<p>A mild 4.0 magnitude <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/70-magnitude-earthquake-hits-southeast-peru-200498">earthquake</a> was felt in some parts of Rajasthan in the early hours of Sunday.<br />
<br />
Sikar was the epicenter of the earthquake, according to the Meteorological Department.<br />
<br />
No loss of life or damage to property was reported.</p>


A mild 4.0 magnitude earthquake was felt in some parts of Rajasthan in the early hours of Sunday. Sikar was the epicenter of the earthquake, according to the Meteorological Department.

A mild 4.0 magnitude earthquake was felt in some parts of Rajasthan in the early hours of Sunday. Sikar was the epicenter of the earthquake, according to the Meteorological Department. No loss of life or damage to property was reported.

Magnitude 4 earthquake hits  Rajasthan

<p>With the arrest of 18 people from different parts of the country, Jaipur police on Saturday claimed to have busted an international gang involved in duping people of crores of rupees on the pretext of providing them rare and valuable radioactive articles that could be sold to NASA.</p>

<p>The gang duped Pune-based three men of Rs. 7 crore in the name of giving them a ''rare radioactive dancing doll'' certified by DRDO, Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastava said.</p>

<p>"The gang convinced the victims that the radioactive doll is used in research by NASA and the agency will pay exuberantly for the product," Mr Shrivastava said, adding the doll was not radioactive.</p>

<p>He said that the accused used to arrange testing and certification of the article by a man posing as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist and also charged Rs. 70 lakh for the testing.</p>

<p>The officer said the gang was run by Ganesh Ingole who runs a fake energy company- Rencel India in Mumbai.</p>

<p>"Ingole claims to be associated with several international nuclear associations and regularly attends scientific conferences abroad. He and his aide Satya Narayan, a resident of Jaipur, convinced many people into investing into radioactive products that could be sold to NASA at exorbitant prices," the Commissioner said.</p>

<p>He said an FIR was lodged with Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar Police Station and taking action on that 18 people were arrested from Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>The accused are being interrogated, he added.</p>


With the arrest of 18 people from different parts of the country, Jaipur police on Saturday claimed to have busted an international gang involved in duping people of crores of rupees on the pretext of providing them rare and valuable radioactive articles that could be sold to NASA.

With the arrest of 18 people from different parts of the country, Jaipur police on Saturday claimed to have busted an international gang involved in duping people of crores of rupees on the pretext of providing them rare and valuable radioactive articles that could be sold to NASA. The gang duped Pune-based three men of Rs. 7 crore in the name of giving them a ''rare radioactive dancing doll'' certified by DRDO, Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastava said. "The gang convinced the victims that the radioactive doll is used in research by NASA and the agency will pay exuberantly for the product," Mr Shrivastava said, adding the doll was not radioactive. He said that the accused used to arrange testing and certification of the article by a man posing as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist and also charged Rs. 70 lakh for the testing. The officer said the gang was run by Ganesh Ingole who runs a fake energy company- Rencel India in Mumbai. "Ingole claims to be associated with several international nuclear associations and regularly attends scientific conferences abroad. He and his aide Satya Narayan, a resident of Jaipur, convinced many people into investing into radioactive products that could be sold to NASA at exorbitant prices," the Commissioner said. He said an FIR was lodged with Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar Police Station and taking action on that 18 people were arrested from Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Uttar Pradesh. The accused are being interrogated, he added.

18 arrested in Jaipur for duping people for selling radioactive articles

<p>Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bikaner-land-scam-robert-vadra-mother-maureen-vadra-appear-before-ed-in-jaipur-196846">appeared before the ED</a> at its zonal office here for the second consecutive day on Wednesday for questioning into an alleged land scam in the Rajasthan's Bikaner district.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bikaner-land-case-robert-vadra-appears-before-ed-in-jaipur-priyanka-gandhi-accompanies-him-196917">Vadra and his mother Maureen </a>had appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jaipur. Congress general secretary and his wife Priyanka Gandhi had accompanied them to the probe agency's office.</p>

<p>Vadra arrived at the ED office on Bhawani Singh road at 10.26 am in a vehicle amid tight security.</p>

<p>Maureen, who had appeared before the ED on Tuesday, was allowed to go after some time, while her son was grilled for nearly nine hours.</p>

