First India-Jaipur Edition-14 December 2020

JAIPUR l MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. RAJENG/2019/77764 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 188

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DILEMMA OF CHOOSING BETWEEN LOYALISTS & DISSIDENTS THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENT GEHLOT FACING IN CABINET EXPANSION!

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW 13°C - 25°C

2 PAKISTANI TERRORISTS KILLED, 1 ASSOCIATE ARRESTED IN J-K’S POONCH

Two Pakistani terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT were gunned down and one associate was arrested at Durgan Poshana area in Poonch in a joint operation launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army and CRPF.The slain terrorists have been identified as Sajid and Bilal.

2 AK 47 Rifles, one UBGL and one Thuraya Satphone have been recovered from their possession.

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GOVT GOES INTO A HUDDLE

AS FARMERS GO ON 9-HR FAST TODAY UNION MINISTERS TOMAR & PARKASH MEET SHAH ON SUNDAY; DATE FOR NEXT ROUND OF TALKS SOON RAJ FARMERS MARCH TOWARDS DELHI

Jaipur: Amid the ongoing demonstration against the farm laws, the farmers’ march from Rajasthan started on Sunday morning from Shahjahanpur, which is around 120 km from Delhi. The group of 800-900 are being led by Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav. Social activist Medha Patkar is also accompanying the group. Visuals showed farmers carrying placards and shouting slogans as they walked slowly down the highway. Tractors pulling tarpaulin-covered trailers, and flanked by cars with banners waved out of the windows, were also seen. P7

PUNJAB DIG (PRISONS) TENDERS RESIGNATION

Security personnel stand guard as farmers block Rajasthan-Haryana border during their protest against farm laws, at NH 48 in Rewari district on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Union ministers, including home minister Amit Shah, Agri minister Narendra Singh Tomar and minister of state for commerce and industry Som Parkash, went into a huddle on Sunday as farmers, who have been camping at Delhi’s borders to demand the repeal of three contentious laws, showed no sign to relent. The ministers were accompanied by BJP leaders from Punjab. Tomar and Parkash,

along with their ministerial colleague Piyush Goyal, had led the government’s negotiations with the protesting farmers.

Both Tomar and Parkash met the Union home minister at his house and it was not immediately known what transpired in the meeting, even as the farmers’ agitation in and around Delhi entered its 18th day with the protesters threatening to block the Delhi-Jaipur highway.

Meanwhile, during a press conference, on Sunday, at the DelhiHaryana Singhu Border farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni announced that heads of all farm unions will hold fast from 8 am till 5 pm on Monday. “Govt agencies have been stopping farmers from reaching Delhi, our protests will continue till our demands are met,” said farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka.

Union Minister

Kailash Choudhary on Sunday said the government will soon decide a date and call union leaders for the next round of talks. The government has made it clear that it is ready for discussion anytime. But the farmer unions have said they would come for talks only if the laws are repealed. Asked when the government will hold the next round of meeting, Chaudhary told PTI, “The meeting will be called soon. We are

PM leads nation in paying tributes to victims of 2001 Parliament attack New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday paid tributes to those who lost their lives in 2001 Parliament attack.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad also paid tributes on the occasion. “Paid floral tributes to the brave martyrs who laid down their lives while protecting our Turn to P6

24X7 RTGS transaction facility to start from today: RBI Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Sunday said Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) facility in the country will become operational from 12.30 am on Monday (December 14).

“RTGS facility becomes operational 24X7 from 12.30 am tomorrow. Congratulations to the teams from RBI, Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS) and Turn to P6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal and others pays homage to martyrs who lost their lives in 2001 Parliament attack, in New Delhi on Sunday. —PHOTO BY ANI

ready for discussion.

But the date has not been finalised.” The government will find “some solution” to end the deadlock. “We have full confidence. In the next meeting, the issue will be resolved,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on December 16 a plea seeking a direction to authorities to immediately remove the farmers who are protesting at several border points Turn to P6

Chandigarh: Punjab DIG (Prisons) Lakhminder Singh Jakhar on Sunday said he has resigned from the service in support of farmers. Jakhar said he tendered his resignation to state govt on Saturday. In his resignation letter to Principal Secretary (Home), he wrote that he was himself a farmer. “I have always listened to my conscience and now I earnestly feel that I should stand by my brotherhood,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

DELHI-JAIPUR HIGHWAY OPENS PARTIALLY

New Delhi: Delhi-Jaipur highway was partially opened after a three-hour closure that started as farmers began a tractor march from Shahjahanpur on the Rajasthan-Haryana border. A highway was opened as farmers removed blockade from the Delhi-Noida border at Chilla. Thousands of farmers on way to Delhi, meanwhile, reached the Rewari border of Haryana, where the police blocked both sides of the Delhi-Jaipur highway to stop them from entering the state.

Yogi’s farmers’ outreach: Who will blink first?

BJP dumps its coalition partner in Assam

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda has tested p o s i t iv e for the novel coronavirus.

Taking to Twitter, Nadda said he is in home isolation as per coronavirus protocol and is in good health.

The BJP chief also appealed to people who came in contact with him recently to get tested for the infection.

“Observing the initial symptoms Turn to P6

M Tariq Khan

Guwahati: The BJP on Sunday virtually dumped one of its coalition partners in Assam, the BPF, and picked up a new ally to gain majority and rule the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), a self-governing body in the Bodo-dominated areas of the state.

The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), which has three ministers in the Sarbananda Sonowal-led coalition government in the state, has emerged as the single-largest party in the just concluded BTC polls, winning 17 seats in the 40-member body.

Turn to P6

Lucknow: Offense is the best defense. And nobody knows this better than UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who put the Opposition parties stoking farmers’ unrest in Western UP on the back foot by launching a blitzkrieg of development and infrastructure projects on Sunday in Meerut.

After launching 29 projects in Ghaziabad, the UP CM laid foundation stones of a whopping 88 projects including on Sunday in Meerut. The shift in fo-

Yogi Adityanath

cus from Gorakhpur in Purvanchal (Eastern), where the UP CM spent three-days, last week, to Paschim (Western) UP is being viewed as a move to woo farmers’ on the warpath over new farm laws. Emphasising that every penny (sugarcane dues) Turn to P6

Gehlot thanks people of Rajasthan for trusting Congress In the elections, Congress has won majorly in urban areas while BJP registered a good win in rural areas Jaipur: Senior Congress leader and three time Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, has termed the BJP of concocting lies to present a dismal picture of the apparent ‘loss’ of the Congress party in the

recently concluded panchayat and local body election, while also terming that Congress has fared better than the saffron party. On Sunday, Gehlot tweeted his elation on performing better in the Nagar Palika and Nagar parishad elec-

Ashok Gehlot

tions and congratulated those who se-

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that he will be holding a one-day fast on Monday in support of the protesting farmers.

He also urged all AAP workers and supporters to observe one-day fast in solidarity with the farmers. Addressing a virtual press briefing, he said the Centre should immediately accept all demands of the farmers who have been protesting on Delhi’s borders for the past two weeks. He also asked BJP-ruled Centre to shun “arrogance” and scrap the laws as demanded by agitating farmers.

BJP prez Nadda tests positive for Covid-19

NAGAR PALIKA AND NAGAR PARISHAD ELECTIONS

Naresh Sharma

IN SUPPORT OF FARMERS, KEJRIWAL TO FAST TODAY

cured victory.

“I would like to con-

gratulate all those who won the election and I also want to thank the people of the Rajasthan for trusting Congress.

The people have made us win,” Gehlot tweeted.

Interestingly, Congress has won majorly in the urban areas and BJP has registered a good win in rural areas.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, several MLAs called on CM Gehlot and discussed over several issues pertaining

to their assembly constituencies. Independent MLA Sanyam Lodha, Ramnarayan Meena and Govind Ram Meghwal called on Gehlot and informed him of the problems in their respective areas.

Lodha in particular raised issued about irregularities that he brought to the notice during assembly election, after which Gehlot instructed officials to act on the issues raised by Lodha.

CONG AHEAD OF BJP IN CIVIC BODY POLLS

Jaipur: After suffering a setback in the panchayati raj elections, the ruling Congress bounced back with shine in the urban local bodies by bagging 620 seats out of 1775.

Congress won 72 seats more than last time and pushed BJP to number three this time. Independents gave a surprise to the opposition BJP as they won 595 seats while the saffron party got 548 seats. The BSP got 7, CPI 2, CPI(M) 2, and RLP 1 seats. P2

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Cong settles score in urban local bodies Congress got 620, BJP 548, and independent candidates bagged 595 of the total 1,775 ward councillor posts in 50 urban local bodies Yogesh Sharma Jaipur: After suffering a setback in the panchayati raj elections, the ruling Congress bounced back with shine in the urban local bodies by bagging 620 seats out of 1775. Congress won 72 seats more than last time and pushed BJP to number three this time.

Out of 50 urban bodies, BJP got majority in just 4, Cong in 16, while independents hold the key in 30 bodies.

Independents gave a surprise to the opposition BJP as they won 595 seats while the saffron party got 548 seats.

The BSP got 7, CPI 2, CPI(M) 2, and RLP 1 seats. The votes were cast for a total of 1775 wards of 43 municipalities and 7 municipal councils in the districts of Alwar, Baran, Karauli, Dausa, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Dholpur, Sri Ganganagar, Jodhpur, Kota, Sawai Madhopur and Sirohi.

Cong emerged strong in Dholpur, Sri Ganganagar, and Jaipur. In Karauli and Bharatpur, independents have won.

MINISTERS PERF y heartiest congratulations and best wishes M to all the candidates who have won the nagar palika and nagar parishad elections. I express my

gratitude to the people of the state who expressed their confidence in the Congress party and made the Congress victorious. I thank all the Congress workers for their hard work and congratulate them on the victory.

—Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister

est wishes to all the candidates of the BJP B who won the municipal and municipal council elections in Rajasthan. At the same time, heartfelt

DOTASRA’S POSITION CONSOLIDATES

gratitude to all voters and activists for reposing faith in BJP by supporting the ideology of nationalism.

—Vasundhara Raje, Former CM

R

esults of urban local bodies usually remain favourable for the ruling party. Congress played games in delimitation of municipal corporations and then tried to delay elections. Public has rejected the Cong govt.

Of the 10 municipalities of Jaipur district, the Cong board is being formed in more than 6 municipalities including Chomu, Bagru, Shahpura, Virat Nagar.

