MP: High court imposes fine on editor for targeting sitting judge

Bhopal : The Madhya Pradesh high court has imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on an editor of a local Hindi daily after holding him guilty under the Contempt of Courts Act in connection with a news report targeting one of its sitting judges. The division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Ravi Malimath and Justice Milind Ramesh Phadke held Suman Singh Sikarwar, editor of Dainik Chambal Vani, guilty under the Contempt of Courts Act while calling the news report published in the daily in 2011 against a sitting judge of the court, as an attempt by the editor to scandalise the image of a judge of this court as well as other judges. The court imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on the editor while issuing a warning to him to remain cautious in future. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the front-paged story published in the daily Dainik Chambal Vani in 2011 and initiated proceedings under the Contempt of Court Act. The case was admitted for hearing in 2014 after its transfer from Jabalpur to Gwalior bench. It was finally heard on March 14 this year. The verdict in the case was delivered on May six. The court has held that the news report was not in the nature of mere dispassionate criticism of the judges, their working and their judgements but contained intemperate language and undesirable expletives. Thus, it appears that it was an intentional attempt made by the respondent-contemptor (the editor) to scandalise the image of a judge of this Court as well as other judges, the court held. The court observed that there was no repentance of any kind on his (editors) face and just for the sake of apology, he had made a regretful acknowledgement of the offence, which appears to this court not bona fide. The court rejected the editors oral offer of unconditional apology and held him guilty under Contempt of Court Act.

Medieval-era relief art found along Chambal river in Kota

I chose the Honda City CVT over Brezza even though it cost Rs 2 lakh mo

BHPian imsatt recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Why I Chose the Honda City Over Others Requirements:Reliable car (preferably Japanese, Toyota, Honda, or Suzuki)Automatic transmission (No AMT).Comfort:Shouldbe very comfortable for4people.Budget: 12-15 lakhs. 5. New car only (used was not an option).Test Drive Experience:Took a test drive of the Brezza Delta AT. I was okay with the pull, although its engine specs offer the least horsepower and torque among allother1.5L engines.The Grand Vitara had also arrived at the time, so I took a test drive of the Delta AT. It was almost 2L costlier than the Brezza. The performance was the same as the drivetrain and transmission were identical.Visited a Toyota showroom to test drive the Hyryder hybrid. Though beyond my budget, I wanted to experience the hybrid engine. The 3-cylinder engine wasa disappointment; it became very noisy at higher RPMs. Overall, I was not satisfied with the car.Additionally,the wait period was too long, though itdidn'tmatter.Ruledout the Skoda VW twins because they were slightly over budgetandIreallydidn'tneed the 1L engine in a 15L car.Many peoplecertainlyhold their 1L turbo over other 1.5L NA enginesbutI wascertainof not having 1L at the time. The 1.5L GT was totally out of the budget. Ruledout Tata Nexon because Ididn'twant the AMT. Also not a big fan of3-cylinderengines and their Revotron engine in particular. Tata has a lot of QC concerns as wellasI'veresearched online. Ruledout any Mahindra car because they only havean XUV300 in this budgetwhichlooksreallydated. And they also have only AMT. Ruledout Korean cars because I have some reliability concerns onDCT transmission overallwhichwerebeingofferedin Sonet/Venue.Creta/Seltos CVTwasover the budget. We came home and finalized the Brezza. Spending an extra 2Ldidn'tmake much sense at the time for what the Grand Vitarawas offering. We booked the car at Maruti Zirakpur in September 2022 andwere givena delivery date of December 2022. In November, a relative visited us with his recently purchased Honda City ZX CVT.After discussing my car search and decision on Brezza, he suggested I take a test drive of the Cityas well. My wife and I then visited the Honda showroom and drove the City for over 15km, bothin the city and on the highway.My wife was immediately impressed, primarily by the spacious interior. The City V CVT was almost 2L costlier than the Brezza Delta AT, but after negotiating with multiple showrooms in Haryana and Chandigarh, the Chandigarh dealer agreed to a discount of around 95,000, which made the car only 1L dearer than the Brezza. That extra 1L offered much more comfort, especially in the back seat,along withadditional features like push-start-stop, cruise control, and alloy wheels. Final Decision: After discussing with the family, we decided togo aheadwith the City. The only plus point for the Brezza was the high ground clearance, which Idecidedto forego as most of our driving would be in Bangalore, where I currently reside. Purchase Experience:Dealer and Location:Boughtthe car from Harmony Honda in Chandigarh.Purchase Date: We completed the purchase on December 20, 2022.Booking and Delivery: I booked the car over the phone. We went for a pre-delivery inspection one day and took delivery the next day. The car was manufactured in December only.Final On-Road Price: The final on-road price was around 12.9L. Since I opted for a BH number,the RTO amount was notaddedstraight away, and I paid only 12K for the first two years.Sixteen months later, the car has almost driven 32,000 km. I have taken it to multiple hill stations in the North (Chamba, Dalhousie, Palampur, Dharamshala) andinthe South (Munnar, Vagamon, Kodaikanal).It has also completed multiple long highway drives, notably from Haryana to Bengaluruoverthree days.I'vedriven over 1000km in a day twice. The cardoesn'tbreak asweat and is always ready to munch more miles. I have only taken it to the service center for regular maintenanceduring this time. Somewhere on NH44 in TN Somewhere near Dalhousie Somewhere on Bengaluru - Mangaluru Hwy where the sidewall of thetyregot cut Likes:Good engine performance. The CVT transmission works well. Although the CVT masks the Vtec pull, I'm satisfied with it as I am a sedate driver.Comfort: Both front and rear passengers have no complaints about discomfort.Mileage is also decent, returning 17-18kmplon highwaysconsistentlyand 10-12 kmpl in Bangalore city.Excellent steering feedback.Great reliability.Good safety rating as per ASEAN NCAP. Although the tested vehicle was a Thailand spec,I'm convincedthe Indian spec will achieve at least4stars.Being low-slung, it offers a very stable drive on highways.Dislikes:Low slung, so getting in and out isa bitdifficult, especially forthe elderly.Inadequate insulation. There is significant road noise.15-inch alloys on the V model. They should have been at least 16 inches.Stock tires (MRF) are subpar. The skinny profileof185 is not ideal; it should have been at least 195. I had replaced two tires in 30,000 km due to sidewall tearsThe infotainment screen isverybasic, and the sound system could have been better. It remains way behind the competition, like the VernaEngine performance in eco mode is very inadequate. In my journey of 32kkms, I have only used ECO mode for the initial 500kmsor so.Neverwentback.I recently upgraded the tires from MRF 185/60/R15 to UC6 195/60/R15 atthe30,000mark.Thebiggestimpact has been on road noise, which has significantly reduced, and handling has also improved. Inowbelieve that sidewall tears, which occurred twice with the MRF tires, should not happen again. I recently also had the 30k service done at Dakshin Honda Bangalore. Itcostsaround 5.7k for general service and repair. I rejected all value-added services when offered. I also got the CVT oil replaced at the same time. Though Honda recommends changing it every 20k,somehowSA didn't check it at the 20k mark. I reminded him at the 30k mark and got it done. Overall, I amhighly satisfiedwith the car and plan to keep it for a long time. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

12 Candidates, Including Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, Join Himachal Pradesh Bypoll Race

12 Candidates, Including Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, Join Himachal Pradesh Bypoll Race Twelve candidates, including Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, filed their nomination papers on Thursday, taking the total number of nominations filed in the past three days to 21. Singh, who filed his nomination from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, attacked BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut in an oblique reference while Sharma, who filed his nomination papers from Kangra, shunned the ''outsider'' tag, and said they had never questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing from Gujarat, contested elections from Varanasi. ''We are doing politics of development, she is doing politics of entertainment,'' said Singh, adding that this ''picture'' directed by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur would fail at the ''box office'' on June 1. Singh, was accompanied by his mother and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Himachal in-charge Rajiv Shukla, while Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Cabinet Minister Chander Kumar accompanied Sharma. ''Kangana had started her campaign 20-25 days back and from morning to evening, she used abusive words for us but has not uttered a single word on her vision for this parliamentary constituency'', he said, adding that she should tell people what she wanted to do. Mandi would be made a smart city and Jalori Jot tunnel would be constructed on the line of the Rohtang tunnel. The remote Pangi area of Chamba would also be connected through the tunnel, Singh told PTI. ''I would take forward the long and deep relation with the people of Mandi,'' the Congress candidate, who is the son of former chief minister late Virbhadra Singh, said. Scion of erstwhile Rampur estate, Singh is pitted against actor and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut. ''Change of winds are visible in the country and after the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has been washed out in the South and halved in the North,'' he claimed. ''Vikramaditya Singh would win by a margin of over two lakh,'' said Sukhu. Later, addressing public rallies in favour of Singh and Sharma at Mandi and Dharamshala, Sukhu said that the MLAs who ''sold'' themselves would be behind the bars. Investigations are underway and soon ''big things'' will come out. He also targeted the BJP candidate from Dharamshala assembly seat Sudhir Sharma and alleged that the Dharamshala MLA also ''sold himself in the political market''. He was apparently referring to six Congress rebel MLAs who voted in favour of the BJP in Rajya Sabha elections, and later joined the BJP and are now contesting the Assembly by-polls from their respective seats on BJP ticket. ''This is an election between honesty and corruption and the issue of horse-trading by the BJP would be kept before the people, besides public welfare work undertaken by the state government like restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and Rs 1,500 monthly to women,'' said CM Sukhu. Interacting with the media, Sukhu claimed that he has extensively toured the constituency and people are praising the policies of the Congress government and the efforts made during the monsoon disaster, and they are against the BJP for allegedly not standing with the state during the disaster. After filing the nomination, Anand Sharma rejected the ''outsider'' tag given to him by the BJP and said that he is a Himachali, born in Shimla. ''We have never questioned that PM Narendra Modi is from Gujarat and contesting from Varanasi, we do not have such a small mindset,'' he said. Sharma, a four-time Rajya Sabha member and former Union minister who would take on BJP candidate Rajeev Bhardwaj, was accompanied by Speaker Kukdeep Singh Pathania and Cabinet Minister Chander Kumar. ''This is not a new place for me and we are going to the people and trying to convey our message to every voter. Our focus would be on promoting eco-tourism and adventure sports in Kangra and Chamba districts falling under the Kangra Lok Sabha seat,'' Sharma said while talking to media persons. Expansion of railways and setting up central institutions and a trade park in Chamba would also be the priorities, and at present 11 out of 16 MLAs in the Kangra parliamentary seat are from the Congress, while one seat of Dharamshala is going for bypolls along with the Lok Sabha elections, he added. Among others who filed the nominations were Congress rebel and BJP candidate Ravi Thakur, who filed his nomination papers for Lahaul and Spiti assembly by-polls. He was accompanied by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.

Congress' Vikramaditya Singh, Anand Sharma file nominations from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Kangra

Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma filed their nomination papers from Mandi and Kangra Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, respectively. While Singh will take on BJP's Kangana Ranaut, Sharma is against BJP candidate Rajeev Bhardwaj. Singh said he would make Mandi a smart City. Sharma focused on eco-tourism and adventure sports in Kangra and Chamba districts. Both leaders highlighted Congress achievements and promised to address state issues if elected.

Eyeing clean sweep, BJP faced tough fight in four Gwalior-Chambal seats

BHOPAL: The third and penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh, which were held on Tuesday, may turn out to be the toughest phase for the ruling BJP, which has been aiming to win all 29 seats in the state this time. According to informed sources on the ground, four of the nine seats where polling occurred on Tuesday could have seen a tough battle between the BJP and the Congress. The four seats include the Rajgarh seat of central MP, from where ex-CM and Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh is the Congress candidate after 33 years from his home seat, and three seats of the Gwalior-Chambal region, including Gwalior, Morena and Bhind. According to a young BJP leader in Morena district, the battle for the Morena seat between former BJP MLA Satyapal Singh Sikarwar Nitu (who was the Congress candidate this time) and Vidhan Sabha Speaker and ex-MP Narendra Singh Tomars loyalist ex-BJP MLA Shiv Mangal Tomar may really emerge as a tough contest for the ruling party. While the Kshatriya vote may well have split into two parts between the two candidates hailing from the Sikarwar Kshatriya clan and the Tomar Kshatriya clan respectively, the BJPs core Baniya (trader community) vote may have gone in substantial numbers towards the BSP candidate Ramesh Garg. Also, with the BJP candidate being seen as a rubber-stamp of Narendra Singh Tomar, a major faction of the BJP, particularly the Brahmins, may have either been silent or supported the Congress candidate, who is the son of two-time ex-BJP MLA Dada Satyapal Singh Sikarwar. Even the Gurjars, despite efforts by minister Aidal Singh Kansana, may not have significantly backed the BJP candidate, the BJP leader said.

In Madhya Pradesh, Chambal records low turnout, EC refutes Digvijayas charges

In the third phase of the Lok Sabha election in Madhya Pradesh, Rajgarh reported the highest turnout with 76.19% electors voting, while Bhind in the Chambal division recorded the lowest polling in the State at 55.44%

Madhya Pradesh sees 66% polling in third phase; voter turnout nears 2019 levels in high-profile seats

BHOPAL:Three prominent electoral districts, where high profile political figures were competing, recorded the highest voter turnout, with approximately 66% of the electorate casting their votes across nine constituencies in Madhya Pradesh during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. After the total voter turnout stayed much below the 2019 polls figures in the first two phases, in a pleasant change, the voting percentage in the third phase (till the time of filling this news report) stood at around 66%. It was close to the 66.63% voter turnout reported on the same nine seats in the 2019 elections. Importantly in the first two phases, the voter turnout was eight percent and nine percent less compared to the corresponding figures of the 2019 elections. The Rajgarh seat of central MP from where former CM Digvijaya Singh was contesting as Congress candidate after 33 years reported maximum 75%, followed by 74% in Vidisha where another ex-MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the BJP candidate. In Guna, the seat of Gwalior-Chambal region, where union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was the BJP candidate, reported 72% voting, while Betul-ST seat reported 73% polling. The two major cities, including state capital Bhopal and Gwalior reported 64% and 62% polling respectively, while the lowest 55% polling was reported in the Bhind-SC seat and 58% in Morena which have historically been infamous for lower voter turnout. While no major incident was reported from anywhere across the 19 districts, where the polls happened on the nine seats, two groups clashed in Bhind district, where police used mild force later to disperse them. There was an early morning incident of a youth on way for voting, getting injured after being shot at in Bhind district, but later it turned out to be the fallout of a non-poll related dispute between two families belonging to the same Khatik (SC) caste. Also, in pursuance of a past practice dating back to 1996 elections, all three main candidates, including the BJP, Congress and BSP nominees stood at the district police lines for ensuring free and fair polls in the highly sensitive Morena seat.

