At 11%, UP tops 2024 list of JEE (Advanced) candidates

11% Uttar Pradesh candidates in JEE-Advanced 2024. 54% qualified from six states; 73% from top 10. Over 75% took both JEE (Main) sessions. JEE (Advanced) tough exam with 17,000 seats.

Yogi slams Congress, says inheritance tax like 'jizya' in Aurangzeb era

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday alleged that the Congress manifesto talks about bringing about Aurangzeb's 'Jizjya' through inheritance tax, and promises 'freedom of choice of food for the minority community.' Campaigning for Jyotiraditya Scindia in Guna's Ashokenagar, he said that people of Guna were lucky to have Scindia since he has a vision for the future. Scindia said he would take inspiration from Adityanath and won't allow any wrongdoing ('galat kaam') in his region.

Bareilly constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Aonla constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Etah constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Adityanath Warns Against Extremist Rhetoric, Emphasizes Protection of Democracy

Adityanath Warns Against Extremist Rhetoric, Emphasizes Protection of Democracy Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that those who talk about 'jihad' are tarnishing democracy and they should remember that India is the land of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Adityanath was addressing a public meeting in Farrukhabad in support of sitting BJP MP Mukesh Rajput, who is seeking re-election from the Lok Sabha constituency. His remarks came days after Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Maria Alam, the niece of senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, called for ''vote jihad'' in favour of Naval Kishore Shakya, the INDIA bloc candidate from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat of Uttar Pradesh. According to a statement issued by the BJP, Adityanath said the people of the SP and the Congress are trying to create divisions on religious lines. ''This is a conspiracy to Islamise India. Under this, they talk about vote jihad. There is no jihad in voting, we have to vote for the strongest democracy in the world so that our rights are protected,'' he said. Addressing a public meeting in Kaimganj earlier this week, Alam said ''vote jihad'' was necessary in the current situation for the minority community to oust the BJP government. Alam's remarks drew strong criticism from the BJP. Later, Uttar Pradesh Police filed a case against Alam and Khurshid. Attacking opposition parties, Adityanath said, ''Those who robbed the rights of the poor... have started remembering jihad. They should know that the land of India belongs to Ram and Krishna and not jihad.'' ''You have seen India before and after 2014. India before 2014 had lost confidence in the world and was plagued by terrorism and Naxalism. The poor were not able to get benefits of government schemes,'' he said. After 2014, a new look of India can be seen, he added. Addressing a public meeting in Bidhuna in Auraiya to seek votes for sitting Kannauj MP and BJP candidate Subrat Pathak, Adityanath said Lord Ram played Holi in Ayodhya recently and ''such a magnificent event would not have been possible under SP, BSP and Congress governments which questioned the existence of Lord Ram''. Targeting the UPA government, he said terror attacks had become a ''routine affair'' in the country during its tenure. ''The Samajwadi Party, which backed the UPA government, went to the extent of withdrawing cases against terrorists. In response, the court had rebuked the SP, saying that if they were discussing withdrawal of cases today, they might honour them with Padma Awards tomorrow,'' the chief minister said. ''Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is free from terrorism,'' Adityanath said.

Firozabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Lokayukta issues notice to UP Cricket Association officials, Ekana stadium manager over corruption in tender

Lokayukta issues notice to UP Cricket Association officials, Ekana stadium manager over corruption in tender Lokayukta issued notice to Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association President, UPCA CEO Ankit Chatterjee, Treasurer Prem Manohar Gupta and Ekana Stadium manager Gaurav Singh on complaint of irregularities in the sale of tickets in the World Cup match, tender for catering and parking at the stadium. Lokayukta asked UPCA officials and Gaurav for complete details of his own income as well as the income of the entire family in the last 5 years. According to an official statement by UP Lokayukta, a large-scale commission embezzlement was done in the selection and payment of vendors for the World Cup match and IPL match held at Ekana Stadium. In the complaint made to the Lokayukta, a demand was made to investigate the process of selection of vendors for World Cup/IPL matches and the payments made to them. A complaint was made that the disproportionate assets of all the people including Ekana Stadium manager Gaurav Singh should be investigated by Vigilance. (ANI)

Agra constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Hathras constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Rahul Gandhi's Entry Into Rae Bareli Poll Fray Violated His Sister's Rights: MP CM

Rahul Gandhi's Entry Into Rae Bareli Poll Fray Violated His Sister's Rights: MP CM Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's filing nomination from Rae Bareli constituency is akin to him snatching the rights of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav alleged on Saturday. Addressing a rally in the Guna Lok Sabha constituency, Yadav claimed Rahul ran away to Kerala (Wayanad constituency) from Amethi (Uttar Pradesh) after facing defeat. ''There is the sea ahead (in Kerala), otherwise it is not clear where Rahul would have gone,'' Yadav quipped. Rahul Gandhi had said he would contest from Amethi while his sister will be in the fray from Rae Bareli, Yadav said. ''Smriti Irani (Union minister and BJP candidate) was sitting in Amethi and calling Rahul but he developed cold feet by the time he reached Uttar Pradesh,'' Yadav said, a day after Rahul filed his nomination from Rae Bareli seat, currently represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi. Yadav claimed Rahul's brother-in-law (Vadra) had put up posters in Uttar Pradesh that he was ready to contest. '''Ye Apne Jija Ke Nahi Huye'! He (Rahul) filed the nomination from Rae Bareli by snatching the rights of his sister,'' the chief minister said. In a veiled jibe at Madhya Pradesh Congress stalwarts Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, Yadav dubbed them ''Rahu and Ketu'' who are playing different roles. ''All problems are arising from these two planets. One of them is from Chhindwara and another is from your (Guna's) neighbour (Rajgarh LS seat),'' he said. Digvijaya Singh is contesting from the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency. Guna constituency goes to polls on May 7.

Contested from South and North.... Sumitra Mahajan on Rahul Gandhi

Contested from South and North.... Sumitra Mahajan on Rahul Gandhi Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has the right to contest from any part of the country after he undertook the Bharat Jodo Yatra, adding that the elections seem to be one-sided. She also said that Narendra Modi is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. He has contested from South (referring to Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad in Kerala). Now he is contesting from North (Rahul Gandhi is also in the race from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh). He undertook a Bharat Yatra and therefore have the right to contest from any part of the Country, Mahajan told ANI here. She also expressed concern over the low voters turnout in the first and second phase of the elections. It is a matter of concern. That voting percentage....Temperatures are rising. I believe that voting is going in our favour. But the voting percentage should increase. It seems that the BJP is going to come to power, Mahajan added. Replying to a query, She added, The elections seem to be one-side to everyone. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji is doing a lot of work. On the '400 par slogan (NDA winning more than 400 Lok Sabha seats), She asked, Why do you get surprised (Media) with this slogan? When a person is out to get something done, he will do it with might. We will say, he needs it all. Modi ji is going to become the Prime Minister for the third time. Rahul Gandhi is seeking re-election from Wayanad in Kerala which went to polls in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. He is also in the race from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency from Uttar Pradesh. The general elections are being held in seven phases in a six-week marathon running from April 19 to June 1. The first phase of polling was held on April 19 and the second phase on April 26. The next round of voting will be held on May 7.The counting of votes and results will be declared on June 4. (ANI)

BJP hasn`t given ration to the poor using its own money, says Mayawati

Mayawati was addressing a public meeting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 at Kothi Meena Bazaar ground in Uttar Pradesh`s Agra on Saturday

