First India-Lucknow Edition-16 December 2020

LUCKNOW l WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393 l Vol 1 l Issue No.34

NO WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT DUE TO COVID-19: GOVT OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi has said that he has informally contacted floor leaders of various political parties and they have expressed

9°C - 23°C

their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and opined of doing away with Winter Session of the Parliament. Joshi said this in a letter dated December 14,

addressed to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who had written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for convening a short winter session of Parliament. Joshi said

winter months are very crucial for managing pandemic and added that government is willing to have the next session of Parliament at the earliest.

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New agri laws are exactly what farmer bodies, opposition parties have been asking for yrs, says PM

A conspiracy on to confuse farmers: Modi Kutch (Gujarat): At a time when farmers are protesting against the three farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Tuesday that a conspiracy is going on in and around Delhi to confuse farmers.

The Prime Minister was speaking at Dhordo in Kutch, Gujarat during foundation stone laying ceremony of several development projects in the state. These projects include a desalination plant, a hybrid renewable energy park, and a fully automated milk processing and packing plant.

Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani was present on the occasion.

“Farmers are being misled about the new agrarian reforms. They are being told that others will occupy their lands. The agriculture reforms that have taken place are exactly what farmer bodies and even Opposition have been asking over the years.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets women from various groups in Kutch on Tuesday.

They are being scared that after the new agriculture laws, the land of farmers will be occupied by others. Tell me, if a dairy has a contract of collecting milk from you, do they take away your cattle too?

—Narendra Modi, PM Government of India is always committed to farmer welfare and we will keep assuring the farmers and addressing their concerns,” he said.

“People who are sitting in the opposition and misleading farmers

today were in the favour of these farm reforms during their government. They could not make a decision during their government. Today when the nation has taken a historical step then these people are

misleading farmers,” he added.

Remembering the 2001 earthquake in Kutch that caused huge destruction in the area, the Prime Minister said people of Kutch have turned disappointment

into hope, and it is one of the fastest developing areas in the country today.

“Today Kutch has taken a big step towards new-age technology and new age economy. It is one of the fastest developing areas in the country. Connectivity is improving here day by day.

People of Kutch turned disappointment into hope,’ PM Modi said.

He said that even a big earthquake couldn’t shatter the morale of Kutch residents and over the last 20 years, Gujarat introduced many farmer-friendly schemes.

“Everyone stood-up again after the quake and now look where have they taken Kutch...

Gujarat was among the earliest to work on strengthening solar energy capacities...Today Kutch has the world’s largest hybrid renewal energy park. It is approximately as big a Singapore and Bahrain.

Turn to P6

Farmers and Police personnel sitting on the divider of the road amid the farmers’ protest against the new farm laws at Ghazipur border in New Delhi on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Gazipur, Singhu borders closed for traffic due to farmer protests New Delhi: Gazipur, Singhu borders among others, on Tuesday, were closed for incoming traffic from Ghaziabad to Delhi in the wake of farmers’ protests, the Delhi Traffic Police (DTP) informed on Tuesday.

“Gazipur border is closed for traffic com-

ing from Ghaziabad to Delhi due to farmers’ protests. People are advised to take an alternate route for coming to Delhi via Anand Vihar, DND, Chilla, Apsara and Bhopra borders,” DTP’s tweet read. The tweet further added, “Singhu, Auchandi, Piau Mani-

yari, Sabholi and Mangesh borders are closed. Please take alternate routes via Lampur, Safiabad & Singhu school toll tax borders. Traffic has been diverted from Mukarba and GTK road. Please avoid Outer Ring Road, GTK Road, NH-44.”

—ANI

‘Consider giving break to US court terminates $100 mm suit against Modi, Shah docs doing Corona duty’ New Delhi: The Supreme Court asked the Centre on Tuesday to consider granting a break to doctors engaged in COVID-19 duty for the last seven-eight months.

The top court said that continuous work might be affecting mental health of doctors.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, RS Reddy and MR Shah, which is hearing a suo motu case on proper treatment of COVID-19 patients and dignified handling of dead bodies in hospitals, asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consider the suggestions of giving the doctors some break.

“For the last seveneight months doctors have not been given any break and are continuously working. You

Washington: A US court has dismissed a USD 100-million lawsuit filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the litigants - a separatist Kashmir Khalistan outfit and two associates - failed to appear before it at two scheduled hearings.

The suit was filed on September 19, 2019, days before Modi’s historic “Howdy, Modi!”

SC says continuous work could affect mental health of doctors.

take instruction and think over giving them some break. It must be very painful and might be affecting their mental health,” bench told Mehta.

The solicitor general assured the bench that the government would consider the suggestion of the bench to grant

some break to health workers engaged in COVID-19 duty.

Meanwhile in another ruling, the SC on Tuesday said that homeopathy medical practitioners can prescribe medicines for prophylaxis, amelioration and mitigation of COVID-19 patients Turn to P6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Home Minister Amit Shah

event in Houston, Texas. It challenged the Indian Parliament’s deci-

sion on Jammu and Kashmir that abrogated the special privileges of

Ram Temple to be 360 ft long, 235 ft wide Vishal Srivastav Lucknow: In one of the rare glimpses of how the Ram Temple being built in Ayodhya would look like, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Champat Rai, has stated that the Temple would be con-

structed in three floors.

Giving a sneak peek into the construction of the Ram temple, Rai tweeted on Tuesday that Larsen & Toubro Company (L&T) has been given the task of constructing the Ram Temple.

As for consultantation, the responsibility has been handed over

to the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The entire temple will be built using sand stones that would be Pinkish in colour.

The temple will be three-storeyed.

The height of each floor will be 20 feet. The length of the temple is 360 feet while the width Turn to P6

#UPKiShaanYogiJi trends, Yogi creates a flutter on Twitter First India Bureau Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has done it again! On ground as in virtual world, the trailblazing UP CM has left several of his contemporaries green-eyed by grabbing most eyeballs on the social media. He topped the Twitter trend for almost on a day (Tuesday) when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was ‘virtually’ (pun intended) announcing his party’s grand plan from New Delhi to make

its foray in UP assembly elections 2022.

The high-voltage Twitter war, though unmatched, triggered off as soon as the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement. The netizens reacted to it but it was short-lived for Kejriwal, who was KOed (knocked out), the moment, UP through its senior minister Sidharth Nath Singh, exposed the “hollow claims” and listed achievements of Yogi Government.

The Twitratti lost no time in rallying behind CM

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Yogi, apparently in total rejection to Kejriwal’s unfounded allegations.

The people’s faith in

Yogi was evident by the fact that the #UPKiShaanYogiJi remained on top of Twitter trend

for considerable time with over 50,000 tweets in his favour compared to 32,000 of #UPmeinBhiiKejriwal.

This, however, is not the first time that the UP CM has created a flutter on social media.

He has sparked a similar trend when he visited Mumbai on December 2 to bond with businesses and Bollywood to attract investment in UP. Yogi had notched over three lakh tweets #MaharashtraBoleYogi..Yogi’ within hours of setting foot on the Maratha-soil. Not sur-

prising therefore, Socialbakers, a social media watchdog website, has listed Yogi Adityanath’s twitter account as the one of the fastest growing profile in the country which attracts and adds more than 6,875 followers each day.

And his popularity is not because of the seat of power he occupies in the State. Sample this: While @myogioffice has only 2.1 million followers, @myogiadtyanath, his personal twitter handle has 12.1 million followers.

Turn to P6

the state and carved out two union territories and sought a compensation of USD 100 million from Modi, Shah and Lt. Gen. Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon.

Dhillon is currently serving as the DirectorGeneral Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff under the Chief of Defence Staff.

“Other than that attempted service,” Kashmir Khalistan Referen-

dum Front “have done nothing to prosecute this case”, and have now failed to appear at two duly set Scheduling Conferences, US District Court Southern District of Texas Judge Frances H Stacy said in his order dated October 6 and recommended that the case be dismissed.

The case was terminated by Judge Andrew S Hanen of the US District Court in Texas on October 22.

Turn to P6

Owaisi in Lucknow today to scout for new front possibility M Tariq Khan Lucknow: Buoyed by the party’s success in Bihar, the firebrand president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi has now set his eye on Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections 2022.

The Hyderabad Member of Parliament would be in Lucknow on Wednesday to hold parleys with smaller parties in a bid to explore the possibility of formation of a Third Front and repeat Bihar formula in UP. Owaisi, according to sources, has already spoken to Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav over telephone and would also be meeting Om Prakash Rajbhar president of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) and

Asaduddin Owaisi

state chief of Peace Party Abdul Mannan, who is expected to join AIMIM on Wednesday.

The SBSP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) were part of the Grand Alliance in Bihar with AIMIM where the latter won five seats and BSP just one.

“The BSP supremo is unlikely to join hands with the MIM in UP,” said a BSP source. He said the party may not have opened its account in the recently held bypolls on seven assembly seats Turn to P6

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LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

UP govt’s bid to flow stream of jobs in parched Bundlekhand pays off

02

Sarder Patel foiled iniquitous intentions of the British: CM

5K direct, 25K indirect jobs to created via investment by a British company First India Bureau

JUST IN 15 DAYS

Lucknow: The Yogi government has sowed the seeds of jobs in ravines of Bundelkhand, where unemployed youths are now finding their hopes and aspirations turning into reality by the efforts of the state government.

The state government has allotted land in Chitrakoot for setting up industry for British company AB Mauri. With an investment of Rs 400 crores, the company is going to make the largest yeast production center in Bundelkhand. The world’s largest yeast producing company, is also going to become the biggest source of employment for the youth.

The company will provide direct employ-

Yogi Adityanath paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 70th death anniversary.

—PHOTO BY SUMIT KUMAR

First India Bureau

FOR A PROSPEROUS UP: Yogi Adityanath-led government has been playing an instrumental part in developing the presently under developed regions of the state, such as the Bundelkhand and Purvanchal and has floated many developmental projects for the same.

ment to more than 5 thousand youths, while more than 25 thousand people will have indirect employment opportunities.