High Voter Turnout: 62.28% Recorded in Nine Lok Sabha Seats of Madhya Pradesh Till 5 PM

High Voter Turnout: 62.28% Recorded in Nine Lok Sabha Seats of Madhya Pradesh Till 5 PM At least 62.28 per cent of voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm in nine Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh in the third phase of the general elections on Tuesday, a poll official said. Of the nine Lok Sabha seats, Rajgarh recorded the highest 72.08 per cent turnout, followed by Vidisha with 69.2 per cent, Guna with 68.93 per cent, Betul with 67.97 per cent, Sagar with 61.7 per cent, Bhopal with 58.42 per cent, Gwalior with 57.86 per cent, Morena with 55.25 per cent and Bhind with 50.96 per cent, till 5 pm, the official said. Former chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Digvijaya Singh and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president V D Sharma were among the early voters. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who are contesting the polls from Rajgarh and Guna, respectively, will not be able to vote for themselves as the former is a registered voter of Bhopal, and the latter is registered to vote from Gwalior, party sources said. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the BJP candidate from Vidisha seat, exercised franchise with his wife, Sadhna Singh, and two sons at a polling booth in his native village, Jait, in Sehore district. Polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm across 20,456 polling stations, including 1,043 managed by women personnel and 75 by Divyang employees, an election official said. To ensure smooth polling, the administration made the local candidates sit in the police control room in Morena in the Gwalior-Chambal region, which is considered a sensitive area. The police made BJP candidate Shivmangal Singh Tomar, BSP's Ramesh Chandra Garg and Congress candidate Satyapal Sikarwar sit in the police control room, Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh Chouhan said. The candidates came to the police control room with their consent and sat together, as it has happened here in the past, he said. A total of 1.77 crore voters will decide the fate of 127 candidates who are contesting from Morena, Bhind (SC-reserved), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Betul (ST-reserved) seats spread across 19 districts of the state. Polling in Betul (ST) constituency was initially scheduled to be held in the second phase on April 26 but was deferred due to the death of a candidate. In all, 127 candidates, including nine women, are in the fray in the third phase of the elections. Bhopal has the highest number of 22 candidates, while Bhind has the lowest at 7. Voters include 92.68 lakh men, 84.83 lakh women, and 491 members of the third gender, while 1.66 lakh voters are 'divyangjan' (people with disabilities), 88,106 are above the age of 85, and 1,804 are 100 plus years old, the poll official said. As many as 5.25 lakh voters are in the age group of 18-19 years. Of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, polling for 12 seats took place in the first two phases on April 19 and 26. The remaining eight seats will go to polls in the fourth phase on May 13.

MP Bypolls: Third phase to seal fate of Shivraj, Scindia, Digvijaya

MP Bypolls: Third phase to seal fate of Shivraj, Scindia, Digvijaya Voting for the third phase of Lok Sabha polls will be held on Tuesday for nine seats in Madhya Pradesh where Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and former state chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijaya Singh are in the fray. More than 1.77 crore voters will decide the fate of 127 candidates who are contesting from Morena, Bhind (SC-reserved), Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, Rajgarh and Betul (ST-reserved). Voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm across 20,456 polling stations, including 1,043 to be entirely managed by women, an official said. ''All necessary measures have been taken and adequate security arrangements are made to conduct free and fair elections in these constituencies,'' Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhya Pradesh, Anupam Rajan, told reporters on Monday. Geographically, these nine Lok Sabha constituencies are spread across 19 districts. Rajan said polling in the Betul (ST) constituency was initially scheduled to be held in the second phase on April 26, but it was deferred to the third phase due to the death of a candidate. ''127 candidates, including nine women, are in the fray for the third phase. At 22, Bhopal has the highest number of candidates, while Bhind has the lowest at 7,'' he said. The 1.77 crore eligible voters include 92.68 lakh men, 84.83 lakh women, and 491 members of the third gender, he said. ''1.66 lakh electors are 'divyangjan' (people with disabilities), 88,106 are above 85, and 1,804 others have crossed the age of 100 years,'' the chief electoral officer said, adding that 5.25 lakh electors are in the age group of 18-19 years. He said 36,778 service voters include personnel of various security forces and the Army. A total of 20,456 booths have been set up in nine constituencies and 2,043 of them will be managed by women employees and 75 by Divyang employees, he said. ''5,744 booths fall under the critical category and arrangements for additional security and webcasting have been made at these centres. Micro observers are also appointed at these critical booths,'' Rajan said. He said almost all the licensed arms have been deposited (by people). A total of 25,108 ballot units, 20,456 control units and an equal number of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used for polling on Tuesday, Rajan added. All the arrangements, including wheelchairs, and shed for voters, have been made. Meanwhile, 4,619 voters out of 11,747 electors in the 85-plus age group category have used the home voting facility for the third phase, besides 547 persons involved in essential services, including journalists, the chief electoral officer said. The total value of the seizure made at various checkposts after the announcement of the elections stands at around Rs 280 crore, which includes cash, drugs, valuable metals, and liquor. Rajan further said the Election Commission of India will monitor 80 per cent of the booths through webcasting. ''The number of booths to be monitored through webcasting has increased this time. Most of them are located in the Gwalior-Chambal region, especially in Bhind and Morena LS seats,'' he added. Rajan also said a total of 1,433 FIRs have been registered in Madhya Pradesh for the poll code violation. The third phase contest will decide the political future of three bigwigs- Chouhan, Scindia, and Singh among others. At stake is the political future of BJP leader and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, seeking to reclaim the home turf Guna which he lost in 2019 when he was in Congress. BJP veteran and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting from Vidisha constituency, a saffron fortress which he had represented five times in Lok Sabha in the past, after almost 17 years, facing Congress candidate Pratap Bhanu Sharma. In Rajgarh, Congress veteran and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, 77, seeks to reclaim the lost legacy, marking his return to the Lok Sabha electoral contest after more than 30 years. His challenger is two-time BJP MP Rodmal Nagar. Digvijaya Singh won from Rajgarh in 1984 and 1991 but lost in 1989. He became the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in 1993. The BJP is hoping for a clean sweep in Madhya Pradesh, which sends 29 members to Lok Sabha. In 2019, the BJP failed to win the Chhindwara constituency, the only saving grace for the Congress which managed to retain it on the charisma of party veteran Kamal Nath. His son Nakul Nath won the seat last time. In high-stake Guna, where votes of the Yadav community can tilt the scales, Scindia is facing Yadvendra Singh Yadav of Congress. In 2019, Scindia, who was then the Congress candidate, lost the Scindia family bastion to BJP's KP Yadav. Chouhan looks comfortably placed in Vidisha but the contest in Rajgarh may be a close one. Of the total 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh, polling for 12 seats concluded in two phases on April 19 and 26. The remaining eight seats will go to polls in the fourth phase on May 13.

Caste equations, three-way fights spice up battle for Gwalior-Chambal region in M.P.

The region comprises the Morena, Bhind (Scheduled Caste) and Gwalior seats, and parts of the Guna Lok Sabha constituency

Chambal Ravines: Caste Dynamics Persist Despite Diminished Banditry

Chambal Ravines: Caste Dynamics Persist Despite Diminished Banditry Madhya Pradesh's Chambal region, once the staple for Bollywood's dacoit and gunslinger dramas, is also a massive caste cauldron where change is seeping in due to modernisation, say a section of people. The Gwalior-Chambal region, which is in the northern part of the state, borders Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and has three seats, namely Gwalior, Morena and Bhind, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes. A part of the Chambal region is in Shivpuri district and falls under Guna Lok Sabha seat. Gwalior, Morena and Bhind (SC) Lok Sabha seats are dominated by Other Backward Classes with a sizable population of SCs. Of the 24 assembly constituencies falling under these three Lok Sabha seats, the Congress had won 13 and the BJP 12 in the November 2023 elections, which was otherwise swept by the ruling party. Of the eight assembly segments of Gwalior and Bhind Lok Sabha seats, the BJP and the Congress won four each, while in Morena, the score was five in favour of the Congress and four for the BJP. The three assembly seats in Shivpuri were swept by the BJP. Bhuvnesh Singh Tomar, a professor at Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication in Gwalior's Jiwaji University, told PTI that caste sentiments were rooted even when the Gwalior-Chambal region was infested with bandits, dacoits or ''baghis'' (rebels) as these outlaws loved to call themselves. ''Casteism in politics is not new. It always existed in the Chambal region, except on occasions when towering leaders, like those from the Scindia family, contested. But a lot of social changes have taken place in the past three decades due to increased road connectivity and modernisation,'' Tomar said. Over the last two decades, the Dalits and backwards have become assertive and are playing a dominant role in politics, he said. ''The last two Lok Sabha elections in this area were held around the narrative set by the BJP. The indication this time is not clear as campaigning is very low-key. BJP candidates were looking weak earlier as the party fielded leaders from Gwalior and Morena, who lost polls earlier,'' he said. However, a strong organisational set-up and the Narendra Modi effect will benefit BJP candidates, Tomar claimed, adding that several leaders from the Congress, including sitting party MLA from Vijaypur (Morena LS seat) Ramniwas Rawat have joined the ruling dispensation. Devesh Sharma, a Morena-based lawyer, claimed caste politics had managed to segregate society, government offices, markets etc in the past three to four decades. ''Caste came first and then nationalism for the people of this region, which inspired so many films due to its ravines and bandits. These bandits used to influence politics in rural areas earlier but those days are long gone,'' he said. KK Mishra, media advisor to state Congress chief Jitu Patwari, told PTI that his party will win half the Lok Sabha seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region. ''Gwalior-Chambal region has traditionally supported the Congress and we will win half the seats here. The BJP knows this fact and will try to manipulate the elections through EVMs. The BJP is ahead only in publicity,'' Mishra alleged. The Congress is on very strong ground as was evident in the assembly polls results, he pointed out. However, state BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi told PTI that his party would win all the Lok Sabha seats in the region. ''The BJP has gone to the voters on the guarantees of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the developmental works done by him as well as welfare schemes for the poor. We don't contest on the basis of caste or religion like Congress,'' he claimed. Chaturvedi further claimed that the people are aware that the Congress wants to snatch the quota of OBCs and give it Muslims on the basis of religion like they did in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The ravines along the river Chambal, which runs through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and gives the region its name, was infested with dacoits, though the last major gang, led by Rambabu Gadariya, ended some 15 years ago. Among the blockbuster films that had Chambal and its bandit lore as base include ''Sholay'', ''Mera Gaon Mera Desh'', ''Gunga Jumna'', ''Mujhe Jeene Do'' and ''Bandit Queen''. According to a BJP leader, the Gwalior Lok Sabha seat has 46 per cent OBCs and 20 per cent SCs, while STs form 5 per cent of the population. The rest are from the general category. The seat was represented by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1971. Jan Sangh stalwart and BJP founder member Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia won from Gwalior seat in 1962 on a Congress ticket, while her son Madhavrao Scindia was elected five times, four times from on a Congress ticket and once on the ticket of the Madhya Pradesh Vikas Congress, a party founded by him. The population profile in Morena Lok Sabha seat is 44 per cent OBCs, 20 per cent SCs, 6 per cent STs and the remainder in the general category. Madhya Pradesh assembly speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, a former Union minister, was elected from Morena in 2009 and 2014. He was chosen as MLA in the 2023 assembly polls. In Bhind, 43 per cent voters belong to the OBC segment, 23 per cent are SCs, 21 per cent are from the general category and 1 per cent are STs. Vijaya Raje Scindia was elected from Bhind LS seat in 1971. Her daughter Vasundhara Raje Scindia, former Rajasthan chief minister, incidentally, faced defeat from this seat in 1984 at the hands of Congress' Krishna Singh Judeo, who is part of the royal family of Datia.

Tripunithura: Insensitivity threatens to wipe out historical, cultural bridge with past

KOCHI: The recent proposal to demolish the nearly 130-year-old iron bridge over the Padinjare puzha in Tripunithura to make way for a modern, wider structure has landed the public works department (PWD) in a rather murky puddle. Residents, experts and historians have voiced stiff opposition to the Rs 30-crore move, which they say is not only needless but also insensitive to the cultural and historical underpinnings that form the basis of the structure and its setting. Built in 1890, it is one of the earliest iron bridges in the country. It is older than the Howrah bridge in Kolkata, says Biley Menon, co-convenor of the Cochin chapter of Intach. In its erstwhile days, the bridge connected Kottakkakom, the stronghold of the Cochin royal family, with the rest of the kingdom. As one of the last few heritage structures to have survived intact from the 19th century, the bridge facilitates an invaluable avenue to understand the history of steel use in construction and the evolution of trade in the former Cochin state. To a question posed by TNIE, a PWD official cited three reasons for the controversial move to demolish the bridge and build a new one in its place: Structure is weak The department has come to this conclusion by misrepresenting a report prepared by a marine structural engineer, said a person in the know. According to the original report, which TNIE is in possession of, its author, M V Ramachandran, taking cognisance of the bridges cultural and historical significance, is crystal clear in recommending that it be preserved as a heritage structure by taking up necessary repairs and modifications. Given that the bridge was built for the passage of royal horse carriages, Ramachandran suggests that it only be used for the movement of light motor vehicles. With minimal cost and work, the bridge can stay for another 25-30 years, his note reads. Will facilitate boat services A PWD official said Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) plans to operate boat services through the channel, and the new 5.5m high bridge will facilitate the plan. However, a study of KMRLs detailed project report (DPR) reveals that there are no proposals to use this section of the water body. There is a water metro route planned for Thykoodam, which will connect Vyttila. But the boats will take the Chambakara canal route. Not Padinjare puzha, said a KMRL official. To ease traffic congestion However, the bridge, nestled in a residential zone, only sees minimal traffic. It is primarily used by locals and devotees of nearby Sree Poornathrayeesa temple. Mostly pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Also, the occasional auto rickshaw, said K Pradeep, a resident of Tripunithura. The infrastructure revamp suggestion of the PWD would have made more sense had this idea of a new bridge been part of a larger, comprehensive overhaul of the road network in the area. Sadly, thats not the case. Why build a Rs 30-crore bridge in a residential zone? asks Sandhya Das, another resident. There are better, wider roads in the vicinity, points out Biley, an architect and urban designer. The two-minute, 200m deviation that this iron bridge necessitates is simply the cost of living in an urban city. As per latest information, the PWD has began formed a committee for a social-impact study, which is slated to be turned in in 15 days. However, there are no historians, urban designers or residents on this committee. Like their initial report, this too is a whitewash. In any case, the project is unlikely to move ahead as it also entails acquiring 60 cents of land from Tripunithuras key heritage zones a tedious task indeed, says a person in the know. Whether the project will go ahead or not is another matter. The fact that it is on the table points to an indifference to preserving the heritage of Tripunithura, which has seen many buildings of significant cultural and historical value vanish in the past decade. Of the 55 that the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) had identified, only 14 remain.