Modi Attacks Opposition, Recalls Godhra in Bihar Rally

NEW DELHI: In one of his fiercest election speeches in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson, an issue that he rarely mentions even at such events, to attack the Congress-led UPA and the then railways minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for practicing appeasement politics at a rally in Bihars Darbhanga. Earlier in the day, the PM addressed two rallies in Jharkhands Palamu and Lohardaga and later in the evening, he held a roadshow in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, where he continued his attack on the Opposition over corruption, votebank politics and attempts to change the Constitution for providing reservations to Muslims. Addressing his third rally of the day in Bihars Darbhanga, Modi raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson issue and accused Lalu Prasad of trying to save those responsible for burning alive more than 60 kar sevaks. It is because of this appeasement politics that the father of Bihar's shehzada (allusion to Tejashwi Yadav) had tried to save those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident, said Modi, adding that after all, it was the rule of Sonia madam. He (Lalu Prasad Yadav), who has himself been convicted (in fodder scam cases), was railway minister. He set up an inquiry committee and got a report, which exonerated those guilty of the horrendous crime. But the court threw the report away, said Modi. Kicking off his gruelling campaign schedule for the day from Palamu, Jharkhand, the PM took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming him and said Pakistan wanted him as the Prime Minister, but India wants a strong country with a strong government. Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime The new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are now praying that the Congress' shehzada' becomes PM of India... But our strong nation wants a strong government and leader, Modi said at the rally to campaign for the BJP candidate from Palamu, V.D. Ram. The Prime Minister said that earlier, after any terror attack on the country, the Congress-led governments were helpless. But that has changed under the strong BJP-led government at the Centre. Now, Pakistan is seeking help from the world to save the nation. He told the audience that their one vote had contributed to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and the INDI alliance want to usurp your land. They want to snatch SC, ST and OBCs' quotas to provide reservations to Muslims by altering the Constitution. Till I am alive, I will not now allow any such design of the Congress to succeed, he asserted. In his address, the Prime Minister claimed that over 25-crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years of the NDA government. He said: The Congress never bothered for the welfare of people. The party's shehzada was born with a silver spoon and poses for the camera when he visits the house of the poor. But it is my commitment to transform IndiaThere has been no blot of corruption on me in the past 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... The corrupt JMM and the Congress leaders have amassed huge wealth for their children. In Sisai, Lohardaga, Modi said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces and all those who indulged in corruption will face action under law in the next five years. Hitting out at jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren without taking his name, Modi said: The former Jharkhand CM is behind bars for corruption... Modi is committed to wipe out the menace of corruption. In the next five years, all those who indulged in corruption will face legal action, he said. The INDI alliance leaders, neck-deep in corruption, hold rallies, including in Delhi and Ranchi, voicing support for corrupt people, which reveals their true character, the PM said. Modi also blamed the Congress for the backwardness of tribal districts, alleging that food grains used to rot in godowns during the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014, while tribal children died due to starvation. Modi said the NDA government ensured that the poor got access to the internet unlike the Congress, which was against it. Today's youths are the heroes of social media. The Congress had made the internet a thing for the rich, but Modi ensured it became available for the poor. We made mobile data affordable for all, he said. The PM also slammed the Congress for not taking any action against Maoists to preserve the party's votebank. He said: But, as long as Modi is alive, no one will be allowed to put tribal lives at risk. Modi also accused the Opposition parties of trying to rob SC, ST, OBC and tribals of reservations because of the disillusionment these deprived sections feel towards the INDIA bloc. The INDI alliance is trying to divert reservations to Muslims. They are going against the views of Babasaheb Ambedkar and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, neither of whom was in favour of reservations on religious lines, Modi claimed. He also slammed Tejashwi Yadav for bringing up the Hindu Muslim narrative at rallies while talking about the Agnipath scheme and said, When we talk about the martyrdom of Captain Hameed, do we think of him as a Muslim? Without referring to Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav by their names, he said, There is a shehzada in Delhi and one in Patna, both of whom think of the country as their jaagir (fiefdom). He added: Their mindset was exposed when they raised questions about the surgical strikes and spoke ill of the armed forces. A large crowd cheered for the Prime Minister at the Kanpur roadshow in Uttar Pradesh. Mr Modi visited the Gumati Gurdwara before starting his roadshow in support of the BJP's candidates for the Kanpur and Akbarpur Lok Sabha seats.

MP LS Polls: In 2 LS Constituencies in MP, Raja Saheb Digvijay and Maharaj Scindia Fight for Pride

Bhopal: It is fight for pride for Congress veteran Digvijay Singh and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in their respective Lok Sabha constituencies of Rajgarh and Guna in Madhya Pradesh, in this poll. For, they are yet to come to terms with the ignominious defeat they had suffered in their respective constituencies in the last LS polls and a win this time would alone salvage their pride. Two-time chief minister Mr Singh, famously known as Raja of Raghogarh, had lost to BJPs Pragya Singh Thakur, a greenhorn in politics then, in Bhopal LS seat in 2019 by a margin of over 3.60 lakh, leaving him stunned. Mr Singh, in fact, was taken aback when he was declared a candidate for his home turf, Rajgarh, by Congress. At this age, it is beyond my capacity to contest polls. Congress workers will fight the poll for me in every booth, 77-year-old Mr Singh had said while addressing his first meeting of Congress workers in Rajgarh after he was declared the candidate by the party. Since then, he has been campaigning in the nook and corner of the constituency, mostly by holding foot marches, a traditional Congress style of campaigning, local journalist Arun Srivastav said. It was no easy task for Mr Singh to reconnect to the people in his home constituency since he last fought the polls in this seat in 1991. He is now working hard not only to reconnect to his old acquaintances, some of whom have grown too old to recollect the past memory, but also to the younger generation by reminding them of his acquaintances with their parents and grandparents. Pehchanteho mujhe? has been his pet question to his electorates, old and young, when he campaigns in their areas. He also reminds them that it may be his last election. Mr Singh first contested from the Rajgarh LS seat in 1984 and won the polls. He however lost the polls in the seat in 1989 and then retained it in 1991 LS polls. He is pitted against incumbent MP in the constituency Rodmal Nagar of BJP. Stakes are also high for Mr Scindia in this poll in Guna LS constituency, which has remained with his family for the past 37 years barring in 2019 polls when he suffered a shocking defeat from BJPs K P Yadav, once his close aide. Mr Scindia has focused on the seat soon after November, 2023 Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh were over. He is seen connecting with his electorate by invoking his familys long association with them, besides projecting the developmental works he has undertaken in the constituency. Yadav community forms the sizable population in the constituency. BJP has deployed chief minister Mohan Yadav and the former MP Mr Yadav to campaign for Mr Scindia to placate the Yadav community after denial of ticket to the sitting MP. BJP has also carpet bombed the constituency with its star campaigners such as Union home minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, former Union minister Uma Bharti, and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

What Tips PM Modi Gave To Jharkhand BJP Workers For The Polling Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a campaign trail to three states, namely, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, took time out to engage in an interesting conversation with party workers in Jharkhand and offered them 'jadibooti' (tips) for

Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays

Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays Following are the top stories at 9 pm NATION ELN92 ELECTIONS-BJP-LD LOVELY ****Former Delhi Cong leaders, including Arvinder Singh Lovely, join BJP New Delhi: Former Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the BJP on Saturday along with a few other leaders, including former MLAs Raj Kumar Chauhan, Neeraj Basoya and Naseeb Singh.**** ELN91 ELECTIONS-BH-LD MODI ****At Bihar rally, Modi targets Lalu on Godhra incident, oppn parties on quotas Darbhanga (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged RJD president Lalu Prasad, the BJPs principal opponent in Bihar, with having tried to ''shield'' those guilty in two-decade-old Godhra train burning incident and put blame on kar sevaks.**** ELN73 ELECTIONS-JH-MODI-LD CORRUPTION **** All those who indulged in corruption will face legal action in next five years: PM Modi Sisai (Jharkhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces, and all those who indulged in corruption would face action under law in the next five years.**** DEL21 CBI-NUH GANGRAPE-SENTENCE ****Nuh gangrapes, double murder case: Four convicts sentenced to death by CBI court New Delhi: A special CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula awarded the death sentence to four convicts in the 2016 Nuh gangrapes and double murder case on Saturday, officials said.**** BOM7 MH-SITHARAMAN-ROHITH VEMULA ****Rahul Gandhi should apologise for `politicising' Rohith Vemula's suicide: Sitharaman Pune: Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should apologise for ''politicising'' the suicide of Rohith Vemula, the University of Hyderabad student who died in 2016, as police in a state ruled by his own party has now said that it was not a ''Dalit' issue''.**** DEL19 JK-LD FIRING ****Terrorists open fire on two security vehicles in J-K's Poonch, 5 soldiers injured Jammu: Five security personnel were injured after terrorists opened fire on two vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, officials said.**** MDS17 KA-LD REVANNA ****Karnataka MLA Revanna taken into custody in kidnap case Bengaluru: Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was taken into custody on Saturday by sleuths of the Special Investigation Team, minutes after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a kidnapping case, officials said.**** ELN97 ELECTIONS-BJP-RAHUL ****Cong believes in 'beta bachao, beta badhao': BJP on Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, saying the opposition party seems to believe in ''beta bachao, beta badhao'' (save son, promote son).**** ELN57 ELECTIONS-OD-CONG-LD CANDIDATE ****Denied party funding, Congress Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty returns ticket Bhubaneswar: Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party.**** BOM5 GJ-RADICAL-ARRESTED ****Gujarat cops arrest maulvi; unearth plan to kill Hindu leader, threaten TV channel editor, MLA Surat: A man was arrested in Surat in Gujarat on Saturday for allegedly planning to murder the leader of a Hindu organisation and threatening the chief editor of Sudarshan television channel as well BJP's Telangana MLA Raja Singh and the party's former spokesperson Nupur Sharma in connivance with his handlers from Pakistan and Nepal, a senior police official said.**** CAL8 MG-LYNCHING ****Two lynched in Meghalaya after teen alleges rape attempt Shillong: Two persons were lynched in Meghalaya's Eastern West Khasi Hills district for allegedly trying to rape an 18-year-old woman, police said on Saturday.**** MDS18 KL-CUSTODIAL DEATH-CBI-LD ARRESTS ****Tanur custodial death case: CBI arrests four Kerala policemen Malappuram/Kochi: The CBI on Saturday arrested four civil police officers accused of torturing to death a man arrested for alleged possession of synthetic drugs in August last year near Tanur here, police sources said.**** LEGAL LGD5 SCBA-WOMEN'S RESERVATION ****SCBA raises concern over SC order to reserve posts for women in lawyers' body executive committee New Delhi: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution stating that the Supreme Court's directive to reserve posts for women in the executive committee of the lawyers' body ''impinged'' on its independence.**** LGD4 SC-NITHARI-KOLI ****Nithari killings: SC agrees to hear plea of victim's father against acquittal of Surendra Koli New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging Allahabad High Court's order acquitting Surendra Koli in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case.**** FOREIGN FGN32 LANKA-JAPAN-LD MOUS ****Japan insists Sri Lanka should sign MoUs early for debt restructuring Colombo: The restoration of stability and economic development of Sri Lanka, located strategically in the Indian Ocean, is essential for the stability and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region, the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said here on Saturday.**** FGN27 UK-MAYOR ****Sadiq Khan on course to be re-elected Mayor of London London: Sadiq Khan, the Pakistani-origin Labour Party candidate in the race to be re-elected London Mayor for a third term, looked set on Saturday to register a decisive victory, as the local election results from England and Wales continued to reflect a strong swing in favour of the Opposition party. By Aditi Khanna **** FGN23 PAK-ATC-WARRANTS ****Arrest warrants for 14 suspects in May 9 riots case, Imran Khans party leaders granted pre-arrest bail Lahore: A Pakistan court here has issued bailable arrest warrants for 14 suspects, who are on bail, for skipping trial proceedings of two cases related to the May 9 riots while granting pre-arrest bail to two former leaders of incarcerated former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans party, a media report said on Saturday.****

