for Ram temple construction in Ayodhya.

with the blessings of his father saint Dularam Kularia.

He said his brother Bhanwar and Poonam have also supported him in this. Narsi Kularia takes keen interest in social works in Bikaner.

Narsi Kularia had contributed Rs 21 lakh to Chief Minister relief fund and had also helped migrants labourers besides donating in Prime Minister Relief fund.

First India Bureau Jaipur: The first hearing in the plea of BSP, challenging the merger of 6 party MLAs including Nadbai MLA Jogendra Singh Awana and Nagar MLA Wajib Ali, is scheduled to be heard in the SC today.

The national general secretary and lawyer Satish Mishra will put forward the case of the BSP. BSP state president Bhagwan Singh

Baba said that due to power-greed of CM Ashok Gehlot, he included BSP MLAs in the Congress which is completely unconstitutional. “We first went

to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,” Baba said.

The HC had referred it to the Speaker of the Assembly, but the Speaker is not hearing us due to our party having no MLA, he said.

Therefore, the party has now gone to the SC. The SC will hear the case for the first time on Monday. The bench of Justice Abdul Nazeer and Justice KM Joseph will hear the matter.

Avinash Pande @avinashpandeinc Creaking under the corruption and mismanagement of current regime in almost all arenas of government; Sadly, the country is witnessing a breakdownof federal relations under the BJP government

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PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021

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IN-DEPTH

POLITICS OVER UNFINISHED TRIALS, UNVERIFIED DATA

CONSTITUTION IN LETTER AND SPIRIT JUSTICE SHIV KUMAR SHARMA

T

he Congress on Sunday raised the red flag over the emergency use nod given to the indigenously developed Bharat Biotech and ICMR’s Covaxin even before it could complete its third phase of clinical trial and its data for efficacy and safety verified. The Drugs Controller-General of India (DCGI) on Sunday put its stamp of approval for “restricted use” of both Covaxin and Serum Institute’s Covishield, which has over 70 percent efficacy. The two vaccines were earlier cleared by an expert panel for emergency use.

It is the clearance given to Covaxin which has raised doubts about the integrity of the process followed. No other vaccine in the world skipped the mandatory protocols before being allowed to be administered. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, and Shashi Tharoor asked the government as to why mandatory protocols and verification of data had been done away with. Sharma pointed out that no country had disregarded the mandatory phase 3 trials and data verification. He wanted the health ministry to give “cogent reasons” for dropping the mandatory protocol as the move could endanger public health. Doubts were raised over the integrity of the approval process as the emergency use was allowed even before the vaccine’s data on safety and efficacy could be verified. Also, in the case of Bharat Biotech’s vaccine, few details are available about its phase 1 and phase 2 trials.

It is believed that Covaxin “which has been granted permission for restricted use in emergency situations in the public interest as an abundant precaution” could be a fallback option.

In defence of Covaxin Dr VK Paul of Niti Ayog said that the vaccine will be administered in clinical trial mode after taking consent of the people with regular follow-up.

Telling words came from Adar Poonawalla of SII. “Everything else has proven to be safe, just like water is safe. But the efficacy, to know how well a vaccine works---70%, 90%, 80% --- has only been proven in Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca”, whose vaccine the SII is producing under the brand name of Covishield. Although the third phase trial of Covishield is also not yet over, its efficacy has at least been proven and trial data analysed in the UK. Whatever the doubting Thomases may now say, the final word came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who called it a proud moment as both the vaccines were made in the country. He tweeted that the vaccines were the outcome of “the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfill the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and compassion”.

The question which will still bother people is whether adverse effects of either is reported honestly without the complainant being sued for crores or suppressed to protect the vaccine manufacturers?

Former Judge Rajasthan High Court and Ex-Member of Law Commission of India

A

s per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, ‘Agriculture’ is the subject of the State List. It means that the state legislature is empowered to enact a law in respect of agriculture for the benefit of the farmers of the state.

The Rajasthan State Legislature enacted Agricultural Act 2020 and placed it before the Governor in view of the mandate of Article 200 of the Constitution two months back but no decision is taken by the Governor yet. According to Article 200 when a Bill is passed by the Legislature of a state is presented to the Governor, he has four options, namely z He assents to the bill, z He withholds assent, z He reserves the Bill for the con-

sideration of the President, or

z He returns the bill to the Leg-

islature.

It is true that the central government is not expected to give any instructions which compromise the status and position of the Governor. As Seervai has pointed out in his commentary- “As the President acts on the advice of his Ministry, it may be contended that if the Governor takes action contrary to the policy of Union Ministry, he would risk being removed from his post as Governor and therefore he is likely to follow the advice of the Union Ministry”

Today the situation is different as political parties are in different states. One party does not control Parliament and the State Legislature.

Since the Governor owes his appointment and his continuation in the office to the Union council of ministers, in matters where the central government and the state government do not see eye to eye, there is the apprehension that he is likely to act in accordance with the instructions, if any, received from the Union Council of Ministers rather than act on the advice of his council of ministers. Indeed, Governors, today are pejoratively called the ‘agents of the centre’.

It is true that the central government is not expected to give any instructions which compromise the status and position of the Governor. As Seervai has pointed out in his commentary- “As the President acts on the advice of his Ministry, it may be contended that if the Governor takes action contrary to the policy of Union Ministry, he would risk being removed from his post as Governor and therefore he is likely to

follow the advice of the Union Ministry.

The First provision appended to Article 200 says that as soon as the bill is presented to him, he may return the bill to the Legislature (if it is not a Money Bill) together with a message requesting the Legislature to reconsider the bill.

He can suggest the desirability of introducing such amendments or changes as he thinks appropriate. If on such reconsideration the bill is passéd again, with or without amendments and presented to the Governor for assent, he has to accord his assent.

The second provision says that if the bill presented to him derogates, in the opinion of Governor, from the powers of the High Court so as to endanger the position which the High Court is designed to fill by the Constitution, he is bound to reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.

In regard to the powers of Governor under Article 200, there are two conflicting views.

The first view is that the papers of the Governor under Article 200 are discre-

THE POINT THAT NEEDS TO BE REEMPHASISED IS THAT GOVERNOR SHOULD ACT AT HIS DISCRETION IN RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL CASES, WHERE HE IS COMPELLED BY HIS GOOD CONSCIENCE AND FELT A DUTY TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION

tionary powers. It is contended that when a bill is presented to a Governor, it is his discretionary power in exercise when he decides which of the four options he is to employ for the bill in question.

The other view is that excepting in the case of bills falling under the second provision, the Governor has no discretion in the performance of his functions under Article 200.

STAY IN THE DOUGHNUT, NOT THE HOLE B efore the recession we were on a collision course with environmental disaster.

The recovery provides a rare opportunity to do things differently; to rebuild a better economy that can support living standards without irretrievably damaging the environment.

The closer we get to irreversible climate change, the harder that will become.

Doughnut economics, a concept principally developed by UK economist Kate Raworth, provides an intuitive way of thinking about it.

The ideas outlined in her book, subtitled Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist, are increasingly being used around the world, including by a new collaboration Regen Melbourne, that’s looking at ways to making Mel-

04

bourne a better, more socially-just and environmentally-responsible city.

The image to keep in mind is that of a doughnut, on the inside of which is economic and social freefall.

We need a certain amount of economic and social/political development to ensure everybody can live a good, healthy life with full social and political participation.

On the outside of the doughnut is an unsustainable impact on the environment.

The sweet spot, the “safe and just space for humanity” is, of course, in the doughnut itself. Mmm… doughnuts.

Conceptually it’s pretty straightforward. Practically, it is challenging.

Economics is traditionally defined as the study of the way societies allocate scarce resources. But in

the modern world the reality is that, for rich countries such as Australia, there is no overall scarcity.

The challenge is to remain within the doughnut Such countries have homeless and hungry people, for sure. But the also have enough resources, homes and food to provide for them. That they don’t is a question of distribution

rather than scarcity.

In terms of the diagram, we already use enough resources to ensure nobody need be left in the hole on the inside of the doughnut. The danger is that we use too many resources and move beyond the outer edge of the doughnut into climate and ecological breakdown.