Minister Lal Chand Kataria’s credibility survived in Jobner, while Vidyadhar Chaudhary showed amazing perfor-

Cong has misused govt machinery in elections: Poonia

mance in Phulera, Sambhar and Renwal.

Cong MLA Indraj Gurjar in Viratnagar and Ganga Devi in Bagru saved their image while MLA Vedprakash Solanki could not manage the show in Chaksu.

In Dausa and Bandikui, the Congress was ahead of its rival party

BJP but still far from majority. MLAs Murari Lal Meena and GR Khatana of the Sachin Pilot camp could not show performance.

Independents outpaced political parties in Bharatpur as strategy of Congress MLA and former minister Vishvendra Singh worked.

—Satish Poonia, State BJP president

U

rban public has expressed confidence in Cong. BJP has been confined to the third position in urban local bodies. Congress has got the maximum seats.

It is a victory of our people friendly policies and development work.

—Govind Singh Dotasra,

PCC chief

JP badly lost the civic elections due to agony B of the farmers’ movement. The main reason for BJP’s defeat is the hammer attack of farmers’ pain. This hammer has hit the ego of BJP. The public has completely rejected the BJP. BJP should take a lesson from these results and apologise to the farmers of the country

—Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Transport Minister

UNITED WE STAND

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Satish Poonia

happiness and can manage to form a board, but the results are disappointing for the party.

He said that the people of the state have seen that the Congress party has misused government machinery in the elections.

Gold worth `5.62 Lakhs seized at Jaipur airport from Dubai Vimal Kothari Jaipur: Custom officials have seized 110.87 gm gold worth Rs 5.62 lakhs from a passenger who arrived at Jaipur international airport from Dubai.

The gold was con-

cealed in the trolley bag of Abhiram Yadav, a resident of Mau village of UP. After the seizure and initial interrogation, the passenger was allowed to go as the value of the gold was not high enough for the arrest, sources said.

School fee issue is constantly gaining momentum in the state, the United Parents Association has been sitting on a dharna for the last 14 days and has been fasting for 5 days. On Sunday, the United Parents Union appealed to more than 2 crore parents of the state for voluntary group fasting, in which lakhs of parents from all over the state participated.

‘Kailash responsible for defeat in polls’ Durg Singh Rajpurohit Barmer: Former MP and leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, Colonel (retd) Sonaram Chaudhary has sought resignation from the Barmer-Jaisalmer MP and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary.

In a press conference at Barmer Circuit House on Sunday, Sonaram held Kailash

Sonaram Chaudhary

Chaudhary responsible for the defeat in the Panchayati Raj elections. Sonaram, a fourtime MP and one-time

Kailash Chaudhary

MLA left the Congress in 2014 and joined the BJP. He said that the party suffered defeat in the

CONGRESS IN LEADING POSITION

‘People have voted for Cong’s welfare policies’ First India Bureau Jaipur: Elated over the results in urban local bodies, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra on Sunday said that the party is in a position to form boards in most of the local bodies. He said that due to the public welfare policies of the Ashok Gehlot government, people have voted for Congress and rejected the BJP in urban areas.

Dotasra said that BJP

had its boards in 34 out of the 50 local bodies which went to polls on Friday and in results announced on Sunday, the BJP has got a majority in just four.

“The number of local bodies where the BJP had majority has come down from 34 to 4 which shows that people have no faith in BJP policies,” he told reporters.

Dotasra said that Congress is in leading position, independents are on second position

The winning candidate was greeted a garland and safa.

—PHOTO BY VINOD SHARMA

First India Bureau Jaipur: The ruling Congress stunned the opposition BJP in Chomu by forming the board after a gap of 10 years. Congress got an absolute majority with 30 out of 45 wards in the municipality election. BJP has won 11 seats, three independents have won, and one seat has gone to RLP. It is a setback for local MLA Ram Lal Sharma, who is also BJP

spokesperson. Congress’ Kiran Sharma of Ward 34 won with the most 647 votes.

Prithviraj Yogi of RLP from ward number 36 won by 3 votes.

The rebels along with Rallopa severely damaged the BJP. Dissatisfied with the party ticket distribution, the BJP failed in election badly. On the other hand, Rallopa had 21 wards candidates, who spoiled the victory of BJP candidates.

Saraf writes to CM to expedite process for appt of 2K doctors First India Bureau

Aishwary Pradhan Jaipur: BJP state president Satish Poonia said on Sunday that the election results of the 50 urban local bodies in the state are against the ruling Congress.

He said that if clubbed together, the number of winner BJP and independent candidates clearly indicates that the results are against the ruling dispensation in the state.

Poonia said that Congress may show fake

Cong makes comeback in Chomu after 10 years

Govind Singh Dotasra

while the BJP stood on the third position in the results which clearly indicates that people have reposed faith in Congress and rejected the saffron party.

The PCC president ex-

uded confidence that the Congress will form boards at more than 40 bodies. He claimed that most of the independents who have won elections are Congress supported.

At some places like Bharatpur, he said that the party did not give symbols and independent candidates were fielded under a strategy that was completely successful.

He also targeted the BJP state president Satish Poonia and other

leaders saying the saffron party leaders conspire to topple elected governments but they will not be able to do this in Rajasthan. He said that BJP has received just 8 percent votes in the ULB elections.

When asked about the statement of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Dotasra said that entire country knows who sends him where. He said he works to benefit a party but his politics will not work in Rajasthan.

area in the panchayat raj elections due to cross-voting. He said the situation is like a razor in money’s hands.

Sonaram said that Kailash Chaudhary won because of the Modi wave but will not win every time.

About District President Aduram Meghwal, Sonaram said how the command has been given to a person who is defeated twice.

Jaipur: Expressing concern over the delay in the appointment of doctors, former health minister and BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf has demanded from the chief minister Ashok Gehlot to expedite the process for the appointment of 2,000 doctors selected in the recruitment examination conducted by RUHS. He said that in view of the shortage of doctors in the state, the chief minister had announced the appointment of 2,000 doctors in his budget speech but the doctors have not been recruited after so much delay. Saraf, in a letter written to the chief minister, said that the recruitment process should be expedited and the doctors should be given an early appointment in view of the shortage of doctors.

He said that the state government had to cancel the recruitment ex-

Kalicharan Saraf

amination twice due to technical issues.

“After much delay, RUHS conducted the recruitment examination on 28 October and after the result, verification of documents of the selected candidates has been completed but the doctors selected in the examination have not yet been appointed. The delay is creating resentment among the selected doctors,” he said.

On the other hand, the BJP MLA targeted UDH minister Shanti Dhariwal for accusing the BJP of doing politics in the deaths of infants in order to divert attention from the farmers’ movement.

Garg praises Vishvendra Singh, calls him ‘Chanakya of Politics’ Deepak Lawaniya Bharatpur: In a surprising shift in political equations in Bharatpur, technical education minister Subhas Garg, who used to be on the target of former minister Vishvendra Singh often, has appreciated Singh while calling him ‘Chanakya of Politics’ in Bharatpur.

He said that Singh’s strategy in Kumher and Deeg was successful and

the Congress party will form boards in both the bodies. “For this success, I congratulate him. He proved once again that he is the Chanakya of politics,” Garg said.

Deeg-Kumher MLA Vishvendra Singh, who was in Sachin Pilot camp and rebelled against the chief minister, has targeted Garg numerous times on social media.

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JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

6-member team from AIIMS inspects Kota’s JK Lon hospital

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290 fresh cases in Jpr, 14 more Covid deaths in Raj

Members of the central team checked whether the hospital fulfills all parameters of the MCI Kota: JK Lon hospital of Kota has become the epicenter of visits of committees after the deaths of infants which were reported on Wednesday night.

On one hand, a highlevel committee set up by the state government is conducting an inquiry in the hospital, a six-member team from AIIMS New Delhi and Jodhpur also visited the JK lon hospital. During the visits, the entry of media was banned in the hospital.

Members of the central team held discussion with the Head of Department (HOD) of Paediatrics department Dr Amrit Lal Bairwa

—PHOTO BY PANKAJ PAREEK

Bhanwar S Charan

CONG LEADER ALLEGES DRUG SCAM IN KOTA

Covid-19 likely to be more lethal during winter in Rajasthan, say experts. With rising corona cases, a resident of city at Covid-19 testing centre on Sunday. —PHOTO BY SUMAN SARKAR

Team from AIIMS New Delhi and Jodhpur visited JK lon hospital in Kota on Sunday.

for hours. They checked whether the hospital fulfills all the parameters of the Medical Council of India (MCI) in terms of number of doctors and paramedi-

cal staff, availability and condition of machines, equipment etc.

Kota Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Bhupendra Tanwar said that the respective

teams will submit the report to the government and on the basis of recommendations, appropriate actions will be taken after complete report is made.

North Western Railways bags 10 Min consoles mishap awards for energy conservation victim kin in Nainwa Kashihram Chaudhary Jaipur: North western railway will be given 10 awards in various categories for outstanding work in energy conservation.

In the Energy Conservation Award -2020 announced by the Rajasthan Government for the year 2020, North Western Railway has begged 10 awards in various categories based on its outstanding performance.

Lt Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, informed that railway hospitalJaipur has been given

Jaipur: Rajasthan recorded 14 more fatalities due to the novel coronavirus on Sunday taking the death toll in the state to 2,542, while 1,290 new cases pushed the infection tally in the state to 2.91 lakh, according to a health department bulletin.

Of the 2,91,289 COVID-19 cases reported in Rajasthan till now, 16,629 are under treatment. As many as 2,72,118 people have

HEALTH MIN TESTS -VE

Ashok Chandna consoles family members of road accident victim.

North Western Railway Junction.

First India Bureau first award in Hospital Building category.

Apart from this, in the government building category, Ajmer Workshop, Bikaner Workshop, Jodhpur Workshop, railway training institute of Udaipur etc. too have got the awards.

The number of awards received by North Western Railway is the highest ever in the past years.

The CPRO said that many works have been done under the North western railway (NWR) for energy conservation.

Nainwa (Bundi): Sports minister Ashok Chandna on Sunday consoled the family members of a girl Priyal Jain who died in a road accident in the town on Friday.

He along with the party workers reached

Since three days, temperature has dropped in Rajasthan.

Freezing winds have increased the chill in western parts of state. The lowest night temperature in the state was 4.0 degrees in Mount Abu and 4.5 degrees in Fatehpur Shekhawati. Due to the cold winds, fog enveloped the rural areas of Dholpur, Jaipur on Sunday.

