The Indian state of Gujarat is getting up for the annual vibrant Gujarat Summit now this year Summit is expected to break its 2019 record of signing over 20,000 deals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the summit at the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be attending the summit as the Chief Guest on the 9th of January.

PM Modi to inaugurate vibrant Gujarat Summit

As per reports, the Indian state of Gujarat is in talks with chipmakers in Japan, South Korea and the United States for investments in the state. India is now aiming for the top spot in the chip market.

Semiconductor Industry in India: Gujarat in talks with global chipmakers for investments

China's growing 'EJIAO' market to suffer if trade is banned. China imports over 3 million donkeys per year. The Donkey Skin is used to make traditional medicine in China.

India: Gujarat probes 'Donkey Flight', 55 questions asked to passengers so far | India News | WION

Days after the 'Donkey flight,' which was halted in France for allegedly involvement in human trafficking, came in spotlight, authorities reveal that more than 60 people from Gujarat on board the Nicaragua-bound plane had agreed to pay $76,000 to $96,000 to immigration agents, who promised to cross into the US illegally after reaching the Latin American country.

Gujarat: Donkey flight investigation continues

303 passengers predominantly Indians found themselves at the centre of a high-stakes legal showdown in France. The passengers detained by the French authorities are back in India. Latest probe reveals agents booked air tickets & gave funds for emergency situations. Watch to get more insights!

India-France Plane Row: Gujarat state probes 'Donkey Flight,' at least 55 questioned

<p>Tesla will soon be entering the Indian market and the first manufacturing plant of the electric carmaker is likely to be set up in the Indian state of Gujarat next year.<br />
<br />
The ongoing negotiations for establishing the EV maker's first manufacturing unit in India are in their final leg and are likely to reach a conclusion soon, as per media reports. The announcement regarding the establishment of a Tesla manufacturing unit in the state will most probably take place in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit which is scheduled to be held in January 2024, Ahmedabad Mirror reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robot-at-teslas-texas-factory-attacked-engineer-leaving-a-trail-of-blood-report-673845">Robot at Tesla's Texas factory attacks engineer, leaving a 'trail of blood': Report</a></p>

<p>The west Indian state of Gujarat has been a strategic location for setting up businesses for years now. Already, the state is home to manufacturing units of automakers like Maruti Suzuki. The Tesla manufacturing plant's possible location can be Sanand, Becharaji, and Dholera, as per the report.<br />
<br />
Till now, no official announcement has been made by the state government or the EV on this matter.</p>

<h2><strong>Minister hints at Musk's investment in Gujarat</strong></h2>

<p>Gujarat Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel had recently expressed optimism regarding Elon Musk's chances of making an investment in Gujarat.<br />
<br />
Speaking at a Cabinet briefing on Thursday (Dec 28), Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel said that awareness and alignment of Gujarat run parallel with the overarching goals of Tesla.<br />
<br />
He further emphasised that the government has been actively discussing with Tesla the finalisation of the deal for the establishment of the manufacturing plant in Gujarat.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Safety concerns over Tesla's robot attack &amp; fatal car malfunctions mount</strong></p>

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<p>As per media reports, Gujarat has been the top destination for setting up Tesla's manufacturing plant not just because of the policies adopted by the state government but also because it boasts of proximity to ports which enables the export of the EV maker's products.<br />
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Tesla can easily increase its exports from India from locations like Sanand because they are at a short distance from Kandla-Mundra port in Gujarat.<br />
<br />
In 2003, the vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was conceptualised, and the&nbsp;tenth edition to be held in January 2024&nbsp;will celebrate "20 years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success".</p>

<p>The summit serves as a global platform for knowledge sharing, business networking and strategic partnerships for sustainable development and inclusive growth.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Tesla will soon be entering the Indian market and the first manufacturing plant of the electric carmaker is likely to be set up in the Indian state of Gujarat next year.

Tesla will soon be entering the Indian market and the first manufacturing plant of the electric carmaker is likely to be set up in the Indian state of Gujarat next year. The ongoing negotiations for establishing the EV maker's first manufacturing unit in India are in their final leg and are likely to reach a conclusion soon, as per media reports. The announcement regarding the establishment of a Tesla manufacturing unit in the state will most probably take place in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit which is scheduled to be held in January 2024, Ahmedabad Mirror reported. Also read: Robot at Tesla's Texas factory attacks engineer, leaving a 'trail of blood': Report The west Indian state of Gujarat has been a strategic location for setting up businesses for years now. Already, the state is home to manufacturing units of automakers like Maruti Suzuki. The Tesla manufacturing plant's possible location can be Sanand, Becharaji, and Dholera, as per the report. Till now, no official announcement has been made by the state government or the EV on this matter. Minister hints at Musk's investment in Gujarat Gujarat Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel had recently expressed optimism regarding Elon Musk's chances of making an investment in Gujarat. Speaking at a Cabinet briefing on Thursday (Dec 28), Gujarat Minister Rushikesh Patel said that awareness and alignment of Gujarat run parallel with the overarching goals of Tesla. He further emphasised that the government has been actively discussing with Tesla the finalisation of the deal for the establishment of the manufacturing plant in Gujarat. Watch: Gravitas: Safety concerns over Tesla's robot attack & fatal car malfunctions mount As per media reports, Gujarat has been the top destination for setting up Tesla's manufacturing plant not just because of the policies adopted by the state government but also because it boasts of proximity to ports which enables the export of the EV maker's products. Tesla can easily increase its exports from India from locations like Sanand because they are at a short distance from Kandla-Mundra port in Gujarat. In 2003, the vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was conceptualised, and the tenth edition to be held in January 2024 will celebrate "20 years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success". The summit serves as a global platform for knowledge sharing, business networking and strategic partnerships for sustainable development and inclusive growth. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk's Tesla to set up first Indian manufacturing plant in Gujarat: Report

<p>A three-year-old girl who fell in an open borewell on Monday (Dec 1) in India’s western state of Gujarat and was rescued later in the night was pronounced dead by doctors, reported Indian Express. Unfortunately, the girl was&nbsp;in an unconscious condition when she was pulled out after a nine hours long rescue operation.&nbsp;She&nbsp;was being treated in a hospital&nbsp;in Khambhalia, the headquarters of Devbhumi Dwarka district.</p>