For quite some time amongst economists there’s

been faith in what’s called the Environmental Kuznets Curve, where increasing consumption is said to lead to increased environmental degradation up to a point.

Beyond that point, as a society becomes post-industrial, extra consumption is said to lead to less environmental degradation as people become more environmentally conscious

and use their wealth to buy different things – more services (such as yoga classes) and fewer goods (such as hamburgers).

While the Environmental Kuznets Curve does indeed appear to be real, there is every indication that the global peak in environmental impact is far higher than the biosphere can withstand, which means a diagram like this: We will need to bring the peak down, and that will be difficult for precisely the same reasons that people remain poor amid extraordinary wealth.

One is the capacity of deep-pocketed interests to influence regulators and governments to maximise profits. The other is the extent to which neoliberal economic thinking permeates social and political structures.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

The first view says that discretionary powers of the Governor are restricted and come to the fore only when it is required expressly or by necessary implication by the Constitution. In all cases where the bill that has been passed by the state legislature is in patent violation of any provisions of the law, the Governor can exercise his discretionary powers to reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.

The point that needs to be reemphasised is that Governor should act at his discretion in rare and exceptional cases, where he is compelled by his good conscience and felt a duty to uphold the Constitution. In so acting he should bear in mind that the Constitution is founded on the fundamental principles of parliamentary democracy and division of powers.

Thus the Governor can at his best defend and uphold the Constitution by accepting as his Constitutional function what his ‘responsible’ ministers have decided.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dr Harsh Vardhan @ drharshvardhan A watershed moment in India’s famed battle against #COVID19 under the charismatic leadership of Hon’ble PM Sh @narendramodi Ji ! Our wait for #COVID19vaccine is over with COVISHIELD from @ SerumInstIndia & COVAXIN from @BharatBiotech approved for emergency use in India @PMOIndia Anand Sharma @AnandSharmaINC India’s Farmers have been fighting for their rights & justice for the last 38 days. Tens of thousands have been camping on the borders of Delhi in bitter cold & rain. Dozens have died but the government remains adamant and unmoved by their plight. A sad reflection on democracy.

Spiritual SPEAK

If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him. —Buddha

Vol 2 Issue No. 209 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Press, D.B. Corp Limited, Shivdaspura, Tonk Road, Jaipur.

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FARMERS BEING MARTYRED WHILE TMC should reflect on its setback, BJP’s rise in ‘MODI’S FRIENDS’ BENEFIT: RAGA Rahul Gandhi’s comments come in the backdrop of Central ministers holding West Bengal: Owaisi the sixth round of talks with the protesting farmer leaders on Wednesday

Jagannath Temple reopens for public Puri: Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri opened for everyone today, but with strict Covid guidelines. The temple was closed on January 1 and 2 to avoid any kind of rush in the wake of New Year. People from other parts of the state are also allowed to offer prayers at the Temple.

The authorities have released guidelines for those visiting the temple. The devotees have to mandatorily wear masks, sanitize their hands, and maintain social distancing.

“We get tested for Covid-19 three days before. The system is very good. Only those people are allowed who have negative Covid reports,” Riya Shah from Kolkata said. They also have to carry negative Covid-19 reports and Aadhaar cards along with them to the temple. Their thermal temperatures are being checked at the entrance.

“A SOP has been released and everyone is following it. We have deployed 15 platoon police force and 50 officers to control the rush,” Dr Kanwar Vishal Singh,SP of Puri said.

—PHOTO BY PTI

New Delhi: Congress accused the Central government of being apathetic towards farmers and being empathetic to its “suit-boot friends”.

Former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the country is witnessing a moment akin to the Champaran struggle, a farmers uprising led by Mahatma Gandhi against the Colonial rule in 1917. “The country is facing a situation like Champaran once again,” Gandhi said.

“Back then, collaborators supported the British company, now the friends of Modi are in-cahoots.

But every agitating farmer-worker is a satyagrahi, who will secure his rights,” Rahul’s tweet said. Gandhi’s comments come in the backdrop of Central ministers holding sixth round of talks with the protesting farmer leaders on Wednesday.

New Delhi: On Sunday, the Congress acccused Union government of showing ‘apathy’ towards ‘annadatas’ braving cold & rain to save their dignity. “The one word the BJP-led government has justified in the last 39 days is ‘apathy’. One one hand, there is complete lack of sensitivity towards the plight of protesting farmers & their demands &, on the other hand, close friends of this government are receiving complete empathy & blessings for expanding their dominance in all spheres of business, “ Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said. —ANI

CHILLA, GAZIPUR BORDERS CLOSED Farmers walk in rain during their ongoing protest against the new farm laws at Ghazipur Border, in New Delhi on Sunday.

RAHUL GANDHI @RAHULGANDHI The country is going to face a Champaran like tragedy once again. Then there was with British company the farmers had to fight with, now it is with Modi’s friends’ companies. But every farmer of the movement is a Satyagrahi who will continue to fight for his rights.

New Delhi: In view of the ongoing farmers’ agitation at the gates of the national capital, the Delhi Traffic Police appealed to citizens to take alternative routes as Chilla and Gazipur borders remained closed due to the protests. “Traffic Alert The Chilla & Ghazipur Borders are closed for traffic coming from Noida & Ghaziabad to Delhi because of farmer protests. Please take alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Apsara, Bhopra & Loni Borders,” Delhi Traffic Police wrote on Twitter. The police said that the following borders are open to Haryana. —ANI

MP CM expands cabinet, two Scindia loyalists return as Mins Bhopal: The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh cabinet was expanded on Sunday with the induction of two loyalists of BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, whose exit from the Congress in March last year led to the fall of the 15-monthold Kamal Nath-led Congress dispensation in the state.

Governor Anandiben Patel administered the oath of office to Tulsiram Silawat and Govind Rajput.

CM Shivraj Singh, Protem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma and several ministers

Guwahati: On the second day of his visit to operational areas of Arunachal Pradesh after completion of one year as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat visited Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel deployed along the Subansiri valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

As per a statement, Rawat complimented soldiers for adopting innovative surveillance measures for locally de-

focused sector-specific webinars for promoting Quality and Productivity in Indian Industry. The webinars will commence from January 4 and conclude on March 2, 2021.

Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal will address the participants on January 6, 2021.

Each webinar will be a two-hour long session.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

many parties wish to benefit from his political endeavours.

Later, while talking to a news channel, he said his party was yet to decide if it would contest the elections on its own or forge an alliance with another outfit.

The AIMIM chief, however, stressed that he has the support of ‘peerzada’ Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif -- a much- revered shrine in Bengal’s Hooghly district.

Rubbishing the TMC’s claim that the

AIMIM helped the BJPled NDA win the Bihar assembly elections, he said his party had contested 20 seats in the neighbouring state, of which it won five and the Mahagathbandhan nine, while the NDA managed to bag six constituencies.

“The TMC should introspect and find out what worked in BJP’s favour during LS elections. The party should analyse why its members were leaving...”

Owaisi said. —PTI

SNOW- LADEN...

MP Governor Anandiben Patel along with CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan poses for a group photograph with newly inducted Cabinet Ministers Tulsiram Silawat (L) & Govind Rajput (R), at Raj Bhawan.

of the state cabinet were present during the brief ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan. This is the third expansion of the state cabinet ever

since Chouhan took over as CM for the fourth term in March 2020 after the collapse of the Congress government. —Agencies

A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks on a snow-covered pavement during snowfall in Srinagar on Sunday. —PHOTO BY PTI

CDS Rawat visits forward areas of Arunachal

‘UDYOG MANTHAN’ TO BE ORGANISED FROM JAN 4 TO MAR 2 New Delhi: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with Quality Council of India (QCI), National Productivity Council (NPC), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Industry Chambers is organising Udyog Manthan - a marathon of

CONG FLAYS GOVT FOR ‘APATHY’ TOWARDS FARMERS

Kolkata: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday, said TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, instead of pointing accusatory fingers at his outfit, should introspect and ascertain how the BJP managed to clinch 18 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Owaisi, who was here to hold a meeting with Muslim cleric Abbasuddin Sidiqqui, rejected TMC’s claims that his party was a “Bteam of the BJP”, and would eat into anti- saffron camp votes.

