India

Raipur, Jan 5 (IANS) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday praised the bravery of security forces in the ongoing battle against Maoists in the Bastar region, reacting to an encounter that led to the death of four Naxalites and one soldier.

“Our soldiers are fighting with great strength. Four Naxalites have been killed in this encounter, and we salute our soldiers for their bravery. Unfortunately, one of our soldiers has also been martyred in this operation. Our deepest condolences are with his family, and we pray to God to grant peace to his soul,” the Chief Minister told newsmen.

“So far, 4 Naxalites have been reported killed in an encounter between security forces and Naxalites in South Abujhmad area bordering Narayanpur and Dantewada districts. Sad news has also been received about the martydom of DRG jawan, head constable Sannu Karam in the encounter. His sacrifice will not go in vain, the security forces are fighting very strongly against Naxalims and this fight will continue,” he wrote on X.

The Chief Minister also condemned the alleged murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, whose body was discovered in a septic tank in Bastar on Friday.

The 32-year-old independent journalist went missing since New Year’s Day, and his brother filed a missing complaint the following day. Police investigations led to the recovery of his body from a shed owned by a contractor in Chhatan Para Basti, near his home in Bijapur.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai promised stern action against the culprits, stating, "The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar is a very condemnable crime. The state government is taking all possible actions to investigate this heinous act. An SIT (Special Investigation Team) has been formed, and we will leave no stone unturned in this case."

He also reacted to accusations that one of the culprits, Suresh Chandrakar, a contractor, was closely associated with Deepak Baij, the state Congress President.

"The contractor involved is a Congress worker. We are continuously observing that hate goods are being sold in Congress's 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' in the state. You will see that in many of the incidents in the past, such as in Baloda Bazar and Surajpur, someone from Congress has been involved," he said.

As of now, three individuals, including two relatives of Mukesh Chandrakar, have been arrested.

Ritesh Chandrakar, Mukesh's cousin, was apprehended at Raipur airport on Saturday. Mahendra Ramteke, a supervisor, and Dinesh Chandrakar, another relative, were also taken into custody from Bijapur. The alleged mastermind behind the murder, contractor Suresh Chandrakar, remains on the run.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) No one could have believed that the word 'AAPda (disaster)' could create ripples in political circles. The word is only about destruction and sadness and has nothing to do with politics. But, suddenly in the election campaign for the Delhi Assembly polls, the word has assumed significance. AAPda may as well turn the tables in favour of one political entity and destroy others.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without directly naming the Aam Aadmi Party, criticised the AAP government in Delhi, vowing to remove AAPda, he set the stage and the tone for the BJP's election fight against Arvind Kejriwal's party. On January 3, during an event in the national capital, he said that over the last 10 years, an AAPda had befallen Delhi and the people have made up their minds to vote for the BJP in the Assembly polls so that this AAPda could be removed.

Politicians often use catchphrases or buzzwords, especially during election time to run down the opponent. And, in the Delhi Assembly election, which has to be conducted before February 15 when the current Assembly tenure ends, the AAPda seems to have created the right buzz for the BJP and taken a lead over others’ ideas.

The word has everything the BJP needs to sharply attack AAP and its national convenor, former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. As per the BJP, the word rightly describes the situation that has been created by Kejriwal's politics in the national capital – that of AAPda for the people of Delhi.

PM Modi also offered justifications for using the AAPda jibe, listing the AAP's "failed" promises and the ongoing corruption cases.

Taking a dig at the Delhi CM, PM Modi said, "I, too, could have built a 'sheesh Mahal' (glass palace) for myself, but my dream was to provide 'pucca' (concrete) houses to my fellow countrymen."

Kejriwal has been criticised for spending lavishly on refurbishing his official residence when he was the CM.

The Prime Minister first used the word, AAPda, while speaking at an event where he handed over the keys of newly constructed flats to the dwellers of clusters under the in-situ slum rehabilitation project at Swabhiman Apartments in Delhi's Ashok Vihar. Without taking Kejriwal's name, PM Modi said that by keeping Anna Hazare on the front, some allegedly "kattar beimaan (staunchly dishonest)" people have pushed the national capital towards the AAPda.

The AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, quickly responded to PM Modi as soon as he ended his speech. Kejriwal said that for 39 minutes in his 43-minute speech, the PM "abused Delhi people and the government elected by them with a massive mandate". On the AAPda remark, Kejriwal said, "BJP is faced with 'aapda' as it has no CM face, narrative, issue for Delhi polls".