<p>“After being rescued, she was first taken to a hospital in Khambhalia along the way and she was pronounced dead there. Her body is now being brought to GG Hospital for post-mortem,” Dr Nandini Desai, medical superintendent of state government-run GG Hospital, was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Gujarat: A 2.5-year-old girl who fell into a borewell in Ran village of Kalyanpur tehsil of Dwarka district has been rescued successfully by Indian Army personnel and the NDRF team. <a href="https://t.co/ti9hbglZJc">https://t.co/ti9hbglZJc</a> <a href="https://t.co/gYfeXOwOTt">pic.twitter.com/gYfeXOwOTt</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1741865915879444882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The girl was taken out of the borewell at around 9:50 pm IST. According to the officials, the rescue operation saw participation from Army personnel as well as officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).</p>

<p>The girl fell into the 30-foot borewell at around 1 pm IST earlier in the day. “The district administration sought the help of the Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for her rescue,” said Deputy Collector HB Bhagora. The NDRF team reached the site of the incident at around 8 pm from Gandhinagar, said an official.</p>

<p>"To rescue the girl, her hand was locked with a rope, and an L-shaped hook was deployed to provide stability. Parallel digging was also carried out," an NDRF official said.</p>

<p>"Team 6 of NDRF pulled out the child successfully from the borewell. She was sent to a hospital in an ambulance, and is unconscious," he had said earlier.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A three-year-old girl who fell in an open borewell on Monday (Dec 1) in India’s western state of Gujarat and was rescued later in the night was pronounced dead by doctors, reported Indian Express.

A three-year-old girl who fell in an open borewell on Monday (Dec 1) in India’s western state of Gujarat and was rescued later in the night was pronounced dead by doctors, reported Indian Express. Unfortunately, the girl was in an unconscious condition when she was pulled out after a nine hours long rescue operation. She was being treated in a hospital in Khambhalia, the headquarters of Devbhumi Dwarka district. “After being rescued, she was first taken to a hospital in Khambhalia along the way and she was pronounced dead there. Her body is now being brought to GG Hospital for post-mortem,” Dr Nandini Desai, medical superintendent of state government-run GG Hospital, was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. #WATCH | Gujarat: A 2.5-year-old girl who fell into a borewell in Ran village of Kalyanpur tehsil of Dwarka district has been rescued successfully by Indian Army personnel and the NDRF team. https://t.co/ti9hbglZJc pic.twitter.com/gYfeXOwOTt — ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2024 × The girl was taken out of the borewell at around 9:50 pm IST. According to the officials, the rescue operation saw participation from Army personnel as well as officials from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The girl fell into the 30-foot borewell at around 1 pm IST earlier in the day. “The district administration sought the help of the Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for her rescue,” said Deputy Collector HB Bhagora. The NDRF team reached the site of the incident at around 8 pm from Gandhinagar, said an official. "To rescue the girl, her hand was locked with a rope, and an L-shaped hook was deployed to provide stability. Parallel digging was also carried out," an NDRF official said. "Team 6 of NDRF pulled out the child successfully from the borewell. She was sent to a hospital in an ambulance, and is unconscious," he had said earlier. (With inputs from agencies)

VIDEO: Three-year-old girl rescued from borewell in India’s Gujarat dies

Gujarat sets world record for Surya Namaskar on New Year's day. 50,000 participants across 108 venues simultaneously perform Surya Namaskar.

Gujarat welcomes 2024 with 'Surya Namaskar' world record

<p>Gujarat made an indelible mark in the Guinness Book of World Records by showcasing&nbsp;a momentous event on New Year's morning – the largest simultaneous Surya Namaskar performance.</p>

<p>Over 4,000 participants from 108 locations and spanning 51 categories actively engaged in the yoga practice, exemplifying the state's dedication to both health and cultural legacy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">VIDEO | Gujarat CM <a href="https://twitter.com/Bhupendrapbjp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bhupendrapbjp</a> attends a suryanamaskar event at Sun Temple in Modhera. <a href="https://t.co/4TaGlSkLC7">pic.twitter.com/4TaGlSkLC7</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1741641205610385616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended this extraordinary achievement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat - setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues! As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage," he said in a post on X.</p>

<p>"I also urge you all to make Surya Namaskar a part of your daily routine. The benefits are immense," he added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-tesla-car-spotted-in-bengaluru-traffic-creates-buzz-on-social-media-675590">Also read | India: Tesla car spotted in Bengaluru traffic, creates buzz on social media</a></p>

<h2><strong>Where did the mega event happen?</strong></h2>

<p>The grand spectacle unfolded at various venues, including the renowned Modhera Sun Temple, attracting a diverse array of participants ranging from families and students to yoga enthusiasts and seniors.</p>

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupesh Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi graced the event at Modhera, where Patel lauded the historical significance of the record-setting Surya Namaskar Thaki Gujarat.</p>

<p>“Om Suryaye Namah. The first day of the year 2024 turned out to be a wonderful confluence of yoga, spirituality, culture and health. The divine function of mass Suryanamaskar was organised in the premises of Modhera Sun Temple, the pride of Gujarat, as soon as the first ray of the sun fell on the temple,” he said in Gujarati in a post on X.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="gu">ॐ सूर्याय नमः<br />
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વર્ષ 2024 નો પ્રથમ દિવસ યોગ, આધ્યાત્મ, સંસ્કૃતિ અને સ્વાસ્થ્યના અદ્‌ભુત સંગમ સમો બની રહ્યો. ગુજરાતના ગૌરવ સમા મોઢેરા સૂર્યમંદિરના પરિસરમાં સૂરજનું પહેલું કિરણ મંદિર પર પડતાની સાથે જ સામૂહિક સૂર્યનમસ્કારનો દિવ્ય કાર્યક્રય યોજાયો.<br />
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માનનીય પ્રધાનમંત્રી શ્રી… <a href="https://t.co/tWQcSjOKmn">pic.twitter.com/tWQcSjOKmn</a></p>
— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1741724744909775355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-srinagars-ghanta-ghar-welcomes-2024-with-new-year-eve-celebrations-675345">Also read |&nbsp;In a first, Srinagar's Ghanta Ghar welcomes 2024 with New Year eve celebrations</a></p>

<p>“Under this programme organised with the inspiration of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, citizens at 108 places in Gujarat performed Surya Namaskar together. Overall, around 50,000 people from across the state participated in the Suryanamaskar event. Gujarat set a Guinness World Record by performing the largest number of Surya Namaskars simultaneously at different places," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Gujarat made an indelible mark in the Guinness Book of World Records by showcasing a momentous event on New Year's morning – the largest simultaneous Surya Namaskar performance.