Always Special To Come: PM Modi Offers Prayers At Kanpur Gurdwara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took some time off from his election campaign to offer prayers at Kanpur's Gumti Gurdwara along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

PM Modi Roadshow | Uttar Pradesh Kanpur PM Modi

DC Edit | Rahuls shift to Rae Bareli pragmatic move by Gandhis?

On the last day of nominations, days after the polling got over in Kerala, including in the constituency of Wayanad, former Congress president and purported leader of the INDIA alliance Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Accompanied by his mother Sonia Gandhi, who was the sitting Lok Sabha MP from the constituency till recently, one that has been held by the Gandhi family since 1951, and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mr Gandhi filed his papers to fight the battle to retain his family bastion. But in the process, against speculation to the contrary, he also rather pragmatically surrendered the Amethi constituency. With Rahul Gandhi stepping aside, the Congress Party selected family loyalist Kishorilal Sharma to contest from Amethi. With this nomination, the Congress has declared candidates for all the 17 seats it is fighting in the largest state of India. Uttar Pradesh elects 80 MPs to Parliaments Lower House. The choice has become contentious, ever since the constituency of Amethi was won by BJP candidate and Union minister Smriti Irani in the 2019 elections. The BJP hit a high with an absolute majority and a score of over 300 seats, as well as a record second consecutive sweep of a victory in UP in the last Assembly elections. The 2019 win also marked a second major thumping for the Congress, which could not even get enough seats to have a Leader of Opposition in the Lower House. The Rae Bareli seat is prestigious and the BJP is likely to go all out to try to defeat Rahul Gandhi in a seat that has been held by various members of the party across decades. It has been represented by family loyalists like Arun Nehru, Sheila Kaul and Satish Sharma, among others, besides being the parliamentary seat for Sonia Gandhi. This development also marks two other sub-plots, the culmination of Sonia Gandhis direct electoral career, having chosen to enter the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan earlier, and the decision of the party to not have Priyanka Gandhi Vadra enter the electoral fray. It was earlier speculated that both brother and sister could contest from the two seats, and a Priyanka face-off with Smriti Irani, or a rematch of the BJP leader with Rahul, would have shot the public interest in the political game in UP a notch or two higher. However, the Congress Party is playing its cards with pragmatic caution, and ensuring the narrative at the centre of the election remains issues and not personalities. The party has bitten the dust by making it a Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi fight in the past, and paid a heavy price. This time, as reflected in the decisions not to project a PM face or candidate for the Opposition alliance, or make it about Mr Modis personality, the Congress and its partners are trying to both localise, and secularise, the electoral campaign. So far, no matter how much the BJP is talking about Muslim reservations, or a conspiracy to steal mangalsutras , the Congress is not going beyond the basic issues of farmer incomes, jobs, elections, caste census and inflation. The party would sure hope this pays better dividends.

Station Master Falls Asleep on Duty; Patna-Kota Express Delayed

New Delhi: The, waited for a green signal for about half an hour at Udi Mor Road station near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh on May 3 as the station master fell asleep on duty.Taking serious note of the incident, the Agra Division, under which the station falls, has asked the station master to explain the reason for negligence which could have resulted in an untoward incident. We have issued a charge sheet to the station master and disciplinary action is being taken, Agra Railway Division PRO Prashasti Srivastava told PTI. Railway officials said the Udi Mor Road station is a small but important station before Etawah as trains going towards Prayagraj from Agra as well as Jhansi pass from this station. According to sources, the loco pilot of the train had to blow the horn multiple times to wake up the station master and make him turn on the green signal for the train to pass. The station master has admitted his mistake and apologised for the lapse. He said that he was alone at the station as the pointsman who was on duty with him had gone for track inspection, a source said. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Tej Prakash Agrawal has taken serious note of the incident as his focus is on improving punctuality. He has been insisting on and encouraging employees to improve punctuality which has resulted in achieving 90 per cent punctuality recently. However, dereliction of duty on the part of the station master has not only ruined others' hard work and dedication but also posed grave risk to train operations, the source said.

Station Master dozes off on duty, makes Patna-Kota Express wait for half an hour near UP's Etawah

The Patna-Kota Express train waited for a green signal for about half an hour at Udi Mor Road station near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh on May 3 as the station master fell asleep on duty. Taking serious note of the incident, the Agra Division, under which the station falls, has asked the station master to explain the reason for negligence which could have resulted in an untoward incident.

Supreme Court to Review Acquittal of Surendra Koli in Nithari Killings Case

Supreme Court to Review Acquittal of Surendra Koli in Nithari Killings Case The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging Allahabad High Court's order acquitting Surendra Koli in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case. A bench of Justice BR Gavai, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued a notice on an appeal filed by one Pappu Lal, the father of one of the victims. Senior advocate Geeta Luthra and advocates Rupesh Kumar Sinha and Sataroop Das, appearing for Lal, submitted that the high court erred in its finding. The bench issued the notice and sought the response of Koli on Lal's plea and directed the registry to call for records from the trial court and the high court. In his plea, Lal challenged the high court's October 16 order and has arrayed only Koli as the party. Koli was the domestic help of Moninder Singh Pandher. In the case of Lal, Pandher was acquitted by the sessions court while Koli was awarded the death penalty on September 28, 2010. The case was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On October 16, the high court pronounced verdicts on several appeals filed by Koli and Pandher, who were awarded the death penalty by the trial court. It acquitted the pair while holding that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt ''beyond reasonable doubt'' and that the investigation was ''botched up''. The verdict brought back memories of the chilling crime targeting children that came to light after skeletal remains were found behind a bungalow in Noida. Reversing the death sentence given to Koli in 12 cases and Pandher in two, the high court noted the prosecution had failed to prove the guilt of both the accused ''beyond reasonable doubt, on the settled parameters of a case based on circumstantial evidence'' and that the probe was ''nothing short of a betrayal of public trust by responsible agencies''. Pandher and Koli were charged with rape and murder and sentenced to death in the killings that horrified the nation with its details of sexual assault, brutal murder and hints of possible cannibalism. The high court had observed that prosecution was based on the confessional statement given by Koli to the Uttar Pradesh Police on December 29, 2006, but the procedure required to be followed for recording his disclosure, leading to the recovery of biological remains ie skulls, bones and skeleton etc, were given a ''complete go by''. It allowed multiple appeals filed by Koli and Pandher, who had challenged the death sentence awarded by a CBI court in Ghaziabad. The high court noted that the prosecution's stand kept changing from time to time as it initially attributed recoveries jointly on Pandher and Koli but, over time, the ''guilt was fastened exclusively'' upon Koli. In all, 19 cases had been lodged against Pandher and Koli in 2007. The CBI filed closure reports in three cases due to lack of evidence. In the remaining 16 cases, Koli was earlier acquitted in three and his death sentence in one was commuted to life. The sensational killings came to light with the discovery of the skeletal remains of eight children from a drain behind Pandher's house at Nithari in Noida, bordering the national capital, on December 29, 2006. Further digging and searches of drains in the area around Pandher's house led to more skeletal remains being found. Most of these remains were that of poor children and young women who had gone missing from the area. Within 10 days, the CBI took over the case and its search resulted in the recovery of more remains.