Heat rises, political divide sharpens in MPs nine seats

BHOPAL : After a lower polling compared to the 2019 polls in the first two phases, the ongoing Lok Sabha elections move into the third phase into Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior-Chambal region infamous for lower voter turnout, extremely high summer temperatures and politics divided sharply on caste lines. Four of the nine seats which will vote on May 7 are Gwalior-Chambal regions seats, including Guna, Bhind-SC, Morena and Gwalior, which saw a close contest between BJP and Congress in the 2023 assembly polls. Four seats, Vidisha, Rajgarh, state capital Bhopal and Betul-ST form part of the central MP, which emerged as the best region for the BJP in state polls, while one seat Sagar forms part of the Bundelkhand region. All nine seats were won by BJP. The May 7 contest will see three political bigwigs, including two former CMs Digvijaya Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, returning to their home parliamentary seats after 33 and 20 years respectively, while union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia who won the Guna seat four times between 2002 and 2014, before losing it in 2019 to a BJP first-timer, is contesting to wrest his seat. In Rajgarh, 1984 and 1991 winner and 1989 loser Digvijaya Singh is faced with the uphill task of retaining the central MP seat against second-time sitting MP Rodmal Nagar, who won the seat defeating Singhs loyalist Mona Sustani (now in BJP) by 4.31 lakh votes in 2019. Singh is particularly banking on his old links across the constituency spread in three districts as well as the high anti-incumbency against the sitting BJP MP. In the adjoining Vidisha constituency (a saffron citadel), five-times winner Shivraj Singh Chouhan (he won in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004) is not just eyeing the sixth win from the seat spread in four districts (including Chouhans home district Sehore), but is actually targeting highest winning margin in the country against Congress septuagenarian Pratap Bhanu Sharma. In Rajgarh and Vidishas neighbourhood, union minister and four-times former Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia is making all possible efforts across the eight assembly segments-strong Guna constituency to regain his lost glory from the seat, where he suffered shock defeat against own protg and first-time BJP candidate Dr KP Yadav by 1.25 lakh votes in 2019. Contesting for the first time as BJP nominee, Scindia faces a Yadav caste candidate Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav, who hails from an old BJP family. The three other seats of Gwalior-Chambal region are turning out to be a real challenge for the ruling BJP, whose candidates, including first-time sitting MP Sandhya Rai (Bhind-SC) and ex-MLAs Bharat Singh Kushwah (Gwalior), Shiv Mangal Tomar (Morena) are not just faced with anti-incumbency, but also apprehensive of their own cadres. The Congress candidates from these three seats, including sitting MLA Phool Singh Baraiya (Bhind-SC) and ex-MLAs Nitu Sikarwar (Morena) and Pravin Pathak (Gwalior) are hoping to succeed based on the right caste balance and differences within the BJP. In Bhind, the BSP candidate and 2019 Congress loser Devashish Jariaria and in Morena the BSP candidate Ramesh Garg may damage the poll prospects of Congress and BJP candidates respectively. In the state capital Bhopal, however, the BJP seems to have an edge, owing to the recent assembly polls performance (it won 6 out of the 8 assembly segments), as its candidate former Bhopal mayor Alok Sharma takes on Congress Bhopal rural district president Arun Srivastava, who is banking on his clout among the 2 lakh plus Kayastha voters. But Srivastava has a mountain to climb in the constituency, which has been a BJP bastion since 1989. The Betul-ST seat is set to witness a rerun of the 2019 polls, as the first-time BJP MP DD Uike takes on Congresss Ramu Tekam. Uike who defeated Tekam by 3.60 lakh votes in 2019, still seems to be in a strong position owing to better grassroots connection with voters in the constituency spread in three districts. Sagar seat of Bundelkhand region which is spread in two districts, Sagar and Vidisha and is being won by the BJP since 1996 has new BJP face Lata Wankhede taking on Congresss high-flying and wealthy candidate Guddu Raja Bundela, who hails from a politically powerful Bundela Kshatriya family of adjoining UP. While Vidhan Sabha speaker Narendra Singh Tomars loyalists Bharat Singh Kushwah and Shiv Mangal Tomar are in the fray from Gwalior and Morena seats respectively despite losing previous assembly polls, three Shivraj Singh Chouhan loyalists, among them Alok Sharma, Late Wankhede and Rodmal Nagar are in fray from Bhopal, Sagar and Rajgarh seats respectively. A breakup of 2023 assembly poll results reveals that out of the 72 assembly segments forming the nine LS constituencies going to polls on May 7, the BJP won 50, while the Congress emerged winner in only 22 assembly segments. In the four seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region, the contest was closer, as the BJP won 18 seats and the Congress 14.

Anand Sharma touts 52-year record of public service, launches LS poll campaign in Kangra

Anand Sharma, with 52-year service, criticizes BJP's youth treatment and manifesto disparities. Highlights economic disparity, youth empowerment, inflation, women's participation, and employment opportunities. Vows to serve Kangra, Chamba.

Patwaris juice & sugar syrup jibe lands MP Congress in soup

BHOPAL : A video of Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari making an off-the-cuff remark in response to a question about Imarti Devi, a loyalist of BJP leader and Guna Lok Sabha candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia, went viral on Thursday night, landing him in soup. In response to a query about Imarti urging voters to support Congress candidates in Gwalior-Chambal region, Patwari had said, Dekho aisa hai ab Imartiji ka ras khatam ho gaya, jo andar chaashni hoti hai, unke liye mai kuch baat nahi karoonga (The juice in Imarti Devi is no longer there. I wont talk about the sugary syrup anymore). This set off a political slugfest in the state, with Patwari apologising for his deregatory remarks ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 7. Patwari clarified that his intention was not to hurt anyones feelings and that his statement was being twisted and presented out of context. Yesterday, I was questioned about an audio clip there. At that moment, my intention was only to avoid that question. The remark I made in that context is being twisted and presented out of context, he said in a clarification. Imarti Devi ji is my elder sister, and an elder sister is just like a mother. So, I will only say that my context was only to avoid the questionStill, if anyones feelings have been hurt in any way, I express regret and apologise, Patwari added. There was no negativity in my mind, nor was my intention to make fun. The only intention was to avoid the question. I apologise, and my context was misunderstood, the Congress leader said. Imarti Devi lodged a complaint against Patwari, leading to the Congress leader being booked under IPC section 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and the provision of the SC and ST Act, 2015, at Dabra police station in Gwalior. While condemning Patwaris statement, the BJP leader demanded that the Congress leadership sack him as the state Congress chief. Dubbing Patwaris remarks as anti-women and anti-Dalit, MP minister Krishna Gaur claimed that the state Congress chiefs remarks exposed what Congress and its leaders feel about women.

Dont Forget to Include Zaam in Your Summer Meal Plan, Especially if Youre Diabetic

When ripe, watery rose apples can be eaten fresh or incorporated into salads Summer is synonymous with many delicious fruits from mangoes andwatermelonto lycheeandmuskmelon.But have you ever tasted zaam or water rose apples those bright red watery treats that have a crisp texture? Thisrefreshinglysweet fruit, also known Java apple, chambakka, jambaka fruit, and [] The post Dont Forget to Include Zaam in Your Summer Meal Plan, Especially if Youre Diabetic appeared first on Northlines .

MP: My Father Did Not Inherit Wealth, But Martyrdom: Priyanka Gandhi

Bhopal: AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday said that her father (late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi) did not inherit wealth, but martyrdom (of his mother Indira Gandhi). Ms Gandhis statement comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Rajiv Gandhi amended the inheritance tax act to ensure that wealth of Indira Gandhi did not go to the government. Addressing a poll rally in Morena under Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, Ms Gandhi recounted the assassination of her father and said that she had received pieces of his father when she was barely 17 years old. The Congress leader said that she was then seriously upset that her father was not given adequate security by the country which led to his assassination in a brutal manner. Ms Gandhi said that she was then angry with the country because she loved her father. She understands it now. My father did not inherit wealth, but inherited martyrdom, she said while referring to assassination of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Referring to electoral bonds, she described it the biggest scam and extortion of corrupt people by BJP. She said that the people who were raided by the Central agencies were the donors of BJP through electoral bonds, making it the richest party in the country. The raids on these donors stopped after they gave donations to BJP through electoral bonds and their cases were put in cold storage. Their names were concealed as donors in the electoral bonds. Is it not extortion? she asked. She said that one of the vaccine providers was a donor of BJP through electoral bonds. Now, things are coming out that some vaccinated people died of cardiac arrest. She also hit out at BJP for inducting leaders from other parties after levelling corruption charges against them. These leaders become clean after they join BJP, she said sarcastically. She alleged that BJP promoted those leaders who are corrupt and those who never raised peoples issues. She said that BJP never raised peoples issues such as price rise and unemployment problem and diverted attention of people from these issues by raking up non issues. Ms Gandhi said that BJP plans to make people dependent by providing them with five kg of ration and exhorted people to seek jobs from the ruling party instead. She said that Congress has named its manifesto Nyay Patra as injustice has been done to the people in the last ten years of the Narendra Modi government. Earlier in the day, she addressed an election rally in Chirmiri under Korba Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh.

Madhya Pradesh: BJP, Congress bank on defectors in Morena

BHOPAL : As the Lok Sabha polls move into the third phase in Madhya Pradesh, the spotlight will be on the Gwalior-Chambal region the most fiercely contested region in the 2023 assembly polls, where BJP won 18 and Congress finished a close second with 16 seats. While the region houses four seats Guna, Gwalior, Bhind-SC and Morena the last one, Morena, seems to be emerging as the hottest and toughest. Spread across eight assembly segments in Morena and Sheopur districts bordering Rajasthan, Morena is famous for being the land of the sweet Gajak (sweet prepared with sesame and jaggery), the expanding Banmore Industrial Area, and the Kuno National Park (KNP), which is home to African cheetahs since September 2022. The constituency, which houses around 20.04 lakh voters (10.70 lakh males, 9.34 lakh females and 24 third gender), has turned into a BJP citadel since 1996, with former Morena mayor Ashok Argal, infamous for being allegedly involved in the 2008 cash-for-votes scandal, winning the seat four times in a row between 1996 and 2004. With the BSP too being a formidable player, the contest this time in Morena appears to be three-cornered, but as per political observers, the battle may ultimately boil down to the BJP and Congress. The BSP may largely play a spoiler for either of the two main parties. Aiming to snatch the seat from the BJP, the Congress has fielded Satyapal Singh Neetu Sikarwar, the son of a BJP leader. The younger son of BJP veteran and two-time former BJP MLA from Morena Lok Sabha seats Sumaoli assembly segment Gajraj Singh Sikarwar, the Congress candidate had won the seat in 2013 assembly polls on BJP ticket. Neetus elder brother Satish Sikawar, also a former BJP man who defected to the Congress in 2020, is the first-time Congress MLA from Gwalior-East seat, while Satishs wife Shobha Sikarwar is currently Congress Gwalior mayor. Though Neetu was declared the Congress candidate from Morena after a long delay and only around a month before the May 7 poll battle, the partys best bet is his familys major influence not just among the Kshatriya community he hails from, but also other castes including Brahmins, Kushwahas and SCs. Gajraj Singh Sikarwar, who is known among Kshatriyas as Dada (elder brother), now remains confined to a wheelchair due to severe paralytic attack. But despite this, the former BJP veteran has issued a pamphlet appeal to voters (particularly eyeing the 2 lakh plus Kshatriya voters) for his sons poll success. On the other hand, the BJP nominee Shiv Mangal Singh Tomar is an ex-MLA from Dimani assembly segment, currently represented by his mentor and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar. Shiv Mangal Tomar won from Dimani on the BJP ticket in 2008 by just 256 votes, but lost by bigger margins from the same assembly seat in 2013 and 2018. With the second-time MP and former Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar who won the Morena seat in 2009 and 2018 now being the states Vidhan Sabha speaker, BJP has fielded Shiv Mangal Tomar, who is being largely seen as the former Union ministers shadow candidate to maintain his clout in the regions politics. Narendra Singh Tomar and Dada Gajraj Singh Sikarwar are considered two major Kshatriya politicians in Morena. It is an open secret in local BJP circles that Tomar was instrumental in Dadas elder son Satishs defeat in 2018 assembly polls in Gwalior-East, when Satish contested as BJP candidate. Tomars hand is also alleged in the defeats of other BJP leaders, including former Madhya Pradesh ministers Jaibhan Singh Pavaiya and Anoop Mishra in Gwalior district in 2013 and 2018 assembly polls. With a major section of BJP in Gwalior-Chambal region, particularly in Morena, being averse to Tomar, the possibility of some BJP quarters internally backing the Congress candidate in the May 7 polls cannot be ruled out, a BJP leader in Morena, who wished not to be named, told this newspaper. While the Congress is eyeing the seat it had last won in 1991 through a BJP family scion, the BJP too is working on a counter plan of banking on desertions from other parties. The list of major politicians from the region who have joined the BJP in this poll season include six-time MLA and former minister Ramniwas Rawat (a powerful OBC leader who missed out the Congress ticket despite having finished runners up from the seat in 2019 and 2009), Morena mayor Sharda Solanki, former Congress MLAs Rakesh Mawai and Ajab Singh Kushwah (all from Congress), besides BSPs ex-Brahmin MLA Balveer Dandotiya, who lost to Narendra Singh Tomar in 2023 assembly polls. There is no other issue except caste in the politics of Gwalior-Chambal region, particularly Morena. Even the dacoits who once called the shots in the Chambal ravines of Bhind and Morena largely headed the gangs on caste lines. By roping in these former Congress and BSP leaders in its ranks, the BJP is eyeing to cut into Congress and BSP votes in various dominant castes, including Gurjars, Brahmins, Kushwah, Rawat (Meena) and Scheduled Castes. But the ruling party also risks the possibility of other castes and its own cadres averse to these leaders since long, actually working against the partys candidate on the poll day, Morena-based political analyst Hariom Gaur said. A caste-wise break-up of the 20.04 lakh voters in Morena constituency reveals that the Scheduled Castes form the largest chunk with around 4 lakh plus votes, Kshatriyas (2.75 lakh), the OBCs including Gurjars, Rawats and Kushwahas collectively around 4-5 lakh, Brahmins who are around 2.5 lakh and the Baniyas around one lakh. With the BSP fielding Ramesh Chand Garg for the May 7 battle, the Congress hopes to profit from the possibility of the BSP candidate eating into BJPs traditional voter base. 2,361 polling stations spread across 8 assembly segments in Morena and Sheopur districts.