Gujarat made an indelible mark in the Guinness Book of World Records by showcasing a momentous event on New Year's morning – the largest simultaneous Surya Namaskar performance. Over 4,000 participants from 108 locations and spanning 51 categories actively engaged in the yoga practice, exemplifying the state's dedication to both health and cultural legacy. Watch the video here: VIDEO | Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp attends a suryanamaskar event at Sun Temple in Modhera. pic.twitter.com/4TaGlSkLC7 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 1, 2024 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended this extraordinary achievement. "Gujarat welcomed 2024 with a remarkable feat - setting a Guinness World Record for the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 venues! As we all know, the number 108 holds a special significance in our culture. The venues also include the iconic Modhera Sun Temple, where several people joined. This is indeed a true testament to our commitment to Yoga and our cultural heritage," he said in a post on X. "I also urge you all to make Surya Namaskar a part of your daily routine. The benefits are immense," he added. Also read | India: Tesla car spotted in Bengaluru traffic, creates buzz on social media Where did the mega event happen? The grand spectacle unfolded at various venues, including the renowned Modhera Sun Temple, attracting a diverse array of participants ranging from families and students to yoga enthusiasts and seniors. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupesh Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi graced the event at Modhera, where Patel lauded the historical significance of the record-setting Surya Namaskar Thaki Gujarat. “Om Suryaye Namah. The first day of the year 2024 turned out to be a wonderful confluence of yoga, spirituality, culture and health. The divine function of mass Suryanamaskar was organised in the premises of Modhera Sun Temple, the pride of Gujarat, as soon as the first ray of the sun fell on the temple,” he said in Gujarati in a post on X. ॐ सूर्याय नमः વર્ષ 2024 નો પ્રથમ દિવસ યોગ, આધ્યાત્મ, સંસ્કૃતિ અને સ્વાસ્થ્યના અદ્‌ભુત સંગમ સમો બની રહ્યો. ગુજરાતના ગૌરવ સમા મોઢેરા સૂર્યમંદિરના પરિસરમાં સૂરજનું પહેલું કિરણ મંદિર પર પડતાની સાથે જ સામૂહિક સૂર્યનમસ્કારનો દિવ્ય કાર્યક્રય યોજાયો. માનનીય પ્રધાનમંત્રી શ્રી… pic.twitter.com/tWQcSjOKmn — Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) January 1, 2024 × Also read | In a first, Srinagar's Ghanta Ghar welcomes 2024 with New Year eve celebrations “Under this programme organised with the inspiration of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi, citizens at 108 places in Gujarat performed Surya Namaskar together. Overall, around 50,000 people from across the state participated in the Suryanamaskar event. Gujarat set a Guinness World Record by performing the largest number of Surya Namaskars simultaneously at different places," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

India’s Gujarat welcomes 2024 by performing mass Surya Namaskar, sets world record. Watch

303 passengers predominantly Indians found themselves at the centre of a high-stakes legal showdown in France. The passengers detained by the French authorities are back in India. An unaccompanied boy from Gujarat onboard flight from France missing. Watch to get more insights!

France Plane Row | India: Police working to find the missing boy

<p>Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least&nbsp;20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The interrogation was done to find out if some sort of illegal immigration network was running, media reports said citing a senior official.</p>

<p>This comes after the French court finally allowed the passengers to leave France four days, following which the Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, landed in Mumbai on December 26.</p>

<p>The plane landed in Mumbai had a total of 276 passengers onboard. Reports citing a top state Crime Investigation Department (CID) official, said that at least 60 out of the total passengers were from Gujarat. These people have already arrived in their native state and their interrogation is undergoing.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/isro-2023-rewind-to-the-moon-and-back-in-preparation-for-chandrayaan-4-674908">ISRO 2023 Rewind - To the Moon and back, in preparation for Chandrayaan-4</a></p>

<p>Notably, the police authorities are trying to find out if these people boarded a '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-donkey-flights-what-it-means-and-the-modus-operandi-behind-risky-border-crossings-674766">donkey flight</a>' to seek entry into the US and if they aspired to do that after reaching Latin America.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They were sent back from France. There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip," S P Rajkumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways, reportedly said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The top IPS officer said,&nbsp;"We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/israel-embassy-blast-delhi-police-registers-fir-against-unknown-individuals-investigation-so-far-674883">Israeli Embassy blast | Delhi Police registers FIR against unknown individuals. Investigation so far...</a></p>

<p>"Though we have started questioning, no one is divulging facts. They claim they went there as tourists. We are investigating the case from all angles," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>Four teams formed&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>CID has already created a total of four teams&nbsp;to probe the matter, as per Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paks-response-to-indias-request-no-bilateral-extradition-treaty-exists-674884">Pak's response to India's request: No bilateral extradition treaty exists</a></strong></p>

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<p>"The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally). We have formed four teams which will get information from the victims regarding promises made to them by these agents," he&nbsp;reportedly said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least 20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off.

Police authorities from India’s western state of Gujarat grilled at least 20 passengers who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight in France, after the plane with over 300 on board was grounded over suspicions of human trafficking following a tip off. The interrogation was done to find out if some sort of illegal immigration network was running, media reports said citing a senior official. This comes after the French court finally allowed the passengers to leave France four days, following which the Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340, landed in Mumbai on December 26. The plane landed in Mumbai had a total of 276 passengers onboard. Reports citing a top state Crime Investigation Department (CID) official, said that at least 60 out of the total passengers were from Gujarat. These people have already arrived in their native state and their interrogation is undergoing. Also Read | ISRO 2023 Rewind - To the Moon and back, in preparation for Chandrayaan-4 Notably, the police authorities are trying to find out if these people boarded a 'donkey flight' to seek entry into the US and if they aspired to do that after reaching Latin America. "They were sent back from France. There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip," S P Rajkumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways, reportedly said. The top IPS officer said, "We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention." Also Read | Israeli Embassy blast | Delhi Police registers FIR against unknown individuals. Investigation so far... "Though we have started questioning, no one is divulging facts. They claim they went there as tourists. We are investigating the case from all angles," he added. Four teams formed CID has already created a total of four teams to probe the matter, as per Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat. Watch | Pak's response to India's request: No bilateral extradition treaty exists × "The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally). We have formed four teams which will get information from the victims regarding promises made to them by these agents," he reportedly said. (With inputs from agencies)

France plane row: Gujarat police grill 20 people who were on Nicaragua-bound flight

France Plane Row: 2-year-old adds to 'donkey flight' mystery

<p>A Gujarat resident identified as Mohit Sharma reportedly executed his threat to steal a police vehicle earlier this week. The incident unfolded in Dwarka, where Sharma, drove off with the SUV&nbsp;nearly 200 km to Jamnagar where he was apprehended by police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sharma is also currently embroiled in a dafamation case in Kutch district, The Times of India reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sharma clicked selfies with the stolen police vehicle and shared the images on his social media accounts throughout the purported escapade.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="India: Software firm's 'humiliated' employees honeytrap former boss, circulate nudes">India: Software firm's 'humiliated' employees honeytrap former boss, circulate nudes</a></strong></p>

