Order Reserved for October 4; Concerns Raised Over Tampering of Basement Contents
Sep- 30, 2023 : In Varanasi, a court wrapped up the hearing on Saturday regarding a petition requesting the surrender of keys to the basement of the Gyanvapi mosque complex to the Varanasi district magistrate. The court has reserved its order on the matter, which is scheduled to be delivered on October 4.
The basement in question, known as “Vyas ji ka Tehkhana,” had been barricaded and locked in 1993. Prior to this closure, the basement was utilized for worship by Somnath Vyas, a priest, as stated by petitioner Madan Mohan Yadav.
Yadav has expressed concerns about the potential tampering of the basement’s contents and, therefore, has sought the key to be entrusted to the district magistrate.
District Judge AK Vishvesh had, on Friday, adjourned the case to Saturday for further hearings following the Kashi Vishwanath Trust’s request for additional time to prepare their argument.
During the proceedings, Yadav claimed that the advocate representing the Kashi Vishwanath Trust stated that they had no objections to handing over the basement keys to the district magistrate.
District government counsel Rajesh Mishra confirmed that the court has now reserved its order on the matter until October 4.
It’s worth noting that the Archaeological Survey of India is currently conducting a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, to ascertain whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed atop a Hindu temple.
Khammam- Sep- 30, 2023 : IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao marked a significant day in Khammam as he launched a series of substantial development projects alongside prominent political leaders, heralding investments totaling Rs. 1,390 crore. This momentous occasion was also an opportunity for Minister Rama Rao to applaud Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s impending feat of becoming the first hat-trick Chief Minister in South India.
Minister Rama Rao, accompanied by Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Members of Parliament Nama Nageswara Rao, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, and Bandi Parthasarathy Reddy, led the inauguration of several transformative projects in Khammam and Palair Assembly constituencies.
Among the significant initiatives unveiled were the NTR statue and the inauguration of the NTR Municipal Park at Lakaram Tank Bund, an underground drainage system, stormwater drains, and ten Municipal Parks, developed at a cost of Rs. 106 crore as part of the Gollapadu channel modernization project. The inauguration also included a football turf court at SBIT and the opening of a vegetable and meat market at VDOs Colony in Khammam.
During this event, Minister Rama Rao laid the foundation stone for the Lakaram underground drainage and stormwater drain, in addition to an underground drainage and sewage treatment plant. The project, valued at Rs. 690 crore, encompasses the construction of a CC retaining wall on either side of the Munneru stream and a cable-stayed bridge, worth Rs. 180 crore, across Munneru as part of the Munneru River Front Project.
Furthermore, Minister Rama Rao initiated development works funded by Rs. 100 crore from the Telangana Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDC) and Rs. 20 LRS grants. He also unveiled a coffee table book produced by the Khammam Municipal Corporation (KMC) that highlights the city’s development.
Addressing the audience at the ‘Pragathi Nivedana Sabha,’ Minister Rama Rao commended Khammam for its tremendous growth over the past nine years. He highlighted that the government had allocated Rs. 2,300 crore to provide 50,000 new tap connections to households, and he urged Ajay Kumar and District Collector VP Gautham to formulate plans for ensuring round-the-clock drinking water supply to households, thereby positioning KMC as the first corporation in the state to achieve this milestone.
Minister Rama Rao also acknowledged the substantial improvements in infrastructure, citing the expansion of roads from 400 km to 1,115 km within the municipal corporation, Raghunathapally mandals, and the surrounding areas. He attributed these accomplishments to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao, who established a Government Medical College and sanctioned a JNTU Engineering College.
Minister Rama Rao further criticized the Congress party, characterizing it as a “sinking ship.” He asserted that Congress leaders, uncertain about receiving party tickets for upcoming elections, were attempting to mislead the public with impractical guarantee cards. He urged voters to remember that, during its six decades of rule, Congress had failed to deliver on its promises and cautioned against being swayed by large sums of money injected into Telangana by the Congress. Minister Rama Rao called upon voters to make wise choices, lending their support to BRS in the upcoming elections to secure a hat-trick Chief Minister in Chandrashekhar Rao and a hat-trick MLA in Ajay Kumar.