Chamba Ka Rajma: A Pahadi Version Of Your Beloved Rajma That Deserves Your Attention

Rajma Recipe: This unique dish gives a creamy twist to the humble rajma. Its quite indulgent and flavourful and something that every rajma lover must try.

Madhya Pradesh: Congress migration unabated as 6-time MLA joins BJP

BHOPAL : Six-time Congress MLA and former Madhya Pradesh minister Ramniwas Rawat on Tuesday snapped his decades-long association with the Congress and joined the BJP in Sheopur district. He crossed over to the BJP at a poll rally in his assembly constituency Vijaypur in Sheopur district, which forms part of the Morena Lok Sabha seat. The latest switchover is being seen as one of the biggest jolts the grand old party has suffered during the last two months. Rawat, a sitting MLA and a veteran OBC leader, was welcomed into the BJP party fold by CM Mohan Yadav and state party chief VD Sharma a day after Indore LS seat candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrew his nomination papers and subsequently joined the BJP. His joining assumed particular significance, as it happened at the same time when former Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a poll rally in the adjoining Bhind-Datia SC constituency of the same Gwalior-Chambal region. But it was not just Rawat who somersaulted as Morenas mayor Sharda Solanki too joined the BJP on the stage during the same rally in Vijaypur (Sheopur). With Solanki joining the BJP, three out of the five Congress mayors, including Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu (Jabalpur), Vikram Ahake (Chhindwara) and Sharda Solanki (Morena) have joined the BJP in the poll season.

BJP will throw away constitution if it wins: Rahul

BHOPAL: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that if elected to power the BJP will tear apart and throw away the constitution that guarantees some special privileges to SC, ST and the OBC. Addressing an election meeting in Bhind under Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi said that the 2024 Lok Sabha poll is not a normal election, but a battle between two ideologies. Gandhi also urged all party candidates to carry a copy of the constitution with them during nominations, public meetings and outreach programmes, and tell the people that as long as the Congress is there, let alone the BJP, no power in the world can snatch away the constitution. A boon for the poor, respect for the deprived and pride of every citizen -- our Constitution! I request all Congress candidates and leaders to keep the sacred Constitution with them during nominations, meetings, speeches and public outreach, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. Stressing on the importance of the constitution, Gandhi said the BJP is against reservation and sought an explanation from BJP as to why the saffron party is privatising public sector units if it is not interested in throwing away the constitution. He said the BJP wanted to dump the constitution so that the country is ruled by 22-25 billionaires. Gandhi also criticised Agniveer yojana,and said the scheme created two sections of jawans in the defence forces. While one section of jawans is enjoying pension and other benefits, the Agniveers have been deprived of such benefits.

Big jolt to Congress in Madhya Pradesh as veteran OBC leader snaps ties with party to join BJP

BHOPAL: The Congress continues to be hit by defections by prominent leaders to the ruling BJP amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. The latest switchover on Tuesday is seen as one of the biggest jolts the grand old party has suffered during the last two months. Six-time sitting MLA, veteran OBC leader and former MP Ramniwas Rawat ended his decades-old association with the party and joined the BJP at a poll rally of the ruling party in his assembly constituency Vijaypur in Sheopur district, which forms part of the Morena Lok Sabha seat. Rawats switch to the BJP in presence of CM Dr Mohan Yadav and state party chief VD Sharma happened a day after the Congress had suffered huge embarrassment following the withdrawal of nomination papers by its Indore Lok Sabha candidate Akshay Kanti Bam, who too had subsequently joined the BJP. Rawats entry into the BJP assumed significance, as it happened at the same time that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a poll rally in the adjoining Bhind-Datia SC constituency of the same Gwalior-Chambal region. But it was not just Rawat who switched from the Congress to the BJP, as Morenas mayor Sharda Solanki too joined the latter on the stage of the same poll rally in Vijaypur (Sheopur). With Solanki joining the BJP, now three out of the five Congress mayors, including Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu (Jabalpur), Vikram Ahake (Chhindwara) and Sharda Solanki (Morena), have joined the BJP in the ongoing poll season. After joining the BJP, Rawat said he took the decision to ensure proper development of his Vijaypur assembly constituency. He promised to script a new chapter of development in the area after joining. Rawats departure to the BJP is being seen as a major loss for the Congress in the Gwalior-Chambal region, particularly in Morena Lok Sabha constituency, where his (Meena) caste voters number around one lakh in Sheopur and Vijaypur assembly segments. The BJP candidate Shiv Mangal Tomar is facing a tough fight against ex-BJP MLA and Congress candidate Satyapal Sikarwar. Rawat who was a minister in the erstwhile Congress government led by Digvijaya Singh is among the most powerful Congress leaders of the Gwalior-Chambal region. Despite being considered close to Gwaliors erstwhile royal Scindia family, Rawat had stayed back in the Congress, when Jyotiraditya Scindia along with 22 loyalist MLAs had walked into the BJP in March 2020. But not being considered either for the post of state Congress president or the leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha after the change of guard in the MP Congress following the 2023 assembly polls debacle, Rawat was feeling ignored in the party on whose ticket he won six out of the eight assembly polls he contested from Vijaypur seat. The former chief whip of the Congress in the Vidhan Sabha, Rawat was also upset on not being considered for the Congress ticket for the Morena Lok Sabha seat from where he twice finished runner-up behind the BJPs Narendra Singh Tomar in 2019 and 2009. Rawat had planned to join the BJP at the April 25 poll rally of PM Narendra Modi in Morena, but phone calls from ex-Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former MP CM Digvijaya Singh had delayed his exit. Rawats entry into the BJP is another jolt to the Congress after the exit of ex-minister Deepak Saxena and ex-Union minister and former state party chief Suresh Pachouri.

At his first rally in MPs Gwalior-Chambal, Rahul hits out at Modi govt over Agnipath scheme

BHOPAL: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed his first rally of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in the Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. The Gwalior-Chambal region, which has four Lok Sabha seats, was the most closely contested among the six regions in the state in the 2023 assembly polls, where the Congress finished just two seats behind the ruling BJP. Rahul addressed the rally in support of the party's Bhind-Datia SC seat candidate and sitting MLA Phul Singh Baraiya in Bhind district, which is among the districts of MP that sends the maximum jawans to the country's defence forces. Gandhis poll rally happened just two days before Congress national general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's roadshow in the adjoining Morena constituency on Thursday. Modi government made 20-25 people billionaires: RahulGandhi Hitting out at the Narendra Modi government over the Agnipath scheme, Rahul said, I know that Bhind is that district of MP, which gives maximum jawans to Indias defence forces. But youll be surprised to know that except Narendra Modi, no one else (even the defence forces) are supportive of the Agnipath scheme. Through this scheme, the PM has divided our jawans into two categories, one who are normal defence force personnel (enjoying pension, canteen, adequate training and all other benefits) and the Agniveers who dont enjoy such benefits. Now imagine Agniveers facing the Chinese forces on the border. China gives its jawans all facilities and takes care of the families of its jawans in case of any tragedy. But what about the Agniveers, they wont get any benefits available to normal defence forces personnel, Rahul said while promising to abolish the Agnipath scheme if the Congress-INDI alliance government came to power at the Centre. Rahul also accused the Modi government of not inviting the countrys first tribal woman President Droupadi Murmu to the unveiling of the new Parliament building in Delhi and the Ram Temple inauguration at Ayodhya. She (President) was told neither to come to the Parliament building inauguration nor to the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya. Both the inaugurations were done only by Narendra Modi. This exposes how much Narendra Modi and the BJP respect the adivasis (tribals). On the contrary, at the Ram Temple opening in Ayodhya, the 20-25 billionaire friends of the PM and his party, Bollywood actors and Indian cricket team players were present, but no poor, Dalit, backward or tribal found any place among those present there, he said. Describing the ongoing Lok Sabha polls as a battle between those who are fighting to save the constitution and democracy (Congress and INDI alliance) and those who are determined to tear the constitution (BJP), Rahul, while holding the Constitutions mini book in his hands, said, Constitution is the soul of Indias poor, no power in the world can change it. BJP is day dreaming of changing the Constitution.

Madhya Pradesh: Six-time Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat joins BJP with Morena mayor

A former minister, Ramniwas Rawat is a prominent OBC leader of Gwalior and Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh

Close contest between Congresss Baraiya and BJPs Sandhya Rai

Congress made BJPs electoral path somewhat difficult by making leader Phool Singh Baraiya its candidate from Bhind Datia Lok Sabha constituency Mahesh Mishra, Bhind Bhind Datia Lok Sabha seat of Gwalior Chambal division has been a stronghold of BJP for more than three decades. From here, BJP has been fighting for victory in every election... The post Close contest between Congresss Baraiya and BJPs Sandhya Rai first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

DC Kulgam visits several areas, takes stock of situation due to heavy rains

KULGAM, APRIL 29: In order to take first hand appraisal of the situation which has arisen due to rains in the district, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Amir Khan today visited Brazloo, Adpora, Chambagund and other areas of the district and took detailed stock of situation arisen due to rains.Speaking on the occasion, the DC [] The post DC Kulgam visits several areas, takes stock of situation due to heavy rains appeared first on Kashmir Media Watch .

BJP, Cong sabotaging BSPs prospects in Chambal: Mayawati

Bhopal: During an electoral rally in Morena, BSP leader Mayawati accused the BJP and Congress of orchestrating a campaign to undermine her partys prospects in the upcoming Gwalior-Chambal polls. Highlighting the history of BSP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati recalled the persistent challenges posed by Congress, BJP, and other caste-based parties aiming to weaken her... The post BJP, Cong sabotaging BSPs prospects in Chambal: Mayawati first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Bodies of couple found near Chambal river identified

BJP, Congress try to weaken BSP, says Mayawati

Bhopal: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Sunday accused the BJP and the Congress of conspiring to weaken her party in Uttar Pradesh by engineering the exodus of selfish leaders in the party. Addressing an election rally in Morena in the Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, Ms Mayawati pointed out that the BSP had ruled Uttar Pradesh four times earlier. The BJP and the Congress had later conspired to weaken her party in UP by instigating some selfish leaders of the BSP to break away from it and float new caste-based parties to take on the BSP, she said. She said that a similar situation has prevailed in the Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh. These selfish leaders of the BSP have served the interests of the BJP and the Congress, she said. Training her gun at the Congress, she attributed the decline of the grand old party to its flawed policies towards the socially and economically backward classes. Thats why there was a need to rebuild the BSP, she added. She predicted that it would not be smooth sailing in the general election this time for the BJP. Ms Mayawati accused the BJP of politicising the Central agencies such as the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the income-tax department to target its adversaries. She said that politicisation of the Central agencies was also done under the Congress regime at the Centre. She attacked the BJP for relying on freebies to come to power at the Centre and said that young people needed jobs, not free rations. She also demanded reservation of jobs in the private sector for the SC, ST and OBC people. The BSP has fielded candidates in half a dozen Lok Sabha constituencies in Madhya Pradesh in the coming polls. This was the second visit to the state by Ms Mayawati. She had earlier visited Rewa in Madhya Pradesh on April 19 to campaign for the party.

Two bodies recovered from Chambal river in Kota, police suspect suicide

In a suspected case of suicide, the bodies of a man and a woman were reportedly recovered from Chambal river near a jetty in Kota of Rajasthan

'Law and order broken down, CM abusing BJP in rallies': Himachal BJP chief

'Law and order broken down, CM abusing BJP in rallies': Himachal BJP chief Accusing Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of abusing the BJP in his rallies, State BJP chief Rajeev Bindal said that law and order has broken down in the last 15 months under the Congress government in the state. Addressing a press conference in Shimla on Saturday, the BJP leader said, The Congress government has lost the right to seek votes from the public. Law and order in Himachal Pradesh has also broken down in the last 15 months. Not a single new institute has been opened. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu is doing nothing but abusing only the Bharatiya Janata Party and blaming us for his inability. In such a situation, the public is questioning. Development has completely come to a standstill in the state, Bindal said. He further said, As the election campaign is gaining momentum in the state, the confusion of the state government is coming to the fore. The Chief Minister is abusing the BJP every day in his every rally. The BJP leader also referred to a Dalit youth who was killed in Chamba. It's been over one and a half years, but the Chief Minister has not so far visited the family of the victim, he said. He further claimed that the state is witnessing an increase in the number of drug cases. Over 2500 cases of drugs have been registered in the state. The drug cases are increasing, but the Congress leaders, including the Chief Minister, are not speaking a single word about it, Bindal added. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and by-polls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs and their eventual switch to the BJP will be held on June 1. The voting for the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections has been completed so far. The third phase of voting will be held on May 7. Lok Sabha polls are being held across seven phases till June 1, and votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted thunderstorms, hail and rainfall in 10 districts of the state during the next 48 hours. Thunderstorms with lightning, hail and strong wind (30-40kmph) are very likely at isolated places over Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una during the next 48 hours, said IMD Shimla. Meanwhile, severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over East and South Peninsular India during the next 5 days, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday. According to the IMD, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will likely prevail in many places over Gangetic West Bengal, in some parts of Odisha, and in isolated pockets over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next 5 days. The IMD has also predicted a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds is likely to occur over the Western Himalayan region from April 26-29 and the plains of Northwest India from April 26-28 and adjoining Central India from April 26-27. IMD further said that fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is very likely over Arunachal Pradesh and scattered to fairly widespread rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during April 26-30 2024. It added that isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over Sikkim on April 28, 2024. It added that heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on April 28-30, 2024. (ANI)

3.2-magnitude earthquake hits Haryana's Sirsa

CHANDIGARH: Sirsa and adjoining areas experienced mild tremors Thursday evening after a 3.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Haryana district. The earthquake struck at 6.10 pm at a depth of 10 km, the National Center for Seismology said. On April 4, tremors were felt in parts of north India as a 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. on Wednesday evening, a 2.6 magnitude tremor was recorded in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district. Mild tremor felt in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh

Let Congress' Shehzada abuse me, people should not be angry about it: PM Modi

Let Congress' Shehzada abuse me, people should not be angry about it: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi enjoys abusing him but people should not be angry about it adding that since centuries Naamdars have abused Kaamdars. Addressing an election rally in Morena, Prime Minister Modi said, Congress' Shehzada enjoys abusing Modi. People on social media are saying that this language is not right. People are getting upset about it. I am appealing to them that you don't have to be sad. They are Naamdar and we are Kaamdar. Naamdars have been abusing kaamdars for centuries. I have come out from poverty if again I get abused, then let it be. Don't waste your time. Prime Minister was responding to the language used by Rahul Gandhi against him. The moment I talked about X-Ray, Narendra Modi was in fear. He started trembling. Jaise hi usko dar lagta hai vo jhoot bolne lagta hai. (Whenever he is in fear, he starts lying). Sometimes he talks about China, then Pakistan. He is lying repeatedly. Is baar nahi nikalpaega (This time he won't be able to escape), Rahul Gandhi had said at a public meeting on Wednesday. Prime Minister Modi said that for the Congress 'Gandhi family' comes before the development of the nation. Nothing is greater than the country for BJP. But for Congress, it is family first. Congress' policy is to keep the one who makes the maximum contribution, hard work and dedication for the country at the back. Therefore, for so many years, Congress did not allow the demands of army personnel like One Rank-One Pension to be fulfilled. We implemented One Rank-One Pension as soon as the government was formed, he said. He also said that Madhya Pradesh became a 'Bimaru Rajya' during Congress' rule. After filling the potholes of Congress, the BJP has given a new identity to Chambal and Madhya Pradesh. The people of Bhind, Morena and Gwalior, who have seen the dark period of the Congress, are experiencing the development that has taken place under the BJP government more, the PM said. The people of Madhya Pradesh know that once you get rid of a problem, you should stay away from it. Congress party is such an anti-development party, he added. Prime Minister further mentioned that Congress accepted the partition of the country on religious lines. Congress still does not want to improve their habits. For them, it is the easiest way of success. They are playing games. They have made religion appeasement as their pawn and are now playing with the future of the country, he said. Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh are being conducted in four phases. The first phase of polling was held on April 19. The next three phases will be conducted on April 26, May 7 and May 13. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. Madhya Pradesh has a total of 29 Lok Sabha constituencies, making it the sixth-largest state in terms of parliamentary representation. Out of these, 10 seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates, while the remaining 19 are unreserved. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP secured a massive victory in Madhya Pradesh, winning 28 out of the 29 seats. Congress managed to win only one seat. (ANI)

Development projects like river linking, roads and railway lines changing scenario in Chambal area: PM Modi at rally in MP.

Development projects like river linking, roads and railway lines changing scenario in Chambal area: PM Modi at rally in MP. Development projects like river linking, roads and railway lines changing scenario in Chambal area: PM Modi at rally in MP.

In a tough fight, Om Birla faces off with ex-BJP member in Kota

Despite 83% of the regions land being irrigated by river waters, farmers are suffering because of constant increase in input costs, and the Chambal canal network that has not been expanded

104 roads blocked in Himachal after widespread rain, snowfall; MeT sounds yellow alert

104 roads blocked in Himachal after widespread rain, snowfall; MeT sounds yellow alert Normal life was disrupted in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday as higher reaches received snowfall and rain lash mid and lower hills, blocking 104 roads and three national highways, officials said. The vehicular movement to Keylong was suspended due to a massive landslide at the Selfie Point near Sissu on Manali- Keylong highway, they said. As many as 104 roads, including 99 in Lahaul and Spiti, are closed due to snowfall, according to the state emergency operation centre. Movement on Gramphu-Losar, Darcha-Sarchu and Rohtang Pass were blocked in Lahaul and Spiti, it said. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has deployed men and machinery to clear the blockade and traffic is expected to resume in next two to three hours, a spokesman of BRO said. The local meteorological station has issued a yellow warning of thunderstorm at isolated places on April 22 and 23. It has forecast rain in mid hills and rain and snowfall in higher reaches for the next six days from April 21 to April 26 as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from April 22. Koksar received 19 cm of snowfall, followed by Gondla recording 16.5 cm, Keylong 8.5 cm and Kukumseri 2.4 cm, according to weather data. As widespread rains lashed mid and lower hills, Bharmaur and Chamba were the wettest with 25 mm rain, Tissa 24.3 mm Solan 24 mm, Rajgarh 20.4 mm, Kalpa 20.2 mm, Renuka 19.4 mm, Kukumseri 19.3 mm, Reckong Peo, Dalhousie, Koksar and Shillaro 19 mm. Shimla and its surrounding areas received intermittent rain accompanied by lightning and the sky remained heavily overcast. Farmers and fruit growers are a worried lot as stormy conditions and hailstorms are harmful for apple and wheat crop.

Congress is mother of corruption.. says BJP's Himachal Pradesh Vice President Rajeev Bhardwaj

Congress is mother of corruption.. says BJP's Himachal Pradesh Vice President Rajeev Bhardwaj The Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh and candidate from Chambal Lok Sabha Seat, Rajeev Bhardwaj, launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, labelling it as the mother of corruption. While speaking at a public meeting in the Nurpur city of Himachal Pradesh on Friday, Bhardwaj said, Congress has an old relationship with corruption, and Congress is the mother of corruption. The BJP's PM Modi has put a lock on Congress' looting system. Corruption became the identity of the country during the Congress government. Before 2014, there were scams worth crores of rupees. The former Prime Minister of the Congress himself said that if one rupee is sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reach the poor, so the public needs to recognise who's 'Panja' stole money in between, he added. Accusing the Congress of siphoning off public funds, he stated that if there was a Congress government in the country, they would have looted 28 lakh crore Rupees out of these 34 lakh crore. The BJP government has sent 34 lakh crore rupees directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries in the last ten years. If there was a Congress government in the country, Congress would have looted 28 lakh crore rupees out of these 34 lakh crore. Since independence, Congress has understood that it has a licence to loot the country, Bhardwaj said. After coming to power in 2014, Modi cancelled the licence of Congress' loot and this has only been possible because of the immense support of the public. This time too, the public will overwhelmingly vote for the BJP from Kangra and the BJP will once again form the government at the center, he added. He further alleged that Congress' criticism of Modi stemmed from its inability to continue its alleged looting practices. It is only because the shop of loot has closed that Congress is now abusing Modi. But Congress does not know that crores of people and mothers and sisters of the country are standing as a shield for Modi. Since the earning of these scammers and middlemen has been stopped, their temper has reached the seventh sky. Such is the situation of Congress Party in both the country and Himachal Pradesh, Bhardwaj said. Expressing optimism about the party's prospects in the upcoming elections and reaffirming the public's endorsement of Modi's leadership, Rajeev Bharadwaj said that the enthusiasm of BJP workers shows that Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister of the country for the third time. Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats-Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The polling for four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, along with six Assembly seats that fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLAs, will be held on June 1. (ANI)

SHRC seeks solution to rising road accident deaths on Kaimanam-Pravachambalam stretch of NH 66

Stock Radar: Positional traders and short term investors can accumulate Chambal Fertilisers; heres why

Stock Radar: Positional traders and short term investors can accumulate Chambal Fertilisers; heres why

Explore Chambas Iconic Temple Complex Housing Relics of Life After Death

As the BJP candidate campaigns in Himachal Pradesh ahead of the 2024 elections, Kangana Ranaut visited some of the historic temples in Chamba to learn about the town's deep-rooted traditions. The actor sought blessings at the iconic Laxmi Narayan temple, also known as Lachhmi Nath ka Dera, a sacred site home to 84 unique places [] The post Explore Chambas Iconic Temple Complex Housing Relics of Life After Death appeared first on Northlines .

Kangana Ranaut meets exiled Buddhist leader Dalai Lama at Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala

She continued her election campaign after the meeting, travelling to the Bharmour area of the Chamba district.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms likely in parts of Himachal

Heavy rain, thunderstorms likely in parts of Himachal An orange alert warning of heavy rain in the state on Sunday and Monday has been issued by the weather office. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, some isolated parts of the state are likely to experience heavy rain, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds at the speed of 40-50 km per hour on Sunday and Monday. Intermittent light rain was witnessed in some parts of the state in the last 24 hours. Kothi recorded 9.5 mm of rainfall followed by Manali with 7 mm, Bilapsur with 5.5 mm, Dalhousie with 5 mm, Chamba with 3 mm and Bhuntar with 2.5 mm. Palampur and Sarahan received 2 mm of rain, while Shimla and Kufri experienced only traces of precipitation. A total of 116 roads, including three national highways, remain closed in the state. Of these, 111 are located in the snow-bound tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, as per the data shared by the state's emergency operation centre. There has been no significant change in the minimum and maximum temperatures in the state.

Travel tips: Apart from traveling, Leh-Ladakh is also best for camping, enjoy it at these 6 places.

When it comes to traveling in India, the name Leh-Ladakh is included in everyone's list. Leh-Ladakh, a valley with lush green pine trees, high mountains, and beautiful lakes, is a great place to visit. Situated at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level, Ladakh offers you clean air and a serene environment away from polluted cities. There are many places to visit here, it is also famous for camping. The camping experience here is no less than a thrill. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about such places in Leh-Ladakh that are best for camping. If you want to spend time in peace and clean air in a faraway city, then you can enjoy camping at these places. Let us know about these places... Nubra Valley This stunning valley is also known as Tri-Arm Valley. If you are going to Ladakh, then this is a good place for camping. Here you will get to see snow-covered mountains, old palaces, and other things. The best time to go camping here is between June to September when the weather is very pleasant. Some of the best camps in this place are at the Desert Himalayan Resort, which has luxury tents as well as the Nubra Organic Retreat surrounded by organic gardens. You will get all kinds of facilities in this type of camp. Indian, Chinese, and Continental food is available here. Zanskar Valley One of the most famous valleys in Zanskar Valley. This is the highest valley of Jammu and there is a trekking trail nearby. It would be good to go here for camping from June to September. This track is a frozen river. The extent to which this river freezes in winter can be easily estimated from the fact that people also do trekking on it. For this reason, it is also famous by the name of 'Chadar Track' all over the world. This name has been given to it because in winter a sheet of ice forms over the Zanskar River. According to reports in 2018, given the increasing number of tourists on the Chadar Track the garbage spread by it, and the danger posed by global warming, there may be a ban on tourists coming there. Apart from this, due to extremely low temperatures there, people go trekking during the day and camp at night, due to which the environment and peace of the valley are adversely affected. Pangong Lake Pangong Lake is one of the best and most beautiful camping sites in Ladakh. If you want to spend some time at a quiet place, then this is perfect for camping. There are many places for self-camping as well as camping sites along the lakeshore, which provide various facilities to the tourists like sheet tents and warm clothes, bedding, sightseeing, food, water, and a secure complex. If you are looking for a peaceful environment then this place is perfect for you. Pangong Retreat is one of the best camping sites located on the banks of Pangong Lake. Indus River You must have read about the Indus River in history, go and visit here. Leh, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Indus River in Ladakh, is a great camping spot with natural beauty and stunning views. The region is particularly home to the Indus Valley Civilization, the oldest known to mankind. Here you can trek during the day and spend the night camping for the best experience. Tso Moriri Tso Moriri is another beautiful lake located in Ladakh. It is the largest lake in Ladakh and is situated at an altitude of 15,075 feet above sea level. Many types of flora and fauna are found here. You can see 30 different types of birds at this place. There are several camping sites along the lake, if you want to go camping on your own, we recommend You should talk to the local people here about self-camping because most of the land there belongs to the villagers. Norling Camp and Nomadic Camp are the camping sites here. Thiksey Monastery Another place in Ladakh to stay amidst the Himalayas is Thiksi. This is a wonderful place where you can enjoy camping. Besides, many adventure activities are also conducted here. Chamba Camp located here along with Thiksi Monastery is the perfect place for you to camp in Thiksi. Here you can indulge in activities like rafting, cycling, bridge-watching, and playing polo. (PC: Lifeberrys)

Congress plays BKY card, banks on candidates from traditional BJP families in Gwalior-Chambal

BHOPAL: Aiming to challenge the ruling BJP in the Gwalior-Chambal region which was the most closely contested among the five regions in the state in the 2023 assembly polls the Congress has played the Brahmin-Kshatriya-Yadav card in three Lok Sabha seats, besides fielding candidates from traditional BJP families. Ending ten days of suspense, the Congress announced its candidates for the three remaining seats Morena, Gwalior (both in Gwalior-Chambal region) and Khandwa in the southwestern MP region on Saturday. While ex-BJP MLA Satyapal Singh Sikarwar was fielded from Morena, the partys former legislator Praveen Pathak was named as the candidate from Gwalior and 2023 assembly poll loser Narendra Patel was fielded from Khandwa. With this, the Congress has named candidates for all 28 seats its contesting in the state, including four seats of the Gwalior-Chambal region. All four seats in the region -- Bhind-SC, Morena, Gwalior and Guna -- go to the polls in the third phase (April 7). Knowing well the possibility of cracks within the BJP as the polls draw close, the Congress has tried to challenge the saffron party with its old family sons -- Satyapal Sikarwar in Morena and Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav in Guna. Madhya Pradesh: Two decades after Assembly poll fight, ex-CMs eye LS return from home turfs Theres a growing feeling in BJP circles that the party in Gwalior-Chambal region is slowly being dominated either by union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia or Vidhan Sabha speaker Narendra Singh Tomar and their loyalists. While both the candidates, Shivmangal Tomar (Morena) and Bharat Singh Kushwah (Gwalior), are sworn Narendra Singh Tomar loyalists, a large section of the old BJP is unhappy over denial of ticket to popular first time MP Dr KP Yadav to field Scindia from Guna. Though the Modi factor is the predominant factor in the polls in Gwalior-Chambal also, the possibility of many BJP cadres silently backing their old family sons, Satyapal Sikarwar in Morena and Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav in Guna, cannot be ruled out, a Brahmin leader of the ruling BJP in Morena told The New Indian Express . In the Morena Lok Sabha seat (which was won by Narendra Singh Tomar in 2009 and 2019) particularly, the ground is already fertile for the Congress, as it won five of the eight assembly segments in the 2023 assembly polls. Shiv Mangal Tomar who is being seen in some BJP circles as the dummy candidate of Narendra Singh Tomar has won from Dimani assembly seat (which was won by Narendra Singh Tomar in 2023) by 250 odd votes in 2008, but lost from the same seat in 2013 and 2018 by bigger margins. Still he has been named the BJP candidate from Morena. On the other hand, the Congress candidate Satyapal Sikarwar Neetu hails from one of the oldest and most powerful BJP families headed by Gajraj Singh Sikarwar. While Gajraj won the Sumaoli assembly seat in 1990 and 2003, his son Satyapal won the same assembly seat in 2013, another BJP leader from Morena district said. The Sikarwar family which has a big influence among Kshatriya voters of Morena constituency is now totally with the Congress. While elder brother Satish Sikarwar is the Congress MLA in Gwalior district, Satishs wife Shobha is the Gwalior mayor. With Satyapal now being named the Congress candidate from Morena, the family will use all its influence among the Kshatriya and Brahmin voters to win the seat, which the Congress won last in 1991. In the adjoining Gwalior Lok Sabha seat, while the BJP has fielded another Tomar loyalist and ex-minister Bharat Singh Kushwah, who lost the 2023 assembly polls from Gwalior-Rural by over 3000 votes, the Congress has fielded its ex-Gwalior South MLA Praveen Pathak, who failed to retain his assembly seat by merely 200-odd votes in 2023. The BJP and the Congress had both won four assembly segments each of the Gwalior Lok Sabha seat in 2023. By fielding Praveen Pathak from Gwalior, the Congress is seeking to give a positive signal to Brahmins (who constitute 2-3 lakh votes in the adjoining Morena Lok Sabha seat) and by fielding Sikarwar from Morena, its trying to add to Pathaks popularity the power of the Sikarwar family in Gwalior, thus hoping to do something big in both seats through the targeted Brahmin-Kshatriya chemistry. In the adjoining Guna seat, the Congress is pinning hopes on the possibility of internal sabotage by BJP cadres against Scindia coupled with the angst of the Yadav caste (the most dominant OBC bloc in the constituency) over the denial of a ticket to first-time MP Dr KP Yadav. To benefit on both counts, the Congress has fielded the traditional BJP familys elder son Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav against Scindia in Guna.