“We are a political party; we will establish our presence and fight the elections (in West Bengal). “... Bharat ke siyasat ka mai Laila hu, aur mere Majnu bahut hai, usse koi faraq nehi parta (I am like Laila from the popular folklore who has many admirers, but that doesn’t matter),” Owaisi told reporters, hinting that

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat during his visit to forward most air maintained post along Subansiri valley in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY PTI

veloped technology.

He also lauded the defence preparedness of

the personnel to face any challenge.

“The CDS said that

IIT GOA PROJECT TO COME UP, WILL DISCUSS PROTESTS: CM Panaji: The proposed Indian Institute of Technology campus in Sattari taluka in Goa will come up despite protests from local residents and all their demands will be discussed, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday. He said he had toured the site in Shel-Maulim where the IIT is proposed to come up. “We are ready to discuss demands of the locals. The project has not been scrapped.

Formalities for construction are going on,” the CM said, who also added a police outpost was coming up in the village as part of the IIT project.

he was satisfied by the high morale and motivation of all ranks who will ensure certain victory if challenged or given the opportunity,” the statement added.

He is scheduled to return to New Delhi later in the day. While visiting forward air bases in Eastern Sector including Arunachal Pradesh Assam, Rawat said he was confident that those fighting the Indian defence forces would be destroyed.—ANI

Probe agencies carrying out ‘audit’ of my father’s grave, says Mufti Srinagar: “Let them prove a single case, I am ready to face the consequences,” said PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti about the cases being probed by various investigating agencies, including the NIA which has arrested a senior leader of her party on terror funding charges.

The former Jammu & Kashmir CM also said it is mortifying that the probe agencies are run-

BJP LEADER & ASSOCIATE KILLED BY MISCREANTS IN ODISHA’S CUTTACK Bhubaneswar: A BJP leader and his associate were killed by miscreants in Odisha’s Cuttack district, police said on Sunday. Kulamani Baral, BJP’s Salipur in-charge and former Mahanga Block chairman, and his associate Dibya Singh Baral were hacked to death by miscreants when they were returning to

their village Nrutang on Saturday night, police said. While Kulamani died at Mahanga government hospital, his associate succumbed to injuries at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack. Kulamani’s son Ramakanta Baral lodged an FIR following which an accused has been arrested, IIC Ranjan Kumar Parida informed.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti

ning an “audit” on the mausoleum of her father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

In an interview with

PTI, she said, “It’s mortifying and disgusting that they are now running an audit on the mausoleum of my late father. How much lower will they stoop?” Sayeed died in 2016 and was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard at Bijbehara in south Kashmir.

There was no reaction either from the NIA or the Enforcement Directorate to the PDP chief ’s claims. —PTI

CYLINDER EXPLOSION AFTER FIRE IN HUT, NONE HURT Thane: A fire in a hut on a hillock in Thane district’s Dombivali on Sunday afternoon led to a cylinder explosion but no one was injured as the occupants of the house were out, police said.

The incident took place at 12:30pm in Netivali and the hut was completely destroyed by the time fire brigade personnel reached the spot, said Dombivali MIDC fire officer Maruti Khilare.

“The fire caused a cylinder explosion but since there was no one in the house, fortunately there were no injuries,” he added.

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WHO WELCOMES COVID VACCINE APPROVAL

‘DECISION WILL HELP STRENGTHEN FIGHT’

Schools, colleges to reopen in Bihar: Govt Patna: Educational institutions including schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutes will reopen in Bihar from Monday after a gap of over nine months since the outbreak of Covid pandemic.

Slide in number of coronavirus cases and high recovery rate of 97.61 per cent in the state seem to have boosted the confidence to resume studies physically in the educational institutions.

However, classes will operate only at half the strength of the total students and other protocols of coronavirus have to be followed strictly, Education Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar said on Sunday. —PTI

Covaxin of Bharat Biotech is yet to go for Phase 3: Guleria

‘HEALTH WORKERS, COPS TO GET VACCINE ON PRIORITY’

the WHO South-East Asia Region. This decision taken today by In-

dia will help intensify and strengthen the fight against COVID-19

pandemic in the Region,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the

New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) director Dr Randeep Singh Guleria today lauded the work done

by Indian laboratories in making indigenous vaccines. “The research has been done here and it’s truly from the scratch and it is Indian vaccine. It’s a great moment, especially because unlike past where we had to rely on importing various products like PPE or N95; now we have vaccines which are being manufactured in India itself.

We do not have to rely on vaccines coming from outside. They are regional director, WHO South-East Asia Region. According to

Stern action, law needed against stone-pelters: Shivraj Singh Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that stern action and a law were needed against those who indulge in stone pelting.

His statement comes in the wake of recent incidents of stone pelting on vehicle rallies taken out in western Madhya Pradesh by some groups to raise awareness about the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

“Stern action and a law are needed against

100 MAOISTS SNEAKED IN MP: COPS

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

stone- pelters. At times, stone pelting poses danger to life,” Mr Chouhan told top bureaucrats in the state during an online meeting on Saturday.

Vehicle rallies are being taken out in villages in the state by certain groups to raise awareness on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of

the launch of a nationwide public campaign by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust from January 15 to mobilise funds for the temple project.

cost-effective and easy to administer between 2 to 8 degrees Centigrade,” he said. He also said that a vaccine has to go through various stages of study to make sure that it is safe for use.

“It is important to understand that when we look at any vac-

cine, safety is paramount and therefore a vaccine goes through various stages of studying to make sure that it is safe,” Dr Guleria stated in an interview with ANI. There are questions being raised on Covaxin of Bharat Biotech which is yet to go for Phase III trials.

Dr Guleria responded, “Even as far as Bharat Biotech vaccine is a concern, it is on a traditional platform which has been used for other vaccines also. It is shown to be safe and they have robust data from Phase I and Phase II trials to show that it’s a safe vaccine.” —ANI

Dr. Khetrapal, the use of vaccine in “priortised population” as

well as implementation of other public health measures will

be important in reducing the impact of the pandemic.

“The use of vaccine in prioritised populations, along with continued implementation of other public health measures and community participation will be important in reducing the impact of COVID-19,” she added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the approval a decisive turning point in the country’s fight against coronavirus.

India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 1,03,23,965 with 18,177 new cases in a day, while 99,27,310 people have recuperated so far pushing the national recovery rate to 96.15% on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

There are 2,47,220 active cases of coronavirus in the country which comprise 2.39% of the total caseload, the data stated. —PTI

Intense wet spell to continue over north states till January 5: IMD New Delhi: North India is likely to witness an intense wet spell till Tuesday, with a fairly widespread precipitation accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning and hailstorm at isolated places, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. The activities will peak on Sunday and Monday over the plains (Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan) and on Monday over the western Himalayan region (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, it added.

—PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the approval a decisive turning point in the country’s fight against coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation on Sunday welcomed India’s decision giving emergency use authorisation to COVID-19 vaccines, saying it will help “intensify” and “strengthen” its fight against the ongoing pandemic.

India’s drugs regulator has approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country.

It paves the way for the roll out of at least two vaccines in the country in the coming days.

“WHO welcomes the first emergency use authorization given to COVID-19 vaccine in

Tourists wade through snow-covered road in Lahaul-Spiti on Sunday.

SEVERE COLD WAVE CONDITIONS

DMK WILL WAIVE EDUCATION LOANS Suvendu Adhikari mocks Trinamool's IF VOTED TO POWER: MK STALIN posters calling Mamata "Pride of Bengal" Erode (Tamil Nadu): The DMK would waive education loan taken by students for higher studies once the party comes to power.

The DMK president and Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly M K Stalin made this statement on Sunday while addressing a gathering at V Mettupalayam vil-

M K Stalin

lage in Erode west constituency where a people’s grama sabha meeting was held. The

DMK leader further said unemployment problem has been increasing in the state and the standard of education declining.