<p>The Rajasthan High Court had asked Vadra and his mother to cooperate with the agency after they approached it seeking directions that no coercive action is taken against them by the agency, following which the duo appeared before the ED in Jaipur.</p>

<p>In the Bikaner case, the agency had summoned Vadra thrice but he failed to appear and later approached the court.</p>

<p>The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the India-Pakistan border.</p>

<p>It is understood that the agency wants to question Vadra about the operations of a firm &nbsp;Ms Skylight Hospitality Private Limited allegedly linked to him, which had purchased land in the area. It also wants to confront Vadra with the statements of those said to be linked to him.&nbsp;</p>


Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, appeared before the ED at its zonal office here for the second consecutive day on Wednesday for questioning into an alleged land scam in the Rajasthan's Bikaner district.

Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, appeared before the ED at its zonal office here for the second consecutive day on Wednesday for questioning into an alleged land scam in the Rajasthan's Bikaner district. On Tuesday, Vadra and his mother Maureen had appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jaipur. Congress general secretary and his wife Priyanka Gandhi had accompanied them to the probe agency's office. Vadra arrived at the ED office on Bhawani Singh road at 10.26 am in a vehicle amid tight security. Maureen, who had appeared before the ED on Tuesday, was allowed to go after some time, while her son was grilled for nearly nine hours. The Rajasthan High Court had asked Vadra and his mother to cooperate with the agency after they approached it seeking directions that no coercive action is taken against them by the agency, following which the duo appeared before the ED in Jaipur. In the Bikaner case, the agency had summoned Vadra thrice but he failed to appear and later approached the court. The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the India-Pakistan border. It is understood that the agency wants to question Vadra about the operations of a firm Ms Skylight Hospitality Private Limited allegedly linked to him, which had purchased land in the area. It also wants to confront Vadra with the statements of those said to be linked to him.

Robert Vadra appears before ED in Jaipur for second consecutive day

<p>As cases of swine flu are on the rise in Rajasthan, one person died in Churu and 65 cases of swine flu were found positive across the state on Thursday, said an official statement.</p>

<p>According to Rajasthan Health Department, "A total of 1,036 cases of swine flu have been found positive and 40 deaths have been reported in the state in January so far."</p>

<p>Two cases each in Bhilwara, Jhunjhunu, Kota, one each in Nagaur, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Dausa, four in Churu, 24 cases in Jaipur, nine in Alwar, three each in Sikar, Barmer, five in Jodhapur, three in Barmer, and six in Udaipur.</p>

<p>Earlier it was reported that a total of 210 people died of swine flu with over 2,192 positive cases reported from across the state in 2018.</p>

<p>The highest number of cases and deaths were reported from Jaipur district followed by Kota and Jodhpur districts respectively. Director, Department of Health, V K Mathur said, "There have been 2,192 cases of swine flu in Rajasthan between January 1 and December 21, 2018. The highest number of deaths and positive cases has been reported from Jaipur, where 38 people died due to swine flu while 884 positive cases were reported. Jaipur is followed by Kota with 29 deaths and 400 positive cases of swine flu being reported."</p>

<p>Swine flu is an infection caused by one of the several swine influenza viruses (SIV), with the H1N1 strain being the most common across the country.</p>

<p>H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touched an infected or breathes droplets of coughs and sneezes that are in the air.</p>

<p>The symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu, also known as the viral fever. This includes cough, sore throat, and body ache.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


As cases of swine flu are on the rise in Rajasthan, one person died in Churu and 65 cases of swine flu were found positive across the state on Thursday, said an official statement.