5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in Himachal

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude jolted Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday . No casualty and damage to property have been reported so far. Further details are awaited. Tremors were felt in parts of north India. The earthquake struck at 9.34 pm, the National Center for Seismology said. Mild tremors were also felt in [] The post 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in Himachal appeared first on Northlines .

Another earthquake hits Himachal Pradeshs Chamba within 2 days

Shimla: Tremors were felt in parts of north India as a 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. The earthquake struck at 9.34 pm, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. Also ReadEarthquake of magnitude 3.5 hits Himachal Pradeshs Lahaul & Spiti Mild tremors were also felt in Chandigarh and parts of 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 .

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in HP

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in HP Tremors were felt in parts of north India as a 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. The earthquake struck at 9.34 pm, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. Mild tremors were also felt in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab and Haryana. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km in Chamba district, officials of the meteorological department in Shimla said. No loss of life or property has been reported from any part of Himachal Pradesh in earthquake that lasted a few seconds, officials said. ''I felt a strong jolt lasting a couple of seconds. Just when I was thinking of rushing downstairs, the tremors stopped,'' said Sanjay Kumar, a Chandigarh resident. An 8-magnitude earthquake on this day in 1905 in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra had led to large-scale death and destruction. According to NCS records, more than 20,000 people had died in the disaster in the Western Himalayas.

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in Himachal Pradesh

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km in Chamba district, officials of the meteorological department in Shimla said; mild tremors were also felt in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab and Haryana

5.3-magnitude Earthquake Hits Himachal Near Chamba

Mild tremors were also felt in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab and Haryana. The quake lasted for a few seconds

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Chamba Town in Himachal Pradesh, No Casualties Reported

A medium-intensity earthquake of magnitude 5.3 jolted Chamba town in Himachal Pradesh on the evening of April 4th, sending shockwaves across the region. According to the National Center for Seismology, the tremors were felt at around 9:30 PM at a shallow depth of 10 km below the earth's surface, with the epicenter located near Chamba. [] The post 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Chamba Town in Himachal Pradesh, No Casualties Reported appeared first on Northlines .

5.3 Earthquake Hits Chamba In Himachal Pradesh

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit Chamba town in Himachal Pradesh this evening. Strong tremors were felt across the town and also in Manali.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.3 shakes Himachal Pradesh

The National Center for Seismology reported that Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, was struck by a 5.3 magnitude earthquake on the Richter Scale at 9:34 pm on Thursday.

Earthquake of magnitude 5.3 hits Himachal's Chamba district

Earthquake of magnitude hits Himachals Chamba district

Widespread heat waves predicted across state in April

Month end to see temps surpassing 45C; Gwalior-Chambal region to sizzle Bhopal: As April progresses, Madhya Pradesh braces for scorching temperatures, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal belt, anticipated to be the hottest zone. Meteorologists predict widespread heat waves across the state. In the coming week, Gwalior is poised to peak at 46 degrees Celsius, with neighboring... The post Widespread heat waves predicted across state in April first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Himachal Weather: Western disturbance will remain active in the state from April 3 to April 4, weather will change again from March 7.

Yellow alert for rain and snowfall has been issued in eight central and high mountain districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu and Chamba on April 3 and 4. The weather is expected to remain clear in the plain districts till April 4. The weather remained clear in most areas of Himachal Pradesh [] The post Himachal Weather: Western disturbance will remain active in the state from April 3 to April 4, weather will change again from March 7. first appeared on informalnewz .

MP strategy: Cong plays Yadav card, pits ex-BJP leader against Scindia in Guna

BHOPAL : Seeking to capitalise on potential discontent among the Yadav caste following the BJPs refusal to grant a ticket to its incumbent MP KP Yadav, the opposition Congress has strategically deployed Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav to contest against Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Guna seat of Madhya Pradesh. The Congress eighth list for the Lok Sabha polls includes three candidates for MP. Alongside Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav, Pratap Bhanu Sharma will face former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Vidisha, and Tarvar Lodhi will contest Damoh. Rao Yadvendra Singh Yadav comes from a prominent BJP family in the Gwalior-Chambal region. His father, Late Rao Deshraj Singh Yadav, had previously won the Mungaoli seat thrice for the BJP. Despite his familys historical ties with the BJP, Yadvendra chose to join the Congress in 2023 due to Scindia familys increasing influence within the BJP ranks. Addressing a Yadav caste gathering in Chanderi assembly segment, MP Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said, This election in Guna isnt Scindias election; its my own and the entire Yadav brothers election. I thank PM Modi and the BJP top brass for elevating an ordinary worker like me to the position of MPs CM, like another Yadav politician, Babulal Gaur, was made CM years ago. The Congresss decision to nominate Yadvendra, a Yadav candidate, is strategic, given the substantial Yadav population in several key assembly segments of the Guna constituency.By fielding him against Scindia, the party aims to replicate the surprising victory of KP Yadav in the 2019 polls. Ensure 370 votes: Scindia Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, addressing a gathering of the Rawat community on Thursday, asked people to ensure the BJP gets 370 votes extra in every booth than that in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, so that Narendra Modi is elected as prime minister for a third term.

Madhya Pradesh Travel: If you do not explore these valleys of Madhya Pradesh then travelling is useless

Valley in Madhya Pradesh: Apart from being a beautiful state of the country, Madhya Pradesh is also the largest state. The beauty of this state is so popular that thousands of domestic and foreign tourists come here every day. There are many great places to visit in Indore, Gwalior, Panchmarhi or the capital Bhopal. Many cities of this state are also famous throughout the country for their beautiful greenery. The historical fort, holy temple or charming waterfall located in Madhya Pradesh are popular, similarly many valleys located here also attract tourists. In this article, we are going to tell you about some such valleys located in Madhya Pradesh, where after visiting, you will forget the valleys located in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh. Patalkot Valley When the most beautiful and charming valley situated in Madhya Pradesh is mentioned, the name of Patalkot Valley is taken first. This valley is considered to be the hidden treasure of this state. Patalkot Valley is a picturesque valley located in Tamia tehsil of Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. The greenery of this valley looks so enchanting that sometimes even the beauty of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh seems pale in comparison to it. Why is Patalkot Valley special for tourists? Patalkot Valley is very special for tourists. This valley is famous throughout the state for trekking. Apart from this, Patalkot Valley is also considered to be the home of many extinct trees and plants. Many people believe that tribals of the Gond and Bharia tribes live in this valley. Best time to visit in Patalkot Valley You can visit Patalkot Valley at any time, but its real beauty is seen during monsoon. Apart from this, the cool breeze here can make you crazy during the summer season. The valley of the Chambal Chambal Valley is a famous place in Madhya Pradesh as well as a charming place. Although earlier this valley was considered the home of bandits, now thousands of tourists come every day to admire its beauty. Chambal Valley comes under three districts of Madhya Pradesh, Sheopur, Morena and Bhind. This charming valley is spread over about 19,500 square kilometers. Why is Chambal Valley special for tourists? Chambal Valley is very special for tourists. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, this valley attracts a lot of tourists. The greenery located along the banks of the river adds to the beauty. Every day thousands of domestic and foreign tourists come to explore the National Chambal Sanctuary located near the Chambal Valley. Monsoon is considered the best time to visit here. Tamia Tamiya is a beautiful and enchanting valley located in Madhya Pradesh. Many people also know this charming valley by the name of Tamiya Hill Station. High mountains, dense forests lakes and waterfalls add to the beauty of this valley. Tamia Valley is also very popular among tourists. The beauty of this valley is so popular that it is also considered the hidden treasure of Madhya Pradesh. More than a dozen tourists come here every day for trekking. Image-@insta

Man beaten to death by neighbours in Kota; 3 booked

Kota (Rajasthan) Mar 26 (PTI) A man was allegedly beaten to death by neighbours here after a heated argument, police said on Tuesday. Three people were detained over the killing of Sunil Valmiki, who has several criminal cases against him, including attempt to murder, they said. Kunhari Circle Inspector Arvind Bhardwaj said the incident occurred when Valmiki, 33, a resident of the Chambal Colony in Kota, was returning around midnight on Monday. The three accused, also residing in the same colony, attacked him with sticks and sharp-edged weapons and left him critically injured. He was then rushed to MBS Hospital in Kota where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Tuesday morning, Bhardwaj said. The reason behind the attack is yet to be ascertained. However, police have learnt that the three accused had a heated argument with Valimki on Monday, he said. Based on the complaint filed by the victims sister, police have lodged an FIR against Sumit Valmiki (19), Golu (30) and Piyush Valmiki (20) under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 302 (murder), he added. The accused have been detained and the body has been handed over to the family after post-mortem, the officer said. The deceased has seven criminal cases registered against him, including under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 308 (culpable homicide), he added. PTI COR HIG SKY SKY Disclaimer: This article is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Deccan Chronicle team

Madhya Pradesh: Once BSPs arch enemies, these ex-BJP men now star campaigners

BHOPAL: The proverbial saying politics makes strange bedfellows is turning out to be true in Madhya Pradesh this Lok Sabha poll season. Two former BJP politicians for whom the BSP was once the arch rival, are now star campaigners of the same political party. The BSP recently released its 40-strong list of star campaigners for the first and second phase of LS polls in MP. The list not only included party president Mayawati and other prominent national leaders, but also included BJPs former senior leaders, including ex-MP Ramlakhan Singh Kushwah and ex-MP minister Rustam Singh. Ramlakhan Singh Kushwah is four times former BJP MP from Bhind LS seat of MPs Gwalior-Chambal region for whom, in the first two triumphs (1996 and 1998), the same BSP was the arch rival. Kushwah isnt alone in the list, but is accompanied by his former Bhind MLA son Sanjeev Singh Kushwah, who had won in 2018 polls on a BSP ticket after being denied ticket by BJP. He again contested as BSP candidate (on being denied BJP ticket) in 2023, but finished third. Joining the father-son duo in the list of BSPs star campaigners is ex-MP minister Rustam Singh, who along with son Rakesh Singh had quit the BJP before the 2023 Assembly polls on being denied the ruling party ticket from Morena seat. Singh (a former police officer) had won the Assembly polls from Morena seat in 2003 and 2013 by defeating BSP candidates only. Three other former BJP politicians too are part of the BSP star campaigners list, including former MLA from Maihar seat Narayan Tripathi (who has been named the BSP candidate from Satna LS seat), Ratnakar Chaturvedi and Subhash Sharma Doli. All three Brahmin leaders Tripathi, Chaturvedi and Sharma hail from the Vindhya region and had contested the 2023 Assembly polls as independents from separate seats of Satna and Maihar districts after being denied BJP tickets, but finished distant third. Importantly, the BSP had recently named seven candidates for the LS polls in MP, including Narayan Tripathi from Satna seat.

Travel tips: This city situated near Chambal river is very beautiful, spend holidays with family in Education City of Rajasthan.

Kota is famous for its successfully conducted coaching. Every year, more than four lakh students come to Kota to prepare for the engineering and medical examinations to take admission. That's why Kota city has been recognized with names like Coaching Capital of India and Education City of India. Kota City is considered to be the second-best livable place in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Chambal River in Rajasthan not only enhances the beauty of Kota but is also known as the lifeline of this place. Apart from this, glimpses of the history of ancient palaces in Kota city are also worth seeing. There are also many gardens here, the most special of these is Chambal Garden. If you are also planning to visit Kota, then this article is going to be very useful for you. We will tell you about such beautiful places in Kota where you will be able to enjoy your holidays freely. Kota-Barrage Kota Barrage built on the Chambal River is popular among the people as a tourist spot, although it was built to store the water of the three dams Jawahar Sagar Dam, Gandhi Sagar Dam, and Rana Pratap Sagar Dam. The white smoke rising here due to water remains the center of attraction among the people. The areas around the bridge are crowded with picnickers and tourists coming from outside throughout the year. Seven Wonder Park There is a park in Kota where you can see all the seven wonders of the world simultaneously, yes, by going to Kota's Seven Wonders Park you can see the seven wonders of the world simultaneously. This park is situated on the banks of Kishore Sagar Lake which enhances the beauty of this place even more. This place is one of the best places to visit in Kota which houses Small Monuments of all the seven wonders of the world. This park includes the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower, Christ the Redeemer of Brazil, the Colosseum, and the Statue of Liberty. There are food stalls inside the park and people come here to enjoy picnics with family and friends. Khad Ganesh Temple This Ganesh temple of Kota is very special in itself, the unique thing here is that there is a standing idol of Lord Ganesha which is considered to be the only standing idol of Lord Ganesha in the whole of India. It is believed that this temple is more than 600 years old, there is a lake near the temple around which the presence of many peacocks makes this place even more attractive. Chambal Garden Situated on the banks of the Chambal River, this place is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Kota city. The Chambal River is a part of the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary. By reaching Chambal Udyan, you can enjoy peace in the lap of greenery. The main attraction here is the boat ride through which you can go to the ghats around the Chambal River. Geparnath Falls This is a very beautiful and fascinating place to see. If you want to see this waterfall well then go here during monsoon season. It is popular among tourists for nature photography, picnics, and short treks along with other reasons. The view of this waterfall is worth seeing. Which attracts the waterfall even more due to rainwater. Shivpuri Dham India is a country inhabited by religious beliefs and holy temples, there are many ancient and holy temples here, among them the women of the temples of Lord Bholenath are immense. According to beliefs, Lord Shiva himself is present in the form of light in the 12 Jyotirlingas of Bholenath. All these Jyotirlingas are located in different states of India. But Shivpuri Dham located in Kota city is a unique temple, Shivpuri Dham is dedicated to Shiva, and about 525 Shiv Lingas are installed in the temple complex. It is said that there are 525 Shivalingas in the temple. Adding them together gives 12. In such a situation, the devotees who visit and worship here get the fruits of 12 Jyotirlingas. Rao Madho Singh Museum Rao Madho Singh Museum is located on the premises of the old palace in Kota, Rajasthan. Which is a rich incredible collection of history, culture, artifacts, and documents of Rajasthan. The silver sculptures, coins, and terracotta figures in Rao Madho Singh Museum attract historians and tourists. Godavari Dham This place dedicated to Hanuman ji is situated on the banks of Chambal river, the aarti performed in this temple is quite different and famous. (PC: Lifeberrys)

