New Delhi: In a significant development, the Congress party has officially announced its refusal to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, labeling it as an event orchestrated by the RSS/BJP with political motives.
Party stalwarts, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who were extended invitations, have opted to abstain from the ceremony. In a statement issued by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, the party emphasized that religion is a personal matter but accused the RSS/BJP of politicizing the Ayodhya temple project.
“The RSS/BJP have long made a political project of the temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration of the incomplete temple by the leaders of the BJP and the RSS has been obviously brought forward for electoral gain,” stated Jairam Ramesh.
The Congress leaders, while expressing adherence to the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and acknowledging the sentiments of millions who revere Lord Ram, framed their decision as a respectful decline of the invitation to what they perceive as an overtly RSS/BJP-driven event.
Hyderabad :- In a startling incident today, the Charminar Express train derailed at Nampally railway station, resulting in at least five minor injuries. The mishap occurred as the train bound for Chennai slipped off the track upon arrival, colliding with the sidewall.
Fortunately, railway officials have confirmed no casualties, and they are currently investigating the cause of the derailment. Two bogies have been reported to be derailed.
As a consequence of the incident, there is expected to be a disruption in several train services, with diversions and cancellations likely. Stay tuned for more details on this developing story.
Rajasthan :- In the aftermath of his defeat in the Karanpur bypoll against Congress candidate Rupinder Singh Kooner, Rajasthan Minority Affairs Minister Surenderpal Singh tendered his resignation on Tuesday. Despite being the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate for the bypoll, Singh had been inducted into the Rajasthan cabinet. His electoral setback by over 11,000 votes prompted the consequential decision to step down.
Surenderpal Singh assumed office as Minister of State (MoS) with independent charge on December 30, 2023. However, his ministerial role was marked by controversy when, on January 5, he was assigned key portfolios, including the minority and waqf department, agricultural marketing department, Indira Gandhi Nahar, and irrigation development. The Congress raised objections, citing a violation of the code of conduct, as Singh took on ministerial responsibilities while still being a candidate for the Karanpur bypoll.
Prior to his recent ministerial role, Surenderpal Singh had served as a minister in the BJP-led government under former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in 2003 and 2018. In 2003, he oversaw the agriculture department, and in 2018, he held the petroleum department. The context of Singh’s resignation unfolds against the backdrop of the new Rajasthan government formed after the BJP’s substantial victory in the state Assembly elections held in November 2023.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who assumed office on December 15, 2023, along with deputies Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa, now faces the task of addressing the vacancy left by Singh’s resignation. This political development adds to the dynamics of the state’s political landscape and the ongoing adjustments within the newly formed government.
Asifabad :- In a perplexing turn of events, following the recent discovery of a deceased sub-adult tigress in Kagaznagar, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, another tiger, identified as an adult male, was found lifeless about 2 km away on Monday. The circumstances surrounding these consecutive deaths have sparked concerns, with one suspected to be a result of territorial conflict and the other indicating potential foul play.
The Telangana forest department officials initially attributed the death of the sub-adult tigress to a territorial dispute between tigers. However, the latest incident suggests a more sinister cause, as the adult tiger was found with physical signs hinting at poisoning. Despite a snare loosely around its neck, no apparent injury marks were observed on the body.
While the two carcasses were discovered in close proximity, approximately 800 meters apart, the forest department maintains that, as of now, the deaths are not directly linked. The initial investigation into the sub-adult tigress revealed clear signs of physical injuries, and forensic analysis of hair samples is underway to confirm if the two incidents are connected.
The corridor of the Kawal Tiger Reserve, where both carcasses were found, houses four sub-adult tigers, a male, and a female tiger. Preliminary assumptions suggest that the recently deceased adult tiger might be the father of the sub-adult tigress killed a few days ago.
Mohan Chandra Pargaien, Chief Wildlife Warden, emphasized ongoing inquiries into the tiger deaths. He expressed concerns over the possibility of poisoning, given the proximity to a water stream, as tigers tend to move towards water bodies when affected. The field staff is actively seeking leads to determine any human involvement.