The ravines of Bundelkhand, which were hitherto infamous for

the notorious dacoits are now turning into an employment hotspot and thanks to the efforts of the Yogi government, smiles are returning to the people in this impoverished area.

It is to be noted that

UPSIDA has allotted 68 acres of land to the British company AB Mauri in Bargarh, Chitrakoot as part of the process of providing industrial investment and employment in Bundelkhand.

The company applied

for the mega project in the month of November 2020 in UPSIDA through Invest Mitra, in view of the Yogi government’s new industrial investment policy and the simple process of ease of doing business.

The company is slated to invest more than 400 crores rupees and provide more than 5000 direct and up to 25 thousand indirect employment and trade in Bargarh and surrounding areas.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the first Home Minister of the country, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel on his 70th death anniversary describing him as the ‘architect’ of united India in true sense.

“When the country witnessed the uprise of the freedom struggle, Britishers came to realise

that it would not be easy to keep India under their flag for long. At this point of time, they employed their nefarious designs to disintegrate India. It was Sardar Patel who played a crucial role in foiling the iniquitous intentions of them for which we should always remain indebted to him,” the CM said while speaking at GPO park in the state capital where he paid floral tributes at his statue.

‘Opposition supporting farm laws Mission Kisan Samman to connect farmers at block level jealous of BJP’s performance’

Meet held on limiting social crimes

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

POLITICAL MOTIVE

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma on Tuesday said the opposition parties have joined together in the protest against the three central farm laws because they have become frustrated due to the results of all recent elections in favour of the BJP. The opposition along with some farmers’ leaders have realised that their survival would be at stake if they do not agitate

BJP’s performance in recent elections has frustrated opposition parties, Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari Verma said.

against the BJP on one or the other pretext.

“Those who are protesting should be asked what is wrong with the farm laws. They are not

ready to tell it because they do not know about these laws. If they are asked to talk, they are not ready.

They are united be-

SLC okays PMAY projects, over to Centre for approvals First India Bureau Lucknow: The proposals of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), the nodal agency of Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for construction of 11,568 houses have been approved by State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee con-

stituted under Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari. The approvals will now be sent to the Centre.

Approval was also granted for Housing for All Plan of Action of 169 municipal bodies of 24 districts, which will also be approved by the the Centre. 2,81,447 houses will be built under this. Ac-

tion taken on Third Party Quality Monitoring Report (TPQMA) to get the second installment of Rs 1,90,282.20 lakh in 753 projects, under beneficiarybased individual housing construction (BLC) component of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), has been provided by the approval committee.

cause they are disappointed seeing the results of all the recent elections in favour of the BJP,” Verma told reporters here.

Lucknow: Even as massive protests by farmers against the new farm laws continues in the National Capital Region, the UP government is going to launch a major programme to connect with farmers at the block level. Named Mission Kisan Samman Yojana, the scheme is being finalized and should be announced formally this week.

Under the scheme, the State Government will set up camps in all blocks through which it

Most interactions with farmers were online owing to Covid-19 outbreak, as situation eases, direct contacts will be established.

will reach out to farmers and inform them about various schemes being run by both the state and central governments. It will also

KAYAKALP CM

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday inaugurated the fifth edition of Rajbhasha Patrika (Official language Magazine), ‘Kayakalp’ at his residence situated at 5, Kalidas Marg, Lucknow. Regional Passport Officer Peeyush Verma, Deputy Passport Officer Avnish Rastogi, Hindi Officer Sanjeev Saxena and Secretary, Official language were also present on the occassion.

‘AAP’s UP foray is like Kejriwal ke haseen sapne’ 

UP Minister SN Singh called Delhi CM as an inefficient administrator adding AAP’s plans of going for polls in UP in 2022 are slated to fall flat.

First India Bureau Lucknow: The barbs from Uttar Pradesh minister and government spokesperson Sidharth Nath Singh on Tuesday were in reaction to the AAP leader’s criticism of the BJP government in UP while announcing his party’s plans for 2022.

“He is a habitual liar while his inefficient administration skills have been exposed thoroughly, especially during the COVID-19 crisis,’’ the

Minister Siddharth Nath Singh enlisted various fronts, where the Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal has failed.

minister said .

Singh also reminded Kejriwal of his defeat in

educate them about the improvements in technology, new technology and, where necessary, also provide direct benefit on the spot.

Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituen-

cy, and called his Uttar Pradesh plans just daydream-- Kejriwal ke Haseen Sapne’ It seems that you have forgotten 2014, remember what happened with you in Varanasi,” the BJP leader said.

Modi won the seat by a huge margin of 3.37 lakh votes.

Singh also recalled the exodus of migrant labourers from Delhi during the lockdown after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is hard to imagine

how he turned out hapless people of UP, Bihar and Jharkhand from Delhi during the trying times, Singh said.

It was for the Yogi government to receive them, provide them free rations, give them a sustenance allowance and get them tested for coronavirus for free,” he added.Singh said it is surprising that the Delhi CM has something to comment on the UP government despite having failed Delhi on more than one occasion.

Lucknow: Jaipal Varma, Probation Officer, Lucknow held a detailed discussion with related NGOs, working towards the prevention of beggary and other social crimes including trafficking of women and children, child labour, etc.

The discussion included counselling and linking of families engaged in beggary to the g ove r n m e n t - f u n d e d sponsorship and foster care schemes under which two children under the age of 18 from economically weaker families would get Rs 2000 per month per child for a maxi period of 3 years.

Dr Anshumali Sharma, Director, Child Line, Lucknow, told that a list of children and their families engaged in begging has to be prepared so that it becomes clear as to how many people are involved in begging in the district. In the end, NGOs were asked to report all the issues they encounter while creating awareness in this regard to the District Probation Office.

BJP lodging fake cases against oppn leaders: Lallu First India Bureau Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu on Tuesday said fake cases are being lodged against the opposition leaders by the ruling BJP. Lallu further added that the ruling BJP was the well-wisher of capitalists and no one was happy in its rule.

“The BJP government is committing atrocities against those protesting its policies.

The protestors are being sent to jail on false cases,” Lallu said in Rasada area here.

“The BJP is helping capitalists and taking away rights and property of the common man. No one is happy with the present BJP regime,” he said.

The Congress leader added that party committees will be constituted in 8,000 nyay panchyats and 7,000 village panchyats by the end of January.

UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

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in

BRIEF BR Ambedkar’s statue found damaged

Kejriwal targets UP: AAP to fight 2022 Assembly polls

03

CM Yogi takes initiative to change the face of Gorakhpur airport

Development in UP held back by its dirty politics and corrupt leaders, says Delhi CM First India Bureau

A statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, was found damaged at a village, the police said on Tuesday. They said the statue was installed in Lohta Pachdaura village under Bhimpura police station, and it was damaged on Monday night by “antisocial” elements. Circle Officer KP Singh said the situation was under control, and the police had initiated action in the matter.

“A new statue of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar will be installed,” he said.

10-yr-old raped by village youth A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth in the village in Firozabad district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday night in Jasrana area when the girl was going to her home after attending a party hosted by a former village head. At the time, a 20-year-old man from the same village caught her and raped her, Jasrana police station SHO Jitendra Kumar Dwivedi said.

Chief Minister in Prayagraj today

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Prayagraj today and take part in various events here. He will address a Bar Council event at KP Maidan after which he would take part in a felicitation ceremony to be organised by Hindustani Academy. He would also offer prayers at the Bade Hanuman Temple.

Lucknow: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in 2022, its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Tuesday as he accused political parties in the state of doing nothing but stabbing people in the back.

In a virtual press briefing, Kejriwal said development and progress in UP have been held back by its “dirty politics” and “corrupt leaders”. People in the state want an honest government which only AAP can provide, he added.

Citing Delhi’s Mohalla clinics, free water and electricity, healthcare and education facilities, the chief minister said people of Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: The death toll due to COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh rose to 8,103 on Tuesday with 20 more fatalities, while 1,336 fresh cases pushed the tally to 5,68,064 in the state, an official said.

“At present, there are 18,382 active cases and the total number of people discharged after treatment stands at 5,41,579,” said Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad.

were being deprived of these basic amenities by the parties that have formed governments in the state over the years.

“Why do the people of UP travel to Delhi for every major and minor facility? If a family living in Kanpur has to send their child to a good college, they have

to send her to Delhi. If a person living in Gorakhpur has to get good medical treatment for his parents, they have to come to Delhi. Why,” he questioned.

People of Uttar Pradesh put their trust and faith in every party and gave them a chance, but these parties

“stabbed the people in their backs”, Kejriwal claimed.

“There is only one thing lacking in the politics of Uttar Pradesh, which is honesty and intent. This is what AAP has. It is with this honesty that AAP has transformed Delhi. We proved that the governments do

Gorakhpur airport has flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.

First India Bureau Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken an initiative to give a makeover to the Gorakhpur airport.

Under the overhauling, the airport will be expanded with a facility of check-in for 500 passengers at once. The premises of Gorakhpur airport will also become bigger and will be seen in its new form soon. In the overall development of Gorakhpur, its airport is likely to play a key role. Due to

corona crises, it’s operating with limited resources and currently, 2300 to 2500 passengers travel daily at Gorakhpur airport.

There are nine flights from Gorakhpur to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Prayagraj.

So far, only 200 passengers have the facility to check-in simultaneously at Gorakhpur airport.

According to airport director Prabhakar Vajpayee, the work for the expansion of the airport will start in the early months of the next year.

Yogi govt orders monthly monitoring Centre keen on setting up plastic industrial complex in Gorakhpur and review of investor feedback First India Bureau

First India Bureau Lucknow: To ensure continuous improvement in ease of doing business, the state government has directed to monitor and review investors’ feedback on a monthly basis and take action against officials for delay in providing services.