There will be no change in weather for 2 days, reports Met. —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

the house of the girl and paid her floral tributes. The minister handed over a cheque of Rs. One lakh to the family from the chief minister’s relief fund and assured the members all possible help from the government.

The girl died after being hit by a speeding truck.

Jodhpur: Even as the Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Rajasthan, the Jodhpur administration has decided not to paste any posters outside the residents of the Covid-19 patients who are under home isolation.

Jaipur: BJP state vice president and MLA from Keshoraipatan in Bundi Chandrakanta Meghwal has tested positive for corona. CM Ashok Gehlot wished her speedy recovery on Sunday. “Wishing speedy recovery to BJP MLA, Chandrakanta Meghwal ji, who has tested positive for #COVID19.

May she gets well soon,” he tweeted.

First India Bureau Jaipur: Advocate SK Singh filed a Public Interest Litigation online against Congress Rahul Gandhi asking the Union Home ministry to book him under Section 124A of Indian Penal Code for sedition.

The petition said that the Congress leader is trying and attempting to bring hatred against the Government of India whereas Prime Min-

ister Narendra Modi is working round the clock for the development of the people of India.

The PIL contends that HM Amit Shah should not meet the farmers again and again as the Farmers Act has been passed by the Parliament and the farmers have got no right to question the act on roads instead of the Parliament. Mukesh Ambani of Reliance

Domestic tourism in focus during corona times The event was attended by officials from Ministry of Tourism, officials from Gujarat and Rajasthan tourism department, and other members of the travel and trade fraternity.

Managing Director, ITM, Ajay Gupta said that the objective of India Travel Mart Jaipur is to promote domestic tourism in these Corona times and provide them with information regarding different types of tourism and packages. “People who

Nikita Kathiriya accepting award of ‘Best Stall’ on behalf of Gujarat Tourism from MD, ITM, Ajay Gupta in Jaipur on Sunday.

“As per instructions of the government, Covid patients will continue to remain under home isolation or quarantine for 14 days. As per the pasting of posters outside their residence is concerned, no poster will be pasted out-

side their residences as of now,”, Dr Balwant Manda, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Jodhpur said. As per the Union Government, the state has so far seen 2,91,306 cases.

While 16, 821 cases continue to remain active. —ANI

PIL seeks Rahul Gandhi be booked under sedition charges

EYEING DESI TOURISTS!

Jaipur: Gujarat Tourism received the ‘Best Stall Award’ for their unique stall concept and decoration at the travel and tourism showcase and conclave, India Travel Mart (ITM) on Saturday evening in Jaipur. The theme of the conference is ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat - Dekho Apna Desh Promoting Domestic Tourism’. Mementos were given to all other stalls also.

Keshoraipatan MLA tests +ve, CM wishes speedy recovery

‘No posters outside patients’ house in Jodh’

CHILL GRIPS RAJ!

First India Bureau

been discharged after treatment, it stated.

In Jaipur, the death toll from the coronavirus infection is 474 till now, followed by 269 in Jodhpur, 208 in Ajmer, 164 in Bikaner, 157 in Kota, 116 in Bharatpur, 107 in Udaipur and 102 in Pali. On Sunday, Rajasthan recorded 1,290 new cases, including 295 in Jaipur, 105 in Jodhpur, 99 in Kota, 70 in Bhilwara, 65 in Udaipur, and 61 in Nagaur. —PTI

have been stuck inside their homes for the past 9 months are itching to get out and travel,” he said.

Deputy Manager Marketing & Promotions Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited, Nikita Kathiriya said, “It is indeed gratifying that the visionary and responsible tourism activities of Gujarat Tourism have been recognized and awarded by esteemed organisations in India and internationally.”

President, Association of Domestic Tour Operator, PP Khanna said that travel and tour operators need to educate tourists to follow all health and safety protocols.

Subash Verma, National Advisor, India Association of Travel and Tourism Experts, Treasurer, Travel Agents Association of India, Rajasthan Chapter Arvind Pareek and MD, Dove Travels, Amritsar, Ashwani Gupta were also present.

Company and Gautam Adani of Adani Group were also made party in the Public interest litigation (PIL) as Bharatiya Kisan Union President Bhanu Pratap Singh has openly threatened that they are not going to pay the toll of these two companies.

Dr Pranoy Roy of NDTV, PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra, and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu have also been made party.

AVINASH PANDE @avinashpandeinc The annual session of the INC was held on 31 December 1929 in Lahore, the capital of the then Punjab province.

In this historic session, the manifesto of ‘Purna Swaraj’ was prepared by the Congress and declared ‘Purna Swaraj’ as the main target of the Congress.

UDH dept suspends 3 engineers held for taking ` 1 lakh bribe First India Bureau Bhilwara: Three engineers of Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) –Bhilwara, who were arrested for allegedly taking bribe of Rs. 1 lakh earlier this month, have been suspended by the UDH department.

UIT Bhilwara’s superintending engineer Rameshwar Sharma, executive engineer Satish Sharda and assistant engineer Brahmalal Sharma were trapped by

a team of anti-corruption bureau on 3 December while taking the bribe from a contractor to clear his bills.

They were suspended by the UDH department. UDH joint secretary Manish Goyal issued the suspension order.

PERSPECTIVE JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

FARMERS’ STIR CAN’T CONTINUE FOREVER

T

here’s no end in sight to protest by farmers who began converging on the DelhiJaipur Highway to block access to Delhi while refusing to compromise on their demand for the repeal of the three new farm laws. The government, on the other hand, is resorting to the usual tactic of maligning the protesters by calling them Khalistanis and tukdetukde gang besides staying firm on its no rollback stand. The ranks of agitators and their sympathizers are, meanwhile, swelling. Punjab’s DIG Prisons Lakhminder Singh resigned in farmers’ support and next in line are 5000 army veterans who have threatened to return their gallantry medals.

The government is not just waiting for farmers to come forward for talks and calling them names but it is also trying to create a split among farmers.

A group of farmers met Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and threatened to start their own agitation if the new laws are repealed. The petition filed in the Supreme Court by a faction of the Bharatiya Kisan Union challenging the validity of the three Acts passed in September this year is also being viewed with skepticism. Validation of the Acts from the Apex Court would give the government the handle to crack down on the protesters.

With all the power at its command, the government will eventually win this fight against farmers who must understand that there is a difference between the National Democratic Alliance and the earlier government of United Progressive Alliance. They must realise that no BJP-ruled the state will allow their protest to succeed and plan their strategy accordingly.

SEDITION IN INDIA – A HISTORICAL RETROSPECT SHRAWAN SAWHNEY IAS (RETD.) SOLICITOR & LEGAL CONSULTANT

S

ALL EYES ARE ON COVID VACCINE CANDIDATES

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n India the Covid-19 caseload is now a little over 3 percent and the situation looks much under control but life is far from normal as the fear of the virus is still haunting us. With the necessary protocols in place this is bound to decline further. The goal, however, is to protect the virus from infecting the people. The government and pharmaceutical companies are, therefore, are striving to make a vaccine available to the masses at the earliest.

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India, has said that the Covid-19 vaccination drive was likely to begin in January. The SII is testing the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine and expects clearance for emergency trial later this month.

Last week the Subject Expert Committee asked the SII and Bharat Biotech for further study on the safety and efficacy of their vaccine as risk-free vaccination is important for restoring people’s confidence so badly eroded by the pandemic.

Although Pfizer and Sputnik V are already being used, India could wait for SII and Bharat Biotech vaccines as they’ll be not only cheaper but will also be easier to maintain. Pfizer’s being an RNA vaccine there were apprehensions of adverse side-effects in the long run. Those fears have been addressed but its price and low temperatures of minus 70 degrees required for maintenance makes it unsuitable.

That is why all eyes are on the vaccines being developed by Bharat Biotech and the SII which are in a critical stage of trials. States are already geared up for the task of vaccination.

The offence of sedition, as such, was not in vogue but we find instances of revolt by the Muslims themselves against their rulers. Aram Shah provoked rebellion against the regime of Altmish.

Similarly, rebellion incited

by Ali Mardan, again against Altmish, was quelled. Razia Sultana had to suppress the upsurge of soldiers against her regime

edition is perhaps the very vaguest of all offences known to the criminal law. The offence of sedition was pitchforked in the news recently, be it “Delhi riots” during President Trump’s visit in February this year; be it the “Tukade-Tukade” gang of JNU which advocated fragmentation of India, or be it the prosecution of dissident MLAs in Rajasthan in June-July this year under Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

It was rightly observed by Counsel Paulus Pleydell in “Guy Mannering; or The Astrologer” (a second of the Waverly novels by Sir Walter Scott) that “a lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.”

For analytical jurists the present is more important, for philosophical jurists the future, but the historical jurists attach greater importance to the past. Law is not a disjointed phenomenon or a static entity but an organic and a living mechanism to keep pace with society. Let us track down the historical evolution of the offence of ‘sedition’ in India.

The offence of sedition was extant in ancient India. Dharma-Sutras” bear ample testimony to this. From very early times, the lawgivers treated the king as the embodiment of the state. There were two entities – one the king, the individual and two the kingship, the institution - which represented the state. Arthur Coke Burnell, who has translated ‘Manu Smriti’ in ‘The Ordinances of Manu’, has cited Manu – the ancient lawgiver – to the effect that ‘a king is not to be despised’….. (pp 227-228). Kautilya has also echoed similar views in his ‘Artha Shastra’ (1.13). Even in such early works as the ‘Rig Ved’ there are hymns glorifying the office of king (Rig Ved IV 42). It should be noted that it was not the king but the kingly office that actually carried special dignity

and sanctity and invoked respect and any offence against this office was treated very severely indeed. For offences against the royal office Narada has prescribed monetary and corporal punishment (Narada Smriti, Parikirnaka, 13). The ‘Matsya Puran’ advocates aggravated punishment for interfering with the authority of the king (‘Matsya Puran’ 227.185).

Brhaspati was much lenient and suggested lighter punishment for a person inimically disposed towards king (Brhaspati Smriti XVII).

It is significant that Kamandaka emphasised that there was no punishment, other than death, for the offence of subverting the state (Kamandaka Nitisara XIV 16). In Mudrarakshasa there is an instance of Sreshthi Canadandasa being taken to the execution ground for doing what was politically unwholesome - Rajapathyakarinam (Mudrarakshasam VII).