<p>The theft reportedly occurred around 8:15 am on Thursday, with authorities managing to intercept him near Ambar Chokdi in Jamnagar at approximately 2:30 pm, reported&nbsp;The Times of India.</p>

<p>Deputy Superintendent of Police, Samir Sarda, told the newspaper that Sharma had initially arrived in Dwarka on a motorcycle, ostensibly claiming to be on his way to offer prayers at a Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Krishna.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Subsequently, he strategically parked the bike near the police station before making off with the stolen SUV.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Experts warn against 'Get to Know Me' trend over 'Privacy concerns'</strong></p>

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<p>Sarda noted, "There is a continuous flow of tourists in Dwarka, and many times the staff members take cars in emergencies. So, the police station officer (PSO) may not have noticed anything unusual in the car being taken without informing him. He saw the car was being driven out but he did not see the driver’s face."</p>

<p>The police were alerted after the driver of the police vehicle realised it was missing.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>SUV escapade came after threat to steal police vehicle</strong></h2>

<p>Sharma, already under investigation for defamation by the Gandhidham police, had previously issued a threat to steal a police vehicle. The Deputy Superintendent of Police suspects Sharma's motive may have been to sell the stolen car for scrap, The Times of India reported.&nbsp;</p>


A Gujarat resident identified as Mohit Sharma reportedly executed his threat to steal a police vehicle earlier this week. The incident unfolded in Dwarka, where Sharma, drove off with the SUV nearly 200 km to Jamnagar where he was apprehended by police.

A Gujarat resident identified as Mohit Sharma reportedly executed his threat to steal a police vehicle earlier this week. The incident unfolded in Dwarka, where Sharma, drove off with the SUV nearly 200 km to Jamnagar where he was apprehended by police. Sharma is also currently embroiled in a dafamation case in Kutch district, The Times of India reported. Sharma clicked selfies with the stolen police vehicle and shared the images on his social media accounts throughout the purported escapade. Also read | India: Software firm's 'humiliated' employees honeytrap former boss, circulate nudes The theft reportedly occurred around 8:15 am on Thursday, with authorities managing to intercept him near Ambar Chokdi in Jamnagar at approximately 2:30 pm, reported The Times of India. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Samir Sarda, told the newspaper that Sharma had initially arrived in Dwarka on a motorcycle, ostensibly claiming to be on his way to offer prayers at a Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Krishna. Subsequently, he strategically parked the bike near the police station before making off with the stolen SUV. Also watch | Experts warn against 'Get to Know Me' trend over 'Privacy concerns' × Sarda noted, "There is a continuous flow of tourists in Dwarka, and many times the staff members take cars in emergencies. So, the police station officer (PSO) may not have noticed anything unusual in the car being taken without informing him. He saw the car was being driven out but he did not see the driver’s face." The police were alerted after the driver of the police vehicle realised it was missing. SUV escapade came after threat to steal police vehicle Sharma, already under investigation for defamation by the Gandhidham police, had previously issued a threat to steal a police vehicle. The Deputy Superintendent of Police suspects Sharma's motive may have been to sell the stolen car for scrap, The Times of India reported.

Gujarat man runs away with police SUV, arrested after six-hour chase

If reports are to be believed, Tesla is all set to open a manufacturing plant in the Indian state of Gujarat and Tesla is expected to make an official announcement at the vibrant Gujarat Summit which will take place in January next year.

Report: Tesla to set up manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India

<p>In a recent study conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, five Indian states - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat - were identified as the major contributors to the country's dust emissions.<br />
<br />
These states were reported to have high levels of dust particles in the air because of factors like road dust, construction sites and high traffic volume. The study emphasised the need for effective mitigation measures.<br />
<br />
In the study conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, it was indicated that five states made a contribution to 60 per cent of total dust emission in the country in terms of both particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/france-plane-row-indias-gujarat-police-grills-20-people-who-were-on-nicaragua-bound-flight-674931">France plane row: Gujarat police grills 20 people who were on Nicaragua-bound flight</a></p>

<p>A “comprehensive particulate matter road dust emission inventory” for 2022 was prepared by the study in which they used the vehicle registration data which was used from 1,352 RTOs in India. States like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat turned out as the predominant contributors to the road dust emissions.<br />
<br />
“Specific states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat emerged as the predominant contributors to road dust emissions. These states not only exhibit elevated silt loading (sL) values but also account for a substantial proportion of the total registered vehicles in India, thereby underscoring the pressing imperative for effective mitigation measures,” stated the study, further reflecting that these states also accounted for nearly 43 per cent of the total registered vehicles in India.</p>

<h2><strong>Dust emissions lead to irritation in respiratory tracts</strong></h2>

<p>The findings of the study were published in the Elsevier journal Science of the Total Environment in a paper titled “Fugitive road dust particulate matter emission inventory for India: A field campaign in 32 Indian cities”. The paper's authors included Arpit Katiyar, Diljit Kumar Nayak, Pavan Kumar Nagar, Dhirendra Singh, Mukesh Sharma and Sri Harsa Kota.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Report: Tesla to set up manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India</strong></p>

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<p>Speaking to The Times Of India, Ahmedabad-based pulmonologist and chest physician Dr Gopal Raval explained what are the effects of such high levels of dust emissions in the state, He said that five out of 10 patients visit the clinic due to irritation in respiratory tracts which is caused by dust.<br />
<br />
"While some had come for issues due to emissions from construction sites, others were living near the roads with high traffic volume and high concentration of dust particles in the air," said Dr Raval.<br />
<br />
"The primary sign of dust-related irritation is non-obstructive chronic bronchitis where the patients get a bad dry cough which is not caused by any infection,” he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a recent study conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, five Indian states - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat - were identified as the major contributors to the country's dust emissions.