Kareena appointed UNICEF India Ambassador

UNICEF India on Saturday announced Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan as its new National Ambassador. The Crew star, who has been associated with UNICEF India since 2014, will support the not-for-profit organisation in furthering every child's right to early childhood development, health, education and gender equality, a press release said. Kareena had earlier served as a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF India. There are few things as important as the rights of children, the future generation of this world. I am honoured to continue my association with UNICEF now as India's National Ambassador, the 43-year-old actor said in a statement. I will strive to use my voice and influence for vulnerable children and their rights, especially around early childhood, education and gender equality. For every child deserves a childhood, a fair chance, a future, she added. Besides Kareena, UNICEF India has also appointed its first-ever Youth Advocates, who are peer leaders and champions on issues like climate action, mental health, innovations and Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The four advocates are Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh on right to play and disability inclusion; Kartik Verma from Uttar Pradesh on climate action and child rights advocacy; singer Nahid Afrin from Assam on mental health and early childhood development; and Vinisha Umashankar from Tamil Nadu is a budding innovator and STEM pioneer. These youth advocates are part of UNICEF's global programme and join a cohort of more than 93 youth advocates who have been appointed across the globe and are driving change on issues concerning children and young people, UNICEF India said. UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said she is delighted to welcome Kareena Kapoor Khan as the National Ambassador. She has brought energy and impact through her support to several national and global campaigns. She joins as UNICEF India National Ambassador together with our four Youth Advocates to the UNICEF family. We look forward to working with her and the four youth advocates to continue advocating for child rights, she added.

BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination, citing 'beta bachao, beta badhao' concerns

BJP criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination, citing 'beta bachao, beta badhao' concerns The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, saying the opposition party seems to believe in ''beta bachao, beta badhao'' (save son, promote son). Speaking to reporters as five former Delhi Congress leaders, including Arvinder Singh Lovely, joined the BJP, the ruling party's national general secretary Vinod Tawde claimed that many Congress workers wanted Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from Rae Bareli but her brother took the plunge instead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan is 'beti bachao, beti padhao' (save daughter, educate daughter) but the Congress' slogan is ''beta bachao, beta badhao'', he said. Tawde said Gandhi had claimed that Kerala's Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, from where he is seeking re-election, is his family and he will not go anywhere else. ''But he has now gone back on his assertion and filed the nomination from Rae Bareli,'' the BJP leader said. How can the people of the country trust him when there is such a mismatch between his words and actions, Tawde asked. BJP leaders, including Modi, have mocked Gandhi for contesting from Rae Bareli and not Amethi, another Uttar Pradesh seat which he represented in the Lok Sabha for three terms before losing it in 2019. Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam alleged that the ''Rahul camp'' has long been conspiring to scuttle Priyanka Gandhi's political career and claimed that the party will split after the poll results are announced on June 4. Krishnam, who has been vocal about his support for Priyanka Gandhi, was expelled from the Congress following his incessant criticism of the party leadership over a host of issues, including its recent decision to turn down the invite for the Ram temple consecration ceremony. He has been full of praise for Modi's leadership.

RLD spokesperson resigns in protest against BJP's alliance with Brij Bhushan Singh's son

RLD spokesperson resigns in protest against BJP's alliance with Brij Bhushan Singh's son National spokesperson of BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Dal Rohit Jakhar has resigned from the party in protest against the BJP giving a ticket to the son of incumbent MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is facing criminal charges of sexually harassing women wrestlers. ''Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is an accused in the sexual harassment case of women wrestlers. Giving tickets to his son is an insult to the women wrestlers. For me the honour of the country comes first,'' Jakhar told PTI on Saturday. ''I sent my resignation from the post of the national spokesperson and the primary membership of the Rashtriya Lok Dal to party president Jayant Choudhary on Friday,'' the Jat leader added. Jakhar also said that he was not joining any political party but his struggle for social issues would continue as before. Jhakar is among the top leaders of the RLD and is also the state president of the National Jat Federation. He has been associated with the RLD and the farmers' movement for over a decade. The BJP on Thursday named Karan Bhushan Singh as its Lok Sabha candidate from the Kaiserganj seat in Uttar Pradesh, replacing his father and former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Singh. Brij Bhushan Singh stepped down from his post as the wrestling federation president amid a raging protest against him over the allegations but has denied the charges. The Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet against him in court.

Man Sentenced To 20 Years In Jail For Raping Minor Girl In Uttar Pradesh

A local court sentenced a man to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment for raping a teenage girl in this Uttar Pradesh district, officials said on Saturday.

Congress hits back at UP CM over beef consumption, cow slaughter remarks

Bhopal: The Congress on Saturday, May 4, hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his beef consumption and cow slaughter link to the opposition partys manifesto and asked why the ruling BJP had taken Rs 250 crore as donation from beef exporting firms. Addressing a rally in Ashok Nagar in Guna Lok Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

INDIA bloc govt's first decision will be to waive off farmers' loans: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that if elected to power, the INDIA bloc government's first decision will be to waive off farmers' loans and claimed that the BJP is set to be wiped out in the third phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh.

Man gets 20 years in prison for raping minor girl in UP's Maharajganj

Man gets 20 years in prison for raping minor girl in UP's Maharajganj A local court sentenced a man to 20 years' rigorous imprisonment for raping a teenage girl in this Uttar Pradesh district, officials said on Saturday. Special Judge (POCSO) Vinay Kumar Singh on Saturday convicted one Ugrasen for raping the minor girl in the Chowk area in 2021, Special Public Prosecutor Vijay Narayan Singh told PTI. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 9,000 on him. The sentence will be extended by three months if the convict fails to pay the fine, the court said. According to the prosecution, Ugrasen lured the minor girl away from her home on May 29, 2021, and raped her. Her father lodged a police complaint, following which a case was registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Two Laborers Die While Cleaning Septic Tank in Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Noida: I n a tragic incident in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, two laborers lost their lives while cleaning a septic tank of a house on Saturday morning. The incident occurred in Sector 26 of Police Station Sector 20 area. Upon receiving information, the police team reached the spot to investigate. The bodies were sent for post-mortem, and further actions are being taken by the police. The deceased, identified as Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal, originally from West Bengal, were residents of Sector 6 in Noida and worked as laborers. They were relatives, akin to brothers-in-law. Both had gone to work at a house identified as A-94 in Sector 26. While cleaning the septic tank, they suddenly stopped moving. They were found unconscious and immediately rushed to Kailash Hospital. Unfortunately, both laborers succumbed during treatment at the hospital. The local police were informed about the incident, and the police from Sector 20 station reached the spot. The family members were informed, and the bodies were sent for post-mortem. Noida's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vidya Sagar Mishra, stated that the two laborers were called to clean the safety tank of a house in Sector 26. However, they became unconscious during the cleaning process. Despite being rushed to the hospital for treatment, they could not be saved. Legal action is being taken by the police in this matter. Archaeological Investigation to Uncover Truth about Bhojashala Loco Pilot Killed After Being Hit by Rajdhani Express in Bihar's Gaya District Relief from Scorching Heat Expected as Rainfall Forecasted for UP and Bihar

Evidence Against Prajwal Revanna Withheld by Congress Government in Karnataka: Union Minister Sitharaman

Evidence Against Prajwal Revanna Withheld by Congress Government in Karnataka: Union Minister Sitharaman Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday claimed that the Congress government in Karnataka did not take action against JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna, accused of sexually abusing women, for about a year despite being aware of the matter. The Congress was afraid that it might lose Vokkaliga votes and therefore stayed silent until the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections got over, she said, speaking at a meeting with select journalists here. ''The Union home minister (Amit Shah) has made it very clear that we will not tolerate the matters that go against women and on that we stand united. Though the (BJP's) alliance partner has this issue, we have made it clear that it was not acceptable, and let it be investigated,'' Sitharaman said, when asked if the scandal will have an impact on her party's performance in Karnataka in the ongoing elections. It was being claimed that a driver gave a pen drive (allegedly containing evidence of Revanna's acts) to the Congress party and state home minister but they were sitting on this evidence for about a year, and ''now the BJP is made to answer because the JD(S) is in alliance with us,'' she said. The ministers of the Congress government knew what was in the pen drive but they did not think that safety of women should be their priority, Sitharaman alleged. ''They thought the Vokkaliga votes might go from their hands and decided to remain silent till the time the first phase of Lok Sabha got over. Now they are making it a big issue and pushing it which is typical of Congress and it shows their hypocrisy,'' the BJP leader further said, asking why probe was delayed for one year. The Karnataka government was now writing to the prime minister about the case, asking him to issue look-out notices against Prajwal Revanna and bring him back from abroad, but the Union home minister had clearly said that the Karnataka government can take all the action it wants to take, she said. Asked about BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's son Karan Singh getting ticket from the party for Kaiserganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh, Sitharaman said the allegations against the MP had not been proved yet. Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers. ''Nothing is proven against Brij Bhushan....even if he is convicted, I would say you want to carry the blame to the son. Even convicted people's children have been entertained by so many parties,'' the Union minister said. The BJP was still confident after two phases of the Lok Sabha elections of winning 370 seats on its own and 400 seats along with its NDA allies, she said. Asked if the BJP was in defence mode and responding to the opposition's narrative instead of setting its own, Sitharaman said this was not the case. ''Our response to the Congress' manifesto is not defensive, nor is it negative, rather it is more offensive and substantive,'' she said, adding that the manifesto was more of a Muslim League document. Later, in an interaction with students at an event at Deccan College in the city, Sitharaman talked about the Rohith Vemula case where the Telangana police have filed a closure report before a local court stating that the University of Hyderabad student was not a Dalit, and he died by suicide in 2016 as he feared that his ''real caste'' would be discovered. The issue was dragged to the streets without allowing the university to handle it with sensitivity, the Union minister said. ''It was an unfortunate incident. It was dragged to the streets and a narrative was built that the government was suppressing (facts) and was against students and SCs. Today, the same people who dragged the unfortunate family of Vemula on the street, should stand up before the entire country and apologise for having politicised it,'' she said.