Manu has stated that in a king’s realm there is no thief, nor adulteror, nor libellor. According to Burnell ‘libellor’ here means ‘one with an injurious voice and sentiments towards the king’ (‘The Ordinances of Manu’ p. 239). Medhatithi has opined that no communication must be had with the man who excites hatred towards the king nor should he be allowed to enter the house. Disloyal feudatories were kept under check after the failures of rebellion and were subjected to various indignities (Epigraphia Indica XVIII pp. 43-46). It is quite clear that royal policy measures were not always liked by the people and that some political

THE OFFENCE OF SEDITION WAS EXTANT IN ANCIENT INDIA. DHARMA-SUTRAS” BEAR AMPLE TESTIMONY TO THIS. FROM VERY EARLY TIMES, THE LAWGIVERS TREATED THE KING AS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE STATE

crimes were committed during outbursts of resentments.

Thus, our ancient legal texts prohibited the people from despising and diffusing hatred against the office. There are various references to instances where people were punished for exciting disaffection towards the king (Mrcchhakatikam VI). The ancient regimes in our country realised that a government has the right to object when its populace wander off from criticism to calumny. Those who excited evil prejudices and stirred up discontent against the king and the kingdom were the producers of mischief of the gravest character. Those who distilled and sold the poisonous product of ferment to saturate the gullible masses with evil thoughts of king and kingdom were repressed with a strong hand.

During the medieval period there was a disintegration of the ancient Indian empire. Muslim invaders captured our terri-

Must we risk destroying the ocean to save the planet?

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oday’s growing world population and a privileged minority’s rapidly rising living standards are driving resource consumption and waste production at a rate requiring the capacities of 1.7 Earths and fuels alarming levels of global warming. And the ocean is increasingly suffering the consequences – not only the well-known large-scale bleaching of tropical corals caused by rising temperatures, but also the less visible risks of ocean-water acidification and temporal and spatial discrepancies in productivity patterns due to species-specific adaptability.

Earth, and especially the ocean, is thus approaching the tipping point of irreversible degradation. That would be a tragedy, marked by the ocean’s increasing inability to provide us and fu-

04

ture generations with necessities such as healthy food, the carbon cycle, nutrient regeneration, and mitigation of global warming.

A recent studies and assessments indicate, the world is still able to change course in the face of this threat, if major pressures— including climate change— are mitigated and marine ecosystems restored. But a new risk is looming on the horizon: commercial deepseabed mining for in-demand minerals.

The industry’s prevailing narrative today is that the world needs deep-sea minerals – including rareearth elements, cobalt, manganese, and tellurium – to enable the renewableenergy transition and decarbonize the global economy. But recent economic analyses suggest that existing land-based mining and a transition towards a cir-

cular economy can fill possible gaps in mineral supply, and even indicate that surplus mineral production, such as from the deep sea, may cause prices to collapse. So, who will gain from mining the seafloor?

The mining of mineralrich substrates will potentially affect the largely un-

touched deep sea at depths of 2,000-4,000 meters in some national waters, as well as the international seabed, known legally as “the Area.” The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) declared the Area and its mineral resources to be the “common herit-

age of mankind,” and established the International Seabed Authority (ISA) – a Jamaica-based body that currently has 168 member states – to manage them.

Since it came into existence in 1994, the ISA has signed 30 mineral-exploration contracts with 21 entities – sponsored by 16 states

and one consortium. And industry pressure to start commercial exploitation has increased in recent years.

Although this impatience is perhaps understandable, seabed mineral deposits are typically found in highly specific and sensitive ecosystems. Older and more ecologically stable locations have more concentrated deposits and thus attract greater mining interest, but the associated ecosystems are more specialized and diverse.

Recent research has revolutionized our view of the deep sea and revealed an extraordinary diversity of small-scale habitats, life forms, and strategies. But we have yet to uncover most of these ecosystems’ secrets, and our understanding of their complexity and functional relationships is still in its infancy.

tory and a cultural conflict ensued wherein the ancient legal mores were subdued. Consequently, the laws of these invaders held sway and added to the extreme fluidity of the contemporary legal system. Muslim laws had an ethico-religious tinge and were prone to subjective application. Strictly speaking, Islamic law did not have a distinct corpus of “criminal law”. It divided crimes into different categories depending on the offence. Huddud were crimes against God. Their punishment was prescribed in the Quran and Hadiths. Qisas were crimes against an individual or family. Their punishment was equal retaliation as per the Quran and the Hadiths. Tazir were crimes whose punishment was left to the discretion of the ruler or judge. Siyasah were crimes against the government.

The offence of sedition, as such, was not in vogue but we find instances of revolt by the Muslims themselves against their rulers. Aram Shah provoked rebellion against the regime of Altmish. Similarly, rebellion incited by Ali Mardan, again against Altmish, was quelled. Razia Sultana had to suppress the upsurge of soldiers against her regime. It is, therefore, noticeable that the offence of exciting disaffection, which included disloyalty and all feelings of enmity, against the Muslim rulers was not unknown in the medieval period also. Any incitement and disparaging exhortation against the Muslim kings was dealt with an iron hand.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Welcome the round-the-clock availability of RTGS money transfer services on all days from today 12:30 PM. This will facilitate global integration of Indian financial markets, lead to development of international financial centers in the country and facilitate seamless payments.

Smriti Z Irani @smritiirani NDA victory in Assam BTC polls is validation of PM @narendramodi Ji’s development agenda for the State. I congratulate CM @sarbanandsonwal Ji, @ himantabiswa, @RanjeetkrDass & UPPL for the victory and express gratitude towards the people of Assam for their support.

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‘If there are no farmers, why govt talking to them?’

Chidambaram slams the Central government over issue of ongoing farmers’ protest

New farm laws to double income of farmers: Thakur

P Chidambaram

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram slammed the Central government and alleged that some of its Ministers had alluded to the presence of “separatist” elements in ongoing farmers’ protest against the agriculture reforms. “Ministers have described the protesters against the Farm Laws as Khalistanis; agents of Pakistan & China; Maoists; &, the latest, tukde tukde gang,” the Congress leader tweeted. “If you exhaust all these categories, it means there are no farmers among the thousands of protest-

ers. If there are no farmers, why is the government talking to them?” he asked.

Meanwhile, several rounds of talks have taken place between the Centre and farmer leaders regarding the laws but no headway has been made on the front Farmers are protesting against the Farmer’s Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmer (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance & Farm Services Act, 2020 & Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

New Delhi: With continued farmers protests regarding the Central farm laws, Union Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur has said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought three laws to double the income of farmers and that the present government paid Minimum Support Price (MSP), double than what was paid by the previous UPA government.

"The three agriculture laws were brought so as to double the income of farmers. In the last six years, Modi government paid more than double MSP, then what was paid in the UPA time. During 20092014, the UPA government paid Rs 3,75,000 crore whereas the NDA

RJD LEADER MANOJ JHA URGES GOVT TO LISTEN TO FARMERS New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha has urged the government to speak to farmer leaders protesting against the three farm laws passed in the Parliament recently. "I am very sorry to say that I have never seen such an insensitive government in my lifetime. They are calling the protestors Khalistanis and Pakistanis. Then why is the government talking with farmers," Jha said. government has paid over Rs 8,00,000 crore," the Minister said.

"The farmers have been given the freedom to sell their products to anybody in the country at any cost. They will

"The farmers and the rest of the society are not demanding the moon from the government. They just want proper arrangements, but the government is not listening to them. I urge the government to listen to them so that things do not go out of hand," RJD leader said.

He added that if the government listens to farmers, its reputation will not be affected, but instead, their stature will increase in history. own their farmlands, only their crops will be on contracts. The government has made this arrangement too. The Centre is working hard to double their income by 2022," he added.

DDC elections: 42.79 pc votes polled till 1 pm in J-K Jammu: The sixth phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections recorded voter percentage of 42.79 per cent across 31 constituencies spread over different districts of Jammu and Kashmir till 1 pm on Sunday.

As per the figures given by the office of State Election Commissioner, in Kashmir Division, Pulwama has recorded a voting percentage of 6.80 per cent, Baramulla 26.68 per cent, Kulgam 32.71 per cent, Shopian 3.66 per cent, Anantnag 20.95 per cent, Bandipora 40.57 per cent, Ganderbal 45.89 per cent, Kupwara 41.21 per cent and Budgam 27.44 per cent till 1 pm.

Similarly, in Jammu and Kashmir division, Udhampur has recorded a voting percentage of 54.69 per cent, Jammu 55.62 per cent, Kathua 50.09 per cent, Ramban 61.91 per cent, Doda 53.39 per cent, Samba 60.61 per cent, Poonch 60.73 per cent, Rajouri 63.07 per cent and Reasi 61.21 per cent till 1 pm.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla releases book on Parl attack

Om Birla during the release of the book ‘The Shaurya Unbound’, which narrates stories of exemplary courage of CRPF India Bravehearts, in New Delhi on Sunday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla released a book on occasion of 19th anniversary of the Parliament attack.

He released the book ‘The Shaurya Unbound’ (English Version) and ‘Samundar Samawe Boond Mein’ (Hindi Version) in the national capital on December 13.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) DG Dr Anand Prakash Maheshwari also attended

the book launch ceremony along with other officers.

Addressing the media, Central Reserve Police Force DG said, “We are fully prepared to face any challenge now and are updated with all the relevant intelligence.

All the concerned agencies are in synergy with each other and best possible security systems will be given to new Parliament.”

‘Deploy central forces Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre for hike in fuel prices immediately in Bengal’ Bolpur: Claiming that Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is "banking on violence" to return to power, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday said central forces should be deployed immediately in West Bengal to put an end to the prevailing atmosphere of political violence and terror in the state.

With Assembly polls due in the state in AprilMay next year, the BJP Bengal minder appealed to the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections, saying there should not be any place for fear and violence.

"Mamata Banerjee knows that the land under her feet has slipped and so she is trying to return to power in the state on the strength of violence.

"I urge the Election Commission to deploy central forces from now itself in order to put an

New Delhi: Amid the rise in fuel prices, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi slammed BJP saying that the party has earned around Rs 3 lakh crore additional revenue by increasing the excise duty on fuel in 2020. “Petrol and diesel prices are sky-

rocketing. By increasing excise duty on fuel in 2020, the BJP government has earned around 3 lakh crore additional revenue. But instead of providing relief to the people where is this money going? Please explain.

Rs 20,000 crore on Parliament Corridor. Rs 16,000 crore for Prime

Minister’s plane and Rs 2 crores being spent on advertising daily,” Priyanka Gandhi tweeted Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan said there has been a rise in fuel prices in the international market because of recent elections in USA & other reasons.