The first tigress was discovered with a fractured hind leg, ruling out hunting techniques like snares, traps, or electrocution. The sudden occurrence of two tiger deaths has prompted heightened surveillance in the region. Officials, including RM Dobriyal, PCCF, and Chief Wildlife Warden MC Pargaien, along with a team appointed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, visited the site on Tuesday. The tiger carcass was disposed of per NTCA norms, and nearby cattle remains, suspected to be used for poisoning, were also removed. An FIR is being lodged at the local police station, according to an official statement.
New Delhi : – In a momentous ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, President of India Droupadi Murmu conferred the esteemed Arjuna Award upon Team India pacer Mohammed Shami on Tuesday. The award, India’s second-highest sporting honor following the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in recognition of Shami’s outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Shami’s noteworthy achievements in the ICC Cricket World Cup included being the highest wicket-taker for India, securing a total of 24 wickets in just seven matches. His pivotal role contributed significantly to Team India’s success as the Runner-Up (Men’s Team) in both the ICC Cricket World Cup held in India and the ICC World Test Championship held in London, United Kingdom, both in 2023.
Expressing his gratitude on the eve of the event, Shami remarked, “This award is a dream; life passes, and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award.”
Shami’s impactful presence became prominent in the 2023 World Cup after he was included in the playing XI following an unfortunate ankle injury to Hardik Pandya during the match against Bangladesh on October 19.
The Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honor, is a testament to Shami’s dedication and skill in the field of cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had recommended Shami’s name for the award, recognizing his exceptional performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Speaking on the eve of the event, Shami expressed his gratitude, stating, “This award is a dream; life passes, and people are not able to win this award. I am happy that I have been nominated for this award.”
The list of Arjuna Award Winners 2023 includes notable names from various sporting disciplines:
Ojas Pravin Deotale (Archery) Aditi Gopichand Swami (Archery) Murali Sreeshankar (Athletics) Parul Chaudhary (Athletics) Mohammad Hussamuddin (Boxing) R Vaishali (Chess) Mohammed Shami (Cricket) Anush Agarwalla (Equestrian) Divyakriti Singh (Equestrian Dressage) Diksha Dagar (Golf) Krishan Bahadur Pathak (Hockey) Sushila Chanu (Hockey) Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi) Ritu Negi (Kabaddi) Nasreen (Kho-Kho) Pinki (Lawn Bowls) Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (Shooting) Esha Singh (Shooting) Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (Squash) Ayhika Mukherjee (Table Tennis) Sunil Kumar (Wrestling) Antim Panghal (Wrestling) Naorem Roshibina Devi (Wushu) Sheetal Devi (Para Archery) Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Blind Cricket) Prachi Yadav (Para Canoeing) The Arjuna Award ceremony not only celebrates individual excellence but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across diverse sports.
Mohammed Shami receiving Arjuna Award for his brilliance in Indian cricket.
London : – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commenced his visit to the United Kingdom with a tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square, central London. Marking his return after a 22-year hiatus, Singh, accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and his delegation, laid floral tributes at the iconic memorial honoring the Father of the Nation.
The sculpture, depicting Gandhi in a meditative pose, serves as a site for commemorations of Gandhi Jayanti and Martyr’s Day by the diaspora.
Following this homage, Singh proceeded to Whitehall for an inspection of a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Horse Guards Parade. Subsequently, he engaged in a bilateral meeting with UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. Their discussions are expected to cover a wide range of defence, security, and industrial cooperation issues.
Later in the day, Singh is scheduled to visit the Ambedkar Museum in north London to pay homage to Dr B R Ambedkar, a prominent Dalit rights activist and the architect of the Indian Constitution. He will also participate in prayers at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, also known as Neasden Temple in London.
Accompanied by senior officials from various divisions of the Ministry of Defence, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Service Headquarters, Department of Defence, and Department of Defence Production, Singh arrived in London on Monday night for a three-day visit. Besides the meeting with Shapps, he is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and hold discussions with Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
On the following day, the Defence Minister is slated to engage with leaders from the defence industry at a roundtable event and later convene with representatives of the Indian community at a reception hosted by the High Commission of India in London.
Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy, and Diplomacy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, highlighted the visit’s aim to deepen military cooperation and foster defence industrial partnerships between India and the UK. He pointed to potential avenues for enhanced naval and maritime security cooperation, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, involving third countries like Oman and Kenya, where the UK maintains a military and naval presence, alongside increased involvement by the Indian Navy.
Singh’s previously planned visit to the UK in June 2022 was cancelled by the Indian side due to “protocol reasons.”
Hyderabad : – In a significant development, the Telangana government has served a memo to senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar for alleged ‘serious violations’ in connection with the Formula E race agreement.
The memo, issued by Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari, raises concerns over the conclusion of agreements with Formula E Operations (FEO) for the conduct of Formula E racing events in Season-9 and Season-10 in Hyderabad.
Arvind Kumar has been asked to explain why a substantial financial expenditure of Rs 46 crore, plus a tax amount of Rs 9 crore, was paid from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) resources even before the agreement was signed. The memo highlights that this payment was made without the concurrence of HMDA’s Board of Directors and the Finance Department of the state government.
The Chief Secretary’s memo instructs Arvind Kumar to provide an explanation within seven working days, addressing the lapses and justifying why suitable further action should not be initiated.
The officer, formerly the Special Chief Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, was transferred to the role of Special Chief Secretary of Revenue after the change in government last month.
The memo, dated January 6, coincided with the announcement of the cancellation of the second Formula E race (Season 10) scheduled in Hyderabad for February 10. The cancellation followed the Telangana government’s decision not to fulfill the Host City Agreement, signed on October 30, 2023, leading to a breach of contract notice from FEO.
The government’s concerns, as outlined in the memo, include the absence of due process approval for the tripartite long-term agreement with FEO and a private organizer. It questions the lack of permission for the revised agreement entered for Season-10, particularly during the Model Code of Conduct enforced by the Election Commission of India.
The memo also raises queries regarding the designation of HMDA as the nodal agency for hosting and conducting the event without the required approval from competent authorities, as mandated by the Secretariat Business Rules.
The memo further underscores constitutional obligations, emphasizing that formal consent from competent authorities should have been obtained for major policy decisions involving significant financial commitments.
This development adds a layer of complexity to the Formula E saga in Hyderabad, prompting further scrutiny into the decision-making process and financial transactions related to the racing event.
Khammam :- District Collector VP Gautham has directed officials from the electricity department to urgently address issues concerning electricity supply in the region. In a comprehensive review meeting held on Tuesday, he emphasized the immediate provision of electricity connections to households and 67 government schools currently lacking this essential service.
During the meeting, the Collector focused on various initiatives, including Gruha Jyothi, Mission Bhagiratha, Girivikasam, schools, Anganwadi centers, and health sub-centers. He underscored the need for a prompt resolution to the problem of high and abnormal billing.
Under the Giri Vikasam initiative, Gautham highlighted that 271 units in the district have paid fees for electricity connections. Of these, connections have been granted to 261 units, with the directive to expedite the provision of remaining connections.
Addressing the electricity meter situation in Anganwadi centers, the Collector urged officials to install meters in the remaining 236 centers within a week. Additionally, he instructed a random inspection of the 500 schools in the district equipped with solar panels, requiring a report on their operational status and whether net meter billing is being implemented.
With 56 new health sub-centers under construction, Gautham directed officials to coordinate with the health department to install electricity meters in these centers. Regarding Mission Bhagiratha, he highlighted issues affecting the supply of drinking water to Sathupalli town due to electricity problems, urging joint inspections by electricity and Mission Bhagiratha officials to resolve these concerns.
Gautham also stressed the need for officials to take immediate steps to provide connections to households without electricity. Additionally, he called for an examination of applications received under Praja Palana, where applicants have not mentioned electricity service meter numbers.