Hyderabad’s Bicycling Enthusiasts Await the Inauguration of India’s First Solar Roof Cycling Track
Image Credit: Telangana Today
Hyderabad is gearing up to provide a significant boost to its bicycling community with the impending opening of the nation’s pioneering solar roof cycling track on October 1.
Special Chief Secretary for Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD), Arvind Kumar, unveiled a teaser video on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), creating excitement for the imminent inauguration.
This groundbreaking cycling track spans an impressive 23 kilometers and boasts three lanes, with two expansive stretches converging at Narsingi Junction. The first stretch spans 8.5 kilometers, running from Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy, while the second extends for 14.5 kilometers, connecting Kollur to Narsingi.
The track has been meticulously designed to cater to the needs of cyclists, offering a range of facilities that include ample parking space, surveillance cameras for security, food courts, drinking water stations, and well-maintained restrooms. Additionally, to cater to the cycling community, the track features bicycle repair shops and bicycle docking stations, with rental services also on the horizon.
One of the key innovations of this cycling track is its solar roof panels. These panels not only protect cyclists from the sun, rain, and adverse weather conditions but also provide an added layer of safety by separating cyclists from main traffic. Moreover, they contribute to the production of clean energy, making the track self-sustainable while ensuring 24×7 illumination for cyclists.
The forthcoming inauguration of this solar roof cycling track is expected to revolutionize cycling in Hyderabad and serve as a model for sustainable urban infrastructure.
Telangana Government Allocates Four New Ambulances for Rapid Response
Representational picture
Warangal- Sep- 30, 2023 : In a concerted effort to enhance emergency healthcare services across Warangal district, the Telangana government has taken a significant step by expanding its ‘108’ ambulance services. This initiative aims to swiftly transport individuals facing life-threatening situations to hospitals. Recently, the government has allocated four new ‘108’ ambulances to the district, augmenting the existing fleet of 11 ambulances. These strategically stationed ambulances are located at crucial points, including Warangal Railway Station, Matwada Fire Station, and Ursu Centre within the GWMC limits of the district.
Medical officers are harnessing GPS technology to identify dynamic hotspots within their respective mandals, facilitating quicker response times and the delivery of essential medical care. Medical staff operate in two shifts, ensuring round-the-clock availability of emergency services.
The impact of these emergency services in the district has been substantial, with thousands of individuals benefiting each year. Sivakumar, the Programme Manager of ‘108’ Services, reported that the service served 14,176 people in 2017-18, followed by 13,335 in 2018-19, 12,959 in 2019-20, 10,868 in 2020-21, 12,731 in 2021-22, and an impressive 17,013 in 2022-23. He also noted that the new ambulances have been operational since last month, further enhancing the district’s emergency response capabilities.
The addition of four new ambulances strengthens the district’s readiness for emergency situations, with these vehicles now stationed in Narsampeta, Nallabelli, Nekkonda, and Parvatgiri Mandals.
In a dedicated effort to improve newborn care, the government has approved a specialized ambulance for CKM Hospital, aligning with the increasing number of deliveries at the hospital due to government policies.
Furthermore, recognizing the need for enhanced mortuary services, the government has allocated an additional mortuary vehicle (hearse vehicle) to the MGM Hospital. This supplemental vehicle ensures the prompt and dignified transportation of bodies from MGM Hospital to their final resting places.
Kaloji Narayana Rao University Extends Deadline for Discontinuation without Penalty
Hyderabad -Sep- 30, 2023 : The Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) in Hyderabad has announced a revision in the last date for candidates to exit from PG Medical Courses without incurring any penalty. The new deadline is set at 4 pm on October 3, 2023. This update applies to all candidates admitted up to the second phase of counseling under the competent authority quota for the academic year 2023-24 in affiliated colleges.
Candidates who wish to discontinue their PG Medical Course must submit an application to the Principal for discontinuation from the program. It’s important to note that candidates opting for discontinuation will no longer be eligible for further rounds of Competent Authority Quota counseling for PG Medical courses.
The vacancies created by candidates who discontinue their courses will be filled during the mop-up phase of counseling. Medical college Principals have been directed to facilitate the departure of such candidates upon application, return the original certificates, and promptly refund the entire fee paid by the candidates. Additionally, they are required to upload this data to the admission portal by 5 pm on October 3, 2023.
