The national capital witnessed filing of two high profile nominations from New Delhi assembly constituency with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Parvesh Verma conducted march to file the nomination papers for the upcoming assembly elections.
“I am going to file my nomination papers today. People from across the city have gathered to give me blessings. We will march towards the office. I request everyone to bless me so that AAP wins in Delhi to work towards education, health, and electricity,” Kejriwal said.
Before marching towards the office to file nomination for the assembly election, he along with his wife visited Maharishi Valmiki temple and Hanuman temple.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate from the New Delhi Assembly seat, Parvesh Verma filed his nomination and said that it has been filed for the development of Delhi. “BJP will certainly win from the New Delhi seat,” he said.
Kejriwal will be facing BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit in the elections.
Meanwhile BJP’s Ramesh Bhiduri, AAP’s Jarnail Singh, Congress’ Devendra Yadav also conducted marches in their assembly constituency to the office to file their nomination papers.
Bidhuri said, “There is no fight here. There is a huge anti-incumbency. People have bid farewell to Atishi. At the time of her nomination, there were not even 50 people from Kalkaji…We have come into politics to serve the people, not to become CM by lying like Arvind Kejriwal.”
Delhi chief minister Atishi filed her nomination on Jan 15 from Kalkaji.
The 70-member Legislative Assembly in Delhi is scheduled to go for polls on February 5, 2025. Besides the ruling AAP, the BJP and the Congress are the main contenders. Over the years, AAP has seen a decline in winning seats in 2020 as compared to 2015. The party won 67 seats in Delhi for the year 2015 and 62 in 2020.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Tuesday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for hiding the face of the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.
“Two-three days back, the CM face of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal challenged BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri to discuss vision for Delhi on an open stage. Ramesh Bidhuri is the strongest candidate for CM post in BJP and he has all the qualities to become a BJP CM. When we knew from our sources that he might be the CM face and Arvind Kejriwal did a press conference, fight started in the BJP, Parvesh Verma said he is also the candidate, others also chipped in, and now we came to know that Ramesh Bidhuri is saying that he is not,” Singh said.
He asked who is the ‘dulha’ (CM face) then? “It is very dangerous that elections will happen without people knowing who is their CM face. The BJP should reveal the CM face,” he added.
He also slammed Parvesh Verma for distributing money, specs and other things while the model code of conduct has been implemented ahead of assembly elections.
“Parvesh Verma tweeted about distributing specs to the people after the model code of conduct was implemented. There is evidence that money and bedsheets were distributed and the DM and SHO are saying that they are not able to find the evidence. Therefore, the Election Commission should conduct an unbiased investigation in which these officers are not involved only then you will get to know the truth,” Singh said.
Speaking on the CAG report, he said that senior leaders of BJP are presenting bogus CAG reports in front of the media.
“On the one hand the matter is in High Court and on the other hand they are doing politics,” he said.
The 70-member Legislative Assembly in Delhi is scheduled to go for polls on February 5, 2025. Besides the ruling AAP, the BJP and the Congress are the main contenders.
Over the years, AAP has seen a decline in winning seats in 2020 as compared to 2015. The party won 67 seats in Delhi for the year 2015 and 62 in 2020.
New Delhi : Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘poor’ category and fog continued to persist in the morning hours on Tuesday also.
The AQI stood at 247 at 6 a.m. but deteriorated slightly to 250 by 8 a.m., remaining in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The dense fog engulfed the city, significantly reducing visibility, as the cold wave maintained its grip on the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted isolated rainfall in Delhi and nearby areas on January 15 and 16, with a fresh western disturbance expected to impact northwest India starting Tuesday.
A marginal rise in temperatures was noted over the past 24 hours, with the city recording maximum temperatures of 16-17 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures of 9-10 degrees Celsius. While clear skies are forecast for January 14, cloudy conditions are likely to prevail on January 15 and 16.
Despite the overall improvement in air quality, some areas of the city reported higher pollution levels. Early morning CPCB readings highlighted severe air quality at Anand Vihar with an AQI of 356, while Wazirpur recorded 321.
Other locations, including Ashok Vihar, Shadipur, and Rohini, remained on the higher end of the “poor” category, with AQI levels nearing 300. Pollution levels ranged between 254 and 291 in areas like R.K. Puram, ITO, and Narela.