Though Kejriwal did react quickly, somehow it seemed less in intensity against the BJP's newest attack strategy.

The fact is that Kejriwal, who started his political career riding the wave created by Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, is an accused in graft cases. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI and has been on bail. The cases are going on in the courts currently. Several of his cabinet colleagues, AAP MLAs and leaders have also landed in jail on various charges.

Apart from the corruption and crime cases, the Delhi AAP government has also been accused of not doing enough developmental work in the capital city and only indulging in fights and bickering with the Centre.

Kejriwal has also failed to deliver on most of the promises he made during his three stints as Delhi CM -- whether it was about providing 24X7 drinking water supply for all, cleaning the Yamuna River, or establishing new colleges or universities among many others.

And the latest promises that he made have only added to his embarrassment. It was a bizarre situation where a Chief Minister announced schemes, and the government termed them "fraud". Kejriwal announced the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ and ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, the registration for which was to begin on December 23.

As Kejriwal, CM Atishi, his ministers, MLAs, and AAP volunteers started visiting homes and collecting data about the likely beneficiaries, senior officers in the Delhi government released public notices and disowned the registration process started by CM Atishi and her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal.

It was an unprecedented move, with two Delhi departments -- the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) and the Health and Family Welfare Department -- releasing public notices, saying the welfare schemes launched by AAP have not been notified by the government and are 'non-existent'.

The Departments urged citizens to refrain from sharing personal information with individuals or groups claiming association with the "fake scheme", as it could result in identity theft or financial fraud. The notice advised the public to exercise caution and not be misled by "fraudulent" claims.

These public notices made the AAP's exercise appear like those ponzi schemes where people get looted in the end. This latest "expose" has dented AAP's image.

While both BJP and AAP are trying to make it battle two, the Congress, which was in power in Delhi for 15 straight years 12 years ago, is trying to make its presence felt. The grand old party has not been able to win any seat in the last two Delhi Assembly polls and was hoping for an alliance with the AAP to help it. However, Kejriwal decided to go solo. Whether this will help AAP, Congress or BJP, the Delhi voters will decide.

With PM Modi's AAPda jibe at AAP, the BJP has exhibited its aggressive approach to the Delhi polls. Its narrative is clear. AAP is on the defensive this time and the Congress is trying to see its footing.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a 13-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar, fulfilling the dream of millions of residents of the National Capital Region for a fast, safe and non-road mode of connectivity.

The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is based on the Central Place Theory that suggests settlements develop around central locations which provide services to suburbs.

The RRTS promises to revolutionise how Indians travel between urban centres, which house key business districts, and their suburbs -- a crucial precondition for decongesting cities.

Here are some key facts and highlights about the new rail-based transit system:

What is the total length and cost of the RRTS corridor from Delhi to Meerut?

The 84-km RRTS corridor from Delhi to Meerut is being built for Rs 30,274 crore, to reduce the travel time between Jangpura in Delhi and Modipuram in Meerut to one hour.

What are the estimates on daily ridership and number of stations when the project is completed?

As per studies by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), the Namo Bharat RRTS between Delhi and Meerut is likely to have an estimated daily ridership of eight lakh. It will have 25 stations. A total of 68 km length of the corridor will be elevated, 13 km underground and 3 km at grade. The full operation from Delhi to Modipuram is expected to be completed in 2025.

Highlights of the Delhi portion of RRTS?

The RRTS will have four stations in Delhi with about 3.8 km of the corridor, out of the 14 km in the national capital, under the ground. A two-km extension has been proposed for RRTS from Sarai Kale Khan to Jangpura.

When did the operations of Namo Bharat trains begin?

The first Namo Bharat train, which represents India’s first RRTS, started on a 17-kilometre priority section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot after PM Modi opened it on October 20, 2023. The foundation stone for the project was laid by PM Modi in March 2019.

What is the length of the Namo Bharat RRTS after the addition of the new corridor on Sunday?

With the inauguration of the 13-kilometre stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor between Sahibabad and New Ashok Nagar, the service now operates across a 55 km corridor.

What is the fare on the operational stretch of RRTS?

As per the officials, the fare from New Ashok Nagar station to Meerut South is Rs 150 for standard coach and Rs 225 for premium coach. The minimum fare for travelling will be Rs 20 for standard coach and Rs 30 for premium coach.