In a recent study conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, five Indian states - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat - were identified as the major contributors to the country's dust emissions. These states were reported to have high levels of dust particles in the air because of factors like road dust, construction sites and high traffic volume. The study emphasised the need for effective mitigation measures. In the study conducted by researchers from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur, it was indicated that five states made a contribution to 60 per cent of total dust emission in the country in terms of both particulate matter (PM) 10 and 2.5. Also read: France plane row: Gujarat police grills 20 people who were on Nicaragua-bound flight A “comprehensive particulate matter road dust emission inventory” for 2022 was prepared by the study in which they used the vehicle registration data which was used from 1,352 RTOs in India. States like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat turned out as the predominant contributors to the road dust emissions. “Specific states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat emerged as the predominant contributors to road dust emissions. These states not only exhibit elevated silt loading (sL) values but also account for a substantial proportion of the total registered vehicles in India, thereby underscoring the pressing imperative for effective mitigation measures,” stated the study, further reflecting that these states also accounted for nearly 43 per cent of the total registered vehicles in India. Dust emissions lead to irritation in respiratory tracts The findings of the study were published in the Elsevier journal Science of the Total Environment in a paper titled “Fugitive road dust particulate matter emission inventory for India: A field campaign in 32 Indian cities”. The paper's authors included Arpit Katiyar, Diljit Kumar Nayak, Pavan Kumar Nagar, Dhirendra Singh, Mukesh Sharma and Sri Harsa Kota. Watch: Report: Tesla to set up manufacturing plant in Gujarat, India Speaking to The Times Of India, Ahmedabad-based pulmonologist and chest physician Dr Gopal Raval explained what are the effects of such high levels of dust emissions in the state, He said that five out of 10 patients visit the clinic due to irritation in respiratory tracts which is caused by dust. "While some had come for issues due to emissions from construction sites, others were living near the roads with high traffic volume and high concentration of dust particles in the air," said Dr Raval. "The primary sign of dust-related irritation is non-obstructive chronic bronchitis where the patients get a bad dry cough which is not caused by any infection,” he added. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and UP emerge as top dust emitters: IIT

More than 37,000 women from the Ahir clan in the Indian state of Gujarat have take part in a ritual Ras dance ceremony in the city of Dwarka. The 5,000-year-old tradition is an offering made to the Hindu deity Krishna.

Gujarat: 37,000 women of Ahir clan dance for Krishna in Dwarka

Over 37,000 women from the Ahir community in the Indian state of Gujarat have taken part in a ritual 'Ras Dance' ceremony in the city of Dwarka. The 5,000-year-old tradition is an offering made to the Hindu deity Krishna.

India: Divine dance of 37,000 Ahir women for lord Krishna in Gujarat's Dwarka

<p>Smoking is injurious to health,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;when you already are a patient. And if you smoke inside a hospital, it can pose a threat to everyone around. Multiple media reports have said that a man in Indian state of Gujarat, who was admitted in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital unintentionally started a fire due to his urge to smoke.</p>

<p>The patient was battling smoking addiction and was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for which he was&nbsp;admitted in a hospital in Jamnagar, Gujarat.&nbsp;He was put on&nbsp;oxygen in&nbsp;the ICU of the hospital.</p>

<p>The urge to smoke made him light up a bidi (local version of a cigarette) due to which&nbsp;his oxygen mask caught fire and soon spread in the ICU room. The video of the&nbsp;incident is being widely shared on social media.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dry-state-gujarat-allows-liquor-consumption-in-gift-city-for-workers-visitors-672609">India: 'Dry state' Gujarat permits liquor consumption in GIFT City for workers, visitors</a></strong></p>

<p>It has been reported that the hospital staff were alerted on time and the fire was contained before it could cause danger to other rooms and patients inside the hospital. But the room itself bore the brunt of the flames.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> जामनगर की GG Hospital के आईसीयू में एक मरीज़ ने तलब उठने पर ऑक्सीजन सपोर्ट पर ही बीड़ी सुलगा ली। बीड़ी जलाते ही ऑक्सीजन ने आग पकड़ ली। हालांकि अस्पताल के स्टाफ ने समय सूचकता से आग पर काबू पा लिया। <a href="https://t.co/Sh0GEzu9dN">pic.twitter.com/Sh0GEzu9dN</a></p>
— Dhairya Gajara (@dhairyagajara) <a href="https://twitter.com/dhairyagajara/status/1738080668008186181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The hospital staff reportedly found a burnt match-stick and a matchbox near the bed of the patient. They hence came to the conclusion that the fire must've started when the patient lit up the Bidi.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-piracy-group-dcoc-to-send-officer-to-indias-maritime-information-hub-ifc-ior-672644">Anti-piracy group DCOC to send officer to India's maritime information hub, IFC-IOR</a></strong></p>

<p>By the time of publishing of this news article, the video had garnered more than 2000 views with a user even deriding the patient as 'desperate Bidi smoker'.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Smoking is injurious to health, especially when you already are a patient. And if you smoke inside a hospital, it can pose a threat to everyone around. Multiple media reports have said that a man in Indian state of Gujarat, who was admitted in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital unintentionally started a fire due to his urge to smoke.

Smoking is injurious to health, especially when you already are a patient. And if you smoke inside a hospital, it can pose a threat to everyone around. Multiple media reports have said that a man in Indian state of Gujarat, who was admitted in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital unintentionally started a fire due to his urge to smoke. The patient was battling smoking addiction and was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for which he was admitted in a hospital in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He was put on oxygen in the ICU of the hospital. The urge to smoke made him light up a bidi (local version of a cigarette) due to which his oxygen mask caught fire and soon spread in the ICU room. The video of the incident is being widely shared on social media. Also Read | India: 'Dry state' Gujarat permits liquor consumption in GIFT City for workers, visitors It has been reported that the hospital staff were alerted on time and the fire was contained before it could cause danger to other rooms and patients inside the hospital. But the room itself bore the brunt of the flames. #Gujarat जामनगर की GG Hospital के आईसीयू में एक मरीज़ ने तलब उठने पर ऑक्सीजन सपोर्ट पर ही बीड़ी सुलगा ली। बीड़ी जलाते ही ऑक्सीजन ने आग पकड़ ली। हालांकि अस्पताल के स्टाफ ने समय सूचकता से आग पर काबू पा लिया। pic.twitter.com/Sh0GEzu9dN — Dhairya Gajara (@dhairyagajara) December 22, 2023 × The hospital staff reportedly found a burnt match-stick and a matchbox near the bed of the patient. They hence came to the conclusion that the fire must've started when the patient lit up the Bidi. Also Read | Anti-piracy group DCOC to send officer to India's maritime information hub, IFC-IOR By the time of publishing of this news article, the video had garnered more than 2000 views with a user even deriding the patient as 'desperate Bidi smoker'. (With inputs from agencies)