“Directives have been issued by Chief Secretary RK Tiwari to regularly monitor and review the investor feedback on a monthly basis for the services available online on single-window portal, Nivesh Mi-

1,336 new covid cases, death toll reaches 8,103 First India Bureau

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said people from UP living in Delhi have told him AAP should fight polls in the state.

not lack resources but honest intent,” he asserted while announcing that AAP will contest the Assembly elections in the state in 2022.

“I appeal to you to give one chance to AAP and you will forget about other political parties, as has happened in Delhi, where the party has formed the government thrice in a row,” Kejriwal said.

He said many people from Uttar Pradesh living in Delhi have told him that AAP should fight polls in the state.

“They want all the services offered in Delhi to be offered in UP as well. They said people of UP are fed up with these old parties and will come forward to support AAP and defeat these big leaders who consider UP as their property,” Kejriwal said.

The recovery rate in the state has now increased to 95.38 per cent, Prasad said.

With 20 new fatalities, the death toll has risen to 8,103 from 8,083 on Monday while the total number of cases rose to 5,68,064 from 5,66,728.

On Monday, over 1.48 lakh samples were tested, taking the total number of tests conducted so far in the state to over 2.16 crore, Prasad said.

He said UP had started training staff to be engaged in vaccination.

Chief Secretary RK Tiwari holding a meeting with officials on Tuesday.

tra,” an official release here on Tuesday said.

He also issued direction to initiate amendment in procedures, if required, to make sure time-bound action is taken on the basis of investor-feedback re-

ceived on Nivesh Mitra, it added.

Referring to the annual ease of doing business ranking of states by the Centre on the basis of evaluation of feedback of users of Nivesh Mitra portal, the CS in-

structed that accountability should be fixed and necessary action must be taken against officials in the cases of any delay or violation of procedures by them.

Additional Chief Secretary (Infrastructure and Industrial Development) Alok Kumar said feedback of single-window portal users is reviewed monthly at ‘Invest UP’ also. He said online feedback facility was started in Sep 2019 on the Nivesh Mitra portal. As per the latest user feedback data, out of 1,16,032 users, over 74 % were ‘satisfied’.

Gorakhpur: The Centrehas shown interest to establish a complex for plastic industrial units here which would be the second such one in Uttar Pradesh, an official said.

The Centre is interested in establishing a plastic park here. We have already sent the proposal and we have sufficient resources to establish it in Gorakhpur. Once the Union Government approves the proposal, we will take further steps,” Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) CEO, Sanjeev

SMART EDUCATION

The complex will come up in an area of 50 acres.

Ranjan said.

Earlier, the industrial park was supposed to be established in Kanpur and Auraiya but keeping in view the short distance between Kanpur and Auraiya, the decision was made to estab-

ED to probe Dubey’s sources of income First India Bureau

Operation Kayakalp under Mission Prerna started all over Uttar Pradesh. Basic Education Minister Satish Dwivedi inaugurating a smart TV as part of the mission at Narhi Primary School on Tuesday.

lish it in Gorakhpur, official sources said It is a government decision to establish a plastic park in Gorakhpur in 50 acres. The cost of the project would be fixed only after a detailed project report,” Ranjan said.

Lucknow: While the investigation in the brutal murder of policemen in the Bikru case of Kanpur is still on, Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath on Tuesday decided that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate into Rs 147 Crore assets of the main accused Vikas Dubey and his financers and sources of the income of people associated with them.

It is to be mentioned

that after the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by CM Yogi and it recommended EDprobe into the assets of the slain criminal.

A state government spokesperson informed that the three-member SIT, that was headed by additional chief secretary, Sanjay Bhoosreddy, had recommended an in-depth probe by the ED on the properties of Rs 147 crore amassed by the gangster illegally.

GOOD GOVERNENCE

ODOP proving to be a game-changer in churning out jobs lll

It is being said that the Yogi govt’s model should be implemented in other states of the country as well

First India Bureau Lucknow: As soon as the lockdown was implemented in the country and Uttar Pradesh, all the big and small industries were almost shut down and there was a large scale migration of workers. In view of this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with high level officers

and directed them to provide employment opportunities to the migrant workers and others returning to UP from other states.

After getting instructions from the CM, an action plan was prepared. In the implementation of this action plan, 26,62,960 people were provided employment in 6,65,740 new units through the

CM Yogi & ACS MSME Navneet Sehgal have been highly vocal promoting local artisans & artists.

`Atma Nirbhar’ package in eight months.

Apart, 5,25,978 people also got employment through the employment portal of the government that was created on the instructions of CM Yogi. All this was possible due to the continuous efforts of the CM to provide employment to the migrant workers who came from the other

states.

After the lockdown, when lakhs of poor labourers became unemployed, the CM, in all his meetings with officials, regularly discussed opportunities to provide employment to the unemployed labors and workers. Due to these efforts, lakhs of workers got maximum employments in MSME sector.

PERSPECTIVE LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

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VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATING THE PRIDE IN SOLDIERING

IN-DEPTH

BJP SEEKS EC HELP TO TAME BENGAL’S CM

W

hen Mamata Banerjee dislodged West Bengal’s Communist Party of IndiaMarxist government after 34 years of rule in 2011, her victory was attributed to her street-fighter qualities. After becoming the chief minister she remained calm for some time but returned to her old ways not long after as she never eased pressure on the Central government of the day. Mamata’s militant style of politics first grabbed headlines when on January 7, 1993, she barged into the Writers’ Buildings and sat on a dharna outside the chamber of Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. She was then a leader of the Youth Congress.

Before the parliamentary elections of 2019, her government kept up her offensive against the BJPled coalition government at the Centre over the Saradha chit fund scam. When the CBI team landed in Kolkata to interrogate Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, it was detained by the local police.

Mamata began an indefinite dharna at Esplanade against the CBI’s move in the absence of a “general consent” to the investigative agency to probe cases in the state without permission.

In 2013 she was ordered by the Supreme Court to abide by the State Election Commissioner’s (SEC) order for five-phase panchayat elections in the state. Mamata had challenged the SEC’s order to deploy additional central forces for the elections.

It is almost an action replay as political temperatures rise once again with the BJP attacking the TMC over law and order. The BJP has urged the Election Commissioner to deploy additional central forces and impose the model code of conduct in the state six months ahead of elections.

MAJ GEN CP SINGH, RETD The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)

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NO WINTER SESSION AFTER 36 YEARS RAISES HACKLES

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t a time when there are burning national issues to be debated in Parliament, the government has decided to do away with the winter session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said that the government was willing to have the next session of Parliament at the “earliest” and suggested the Budget session in January. In 2018 and 2019 also the Budget session began in January. Joshi said that the session was being scrapped in view of the pandemic.

The winter session was earlier cancelled in 1975, 1979, and 1984. The government is under no constitutional obligation to hold the winter session. The Constitution mandates that there should not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions of Parliament.

The government may have scrapped the winter session due to Covid-19 but the message that has gone out is that it is shying away from a democratic process because there have been instances like Telangana civic elections and poll campaigning in Bengal when the BJP has violated the necessary Covid protocols. The Congress called it the “complete decimation of parliamentary democracy” and reminded the government of how it held NEET and JEE examinations when the pandemic was at its peak.

The government’s reason for not holding the winter session also beats all logic as the positive case load has come down to a little over 3 percent.

Is the Opposition wrong in saying that the government was avoiding a debate on farmers’ protests over the contentious farm laws which were passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha amid protests by the Opposition?

Soldiering has been a noble profession for ages. The royal families joined the Army since the profession of arms was always associated with pride, dignity, and the highest form of nationalism since times immemorial.

Many of us left well paying corporate jobs to join defence forces since it was considered a proud privilege to don the combat uniform

IJAY DIWAS is celebrated on 16 Dec, every year to commemorate the Victory of Indian armed forces over East Pakistan and Liberation of Bangla Desh. Victory over Pakistan Army in Eastern Theatre was a marvel of military strategy, executed with perfection by troops on the ground. It is an excellent example of joint manship amongst all three services. It’s prudent to highlight with great pride that the Liberation of Bangla Desh and Falklands War are two shining examples of brilliant military campaigns, post-WWII and they are taught in Military History, the world over.

Soldiering has been a noble profession for ages. The royal families joined Army since the profession of arms was always associated with pride, dignity, and the highest form of nationalism since times immemorial.

Many of us left well paying corporate jobs to join defence forces since it was considered as a proud privilege to don the combat uniform. Indian ancient history, including the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharat, have ingrained fighting tenets in our people where the profession of arms is considered a tradition and an ultimate goal in a person’s life. Indian armed forces have proved their mettle every time they have faced the enemy.

CHANAKYA TEACHINGS The role of a soldier in nationbuilding and duty of king towards the welfare of soldiers has been clearly defined by great Indian strategic thinker Chanakya - “While the Magadha citizenry endeavours to make the State prosper and flourish, the Mauryan soldier guarantees that the State continues to exist! ……..” It’s so true even today.

RECENT DOWNGRADINGS The teachings of Chanakya have been forgotten by the present leadership. It’s very unfortunate that the expenditure on defence forces is not seen as in-

surance by having a force of deterrence but seen through the prism of an auditor. As we sayWar over, the soldier is soon forgotten. The auditor forgets the bodies and devastated families and starts counting the pennies.