Smriti Irani on 'shaky wicket' against Congress' KL Sharma in Amethi: Priyank Kharge

After weeks of deliberations and speculations, Congress announced on Friday that Rahul Gandhi will be its candidate from the traditional Gandhi family stronghold of Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, while KL Sharma will contest from Amethi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

Nepal Decides to Print New Rs 100 Currency Note with Controversial Map

Kathmandu: N epal has announced the printing of a new Rs 100 currency note featuring a map that includes the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, a move criticized by India as an artificial enlargement of Nepal's territorial claims. The decision to print the new map on the Rs 100 currency note was taken during a meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda', according to government spokesperson Rekha Sharma.The cabinet approved the redesigning of the Rs 100 banknote to include the new map, replacing the old map printed in the background of the banknote, said Sharma, who is also the Minister for Information and Communication. In June 2020, Nepal updated its political map to include the strategically important areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura by amending its Constitution, a move that India strongly opposed, calling it a unilateral act and rejecting the artificial enlargement of Nepal's territorial claims.India maintains that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura belong to it. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.During Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda's visit to India in June 2023, both India and Nepal pledged to resolve the boundary dispute in a spirit of friendship.Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh trijunction between India, Nepal, and China, as well as the Susta area in the West Champaran district of Bihar. Kalapani, administered by India as part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, lies along the Kailash Mansarovar route. The Kali River in the Kalapani region marks the border between India and Nepal, with discrepancies over the source of the river leading to boundary disputes.The Susta area, located on the banks of the Gandak River, is another area of contention. The Gandak River, known as the Narayani River in Nepal, merges with the Ganges near Patna in Bihar. Changes in the course of the Gandak River have fueled disputes over the Susta area. Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP Candidate from Porbandar, Equates Party Workers to God Crorepati Candidates Dominate Odisha Lok Sabha Polls: A Detailed Analysis of Wealth Distribution Malaysia Teams Up with MWL to Host Big Religious Conference in Asia

Yogi Adityanath attacks Congress manifesto, rakes up 'jizya', cow slaughter; likens it to Aurangzeb's rule

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the Congress manifesto, drawing parallels between its proposals and the cruel rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. He highlighted references to 'jizya', a historical tax imposed on Hindus in medieval India, and the promotion of cow slaughter. He accused the Congress of seeking to deprive SC, ST and OBC of quota benefits to appease vote bank.

UP police constable Tayyab Khan dies by suicide in Amroha

A police head constable died after he shot himself with his service weapon on Friday evening. The incident occurred in Uttar Pradeshs Amroha district. According to the reports, the deceased identified as Tayyab Khan was posted in Baghpat city. He was sitting at Amroha railway station waiting for the train when he took his own Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Updated Headline: Tragic Shooting Incident in Phagwara, Leaving Three Individuals Injured

Updated Headline: Tragic Shooting Incident in Phagwara, Leaving Three Individuals Injured A youth was rushed to a hospital after he suffered a bullet injury on Saturday following a fight between groups in a village here, police said. According to police, a fight broke out in Green Valley, Law Gate Maheru village, injuring three people. Satyam, hailing from Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, suffered a gunshot wound and is undergoing treatment. He is studying law in a private university, Phagwara Superintendent of Police(SP) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said. While two others, identified as Yash Rathi and Adarsh Tripathi, suffered injuries and were discharged from the hospital after treatment, the SP said. Upon receiving information about the fight, the police reached the spot and recovered two empty shells from the site and rounded up six to seven people for questioning, she said. We are verifying facts and will formally arrest those involved in the attack under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 307(attempt to murder) and of Arms Act,'' she added.

Former Congress leader Pramod Krishnam claims party could soon split into Priyanka and Rahul factions

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), May 4: A day after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination from Rae Bareli as the Congress candidate putting to rest speculations of Priyanka Gandhi entering the electoral arena, former Congress leader Pramod Krishnam on Saturday made a startling claim and alleged that the Congress could soon split into a Rahul Gandhi faction and a Priyanka Gandhi faction. The way Rahul Gandhi has left Amethi, Congress party workers morale is down. Priyanka Gandhi not contesting the election, this [] The post Former Congress leader Pramod Krishnam claims party could soon split into Priyanka and Rahul factions appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

International Election Observers to Witness India's Electoral Process

International Election Observers to Witness India's Electoral Process Representatives of election management bodies from 23 countries, including Australia, Russia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, are here to observe the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Seventy-five delegates will visit six states in small groups to witness the elections and preparations related to it in various constituencies. The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday described the visit of the foreign delegates as a first in terms of scale and magnitude of participation. Beginning Saturday, the programme seeks to familiarise them with the nuances of India's electoral system as well as the best practices being used. Election management bodies of Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, the Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia, Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia are participating in the programme. Members of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel will also participate. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will address the delegates on Sunday. The delegates will visit Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to observe the polls. Members of international poll bodies are invited to witness elections in the country. Similarly, representatives of the EC are also invited by other countries during polls there.

Hamida Banu: All About The Incredible Life of India's First Woman Wrestler

Hamida Banu, widely considered India's first professional woman wrestler, was born in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

75 International delegates from 23 countries arrive to watch worlds largest elections unfold

Hyderabad: As a beacon of electoral integrity and transparency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) exemplifies its commitment to conduct general elections of the highest standards, offering a golden bridge for global Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to witness democratic excellence first-hand. The ECI continues fostering international cooperation by organising the Election Visitors Programme (IEVP) during the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The event will be a first in terms of the scale and magnitude of participation. 75 delegates representing various EMBs and organisations from 23 countries namely - Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Moldova, Tunisia, Seychelles, Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Chile, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Namibia will take part in the event. Members from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and media teams from Bhutan and Israel will also participate. Beginning May 4, the program seeks to familiarise foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) with the nuances of Indias electoral system as well as the best practices used by the largest democracy in the world. After addressing them by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, the delegates will embark on visits to six statesMaharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradeshin small groups to observe polls and related preparedness in various constituencies. The programme will end on May 9, 2024, according to Anuj Chandak, Joint Director, ECI.

India-UAE flights: Air India Express launches new route

Air IndiaExpress, Indias first international budget airline, has launched a new direct flight service from Uttar Pradeshs capital city Lucknow to Ras Al Khaimah of United Arab Emirates (UAE). The inaugural flight marked a significant milestone for both travellers and the aviation industry, enhancing connectivity between the two destinations. Ras Al Khaimah is the ninth Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Adityanath criticizes Congress manifesto, alleges similarities to Aurangzeb's rule

Adityanath criticizes Congress manifesto, alleges similarities to Aurangzeb's rule Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the Congress manifesto talked of 'jizya' (tax imposed on non-Muslims in medieval India) and promotion of cow slaughter and likened it to the ''cruel rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb''. He also accused the Congress of wanting to snatch the quota benefits of SC, STs and Other Backward Classes to please ''its vote bank''. Addressing a rally in Ashok Nagar town of Guna Lok Sabha constituency in support of BJP candidate and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the UP CM hailed the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing respect to faith, bringing welfare schemes for the poor and honour to the country. ''You have heard the name of a cruel Mughal ruler called Aurangzeb. Decent Muslim families don't name their children after him. He levied jizya. What is it? It is inheritance tax being talked about by the Congress,'' Adityanath claimed. On the other hand, PM Modi says heritage should be respected as our movement for Ram temple in Ayodhya continued for 500 years and lakhs of Hindus were martyred, Adityanath told the gathering. ''Forget about respect to heritage, the Congress is talking about levying tax on the wealth of your ancestors. Rahul Gandhi says he will X-ray your property and take half of it after his party comes to power and it will be called virasat tax (inheritance tax). Will you ever give jizya? No Indian can accept this,'' he said. Attacking the Congress manifesto further, he said that party will try to curtail quota benefits of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs and give it to its vote banks as it had done in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Adityanath claimed the Congress wants to give minorities all freedom to eat and drink as per their choice and then went on to link it to cow slaughter and beef consumption. ''Are the food habits of minorities different from that of the majority (community? The general food habits are the same but the majority of society does not eat beef and opposes cow slaughter. Now Congress has stooped so low that it will support cow slaughter,'' UP chief minister alleged. ''This is not the Congress that contributed to the Independence struggle. Will you become a partner in this sin? Will there be cow slaughter in the land of Ram and Krishna?'' he asked the crowd. Hailing Modi, the UP CM cited the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the welfare schemes being run by the Centre. ''Terrorism and Naxalism were at their peak before 2014. But now Pakistan comes forward with a clarification even if a firecracker bursts in India. This is new India. We are not aggressors but we don't spare those who make a move against us,'' Adityanath said. Adityanath hailed the Scindias for their fight against the Afghans several centuries ago and recalled the contribution of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia, grandmother of the Union minister, in the Ram Temple movement and nation building. Addressing the gathering, Union minister Scindia listed the development works carried out in Guna. He said he had heard about corruption and the presence of the land mafia in Ashok Nagar and warned them of action after the elections. Guna will go to polls on May 7.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Hamida Banu, India's first woman wrestler