Patient’s urge to smoke makes ICU room go up in flames: Reports

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<p>In a major&nbsp;development, the government in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Friday authorised that individuals employed in the GIFT city (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), as well as visitors, will be able to consume alcohol. The announcement assumes importance as Gujarat has been a dry state since its formulation in 1960.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the notification, the identified stakeholders will be given a 'Liquor Access Permit" enabling them to consume liquor in hotels, restaurants, clubs offering “Wine and Dine” within the GIFT City.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Apart from this, a provision has been made to allow authorised visitors of each company to consume liquor in such hotels/restaurants/clubs having temporary permits in the presence of permanent employees of that company," read the notification.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additionally, hotels, restaurants and clubs located or coming to GIFT City will be able to obtain the FL3 license, required to serve alcohol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The whole process Narcotics and Excise Department, State of Gujarat will carry out supervision and control over the import, storage and serving of liquor by FL3 licensed hotels, restaurants and clubs located in GIFT City area," the notification further read.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-whisky-awarded-the-best-in-the-world-641881"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Indian Whisky awarded the best in the world</strong></a></p>

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<h2><strong>GIFT City</strong></h2>

<p>The GIFT city has been developed by the state government to be the next big tax-neutral financial hub in the country. One of the pet projects of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, GIFT City was launched on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2011 when PM Modi was still the chief minister of Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-planning-boozy-house-party-in-noida-greater-noida-apply-for-liquor-license-or-face-legal-action-672203" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | India: Planning 'boozy' house party in Noida, Greater Noida? Apply for liquor&nbsp;</strong></a></p>

<p>Although more than 400 entities, mostly banks have set up camps in the modern office avenues of GIFT City, the overall progress has remained tepid. The hub has struggled to develop into a thriving financial ecosystem and experts have argued that the 'no-alcohol' policy may have been one of the contributing factors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this month, PM Modi visited the city and addressed an investment conference to breathe life into the project. A few weeks later, the state authorities lifted the prohibition policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major development, the government in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Friday authorised that individuals employed in the GIFT city (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), as well as visitors, will be able to consume alcohol.

In a major development, the government in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Friday authorised that individuals employed in the GIFT city (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), as well as visitors, will be able to consume alcohol. The announcement assumes importance as Gujarat has been a dry state since its formulation in 1960. According to the notification, the identified stakeholders will be given a 'Liquor Access Permit" enabling them to consume liquor in hotels, restaurants, clubs offering “Wine and Dine” within the GIFT City. "Apart from this, a provision has been made to allow authorised visitors of each company to consume liquor in such hotels/restaurants/clubs having temporary permits in the presence of permanent employees of that company," read the notification. Additionally, hotels, restaurants and clubs located or coming to GIFT City will be able to obtain the FL3 license, required to serve alcohol. "The whole process Narcotics and Excise Department, State of Gujarat will carry out supervision and control over the import, storage and serving of liquor by FL3 licensed hotels, restaurants and clubs located in GIFT City area," the notification further read. Watch | Gravitas: Indian Whisky awarded the best in the world GIFT City The GIFT city has been developed by the state government to be the next big tax-neutral financial hub in the country. One of the pet projects of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, GIFT City was launched on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2011 when PM Modi was still the chief minister of Gujarat. Also read | India: Planning 'boozy' house party in Noida, Greater Noida? Apply for liquor Although more than 400 entities, mostly banks have set up camps in the modern office avenues of GIFT City, the overall progress has remained tepid. The hub has struggled to develop into a thriving financial ecosystem and experts have argued that the 'no-alcohol' policy may have been one of the contributing factors. Earlier this month, PM Modi visited the city and addressed an investment conference to breathe life into the project. A few weeks later, the state authorities lifted the prohibition policy. (With inputs from agencies)

India: 'Dry state' Gujarat permits liquor consumption in GIFT City for workers, visitors

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<p>In what comes as a&nbsp;news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an&nbsp;<em>NDTV&nbsp;</em>report.</p>

<p>The fake toll plaza was reportedly built on private land in the Morbi district of the state, bypassing a national highway that connected Kutch. The men operating the plaza diverted the traffic from the actual route via land owned by the White House Ceramic Company, a closed factory in the Varghasia village.</p>

<p>The scammers baited the commuters by charging 50 per cent the price of the regular toll plaza.&nbsp;As per the details, the accused would charge from Rs 20 to Rs 200 from car owners to heavy truck drivers against the actual toll tax of Rs 110 to Rs 595.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, the accused managed to collect more than $8.9 million (Rs 75 crore) in illegal taxes from the commuters.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-airline-ticket-scam-worlds-most-active-extortion-gang-and-more-tech-it-out-ep-134-660045"><strong>Watch |&nbsp;New airline ticket scam, world's most active extortion gang, and more | Tech It Out: ​EP 134</strong></a></p>

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<p>Upon being informed of the scam, the authorities reached the spot to take charge of the situation.</p>

<p>"We received information that some vehicles were being diverted from the actual route of the Varghasia toll plaza and toll tax was being collected. The police and other officials reached the spot to investigate and filed a detailed complaint," local district Collector GT Pandya said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-jersey-police-apprehend-albert-einswine-a-pot-bellied-fugitive-pig-on-the-loose-667642" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | New Jersey police apprehend Albert Einswine, a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose</strong></a></p>

<p>However, it has emerged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the plaza manager had already written a letter to the local police, informing them of the ongoing scam. Local sources informed <em>The Hindu </em>that the commuters never complained as they were being let go by paying half the price.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police have registered a complaint against the private White House Ceramic Company's owner Amarshi Patel and his aides Vanraj Singh Jhala, Harvijay Singh Jhala, Dharmendra Singh Jhala, Yuvraj Singh Jhala and unknown people.</p>

<h2><strong>Previous scam</strong></h2>

<p>Lately, the state of Gujarat has become notorious for such incidents. Last month, a former Gujarat-cadre Indian Administration Services (IAS) officer was arrested in the Dahod district for allegedly running six fake government offices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These offices received grants worth Rs 18.6 crore for&nbsp;implementing “irrigation-related projects”.&nbsp;They allegedly received Rs 11.74 crore for the alleged fraud in the financial year 2020-2021 when 52 projects were approved under three fake offices.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In what comes as a news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an NDTV report.