Officials from the electricity department, including SE K Ramesh, DEs Baburao, Rama Rao, Krishna, Nageswara Rao, Ramulu, Mission Bhagiratha SE Sadashiva Kumar, and EE Pushpalatha, along with district welfare officer Suma, SAO Sridhar, and others, were present at the meeting.
Hyderabad : – In a notable development, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held discussions with a delegation from Godrej Agrovet Company Ltd on Tuesday.
The multifaceted company, specializing in cooking oils, dairy, agro, veterinary services, agro chemicals, animal fodder, and veterinary services, is gearing up to establish an integrated oil palm processing unit in collaboration with Malaysia-based Sime Darby Berhad company, specifically in Khammam district.
The Managing Director, Iram Singh Yadav, led the delegation during their meeting with the Chief Minister at the Secretariat. During the discussions, Revanth Reddy proposed that the company explore the vast potential in the state across various sectors such as real estate, furniture, and consumer goods.
Expressing full support for the expansion of the company’s oil palm and dairy businesses, which are already underway in Telangana, the Chief Minister urged Godrej Agrovet to incorporate skill development initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility.
In attendance at the meeting were IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari, and other government officials. The discussions highlight the collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector for the state’s economic growth and diversification.
Dr. C. Mallikrajuna, Chief Urologist and Managing Director at AINU, announces the milestone of 1,000 Robotic surgeries in Urology and Nephrology Care in Hyderabad. Dr. P.C. Reddy, AINU Director (second from left), and others are present. Pic// Style Photo Service
Hyderabad :- In a significant milestone, the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU), a flagship of AHH (Asia Healthcare Holdings), proudly announces the completion of 1,000 robotic surgeries in the domains of Urology, Uro-Oncology, and Nephrology care. Positioned as India’s largest single-specialty hospital network in these fields, AINU’s achievement underscores its leadership in providing cutting-edge technology for enhanced patient outcomes.
The robotic surgeries, successfully conducted under AINU’s expert care, addressed conditions such as Kidney Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, and reconstructive urology for the repair of areas within the urinary tract.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery Highlighted: Dr. C. Mallikarjuna, Chief Consultant Urologist & Managing Director, AINU, shed light on the benefits of robotic surgeries, emphasizing superior post-operation experiences for patients. In prostate cancer cases, the precision of robotic surgery ensures a more consistent urination pattern and the preservation of delicate nerves, allowing for normal penile erection. Similarly, in kidney cancers, the targeted removal of tumors while preserving the majority of the kidney is achievable through robotic surgery, showcasing exceptional outcomes compared to traditional methods.
AINU’s Robotic Surgery Program: AINU’s robotic surgery program integrates the expertise of highly skilled surgeons with state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgical systems. This approach enhances precision, dexterity, and visualization during surgeries, leading to improved clinical outcomes, reduced postoperative discomfort, lesser blood loss, and faster recovery for patients.
Outlook on the Future of Robotic Surgeries: Dr. P.C. Reddy, Senior Urologist & Executive Director, AINU, envisions a pivotal role for robotic surgeries, especially with the integration of artificial intelligence. He anticipates AI analyzing global surgical procedures, providing valuable insights, and collaborating with human surgeons for optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Reddy also hints at potential cost benefits to patients as the usage of robotic technology continues to increase.
AINU’s Commitment to Advancements: As AINU continues to pioneer advancements in robotic surgery, the hospital reaffirms its dedication to ongoing research, training, and collaboration. This commitment ensures that patients receive the most advanced and compassionate care in the fields of Urology and Nephrology.
About Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology: Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology, now a part of Asia Healthcare Holdings, stands as India’s largest single-specialty hospital network in Urology & Nephrology. With seven hospitals across four cities and a leading team of nephrologists and urologists, AINU is recognized for clinical expertise in Urology and Nephrology. Services include Uro-Oncology, Reconstructive Urology, Paediatric Urology, Female Urology, Andrology, Kidney Transplants, and Dialysis. A pioneer in Robotic Urology surgery in India, AINU holds accreditations from NABH, DNB (Urology & Nephrology), and FNB (Minimal Invasive Urology), having treated over a lac patients.