CRPF lauded for free medicare facilities in last hamlet of J-Ks Bhadarwah

CRPF lauded for free medicare facilities in last hamlet of J-Ks Bhadarwah As part of its civic action programme, the CRPF on Monday organised a free specialised medical camp at Thanahala the last panchayat of Jammu and Kashmir bordering Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, officials said. The day-long camp was held at Dina Nagar hamlet of Thanahala, mostly inhabited by families belonging to the below poverty line (BPL), in the foothills of Ashapati Glacier on Bhadarwah-Chamba interstate road, they said. CRPF's Chief Medical Officer Dr Jaishree Singh said though the role of the paramilitary force is to give internal security, it is always there to provide assistance to the public during elections or natural calamities like earthquakes and landslides. ''A team of special doctors from CRPF and sub-district hospital Bhaderwah provided free treatment and medicines to the patients who availed the facility at their doorstep, she said. Former sarpanch, Thanahala Shakoor Ahmed, thanked the 33 battalion CRPF for organising the camp and providing assistance to the locals. ''The CRPF is also informing us about government schemes meant to uplift the poor,'' he said. A resident, Aijaz Hussain Hamdan, also appreciated the work of the CRPF and said his sick mother was treated by the lady doctors, providing lot of relief to the family. The (government) medical centre is very far from here, so this camp is of great help to poor people like us in this far flung area,'' he said.

EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout

EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to maximise voter turnout in 414 polling stations which registered less than 60 per cent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls. Bypolls to six assembly seats that fell vacant after disqualification of Congress MLAs would be held simultaneously with four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh in the last phase on June 1. The main focus of the campaign -- ''Mission 414'' -- is increasing the vote percentage in 414 identified polling stations which registered less than 60 percent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls, Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh, Maneesh Garg told PTI on Monday. Awareness campaigns and cultural events would be held besides making these 414 stations model polling stations. Booth youth icons from first time voters would be roped in and special invitation cards made by children would be given to prospective voters, he said. Letters had been sent to the respective Deputy Commissioners in February for increasing voter participation in low voter turnout polling stations and assembly constituencies, sources in the department said. A similar initiative is underway for 22 assembly segments and is aimed at increasing the voter turnout to 72 percent in polling stations where the turnout was less than 70 percent in the last Lok Sabha elections. The average voter turnout in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 was 72.42 percent. ''Basically it is an activity to reach out to the voters at the ground level and educate them about exercising their right to vote'', Garg said, adding interventions in these segments would be on motivating employees, women and youth and carrying out a door-to-door outreach programme. Another initiative is related to eight assembly constituencies where turnout of women voters was less than men. 'Mahila Preraks' (motivators) would be appointed in gram panchayats in these segments to motivate women to vote. Besides appointing women icons, girls studying in educational institutes would be motivated by campus ambassadors to reach out to working women and housewives through anganwadi workers, self-help groups, Mahila Mandals, officials said. As many as 7,990 polling stations, which are 267 more than the last Lok Sabha elections have been notified and 150 polling stations would be supervised exclusively by women election officers, 54 by youth and 29 by PwD (People with Disability). Sharing details, Garg said people with more than 40 percent disability (PwD) and voters above the age of 85 would have facility of home voting. There are 56,320 PWD voters and 60,995 voters aged above 85 years in the state. A total of 56,38,422 voters -- 28,79,200 men, 27,59,187 women, and 35 third gender persons are eligible to exercise their franchise for four Lok Sabha seats of Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla (SC) seats in the seventh and last phase of polling, Garg said. There are 1,38,918 first time voters while the number of voters in the age bracket of 20-29 is 10,40,756, which is over 20 percent of the total voters (56,38,422). However, this number is expected to go up as the state election commission has received 8,654 advance applications of youth in the 17 plus age group attaining 18 years of age on April 1. The expenditure limit of candidates for Lok Sabha polls would be Rs 95 lakh and assembly bypolls Rs 40 lakh. Tashigang polling station in Lahaul and Spiti located at an altitude of 15,256 feet is the highest polling booth in the country. Manola polling station in Dalhousie of Chamba district has the maximum number of 1,410 voters, while Kaa polling station in Kinnaur district has the lowest of 16 voters.

Development, jobs key focus of parties in Madhya Pradesh

Development, jobs key focus of parties in Madhya Pradesh The BJP dominated all the six regions of Madhya Pradesh in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when it won 28 out of the 29 parliamentary seats in the state and will seek to repeat its performance this time as well. The saffron party will also try to wrest Chhindwara, the lone seat won by the Congress in the 2019 polls in the home turf of former chief minister Kamal Nath. Development and issues pertaining to employment have been the key focus areas of the BJP and Congress in the six regions of the state. The BJP has declared its candidates in all 29 seats, while the Congress has so far announced names of its candidates for 10 seats. Out of the 29 seats, five are reserved for the Scheduled Tribe and four for Scheduled Caste candidates. In the 2019 polls, all these seats were won by the BJP. The state broadly has six regions - Gwalior-Chambal, Central MP (Bhopal), Malwa-Nimar, Mahakoshal, Vindhya and Bundelkhand. The Malwa-Nimar region has the highest number of eight Lok Sabha seats. 1. GWALIOR-CHAMBAL: This region, once known to be infested by dacoits, has now marked a leap towards development. The BJP government last year sanctioned an expressway connecting it with Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The arrival of cheetahs at the Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, as part of the government's ambitious project of reintroduction of these felines in the country, has also opened avenues for employment, especially in tourism and hospitality sectors, in the region. Guna is one of the prominent Lok Sabha constituencies in the region from where the BJP has fielded Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who switched over to the saffron party from the Congress in March 2020. The other seats in this region are Morena, Bhind (SC) and Gwalior. 2. CENTRAL REGION (BHOPAL): This region comprises state capital Bhopal and its surrounding areas, including Narmadapuram. Bhopal, popularly known as the city of lakes, is surrounded by world heritage sites - Sanchi and Bhimbetka rock shelters. This region comprises five Lok Sabha seats - Bhopal, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Betul (ST) and Narmadapuram. The BJP has this time dropped its sitting MP Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal and fielded former mayor Alok Sharma. In Vidisha, the saffron party has fielded its senior leader and former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has represented the seat in the past also. Development and employment are among the major issues which impact the poll outcome in this region. 3. MALWA-NIMAR: This region is dominated by agriculture activities and includes three major tribal areas of Khargone, Ratlam and Dhar. Indore, the state's commercial capital which is also the cleanest in the country, major bullion trade centre Ratlam and the famous 'jyotirlings' of Ujjain and Omkareshwar fall under this region. There are eight Lok Sabha seats in this region - Indore, Dewas (SC), Ujjain (SC), Mandsaur, Khandwa, Khargone (ST), Ratlam (ST) and Dhar (ST). Issues pertaining to farmers, tribals, employment and migration of labourers are likely to dominate the poll campaign in this region. The BJP has fielded its sitting MP Shankar Lalwani from Indore. 4. BUNDELKHAND: This impoverished region houses the famous Panna diamond mines, the world heritage site of Khajuraho and the Panna Tiger Reserve. The sanctioning of the Ken-Betwa river linking project is a step aimed at addressing the problem of water scarcity in the region, especially irrigation facilities. This region comprises four Lok Sabha seats - Sagar, Damoh, Tikamgarh (SC) and Khajuraho. The BJP has given ticket to its sitting MP V D Sharma from Khajuraho for the second time and fielded Union minister Virendra Kumar from Tikamgarh. 5. MAHAKOSHAL: This region is considered to be a stronghold of former CM Kamal Nath, whose son Nakul Nath is the sitting MP from the family's home turf Chhindwara. Mahakoshal is spread across eight districts -- Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Katni, Seoni, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Dindori and Balaghat. Local residents grumble over the backwardness in the region, saying Jabalpur was once far ahead of Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Nagpur (Maharashtra) in terms of development, but now the city lags behind Indore and Bhopal. Mandla and Shahdol are tribal-dominated districts, while Balaghat is affected by Naxalism in this region. The five Lok Sabha seats in this region are - Jabalpur, Mandla (ST), Shahdol (ST), Balaghat and Chhindwara. The BJP has fielded sitting MP Faggan Singh Kulaste from Mandla. The Congress has renominated Nakul Nath from Chhindwara, a seat represented nine times by his father Kamal Nath. 6. VINDHYA: This region bordering Uttar Pradesh is spread across nine eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh - Rewa, Shahdol, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Anuppur, Umaria, Maihar and Mauganj. The region elected the first Lok Sabha member for the Bahujan Samaj Party from Madhya Pradesh in 1991 and had also given representation to Communists in electoral politics. It comprises three Lok Sabha seats - Satna, Rewa and Sidhi. Development and employment are among the key issues in this region.

Clear divide between Shimla and Kangra parliamentary constituencies in Himachal Pradesh

Clear divide between Shimla and Kangra parliamentary constituencies in Himachal Pradesh Even though the two parliamentary constituencies hold the same number of assembly segments, Shimla emerges as a favourite over Kangra when it comes to picking of people to be inducted into the cabinet. The present Congress cabinet has five ministers, one deputy speaker, and three chief parliamentary secretaries from Shilma, while two ministers, a speaker, and two CPSs from Kangra. Both parliamentary constituencies have 17 assembly segments each. Kangra Lok Sabha seat has 13 assembly segments from Kangra and four from Chamba district. The Shimla LS seat consists of seven assembly segments from Shimla and five each from Solan and Sirmaur districts. Kangra, though overlooked, holds the key to power in the state if the pattern so far is to be believed. It has become kind of become a thumb rule that the party which captures Kangra district forms the government in the state. The rule was vindicated once again in 2022 assembly polls, when Congress formed the government on the back of 10 assembly seats from Kangra. Initially, only one minister was inducted in the cabinet from Kangra. However, as tensions brewed in the party, another was included in cabinet expansion in December 2023. Since 1966, when Kangra was merged with Himachal, people have a feeling that the district has been given a short shrift which has reflected, at least this time, in an iniquitous representation in the cabinet. For this reason and more, the disparity, in the coming Lok Sabha election, may benefit the BJP, which has been upbeat since the Ram Temple consecration and may leverage the sentiments of the people in the Hindu predominant state. The party also received a vote of confidence when six Congress MLAs cast their lot in its favour during the recently held Rajya Sabha election. On the other hand, Congress is struggling to quell infighting in the party and is accused of allowing over-concentration of power in Shimla district. There is also a speculation that the BJP may field Sudhir Sharma, one of the six Congress rebels, from Kangra parliamentary constituency. According to the long held convention, when Congress comes to power in the state, its chief minister hails from old areas of Shimla or Sirmaur, while when the BJP forms the government, the CM comes from merged areas of Kangra and Hamirpur. For the first time in 2022, the state got a chief minister in Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu from the merged areas. The BJP won all four Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and swept the polls by a huge margin in 2019, with Krishan Kapoor from Kangra, Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi, Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur, and Suresh Kashyap from Shimla elected as MPs. However, the death of Ram Swaroop Sharma led to by-elections in the Mandi parliament seat in 2021. The election was won by Pratibha Singh, the wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and current Congress state chief.

Four national highways, 279 roads closed as snow, rain lash Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: A total of 279 roads, including four national highways, have been closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh due to recent snow and rains even though the state witnessed a dry day on Friday. Manali received traces of snow in the past 24 hours, the MeT said on Saturday, adding a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from the night of March 20. About 96 per cent of the total roads are blocked in the high altitude and tribal areas, and a maximum of 249 roads were closed in Tribal Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Chamba and nine in Kinnaur on Friday night. Four roads are blocked each in Kullu and Mandi, one each in Kangra and Shimla, as per the state emergency operation centre. As many as 246 transformers are out of order and three water supply schemes are disrupted. There was no significant change in the minimum temperatures and Keylong at minus 7. 7 degree Celsius was the coldest at night while Kukumseri recorded a low of minus 4.1 degree Celsius.

Six historical heritage sites of Madhya Pradesh included in UNESCO tentative list

Bhopal: UNESCO has included six tourist places of Madhya Pradesh in its tentative list. These tourist places are Gwalior Fort, Historical Group of Dhamnar, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple-Bhojpur, Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur and Ramnagar and Gond Memorial of Mandla. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that the great culture and civilization... The post Six historical heritage sites of Madhya Pradesh included in UNESCO tentative list first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal, intermittent showers at several places

Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal, intermittent showers at several places Higher reaches in Shimla and parts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur received another spell of fresh snowfall on Thursday, according to the meteorological department here. Widespread intermittent rain was witnessed in Dalhousie, Manali, Jogindernagar, Chamba, Seobagh, Reckong Peo, Chauri, Tissa and Saloni, the weather bulletin showed. In the past 24 hours, Hansa received 10.1 cm of snowfall, Kalpa 9.6 cm, Kukumseri 6.2 cm, Pooh 6 cm Sangala 5.6 cm, Keylong 5 cm and Khadrala 4 cm, according to the bulletin. There was no significant change in the minimum temperatures across the state. Keylong recording a low of minus 4 degrees Celsius at night was the coldest in the state, the MeT said. There was an appreciable rise in the maximum temperatures and Una was hottest during the day with the mercury reaching 29 degrees Celsius. The MeT office has predicted dry weather in the state for the next six days till March 20.