Also, he alleged that were misappropriation in granting of 100-day work for the rural people, which would be set right once the DMK forms the government in the state. —PTI

Darberia: Mocking ruling TMC for its posters and banners in recent years carrying pictures of its supremo proclaiming projects and programmes, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari Saturday said he looks forward to a Bengal where only pictures of icons will feature on them. Mr Adhikari,

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari

who did not name any person, was alluding to posters and banners

having pictures of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee proclaiming the state's various development projects or ongoing state-organised festivals put up in the city and other parts of state in which she is described as the "Pride of Bengal". He told a meeting in Purbo

Medinipur district, "We will usher in a Bengal where banners before schools, colleges and other places will only have pictures of icons like Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Ranindranath Tagore and others describing them as Prides of Bengal". —PTI

farmer said, “Rain has spoilt our food, all our clothes and tents have got wet, that is a problem. But, we are determined for our fight. We can bear these small problems but if farm laws are applied then our generations will suffer. We will go back to our homes only when these laws are repealed.”

At least 18 of them had been identified by the evening.

I express my condolences to the near and dear ones of those who lost their lives in this accident, and also hope for a quick recovery of the injured, Modi tweeted in Hindi.

Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh as financial relief for the families of each man killed. CM also directed Meerut’s Divisional Commissioner and Additional Director General of the police zone to submit a report on the incident.

FROM PG 1 Game on...

This clears the way for the roll out of at least two vaccines in India in the coming days. “Serum and Bharat Biotech vaccines have to be administered in two doses. All the three vaccines have to be stored at 2-8 C,” Somani said.

Modi: Approval...

“A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight! DCGI granting approval to vaccines of @SerumInstIndia and @BharatBiotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation.

Congratulations India.

Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators,” he tweeted.

Vax approval... use needs to be taken up carefully as no country has dispensed with the mandatory phase 3 trials and verification of data. As per submissions made before the expert panel, phase 3 trials have not been completed and therefore, the data on safety and efficacy has not been reviewed, which is a mandatory requirement, Sharma said re-

ferring to Covaxin.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the approval is premature and Covaxin’s use should be avoided as it could be dangerous.

Another senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh asked Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to clarify why internationally-accepted protocols on phase 3 trials “are being modified”.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav had on Saturday termed the anti-Covid vaccine to be rolled out in the country as a “vaccine

of the BJP” and said he would not take the shot.

On Sunday, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said the COVID-19 vaccination programme is a “sensitive process”, and the government should not treat it as a “cosmetic” event as it is a matter of lives.

Watershed moment... under the charismatic leadership of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji ! Our wait for #COVID19 vaccine is over with COVISHIELD from @SerumInstIndia

and COVAXIN from @ BharatBiotech approved for emergency use in India, Vardhan tweeted.

Leave arrogance...

“Along with the people of the country, I am also disturbed seeing the condition of the ‘annadatas’ who have been agitating for 39 days at the borders of Delhi in the bitter cold and rain in support of their demands but neither the heartless Modi government relented nor the Prime Minister or any other minister uttered a word of consolation

till today,” the Congress president said.

“Since independence, this is the first such arrogant government that has come to power in the history of the country that, leave alone people, cannot even see the sufferings and struggles of ‘annadatas’,” she said.

It seems that ensuring profits for a handful of industrialists has become the main agenda of this government, Gandhi alleged.

Heavy rains...

Undeterred by harsh weather, s protesting

23 killed...

Apart from the 23 dead, 15 others were admitted at different hospitals, Ghaziabad (Rural) Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja said.

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Mohd Rafiq THOUSANDS OF FARMERS IN HUNDREDS Justice takes oath as CJ OF TRACTORS PAINT THE BORDER RED of MP High Court Ashvini Yadav Alwar: In a new turn in farmers agitation in Shahjahanpur near Rajasthan-Haryana border, thousands of farmers in hundreds of tractors arrived from Tikri border and joined them.

Many farmers associated with different farmers organisations are already agitating at Shahjahanpur Kheda since 12 December and now with thousands of farmers joining them, the agitation has further intensified.

Last week, many farmers had forcefully entered Haryana in tractors from Shahjahanpur and now groups of farmers have arrived here from Tikri border

which has alerted Haryana police.

The agitating farmers are deciding the future course of action and strategy.

Sources said that they might mount pressure on the government by threatening to move towards Delhi.

The farmers have already announced to participate in the Republic Day parade on 26 January.

After the farmers began dharna near the R a j a s t h a n - H a r ya n a border, the Jaipur-Delhi highway was partially blocked but it was completely blocked on 25 December.

Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal is also sitting in the dharna along with other leaders.

Brain Stroke: Raghu

Sharma releases documentary film The documentary made by Kota Medical College Principal Dr Vijay Sardana has been nominated in 20 best films at the National Short Film Festival Bhanwar S Charan Jaipur: Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma on Sunday released a documentary film, made for the prevention and awareness of Brain Stroke, at his residence.

The documentary made by Kota Medical College Principal Dr. Vijay Sardana has been nominated in 20 best films at the National Short Film Festival held in Agartala.

Appreciating Dr Sardana and his team for the effort, Sharma

said that it will be helpful in making people aware about brain stroke.

Dr Sardana said that the film can be viewed on YouTube.

Actors Ranjeet, Dr. Vijay Sardana, Rahul Sood, Anaya Soni and baby Trishna in lead roles in the film which has been selected at the National Science Film Festival of India 2020.

Social activist Kranti Tiwari and director of the film Rohit Sood were also present on the occasion.

Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma along with Dr Vijay Sardana, Kranti Tiwari and Rahul Sood releasing the poster of the documentary film ‘Brain Stroke’ at his residence on Sunday.

—FILE PHOTO

ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL TUTORS FARMERS ON NEW AGRI LAWS Laxman Raghav

Bikaner: Union minister of state for parliamentary affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday highlighted the advantages of new farm laws enacted by the centre in a meeting with farmers.

During his visit to Bikaner, the minister attended

‘Annadaata Ke Hiton Ki Charcha’ and held discussion with them over the farmers issue.

He said that all three laws are in the interest of the farmers which will empower them.

Targeting Congress and other opposition parties, Meghwal said

that the opposition parties are taking political advantage and they are fulfilling their vested interests. He made it clear that the laws will not be repealed and said that the central government is trying to resolve the issue positively through dialogues. Meghwal said

he was hopeful that the issue will be settled in the meeting proposed on 4 January. On the approval to covid-19 vaccine, the minister said it is a big achievement which could be possible because of the untiring efforts of PM Narendra Modi and scientists.

Indian team reluctant to travel to Brisbane for 4th Test

Melbourne: India have expressed their reluctance to travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test if further restrictions are imposed on their movement. Queensland has shut its border to New South Wales. The Indian team fears that their movement will be completely curtailed after reaching Brisbane, where the final match of the four-Test series is scheduled to be played starting January 15.

The third Test is set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 7 and India are keen to play the final Test at the same venue instead of travelling to Brisbane.

The development comes on the backdrop of five Indian players, including vice-captain Rohit Sharma, being placed in isolation after a video emerged of them eating at a restaurant in Melbourne on New Year’s day.

Rohit along with Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Navdeep Saini and Prithvi Shaw have all been separated from both the India and Australia squads.

They will, however, be allowed to train in accordance with the strict protocols that

Bhopal: Justice Mohammad Rafiq was on Sunday administered the oath as the 26th Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court by Governor Anandiben Patel.

Justice Rafiq was serving as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court before he was transferred to Madhya Pradesh on the similar position on December 31 last year. Justice Rafiq was administered the oath of office at a function held at Raj Bhavan here by Uttar Pradesh Governor Patel, who is holding additional charge of Madhya Pradesh.

He was born on May 20, 1960 at Sujangarh in Churu district of Rajasthan, as per the MP

Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq

High Court website. Before becoming a judge in the Rajasthan High Court on May 15, 2006, justice Rafiq was a practising lawyer.

The MP High Court had 3,81,641 (2,36,204 civil and 1,45,437 criminal cases) cases pending till November 30, 2019. The MP high court had disposed of 6,744 cases, including civil and criminal, in November, as per the high court registry.