In the recent past, we have seen high rhetoric on nationalism, soldiers sacrifices and pride as a political narrative but the erosion of pride, respect, dignity, pay, pension, perks, and privileges of defence forces, with resultant damage to the martial streak in our country. This indicates apathy of Govt towards defence forces. The same mistake was done by Govt prior to 1962 debacle. A few examples of the same are highlighted herez Gradual reduction in defence

budget as percentage of GDP.

z Taxing disability pensions and

statements by senior officers to say that disability is all manipulated. z Not giving NFU status while the same is being given to civilians and CAPF. z Granting truncated OROP to ESM and the same being given to even bank employees. z Gradually reducing avenues of post retirement settlement through Directorate General of Resettlement. z Imposing restrictions on CSD Canteen purchases on pretext of misuse, painting all ESM and as profiteers. z Starving ECHS of funds, thereby making the scheme almost redundant. z The Siachin and J&K allowances for the military are far below that of CAPF and police. z Throwing open the cantts to

THE TEACHINGS OF CHANAKYA HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN BY THE PRESENT LEADERSHIP. IT’S VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE EXPENDITURE ON DEFENCE FORCES IS NOT SEEN AS INSURANCE

BY HAVING A FORCE OF DETERRENCE BUT SEEN THROUGH THE PRISM OF AN AUDITOR

civilians, thereby compromising the security and privacy of soldiers. z Proposal to reduce pensions on the pretext of ballooning defence pension bills. Detailed analysis indicates the contrary. z Proposal to Close down ceremonials like Army Day Parade, Vijay Diwas, Kargil Vijay, Battle Honour Days and Raising Day celebrations. These are celebrated the world over. z Proposal to close down or curtail Officer’s Messes and Clubs on the name of austerity measures.

PINCHING THE PENSION The state is never able to pay the soldier adequately who stands as a sentinel to the nation’s growth and prosperity. He guards the frontiers facing all hardships and prepared to make the supreme sacrifice, if the need arises, to defend the motherland. The citizens sleeping peacefully in air-conditioned houses living in metro comforts

Managing well in the work-from-home era

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any managers are treating this year’s pandemic-induced shift to work from home as though it were standard telecommuting. But it’s not, and operating under the assumption that it is can ultimately harm employees’ morale. While office workers are typically faring better than essential workers during the pandemic, the abrupt shift to remote work was jarring, and its effects should not be overlooked.

Leadership experts and cognitive scientists can attest that resistance to change is less about the change itself and more about losing control and fear of uncertainty. Humans – and other animals, for that matter – respond defensively when the power to make decisions about

04

their own lives is removed.

And in a recent study on COVID-19 and mental health, researchers found that adults surveyed in the United States and five European countries who believe that other people or random chance mostly dictates what happens to them also report greater symptoms of depression.

There’s a big difference between choosing to telecommute and suddenly being forced to work from home. While eliminating the daily commute has been nice, the average office worker simply wasn’t mentally or financially prepared to turn their home into a makeshift WeWork location while also taking on previously outsourced teaching, childcare, and eldercare duties. Many families do not live in homes that can easily accommo-

date telecommuting, and some employees’ domestic arrangements are not conducive to success.

Managers can take several steps to ease these burdens for their employees.

Set reasonable expectations: Many employees are bearing new burdens and facing pressure from multiple sources. Managers can avoid overwhelming them

by eliminating unnecessary reports and redundant procedures, and by being as transparent as possible about deadlines. For example, if an important client meeting is postponed, managers should inform everyone who is preparing materials for it immediately, so they can reprioritize the day’s tasks. Likewise, managers shouldn’t expect im-

mediate replies to emails – a constant sense of urgency contributes to employee burnout. Sending emails outside of working hours (especially late at night and on weekends) should be avoided, or staff shouldn’t be expected (much less required) to answer afterhours messages immediately.

Don’t force employees to

be “on” all the time: Zoom fatigue is sky high, and employees may have to manage quiet space so that all household members can participate in their respective work calls and video meetings.

Women usually get the short end of the stick, with one author dubbing them “reluctant nomads” in the “battle for space.” For example, an employee might find herself perched on the edge of the bathtub, precariously balancing a computer on her knees, so that her partner and children can conduct their business or school work from the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. And women tend to face unfair criticism and pressure over their appearance on Zoom.

Managers should ask whether any meetings could be eliminated, shortened, or conducted without video.

SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE

will never be able to fathom the hardships involved in the profession of arms. The soldier is paid less compared to corporate world but paid higher the pension which is in-fact a different salary itself. Also, adequate pension is paid after retirement to ensure that the one who gave his youth for guarding the country should be able to live a decent life in the sunset years and his pride is not compromised due to financial constraints.

CONCLUSION Vijay Diwas is a symbol of Pride for the Indian Armed Forces. Such celebrations, all across the globe reminds the citizens about the valour and sacrifices of our soldiers. The nation also pays tribute to the bravehearts who did not come back home after the war. The Armed Forces have created a niche for itself, in the society projecting itself as a role model in the crumbling edifice of present social structure. Even the Ex-service-men are highly respected in the society, since they stand out due to their disciplined life, nationalistic attitude, and helping nature which they carry home from Army life, even after retirement. If India aspires to become a superpower in 21st century, it should take pride in achievements of it’s Defence Forces and respect its soldiers including veterans. On this GOLDEN VIJAY DIWAS, Let’s take a pledge to restore the pride in soldiering.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Building upon our Govt’s principles of inclusivity, convenience & accessibility, 69 crore beneficiaries are a part of One Nation One Ration Card scheme across 32 States & UTs. They can seamlessly access their allotted food grains anywhere in India with their existing cards.

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Spiritual SPEAK

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

—Proverbs 25:26

Vol 1 Issue No. 34 RNI NO. UPENG/2020/04393. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Amar Ujala Ltd. B-5 Amausi Industrial Area Kanpur Road Lucknow.

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‘Govt open to accept suggestions on farm laws’ Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said the government will convince farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue New Delhi: Noting that the government is ready to accept all good suggestions from farmers about the farm laws, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said it will "convince farmers, explain and find a way through dialogue".

In an interview with ANI, he said dialogue is the only way to find a solution to protest by farmer unions and a break in talks can lead to miscommunication.

The minister, who is Minister of Road Transport and Highways and a senior BJP leader, said there will no injustice with the farmers in the Narendra Modi government.

‘FARMERS’ PROTESTS RESULTING IN DAILY LOSS OF RS 3,500 CR’

Farmers gather at Ghazipur border during their protest against Centres agri-laws, in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"The government is ready to accept all good suggestions (from farmers). It will take some time. Our government will convince the farmers, explain & find a way through dialogue," he said. The minister said farmers should be told

‘OPPN BEHIND FARMERS' PROTEST’

—PHOTO BY PTI

the truth "in the right way". "Farmers should understand these laws.

Our government is dedicated to farmers & is ready to accept the suggestions given by them.

There will not be any injustice with farmers," he said. —ANI

Need to keep his principles in mind: RaGa Congress pays tributes to Sardar Patel

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday paid tributes to India's first deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary, with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra underlining the importance of remembering his principles at a time when farmers are protesting against the new agri laws.

Patel, a freedom fighter who also became India's first home minister, is credited with

THE GANDHI SCION SLAMS CENTRE

Rahul Gandhi

unifying hundreds of princely states in to the Union of India following independence through a mix of persuasion, dialogue and even use of force when required.

"On his death anniversary, we pay solemn tribute to India's Sardar, the man behind a

united India, Shri Vallabhbhai Patel," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle.

"As a brave freedom fighter & the nation's first Deputy PM, his innumerable contributions to nation-building inspire countless of Indians even today," the party said.

‘Refugee colonies recognised in WB, no need to fear NRC’ Kolkata: While addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said refugee colonies have been recognised in state, and no one needs to fear the National Register of Citizens, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Population Register. Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to convert West Bengal into “riot-torn” Gujarat and dared the Union government to impose President’s Rule in the state. “BJP has created a new religion of riots and hatred among communities,” she alleged.

The TMC supremo reiterated that BJP national president J P Nadda’s convoy was not

Mamata Banerjee

TMC SUVENDU ADHIKARI MAY JOIN BJP

attacked and wondered why “convicted criminals” were accompanying him. The Centre is

RS 700 CR TAX EVASION AFTER RAIDS AGAINST CHETTINAD GROUP New Delhi: The Income Tax Department has detected tax evasion of more than Rs 700 crore after it recently raided multiple locations of Chennai-based Chettinad Group, official sources said. “The highlight of the search includes seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs 23 crore from various locations,” the CBDT

said. “As of now, the department has succeeded in detecting evasion of income of over Rs 700 crore,” it said. The statement claimed that tax sleuths also detected documents related to possession of “foreign assets to the extent of Rs 110 crore in form of fixed deposits, which were not disclosed in the return.”

summoning our officers. No one wanted to hurt him (Nadda) or his convoy,” Banerjee said.

In a Facebook post in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi shared Patel's quote that "my only wish is that India should be a good producer and no one in this country should shed tears while being hungry".

"Tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary.

Today when 'annadaatas' (food providers) are themselves shedding tears, we need to consider the principles of Sardar Patel."

In her tribute to Patel, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "The British threatened the farmers of Bardoli with things like property attachment, but under the leadership of Sardar Patel, the farmers did not back off and their Satyagraha won."

Several other Congress leaders, including chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, Rajasthan Abhishek Singhvi also paid rich tributes to Patel. —PTI

If there is no dialogue, it can lead to miscommunication, to controversy and sparring. If there is a dialogue then issues will be resolved, the whole thing will end, farmers will get justice, they will get relief. We are working in the interest of farmers.

—Nitin Gadkari Union Minister

New Delhi: Urging government & farmers' organisations to resolve the impasse over new agri laws, industry body ASSOCHAM said the ongoing protests are dealing a big blow to inter-connected economies of the region. A daily loss of Rs 3,000 crores to 3,500 crores is resulting in economies of the region from value chain & transport disruption because of protests, according to ASSOCHAM rough estimates. Though economies of Punjab, Haryana & Himachal are based on agriculture, several industries have become their lifeline.

RAUT SPEAK

Growing recognition, acceptance for idea of Indo-Pacific: S Jaishankar New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said it was a matter of satisfaction that there is a growing recognition and acceptance of the idea of IndoPacific. Jaishankar was speaking at the joint conference alongside UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab.

“India has its own vision of Indo-Pacific.

But I will also recognise that other country too.

There could be overlaps in Indian and UK visions of Indo-Pacific.