In what comes as a news straight out of a Bollywood movie, a group of strongmen in the western Indian state of Gujarat duped government officials for over a year by setting up a fake toll plaza and extracting millions from commuters, according to an NDTV report. The fake toll plaza was reportedly built on private land in the Morbi district of the state, bypassing a national highway that connected Kutch. The men operating the plaza diverted the traffic from the actual route via land owned by the White House Ceramic Company, a closed factory in the Varghasia village. The scammers baited the commuters by charging 50 per cent the price of the regular toll plaza. As per the details, the accused would charge from Rs 20 to Rs 200 from car owners to heavy truck drivers against the actual toll tax of Rs 110 to Rs 595. According to reports, the accused managed to collect more than $8.9 million (Rs 75 crore) in illegal taxes from the commuters. Watch | New airline ticket scam, world's most active extortion gang, and more | Tech It Out: EP 134 × Upon being informed of the scam, the authorities reached the spot to take charge of the situation. "We received information that some vehicles were being diverted from the actual route of the Varghasia toll plaza and toll tax was being collected. The police and other officials reached the spot to investigate and filed a detailed complaint," local district Collector GT Pandya said. Also read | New Jersey police apprehend Albert Einswine, a pot-bellied 'fugitive' pig on the loose However, it has emerged that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the plaza manager had already written a letter to the local police, informing them of the ongoing scam. Local sources informed The Hindu that the commuters never complained as they were being let go by paying half the price. The police have registered a complaint against the private White House Ceramic Company's owner Amarshi Patel and his aides Vanraj Singh Jhala, Harvijay Singh Jhala, Dharmendra Singh Jhala, Yuvraj Singh Jhala and unknown people. Previous scam Lately, the state of Gujarat has become notorious for such incidents. Last month, a former Gujarat-cadre Indian Administration Services (IAS) officer was arrested in the Dahod district for allegedly running six fake government offices. These offices received grants worth Rs 18.6 crore for implementing “irrigation-related projects”. They allegedly received Rs 11.74 crore for the alleged fraud in the financial year 2020-2021 when 52 projects were approved under three fake offices. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Fake toll plaza operating for 18 months in Gujarat dupes government of millions in taxes

<p>At least seven people were killed and 24 injured after a storage tank exploded at a chemical factory in India’s western port city of Surat in Gujarat state on Thursday (Nov 30).</p>

<p>The incident happened at 2 am (local time) at the Aether Industries located in Sachin GIDC industrial area due to the leakage of inflammable chemicals stored in the tank.</p>

<p>According to reports, of the seven killed in the blast, one was an employee of the company while six others were contractual workers.</p>

<p>"All regulatory and government compensation to the families of all deceased shall be completed expeditiously and fully," Aether Industries said in a statement.</p>

<h2><strong>Company announces compensation&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The company promised to give Rs 5 million ($59,984) compensation to the families of the deceased, adding it will also cover the medical expenses of the injured workers and give 2.5 million rupees per person "in case of any permanent disability".</p>

<p>Reuters news agency, quoting sources, reported that Aether has decided to shut the affected plant in Surat "for a few days to cater to structural audit, forensics (and) survey.”</p>

<p>J R Chaudhari, a police officer based near the site of the blast in Gujarat state, earlier told Reuters that seven charred bodies were retrieved from the factory.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Gujarat: A massive fire broke out in a chemical factory in the Sachin Gidc area of Surat. Fire tenders present at the spot. More details awaited. <a href="https://t.co/pz2tzyGJnI">pic.twitter.com/pz2tzyGJnI</a></p>
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<h2><strong>24 people sustained burn injuries&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, 24 individuals who were rescued are undergoing treatment for their burn injuries, officials said.</p>

<p>The officials have initiated an investigation in the aftermath of the incident, with the probe focusing on the source of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the loss of lives.</p>

<p>The news of the fire negatively impacted the shares of Aether Industries, which lost 10 per cent in two sessions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nasa-chief-meets-rakesh-sharma-indias-first-astronaut-664715">NASA chief meets Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut</a></p>

<p>Shares of Aether Industries fell as much as 6.2 per cent on Thursday, while it was down by 8.4 per cent the previous day.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nit-announces-winter-holidays-fearing-more-protests-after-a-students-controversial-remark-664679">India: NIT in Srinagar announces winter holidays fearing more protests after a student's controversial remark</a></p>

<p>At 10.03 am, Aether Industries was trading 2.1 per cent lower at Rs 811.95 on the National Stock Exchange.</p>

<p>The stock has remained under pressure in recent months, largely on the back of an ongoing demand slump for the entire speciality chemicals sector. Aether Industries has shed over 19 per cent in the past three months.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At least seven people were killed and 24 injured after a storage tank exploded at a chemical factory in India’s western port city of Surat in Gujarat state on Thursday (Nov 30).

At least seven people were killed and 24 injured after a storage tank exploded at a chemical factory in India’s western port city of Surat in Gujarat state on Thursday (Nov 30). The incident happened at 2 am (local time) at the Aether Industries located in Sachin GIDC industrial area due to the leakage of inflammable chemicals stored in the tank. According to reports, of the seven killed in the blast, one was an employee of the company while six others were contractual workers. "All regulatory and government compensation to the families of all deceased shall be completed expeditiously and fully," Aether Industries said in a statement. Company announces compensation The company promised to give Rs 5 million ($59,984) compensation to the families of the deceased, adding it will also cover the medical expenses of the injured workers and give 2.5 million rupees per person "in case of any permanent disability". Reuters news agency, quoting sources, reported that Aether has decided to shut the affected plant in Surat "for a few days to cater to structural audit, forensics (and) survey.” J R Chaudhari, a police officer based near the site of the blast in Gujarat state, earlier told Reuters that seven charred bodies were retrieved from the factory. #WATCH | Gujarat: A massive fire broke out in a chemical factory in the Sachin Gidc area of Surat. Fire tenders present at the spot. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/pz2tzyGJnI — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023 × 24 people sustained burn injuries Meanwhile, 24 individuals who were rescued are undergoing treatment for their burn injuries, officials said. The officials have initiated an investigation in the aftermath of the incident, with the probe focusing on the source of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the loss of lives. The news of the fire negatively impacted the shares of Aether Industries, which lost 10 per cent in two sessions. Also read | NASA chief meets Rakesh Sharma, India's first astronaut Shares of Aether Industries fell as much as 6.2 per cent on Thursday, while it was down by 8.4 per cent the previous day. Also read | India: NIT in Srinagar announces winter holidays fearing more protests after a student's controversial remark At 10.03 am, Aether Industries was trading 2.1 per cent lower at Rs 811.95 on the National Stock Exchange. The stock has remained under pressure in recent months, largely on the back of an ongoing demand slump for the entire speciality chemicals sector. Aether Industries has shed over 19 per cent in the past three months. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Seven killed, 24 injured after blast in chemical plant in Surat city

<p>As many as 24 people have been killed in lightning strikes since Sunday (Nov 26) in India’s western Gujarat state.</p>

<p>Gujarat has been witnessing intense thunderstorms and hailstorms, apart from heavy rain, with some regions receiving up to 144mm (5.7 inches) of rain in the 24 hours ending Monday morning, Reuters news agency reported quoting state government data.</p>