—PTI

Shekhawat in Bengal goes door-to-door convincing people & seeking votes for BJP Aishwary Pradhan

z India have expressed

their concerns about travelling to Brisbane

z The fourth Test is

scheduled to be held at the Gabba, from Jan 15

have been put in place

by Cricket Australia.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia have also launched a joint investigation for a possible breach of biosecurity protocols.

On Sunday, Australia batsman Matthew Wade spoke about there being “potentially harder quarantine or bio-security bubble in Brisbane than we have over here”.

Wade said that Australia are keen to stick to the schedule and “fully expect” to play the

fourth Test at the Gabba.

“No one knows the finals details about it yet but there will be a stricter protocol in Brisbane than here. We prefer not to sacrifice the Test at Brisbane, the schedule has been rolled out, there was some speculation in staying in Melbourne as well but we stuck to it, we fully expect to travel to Brisbane to play the fourth Test,” Wade said in a virtual media briefing.

The four-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1. Hosts Australia

the second most influential leader from Udaipur division is also of the same opinion. If Deepti is given the assembly ticket from the area and she manages to win, then it would yet again be two females at the helm of development in Rajsamand viz MP Diya Kumari and MLA

Deepti Maheshwari.

—Aishwary Pradhan

z India are wary of

stricter Covid protocols in Brisbane

won the opening Test in Adelaide, with India facing the ignominy of posting 36/9 in the second innings -- their lowest ever total in Test cricket.

India bounced back in style in Melbourne, dominating the proceedings for most of the four days that the match lasted.

In Virat Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane did a fine job, not only in leading the team but also with the bat -- scoring a brilliant century in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test.

Kolkata: Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday held meetings and dialogues with public and party workers during his second day of West Bengal visit.

The minister held a discussion with the party workers over tea and attended programmes in Thakurpukur and Behala assembly constituencies where more than 1,000 people were present.

Shekhawat did door to door campaign with people in the constituencies and highlighted to convince people to vote for BJP in the upcoming elections in West Bengal.

He appealed to elderly people to bless PM Modi. Shekhawat also met a 95-year-old RSS veteran Sunil Barman, who is one of the founder members of the Sangh.

Discussion on various issues were held between the two.

During his tight schedule, the minister also attended a party meeting at Trishta bha-

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat meeting 95-year-old RSS veteran Sunil Burman.

wan in Behala assembly constituency along with Devji Sarkar, Shankar Sikandar and Shashi Agnihotri.

More than 50 TMC workers joined BJP during Shekhawat’s visit.

Meanwhile, Shekhawat had on Saturday said that the “Ma, Mati and Manush” (mother, motherland and people) of West Bengal have been “cheated” during the Trinamool Congress rule in the state.

“The politics of revenge has been taking place in West Bengal for four decades. The BJP will establish true democracy,” he said.

‘RETURN’ OF MAHESHWARI IN RAJSAMAND!

C

ovid-19 pandemic has hit the political landscape as much as it has disturbed civilian life. One of the most surprising occurrences in this entire pandemic was the demise of BJP leader Kiran Maheshwari and after her demise, there now exists a space that needs to be filled. However, there appears to be a new face that may take on the mantle

left by Maheshwari’s untimely demise and this individual is none other than late Kiran Maheshwari’s daughter Deepti Maheshwari.

Sources reveal that few days back, she was informally ‘launched’ by staunch supporters of the former minister.

Interestingly, even

THE BONHOMIE!

L

et us tell you ‘caste love’ between a netaji and a bureaucrat.

The netaji who is a businessman and lost from an assembly seat from Jaipur is extremely ‘supportive’ of the XEN. Around

four months back, the XEN was transferred out of the ‘netaji’s area’ and was sent to Jhalawar. However, for these four months, the chair of the XEN was kept vacant and now the officer has returned to his ‘old haunt’ in the new transfer list.

The bond between the netaji and the officer

is widely discussed in the department and interestingly enough, the officer does not enjoy a good reputation when it

comes to tenders.

Does the bonhomie go beyond just the caste equation? Only time would tell.

—Naresh Sharma

Life may dictate bondage of the body at times but let your soul and mind roam free at all times.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

POSTAL REG NO. JPC/010/2019-21

JAIPUR | MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

RAJASTHAN

18,47,252 8,52,14,000 1,49,659 1,03,39,726 2,710 3,09,821 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 49,666 DEATHS 19,42,136 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 8,387 DEATHS 5,87,434 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 12,107 DEATHS 9,21,938 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 10,585 DEATHS 6,26,872 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 4,318 DEATHS 2,47,228 CASES

Central govt ‘insensitive’ towards farmers: CM ‘BJP should realise that Congress has held the country together for 70 years through sacrifice of its leaders,’ added Gehlot

Yogesh Sharma Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the Central government is “insensitive” and passing time even as the farmers have been protesting for the last 39 days in the cold Delhi winter against the recently enacted farm laws.

“Around 39 days have passed since the farmers have been protesting at the borders of Delhi in winter. One can think what must be the farm-

ers going through. The government is being very insensitive. They think that the farmers will be tired and the protest will die down. The government is doing time pass,” Gehlot said while addressing a gathering here at a protest meeting held by the Congress party in Jaipur.

“The question is to determine the fate of the farmers of the country.

The government thinks only farmers of Haryana and Punjab are sitting in protest. Farmers from the country’s 6.5

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addresses the gathering during a protest against the Centre’s new farm laws, at Shahid Smarak in Jaipur on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Shah’s Man Friday Sunil Bansal on Mission Bengal Amit Shah has given Bansal a challenging mission to form a strong team in TMC’s stronghold

WHO IS SUNIL BANSAL?

B

Sunil Bansal has been made the organization in-charge of Kolkata Zone of WB, which is biggest challenge for BJP.

tions-2017. Against the predictions of political pundits, the BJP registered a one-sided victory in the assembly elections. This RSS Pracharak is Sunil Bansal, State General Secretary (Organisation) of Uttar Pradesh BJP. After Uttar Pradesh, Shah has given Bansal another challenging mission in the West Bengal assembly elections. According to the

organizational ability of the UP GS (organisation), Shah has given him the responsibility to form a strong BJP organization in Bengal.

Bansal is micro-managing the organization in Bengal. By the way, the BJP has engaged many of its senior leaders, MPs and ministers in Bengal, but Bansal has been given the most difficult task. According to sources, Bansal has

been made the organization in-charge of Kolkata Zone of West Bengal. Kolkata zone is the biggest challenge for BJP. This zone consists of 51 assembly constituencies of West Bengal.

It is the stronghold of TMC, all the MPs and MLAs of TMC. Bansal has been given the responsibility to penetrate this fort of TMC. Bansal has been visiting Bengal continuous-

‘CM will have to take Pilot along’ From Page 1

Mukesh Sharma Lucknow/Kolkata: Home Minister and former BJP National President Amit Shah, who is considered the ‘Chanakya’ of politics, assigned a young RSS Pracharak to strengthen the organization in Uttar Pradesh six years ago.

This Pracharak fulfilled Shah’s expectations and in a few months, formed such a strong organization structure in Uttar Pradesh that BJP got a historic victory in the Lok Sabha elections-2014. The winning chariot continued even in the UP Assembly Elec-

lakh villages stand in solidarity with the protesting farmers,” he said.

“We are together with the farmers. The situation is very serious as more than 86 per cent farmers in the country have less than 5 acres of land. On average, they have only two acres land.

The Rajasthan government brought farm bills for the state to lessen the impact of the central farm laws,” he said.

“India’s people are very intelligent whether they be less educated or

ly for the last two months.

“I have charge of Kolkata Zone. Working here is challenging, but there is a wave of change all over Bengal.

I am visiting here regularly and taking meetings with party workers. The atmosphere is in favour of BJP. The result of the upcoming election will be in favour of the party”, Bansal told First India.

At the same time, there is a clear message for the Chief Minister from New Delhi that inspite of his all ‘embarassments,’ he has to take Pilot along.

Moreover, under Sonia’s advice, in his December 7, PTI ‘tight rope’ interview, Maken, while appreciating the performance of the third time chief minister -Gehlot, had gone to the extent of rating Pilot as an asset. All said and done, even in this rosy scenario, political observers are still keeping their fingers crossed on the future and final outcome of this ‘ceasefire’ in the coming months!

more. Even Indira ji (former prime minister Indira Gandhi), who delivered independence to Bangladesh, had lost in 1977. But in three years, she returned to power with a majority. In a democracy, people have always had their say,” the CM said.