As cases of swine flu are on the rise in Rajasthan, one person died in Churu and 65 cases of swine flu were found positive across the state on Thursday, said an official statement. According to Rajasthan Health Department, "A total of 1,036 cases of swine flu have been found positive and 40 deaths have been reported in the state in January so far." Two cases each in Bhilwara, Jhunjhunu, Kota, one each in Nagaur, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Dausa, four in Churu, 24 cases in Jaipur, nine in Alwar, three each in Sikar, Barmer, five in Jodhapur, three in Barmer, and six in Udaipur. Earlier it was reported that a total of 210 people died of swine flu with over 2,192 positive cases reported from across the state in 2018. The highest number of cases and deaths were reported from Jaipur district followed by Kota and Jodhpur districts respectively. Director, Department of Health, V K Mathur said, "There have been 2,192 cases of swine flu in Rajasthan between January 1 and December 21, 2018. The highest number of deaths and positive cases has been reported from Jaipur, where 38 people died due to swine flu while 884 positive cases were reported. Jaipur is followed by Kota with 29 deaths and 400 positive cases of swine flu being reported." Swine flu is an infection caused by one of the several swine influenza viruses (SIV), with the H1N1 strain being the most common across the country. H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touched an infected or breathes droplets of coughs and sneezes that are in the air. The symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu, also known as the viral fever. This includes cough, sore throat, and body ache.

Rajasthan: 1 dead, 65 cases of swine flu found positive

<p>Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today swore in as the 12th Rajasthan Chief Minister of Rajasthan at a ceremony in Jaipur's Albert Hall while Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.</p>

<p>Top Opposition and party leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were present on the premises of Albert Hall to take part in the oath-taking ceremony.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scores of people were present at the historic Albert Hall to witness the oath of new Rajasthan CM and his deputy. The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others were among the VIP guests.</p>

<p>"What is the financial condition of the state is known by all. The BJP got a huge mandate in the last elections and people had expectations from Raje, but she was careless and passed five years in carelessness," said Ashok Gehlot.</p>

<p>Usually, the oath-taking ceremonies take place in the Raj Bhawan but former CM Vasundhara Raje changed the trend by organising her swearing-in at Janpath outside Rajasthan Assembly building.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had ousted Vasundhara Raje-led BJP from the state by winning 99 of the 199 seats in the December 7 Assembly elections.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today swore in as the 12th Rajasthan Chief Minister of Rajasthan at a ceremony in Jaipur's Albert Hall while Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today swore in as the 12th Rajasthan Chief Minister of Rajasthan at a ceremony in Jaipur's Albert Hall while Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot took oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Top Opposition and party leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh were present on the premises of Albert Hall to take part in the oath-taking ceremony. Scores of people were present at the historic Albert Hall to witness the oath of new Rajasthan CM and his deputy. The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others were among the VIP guests. "What is the financial condition of the state is known by all. The BJP got a huge mandate in the last elections and people had expectations from Raje, but she was careless and passed five years in carelessness," said Ashok Gehlot. Usually, the oath-taking ceremonies take place in the Raj Bhawan but former CM Vasundhara Raje changed the trend by organising her swearing-in at Janpath outside Rajasthan Assembly building. The Congress had ousted Vasundhara Raje-led BJP from the state by winning 99 of the 199 seats in the December 7 Assembly elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Ashok Gehlot takes oath as Rajasthan CM, Sachin Pilot becomes deputy CM

<p>Six new cases of Zika virus were detected in Jaipur on Sunday, taking the total number of infected people to 61, a Rajasthan health department official said.</p>

<p>The figures were issued after a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) medical and health, Veenu Gupta.</p>

<p>Of the infected people, 11 are pregnant women, a source in the Union Health Ministry said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Centre will review the outbreak of Zika in the capital city of Rajasthan on Monday, the source said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Forty-five out of the total 60 patients are healthy after treatment," the Rajasthan health department official said. Most of the cases which have been reported are from Shastri Nagar area here where fogging and other anti-larvae activities are being carried out to prevent the spread of the virus.</p>

<p>Till Saturday, door-to-door survey at 76,000 households was conducted in Shastri Nagar and mosquito larvae was found and quarantined in nearly 64,000 households, the officer said.</p>

<p>The state health department has also issued an advisory for pregnant women staying outside the affected area to not visit Shastri Nagar.</p>

<p>The virus, transmitted through the aedes aegypti mosquito, causes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain. It is harmful to pregnant women, as it can lead to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is significantly smaller than expected, in newborn children.</p>

<p>In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district in July that year. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management.</p>

<p>The disease is under surveillance of the Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since November 18, 2016.</p>


Six new cases of Zika virus were detected in Jaipur on Sunday, taking the total number of infected people to 61, a Rajasthan health department official said. The figures were issued after a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) medical and health, Veenu Gupta.