Priyanka Gandhi

Kailash Vijayvargiya

‘HINDU RAJ IN WEST BENGAL SOON’

Pragya Singh Thakur

end to the prevailing atmosphere of political violence and terror in the state," Vijayvargiya said. The ruling TMC and the BJP have been

engaged in a war of words over the attack on BJP national president J P Nadda''s convoy by alleged TMC supporters.

form a “government” in the BTC, but the BJP ignored the pleas.

The United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) has won 12 seats, the BJP nine, while the Congress and the Gana Suraksha Party (GSP), headed by Lok Sabha MP Naba Sarania, got one each.

The BJP and BPF, along with the AGP, fought the 2016 assembly elections together in which BPF got 12 seats, winning all they has contested. Three of its MLAs are still ministers in the Sonowal government. —PTI

Yogi’s farmers’... owed would be paid to farmers even if it requires stopping emoluments of MLAs and MPs, Yogi has vowed to unshackle them from the chains of vested interests and bring them on the path of prosperity.

Instead of directly locking horns with the opposition parties, or for that matter, farmers, Yogi has deftly couched his counter-campaign and using his a vocabulary of ‘development and empowerment.’ He is keeping his ear to the ground. If sources in BJP are to be believed,

Chadha among 3 MLAs Mum Police arrests Republic TV detained by Delhi Police CEO in TRP manipulation case New Delhi: The Delhi Police detained 3 AAP MLAs with Raghav Chadha ahead of their planned protest at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence. This comes after Police had rejected Raghav Chadha’s request for permission to hold a demonstration at Union Minister Shah’s residence on Sunday in view of the pandemic.

On Saturday, Chadha has written a letter to Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police request-

Raghav Chadha

ing for permission to hold a dharna outside the residence of Union Home Minister against alleging misappropriation of funds by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police has arrested Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani in the alleged TRP manipulation case. Recently, Republic TV Network has alleged that its Assistant Vice President (Distribution) Ghanshyam Singh, who was released on bail on December 5, was “tortured and assaulted” during interrogation

by Mumbai police. An interim application has been filed by Re-

Vikas Khanchandani

public Media Network before Bombay HC stating that Singh was lashed with “chakki belt” while he was in the custody of Mumbai

Police. He was arrested on November 10 in connection with the alleged Television Rating Point (TRP) scam.

The interim application says that police force was saying in Marathi “inko maaro maro maro”. It says that Singh was forced to extend his hand before the police officers & he was whipped by a chakki belt three times (twice on the right hand and once on the left hand).

FROM PG 1 24X7 RTGS... the service partners who made this possible,” Das tweeted. “India will be among very few countries globally with a 24 x 7 x 365 large-value realtime payment system.

This will facilitate innovations in the large value payments ecosystem and promote ease of doing business,” Das has said in an earlier statement. —ANI BJP dumps...

BPF president Hagrama Mohilary said his party repeatedly appealed to the BJP to follow the “coalition” norms and help it to

the party may soon hold ‘Kisan Chuapals’ in western districts soon to spread awareness about the farmers welfare schemes and work it has done for them.

What, however, is making UP CM’s task difficult is the support of some BJP allies and RSS outfits to the agitation. The million dollar question is: who will blink first?

BJP prez... of coronavirus, I got myself tested and the report came back positive. My health is fine, I am following all the guidelines and I am in

home isolation on the advice of doctors. My request is, whoever has come in contact in the last few days, please isolate yourself and get yourself tested,” his tweet read.

Recently, he visited West Bengal as part of his 120-days nationwide tour. —ANI

PM leads...

Parliament in the 2001 terrorist attack. I bow to their exemplary courage and sacrifice,” Shah tweeted.

Earlier today, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid

tributes to victims of the 2001 terror attack on Parliament.

“My humble tribute to personnel from police and Parliament who lost their lives on this day in 2001, in a bid to protect the House. Their loyalty and valour will continue to inspire us and further strengthen our resolve to fight against terrorism,” Om Birla tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi).

“We will never forget the cowardly attack on our Parliament on this day in 2001. We recall the valour and sacrifice of those who lost their lives protecting our Par-

liament. India will always be thankful to them,” PM Modi tweeted.On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed terrorists belonging to terror outfit Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) and Jaish-eMohammed (JeM), stormed the Parliament complex in New Delhi and opened fire indiscriminately. Around 14 people, mostly security forces and one civilian, were killed in the attack. —ANI

Govt goes... of Delhi against three new farm laws, saying commuters are facing hardships due to the

road blockades and the gatherings might lead to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. According to the apex court website, a bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde & justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian will hear the plea filed by law student Rishabh Sharma, who has also sought directions to authorities to open the roads at Delhi’s borders, shift the protesters to allotted place and provide guidelines on social distancing and use of masks at the protest site in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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PM SAYS FARM LAWS HISTORIC GIFT, BUT FARMERS DON’T WANT IT: YOGENDRA YADAV Farmers sit in protest on a side of Delhi-Jaipur national highway as Haryana cops put up barricades First India Bureau Yogendra Yadav

Shahjahanpur/ Gurgaon: Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav on Sunday joined protesting farmers at a rally on the DelhiJaipur highway, which has been partially blocked, and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for offering a “gift” that farmers don’t want.

Yadav said the fail negotiations between the government and farmers, who want new farm laws to be withdrawn, was due to the centre’s unwillingness to understand the farmers’ demand.

“It’s a strange negotiation. They are forcing a gift, which is un-

Social activist Medha Patkar addresses as farmers block Rajasthan-Haryana border during their protest against the new farm laws, at National Highway 48 on Sunday.

wanted in the first place. The Prime Minister says it’s a historic gift, but farmers don’t want it,” said Yadav, referring to the new farm laws that the government maintains will empower farmers and allow them more freedom to sell anywhere

“We will not leave until the laws are withdrawn,” he added.

In several rounds of negotiations with the farmer leaders, the government had offered to amend the laws and even give in writing that they would keep their word.

—Agencies

they like.

“Then the Prime Minister says, ‘We will change the wrapping of the gift.’ But farmers are still saying they don’t want it. The Prime Minister needs to think about the welfare of farmers and repeal the laws,” Yadav said.

Jaipur: The JaipurDelhi national highway was blocked on Sunday by farmers who were stopped along the Rajasthan-Haryana border in Alwar’s Shahjahanpur from entering Haryana.

The farmers associated with various organisations were marching towards Delhi to join the farmers strike but the Haryana police stopped them at the border, following which the highway was blocked.They marched through Behror, Shahjahapur and Kotputli regions of the state to reach JaisinghpurKhera, which is the Rajasthan-Haryana border.

Swaraj Abhiyan lead-

Security personnel put barricades near Jaisinghpur-Khera border as the security situations beefed up during the farmers protest.

er Yogendra Yadav, activist Aruna Roy, Medha Patkar and CPM leader Amra Ram also reached Shahjahapur along with farmers.

However, police did not allow them to reach forward. DySP of Haryana Police Amit Bhatiya said there is no permission for the agitating farmers to enter into Haryana.

‘We are sitting on the highway in support of farmers. We are ready to vacate the highway if we are allowed to march towards Delhi. We apologise to people for the inconvenience caused to them,” Yadav told reporters.

President of Kisan Panchayat Rampal Chaudhary is also continuing to protest along

with farmers on Haryana-Rajasthan border highway as police did not allow them to move forward.

“Farmers affiliated to different farmer organisations are reaching Shahjahapur border. We want the government to repeal farm laws for which we want to march towards Delhi,” said Chaudhary.

CPI(M) leader and former MLA Amra Ram said that the Centre should withdraw antifarmer laws.

“We do not have any intention to block Jaipur-Delhi highway.

Police have stopped us from marching towards, which has led to jam. We want the Centre to withdraw antifarmer laws,” Amra Ram said.

Aishwary Pradhan

Jaipur: BJP national general secretary and state in-charge Arun Singh on Sunday targeted the Congress government of the state, saying that the general public, farmers, youth are frustrated and upset due to the misrule of the Congress. He said that such situation has been created in the state that if the assembly elections are held today, the BJP will form the government with full majority.

Singh on Sunday honoured the party’s newly elected Zila Pramukh, up-pramukh, panchayat samiti Pradhan, uppradhan, mayors and deputy mayors and called upon the public representatives to take the work of spreading the policies of the Modi government to the people. He said that every section of the country is happy with the policies of the prime minister Narendra Modi, who has worked to increase the

BJP National General Secretary and in-charge of Rajasthan Arun Singh at Rajapark Gurudwara with Ajaypal singh, Bhajan Lal Sharma and others during visit to Jaipur on Sunday.

self-respect of the country across the globe.

Singh said that Congress is the party of a family while BJP is the party which works on the ideology of nationalism. He, on the occasion, congratulated the party’s state president Satish Poonia and his team for the performance in the recently held Panchayti Raj elections.

Speaking the programme, Poonia alleged that the Congress misused government machinery during elections but voters rejected and voted against the party in the elections.

He said that it was surprising that despite pub-

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Public, farmers and youth upset Govt to give Raj Energy Inter-religion marriage at with state govt, says Arun Singh Conservation Awards Chief Justice Mahanty’s Home!

lic mandate, CM Ashok Gehlot was just juggling the data and is not able to accept defeat.

Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, State Organisation General Secretary Chandrashekhar, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore were present in the function in which he felicitated Barji Devi Bhil (Bhilwara), Mamta Kanwar Panwar (Udaipur), Harshini Kulhari (Jhunjhunu), Ratni Devi (Rajsamand), Surya Devi (Dungarpur), Bhagirathram Chaudhary (Nagaur), Vandana Arya (Churu), Pratap Singh Solanki (Jaisalmer) among others.

to recognise excellence

Energy Minister Dr BD Kalla will be the chief guest at the function First India Bureau Jaipur: State government has taken initiative for distribution of “Rajasthan Energy Conservation Award” with an objective to create awareness and competitiveness among the Masses, Industries, Commercial, Government Building owners etc.

“Rajasthan Energy Conservation Award” will be awarded in the 11th State Level Award virtual ceremony being held in Vidyut Bhawan Jaipur on Monday.

Energy Minister Dr BD Kalla will be the chief guest at the function, which will be Chaired by Dr Subodh Agrawal CMD, RREC. Dinesh Kumar, Pr. Secretary will be the Guest of Honour.

Dr Subodh Agrawal,

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CMD, RREC said that “Rajasthan Energy Conservation Award” will be awarded in various categories i.e. Industries, Energy Forums, Hotels, Government Buildings, Energy Auditors, Thermal Power Stations and Masses who are contributing best by using energy efficient equipment and utilising the available energy resources in optimum manner.