The “poor” AQI category encompasses readings between 201 and 300, while 301 to 400 is classified as “very poor, ” and levels above 400 fall under “severe”.
Recent overnight rainfall on January 12 significantly contributed to improved air quality across Delhi-NCR, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to lift GRAP Stage III restrictions.
This allowed private construction and demolition activities to resume, regular in-person classes for students up to Class 5 to continue, and the unrestricted operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, along with non-essential BS-IV diesel medium goods vehicles.
However, the city remains on alert as the weather and pollution levels continue to fluctuate.
Mumbai:Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on Wednesday, during which, he will dedicate three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard.
He would later interact with the Mahayuti legislators, especially after the landslide victory in the state Assembly elections. Thereafter, he will inaugurate the International Society for Krishna’s Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
According to the government release, the commissioning of three major naval combatants marks a significant leap forward in realising India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security.
INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, ranks among the largest and most sophisticated destroyers. It has an indigenous content of 75 per cent and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapon-sensor packages and advanced network-centric capabilities.
INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability, seakeeping, and stealth, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates.
INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project, represents India’s growing expertise in submarine construction and has been constructed in collaboration with the Naval Group of France.
During Prime Minister Modi’s interactive session with Mahayuti’s legislators, the lawmakers are expected to give their report cards. The Mahayuti partners, including BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP have given instructions to their respective legislators on how to make their report cards and give inputs for the vision for Maharashtra.
A senior Mahayuti leader said, “The legislators will be ready with a note on how they will implement various state and Central government’s schemes and their roadmap for five years. They will also submit status on the effective implementation of these schemes and the present financial and social conditions of the beneficiaries of such welfare and development schemes from their respective constituencies.”
He further added that the legislators from three parties will have to submit information relating to how they regularly keep contact with the voters and their communication strategies.
Moreover, Prime Minister Modi at 3.30 p.m. will inaugurate the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple, an ISKCON project in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. The project, spread over nine acres, includes a temple with several deities, a Vedic education centre, proposed museums and auditorium and healing centre, among others. It aims to promote universal brotherhood, peace, and harmony through Vedic teachings.
Notably, on January 12, the BJP held a state-level meeting at Shirdi to celebrate its stellar performance in polls and the formation of the Mahayuti government again in Maharashtra.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked the BJP legislators to be ready to continue the victory march in the upcoming local and civic body elections in line with the party’s Panchayat to Parliament stand.
Jaipur : The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail till March 31 to self-styled Godman Asaram, who is serving life imprisonment in a 2013 rape case.
This comes a week after the Supreme Court granted him bail till March 31 in another rape case, to avail medical treatment.
The petition in the HC filed by Asaram for suspension of sentence and bail was heard on Monday.
Asaram’s lawyer R.S. Saluja said to the media persons that while hearing the petition the court granted interim bail to Asaram till March 31.
He was arrested by Jodhpur police from his ashram in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore in 2013. Since then, he has been in jail.
After a trial of five years, on April 25, 2018, the court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment. Now, after 11 years, he will be out of jail on interim bail.
The terms and conditions set by the court include that Asaram cannot meet his followers and will not try to tamper with the evidence in the case.
Three guards will accompany him, whose expenses will have to be borne by Asaram.
Earlier on January 7, the Supreme Court had granted medical bail to Asaram till March 31, 2025, in the case of the rape of a female follower in the Surat ashram. While giving the verdict on the bail, the Supreme Court had said that Asaram could not meet his followers. The court had clarified that the relief was granted solely on humanitarian grounds and directed compliance with conditions imposed during the bail period.
Asaram did not get relief in the Jodhpur rape case. After this, his lawyer filed a petition in the High Court which gave him relief.
The self-styled godman has been held guilty in two cases in Jodhpur Court and Gandhinagar Court.
He was arrested by Jodhpur Police from the Indore ashram on September 2, 2013. A woman from the ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat had filed a rape case against him. On January 31, 2023, the court sentenced him to life imprisonment in this case.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the various festivals, including Makar Sankranti and Magh Bihu, being celebrated across the country on Tuesday.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, PM Modi wished people, hoping it would bring new energy and enthusiasm. In a post on social media X, he said (in Hindi), “Many best wishes to all countrymen on Makar Sankranti. May this holy festival dedicated to the Uttarayan Sun bring new energy and enthusiasm into your life.”
