Manish Sisodia CBI searches: 'The question is…’: AAP MLA asks probe agencies after excise policy raids

As the CBI on Friday conducted raids at the residence of Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 20 other locations - spread across seven states - over the AAP government's excise policy, party MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, said the agencies should also tell people if anything was recovered at all. Backing Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal's "honest government" remark, Bhardwaj told media persons that they welcome the raids conducted by the agencies.

Ro Khanna, Mike Waltz elected co-chairs of House India caucus

Washington Indian American Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna and Khanna, 46's Republican House colleague Mike Waltz have been chosen as co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 118th Congress. Khanna, 46, is the second Indian American to be elected as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans since it was established in 1993. Congressman Ami Bera served as its co-chair during the 115th Congress (2015-2016).

State will reduce paddy straw burning instances by 50%, Punjab Chief Secy tells CAQM

Punjab chief secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua has assured the Commission for Air Quality Management that the state will reduce the fire instances by 50% in comparison with 2022. The chief secretary gave this assurance in a meeting held by chairperson of the CAQM in the National Capital Region, Dr MM Kutty, with senior officers and all deputy commissioners of the state. He appreciated the districts of Ludhiana and Malerkotla which are doing exceptional work.

Haryana budget will focus on welfare of weaker sections, farmers: Khattar

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday that the focus of the 2023-24 state budget will be on economic and social upliftment of weaker sections, farmers, and labourers, while promoting industries and further improving health services. Khattar said that on the lines of the Central government, Haryana too will present the state's first budget of Amrit Kaal. He said Haryana should get maximum benefits from important projects announced in the Union Budget.

Karnataka government begins 108 Namma clinics in Bengaluru

The Karnataka government on Tuesday launched 108 'Namma Clinics' in Bengaluru. CM Basavaraj Bommai inaugurated a clinic in Mahalakshmipura layout in the city and called this step as a revolutionary move in the urban health sector. Out of the 438 Namma clinics, 243 would be in BBMP and the rest 195 in districts, said Health Minister K Sudhakar.

Rhino that exited Kaziranga and attacked civilians, found dead in Golaghat

A female one-horned rhinoceros that lost her way and exited the Kaziranga national park, and attacked some civilians and forest officials, died on Monday in Assam's Golaghat district, officials of the forest department said. Superintendent of police, Golaghat district, Ramandeep Kaur, said the rhino exited Kaziranga national park recently and attacked civilians and some forest officials. She said four persons, including the divisional forest officer (DFO), sustained severe injuries in the rhino attack.

EAC report puts Haryana low on personal safety index: Bhupinder Hooda

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday slammed the BJP-JJP government in the state for failing to protect the personal safety of citizens. Quoting an independent research, Social Progress Index report, by Institute for Competitiveness, Hooda said that Haryana was among some of the poor performing states in terms of personal safety index with a score of 33.04.

Haryana BJP state executive meeting from February 10 to 11

The Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party will hold a state executive meeting from February 10 to 11 in Bhiwani to prepare the cadre for Mission-2024 when the Lok Sabha polls will be followed by the state assembly elections. Haryana BJP president Om Prakash Dhankar and chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar will be the key speakers during the two-day meeting which will be held at Maharana Pratap College, Bhiwani.

Two killed in hit-and-run incident in Pune

Two people were killed in a hit-and-run accident on Manjari Road in Fursungi on Sunday. The truck driver's whereabouts are being sought by police. The deceased have been identified as Santosh Shivaji Harpale (37), a resident of Indira Vasahat and Laxman Annasaheb Patil (35), a resident of Chandwadi in Fursungi area. According to Hadapsar police, Hapale and Patil were standing along the roadside near an old canal on Manjari road.

Goa villagers mistake Russian theatre for ‘black magic’, stops performance

A theatrical re-enactment of the story of Shanidev (Saturn) and King Vikramaditya in Russian by Russian performing artists was mistaken for 'black magic' at Paliem Pernem in North Goa by local panchayat members who allegedly intervened and disrupted the 'performance' whilst confronting the 'performers.' The performance was allegedly disrupted seeking to see 'copies of the permissions' before they began the performance.

‘We aim to encourage agri-tourism in Kashi with minimal environmental footprint’

VARANASI Born and bred in Varanasi, Sonal Sahai left a prolific career in software engineering to start an agri-tourism venture in his home town. To start his dream project, he quit his job as ERP consultant at KG Information Systems in Coimbatore. He says his new project is his way of giving back to society. His project envisages to develop an ?agri-tourism facility? near Chunar (Mirzapur). This would include eco-friendly accommodation in an agricultural set-up.

Defence manufacturing, production sector ecosystem behind rise of strong Indian armed forces: CDS Anil Chauhan

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that indigenous defence production and manufacturing ecosystem has played a key role in the current transformation of the Indian armed forces into a strong and powerful force in recent times. Gen Chauhan was addressing a gathering of private defence production and manufacturing sector stakeholders during the MSME Defence Expo 2023 organised by NIBE Limited at Chakan.

Chandigarh: PU deans’ election on February 20; profs above 60 to participate

Strap: Profs above the age of 60 to participate; deans of 11 faculties and secretaries to be elected : After deferring it indefinitely in December, Panjab University has decided to hold the election of faculty deans on February 20. According to a senior university official, unlike in December, professors serving above the age of 60 will be included in the voters list this time. The term of deans will end on January 31, 2024.

Aaditya’s challenge to Shinde is entertainment for public: Dadaji Bhuse

The minister of agriculture and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena leader Dadaji Bhuse on Tuesday dismissed Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thacekray's challenge to chief minister Eknath Shinde to contest against him in their respective strongholds ? Worli and Thane. They have worked together for 25 to 30 years and everybody was good then, said Bhuse, who was in Navi Mumbai to inaugurate a water transport service from Belapur to Gateway of India, adding, ?Now after the recent developments, we have all suddenly become nalayak'. People see through this.?

Caddy golf tournament: Sonu, Vikram walk away with top spot

Showing off their mettle on the greens, Sonu Verma and Vikram clinched the top prize during the First North India Caddy Golf Tournament held at the Forest Hill Golf and Country Club on Tuesday. As many as 50 caddies from all over the tricity and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the tournament. The tournament was played as a best ball format. Sonu and Vikram got Rs 12,000 as prize money.

Unique visual art exhibition by differently-abled artists impresses tricity

With a similar motto, a unique visual art exhibition is being organised at Elante Mall, Chandigarh under Armaan Art Initiative, in association with Shanky Studio, Social Substance, SAI, and Creative Karma. The exhibition, promoting differently-abled artists in the tricity area, was inaugurated by eminent personalities including Punjabi film director Royal Singh, producer Parag Vijra, and another reputed name in the Punjabi film industry, Vishal Kalsi.