Senior Congress Leader Criticizes Electoral Bond Scheme as New Tranche Opens
New Delhi Sep -30 2023 : In a recent statement, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has strongly condemned the electoral bonds scheme, characterizing it as “legalized bribery.” As the 28th tranche of electoral bonds is set to be launched on October 4, Chidambaram predicts that it will result in a “golden harvest” for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The decision to approve the issuance of the 28th tranche of electoral bonds was announced by the government on Friday, and these bonds will be available for purchase for a period of 10 days starting October 4.
This development takes place against the backdrop of upcoming assembly elections in several states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The official announcement of poll dates for these states is expected soon.
Chidambaram took to a social media platform, where he expressed his concerns regarding the upcoming tranche of electoral bonds. He remarked, “It will be a golden harvest for the BJP. Going by the past records, 90 percent of the so-called anonymous donations will go to the BJP.” Chidambaram further stated, “The crony capitalists will open their cheque books to write out their ‘tribute’ to the lord and master in Delhi.”
Chidambaram’s strong stance against electoral bonds has ignited a debate on the ethicality and transparency of political funding in India. He categorically labeled electoral bonds as “legalized bribery.”
Electoral bonds were introduced as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties in an effort to enhance transparency in political funding. The inaugural sale of electoral bonds occurred in March 2018, with the State Bank of India (SBI) being the sole authorized bank for their issuance.
Electoral bonds are available for purchase by Indian citizens and entities incorporated or established within the country. Registered political parties that have secured not less than 1 percent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha or legislative assembly elections are eligible to receive funding through electoral bonds.
The Congress party has been vocal in its criticism of the electoral bonds scheme, describing it as one of the most “diabolical acts” of the Narendra Modi government. They argue that the scheme undermines the electoral system and democracy in India.
“The Perilous Path of Sectarian Hatred and Its Impact on India”
By Vir Sanghvi
India is sinking deeper into the abyss of division and hatred. The hatred that was once propagated by political parties for electoral gains has now permeated so deeply that no one can stop it. Neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi, nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), nor any religious fundamentalist organizations, nor those who want to divide India through propaganda campaigns.
We know why the Modi government is not criticizing the divisive ideologies – it’s election season once again. They need the loyal support of the staunch Hindu nationalist factions in states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This is evident from the fact that Bhopal’s MP Pragya Thakur was given another opportunity to call Nathuram Godse a “patriot.” When she praised Godse on previous occasions, she was reprimanded, but this time, there is no such action. Assembly elections are approaching in Madhya Pradesh, which explains BJP’s online army’s reactions. As Bhadralok stated, it seems BJP has chosen to support Baduria rather than punish her.
It’s unfortunate that very few politicians want to stop it. They are willing to sacrifice the long-term future of a happy and united India for their short-term electoral gains. Writing about it won’t change the way the Hindu Brigade operates. And why should it? The painful truth is that sectarian hatred polarizes the nation, diverts attention from governance failures, and wins elections.
However, I hope enlightened liberals in India will realize that they are also playing into the hands of those who want to focus on religious fanaticism and division. When I criticized the unnecessary and incendiary attacks on Sattan Dharam by Stalin Junior, I had to face the criticism of a well-meaning liberal. My point was that many of us know that the Dravidian movement defines Sattan Dharam in a particular way – in terms of hierarchy and casteism – a definition now adopted by the Singh family regarding Hinduism.
BJP knows very well what the Dravidian parties believe. When Adityanath made this comment, BJP was in alliance with AIADMK. Clearly, BJP has no objection to allying with parties that have such thoughts about Hinduism. But BJP Junior was ready to twist Stalin’s views to present the entire Indian Union as anti-Hindu. PM stated that India Alliance is obsessed with destroying Sattan Dharam.
I now fear that in the matter of purity too, something similar could happen. No enemy of the Sikhs of India is greater than the leaders of the Khalsa. Sikhs have no interest in a separatist movement that caused Punjab considerable damage in the last 15 years due to terrorism. But after Canada’s allegation that we were involved in the murder of a supporter of purity, the minds of some crazy Sikhs living in British Columbia turned into a mirage and the issue of the red turbans became significant.