Six new cases of Zika virus were detected in Jaipur on Sunday, taking the total number of infected people to 61, a Rajasthan health department official said. The figures were issued after a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) medical and health, Veenu Gupta. Of the infected people, 11 are pregnant women, a source in the Union Health Ministry said. The Centre will review the outbreak of Zika in the capital city of Rajasthan on Monday, the source said. "Forty-five out of the total 60 patients are healthy after treatment," the Rajasthan health department official said. Most of the cases which have been reported are from Shastri Nagar area here where fogging and other anti-larvae activities are being carried out to prevent the spread of the virus. Till Saturday, door-to-door survey at 76,000 households was conducted in Shastri Nagar and mosquito larvae was found and quarantined in nearly 64,000 households, the officer said. The state health department has also issued an advisory for pregnant women staying outside the affected area to not visit Shastri Nagar. The virus, transmitted through the aedes aegypti mosquito, causes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain. It is harmful to pregnant women, as it can lead to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is significantly smaller than expected, in newborn children. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district in July that year. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. The disease is under surveillance of the Union Health Ministry although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since November 18, 2016.

Zika virus scare: Six more detected positive in Jaipur, cases rise to 61 in Rajasthan

<p>Around 51&nbsp;people have been tested positive for Zika virus in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, news agency ANI reported on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, eighteen more people in Jaipur have been tested positive for Zika virus, taking the total number of cases to 50.</p>

<p>At least 10 of the new cases were reported from Jaipur's Shashtri Nagar locality, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan's health department has issued an advisory for pregnant women staying outside Shastri Nagar not to visit the area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control to monitor the situation.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: Total 50 people have tested positive for Zika virus in Jaipur district <a href="https://t.co/2o5vMbk1yJ">pic.twitter.com/2o5vMbk1yJ</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1051034228371132416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The number of monitoring teams in Jaipur has been increased from 50 to 170 and a special isolation ward has been created at the Hira Bagh Training Centre to treat the Zika virus-affected patients.</p>

<p>A team from the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) recently found Zika virus in some mosquitoes taken as samples from Shastri Nagar, leading to suspicion they are behind the infection.</p>

<p>On Monday, the Prime Minister's Office sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus. Union Health Minister JP Nadda had told reporters that the situation is under control and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/22-test-positive-for-zika-in-jaipur-health-minister-nadda-says-no-need-to-panic-170376">there is no "need to panic"</a>.</p>

<p>"Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic," Nadda stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta on Tuesday confirmed a total 29 positive cases of Zika virus, including three pregnant women.</p>

<p>Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide.</p>

<p>Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.</p>

<p>In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)&nbsp;</p>


Around 51 people have been tested positive for Zika virus in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. According to reports, eighteen more people in Jaipur have been tested positive for Zika virus, taking the total number of cases to 50.

Around 51 people have been tested positive for Zika virus in Rajasthan's Jaipur district, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. According to reports, eighteen more people in Jaipur have been tested positive for Zika virus, taking the total number of cases to 50. At least 10 of the new cases were reported from Jaipur's Shashtri Nagar locality, news agency PTI reported. Rajasthan's health department has issued an advisory for pregnant women staying outside Shastri Nagar not to visit the area. A control room has been activated at the National Centre for Disease Control to monitor the situation. Rajasthan: Total 50 people have tested positive for Zika virus in Jaipur district pic.twitter.com/2o5vMbk1yJ — ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2018 × The number of monitoring teams in Jaipur has been increased from 50 to 170 and a special isolation ward has been created at the Hira Bagh Training Centre to treat the Zika virus-affected patients. A team from the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) recently found Zika virus in some mosquitoes taken as samples from Shastri Nagar, leading to suspicion they are behind the infection. On Monday, the Prime Minister's Office sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus. Union Health Minister JP Nadda had told reporters that the situation is under control and there is no "need to panic". "Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic," Nadda stated. Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta on Tuesday confirmed a total 29 positive cases of Zika virus, including three pregnant women. Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said. (With inputs from agencies)

Zika virus scare: 51 people tested positive in Rajasthan

<p>A day after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told reporters that the situation is under control and there is no "need to panic".</p>