He further attacked the BJP and said that they should realise that Congress has held the country together for 70 years through sacrifice of its leaders.

“Routine appeals to the Central government

doesnot mean anything.

What power do they have to adjudge on the future of farmers. The farmers are smart and protesting peacefully.

The central government is ‘nakara. This fascist government wants to destroy the country. Decisions like GST and demonitization were done without any thought and now the farm laws were brought without any discussion. Had the bills been sent to the select committee, it would have brought a good result,” Gehlot said.

FORMER DY CM MEETS MAKEN IN NEW DELHI Aditi Nagar New Delhi: In connection with the state executive list of Rajasthan Congress, former state chief Sachin Pilot met AICC General Secretary & Rajasthan in-charge, Ajay Maken in Delhi on Sunday. Political observers believe that due to the recent political crisis, it is all the more important to first establish a balance between the two different camps & then announce the PCC & hence the meet. In last three days, Maken has held meetings with PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Sachin Pilot & also had a long telephonic conversation with CM Ashok Gehlot. It is now said that the final list is all set to roll out, and a green signal from the Congress President will be given today.

PILOT TEARS INTO CENTRAL GOVT

HEALTH MATTERS

COVID-19 Journey: From initial learning to vaccine Dr Sudhir Bhandari Jaipur: The sphinx of the journey of COVID-19 has been very confounding that has left the medical fraternity bewildered and baffled. As is the practice of any disease process with protean manifestations afflicting humans across the globe, COVID-19 Pandemic witnessed a deluge of conflicting information, came to be known as Infodemic, that during the time-defied course of the disease was singled out with characterization and identification of the disease profile along with evolution of a probable definitive symptomatic management.

COVID-19 challenged the frontiers of Medical Science testing its limits through it extremes taking humankind for a ride.However, the hu-

man spirit and endurance after getting its due beating, as per its nature rose from the ashes, like the allegorical Phoenix, and evolved a multidisciplinary approach involving specialties from fields of Medicine, Economics, Health, Social Care, Industry and Logistic measures to tackle the menace of pandemic.

The first case of the novel coronavirus was first reported from Wuhan City in China in December 2019. The Chinese authorities later identified cases with onset of symptoms in early December 2019. While some of these were linked to the wholesale food market in Wuhan, some were not.

Many of the early patients worked or visited the market and samples taken from the area around the market implicated this area as the

Dr Sudhir Bhandari, Principal & Controller of SMS Medical College & attached group of hospitals at Jaipur.

source of the outbreak, though there are still many questions that remain answered relating to origin of the virus and its probable definitive management.

The looming specter of COVID-19 had appalled and stunned the humankind all alike taking the most viable available preventive guidelines for such rapidly

evolving pandemic for a ride, more so for countries with high population density like India, where adhering to the laid down guidelines (that were evolving with a better appreciation of the profile of SARSCoV-2) had become a herculean task for all Governments across the Nation. In such an intimidating background, the

Government of Rajasthan authorized its primal Teaching Medical College, SMS Medical College Hospital, Jaipur, a premier Institute of international standards, to take up the onerous task of combating the menace of the pandemic in a logical, precise and objective manner evolving definitive management and preventive protocols of COVID-19. A state of art ICU with 50 beds was created exclusively for this purpose. It included advance ventilators, provisions for high flow nasal oxygen therapy, dialysis and in house monitoring for COVID-19 patients. The traumatology and orthopedic institute augmented with a 16 bedded ICU and specialized capacity and skill development training labs.

The SMSMCH, Jaipur, with its privileged, elan

& insightful resources, very closely monitored the course & profile of the pandemic & intelligently evolved a stratagem aimed at curbing the upsurge & spread & evolving a definitive management protocol maintaining recovery rates to a maximal high bringing down the dread & fear of the pandemic to bare minimum. The evolving definitive management protocol & preventive guidelines so framed by SMSMCH, Jaipur under its abled leadership of Professor Dr Sudhir Bhandari became the benchmark for others to follow across Rajasthan & the Nation that were an outcome of herculean tasks framed & adopted by the Institute of maximally optimizing the number of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, aggressively managing COVID-19.

THE STATE OF RAJ 2020 TIMELINE 02 March Rajasthan reported its first case of COVID 19 March Section 144 was imposed which restricted gathering of five or more 22 March Announced complete lockdown (except for essential services) 22 March Started screening of all passengers reaching Jaipur through air keeping the ones showing symptoms in home isolation for 14 days 22 March Banned Public Transport 24 March Banned Private Transport 11 April Announced COVID Insurance scheme 07 May Sealed State Borders 31 May Lockdown extended till 30th June (few relaxations) 18 June Special mobile COVID awareness programme started 19 June COVID and other illnesses survey started 20 June Initial notification for COVID testing and treatment rates 07 July Clinical Management Protocol for COVID uploaded 07 Sep. COVID dead body disposal management guidelines published 11 Sep. Guidelines for control of COVID in Educational & Training 05 Oct. Guidelines for rational use of Oxygen released 18 Nov. Post COVID Syndrome Management Protocol released 28 Nov. RT-PCR rates slashed to rupees 800 for private lab testing 29 Nov. Mobile Medical Units deployed for high risk zones 01 Dec. COVID Insurance Scheme was approved by the Govt 09 Dec. As per recommendations of the Core Treatment Committee from SMSMCH, Jaipur, Revised COVID Management Protocol was published by the Rajasthan Government

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F O C E O C

A SOU

mitalidusad01@gmail.com

A stuffed toy is more than just – well- a stuffed toy! It is a childhood memory, a token of love, a source of comfort and cannot be replaced! City First brings you some tips to take care of your beloved furry friend! have glued-in parts), warm or hot water can be used.

2

A mild detergent, like a free and clear formula, is ideal, but regular detergent is fine — no need to purchase a separate detergent for washing stuffed animals.

Follow the instructions on the bottle and don’t use too much de

3

T FOR

1

Use the gentle cycle and cold water, though if a child has been sick and the toy can tolerate it (for example, it does not

MITALI DUSAD

tergent, as soap residue left behind can irritate sensitive skin.

M

RI

f you s h a re your b e d with a furry friend into adulthood, don’t be ashamed, sleeping with soft toys is more normal than you might think. Ample of my friends or siblings still sleep with teddies. Well, the question arises, why are we hanging on to our cuddly toys? My hunch is that it’s to do with sleeping practices. Nowadays, following western culture, children sleep separately from their parents, on their own and self-soothe using blankets and soft toys. These have become part of our sleep ritual. Well, if we love them so much, let’s learn to take care of them.

If the size and shape of the stuffed animal allow for it, put the toy in a mesh washing bag to help protect parts like eyes and hair.

You can also pad the load with towels to help protect toys.

It is not unusual for your attachment to soft toys as a sleep aid to persist into adulthood.

Cuddling a soft toy can have a beneficial effect for people with low self-esteem, helping to alleviate their anxieties around death. It’s about having a sentimental attachment to things. It’s completely normal for adults to continue to have these childish attachments.”

09

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LUNARAM DARJI cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

N

THE BIG CONTRIBUTION Narsi Kularia on India plan since 2017 Launched a campaign to realize the Skill India Scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the ground, so far thousands of youth have been given a new identity by looking at training under Skill India scheme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Skill India scheme to give a new identity to the youth, but the biggest task of realizing the plan

on the ground and connecting the youth with the scheme was done by the Narsee Group, Narsi Kularia, CMD of the Narsee Group, came forward from 2017. Started training programs under the India scheme, in which thousands of youth have been trained so far and linked with employment and have given a new identity.

Jagdish Kularia

of every Hindu to cooperate in the construction of Ram temple, with the cooperation of all, a grand temple of Lord Ram will be built. Narsi groups are being supported by the villag-

FA CE OF TH ED AY

arsi Kularia contributed 2 crores 25 lakh in the construction of Ram temple. Narsi Kularia, known as the Icon of the Interior, contributed 2 crores 25 lakh for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Sant Dularam Kularia, from the beginning, has lived his entire life in the service of Sisamaj Seva, Goseva and Sadhu Saints, whose path is being followed by the CMD of Narsi Group, son of Sant Dularam Kularia.