There is a lesson in all this. In a divided country steeped in hatred, those who believe in our unity should strengthen our unity and not pay attention to our differences. Secular politicians shouldn’t focus on religion; they should focus on governance.
By unnecessarily attacking Sattan Dharam or creating an imaginary threat of religious purity, liberals are falling into the trap of those who want to polarize India.
The news published through ‘Roznama Khabren Urdu’ has been translated into English and published.
Hyderabad – Sep -29-2023 : A local court has handed down a 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence to a man in a case involving the rape of a minor girl that occurred in Chilkalguda in 2018. Additionally, the court has imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on the convicted individual.
The convicted person, identified as Ch. Manikya Rao, had taken personal pictures of the 15-year-old girl, who resided in the same neighborhood. Using these photographs, he subjected her to multiple instances of sexual assault over a period of four years, all while threatening to harm her family if she disclosed the abuse to anyone.
The incident remained hidden until the girl complained of stomach pain and was subsequently taken to a hospital by her grandmother.
Following a complaint, the Chilkalguda police initiated a case and subsequently arrested the perpetrator.
Hyderabad – Sep -29-2023 : The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad recently welcomed a visit from the Royal Air Force (RAF), which included four Typhoon aircraft and the groundbreaking Airbus 330 MRTT for daylight auto air-to-air refuelling.
These RAF aircraft had a scheduled refuelling stop at the Hyderabad airport on Wednesday and completed their mission before departing on Thursday.
The airport authorities took immense pride in successfully hosting the RAF aircraft and the Airbus 330 MRTT. In an official statement, they emphasized that this event underscores the airport’s capabilities and readiness to accommodate advanced military aircraft.
Gareth Wynn Owen, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, expressed his enthusiasm about this significant development on social media. He noted that the RAF’s visit to Hyderabad highlights the growing defense collaboration between the United Kingdom and Indian air forces.
The Royal Air Force, established in April 1918 during World War I, serves as the aerial warfare branch of the United Kingdom’s armed forces. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the world’s most technologically advanced and capable air forces.
The RAF operates a diverse range of aircraft, including fighter jets, and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the UK’s airspace, providing support to ground forces, and participating in international humanitarian and combat missions.
New Delhi- Sep- 29-2023 : Air India announced on Friday that it has successfully acquired India’s inaugural Airbus A350-900 aircraft via a finance lease arrangement with HSBC.
This transaction has marked Air India as the first scheduled airline to acquire an aircraft from an entity registered in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Furthermore, the A350-900 represents the initial widebody aircraft leased through India’s premier International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
Airline officials stated, “The transaction was facilitated by AI Fleet Services Limited (AIFS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India and a finance company registered in GIFT IFSC.”
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer at Air India, commented on this groundbreaking development, stating, “This landmark transaction marks the beginning of our aircraft leasing business from GIFT IFSC, as AIFS will be the primary Air India Group entity for widebody aircraft financing, playing a pivotal role in the future aircraft financing strategy for us and our subsidiaries.”
Aggarwal also expressed Air India’s commitment to supporting the Government of India’s efforts in establishing an aircraft leasing hub within GIFT IFSC, thus contributing to the growth of a robust aviation ecosystem in the country.
Dipesh Shah, Executive Director of IFSCA, acknowledged Air India’s role in advancing aircraft leasing and financing within IFSC, mentioning, “IFSCA has been working with the stakeholders to develop regulatory enablers for aircraft leasing and financing. The steps taken by Air India by establishing a finance company for the purpose of aircraft leasing and financing at IFSC will go a long way in developing IFSC as a preferred destination for aircraft leasing and financing in India as well as globally.”
The arrival of the first of Air India’s six Airbus A350-900 aircraft is anticipated by year-end, with the remaining five scheduled for delivery through March 2024. Beyond these A350-900s, Air India’s extensive order book comprises 470 new aircraft, including 34 A350-1000s, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10 Boeing 777X widebody aircraft, as well as 140 Airbus A320neo, 70 Airbus A321neo, and 190 Boeing 737MAX narrowbody aircraft.
The purchase agreements for these aircraft were formally inked by Air India with Airbus and Boeing during the Paris Air Show held in June earlier this year.