Along with Makar Sankranti, the people are also celebrating the ‘Uttarayan’, which is an astronomical event of the sun’s transition from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere. It is considered an auspicious period in Hindu cosmology. The sun’s movement from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana is significant as per ancient Vedic beliefs.
Greeting the nation on this occasion, PM Modi wrote on X, “Have a wonderful Uttarayan! May this festival bring success and happiness in everyone’s lives.”
Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu or Maghor Bihu, is also being celebrated today. It is one of Assam’s most anticipated festivals, a vibrant celebration of the harvest season that marks the transition into the new year. It is a festival to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest and celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of Assam.
Wishing the best on the day, PM Modi said, “Best Wishes on Magh Bihu! We celebrate the abundance of nature, the joy of harvest and the spirit of togetherness. May this festival further the spirit of happiness and togetherness.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended his heartfelt greetings to devotees on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Coinciding with the Maha Kumbh festival, which commenced on Monday with the ‘Pavitra Snan,’ Makar Sankranti marked the second day of the celebrations. Devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take the ‘Amrit Snan’ at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
Taking to X, CM Yogi shared, “This is the living form of our eternal culture and faith. Today, on the auspicious occasion of the great festival of folk faith ‘Makar Sankranti’, congratulations to all the devotees who earned virtue by taking the first ‘Amrit Snan’ at the Triveni Sangam in Mahakumbh-2025, Prayagraj!”
Sonamarg : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-awaited Z Morh Tunnel in the Sonamarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The 6.5-kilometer tunnel, a crucial part of the Srinagar-Leh Highway, was dedicated to the nation in a grand ceremony attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and several Union Ministers.
The Z Morh Tunnel, which will ensure year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, marks a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development. The tunnel will enhance access to the popular tourist destination of Sonamarg and improve strategic connectivity.
During the inauguration, the Prime Minister inspected the tunnel’s construction site and interacted with the project authorities and workers. The tunnel is a vital component of a project worth Rs 2,700 crore, which includes a 6.5-km stretch and a 5-km approach road. The bi-directional tunnel also features an escape tunnel for emergencies.
The electric vehicle revolution is well underway, and Raptee.HV is at the forefront of transforming the Indian two-wheeler market. In an exclusive interview with Tehelka, Dinesh Arjun, CEO and co-founder of Raptee.HV, sheds light on the origins, innovations, and future aspirations of this trailblazing electric bike company.
The company was born out of a vision to revolutionize the Indian two-wheeler market by addressing critical gaps in locally developed technology and reducing dependence on imports.
“As young engineers inspired by India’s growing global presence and intercollegiate competitions like Baja and Supra, we recognized a need for innovation in two-wheelers,” Arjun said. With bikes being an emotional symbol in Indian households, the team was driven to create a smart, safe, and sustainable electric motorcycle built entirely on Indian soil, he added.
Speaking on the uniqueness of the product, Arjun says that it’s their full-stack approach. “We develop proprietary technology and components in-house, ensuring safety, performance, and sustainability. By manufacturing high-voltage motorcycles compatible with public chargers, we contribute to the global shift towards sustainable mobility with robust, user-centric designs,” he said.
Raptee.HV’s electric bikes are celebrated for their unique blend of aesthetics and technology. The motorcycles feature high-voltage architecture, adaptive machine learning, and an intuitive interface. “Our bikes deliver fast charging, compatibility with public charging stations, superior pickup, and a design that resonates with tech-savvy riders,” explains Arjun. This combination of premium aesthetics and cutting-edge innovation ensures their bikes cater to the demands of a modern, environmentally conscious audience.
Its edge lies in its use of high-voltage technology developed entirely in-house and the integration of lightweight, durable materials for optimal performance and safety. With 96 patents and advanced machine-learning algorithms powering their products, the company delivers a seamless and premium experience in the Indian two-wheeler market.
Arjun highlights that developing electric bikes is not without its challenges. He said that this required frugal innovation and fostering trust with Tier 1 suppliers. Additionally, designing high-performance motorcycles and managing resources with a young team pushed us to adopt resilient, agile solutions.