The name Hamida Banu is probably unheard of to folks like you and I but in the world of sports, she stands out as the first woman wrestler in India. On Saturday, Google paid tribute to her through a doodle illustrated by Bangalore-based artist Divya Negi. The artist depicts the wrestler in a pink, polka-dotted ensemble, holding her hands in a fighting position and surrounded by flora and fauna. Diving more into the date's significance, it was on this day in 1954 when Hamida Banu defeated famed wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. Additionally, this also serves as a reminder of a female's entry into a sport that was dominated by males in the 1940s and 50s. Also known as the 'Amazon of Aligarh,' Hamida Banu was born into a family of wrestlers near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in the 1900s. Despite the consistent discouragement of womens participation in athletics, she fearlessly pursued her passion for wrestling. She challenged male wrestlers openly, even wagering her hand in marriage to the first to defeat her. Banus triumphs echoed across newspapers wherein her feats, physical stature and dietary habits were reported widely. Her career even extended into the international arena, where she won against a Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin in less than two minutes. Hamida Banu was a trailblazer of her time, and her fearlessness is remembered throughout India and across the world. Outside of her sporting accomplishments, she will always be celebrated for staying true to herself, read Google's note. Banu passed away in 1986. Reports say that faced poverty in her later years, resorting to selling milk, dairy products, and homemade cookies to support herself.

5 Points On Karan Bhushan Singh, BJPs Pick For Kaiserganj Seat

Karan Bhushan Singh became the president of the Uttar Pradesh Wrestling Association in February, succeeding his father, who had led the state body for 12 years

Agra School Principal Thrashes Teacher Over Coming Late, Video Emerges

Weeks after a headmistress bit a teacher who had caught her getting a facial in a Uttar Pradesh school, the principal of another institution was caught on camera beating a teacher for allegedly coming late.

A soul-stirring musical evening!

NGT takes Suo motu cognizance of explosion at firecracker factory in Kaushambi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the matter relating to an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh claiming lives of seven persons and leading to injury of several others. The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 26.02.2024. []

Some fun moments for the ladies at this do

Money laundering case filed against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and others by ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav, known as Elvish Yadav, and others. They are suspected of using snake venom as a recreational drug at parties hosted by Yadav. This move comes after the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh filed a First Information Report (FIR) and a charge sheet last month. The ED is looking into the alleged generation of illegal funds and their use in organizing recreational events, including parties. Yadav and others involved in the case will be questioned during the investigation. Yadav was previously arrested by the Noida Police on March 17 in connection to the suspected use of snake venom at parties he allegedly organized. The 26-year-old, also known for winning the reality show Bigg Boss OTT 2, faced charges under various laws including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). An FIR was filed against Yadav and five others last November after a complaint from the animal rights NGO People for Animals (PFA). While the five snake charmers were arrested and later released on bail, Yadav wasn't present during the arrest. The police seized nine snakes, including five cobras, and around 20 ml of suspected snake venom from the charmers. In April, the Noida Police submitted a charge sheet of over 1,200 pages in the case, detailing charges such as snake trafficking, drug use, and organizing rave parties. ED Summons AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan Again in Money Laundering Case Delhi Court Rejects Kejriwal's Plea for Daily Video Consultations Enhanced Efficiency of Enforcement Directorate under NDA Government, says PM Modi

Teenage girl out to defecate set on fire in UP village

A 13-year-old Dalit girl was tragically burned to death while defecating in a village in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh. The police are investigating the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the horrific incident.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Indias first woman wrestler Hamida Banu

Google on Saturday paid tribute to Hamida Banu, considered as Indias first woman wrestler. The search engine giant changed their homepage logo to celebrate the life of the woman who entered the sport that was dominated by the male population during the 1940s and 50s. Banu born in the early 90s hailed from Uttar Pradeshs []

Google pays tribute to Hamida Banu, Indias 1st female wrestler, who won over 300 matches and ate 2 plates of biryani daily!

Dubbed the Amazon Of Aligarh, Hamida Banu holds the distinction of being recognized as Indias inaugural female professional wrestler. Hailing from a lineage of wrestlers in Uttar Pradesh, she encountered familial resistance to her wrestling aspirations. Undeterred, she journeyed from her native Mirzapur to Aligarh, where she received training under the tutelage of Salam Pahalwan.

Elvish Yadav booked for money laundering in fresh trouble for YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner

Enforcement Directorate has pressed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognisance of a FIR and charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh last month against him and others linked to him.

Uttar Pradesh: Nadeem rapes minor Muslim girl in Baghpat, Islamists peddle fake news to falsely implicate Hindus

While peddling the fake news, the Islamists called dehumanising names to the Hindu community. One Haq Ali even went on to claim that Hindu gods are rapists.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: History Of The Amethi Lok Sabha Seat In Uttar Pradesh

After days of speculation on whether Rahul Gandhi would contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Congress on Friday announced Kishori Lal Sharma as its candidate against BJP's Smriti Irani.

History Of The Amethi Lok Sabha Seat In Uttar Pradesh

After days of speculation on whether Rahul Gandhi would contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, Congress on Friday announced Kishori Lal Sharma as its candidate against BJP's Smriti Irani.

Google Doodle Honors Hamida Banu, Pioneer of Women's Wrestling in India

Google Doodle Honors Hamida Banu, Pioneer of Women's Wrestling in India It was on this day in 1954 when Hamida Banu defeated famed wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. While Baba Pahalwan deemed it fit to retire from professional wrestling, Banu's career expanded to international arenas and her victories reported across the globe. Commemorating Banu's victory and to pay tribute to her as ''India's first woman wrestler,'' Google on Saturday put up a colourful doodle on its homepage. Born into a family of wrestlers in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Banu grew up wrestling, winning over 300 competitions throughout her career that spanned the 1940s and 1950s at a time when women's participation in athletics was strongly discouraged. Banu, however, competed with men anyway, and issued an open challenge to all male wrestlers, wagering her hand in marriage to whoever defeats her, Google wrote in a post. Banu's success in international matches gained her further acclaim. One of these matches was the one against Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin, who she defeated in under two minutes. Having made newspaper headlines for years, Banu came to be known as the ''Amazon of Aligarh''. The bouts she won, her diet, and her training regimen were widely covered. According to a BBC report, she weighed 108kg and was 5ft 3in tall. ''Her daily diet included 5.6 litres of milk, 2.8 litres of soup, 1.8 litres of fruit juice, a fowl, nearly 1kg of mutton and almonds, half a kilo of butter, 6 eggs, two big loaves of bread, and two plates of biryani,'' the British media outlet reported. Reuters noted that she slept for nine hours and trained for six. A ''trailblazer of her time,'' Banu not only fought fellow wrestlers but the norms of her times. ''Hamida Banu was a trailblazer of her time, and her fearlessness is remembered throughout India and across the world. Outside of her sporting accomplishments, she will always be celebrated for staying true to herself,'' Google's note read.

ED files case against Elvish Yadav, others

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav alias Elvish Yadav and some others under the charge of suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties he hosted, official sources said Saturday. The central agency has pressed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognisance of a FIR and charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh last month against him and other linked to him. The alleged generation of proceeds of crime and use of illicit funds for organising rave or recreational parties is under the scanner of the ED. Yadav and some others linked to the case will be questioned as part of the investigation, the sources said. Yadav was arrested on March 17 by the Noida Police in connection with its probe into suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties that were allegedly hosted by him. The 26-year-old YouTuber, also the winner of reality show Bigg Boss OTT 2, was booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the Noida police. Yadav was among the six people named in an FIR lodged at Noida's Sector 49 Police Station on November 3 last year on a complaint from a representative of animal rights NGO People for Animals (PFA). The five other accused, all snake charmers, were arrested in November and were later let out on bail by a local court. The five snake charmers were arrested from a banquet hall in Noida on November 3 last year and nine snakes, including five cobras, were rescued from their possession, while 20 ml of suspected snake venom was also seized. According to police, Yadav was not present at the banquet hall then. In April, the Noida Police filed an over 1,200-page charge sheet in the case. The charges included are snake trafficking, use of psychotropic substances and organising rave parties, the police had said.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Congress, Rahul Gandhi, Amethi Seat Kishori Lal Sharma?