How is RRTS different from Metro or traditional railways?

Unlike traditional railways or Metros, RRTS trains will travel at much faster speeds (over 160 km/h) and carry a large number of passengers, reducing congestion and high-frequency operations with trains every 15 minutes.

This high-speed, reliable, and comfortable train service is set to ease travel for millions, saving commuters one-third of their usual travel time between Delhi and Meerut, that is, less than 60 minutes.

Who owns and runs the RRTS?

The trains are owned by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) which was formed in July 2013, as a joint venture (JV) of the Governments of India and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

In July 2022, the NCRTC selected Deutsche Bahn (DB), the national railway company of Germany, to operate and maintain the corridor for 12 years with a further five-year option.

The NCRTC named the provider of the services RapidX and the trains as Namo Bharat, the fastest rapid transit train in India, at an operational speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).

Where are the RRTS trains coming from?

Bombardier Transportation, a former Canadian company in railway manufacturing, now acquired by Alstom, a global French company in railway manufacturing, will supply 210 coaches consisting of 30 trainsets with six coaches each. The trains are being manufactured in the company's plant in Savli, Gujarat.

--IANS

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Porbandar, Jan 5 (IANS) An Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) crashed in Gujarat's Porbandar on Sunday, killing all three crew members on board, a top police official confirmed.

The chopper went up in flames upon impact, and the identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.

The crash occurred during a routine sortie at the Air Enclave of the Indian Coast Guard. The helicopter, identified as an ALH Dhruv, plummeted into an open field before catching fire.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and an inquiry has been initiated to determine the circumstances behind the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses captured footage of the burning wreckage, while initial reports indicate that several others were injured in the incident.

Sharing details of the incident, Porbandar Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhagirath Singh Jadeja said, "This accident happened during routine work when this helicopter was landing on the runway. There were three people on board. All three people were rescued and sent to the hospital but all three could not be saved. This was a lightweight helicopter of the Coast Guard."

Similar incidents involving the ALH Dhruv helicopters have also occurred in the past with the Indian Coast Guard, which is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue operations in the nation's territorial waters.

Four months ago, in September, another Coast Guard ALH MK-III helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off the Porbandar coast during a mission to evacuate an injured crew member.

While the bodies of two crew members were recovered, a month-long search ensued to locate the pilot, Rakesh Kumar Rana, whose body was eventually found in October off the Gujarat coast.

This latest crash raises fresh concerns about the ALH Dhruv fleet, which is operated by the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Two years ago, design and metallurgy flaws were identified in certain components of the helicopter.

A safety audit was conducted following a spate of accidents, prompting the temporary grounding of the fleet for comprehensive technical checks.

The ALH Dhruv fleet, comprising over 325 helicopters across various branches of the armed forces, resumed operations after passing the safety audit. However, incidents like these continue to cast a shadow over the reliability of the platform.

Further details on the Porbandar crash are awaited as officials work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.

--IANS

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Chennai, Jan 5 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a prize of one million US dollars for archaeologists who can decipher and provide a coherent understanding of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

This announcement was made during the inaugural ceremony of the International Seminar on the Centenary of the Discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation, held at the Government Museum in Egmore on Sunday.

The three-day seminar has brought together renowned archaeologists, historians, and scholars from across the globe to discuss the civilisation‘s significance and its connections with Tamil Nadu.

In his keynote address, Chief Minister Stalin highlighted that approximately 60 per cent of the symbols found on Indus Valley pottery are identical to those discovered on artefacts unearthed during excavations in Tamil Nadu.

He emphasised that this striking similarity has sparked immense interest among scholars and could potentially unlock the mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

To further promote research in this field, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 2 crore to establish a research chair in the name of renowned archaeologist Iravatham Mahadevan.

This chair will facilitate in-depth studies on the Indus Valley Civilisation, with a particular focus on its ties to Tamil Nadu.

It may be noted that recent archaeological findings from Sivakalai in Tuticorin have brought researchers closer to establishing a definitive connection between Tamil Nadu and the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Dating of these finds places them between 2500 BCE and 3000 BCE.

Interestingly, the finds from Tamil Nadu suggest the presence of an Iron Age civilisation that ran parallel to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which spanned from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.

While the Indus Valley Civilisation predominantly used copper objects during this time, the presence of iron objects in Tamil Nadu suggests an advancement in the Metal Age.