“We aim to diversify our portfolio while maintaining our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and localized manufacturing,” says Arjun, emphasizing their intent to make a global impact.
While Raptee.HV’s current focus remains on electric motorcycles, the company is laying the groundwork for deeper market penetration. Plans include opening company brand stores in eight key cities, expanding to additional cities over time, and introducing direct-to-home offerings for sales and service. “With better reach, enhanced customer experience, and a compelling value proposition, we aim to improve brand awareness and penetration,” shares Arjun.
Supply chain constraints, limited charging infrastructure, and affordability remain significant hurdles for the EV industry. Raptee.HV addresses these challenges through in-house manufacturing, high-voltage charging technology, and premium yet accessible bikes tailored to diverse customer needs.
“Our bikes are designed for longevity and recyclability, ensuring they remain environmentally friendly throughout their lifecycle,” concludes Arjun. Raptee.HV’s journey exemplifies the potential of homegrown innovation to reshape industries and drive sustainability. With a clear vision, a commitment to excellence, and a focus on localized solutions, the company is poised to redefine the future of two-wheeler mobility in India and beyond.
New Delhi: Union Minister and BJP President J.P. Nadda extended greetings to the devotees participating in Maha Kumbh 2025, as the revered Hindu festival commenced on Monday.
One of the most revered Hindu festivals, Maha Kumbh, commenced on Monday with the auspicious ‘Shahi Snan’ at the Sangam in Prayagraj, marking the confluence of the sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.
This spiritual event, occurring once every 144 years due to a rare celestial alignment, began on ‘Paush Purnima, ‘ attracting over 4 million devotees on the first day.
Taking to X, Nadda wrote, “The Maha Kumbh has started today with the holy bath on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima in the holy pilgrimage city of Prayagraj.”
“Maha Kumbh has been keeping our ancient cultural heritage alive since time immemorial. May this great festival fill everyone’s life with new energy and vigour, ” he further said.
“I extend my heartfelt greetings to all devotees participating in the Maha Kumbh festival, which is the centre of faith and devotion of innumerable devotees and a symbol of the rise of the great Sanatan culture, and my salutations to all saints, ” Nadda added.
Meanwhile, Prayagraj transformed into a spiritual hub and welcomed saints, seers, pilgrims, and devotees from across India and the world.
The massive gathering witnessed people performing the sacred ritual of taking a holy dip in the Sangam, symbolising the cleansing of sins and the attainment of spiritual merit.
The Maha Kumbh, spanning from January 13 to February 26, is expected to host an unprecedented 45 crore people, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.
Elaborate security arrangements have been implemented by the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure the safety and convenience of the attendees.
Devotional activities, including aarti and other rituals, were conducted with fervour, uniting people in their faith.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the case of death of a pregnant woman last week at state-run Medical College & Hospital in the state’s West Midnapore district alleged after being administered with ‘expired’ Ringer’s Lactate (RL) saline.
Speaking to mediapersons at the state secretariat of Nabanna on Monday, the Chief Minister said that from the sequence of events, it is evident that there was negligence on the part of the doctors attached to the hospital.
The Chief Minister also made it clear that the probe by CID in the matter will go on in a parallel manner with the ongoing probe by the state health department appointed probe committee.
“Strict action will be taken in the matter after the detailed report by the probe committee is available. I will not tolerate any kind of negligence in the matter, ” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister’s announcement to hand over the investigation to CID comes just hours after PILs were filed in Calcutta High Court in the matter.
Last week, five pregnant women were critically admitted at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital after allegedly being administered expired saline.
One of them, Mamoni Ruidas (25), died on Friday. The remaining four were under treatment at the same hospital.
Three of them were shifted to state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College and Hospital in south Kolkata on Sunday night following sharp deterioration in their health conditions.
The incident raised serious concerns, especially as the expired RL saline allegedly came from Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical Limited, a company earlier banned by the Karnataka government and later by the West Bengal government.
The West Bengal health department has formed a 13-member inquiry committee to investigate how expired saline was administered to these patients.
This incident has revived concerns over similar cases in the state’s healthcare system.
Notably, in a recent case of financial irregularities at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, its former principal, Sandip Ghosh, was accused of encouraging the use of expired and ineffective drugs on patients for personal financial gains.