Kishori Lal Sharma Exclusive: (Uttar Pradesh) (Congress) , . (Raebareli Lok Sabha Seat) , (KL Sharma) . , (Wayanad) . 2019 . NDTV ,

ED files money laundering case against YouTuber Elvish Yadav, others

LUCKNOW, May 4: The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav alias Elvish Yadav and some others under the charge of suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties he hosted, official sources said Saturday. The central agency has pressed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognisance of a FIR and charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh last month [] The post ED files money laundering case against YouTuber Elvish Yadav, others appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Enforcement Directorate (ED) Files Money Laundering Case Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Associates

Enforcement Directorate (ED) Files Money Laundering Case Against YouTuber Elvish Yadav and Associates The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against YouTuber Siddharth Yadav alias Elvish Yadav and some others under the charge of suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties he hosted, official sources said Saturday. The central agency has pressed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognisance of a FIR and charge sheet filed by the Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) district police in Uttar Pradesh last month against him and other linked to him. The alleged generation of proceeds of crime and use of illicit funds for organising rave or recreational parties is under the scanner of the ED. Yadav and some others linked to the case will be questioned as part of the investigation, the sources said. Yadav was arrested on March 17 by the Noida Police in connection with its probe into suspected use of snake venom as a recreational drug in parties that were allegedly hosted by him. The 26-year-old YouTuber, also the winner of reality show Bigg Boss OTT 2, was booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the Noida police. Yadav was among the six people named in an FIR lodged at Noida's Sector 49 Police Station on November 3 last year on a complaint from a representative of animal rights NGO People for Animals (PFA). The five other accused, all snake charmers, were arrested in November and were later let out on bail by a local court. The five snake charmers were arrested from a banquet hall in Noida on November 3 last year and nine snakes, including five cobras, were rescued from their possession, while 20 ml of suspected snake venom was also seized. According to police, Yadav was not present at the banquet hall then. In April, the Noida Police filed an over 1,200-page charge sheet in the case. The charges included are snake trafficking, use of psychotropic substances and organising rave parties, the police had said.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Big Names Face Critical Tests

The Lok Sabha elections for 2024 are in full swing, with Phase 3 set to take place on May 7th. This phase encompasses 95 seats across 12 states and Union Territories. Among the contenders are notable figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, rebel BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Dimple Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Supriya Sule. The key players in Phase 3 hail from prominent political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), among others. Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders: Amit Shah: Union Minister Amit Shah seeks re-election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. He faces competition from Congress' Sonal Patel. The BJP has maintained a stronghold on this seat since 1989, with Shah securing victory in 2019 by a significant margin. Dimple Yadav: SP candidate Dimple Yadav is contesting from the 'Mainpuri' constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a stronghold of her party. Following the passing of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Dimple Yadav won the seat in a bypoll. She now faces BJP candidate Jaiveer Singh in a bid to uphold Mulayam's legacy. Jyotiraditya Scindia: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia represents the BJP in the Guna Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh. He goes head-to-head with Rao Yadvendra Singh of the Congress, aiming to reverse his defeat in the 2019 polls. Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the BJP's candidate from Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency. Chouhan, a five-time MP from Vidisha, competes against Pratap Bhanu Sharma of the Congress. Supriya Sule: NCP leader Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, contests from the Baramati seat in Maharashtra. Her candidacy sparks interest as she faces Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, who recently joined the BJP-led NDA. The constituencies participating in Phase 3 cover a wide geographical spread across India, including states like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, along with Union Territories like Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The Election Commission reports a total of 1,351 candidates vying for seats in this phase, with Gujarat and Maharashtra leading in the number of nominations. Notably, Osmanabad constituency in Maharashtra and Bilaspur seat in Chhattisgarh witness significant participation, indicating the intense competition characterizing Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. BJP's Post-Election Strategy: Focus Shifts to West Bengal Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mega Campaigning in Ayodhya: All You Need to Know PM Modi Vows Justice for Victims of the West Bengal Teacher Recruitment Scam

Rahul Gandhis decision to contest from Rae Bareilly

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi's decisionto contest in the ongoing Indian parliamentary elections from the Rae Bareilly constituency in Uttar Pradesh, instead of Amethi, has been widely commented on by the Indian media, as if it was a great historical event.

Garry Kasparov clarifies after his post on Rahul Gandhi goes viral

New Delhi: Russian chess great Garry Kasparov hoped that his little joke on Indian politics does not pass for advocacy or expertise after his cheeky social media post on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's love for the game went viral.Within hours of asking Gandhi to first win Rae Bareli before challenging for the top, the 61-year-old said it was just a joke and should be seen as one. I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an 'all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes,' as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! the former world champion, who retired in 2005, wrote in response to a post by actor Ranvir Shorey. I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes, as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! https://t.co/MlBnR4PeZ6 Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) May 3, 2024 Shorey's comment appeared to be a dig at Gandhi's recent assertion that he was the best chess player among all Indian politicians. Kasparov gave the same reply to a few other accounts which commented on his original post. The Congress recently shared a video of Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. The MP from Wayanad named Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics. A user on X made a cheeky comment on his page, which read feel so relieved that @Kasparov63 and @vishy64theking retired early and didn't have to face the greatest chess genius of our times. Kasparov, rather unusually, originally responded to that post. Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top, wrote the fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is based in Croatia after fleeing his country. Gandhi, while naming Kasparov as his favourite chess player, described him as a on-linear thinker in the Congress video. ...once you get slightly better at it, the opponent's pieces actually operate almost like your own, he said, drawing comparison between chess and politics. He filed his nomination from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and is also contesting from Wayanad. A former world number one for a record 255 weeks, Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion at the age of 22 in 1985 and is a political activist now. The iconic player is a contemporary of Indian great Viswanathan Anand. Recently, when 17-year-old D Gukesh bettered his record of becoming the youngest challenger to the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Kasparov had put out a congratulatory post on X. He described Gukesh as he Indian earthquake in Toronto.

Catchy slogans that add zing to electioneering

BJP aims for Modi's third term with 'Abki Baar 400 Paar'. Opposition counters with 'Ladega India, Jitega India'. Congress promises change. SP campaigns with 'Is baar, PDA sarkar'. BSP focuses on Dalit voters for support.

Shehzada has fled Amethi, fears defeat in Wayanad too, says PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday predicted a tally fewer than 2019's for the Congress, citing party leader Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from a second seat Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh, after also contesting Wayanad in Kerala which he represents in the outgoing Lok Sabha. The Congress had won 44 seats in [] The post Shehzada has fled Amethi, fears defeat in Wayanad too, says PM Modi appeared first on Northlines .

BJP took money from meat exporters via EBs: Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Yadav addresses various public meetings, accusing BJP of corruption through electoral bonds and corporate funding. He emphasizes the need to oust BJP for reducing inflation, unemployment, and fulfilling promises. Akhilesh campaigns in Kannauj, urging voters to support him for positive change.

Congress ka haath desh ke dushmano ke saath, says Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath accuses Congress of aligning with enemies, praises PM Modi's welfare schemes. He warns against anti-India forces disrupting elections and urges caution. Adityanath criticizes Congress for corruption leading to Naxalism, promoting separatism and extremism.