Jaipur: Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty’s son Satyajit Mahanty tied the knot with Ruksar on December 11 at High Court Guesthouse in Gandhinagar area of Jaipur.

A simple wedding at court leading to a grand reception took place on the next day.

Governor Kalraj Mishra and Central Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the wedding.

The function was also attended by Odisha, Jodhpur and Jaipur High Court Judges, Justice Sangeet Lodha, Justice PS Bhati, Justice Dinesh Mehta, Justice Manoj Garg, and Justice Devendra Kachwaha from Jodhpur, Justice SP Sharma, Justice Sabina and Justice Ashok Gaur from Jaipur High Court.

Bar Council Chairman SS Hassan and Ra-

Chief Justice of Rajasthan Indrajit Mahanty along with Bar Council Chairman of Rajasthan SS Hasan, Anil Chaudhary, Satish Sharma and others during his son’s wedding reception in Jaipur on Saturday. (Below): Groom Satyajit Mahanty and Bride Ruksar.

jasthan High Court Bar Association President Mahendra Shandilya and secretary Anshuman Saxena along with several advocates also attend the ceremony.

Satyajit and Ruksar are both lawyers and

have studied at the same law college. They were friends since the college days before getting hitched.

Incidentally, Chief Justice Mahanty’s daughter also got married on December 9.

Why Banda’s 12-yr-old Shivansh Tripathi wrote a letter to CM Yogi

SMALLER PCC TEAM THIS TIME AROUND? ith Congress General Secretary Incharge Ajay Maken announcing that by 31st January all political and organizational appointments will be completed, Congress workers are hoping to get a spot in the organization and the big question is how will the PCC be ‘rebuilt’?

Highly placed sources reveal that instead of 190 individuals, Dotasra’s team will have 45-50 individuals in it. Sources reveal that the team will

Dr BD Kalla

First India Bureau

be comparatively smaller than previous teams and its members will be appointed on the basis of merit and not on based of caste and religion ‘quota’. Word is that only hardworking workers who are associated with grassroots will be given a place but that will happen only after speaking with senior leaders from every district. Moreover, sources close to Dotasra claim that there will not

be any difference between members belonging to Gehlot or Pilot camps since the team will be formed of only those workers who are faithful towards the party and not towards any group.

However, one fact remains that Gehlot will play a pivotal role in the formation of the new team while Maken will speak with Pilot for the team formation.

—First India Bureau

THE CHANGING FACETS OF POLITICS!

T

hey say time and sides change in politics with each passing day. Perhaps the saying fits well in this situation wherein PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasra made Madan Sevda the Pradhan of Laxmangarh Panchayat Samiti. Sevda had contested the 2008 assembly election as a BJP candidate and interestingly enough it was Dotasra

himself against whom he had contested the election and now Dotasra has made him the Pradhan.

On the other hand, there is Bhagirath Godara of BJP lost the Pradhan election.

Notably, Godara was Congress’s candidate for Lok Sabha election and he was seeking an assembly ticket in 2008 in tandem with Dotasra wherein Dotasra was given the ticket and he went on to win.

Therefore, those who were in BJP became Congress’s candidate now and vice versa. Therefore it is said there is no permanence in politics. —Naresh Sharma

First India Bureau Banda: 12-year-old Shivansh Tripathi has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for setting up a sewage plant in the state.

Stating that clean water is the biggest necessity, the small child Shivansh has appealed to the Chief Minister to pay attention to this matter of the children.

Shivansh, who made his entry in the cooking competition at the country’s first digital Baal mela sponsored by LIC.

Shivansh Tripathi, studying in class 6 of St. Mary’s School, has become a part of the Water Life Mission.

Shivansh Tripathi, studying in class 6 of St. Mary’s School, has become a part of the Water Life Mission.

To connect children with water conservation, the Digital Children’s Fair team has run

this new campaign.

Digital Children’s Fair is the first such children’s fair in which children are joining from their own homes. In his hand-written letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Shivansh wrote why water conservation is important. In his letter, Shivansh, referring to the Minister of Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. In a letter sent to the social media account of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Digital Bal Mela has mention importance of water.

Belief is good. Belief in goodness and love is better.

Anything which promotes hate does not deserve your belief.

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

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2ND FRONT JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

08

Dilemma of choosing between loyalists & dissidents, the biggest impediment Gehlot facing in cabinet expansion!

‘I DON’T THINK RAHUL’S CORONATION WILL IN ANY WAY PROVE NEGATIVE FOR GEHLOT’

z How would you decipher the mirage of PCC re-constitution, political appointments and the cabinet expansion, which seems to have blurred the vision of everybody concerned?

The answer to all the questions related to issues pointed out by you, are with CM Ashok Gehlot and yet due to the fog of multiple uncertainties like pulls & pressures, caste factors, political factors, dissidence against the state government and Corona have created such a situation. This forces one to wonder whether the long pending issues like PCC re-constitution, political appointments, ministerial reshuffle and some other important decisions will ever find a solution or not.

Let us simply hope that the Congress High Command and CM Gehlot, soon enough, one day realise that they have all the solutions and they unveil them to end the mirage and clear the vision. z What according to you is CM Gehlot’s inner thought in all this?

I feel he is in a dilemma.

Dilemma of annoying a large number of his supporters, who stood by him in the hour of need, for the sake of those handful, who revolted against the party and the state government and had virtually knocked the doors of BJP. These 102 supporters, who helped Gehlot government survive, are with him in thick and thin, but only until Gehlot doesn’t resort to appeasement of the dissidents, who are back in the party fold now. Such an appeasement might even lead to a big revolt in the party, which even a highly skilful & experienced Gehlot may fail to manage. Some may allege that such a revolt would be stage-managed

by Gehlot himself, but it would be a genuine revolt by his supporters ‘hurt’ deep inside. So, the day, CM Gehlot is able to differentiate between these loyalists and those handful, who had shown open dissidence and came out of his dilemma, then it wouldn’t take even 24 hours for the new ministers to take oath at the Raj Bhawan. z What are the impediments holding Gehlot back and don’t you find it unusual that AICC state incharge Ajay Maken conveyed the deadlines for the party & political appointments to CM Gehlot

through an interview given to PTI? The dilemma of choosing between the loyalists and dissidents, is the topmost reason followed by the unprecedented corona crisis, coupled with the financial crunch and then the critical caste & group balancing in the event of inclusion of the dissidents, form the wall of multiple reasons holding Gehlot back. Considering the experience, stature and command of Ashok Gehlot and his access to Gandhi family, it was extra ordinary for the party High Command to route its message through party General Secretary who in turn, chose PTI to carry forward it rather than a ‘direct approach.’ Considering the kind of seasoned & mature politician Maken is along with his personal admiration of Gehlot’s seniority and skills plus according to my personal knowledge, I am sure that Maken did this on the instructions of Sonia Gandhi, who wanted Gehlot to come out of his dilemma now. z What was the ‘chronology’ of the events according to you, did the Congress High Command first inform CM Gehlot of the deadlines for appointments and then asked Maken to go public or was it Maken trying to pacify Pilot camp after CM all of a sudden, resurrected the ‘Conspiracy Still at Work’ theory?

Mark my words, Congress High Command will never do anything in Rajasthan without first taking Gehlot in confidence. So, Gehlot knew of the ‘deadline’ issue. It was surprising for Gehlot to rake up the dissidence episode from an unusual platform of MLA Sanyam Lodha’s function, but what actually happened according to my sources, is that after Gehlot raised the issue of yet another attempt to topple his government, Pilot himself called Maken and told him that he would like to finally break his silence and demeanour and react to the CM’s statement. This forced Maken to stop Pilot and go public with the appointment deadline dates after due permission from the High Command and which I think was a ‘smart move’ to satisfy all the stakeholders including the aspirant party workers, loyal supporters and the Pilot camp. z Do you think now the deadlines for the

Editor-In-Chief of First India, Jagdeesh Chandra, in The New JC Show, talks about the likely reconstitution of PCC, political appointments and reshuffle of the cabinet, which are said to be the biggest challenges before CM Ashok Gehlot, in thwarting what is infamously called ‘Operation Lotus-2,’ significance of Gehlot as Congress High Command’s confidante, of Sachin Pilot’s future in Congress & how he has found a new ‘Godfather’ in Priyanka Gandhi and much more...

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Jagdeesh Chandra with Shweta Mishra, Aditi Nagar, Kriti Garg, Akanksha Bhalla and Aayushi Shekhawat.

political appointments and cabinet expansion will be followed?

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that everything happens keeping the sanctity of the High Command’s instructions, but these are complex issues and may stretch a bit, but I am certain that before the actual announcements, Gehlot will sit and double check with the High Command that no untoward incident occurs during the entire complicated process. z Do you think Ajay Maken’s going public with the deadlines for appointments has enthused the Pilot camp while discouraging the Gehlot loyalists and will Gehlot eventually manage & afford the re-induction of the two suspended ministers of the Pilot camp?

This has been the first ray of hope for the Pilot supporters post home coming after the open defiance, so being enthused is but natural, as it re-affirms their faith in Pilot still having sway in Delhi and on the other hand, disillusionment of Gehlot loyalists, who are a silent & disciplined lot, is also natural for paying the price despite standing firm and saving the government from the imminent fall. Now, this is the biggest dilemma for Gehlot as how to make himself and his firm loyalists comprehend the ultimate decision to re-induct the suspended ministers in the cabinet, who were actually suspended to save the government. Let’s see how this ultimate puzzle unfolds eventually because you can’t rule last minute changes on this particular issue due to the equations between Gehlot and the High Command.

z Can you confirm that Ahmed Bhai had, just before his untimely sudden demise, fixed November 20 as the date of oath taking for the new ministers in Rajasthan?

Yes, this information is near totally true that despite being hospitalised, Ahmed Bhai was active in his usual crisis management of Congress through his mobile and since the three-member committee appointed for Rajasthan hadn’t met for almost four months, the High Command asked Ahmed Bhai to look into the matter. It is said that Ahmed Bhai conveyed that he would be discharged from the hospital by November 15 and would hold a VC with all concerned from Rajasthan and make new ministers take oath on November 20. But destiny had other plans, he tragically passed away. z What are the biggest challenges before CM Gehlot and state in-charge Ajay Maken?