There could be big overlaps and there could be a few nuances. it is a matter of satisfaction

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his British counterpart Dominic Raab, in New Delhi.

—PHOTO BY PTI

that there is growing recognition and acceptance of the idea of IndoPacific,” Jaishankar said. Raab, who is in India for a four-day visit, referred to UK’s “Indo-Pacific tilt” and said

there is no stronger partner than India when UK looks to the east. He further said that UK wants closer defence & security partnership to deal with challenges. —ANI

IN THE COURTYARD ONLINE CLASSES

SC directs state govts to provide infra, books New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed all the state governments to provide necessary infrastructure, stationaries, books, and other equipment to child care institutions for online classes within 30 days.

A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao ordered that States should ensure that the required number of teachers are also made available to teach children in the child care institutions. The top court passed a slew of directions to cater to educational needs of child care institutions. —ANI

2 BOOKED FOR DESTROYING POLLING MATERIALS IN POONCH Jammu: Two people were booked by police for destroying polling materials in J&K’s Poonch district. The presiding officer of Keri polling station informed Gursai police station about the destruction of polling materials at a booth on Sunday, they said. The application said that in DDC election at government high school in Keri, two people, namely Gafoor Ahmad, agent of Rabia Younis Khan, and Wahidullha Khan, polling agent of Saima Khan, attacked polling staff& snatched ballot papers in order to cast bogus votes.

Mechanism of issuing challans faulty, plea filed in High Court New Delhi: The Delhi HC directed the Centre and the AAP government to treat as representation a PIL claiming that the mechanism of issuing challans under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act of 2019 was "arbitrary and faulty" and needs to be rectified using better technology.

A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan directed that the grievances ventilated in the plea, which is filed by a lawyer, be decided in accordance with the law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case.

The court said a decision be taken on the representation as expeditiously as possible and practicable, and with this direction, disposed of the petition by Sonali Karwasra.

The court at the outset made it clear it was not going to entertain the matter and suggest-

GULMARG COLDEST AT MINUS 10.2 DEG CELSIUS, SAY IMD EXPERTS Srinagar: Night temperatures in the Kashmir Valley dipped below the freezing point owing to a clear sky, with the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg shivering at minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, Meteorological department officials said here on Tuesday. All weather stations in the Valley recorded sub-zero night

temperatures several degrees below the normal for this season, officials said. They said the temperature in Gulmarg, the famous ski-resort in north Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, which is six degrees below the normal for this season. The resort was the coldest recorded place in the UT.

ed that it can ask the authorities concerned to treat the plea as a representation.

The petitioner agreed with the court''s suggestion. The petition had claimed that challans were being issued without proper and reliable technology in place. —PTI

AGUSTA WESTLAND

PIL to cancel NBWs against Gupta quashed

New Delhi: A special court in Delhi has dismissed an application seeking cancellation of non-bailable warrants (NBWs) issued against Shravan Gupta, the former MD of realty major Emmar MGF, in connection with a money laundering case related to the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper scam.

Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar, in an order passed on December 5, observed that even during present proceedings, the applicant did not express intention to appear before ED to join the investigation. —ANI

C’GARH: RATH YATRA TO MARK 2 YEARS OF GOVERNMENT New Delhi: Places associated with Lord Ram will be developed as Ram Van Gaman Path’ in Chhattisgarh as part of an ambitious plan chalked out by Bhupesh Baghel-led state government to mark the completion of its two years, an official statement said. The Ram Van Gaman Path is referred to route taken by Lord Ram during his 14 years of exile. The Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project was chalked out to highlight the mythological background of Chhattisgarh and its close association with the life of Lord Ram.

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India’s recovery rate highest in world Daily new cases recorded on Tuesday was 22,065 were the lowest in over five months New delhi: India's active COVID-19 caseload has fallen below 3.4 lakh, a mere 3.43 per cent of the total infections, supplemented by an impressive recovery rate of over 95 per cent, which is among the highest in the world for countries with high caseloads, the Union Health Ministry said Tuesday.

The daily new cases recorded on Tuesday -22,065 -- were also the lowest in over five months. As many as 22,252 cases were reported on July 7, the ministry said.

The number of recoveries have crossed 94 lakhs (94,22,636), pushing the national recovery rate to over 95 per cent, which is "one of the highest in the world for countries with high caseload", the ministry underlined.

There are 3,39,820 active cases of coronavirus infections as on

‘AAP TO TAKE PART IN 2020 UP ELECTIONS’ New Delhi: After forming the government in the national capital thrice and emerging as the main opposition party in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced it will contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in 2022.AAP’s national convenor & Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement here in a digital press briefing.

IPPB launches its digital payments’ services New Delhi: The Department of Posts (DoP) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) have virtually unveiled a new digital payment app ‘DakPay’, an official statement said. “The App is launched as part of its ongoing efforts to provide Digital Financial inclusion at the last mile across India,” the statement said.

Launch of DakPay adds up to the legacy of India Post, which is about reaching out to every household.

36 foreigners attended Tablighi Jamaat event acquitted of all charges

People wearing masks as part of a comprehensive strategy of measures to suppress transmission and save lives and also to provide an adequate level of protection against COVID-19. —FILE PHOTO

NAVY SENIOR-MOST VACCINE WITH 2 SUBMARINER DIES YEARS OF IMMUNITY The Vice Admiral Srikant died due to COVID related complications, officials said. The vice admiral, the Navy's senior-most submariner, was due to retire on December 31. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Expressied his condolences on Twitter.

Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V is likely to provide up to 2 years of immunity against Covid-19, as compared to 4-5 months of immunity that might be achieved by using Covid vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Tuesday.

AYUSH doctors and homeopaths cannot prescribe or advertise medicines as cures for COVID-19, the Supreme Court stated on Tuesday, 15 December. It also maintained that qualified AYUSH doctors can prescribe government-approved tablets or mixtures as “immunity boosters” for COVID-19 patients.

New Delhi: A Delhi court Tuesday acquitted 36 foreigners, who were charge sheeted for attending Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi by allegedly being negligent and disobeying the government guidelines issued in wake of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Arun Kumar Garg acquitted the foreigners from 14 countries of all charges. The charges were also framed under section 51 (obstruction) Disaster Management Act, 2005.

However, they were discharged for the offences under section 14 (1) (b) (violation of visa norms) of For-

Pranab Mukherjee’s son and daughter spat over his last memoir on Twitter New Delhi: A book, “The Presidential Years“, by late former president Pranab Mukherjee, to be released in January 2021, saw wrangling between his son Abhijit Mukherjee & daughter Sharmishtha Mukherjee, both members of Congress party. While Abhijeet, in a tweet, requested

the publisher Rupa to stop publication of the

Delhi HC restrains AIIMS nurses from continuing with strike New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday issued an order restraining AIIMS Nurses Union from continuing with its ongoing strike demanding clarity on salary structure.

This comes after the Union Health Ministry directed the director of AIIMS to ensure no disruption of nursing functions given the coronavirus pandemic.

Over 3,000 nurses at AIIMS began an indefinite strike Monday afternoon demanding clarity over their longpending demands, including those with regard to the Sixth Central Pay Commission.

Earlier today, AIIMS had approached the High Court against the union, arguing that its strike was “against the law and public interest” and has brought the hospital to a standstill.

In a letter to AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, the nursing union had raised concerns over the 6th Central Pay Commission (CPC) anomaly.

“The callous attitude of AIIMS administration towards nurses has forced us to go on an indefinite strike from Monday afternoon onwards,” said the letter.

Singh Pannun. —PTI

ditions, the engineers of IIT Mumbai, IIT Delhi, IIT Chennai, IIT Guwahati and Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee are consulting among themselves on the drawing of a strong and durable foundation with stones of the age of 1000 years which can bear the burden of the temple. Public relations work will start from Makar Sankranti, he added.

memoir as well as “motivated excerpts” with-

NCB again summons Arjun in drug case

Mumbai: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has summoned Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal in Mumbai on Wednesday for questioning in connection with a drug-related case.

The actor has been asked to remain present before the NCB team, which is conducting a probe into the alleged Bollywood drugs nexus following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the official said.

out his written consent, & Mukherjee’s daughter, on other hand, requested his brother not to create “unnecessary hurdles”. The memoir was in the news recently for Pranab ’s critical comments on Congress, including his observation that the party lost political focus after his elevation as president.

THE CHARGES

recently hinted that his experience with bigger parties referring to Congress had not been good and his party will form alliance with smaller parties in the upcoming Assembly polls but he too is unlikely to have any understanding with MIM. He treats Owaisi as a ‘political pariah’ and had prevented him from holding political rallies during his tenure as chief minister.

In the last Assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, SP had formed an alliance with Congress in 2017. BJP had stormed back to power

POWER Gallery IS PM NOT HAPPY WITH FUNCTIONING OF THE BUREAUCRACY?

Insiders say PM Narendra Modi is at present not happy with the functioning of certain ministries.

Outcome of his anger will be known during the top level bureaucratic reshuffle.

WHO WILL SUCCEED ARUN SINHA IN NTRO?

Who will succeed Advisor Arun Sinha this month end ? Will he be an IPS officer or an Army officer.

Tenure of Sinha is coming to an end this month.

MAJ GEN KRISHNAN TO SUCCEED MAJ GEN AUJLA?

Major General V M B Krishnan is likely to succeed Major General ADS Aujla as new GOC of 28 Infantry Division.

IRS OFFICER ISHTIYAQUE AHMED TO JOIN NITI AAYOG

The services of Ishtiyaque Ahmed have been transferred to the Niti Aayog on loan basis. He is an IRS-IT officer.

DIG TO IG LEVEL PROMOTIONS IN ITBP LIKELY HALF A DOZEN

DIG level officers are likely to be promoted to the rank of IG in the ITBP in a couple of weeks. eigners Act, sections 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 271 (Disobedience to quarantine rule) of IPC.

India's fertility rate declines across states New Delhi: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS), said India’s population is finally stabilising.