Hamida Banu: Google Doodle Honors Indias First Professional Woman Wrestler

Hamida Banu: Google Doodle Honors Indias First Professional Woman Wrestler Today's Google Doodle pays tribute to Hamida Banu, a pioneering figure in Indian sports, recognized as the first professional woman wrestler in India. The Doodle, crafted by Bangalore-based artist Divya Negi, captures Banu amidst the rich local flora and fauna, celebrating her remarkable legacy in the wrestling world. Born in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, into a family of wrestlers, Hamida Banu defied the stringent social norms of her time which discouraged women's participation in athletics. She began her wrestling career in the 1940s, competing predominantly against men. Over her illustrious career, she amassed more than 300 victories, a testament to her skill and determination. Banu first captured international attention on this day in 1954, when she defeated the celebrated wrestler Baba Pahalwan in a match that lasted only 1 minute and 34 seconds. This victory was so decisive that it led to Pahalwan's retirement from professional wrestling. Her prowess was not confined to national boundaries; she also triumphed in international bouts, notably winning against the Russian woman wrestler Vera Chistilin in under two minutes. Her challenges were not just on the mat but also against societal expectations. Banu was known for her bold declaration where she issued an open challenge to all male wrestlers, promising her hand in marriage to any who could defeat hera challenge that remained unmet. Hamida Banu's name became synonymous with strength and perseverance, earning her the nickname Amazon of Aligarh. Her diet, training regimen, and the bouts she won received extensive coverage in newspapers, inspiring a generation of athletes, particularly women, to pursue sports professionally. Her impact extends beyond her victories in the ring. Hamida Banu is celebrated for her unwavering commitment to her sport and her courage in challenging and changing the gender norms of her time. Her legacy continues to inspire not only wrestlers but all athletes across India and the world, making her a fitting subject for today's Google Doodle. The celebration of Hamida Banu through today's Google Doodle highlights her significant contributions to sports and her role as a trailblazer for women in professional athletics. As we remember her fearless spirit and groundbreaking achievements, Hamida Banu's story remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere. Also Read: Google Doodle Celebrates Indonesia's Traditional Tari Rangkuk Alu Dance

RLD spokesman resigns from party over BJP ticket to Brij Bhushan's son

Rohit Jakhar resigns from RLD protesting BJP ticket to Singh's son amid harassment claims. Disagrees with RLD's NDA alliance. Siddiqui and Kannaujia also quit, criticizing BJP's actions against democracy.

UP seats where poll baton has passed on to next generation

Rahul Gandhi succeeds Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli, continuing the family's political legacy. The lineage spans generations, with Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi also representing the constituency. Similar trends are seen in other constituencies.

Lok Sabha election Phase 4: Like 2019, it may not be a cakewalk for BJP in 5 reserved seats

The fourth phase of UP elections is crucial as BJP's dominance in reserved seats faces challenges from shifting Dalit support towards BSP and the INDIA bloc. Concerns over the Constitution and economic issues are influencing voting decisions.

10-year-old accidentally shoots her elder sister in Unnao

In Unnao, a tragic incident occurred where a minor girl died after her brother accidentally shot her with a pistol. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead. The police investigation is ongoing.

Champion of farmers' cause, CPI veteran Atul Anjaan passes away

Atul Kumar Anjaan, 70, CPI national secretary, died in Lucknow. Led LUSU, involved in Police-PAC rebellion, championed farmers' and students' causes, served as AISF president, contested LS elections.

Indians continue to take upskilling route for jobs

NEW DELHI: More and more Indians are arming themselves with skilling and up skilling courses under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme to secure better jobs, with the program witnessing a 26 percent jump in enrollment in 2023-24 compared to the previous year, officials said Friday. The scheme, launched in 2016, saw an enrollment of 35,333 people in 2018-19. In 2023-24, the figure reached 931,406. In 2022-23, the total number of apprentices registered was 738,704. Maharashtra registered the maximum number of enrolments in the scheme. The state saw an impressive enrolment of 263,239, followed by Tamil Nadu with 101,519. The other states include Gujarat (83,611), Karnataka (78,497), and Uttar Pradesh (71,378). This staggering increase represents a significant Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 74.76% over the five years, the officials added. Officials said the enrolment of apprentices has witnessed remarkable growth over the past few years. This ambitious initiative has emerged as a game-changer, as it helped bridge the gap between formal education and industry demands while addressing the pressing issues of youth unemployment and underemployment, the officials added. The program has helped foster business growth and innovation while providing valuable on-the-job practical training and opportunities for aspiring professionals, they said. This relationship is driving inclusive economic development, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, and nurturing personal and professional growth across sectors, the official added. Apprentices not only receive training to enhance their capacity but are also offered stipend support. The schemes objectives include fostering a skilled workforce, facilitating up skilling opportunities, and encouraging apprenticeship enrolment in small enterprises and underserved regions, thus contributing to inclusive economic development and effectively addressing the skills gap in the country. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which manages the program, also oversees the operation of the apprenticeship portal, serving as a platform for facilitating the enrolment process. NSDC was set up as part of a national skill development mission in the country. NSDC is also responsible for disbursing partial stipend support to apprentices, both for designated and optional trades, through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. It also undertakes capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders involved in the apprenticeship program, including organizing awareness campaigns, trade fairs (melas), workshops, seminars, and other events aimed at promoting the program and engaging with various participants. Officials added that by fostering inclusive skill development and creating employment opportunities, this scheme is not only empowering individuals but also shaping a workforce that is future-ready and adaptable to the ever-evolving demands of the industry.

I hope my little joke is not seen as expertise: Kasparov after post on Gandhi goes viral

NEW DELHI: Russian chess great Garry Kasparov hoped that his little joke on Indian politics does not pass for advocacy or expertise after his cheeky social media post on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's love for the game went viral. Within hours of asking Gandhi to first win Rae Bareli before challenging for the top, the 61-year-old said it was just a joke and should be seen as one. I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an 'all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes,' as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game! the former world champion, who retired in 2005, wrote in response to a post by actor Ranvir Shorey. Shorey's comment appeared to be a dig at Gandhi's recent assertion that he was the best chess player among all Indian politicians. Kasparov gave the same reply to a few other accounts which commented on his original post. The Congress recently shared a video of Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. The MP from Wayanad named Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics. A user on X made a cheeky comment on his page, which read feel so relieved that @Kasparov63 and @vishy64theking retired early and didn't have to face the greatest chess genius of our times. Kasparov, rather unusually, originally responded to that post. Traditional (sic) dictates that you should first win from Raebareli before challenging for the top, wrote the fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is based in Croatia after fleeing his country. Gandhi, while naming Kasparov as his favourite chess player, described him as a on-linear thinker in the Congress video. Once you get slightly better at it, the opponent's pieces actually operate almost like your own, he said, drawing comparison between chess and politics. He filed his nomination from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and is also contesting from Wayanad. A former world number one for a record 255 weeks, Kasparov became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion at the age of 22 in 1985 and is a political activist now. The iconic player is a contemporary of Indian great Viswanathan Anand. Recently, when 17-year-old D Gukesh bettered his record of becoming the youngest challenger to the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Kasparov had put out a congratulatory post on X. He described Gukesh as he Indian earthquake in Toronto.

Rahul Gandhis move to contest in Rae Bareli disappoints Wayanad

KOCHI: The Congress decision to field Rahul Gandhi in the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh has elicited mixed feelings within the partys state unit. There is uncertainty among party leaders regarding whether he will step down from the Wayanad LS seat if he is elected from Rae Bareli, considered a stronghold of the Gandhi family. This has led to heated debates, with the BJP and LDF accusing Rahul of betraying the people of Wayanad. There is a prevailing belief within the Congress party that if he wins both seats, he is likely to vacate the Wayanad seat. However, there is also optimism that his contest in the Hindi heartland will bolster the partys prospects in North India. While party leaders feel it is premature to discuss which seat he would retain, the lingering question is whether he will vacate Wayanad and who will be his successor in Wayanad. The name of AICC general secretary and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, is being reported as a possible successor if Rahul abandons the seat. However, senior party leaders are reluctant to comment on the matter. Congress national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal stated that the party will decide which seat Rahul Gandhi will retain at the appropriate time. The party requested Rahul Gandhi to contest from Rae Bareli and he agreed. For us, Rae Bareli, Amethi, and Wayanad are all important. Rae Bareli is the seat which was held by Indira Gandhi and till recently by Sonia Gandhi. At the appropriate time, the party will decide which seat he will retain. The decision will not affect anyone, Venugopal told mediapersons. Political observers believe that Rahul Gandhis decision to contest in UP will boost the morale of the party as Left leaders argue that he will focus on fighting the BJP in North India rather than contesting against INDIA bloc allies in Kerala. According to K Baburaj, a senior journalist and political observer, Congress activists in UP and other North Indian states are expecting Rahuls presence, which will boost their morale. However, the decision has left his supporters in Kerala, especially in Wayanad, unhappy as they worked hard for his victory in 2019. They also supported him when his MP post was suspended, he said. If Rahul wins, he is likely to retain Raebareli due to its historical connection with the Gandhi family, it is learned. Feroze Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi: Rae Bareli's tryst with Congress Wayanad is considered a safe seat of UDF. So the front can win if a re-election happens. Abandoning Raebareli would be seen as suicidal to Congress, according to Baburaj. A senior Congress leader told TNIE that there were speculations during the 2019 campaign that Rahul would abandon Wayanad if elected from Amethi. However, he won with a huge margin of more than 4 lakh votes, a record in the states election history. This time, Wayanad recorded a lower voter turnout compared to 2019, which might lead to a slight decline in his majority, but the voters are expected to stand by him. The party will take an appropriate decision at the right time and commenting on the issue at this stage will be too early, he added. Chances of Rahul Gandhi contesting from the second seat was the topic of a heated campaign in Wayanad this time too. Fight against BJP Chances of Rahul contesting from second seat was the topic of a heated campaign in Wayanad. Political observers believe that his decision to contest in UP will boost the morale of the party as Left leaders argue that he will focus on fighting the BJP in North India.

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