CM Gehlot clearly has the biggest challenge of thwarting what is now infamously called ‘Operation Lotus-2,’ which may in form of BJP or any other external power, trying to destabilise his government or it might be Pilot camp or some other internal group taking a second shot at bringing down Gehlot government. On the other hand, Maken comparatively has an easier challenge of taking both, Gehlot and Pilot together amicably and ensuring nothing overturns this apple cart. z When Pilot came back to the party fold after the Manesar adventure, the 3 member committee had clearly said that their ‘homecoming’ was uncondi-

tional and ‘bargain free,’ but the pressure being built by the Pilot camp for rehabilitation points to something else. How do you see it?

This is a major contradiction in the party. The three- member committee openly said then that there were no conditions for the comeback of the Pilot camp, so either they were unaware of the conditions or obviously kept those as a secret, keeping the dignity of their High Command, but the subsequent behaviour of the High Command of not only insisting on the rehabilitation, but also on a time -bound rehabilitation, clearly indicates the fact that there was some kind of understanding or MoU between Pilot camp and the Gandhi family, which is being honoured now. z What according to you is the future of Sachin Pilot in Congress? If somehow the Gehlot government falls in coming months, even then the most probable names for CM are Gajendra Singh Shekhawat or Satish Poonia or may be some third person, but what happens to Pilot’s ambition of bagging the coveted chair then?

If Pilot had to become CM of Rajasthan, then it had to be when he defected with his supporters and had the support of BJP although that was highly unlikely even then. Now his future is with Congress because in case, the Gehlot government falls prematurely, then BJP will only placate him with a central minister portfolio for which Pilot will have to swallow the bitter pill of joining BJP first, which would be difficult for him. In Congress, his future is in Delhi as its General Secretary or

Working President. The ‘so-called understanding’ with Gandhi family at the time of homecoming, also had the essential clause of ‘no hyperactive’ role in Rajasthan.

Of course, being the third most popular face in the state after Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje, he would have some extra constitutional authority in Rajasthan with his supporters involved in active politics of the state. As far as BJP is concerned, as of now, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the one, who is fully conducting like a CM designate with the blessings of his central leadership. Though Satish Poonia can also be considered as his alternative, if Raje or some other forces obstruct Shekhawat’s way. z Rumour mill had it some time ago that the BJP High Command has now entrusted Vasundhara Raje with the task of toppling the Gehlot government and she herself has also assured the party leadership of accomplishing the mission in coming 3 months.

How credible do you find these rumours?

Somebody added fuel to this fire by attaching CM Gehlot’s statement regarding the renewed efforts to topple his government with the ‘Raje Contract Theory.’ Despite a strong disbelief in this theory, on checking the rumour, I found it utterly ‘baseless,’ as I feel, Madam will now initiate all her efforts in 2022 so, if at all, some body is in the game, it might be Gajendra Singh or Satish Poonia, but not Vasundhara Raje. I say this with extra confidence because Raje has always found it ‘immoral’ to topple a government with however thin a majority. Although, during the recent crisis, somebody alleged that she helped

Gehlot government survive and later, some evidence was also produced to support these claims, but that is altogether a different ball game. z Do you think that the communicationgap or ‘trust deficit’ between Raje and BJP High Command has narrowed down?

The answer to this will decide the fate of Vasundhara Raje in the state politics, but this is true that in a series of meetings in Delhi with JP Nadda, she conveyed that she was within the party system and was not involved in shielding Gehlot government in the state along with sharing her pain of BJP’s political nobodies, taking pot-shots at her.

These messages apparently were conveyed to PM Modi, who then is said to have told Nadda to take Amit Shah in the loop as he was the man, who oversaw party affairs. Later, Raje herself had courtesy meetings with Amit Shah, so we can say that the misunderstandings and ‘trust deficit’ between her and the Centre have reduced and softening has taken place although the extent of softening is unknown. Meanwhile, the opposite camp reportedly gave a tape to the central leadership, which allegedly had some ‘Raje supporting’ leaders claiming that she would break away with her 40 MLAs, if Gajendra Singh was made CM in case the Gehlot government ‘fell.’ But tapes can be doctored and all these are political games, which go on endlessly. z After watching PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra perform for 5 months now, do you think he is being ‘remote- controlled’ by CM Gehlot?

Well, people expected this to happen and since Gehlot himself has been

party chief in the state more than once, this was most likely to happen, as Gehlot has firm grip on the party organisation, which he had loosened to give free hand to Pilot, when he was made the PCC chief. I think Dotasra has performed well until now and being a grateful man to his senior like Gehlot, he has lived up to his expectations so far. So, the term ‘remote control’ is wrong to use and it would be more precise to say that both share a very comfortable relationship. z With the vacuum in Congress leadership in Delhi, do you think that Rahul Gandhi will take over the charge of the party in FebruaryMarch next year and if that happens, how will it affect the politics of the state?

First, will the reluctant Rahul take over? My call is that Sonia Gandhi will, due to her failing health, transfer the power to someone else for sure.

Now there are ‘50-50’ chances that Rahul may take the charge or may stick to his old stand of a ‘Non-Gandhi’ party president. As far as impact on state politics is concerned, I don’t think Rahul’s coronation will in any way prove negative for Gehlot because firstly, why would he himself destabilise a Congress state government, which is already numbered in the country. Secondly, I, contrary to popular belief, don’t think that he is completely averse to Gehlot’s leadership and lastly, very few people know, but Pilot, after the recent defiance, has a new ‘Godfather’ in Priyanka Gandhi and not Rahul Gandhi. It was Priyanka, who pacified Rahul,who was upset due to Pilot’s dissidence.

During the show #JC onAshokGehlot trended Top 10 All India

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JAIPUR, MONDAY DECEMBER 14, 2020

Top 28 finalists of Miss Rajasthan 2020

BEST OF THE BEST —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

Rajasthan’s oldest beauty pageant, Miss Rajasthan announced its top 28 finalists who will be competing to attain the title of ‘Miss Rajasthan 2020’

Jagdeesh Chandra with (from left) Mitali Kaur, Kanchan Khatana, Mansi Bachani, Simran Sharma, Nikita Shekhawat and Amisha Raj

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

T

Miss Rajasthan 2019 Kanchan Khatana

Miss Rajasthan 2017 Simran Sharma

urning dreams into passion needs a lot of courage, as there are various obstacles that tend to come on the way.

Miss Rajasthan, Rajasthan’s oldest beauty pageant provides a platform to all the aspiring models to fulfil their dreams. The auditions of this pageant were being done virtually, keeping the current scenario in mind.

Out of 5600 girls who had participated to be a part of the pageant, the top 28 finalists were announced by Yogesh and Nimisha Mishra from Fusion Group on Sunday at Hotel Hilton. AJ Dance Group kick-started

the event with their graceful performance.

Jagdeesh Chandra was the chief guest of the event and congratulated all the finalists on the great achievement. He also wished them all the best for their future. Various other renowned people like SSBC Group’s MD Madan Yadav, Hotel Hilton’s GM Vivek Gupta, Jaipur Marathon’s CEO

Ganesh Vandana by AJ Dance Group

Yogesh Mishra

Mukesh Mishra, Arshan Hussain and Pawan Goyal.

Yogesh and Nimisha Mishra said, “The sash ceremony was organised following all the COVID guidelines, and the grooming sessions of the top finalists will be organised in the coming months.”

There will be a month of various grooming sessions for all the participants, to

make them compete with confidence with each other, and also to compete with other states, nations in the coming future.

Queen Chaperon Simran Sharma, Chaperons Kanchan Khatana and Aruna Beniwal, Buddy Chaperons Mansi Bainada, Mansi Bachani and Mitali Kaur will guide the top finalists throughout.

ETC JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

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VET THE VET MARIAM ABUHAIDERI thepersianladki@gmail.com

I

sure of living. Why would you want to spend it doing something you don’t enjoy? If you don’t make the MBBS, and you ain’t fond of animals, opt for something else instead which would not entail you putting a life at risk because you feel you have no choice.

For those who are already vets and are the victim of our flawed system, I would recommend they put in their heart and do their utmost to treat their patients. Trust me it shows when a vet cares and when he or she doesn’t. So you cannot fool your clients. For them, the animal is their child. If you would not care less for a human child, then why such discrimination is practiced with animals? Well, you have taken the oath. Live up to it.

Veterinary clinics are growing exponentially in the city. This is usually a good thing, but we don’t live in Utopia. There are many cases of negligence and manhandling of animals.

Fortunately, some vets are passionate animal lovers.

I hope you find one of them for your pet. I hope our educational system gives us more kindness-led vets. I hope the government gives Veterinary Science as much attention as it does to the medical field. Schools should imbibe more kindness education.

Animal shelters should vet the vets they wish to hire as they exist for the sake of the community animals.

An animal is a life after all.

Choose wisely. It is also a matter of your life. If you chose wrongly you will only be frustrated. Passion will bear fruit, and force will only kill it and the life it is being assigned to save. To those of you who have dedicated your life to serving animals, I express my gratitude.

FA CE OF TH ED AY

am convinced that the Indian educational system needs reviving. But I am also sure that the decision-makers from amongst the Ministry of Education do not read my articles, so the chances that I can bring about change in the way we impart education are slim. The children whose parents can afford an international education for them are fortunate. Those who cannot are almost doomed as their future is pretty much decided for them. In India, you can either study to be a doctor, engineer, accountant, or businessman. You can only choose from Arts, Sciences, and Commerce. Everything has an entrance exam, and seats of colleges can be purchased. And then there is the reservation system. Sadly, this is the state of our country.

Until recently, I believed that only those who loved animals choose to become vets. How wrong I have been. While some choose the stream because they want to help animals, many are veterinarians because they had no choice but to be pushed into studying veterinary science by a flawed system that says if you fail the MBBS, you are bound to take up Veterinary science. And then it goes all downhill from there for the vets and for the animals they treat.

So if you are one of those who doesn’t like animals, I suggest you do not get into it. Veterinarians have an obligation towards animals. The Veterinarian’s oath should be adhered. The job of a veterinary surgeon is tougher.

Their patients do not express themselves as human patients do.

So the task becomes a lot more challenging and this is why the veterinary profession is more grounded in compassion. How then can someone who doesn’t like animals do justice to the oath?

For someone who becomes a vet just for the sake of staying in the medical profession, it won’t make a difference if an animal lives or dies. For them, the profession isn’t as gratifying as it would be had they saved a human life. This is why I always ensure I find out if the vet I seek services from is an animal lover first. I suggest you do too. After all, your pet is your family member and you would want them to be in safe hands.