India has seen a significant decrease in total fertility rate across most states over the past 4 years. The fifth round of the NFHS was conducted in 2019-20.

CENTRE INTERFERING IN WB'S JURISDICTION: MAMATA BANERJEE Jalpaiguri : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Centre of interfering in the state''s jurisdiction by summoning IPS officers to serve under it.

Banerjee also dared the Union government to impose President''s Rule in the state, lashing out at the BJP for trying to convert West Bengal into "riottorn" Gujarat.

She reiterated that BJP national president J P Nadda''s convoy was not attacked and wondered why "convicted criminals" were accompanying him.

"If the BJP and the

06

E A SUBRAMANIAN LIKELY TO GET EXTENSION

E A Subramanian is expected to get extension to the post of Director (Operations & Technical), HLL Lifecare Limited upto August 31, 2022.

M K SURANA LIKELY TO GET EXTENSION AS CMD, HPCL

Mukesh Kumar Surana is expected to get extension to the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). Surana, whose tenure is ending in March 202, may get extension upto April 30, 2022.

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR POST OF SECRETARY, CWC

Ministry of Minority Affairs has invited applications for the post of Secretary in Central Waqf Council (CWC), New Delhi, on deputation basis on Foreign Service terms.

AMEET KUMAR APPOINTED AS PS TO BABUL SUPRIYO

Ameet Kumar has been appointed as Private Secretary to Babul Supriyo, Minister of state for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He is a 2010 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre.

S RAVICHANDRAN RELIEVED TO JOIN AS SPECIAL DIRECTOR, ED

S Ravichandran has been relieved to join as Special Director of Enforcement in the Directorate of Enforcement, Delhi on deputation basis. He is an IRS-IT officer.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

‘Daughters being brutally assaulted every day’ central government think they can scare us by bringing in central forces and transferring state cadre officers, they are wrong.

The Centre is summoning our officers...

No one wanted to hurt him (Nadda) or his convoy," Banerjee said at a rally here.

New delhi: The Nirbhaya rape and murder case may have seen a decision but that has not been a deterrent to the number of crimes against women on the streets of the country, according to Nirbhaya’s father.

On the intervening night of December 16 and 17, 2012, a 23-yearold physiotherapy intern, referred to as Nirb-

haya, was raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus in south Delhi by six people before being thrown out on the road. Nirbhaya’s father, who joined an online petition which was started by NGOs Save the Children and Yuva to mark the eighth anniversary of the gruesome gangrape case, said that “the fight is not over yet”.

in the state in the Assembly polls. In the 403 member UP Assembly, among the major parties, BJP has 309 legislators, SP 49, BSP 18, and Congress 7. “It is now clear that neither Congress nor Samajwadi Party can defeat the BJP alone in UP,” said AIMIM’s UP chief Shaukat Ali. He said the party intends to contest on 25 per cent of the seats in the state on Muslim and OBCs dominated assembly constituencies. Muslim account for 19.26 per cent and the OBCs more than 40 per cent of UP’s population. “We have

shortlisted constituencies in as many as 56 districts,” said Shaukat. He said only by joining hands small parties can prevent BJP from coming to power again.

The MIM is also planning to rope in Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). In the recently held byelections, the party finished third in Bulandshahr but secured more votes than the Congress and the RLD-SP combine.

Azad’s party had, however, drawn a blank in the Bihar polls, which it

fought with Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party. The former CM of Uttar Pradesh said, “We are hopeful that in 2022 Samajwadi party will form the government in the state with the majority.”

It is noteworthy that in last Assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, SP had formed an alliance with Congress in 2017. BJP had stormed back to power in the state in the Assembly polls.

In the 403 member UP Assembly, among the major parties, BJP has 309 legislators, SP 49, BSP 18, and Congress 7.

FROM PG 1 A conspiracy...

It is built on 70,000 hectare land, larger than many cities in the country,” the PM added. —ANI ‘Consider giving... and the prescription has to be given only by institutionally qualified practitioners. —PTI US court...

Apart from the Kashmir Khalistan Referendum Front, the other two complainants have not been identified, other than the acronyms ‘TFK’ and ‘SMS’. The suing party was represented by separatist lawyer Gurpatwant

Ram Temple... would be 235 feet. The floor of the temple will be 16.5 feet high from the ground. The height of the peak of the Sanctum Sanctorum from the ground floor will be 161 feet. Soil testing up to 200 feet deep under the earth and the effect of the possible earthquake for the future is being studied. Up to 200 feet, crushed sand has been found below the ground. The Saryu River flows some distance west of the sanctum sanctorum.

Under these geographical con-

#UPKiShaanYogiJi...

According to BJP leader Chandramohan, ‘Yogi Adityanath’ was an Indian Twitter trend as far back as in 2016

when he was yet to become a CM. Users have usually batted for him with tweets like, “There are certain people for/ with whom Hindus should stand unconditionally, and one of them is Yogi Adityanath” and “One shud not try to act neutral by castigating leaders of masses like Yogi Adityanath.”

Owaisi in... but it got 19 per cent of vote share indicating it is still a force to reckon with on its own.

Ditto Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Though Yadav had

NEWS LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

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People’s participation essential for making Ganga clean: Governor Atulya Ganga Yatra to cover 5,100 kms, 45 cities and 5000 villages to spread awareness First India Bureau Lucknow: The Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel has said that the Ganga is the identity and invaluable heritage of our culture. Ganga leaves its indelible mark on our culture, spiritual thinking, climate and economy. She was speaking at the Press conference at the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology.

She will be inaugurating the Atulya Ganga yatra today along with Union minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Union minister of culture and tourism Prahlad Patel through video

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel said the Ganga leaves its indelible mark on our culture, spiritual thinking, climate and economy.

conferencing.

She said that most of India’s villages and cit-

ies are settled on both banks of Ganga. The long padyatra will cre-

ate a new energy for all rivers including the Ganga in the country

and for environmental protection. This Ganga Yatra will also increase awareness among the people towards Ganga conservation.

The 5,100 km yatra will cover 45 cities, 5000 villages, forests, mountains and glaciers.

Green India Foundation, which is one of the organisations which is part of this yatra, believes that the parikrama will create a lot of awareness for the cleanliness of Ganga.

The parikrama is expected to last around eight months and volunteers who are walking it will conduct mapping of the many small and big drains along the sewage points

which are discharging pollutants into the holy river. Public will be encouraged to join the yatra and 500 volunteers will also be roped in who will inform the administration of the people or organisations who are polluting the holy river.

Governor Anandiben Patel said that Ganga is also playing an important role in the country’s economy as a natural resource. Rivers are the preservation of environment and natural biodiversity. She said that Ganga river also nourishes aquatic animals of our species along with human society and other organisms in its vicinity.

Raina to play for UP in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Jan First India Bureau Lucknow: Former India cricketer Suresh Raina is all set to play for his home state Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, scheduled to take place in January next year.

Raina announced his retirement from international cricket in August but the World Cupwinning cricketer will continue to play domestic cricket for his native state, Uttar Pradesh and in the Indian Premier League.

“All set for the camp, warming up for the upcoming season among the lions of @UPCACricket!,” Raina tweeted, along with images of his training in the nets.

Even though the

Khap Panchayats in UP’s Muzaffarnagar extend support to farmers’ protest

BEAUTY BEHIND THE VEIL

First India Bureau

A view of the Taj Mahal that looks disappearing behind the heavy fog, at Agra.

— PHOTO BY ANI

BJP sharpens attack on Aam Aadmi Party as Kejriwal decides to contest UP polls First India Bureau Lucknow: Since the Aam Aadmi Party’s announcement of contesting the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022, the Bharatiya Janata Party has intensified its attack on Aam Aadmi Party. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has described Aam Aadmi Party’s plan to fight the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh as Munger-

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has called AAP’s plan to fight the UP elections a pipedream of Mungerilal.

ilal’s dream.

The Aam Aadmi Party has announced to

WHEN WILL THE WAIT END?

T

wo senior IAS officers have been cooling their heels for over a month now awaiting a new assignment from the State Government after they were summarily served marching orders.

Former Commissioner Saharanpur Sanjay Kumar was waitlisted on November 8. In his yearand-a-half tenure Kumar at Saharanpur did some commendable work by developing some new wetlands in the region. His performance as secretary urban development was also appreciated. Hence,

contest the UP 2022 assembly elections. AAP convenor and Delhi CM

the wait for this 2002 IAS officer has become all the more intriguing.

The other one similarly is Dr Gurpdeep Singh. The 1985 batch officer was Member Board of Revenue till November 3,2020. Not exactly a plum post but then it kept the “saheb” busy.” “The appointments department has prepared a reshuffle list but since the chief minister was mostly on tour and out of station, the same is yet to receive his approval,” said an officer adding that the list will be released later this week.

—M Tariq Khan

Arvind Kejriwal announced it on Tuesday.

The BJP has retaliated after his announcement. Now, the battle has started between the BJP and the AAP. Regarding this, Keshav Prasad Maurya tweeted that Delhi with a population of two crores is not stable, the party which is talking about handling Uttar Pradesh with a population of 24 crores is dreaming of Mungerilal’s dream.

07

Suresh Raina

34-year-old left-handed batsman hasn’t played competitive cricket for the past one year, he has been training hard in the gym and keeping himself fit for the upcoming domestic season.

‘Fugitive’ IPS officer Manilal reaches SC First India Bureau

Muzaffarnagar: Khap Panchayats in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzzafarnagar have extended support to the farmers’ protest at Delhi’s border points. A number of “khaps” in UP’s Muzaffarnagar have extended support to the farmers’ agitation against the Centre’s new agri laws and will join the ongoing protests at Delhi’s border points on Thursday (December 17).

The decision was taken at a meeting of the chiefs of “khaps” (caste councils) held on Monday (December 14) at Shoram village in the Shahpur police station area here, Subhash Balyan, secretary of All Khap council, said.The “khap” chiefs termed the Centre’s three new agri marketing laws “anti-farmer” and called for their repeal, he said, adding that they had decided to reach Delhi on December 17 to support the agitation.