This intriguing discovery has captivated historians and archaeologists alike.

Additionally, ongoing studies are examining graffiti marks found in Tamil Nadu during excavations to determine their connection to the undeciphered Indus script. The results of these studies could shed light on whether the graffiti marks are linked to the Indus Valley Civilisation.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought the response of the Delhi government on a plea alleging that land allotted for afforestation to mitigate pollution has been misused.

A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava took note of the submission that 125 bighas of land, which was allocated to the Forest Department for afforestation to mitigate pollution, enhance green cover, and contribute to environmental protection, remains entirely under illegal cultivation, or unauthorised residential and commercial structures have been constructed on these plots.

"Issue notice to the respondents (Delhi government and other authorities) for filing their response/reply by way of affidavit before the Tribunal at least one week before the next date of hearing through e-filing," ordered the Bench, also comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and technical member Dr. A Senthil Vel.

The plea, filed by Kishori Lal, highlighted that the Lt Governor in 2005 allocated the parcel of 125 bighas of Gram Sabha land in Kharkhari Jatmal village of Delhi’s Najafgarh for afforestation.

As per the applicant, this land has been encroached upon by the land mafia, where illegal construction and unauthorised agricultural activities are taking place.

The applicant submitted that despite repeated complaints, the Forest Department has failed to remove the encroachment and take corrective actions. The plea further alleged that the demarcation of the land is still incomplete, and there is illegal extraction and sale of groundwater from this area.

Issuing notice to the Delhi government and other authorities, the green tribunal asked the applicant to serve the authorities and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing.

The green tribunal clarified that if any authority directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate, then the said official will remain virtually present on the next date of listing. The matter will be heard next on April 22.

--IANS

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Gurugram, Jan 5 (IANS) Haryana Industry and Commerce, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh said on Sunday that the "foundation for Gurugram's golden future will be laid with better connectivity and a strong road network.

In the same sequence, an elevated road from Gurugram Jaipur National Highway to Vatika Chowk and four flyovers from Vatika Chowk to Ghata will be constructed for Rs 800 crore, improving connectivity.

The Cabinet Minister said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of this important project, to be implemented by the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), is being prepared and work will start soon.

"In development work to be carried out in Gurugram in the next five years, common people's opinion will be given priority," he said.

He said the BJP has come to power in Haryana for the third time as it not only makes promises but also fulfils them.

The Cabinet Minister said: "The officials should provide the benefit of every facility to the citizens.

"The development works should be completed within the stipulated time so that the public can get benefitted on time. He said that it is his priority to provide the benefit of public welfare schemes and various services implemented by the government to the citizens.

The Cabinet Minister, while accepting the demand for a community centre in Close South, said its work would start in the next two months.

During this, on the complaint of encroachment on the green belt from Vatika Chowk to Ghata, he said that RS Bhatt of GMDA has been made the nodal officer to make the city encroachment-free.

He said that the deadline of January 31 had been set to make this entire road route of 12 kilometres encroachment-free.

He asked the officers to prepare proposals for the development works to be carried out in future and send them to the government so that after getting their approval, the development works could be carried out as soon as possible.

--IANS

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Jammu, Jan 5 (IANS) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday announced that the 4-lane Banihal bypass has been completed and will become operational within 15 days.

This 4-lane road will bypass traffic from Banihal town on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway thereby saving the travel time lost to traffic jams in the town. Built for Rs 224.44 crore, the bypass features four viaducts spanning 1,513 meters and three culverts, addressing persistent bottlenecks caused by roadside markets and shops.

In a post on X, Gadkari shared that traffic will initially be released on two lanes before transitioning to four lanes following the completion of junction development.

“This critical infrastructure enhances regional connectivity, strengthens national security logistics, and improves tourism prospects in Jammu & Kashmir,” Gadkari stated.

He highlighted the project’s transformative impact under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contributing to economic growth and elevating the region’s status as a premier tourist destination.

Due to the connectivity vision, the distance between Jammu and Srinagar has been reduced by the laying of several tunnels and flyovers. The biggest among these are the Nashri Tunnel and the Pir Panjal Tunnel. These two strategic tunnels have bypassed the snowbound Pir Panjal and the Patnitop sectors of the highway which would frequently get blocked during heavy snowfall. The laying of these two strategic tunnels has made the Jammu-Srinagar highway a truly all-weather road.