From the beginning, Narsi Kularia donated to the Gaushalas for the service of the cows and their families, always ahead for social service and always helped the poor families.

Bhamashah Narsi Kularia came forward to contribute a huge amount of 2.25 crore rupees in the construction of the long-awaited Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Expressing appreciation on this contribution, Narsi Kularia said that it is his good fortune that we get the opportunity to cooperate in the construction of Ram temple, due to the grace of Lord Ram, we get such a wonderful opportunity.

Narsi Kularia said that Father Sant Dularam Kularia had inspired them to do good deeds from the beginning, today we are walking on his path.

Director of Narsi group, Jagdish Kularia also said that it is the responsibility

NARSI KULARIA:

ers of the area to get the benefit of it. In the newly announced state executive of Rajasthan, the icon of the interior and industrialist Narsi Kularia has been made the vice president for

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

the Shri Ram Temple Fund Collection Committee, constituted under the chairmanship of industrialist Tarachand Goyal, for the under-construction Ram temple in Ayodhya. There

the country will have to be strengthened, this can only be possible from the Skill India program, Anil Mathur said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India program to enhance the carpenter craft in the country Narsi Kularia, CMD of Narsi Group, who has participated in the meeting, is truly realizing the skill India Kaushal Bharat dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Since 2017, the youth icon Narsi Kularia has been playing an active part in this program, providing employment opportunities to the youth of the country by connecting them with skills and advancing their Carpentry skills through their group. Rajasthan program in-charge Balwant H Suthar Chaura said that the Narsee Group is working to extend the Skill India scheme to village DhaniDhani to promote carpenter crafts.

Narsi Kularia, CMD Narsi Group

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Some more avenues for earning promise to open up. Good diet and regular exercise will keep you both physically and mentally robust. At work, you are likely to remain in control and see a project to completion. Financially, you remain in a comfortable situation.

Money comes in a steady stream and promises to make you financially comfortable. Self-discipline and not succumbing to temptations will help in maintaining good health.

Some of you may get tied up in office and reach home late today. It may become difficult to find family time.

Returns from previous investments are likely to make your financial worries disappear. A new exercise regime may need to be dovetailed to your requirements to benefit. Your professional rivals are likely to punch holes in your cost-cutting ideas for a project.

On the financial front, a new source of income is likely to be tapped soon that may get your coffers brimming! Health counselling will do wonders for those longing to come back in shape. You are likely to win much appreciation by completing a task in record time.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Maintaining good health becomes your priority and sets you on a fitness trail. A senior will repose full faith in you for tackling a man management situation at work. Situation on the financial front will remain satisfactory, despite rising expenditure. A property issue may create tension at the home.

A profitable venture is likely to fill up the coffers of some businesspersons.

You may be held responsible for a deed that you have not committed at work. Fitness classes will prove immensely beneficial and soothing, especially for those in the middle age group.

Businesspersons are likely to find a new venture progressing satisfactorily.

A profitable day is for professionals. There is much that needs to be done, so tighten your belt. Good health is likely to provide you with oodles of energy and enable you to finish your work in a jiffy.

Some of you can end up paying more than intended for a product or service, but it will be worth it.

Taking up a good health scheme will prove beneficial. A practical solution may be found for a complex problem on the professional front. Support of family members is assured.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Realising a handsome amount from someone is possible on the financial front. Your efforts on the professional front will be noted by those who matter. A child or younger sibling can make you proud by his or her achievements. Good health keeps you energetic all throughout.

Money multiplies, as you get an opportunity to add to your wealth. Time has arrived to reap rich rewards of your hard work. Parents or elders may nag you into doing something you don’t want to, but you will manage to wriggle out of it! You will follow an exercise regime.

Salary enhancement cannot be ruled out for some. An alternative to your staple diet may prove immensely enjoyable. An argument with senior can make you feel insecure. You may find the atmosphere at home serene and most welcoming. Places of tourist attraction may be on the agenda.

Increased expenditure can be expected and may get you worried. It is important to get back into the thick of things on the work front. Family grapevine can be abuzz with the latest gossip about you. Ensure adequate security in a long journey, as stars for travel are not too bright.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

RADHA CHOUDHARY, Model

was a wave of happiness in becoming the vice-president of Narsi Kularia, CMD of Narsi Group.

Happiness on receipt of the grandson On receiving the son of Narsi Kularia’s son Jagdish Kularia, there was a happy atmosphere in the village and family. Narsi Kularia expressed happiness over the grandson’s attainment and said that along with devotion to Ram, social service, service of saints and public will always be ahead for the poor.

Narsi Kularia, CMD of the Narsi Group, which has created its own distinct identity in the field of the interior in the country, has been engaged in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India scheme since the beginning.

Narsi Group has so far organized training camps

under the India Scheme for this in many cities and towns including Sanchore, Sirohi, Dhorimana, Chohtan, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai Pune, Hyderabad, Faridabad, Goa under the Skill India Scheme. Recently, a training program was organized under the Skill India Scheme by the Nursery Group in Chohtan, Barmer, in which more than 200 youth trained in the training camp of the Narsi Group under the Skill India Scheme.

Carpenter Training Camp was launched by the participating Narsi Group at Skill India in Chohtan, Barmer. In the camp organized under the chairmanship of the chief guest of the ceremony held at Vishwakarma Suthar Samaj, Ranaram Kularia, 200 youth participated in the Corona pandemic following the guidelines. Certificates will now be distributed after training. At the function, Narsee Group Skill India h e a d s Anil Mathur and Priyanka Bhatia said t h a t

10

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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ALL SET TO SHOOT

P

roducer Sajid Nadiadwala recently roped in Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi and Pankaj Tripathi for his upcoming actioncomedy Bachchan Pandey and this new addition has elevated the excitement for the film.

The new year has started on an exciting note for the

producer as he is all set to shoot in Jaisalmer with the entire cast. Nadiadwala Grandson recently shared a post on raising a toast to the new beginnings and captioned it as,”New Year! New Beginnings!

The GANG is all set to shoot #SajidNadiadwala’s #BachchanPandey from 6th Jan in Jaisalmer @akshaykumar @farhad_samji @kritisanon @ArshadWarsi @prateikbabbar @ WardaNadiadwala @ Skhannadiadwala @SufyanNadiadwa4 @NGEMovies” —Agency

S

Emmy Rossum to make one last appearance as Fiona Gallagher after she exited the Showtime show in March 2019.

So far, her appearance has not been confirmed, and Shameless creator John Wells has repeatedly been asked in interviews whether she would manage to return.

Most recently, he was asked by TVLine and Rossum’s return. He said: “She’s shooting this big limited series for Peacock, and they haven’t yet gone back into production.

—Agency

hameless has less than a dozen episodes left before it comes to an end, with Season 11 set to be the show’s last ever. This means that time is running out for

11

Emmy Rossum

returns

Akshay rides the Segway Emmy Rossum

Mermaid in Maldives

LOVESTRUCK

Akshay Kumar during the event

T

he handsome hunk Akshay Kumar is known for his fitness and acting prowess in Bollywood. Besides this, Khiladi Kumar has always extended his support to Mumbai Police in their initiatives. Speaking of this, the Rowdy Rathore star recently graced the event of segways. The Mumbai Police has organised an event to launch Segways for Police

Patrolling at Worli Seaface.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Minister of Tourism Aaditya Thackeray have inaugurated this project in the presence of other prominent ministers. Akshay attended the event as a special guest for the evening and also delivered a speech wherein he expressed his gratitude to everyone for making it possible.

—Agency

T

Taapsee Pannu

apsee Pannu who has won hearts for her performance in films like Pink and Thappad recently wrapped up the Ranchi schedule of her next sports drama Rashmi Rocket.