Balyan Khap head and Bhartiya Kisan Union national president Naresh Tikait, Latyan Khap head Bijender Singh, Desh Khap head

Khaps will join the protests at Delhi’s border points tomorrow.

Sharanvir Singh, Ahlavat Khap head Gajendra Singh, Nirval Khap head Rajvir Mundet, Kundu Khap head Choudhry Upendra Kundu and Benival Khap head Amit Benival were among those who attended the meeting, Subhash Balyan said.

Farmers are protesting against the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, and the Essential

POLL WAR ON MANY FRONTS

I

t seems that even before the upcoming elections in 2022 the stage is set for a political war in Uttar Pradesh. On one side whereas the BJP has to compete with Samajwadi party, Congress and BSP and on the other hand Peace Party, AAP, OBC, Shivpal , Om Prakash Rajbhar, Bhim Army are also in the fray. The way in which Arvind Kejriwal

Commodities (Amendment) Act. Enacted in September, the three farm laws have been projected by the Centre as major reforms in the agriculture sector that will remove the middlemen and allow farmers to sell anywhere in the country. However, the protesting farmers have expressed apprehension that the new laws would pave the way for eliminating the safety cushion of Minimum Support Price and do away with the mandi system, leaving them at the mercy of big corporates.

has declared his presence in the UP elections today makes it quite clear that the UP Panchayat elections will be no less than Vidhan Sabha elections. The point to be noted is that one never knows when and where will BJP, one of strongest players in this game of political chess, declare checkmate and against whom? The BJP is not just preparing a team of knowledgeable spokespersons but also paying fine attention to media management. In the coming days, UP is sure to see a war of ‘false promises’ not ‘genuine issues’!

—Ahtesham Siddiqui

Lucknow: Manilal Patidar, the IPS officer who has been declared an absconder in the deadly attack on Mahoba’s crusher businessman Indrakant Tripathi, is now trying to plead in the Supreme Court.

First, he didn’t get any relief from the Mahoba District Court and then from Allahabad High Court. Meanwhile, another case has been registered against him at Kabrai police station along with a reward of Rs 50,000.

The accused is already undergoing suicidal conspiracy and corruption.

This time a case of contempt of court has been filed.

Prayagraj SP Crime Ashutosh Mishra, investigating the case of Indrakant Tripathi’s death, said the accused could be sentenced to three years in Section 174-A (non-attendance for non-acceptance of public servant).

And it is believed that this will now increase the pressure on the accused. Over three months have passed but Patidar is still out of reach of the police. On November 15, Lucknow’s Special Court declared Patidar, Inspector Devendra Shukla and Constable Arun Yadav as fugitives.

15 DEC : Humanity for all its achievements has been unable to control mother nature, maybe it needs to learn to respect it more.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

RAJASTHAN 2,568 DEATHS 2,93,584 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,965 DEATHS 9,03,425 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

Govt to project state’s improving roads as an achievement ahead of assembly polls First India Bureau

long Gorakhpur Link Expressway. Work on the state’s sixth and longest, the 594 km long Ganga Expressway, is likely to have begun by then.

Clearly, the road in-

Akhilesh plans to visit Ayodhya after Ram temple construction Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will visit Ram Temple in Ayodhya with family. He has prepared his plan.

The Samajwadi leadersaid that after the construction of the Ram temple, he would go to see Ramlala with wife and children.

Akhilesh Yadav said that when Lord Ram

Akhilesh Yadav

—FILE PHOTO

—FILE PHOTO

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

came to Ayodhya, the flowers of Parijat were showered on him, hence Parijat trees were planted in Ayodhya first.

He said that, most of the development of Ayodhya-Faizabad was done under his government, not only that, he also made every effort to show that the Ram temple in Ayodhya is being built under the decision of the top court.

Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh while giving credit for development work in Ayodhya to his government attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that all the development works that have been done in Ayodhya and Faizabad during the tenure of his government.

He said that we had also started plans for underground cable.

frastructure in the state, which this government inherited in a dilapidated state, has received much attention over the 45 months.

Now, 15 months before of the 2022 assembly election

in the state, Adityanath is doubling down on his infrastructure push.

There is a very visible effort to project the state’s improving road infrastructure as an achievement ahead of

DEATHS

DELHI 10,115 DEATHS 6,10,447 CASES

‘Road’ To Power: Yogi doubles down on infrastructure push

First India Bureau

UTTAR PRADESH

16,32,958 7,34,15,710 1,44,090 99,31,011 8,083 5,66,728

MAHARASHTRA 48,339 DEATHS 18,86,807 CASES

Lucknow: When Yogi Adityanath came to power in 2017, Uttar Pradesh had two functional expressways — the 165 km long Yamuna Expressway, which links Agra with the National Capital Region, and the Lucknow-Agra Expressway, stretching 302 km.

These projects were completed over a period of nine years between 2008 and 2017.

But when it completes five years in office in 2022, the Adityanath government will have to finish work on three expressways — the 340 km long Purvanchal Expressway, the 296 km long Bundelkhand Expressway and the 91 km

08

the assembly elections, both from Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi.

On November 29 while laying the foundation stone for 2,573 stretches of district and village roads totaling 4,095 km, Adityanath reminded the gathering of the identity of Uttar Pradesh as the state with gaddha yukta sadak (roads full of potholes)”. Every district and tehsil headquarters in the state, the CM said during the function, “has now been linked with four-lane roads”.

A day later, addressing a gathering in his constituency Varanasi, Modi said that UP has become “Expressway Pradesh” under Adityanath.

CONFIRMED CASES

GUJARAT 4,193 DEATHS 2,29,913 CASES

HC: Comply with order on teachers’ appointment First India Bureau Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has taken a rigid stance on the non-compliance of the order of appointment of the candidates of Assistant Teacher Recruitment 2018 in Uttar Pradesh.

The High Court has issued contempt notice to Special Secretary Section Five Basic Education Manish Verma for not complying with the order of the Court. The Court has given Manish Verma another opportunity to comply with the order.

If the does not comply with the order now, the special secretary has to personally appear in Court and clarify, the order by Justice Vivek Kumar Birla reads in the con-

Allahabad High Court

tempt petition filed by petitioner Anjana Tripathi.

The petitioner said the High Court had instructed to consider the appointment of the petitioner in 2018 recruitment and take a decision. But this order is not being followed by the authorities.

The Government

Advocate informed the Court that the appointment case is pending in the government. On the basis of the reply given by the government, the Court has given notice to the special secretary in this case, giving him another chance to comply with the order.

The Court has sought answers in this case,

Farmers are not afraid: Priyanka

FOG ENVELOPES LUCKNOW INFRONT OF IMAMBARA

—FILE PHOTO

HAZRATGANJ

First India Bureau

RUMI DARWAZA

GOMTI NAGAR

AMBEDKAR PARK, GOMTI NAGAR

A thick dense fog that engulfed the city on Monday night prevailed all through Tuesday. It brought down the temperature and citizens had to face tough time while driving as the visibility on the roads was very low.

—PHOTOS BY SUMIT KUMAR

Lucknow: Congress Party national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has attacked the Modi government, tweeting on the occasion of the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Tuesday.

Priyanka wrote, ‘The British threatened the farmers of Bardoli with property attachment, but under the leadership of Sardar Patel, the first Home Minister, the farmer did not dig and the Satyagraha won.

There is a need to tell this government that farmers are not afraid of false propaganda and threats.

Jai Hind Jai Kisan .

TRANSFER SPREE

FOR SMOOTH RUN: UP GOVT MAKES OFFICERS’ MOVE 

The Yogi govt shifted two IAS officers and four PCS officers to ensure better development work in state

Ahtesham Siddiqui Lucknow: The state government on Tuesday transferred two IAS officers and four PCS officers.

Section 1 of the Appointment and Personnel Department transferred IAS Neha Prakash CDO Firozabad to ACEO UPSIDC Kanpur. While replacing her, IAS Charchit Gaur, a 2016 batch IAS, has been ap-

MANOJ SINGH IS ADG INDOTIBETAN BORDER POLICE

pointed as the new CDO of Firozabad.

On the other hand, the Yogi government has posted PCS Jawaharlal Srivastava SDM Mathura from the Appointment Section 2 to the post of City Magistrate running vacant in the same district. He will also have the additional charge of the magistrate in charge of Mathura temple.

PCS Gulshan has been

transferred and posted as City Magistrate Firozabad. While Deputy Collector, Mathura PCS Sandeep Kumar Verma has been appointed as the new Deputy Collector of Prayagraj from the Appointment Section 3.

Similarly, PCS Abhay Kumar Pandey Deputy Collector of Rampur has been transferred too and made Deputy Collector of Ambedkar Nagar.

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia LUCKNOW, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2020

Pharaoh’s collection Bani Pasricha

THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER It’s finally D-Day! The Fashion Connect by First India will be held today at Rambagh Palace Jaipur, after a long wait. Stay tuned, a great show is about to begin...

The collection for Fashion Connect, Jaipur episode, is an amalgamation of a strict curation of our Bali collection further coordinated and fused with our Indian heritage motifs from the Mughal Era, and we are super excited for it.

—RAJDEEP RANAWAT, Designer

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

T

Bali Collection by Rajdeep Ranawat

he eighth season of The Fashion Connect by First India will be held today, 16 December at Maharani Bagh at Rambagh Palace Jaipur.

The seventh season was supposed to take place earlier this year in March, but due to the COVID outbreak across the globe, it was postponed, keeping in mind the health of the people who would be a part of the event.

A virtual season was showcased live to the public recently, which was loved by the audience. Looking at the great response, we have now come up with the eighth season, keeping all the COVID protocols in place.

With only limited seating, proper sanitization and social distancing, the eighth season of The Fashion Connect by First India is going to set high standards for all the upcoming on-ground fashion shows, with the best designers on board to showcase their collections!