The major area of concern on this highway is now the 52 km long stretch from Ramsoo to Ramban. Tunnels at Panthyal and Khoni Nallah have addressed the problem of this troublesome stretch to some extent, but a small rain is sufficient to trigger shooting stones, landslides and mudslides on this stretch in Ramban district. In addition to the shortening of the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by multi-crore projects completed and some in the process of completion on the highway, the rail connectivity between Udhampur and Baramulla through operationalisation of the Vande Bharat train by PM Narendra Modi on January 26 will revolutionalise travel between Jammu and the Valley. The Vande Bharat train will be the realisation of a 70-year-old dream of Kashmiri horticulturists, agriculturists, traders, students and the common man.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Mohammad Sajjad Alam, a key accused in the Popular Front of India (PFI) Phulwarisharif case, from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, soon after he arrived from Dubai.

Alam, a resident of East Champaran district in Bihar, was arrested by an NIA team as he disembarked from his flight on Saturday.

The NIA Special Court in Patna had issued an arrest warrant against Alam, a trained cadre of the banned PFI. Additionally, a Look Out Circular had been issued against him to prevent his escape.

According to NIA investigations, Alam was involved in channelling illegal funds from Dubai to PFI members in Bihar. The illicit funding operation was reportedly conducted through a syndicate based in the UAE, Karnataka, and Kerala.

The funds were allegedly used to support the PFI's unlawful and criminal activities in India.

The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into the Phulwarisharif case, where the NIA has been investigating alleged conspiracies and financial networks tied to the banned outfit's operations in Bihar and other parts of the country.

The case, initially registered by Phulwarisharif Police in July 2022, pertains to the involvement of PFI members in unlawful and anti-national activities.

The investigation revealed that PFI members had conspired to create an atmosphere of terror and incite religious enmity between different communities. Their actions, intended to disrupt public tranquillity and spread disaffection against India, allegedly aimed to advance the PFI's ideological agenda of establishing Islamic rule in the country.

The NIA's probe uncovered the existence of a document titled 'India 2047: Towards Rule of Islam in India, Internal Document: Not for Circulation'. This vision document allegedly outlined the PFI's strategy to achieve its ideological goals through activities detrimental to national peace and harmony.

Investigators allege that these activities included the use of criminal force to propagate the PFI ideology.

The NIA took over the investigation shortly after the case was registered in 2022.

Earlier, 17 individuals have been arrested and charge-sheeted in connection with the case, including key figures alleged to be involved in channelling illegal funds and orchestrating conspiracies to further the PFI's objectives.

The arrest of Alam marks another significant development in the ongoing investigation. The NIA continues its efforts to dismantle the network and activities of the banned organisation in India.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 5 (IANS) The Indian startup ecosystem has seen major changes in the last few years and there has been an unprecedented rise in the participation of women entrepreneurs as the funding of female-led startups increased by over 90 per cent in 2024.

Women entrepreneurs are not only becoming founders and co-founders, but a large number of investors are also investing in women-led startups.

According to the Indian Startup Funding Report 2024 by Inc42, women-led startups raised around $930 million across 136 deals in 2024. This figure was $480 million across 118 deals in 2023, showing a growth of 93.75 per cent year-on-year.

The fintech sector topped the funding received by women-led startups. It had a share of 28.7 per cent or $266.91 million in the total funding. It was followed by the e-commerce sector with a share of 22.8 per cent or $212 million and enterprise tech at third place with a share of 14 per cent or $130 million in total funding.

The fintech sector has received this funding in only 17 deals. Meanwhile, E-commerce has received $212 million in funding in 53 deals.

Apart from this, the share of health tech and cleantech in the total funding was 11 per cent ($ 102.3 million) and 14.1 per cent ($ 130.93 million) respectively.

Additionally, in 2024, a total of 13 new-age companies launched their initial public offerings (IPOs), as startups cumulatively raised more than Rs 29,200 crore from the stock market.

The 13 startups cumulatively raised Rs 29,247 crore from the cash market. Out of this, the fresh issue was nearly Rs 14,672 crore and Rs 14,574 crore Offer for Sale (OFS).

Among these startup IPOs, 10 were mainboard and three were SME IPOs.

The startup IPOs include TAC Security, Unicommerce, MobiKwik, TBO Tek, Ixigo, Trust Fintech, FirstCry, Menhood, Awfis, Swiggy, Digit Insurance, Blackbuck and Ola Electric.

--IANS

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