<p>The heavy rain has destroyed crops in at least 200 places, left more than 25 injured, and at least 70 animals dead.</p>

<p>The state officials have attributed at least 18 of the 24 deaths to lightning strikes.</p>

<h2><strong>Amit Shah condoles deaths&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose home state is Gujarat, condoled the deaths&nbsp;in a post on X and said the local administration was engaged in relief work.</p>

<p>“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people due to bad weather and lightning in various cities of Gujarat. I express my deepest condolences for the irreparable loss to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. The local administration is engaged in relief work, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat’s agricultural minister Raghavji Patel on Monday (Nov 27) said that they are assessing the damage caused by unseasonal rains and added that&nbsp;compensation would be provided once the survey to assess the damage to crops is out.</p>

<h2><strong>More rainfall expected&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is currently on an official visit to Japan with a high-level delegation to attract foreign investment in the state.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall to continue in parts of the state on Monday.</p>

<p>IMD’s Ahmedabad unit chief Manorama Mohanty told BBC that the collision of three weather systems over Gujarat caused the lightning strikes.</p>

<p>"These are the easterly winds flowing from the Arabian Sea, the Western Disturbance over the Western Himalayas and the Cyclonic Circulation over South Gujarat," Mohanty told BBC Gujarati.</p>

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<p>Gujarat is not unfamiliar with rain-related calamities. In August 2020, 14 people died in the state over just two days in various incidents related to heavy rains and flooding.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-air-quality-again-falls-to-severe-category-after-slight-improvement-rains-likely-to-bring-relief-663224">India weather: Delhi air quality falls to 'severe' category after slightly improving; rains may bring relief</a></p>

<p>A year before, in August 2019, 31 people died in the state in rain-related incidents.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As many as 24 people have been killed in lightning strikes since Sunday (Nov 26) in India’s western Gujarat state. Gujarat has been witnessing intense thunderstorms and hailstorms, apart from heavy rain, with some regions receiving up to 144mm (5.

As many as 24 people have been killed in lightning strikes since Sunday (Nov 26) in India’s western Gujarat state. Gujarat has been witnessing intense thunderstorms and hailstorms, apart from heavy rain, with some regions receiving up to 144mm (5.7 inches) of rain in the 24 hours ending Monday morning, Reuters news agency reported quoting state government data. The heavy rain has destroyed crops in at least 200 places, left more than 25 injured, and at least 70 animals dead. The state officials have attributed at least 18 of the 24 deaths to lightning strikes. Amit Shah condoles deaths Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whose home state is Gujarat, condoled the deaths in a post on X and said the local administration was engaged in relief work. “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people due to bad weather and lightning in various cities of Gujarat. I express my deepest condolences for the irreparable loss to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. The local administration is engaged in relief work, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.” Gujarat’s agricultural minister Raghavji Patel on Monday (Nov 27) said that they are assessing the damage caused by unseasonal rains and added that compensation would be provided once the survey to assess the damage to crops is out. More rainfall expected Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is currently on an official visit to Japan with a high-level delegation to attract foreign investment in the state. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall to continue in parts of the state on Monday. IMD’s Ahmedabad unit chief Manorama Mohanty told BBC that the collision of three weather systems over Gujarat caused the lightning strikes. "These are the easterly winds flowing from the Arabian Sea, the Western Disturbance over the Western Himalayas and the Cyclonic Circulation over South Gujarat," Mohanty told BBC Gujarati. Also read | India: Delhi woman bites off husband's ear during verbal fight Gujarat is not unfamiliar with rain-related calamities. In August 2020, 14 people died in the state over just two days in various incidents related to heavy rains and flooding. Also read | India weather: Delhi air quality falls to 'severe' category after slightly improving; rains may bring relief A year before, in August 2019, 31 people died in the state in rain-related incidents. (With inputs from agencies)

24 killed in two days as thunderstorm, rain batter India’s Gujarat

<p>The body of a 28-year-old man was found hanging at his residence at Chorwad village in Gujarat’s Junagadh district which police suspect is a case of suicide, an official said on Sunday.</p>

<p>A purported suicide note found in the possession of the deceased stated that he was taking the extreme step due to his in-laws and a Congress MLA.</p>

<p>Police inspector KM Gadhvi said the body of Nitin Parmar was found hanging from the ceiling of his house on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.</p>

<p>“Prima facie it is a case of suicide. The postmortem report to ascertain the exact cause of his death is awaited. The suicide note is under forensic investigation,” Gadhvi said.</p>

<p>He said the police also recovered a purported suicide note from Parmar’s possession which mentioned three names, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and MLA Vimal Chudasama.</p>

<p>Acknowledging that the deceased Parmar was his relative, Chudasama alleged it seemed to be a case of murder but shown as suicide in a conspiracy to defame him.</p>

<p>“The man who mentioned my name in the suicide note has not interacted with me in the last two years. He is the son of my aunt. Looking at the injury marks on his body, his family believes that he has been murdered. I think the suicide note is a conspiracy against me. The letter is not in his handwriting. This is a conspiracy by my competitor to defame me,” the Congress MLA told reporters.&nbsp;</p>

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The body of a 28-year-old man was found hanging at his residence at Chorwad village in Gujarat’s Junagadh district which police suspect is a case of suicide, an official said on Sunday.

The body of a 28-year-old man was found hanging at his residence at Chorwad village in Gujarat’s Junagadh district which police suspect is a case of suicide, an official said on Sunday. A purported suicide note found in the possession of the deceased stated that he was taking the extreme step due to his in-laws and a Congress MLA. Police inspector KM Gadhvi said the body of Nitin Parmar was found hanging from the ceiling of his house on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. “Prima facie it is a case of suicide. The postmortem report to ascertain the exact cause of his death is awaited. The suicide note is under forensic investigation,” Gadhvi said. He said the police also recovered a purported suicide note from Parmar’s possession which mentioned three names, including his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and MLA Vimal Chudasama. Acknowledging that the deceased Parmar was his relative, Chudasama alleged it seemed to be a case of murder but shown as suicide in a conspiracy to defame him. “The man who mentioned my name in the suicide note has not interacted with me in the last two years. He is the son of my aunt. Looking at the injury marks on his body, his family believes that he has been murdered. I think the suicide note is a conspiracy against me. The letter is not in his handwriting. This is a conspiracy by my competitor to defame me,” the Congress MLA told reporters. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Gujarat man found dead at home, suicide note names Congress leader

The India's biggest diamond hub will no longer be in Mumbai - located in India's financial capital will now be replaced by Gujarat.

India: Surat to replace Mumbai as diamond hub, 1,000 diamond companies closing in Mumbai

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