Ranka’s collection that will be showcased during the show can easily be described as classy, royal and elegant. People are going to love the colour combinations and the entire look of simple yet graceful outfits.

—TINA RANKA, Designer

The collection Pharaoh’s will be showcased at The Fashion Connect, which inspires women and shows how the ancient era Egyptian empresses handled power authority in a graceful way.

—BANI PASRICHA, Designer

09

Rishee Miglani Brand Ambassador

SEASON 8

16th December, 2020 5 PM to 7PM Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

Showcasing Designers GRAND OPENING BY

RAJDEEP RANAWAT BANI PASRICHA Lokesh Sharma

SAKH JAIPUR BY NEHA KHATRI

Show Director

ACCESSORY SHOW BY COSA NOSTRAA RANKA’S BY TINA RANKA GRAND FINALE BY

HOUSE OF KOTWARA #TheFashionConnect

#SEASON8

ONLY BY INVITATION

ETC LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

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11

‘MY BEST FILMMAKING EXPERIENCE’

Jessica Alba

Shahid’s post

BIG REUNION S

D

... her post

rew Barrymore began hosting The Drew Barrymore Show in September this year and the show is already loved by millions of fans from around the world.

The actress and host will be reuniting with her ‘Never Been Kissed’ co-

star and the actresses will be dishing out some fun stories for the audience. Speaking about their time from the 90s film, Jessica was full of gratitude for Drew as she said, “You propped up so many actors at that time and you took so many people under your wings. You guided them

and you set the stage for us who were just starting.” Jessica Alba, who has starred in films like Sin City and Fantastic Four, also opened up on juggling her work and home life.

She jokingly said, “I told everyone in the family that I need a break from them.”

—Agency

RELATIONSHIP STRUGGLE

R

ealit y star Kim Kardashian and her rapper

Kim Kardashian

husband Kanye West are still finding their relationship difficult as a couple and staying in different states.

Even though Kim and Kanye’s relationship is not a nor-

mal one yet they have reportedly found a way not to end their marriage.

The celebrity couple has decided to keep themselves away from the divorce courts even though

RELATION

Y

olanda Hadid loves being a new grandma. She took to Instagram to share a picture of the day Gigi and her longtime beau, Zayn Malik, found out they were having a baby girl. The adorable couple posed side by side, showing off a sliced-into gender-reveal cake proving that a little girl was on the way. Gigi appeared cosy, wearing a white polostyle sweater; a cream-hued, knit cardigan; and light-wash denim. She had her hair pulled back into a casual bun.

As for Malik, he looked dapper in a leather bomber jacket and a simple black T-shirt.

—Agency

Fan Art

I

mpressed by an art piece of him created by a fan, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday posted its picture on social media.

The art, posted on Twitter, features Sood’s face carved on a leaf that is dedicated to him by one of his fans referring to him as his superhero. To acknowledge the art, the ‘Dabangg’ star re-tweeted his fan’s post and wrote, “Patte patte pe likha hai chapne wale ka naam”(translation: On each leaf is written the name of the printer’s name), with folded hands emoticon.

— ANI

Yolanda’s post

Fitness Mantra

D

elighting her fans with an enchanting post, Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, on Tuesday shared tips for staying healthy.

One of the fittest actors in Bollywood, Shetty leaves no stone unturned to inspire her fans. In her latest Instagram post, the ‘Dhadkan’ star shared a winsome picture of herself in which she is randomly captured flashing her radiant smile. Emphasising the significance of a ‘good laugher’, she suggested her fans to watch a funny movie/video.

—ANI

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

T

er recover after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s bombshell decision to exit as senior members of the royal family. The brothers’ relationship is much better than it was. They are now in regular contact and the Sussex family has sent Christmas presents to Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s family.

—Agency

BIOPIC IN MAKING...

Taran’s Tweet

T

he life and times of Indian field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand will soon be seen on the big screen as a biopic. The movie will be a collaboration by ‘Sonchiriya’ producer Ronnie Screwvala and director Abhishek Chaubey. Film critic and movie trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter on Tuesday and announced the news. “HOCKEY LEGEND #DHYANCHAND BIOPIC ANNOUNCED... Producer Ronnie Screwvala and director Abhishek Chaubey reunite, after #Sonchiriya...

Announce a film on #Hockey legend #DhyanChand...,” tweeted Adarsh.“Co-produced by Premnath Rajagopalan... Star cast under finalisation...

Starts 2021... 2022 release,” he added.

—ANI

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

Kareena’s Favourite Boys

B ... her post

UNIQUE LEAF ART

they are not enjoying the ideal relationship. The couple is still reportedly struggling to “stay together as a couple” but they are happy to keep this status.

—Agency

Yolanda Hadid revealed

RECOVERED

here’s a very hopeful update about the state of Prince Harry and Prince William‘s relationship after months of rumours of a major rift in the royal family. A friend of the royals confirmed they were feuding and Prince Harry also publicly spoke about the rift.

Many were worried the family would nev-

hahid Kapoor on Tuesday celebrated the shooting wrapup of his upcoming sports drama film ‘Jersey’ with other cast and crew members of the flick. The ‘Kabir Singh’ shared the announcement of wrap-up of his much-awaited film ‘Jersey’on Instagram and wrote, “It’s a film wrap on #jersey .... 47 days of the shoot during covid. Just unbelievable. I am so proud of the entire team. It’s nothing short of a miracle.” Extending thanks to the crew members who came to the sets amid the pandemic, the star noted, “It’s nothing short of a miracle. I want to thank each and everyone from the unit for coming to set every day, putting themselves at risk and doing what we all love doing.”

—ANI

ollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, on Tuesday treated her fans with an adorable picture, this time with father and ‘sons’.

Bebo, who is one of the

most active Bollywood celebrities on social media, shared a picture on Instagram, which features her husband and actor Saif Ali Khan with both his sons, Taimur and Ibrahim in one frame. With

the post that shares the father and sons bonding, the ‘Heroine’ star wrote, “Favourite boys! #FatherAndSons,” using smiling face with red hearts emoticons.

—ANI

Kareena Kapoor Khan

CITY BUZZ LUCKNOW | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

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12

SPREADING AWARENESS THE RIGHT WAY

Lucknow NCC Girls Cadets participated in various painting competitions on the theme ‘Clean India’, under the 15 days awareness campaign by NCC Cadets at Jiamau NCC Cadets Office in Lucknow on Monday, 14 December. A group of NCC Cadets also received certificates for participating in the same.

—PHOTOS BY SUMIT KUMAR

MISS & MRS INDIA GLAM 2020

MONICA PRABHAKAR

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

We’ve ardently been conducting free of cost online meditation and yoga sessions. So people, while being stuck at home can still remain healthy, both physically and mentally.

I

n these difficult times of COVID-19, we all need premium healthcare and devotion to our overall well-being. And ‘Yogic Treatments’ is a one-stop solution to battling so many health woes.

Established in the 1960s, Yogic Treatments is one of the oldest and most experienced Yoga Ashrams in Lucknow.

Founded by Ram Kumar Sharma, a disciple of Param Maharishi Kartikeya Ji, pioneer of ‘Sukshma Vyayam’.

In an exclusive interview with Shaumil Sharma, the front runner of the ashram tells us how has the ashram and three generations of his family have helped people get cured of various diseases.

“Even before the pandemic,

g n i l a e H and

Holistic Healthcare

our facility has helped people with a lot of different diseases ranging from; blood pressure, diabetes, migraine, insomnia, cervical spondylosis, slip disc to mental health problems like depression, anxiety and sleep disorders etc, through, detox therapy, acupressure therapy and of course yoga treatments of various kinds.”

Talking about the ision behind the whole practice, the

Shaumil Sharma

REACHING HEIGHTS

veteran leader of the center, Aruna Sharma tells us, “I’ve been working with and for the organization for 35 years now and the vision always been to put people first. That’s why we have individual instructors for almost all our clients and we try to conduct one on one sessions/classes to provide them with top-notch assistance in their medical distress.”

Since COVID-19 brought lockdown with it, let’s see how

At the Yoga Center

Bade Guruji Pandit Ram Kumar Sharma teaching Yoga

NEHAL NAYAR nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

T Aruna Sharma

the Yogic center helped people get through that difficult time.

“Since April 2020, we’ve ardently been conducting free of cost online meditation and yoga sessions through workshops, Facebook live sessions, YouTube videos and telephonic sessions. So, people while being stuck at home can still remain healthy, both physically and mentally.” says, Shaumil Sharma.

As a healthcare provider, Aruna Sharma still goes on public visits to conduct free counseling and menstrual hygiene sessions at Juvenile homes for girls. She has helped a myriad of women with problems such as PCOD/PCOS and pregnancy predicaments.

City First, Uttar Pradesh

he last audition and interview round for the threeday national beauty pageant Miss and Mrs India Glam Season 2 will be held tomorrow, 17 December at The Blackbox, Hotel Clarion Bella Casa, Jaipur. The top 10 finalists will be chosen amongst the ones selected.

Organizers Pawan Tank and Vishnu Sharma said that auditions will take place keeping in mind the COVID situation and all precautions will be taken.

Founder Director of Miss and Mrs India Glam, Pawan Tank said that the finale of this national pageant organised in collaboration with ‘The Heritage Village’, will be held from 29 to 31 December.Anoop Chaudhary, Managing Director of Miss and Mrs India Glam, said that the participants in this event will be given various great opportunities after the pageant. City First, Rajasthan

g n i d d e W Bells!

PCS Deepti Dev, SDM Saharanpur, tied the knot with Niharika Singh in Varanasi on 28 November. We wish them all the best!

PCS Himanshu Gautam, Joint Housing Commissioner from Agra, passed the M.A (South Asia & Global Security) Degree at King’s College, London with merit.

PCS Anupam Mishra, SDM Sitapur, tied the knot with PCS Divya Ojha, SDM Raibreli in Lucknow on 1 December.

We wish them all the best!