Intermittent rains, thunderstorms lash Shimla and surrounding areas

Intermittent rains, thunderstorms lash Shimla and surrounding areas Intermittent rains and thunderstorms lashed Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla and the surrounding areas on Wednesday while scattered rains occurred at isolated places and the tourist resort of Kufri received traces of snow. Rajgarh received 13.4 mm rain, followed by Shimla 8 mm, Baijnath 5 mm, Kufri 4 mm, Gohar 2 mm and Jubbarhatti 1.3 mm. The day temperatures dropped by a few notches and Dhaulakuan was hottest in the state with a high of 25.8 degree while Dharamshala, Shimla and Manali recorded a high of 18.1 degree, 14.8 degree and 11.5 degree. The local meteorological office has predicted rain, snow and thunderstorms at isolated places in mid and higher hills on March 14 and dry weather thereafter. As many as 280 roads, including 255 roads in Lahaul and Spiti, ten in Kinnaur, six in Kullu, five in Chamba, two in Mandi and one each in Shimla and Kangra districts, and five national highways are closed while 280 power transformers and three water supplies schemes are disrupted.

CM flags off Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Jal Kalash Yatra

24 police personnel promoted out of turn; appointment letters provided to 1000 candidates Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal CM Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that all organs of governance should become a symbol of good governance. Steps like registry in the purchase and sale of movable property as well as the system of name transfer and simplification... The post CM flags off Ken-Betwa and Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Jal Kalash Yatra first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav seeks blessings of Boreshwar Mahadev at Dangwara in Ujjain district on Mahashivratri

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav reached Shri Boreshwar Mahadev Temple located on the banks of Chambal in village Dangwada of Badnagar in Ujjain and offered prayers on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. He wished for the welfare of the people of the state. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav extended best wishes to all the people of []

Madhya Pradesh: Sops galore to boost religious tourism

BHOPAL: Out of the multiple projects launched under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD by Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually from Srinagar on Thursday, four projects worth Rs 118.72 crore pertained to Gwalior, Chitrakoot, Amarkantak and Datia in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav joined the program from Hindu pilgrimage town Chitrakoot in Satna district in Vindhya region. Ahead of the Election Commission of India (ECI) declaring the schedule of the Lok Sabha polls, the MP CM also announced a slew of development works to harness the religious tourism potential of Hindu pilgrimages in the state. Riverside Ghats, including Bharat Ghat, Vishram Ghat and Raghav Prayag Ghat in Chitrakoot will be developed and rejuvenated at Rs 27 crore cost. This will not only further boost the religious tourism potential of the religious town Chitrakoot, but also benefit the 200 Kewat (boatmen) families residing in Chitrakoot, Yadav said. While Rs 50 crore worth development works have already been unveiled for Amarkantak (the origin of sacred river Narmada in Anuppur district), development works worth Rs 25 crore are being announced here for the Maa Pitambara Peeth in Datia district of Gwalior-Chambal region, Yadav added. Further, Dr Yadav announced starting a sub divisional magistrate (SDM) office in Chitrakoot and a four-lane road to connect the MP and UP parts of Chitrakoot. All encroachments will be removed from Chitrakoot town, including those from the Parikrama Path for ensuring unhindered development of the religious pilgrimage, where Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman are believed to have spent more than 11 years of their exile period. He also announced formation of Chitrakoot Development Authority to further speed up development of Chitrakoot in a coordinated manner. The CMs latest announcements were in line with his resolve to develop places linked to Lord Ram and Lord Krishnas life into major pilgrimages across MP. Addressing the event in Chitrakoot, Yadav said Earlier, Shankaracharya was not allowed to land in an Arab country when he was on his way to America, and Congress was in power in India at that time. Our Shankaracharya and our culture were disrespected. But our PM has now raised the countrys honour the world over and told the ruler of Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi) that our people are unable to worship there. The Sheikh responded by allotting as much land as needed for the construction of a grand temple and we got an opportunity to build a temple there. Yadav was referring to the construction of the BAPS Hindu temple at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) built by the Swaminarayan Sanstha on 27 acres of land. Later in the day while addressing another program in eastern MPs Singrauli district, the CM announced construction of Airport and Stadium in Singrauli.

Fresh western disturbance likely to hit Himachal, over 400 roads remain closed

Fresh western disturbance likely to hit Himachal, over 400 roads remain closed A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region next week, likely triggering thunderstorms and rain in Himachal Pradesh, the meteorological department said. Meanwhile, over 400 roads, including four national highways, in the state remained shut for vehicular traffic on Thursday after heavy snowfall and rain lashed several areas recently. According to the meteorological department, a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from the night of March 10. The MeT has sounded a 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places from March 11 to 13. According to the state emergency operation centre, of the 400 roads shut, 286 are closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 51 in Chamba, 24 in Kinnaur and Kullu each, 21 in Shimla, two in Mandi and one in Kangra district. As many as 629 transformers are out of order and 22 water supply schemes have been disrupted, the centre said. Mild snow was witnessed in a few high altitude and tribal areas. In the past 24 hours, Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded 3.8 cm deep snow, while Manali was the wettest receiving 10 mm of rain followed by 2.2 mm at Bhuntar and 1 mm at Pandoh, the weather bulletin showed. Kukumseri was the coldest at night, recording a minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, followed by minus 1.6 degrees at Kalpa, 2.6 degrees at Manali and 2.7 degrees Celsius at Kufri, according to the bulletin. Dalhousie recorded a low of 3.2 degrees Celsius, Bharmaur noted 3.5 degrees Celsius, Sarahan 3.5 degrees Celsius and Shimla 4.1 degrees Celsius, it added.

Travel tips: Himachal Pradesh is known for its traditional taste, if you go to visit then definitely taste these dishes.

North Indian state Himachal Pradesh is a state present on the map, which everyone desires to see closely. Who would not want to enjoy the natural beauty of this place, snow-covered hills, beautiful valleys, valleys, and clean air. Along with beautiful places, Himachal Pradesh is also popular for its traditional cuisine. It is also the food that defines the unity in diversity of the country. The traditional taste here is much more enjoyable than the pleasure of visiting the tourist places of Himachal. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about some famous dishes of Himachal Pradesh, which you must taste if you visit here. #Babru To make this dish, first, soak black gram dal in water overnight or for 5-6 hours. After this, drain off the excess water put the lentils in a blender, and make a paste. Now mix wheat flour, 1/2 cup refined oil, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix all the ingredients well and knead a soft dough with the help of water. Take small portions of the roll and add black gram paste to each portion. Roll it back into the shape of a puri. Fry on both sides until they puff up and get cooked evenly. Serve it hot with any vegetable, tamarind chutney, or pickle. # Dham Dishes This is a thali full of delicious dishes, in which you will get to taste things like dal, rajma, rice, curd, etc. Jaggery adds charm to this dish. It is made during the festivals and special occasions of Himachal. It is considered special in marriages and small festivals. It is prevalent almost all over Himachal and it is also called the main food of Himachal. If you come to visit Himachal, then definitely eat this thali. # Tudkiya bhagat To make this delicious dish, add chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, ginger, garlic, cloves, poppy seeds, mace, green chilies, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon stick, fennel, stone flower, and red chili powder in a bowl. Mix all these spices and make a paste. Add chopped potatoes to it. Soak masoor dal in water and keep it for 30 minutes. Apart from this, wash the rice and soak it in a separate bowl for 30 minutes. Add bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cardamom and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add prepared masala along with potatoes in it. Mix all the ingredients well. Add curd to the mixture and then add rice and dal. Cover and pressure cook and serve hot rice. #Chana Mudra Himachal A popular food of the state is served as Chana Madra in the Chamba district. It is cooked well in oil along with various spices like cardamom, cloves, turmeric powder, cinnamon, and coriander powder to enhance the taste of the dish. Chana Madra is served in almost all the restaurants in Chamba and is a food that reflects the food culture of the state. # Bhe To make this delicious dish, fry chopped ginger, garlic, and onion in a hot pan. Once done, add turmeric, coriander powder, black pepper, chili powder, and salt and cook. After this, add gram flour to the pan and fry for 2 minutes. Add washed and boiled lotus stalks to it. Mix well with other ingredients and let it cook for 20 minutes. When the lotus stems are cooked, place them in a serving dish and serve hot. #Siddu This dish is mostly liked in Mandi, Kullu, Manali, and Shimla. It is kneaded by adding yeast to wheat flour. This yeast mixture is left for about 5-6 hours. After this, it is made. Generally, it is taken with desi ghee, dal and chutney. #Chha Gosht If you are a non-vegetarian then nothing can be served better than Chha Gosht. A typical Himachal delicacy Chha Gosht is an aromatic dish prepared from marinated lamb, cooked in a gravy of gram flour and curd. The taste of this dish increases when it is cooked properly in Indian spices like cardamom and red chili. powder, coriander powder, bay leaves, asafoetida, and ginger-garlic paste. #Bowl Akotori is a famous dish that is loved by the people of Himachal Pradesh during their festive time. Akori is prepared as a cake or pancake made with buckwheat leaves cooked in wheat flour. Although this dish originates in the Spiti Valley, it is often prepared and consumed throughout Himachal Pradesh. (PC: Lifeberrys)

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu launches toll-free number 1962 for mobile veterinary services

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu launches toll-free number 1962 for mobile veterinary services Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the 1962-Mobile Veterinary Service of the Animal Husbandry Department on Tuesday. Under this service, ambulances have been provided in 44 development blocks in the first phase, spending Rs 7.04 crore. Three mobile ambulances each are being provided to Bilaspur, Una, Solan and Kullu districts, two for Lahaul-Spiti, five for Mandi and Shimla, four each to Chamba, Sirmaur and Hamirpur, one to Kinnaur and seven for Kangra district. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Pashu Sanjeevani Call Centre on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that with the launch of these two services, farmers from any part of the state can call on toll-free number 1962 and get veterinary services at their doorstep for the treatment of serious animal diseases in case of any emergency. He said that a veterinary doctor and a pharmacist would be available with each ambulance. Whenever any cattle breeder needs help in an emergency, he would be able to call the toll-free number 1962 and help will be provided to him through the nearest veterinary service. The veterinary services in the state would be available from 9 am to 5 pm on any working day, he added. He said that this service would be expanded in a phased manner in the coming days. Sukhu said that the state government was taking many steps to protect the interests of farmers. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to provide minimum support price on milk, where cow milk is being purchased at the rate of Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 55 per litre. He said that the state government was going to set up a milk processing plant of one lakh 50 thousand litres per day capacity at Dhagwar in Kangra district, its capacity could be increased to 3 lakh litres per day. This plant would be fully automated and Rs 226 crore will be spent on the project. He said that the state government was making efforts to strengthen the rural economy because the state can be made self-reliant only by making the villages self-reliant. He said that the state government had started many schemes in the agriculture sector to strengthen the economy of the farmers and farmers should take maximum benefit of these schemes. While speaking to the media, he said that the lease period of the Shanan project was going to end soon and Himachal should get its all due rights. He said that the state government would strongly plead its stand on this matter in the Supreme Court. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, MLA Neeraj Nayyar, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, former MLA Satpal Raizada, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Pradeep Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)

Scindia returns to his fort, remaining seats of Chambal handed over to Tomar camp

Rest given to three sitting MPs, speculations about the candidature of Pavaiya and Narottam put to an end Harish Dubey, Gwalior BJP has opened its cards for the upcoming general elections on all four seats of Gwalior-Chambal. Ending the dilemma of Gwalior or Guna, the party has chosen Guna for Jyotiraditya Scindia, his old political...

Stranded Tourists in HP's Spiti Valley Shifted; Man Killed in Landslide During Road Clearing Work

The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh has issued avalanche warning for five districts of Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Kinnaur and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh

Avalanche in Lahaul and Spiti obstructs Chenab's flow; over 650 roads closed in HP due to snow, rain

SHIMLA: An avalanche hit a village in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh in the early hours of Sunday, obstructing the flow of the Chenab river and triggering an alert in the adjoining areas, officials said. Heavy snow and rainfall in the last two days have triggered more than half-a-dozen avalanches and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of over 650 roads, including five national highways, they added. No casualty has so far been reported in any of the avalanches, the officials said. The flow of the Chenab was obstructed following an avalanche at the Dara waterfall near Jasrat village in Lahaul and Spiti. The district, located at a high altitude, reported heavy snowfall in the last 24 hours. The residents of the adjoining villages of Jobrang, Rapi, Jasrath, Tarand and Tharot have been advised to stay cautious and inform the nearest police post in case of an emergency, Superintendent of Police (SP), Lahaul and Spiti, Mayank Chaudhary said. Some shops were buried in an avalanche at the Tandi bridge in Lahaul sub-division. Multiple avalanches occurred in Lahaul and Spiti at the Seli nallah in Rashel village, Faldi nallah in Jobrang, Cho Veer Mod in Lohni and Tatha nallah near Udaipur village. An avalanche was also reported from a location near the Karcham helipad in Sangla in Kinnaur district, the officials said. A total of 652 roads, including five national highways, are closed for vehicular traffic in the hill state. The maximum of 290 roads are closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 149 in Shimla, 100 in Chamba, 75 in Kinnaur, 32 in Kullu, five in Mandi and one in Kangra, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre. People have been advised not to travel to the upper Shimla areas as the roads have become slippery due to snowfall, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said. He said work is underway to clear the blocked roads and resume traffic movement. Life was thrown out of gear in parts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba as heavy snowfall disrupted electricity and communication. As many as 1,749 transformers are out of service in the state and 78 water supply schemes disrupted, according to the emergency operation centre. Three houses, one each in Lahaul and Spiti, Solan and Sirmaur, were damaged due to snow, rain and lightning. The supply of essential commodities, such as milk, bread, vegetables and newspaper, was affected in the upper Shimla region. According to a bulletin issued by the meteorological department here, Rohtang received the maximum snowfall in the state in the last 24 hours, measuring 150 cm. Chitkul and Atal Tunnel recorded 120 cm snow, Solang 75 cm, Khadrala 62 cm, Kalpa, Kaza and Moorang 60 cm each, Sangla 52.5 cm, Nichar and Gondla 45 cm each, Keylong 28 cm, Narkanda, Killar, Udaipur, Sissu, Koksar and Chansel 30 cm each, Reckong Peo 15 cm, Shillaro five cm and Kufri two cm, the bulletin said. Intermittent rain lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh and Manali, which recorded 88 mm rain, was the wettest in the state, followed by Nahan (84 mm), Pachhad (76 mm), Sarahan (70 mm), Kangra (65 mm), Rampur (64 mm), Rohru (60 mm), Kotkhai (56 mm), Dharamshala (55 mm), Dalhousie and Guler (53 mm each) and Chamba (50 mm). State capital Shimla received 35 mm rain, according to the bulletin. Keylong was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.