We all get this one life we are

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Dancing and doing fun things will keep some in perfect health. Timely help from someone close will be a boon for those financially tight at the moment. However, the same cannot be said about business owners, especially where profits are concerned.

Some of you will have to adopt measures to blunt the impact of a lifestyle disease. Consider betting and speculation a big no-no, if you don’t want to ruin yourself financially.

Your performance is likely to improve manifold on the professional front and get noticed.

A family reunion is indicated and promises much enjoyment. Religious minded can go on a spiritually elevating journey. Some of you may get embroiled in a legal battle over property. You will be able to keep up the pace with others on the academic front.

Adequate health measures will keep you in a fine fettle. You are likely to remain in the saving mode for some more time. Positive developments at work can keep you in an upbeat mood. Differences with your spouse should be best avoided or they may take an ugly turn.

MAR 21 - APR 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Those ailing for long can expect a miraculous recovery. Keeping a check on expenses is your only hope to save for purchasing a major item. Those in a creative field will achieve much in terms of clientele.

Spouse may differ with your opinion about a social situation.

An exercise buddy can be a blessing in disguise for some. Purchasing expensive items may need to be put on hold. This is the day when you will achieve unprecedented success in your current occupation.

Some of you may not be able to devote much time to family.

Timely treatment of a minor ailment will prevent it getting aggravated.

Returns from previous investments will manage to finance something you desire. Things may not be completely hunky dory on the professional front. Resetting the house may be on the minds.

Choosing a healthy lifestyle at this juncture becomes most essential for some.

Judicious spending and not succumbing to temptations promise to keep your financial situation intact. Market trends can tempt you into playing the stocks, which may prove to be profitable.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Health remains satisfactory, but aim for total fitness.

Make any excuse, but don’t lend money to anyone today.

Maintaining a working relationship with those you don’t particularly like will be a better option. Home remedy may come in handy in countering a malady.

Shifting into a bigger house is possible.

Those doing their bit to shed weight will succeed beyond their expectations!

You will be able to remain strong on the financial front.

Thinking out of the box is likely to get the spotlight on you on the professional front. A pending property issue will be completed.

Health of a family member may cause a bit of a concern, but will be nothing serious.

Money comes to you from various sources to fill your coffers.

Your strategy for promoting business is likely to be on the right lines and lead to good profits. You can feel hurt at not being invited somewhere.

Rest and relaxation are yours as you manage to find the perfect getaway.

You may be compelled to spend more on something, but it will be worth it. Keeping a low profile on the professional front may keep you from coming into the notice of those who matter.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

AASHIKA BHATIA, Content Creator

APR 21 - MAY 20

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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The Kapoors are said to be the first family of Bollywood and much of the credit goes to Raj Kapoor, the founder of RK Films, son of Prithviraj Kapoor. On his 96th Birth anniversary, City First pays a tribute by remembering the heroines of the Showman!

ANITA HADA

anita.hada@firstindianews. com

R

aj Kapoor was a charmer, he could get people to do things for him which they had never imagined. His films gained national and international acclaim as they grappled with social themes and issues facing the nation like poverty, unemployment and class, individual moral issues – all woven through comedy and stirring romance depicted beautifully through his heroines- innocence personified in white! As his heroine, one had to give up on colour and embrace white.

As we take you on a rain drenched walk through some of the leading ladies of Raj Kapoor who made an impact on me for various reasons, let me tell you that my favourite is Raj Kapoor’s own favourite-Nargis.

Nargis, whom he never asked to bare and who played strong empowered roles in all his movies.

Being a romantic, I like to believe that it was his love for Nargis which made it so. It is their chemistry also, which led to Awaara and Shri 420 being icon-

Kapoor Raj and Krishna

with Rishi, Rajiv

ic films, but each of their 16 films is worth a watch.

My next favourite is Padmini Kolhapure. She struck a chord

and Randhir

as the innocent girl, bride and widow in Prem Rog and the movie gave a strong message of widow remarriage while baring the dark side of life of the rich and hallowed. Yeh galiyan yeh chaubara is a must in weddings even today.

Padmini is closely followed

by Vijyantimala. She is one of my favourites but in Raj Kapoor’s hands in Sangam she left me breathless. Raj had her in white throughout the movie except in the wedding and main kya karun ram mujhe buddha mil gaya – the song which had her looking super cute.

Raj charmed her into wearing a swimsuit as he sang bol radha bol sangam hoga ya nahin. And she is simply WOW as the woman who refuses to

sacrifice her happiness but destiny nails her.

Dimple Kapadia in Bobbylike the entire nation I adored her. Only Raj Kapoor could have presented the perfect combination of innocent and sexy siren in the young Dimple. Andar se koi bahar na ja sake is the cutest with Dimple and Rishi and so is Jhooth bole kauvva kaate with a sexy bold Dimple. Be it the red bikini or the polka-dotted knotted tops, Raj Kapoor nailed the look. The love story in the backdrop of class and values was an instant hit.

As for my point that Raj Kapoor was a charmer and could get the ladies do and bare to the limits they never did for anyone else. Remember Simi Garewal in Mera Naam Joker? Many a young boy wished himself in the shoes of the chubby child Rishi. Zeenat Aman in Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Mandakini in Ram teri Ganga maili- flashes which come to mind is of sexy women, waterfalls, breasts in white transparent sarees and sexiness seeped in womanhood and innocence.

That’s Raj for you! The Showman knew his women and he portrayed them as he saw them- beautiful as God made them.

JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

ETC

11

CITY BUZZ JAIPUR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020

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JC SHOW! Jagdeesh Chandra with the team of the New JC Show at the channel office on Friday. From left – Yogesh Sharma, Senior Editor Syed Umar, Anita Hada, Vijendra Solanki, Aditi Nagar, Shweta Mishra, Swati Jangid, Shashi Bhati, Akanksha Bhalla, Riya Sen, Mahima Sharma, Mansi Bachhani, Vaishali Rajawat, Jyoti Rawat, Khushbu Mishra, Megha Kaushik.

Jagdeesh Chandra with the team

Jagdeesh Chandra with Yasheel Pandel and Gaurav Gaur

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

WEDDING BELLS!

Jagdeesh Chandra blessed and congratulated the newly wed couple Yogendra Singh and Ritu Kanwar at their wedding reception at Samurai farms, Jaipur.

Also seen is Ashok Rathore GM Rambagh Palace and Mahendra Singh & Krishna Kanwar, the parents of Yogendra.

GUJ: Ajay Choudhary, Joint commissioner of police (IPS) organised an abstract live painting talk exhibition at hutheesing centre, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.

Many art enthusiasts visited the exhibition.

CONGRATULATIONS!

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

BIRTHDAY WISHES!

Celebration of drama

CITY FIRST

T

Congress leader, Mamta Bhupesh and Dr Ghanshyam Berwa celebrated their 26th marriage anniversary with family in a simple way on Saturday.

—City First

Fancy Dress Competition

he virtually ongoing 9th edition of Jai Rangam Festival witnessed two fulllength plays and three short plays on Sunday. The day started with Morning Raga.

Various Dance and Musical Performances were organised from morning to evening. Meer - E - Alam and Dhaapu Khan performed Sufi Songs and played Kamayacha. Three short plays were performed during which Bhoomika Dubey directed Kuch Manzil Upar Se, Anil Tiwari directed Hayaat and Aadar Satkar directed by Sikandar Khan were performed.

Later, performances of full-length plays started. All the plays to be showcased during the festival can be watched on the official website of Jai Rangam at free of cost. Later these plays would be available on YouTube as well. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

CITY FIRST

A

ELITE MISS RAJASTHAN 2020

AAKHAR SERIES organised virtually

Aarav

ll the competitions for children between 6 and 14 years have been held at Digital Baal Mela. Children from the age of one to five years have also made a big jump. Entries from many states including Maharashtra Assam and Delhi were received for Digital Mummy-Papa Fair, especially in the fancy dress competition.

The parents of Aarav Sanklecha from Balotra sent a Khwaish photo of Aarav dressed as a chef trying his hand at cooking, while the parents of Khwaish Jain of Maharashtra touched the hearts of many people by dressing their three-year-old girl in a Haryanvi dress. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Kavish on his first birthday on 10 December, seen here with the proud father Mahesh Sharma of First India family and mother Meenakshi, brother Kanha and grandparents Moolchand Sharma and Rukmani Devi.

Magic of Poetry CITY FIRST

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he famous poets of Jaipur gathered online in the net theatre and made the day worth remembering on Saturday. Rajendra Sharma Raju of Net Theat told that Banaj Kumar Banaj, senior international poet, made all online poetry listeners overwhelmed. Ved Dadhich of Jaipur, while cursing the coronavirus, prayed to Lord Krishna that he should save humanity. Yogita Zeenat in her style recited,” Kisi ne

cheen li uski ravani, vo dariya hai magar behta nahi hai”. Shire Mukhtar Mahir said, “I ached in pain like I was wrapped in myself, then who could stop me? I was moved ahead of me”. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

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enowned Rajasthani language litterateur Vishnu Vishwas shared his literary journey in “Aakhar” series on Sunday. An initiative by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Grassroot Media Foundation, Aakhar aims to promote Rajasthani Language, Arts & Culture. Supported by Shree Cement, the talk-show was held digitally on Aakhar Rajasthan’s Facebook page amid the ongoing pandemic. Rajasthani writer and poet Nahush Vyas interacted with Vishnu Vishwas about his journey and creations. Talking about his journey in Rajasthani literature, writer Vishnu Vishwas shared that despite being from Hindi background, he started writing poems in Rajasthani language because of the sweetness of Rajasthani folk culture.

—City First

The sash ceremony of Elite Miss Rajasthan 2020 will be held today, 14 December at Hotel Hilton. A total of 31 finalists will be announced for the seventh season of Elite Miss Rajasthan, who will then undertake a week of grooming sessions. The finale of this renowned beauty pageant will take place on 20 December.

ELECTIONS!

—PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA

The election of Rajasthan Pencak Silat Association was held on Sunday from 12 noon to 2 pm at of Ved Marriage Garden, Panigraha, Jaipur. The officials from 19 districts of Rajasthan participated, voted and elected the State officials.

Hridesh Kumar Sharma (IAS) became the Chairman and Mohan Singh Tada was appointed as the President.

Raj: Club executive elections were held on Sunday at the virtual meeting of Rotary Club Jaipur Royal for the year 2021-22. Harish Khatri became the President, while Rajesh Vijay was appointed the Secretary.