She shared another stunning picture on her Instagram which left her fans in awe and especially her rumoured boyfriend Mathias Boe on Sunday. Sharing the picture on her Insta-

gram, Taapsee Pannu wrote, “Confidence is not walking into a room thinking you are better than everyone else. It’s walking into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone else in the first place. #HappySunday.” As soon as she posted the picture, fans started showering love on the post. But what caught our attention was her rumoured boyfriend Mathias Boe’s comment. He dropped a hearteyed emoji in the comment section.

—Agency

T

he first weekend of the year seemed to be an exciting one for Ananya Panday as she welcomed 2021 amidst clear blue waters and in the middle of an island.

Taking to Instagram, Ananya dropped another beach-inspired look from her Maldives vacation and it’s all things stunning.

In the photo, Ananya can be seen posing with crystal clear blue water in the background. The actress notched up her

Ananya Panday’s post

style in a pair of white and blue tie-dye pants, a white crop tube top and heart-shaped earrings.

Rocking her tan lines, Ananya probably felt like a mermaid as she used that emoji to caption her photos —Agency

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER...

Lokesh, Ashima, Taruna, Anita and Rishee

—PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK ‘ENCHANTED BY CHEF TARUNA BIRLA’ WAS ORGANISED AT TAJ JAI MAHAL PALACE ON SATURDAY EVENING, WHERE VARIOUS RENOWNED PERSONALITIES FROM THE PINK CITY WERE WITNESSED HAVING A LOT OF FUN. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT IT WAS THE VERY FIRST EVENT OF 2021 IN JAIPUR, THE ENTIRE VIBE OF THE EVENT WAS FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT. CITY FIRST SHARES A FEW GLIMPSES OF THE GATHERING HAVING FUN DURING THE EVENT!

Suman, Lalit, Pankaj, Reema and Neeru

Vishal and Mandakini

Manoj, Naveen, Sandeep, Meera and Taruna

Neha, Manish, Dushyant, Minal, Parul, Shaini, Doorva and Meeraya

Richa, Ratika and Doorva Pallavi, Taruna and Lokesh Karan, Deepak and Anjali

Dushyant, Hemant and Apra

Dr Rajiv Ahuja and Dr Geeta Ahuja

Sujata with a guest

Lokesh, JD Maheshwari and Rishee

CITY BUZZ JAIPUR | MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021

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

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OPERA QUEEN OF INDIA

GREETINGS!

Jagdeesh Chandra with Dr Sandeep Sharma and Ken on the occasion of New Year on Saturday.

EVENTS! —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

Hritisha Rewadia, in a freewheeling chat with City First, opened up about her journey as Opera singer, a rarity in India!

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

W

ithout any doubt, it is safe to say that the desert state is filled with immense talent.

To prove this right, Hritisha Rewadia from the Pink City recently won the title of the ‘Opera Queen of India’, and it is definitely a very big achievement for Rajasthan as a whole.

In an exclusive interview with City First, Hritisha opened up about her journey and what she plans to do in the future.

Talking about the title she recently received, Hritisha mentioned, “I feel overwhelmed by this title given to

me by the respected and honourable personalities because my dream for bringing opera as a mainstream singing culture in India is becoming true. In 2020 I was welcomed by many opera shows conducted online due to Covid in USA & UK, and people and other celebrities there honoured me with the title of ‘Opera Queen of India’.”

“In school, I never thought of becoming a singer instead I was pursuing doctorate career but suddenly I changed my plans by discussing this field with family and planned to move forward with singing as I always stood 1st in interschool and inter-house singing competitions.

Then I met Shaiphali Saxena the Founder of Angel’s Music Academy and decided to learn music at her Academy. It is Shaiphali who intro-

FELICITATIONS!

Guj: Citizens were captured enjoying a pleasant evening with their families at a new boating site near AMC House, Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

duced & taught me opera culture and helped me through my career in music. We both became like sisters and in fact consider her as a family member,” she added.

On asking about who is her role model, Hritisha said, “My role model and my inspiration for my singing comes from my mother, Darshana Rewadia; and on her name only I’ve put my stage name as ‘Hritisha Darshana Rewa- dia’.”

Going further, Hritisha’s goal is to invent some things in music that have never been discovered, and become a Musicologist.

Hritisha Rewadia

MEET, GREET AND EAT!

Lalchand Aswal

A

New Year get-together was organised by Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti Committee in Jaipur on Sunday. The newly elected public representatives along with Corona

warriors were honoured.

A large number of people were present on the occasion.

During this, Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti celebration committee Chairman,

Lalchand Aswal told that on this occasion more than 100 Corona warriors were honoured with citation letters and shawls along with scholarships to the poor students.

—City First During the reunion

KIND GESTURE

HAPPY B’DAY!

C Guj: South Western Air Command (SWAC) headquarters organised a cycle rally at Air Force Station Deesa on Saturday.

The rally was flagged off by Air Vice Marshal Umesh Kumar.

The cyclists interacted with the local crowd at Deesa to spread awareness about the Indian Air Force and also to promote the initiative of ‘Fit India’ movement. The event was conducted to commemorate “Swarnim Jayanti” of the Indo-Pak 1971 war with the slogan ‘Har Kaam Desh ke Naam’.

hief Minister, Ashok Gehlot sent across a noble message to help and distribute food grains and blankets to the needy people on the occasion of New Year. Heritage Mayor, Munesh Gurjar visited Ramrajpura Colony on Wednes- Munesh Gurjar with Ishita day and met Banwari Lal where he told about his daughter, Ishita who is suffering from a rare disease. The Mayor inspired by the Chief Minister took complete responsibility of the child including her education and other expenses.

—City First

A

get-together ceremony was organised for the winners, runnerups and top 10 participants of both the categories of the three-day National Beauty Contest Miss and Mrs India Glam season 2 in collaboration with RK Events and The Heritage Village Resort on Saturday. Miss category winner, Rishika Mudgal and Mrs category winner, Sneha Rathore,

along with other runner-ups and finalists were present for a lunch in Vaishali Nagar followed by a glamorous photo session. Show organisers Pawan Tank, Vishnu Sharma and Managing Director Anoop Chaudhary said that everyone enjoyed the three-day event very much and gave their best performance. The energy level of all the contestants from the beginning to the end of the show was worth watching. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

COLOURS OF DRAMA

Still from the play

Raj: Shades family of Vaishali Nagar celebrated the birthday of the owner, Sneha Sharma with a feeling of joy and togetherness on Saturday.

IPS Anil Kumar Tank celebrated his birthday on Sunday, 3 January. We wish him all the best!

CITY FIRST

P

olice and Prayer, a drama based on the famous story of Henry, “The Cop and the Anthem”, was successfully staged on Net-Theat on Saturday.

The play shows what kind of irony happens to humans. Rajendra Sharma Raju of NetTheat said that the drama

and adaptation of the police and prayer was done by Sandeep Lele, a colourist. This drama, staged under the banner of Dimension organisation, is the story of Raju, a vagabond who spends his life on a park bench. Raju’s main character showcased a very strong acting.

—City First

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

Raj: The famous singing duo, Gaurav & Deepshikha Jain performed live on the Facebook Page of Bollywood Singer Ravindra Upadhyay on Saturday. Both sang some melodious golden oldies & ghazals.

Raj: Vishnu Tak, the star of Jaipur’s running community, has won the title of Master Blaster Runner of the Year, a title by Shakti Helping Hand and Shakti Film Production on Saturday after years of hard work and relentless efforts. He ran about 5500 km within 1 year.

Raj: Greenland, an NGO celebrated the new year by distributing food packets, clothes and woollens to the children of the slum. The members of the Samiti distributed sanitary napkins to the women of the slum and made them aware of menstrual hygiene. Himanshu Singh Chauhan focuses on reaching out to those who are living in ignominious darkness of period poverty.

Raj: Muskaan Foundation for Road Safety recently organised 15 webinars on road safety specifically for School and college teachers. The objective was to transfer the knowledge of safe behaviour on the roads to the students through them. The webinars covered 500 teachers in 15 educational institutes in 20 days in December 2020.

Raj: Three hundred children of one to three years old in ten villages, located about fifty kilometres from the capital were given the drops of Swarnprashan, an ayurvedic medicine on Friday. This will be included in the world record. It was all done by the ayurvedic, homoeopathic, naturopathy and yoga students of the university.