<p>"Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic," Nadda stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta on Tuesday confirmed a total 29 positive cases of Zika virus, including three pregnant women.</p>

<p>As one of those affected in Jaipur hailed from Bihar and visited his Siwan home recently, the eastern state has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control &amp; DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic: Union Minister JP Nadda on cases of Zika virus <a href="https://t.co/r0j49ofj0e">pic.twitter.com/r0j49ofj0e</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1049549093222211584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>"The PMO has sought a comprehensive report on the Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur," a senior Health Ministry official said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There are a total of 29 positive cases so far: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta, on cases of Zika virus in the state <a href="https://t.co/9LxIFoarg8">pic.twitter.com/9LxIFoarg8</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1049568275074637824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>All suspected cases in the defined area of Jaipur and mosquito samples from this area are being tested. Additional testing kits are provided to viral research and diagnostic laboratories.</p>

<p>The state government has been supplied with information, education and communication (IEC) material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus and its prevention strategies.</p>

<p>All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored and extensive surveillance and vector-control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government, the official said.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">150-200 teams are conducting a combing op. 26,000 houses have been surveyed. All cases of fever have been listed. If there is a need to collect samples, we're collecting that on a large scale: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta, on cases of Zika virus <a href="https://t.co/FAhQlDwBtn">pic.twitter.com/FAhQlDwBtn</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1049567323521208320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide.</p>

<p>Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache.</p>

<p>In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said.</p>


A day after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told reporters that the situation is under control and there is no "need to panic".

A day after the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) sought a comprehensive report from the Health Ministry on the outbreak of Zika virus, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told reporters that the situation is under control and there is no "need to panic". "Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control and DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic," Nadda stated. Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta on Tuesday confirmed a total 29 positive cases of Zika virus, including three pregnant women. As one of those affected in Jaipur hailed from Bihar and visited his Siwan home recently, the eastern state has issued advisories to all its 38 districts to keep a close watch on people showing symptoms similar to Zika virus infection, news agency PTI reported. Our surveillance is very robust, all such cases get detected. We've standard protocols. ICMR, National Centre for Disease Control & DGHS are monitoring this. I assure people that everything is under control. There's no need to panic: Union Minister JP Nadda on cases of Zika virus pic.twitter.com/r0j49ofj0e — ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 × "The PMO has sought a comprehensive report on the Zika virus outbreak in Jaipur," a senior Health Ministry official said. There are a total of 29 positive cases so far: #Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta, on cases of Zika virus in the state pic.twitter.com/9LxIFoarg8 — ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 × All suspected cases in the defined area of Jaipur and mosquito samples from this area are being tested. Additional testing kits are provided to viral research and diagnostic laboratories. The state government has been supplied with information, education and communication (IEC) material prepared to create awareness about Zika virus and its prevention strategies. All pregnant mothers in the area are being monitored and extensive surveillance and vector-control measures are being taken up in the area as per protocol by the state government, the official said. 150-200 teams are conducting a combing op. 26,000 houses have been surveyed. All cases of fever have been listed. If there is a need to collect samples, we're collecting that on a large scale: #Rajasthan Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Veenu Gupta, on cases of Zika virus pic.twitter.com/FAhQlDwBtn — ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 × Zika virus disease is an emerging disease currently being reported by 86 countries worldwide. Symptoms of Zika virus disease are similar to other viral infections such as dengue and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January and February 2017 and the second outbreak in July 2017 from Krishnagiri District in Tamil Nadu. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management, the ministry said.

29 test positive for Zika virus in Jaipur, Health Minister Nadda says 'no need to panic'

<p>In a profession that is considered strictly male-dominated, Rajasthan's Manju Devi stands tall as North-West Railways first woman porter. Manju took to the profession almost a decade back when her husband died.</p>

<p>Manju decided to take charge of her family and look after her three kids. She managed to get her deceased husband Mahadev's porter license no.15 and took to the demanding task of hauling luggage of passengers at the Jaipur Railway Station.</p>

<p>Devi admits that the start was tough but with the help of other porters and words of encouragement from her family, she managed to pave her way through all adversities.&nbsp</p>

<p>"I weighed 30 kgs and the passengers' luggage was also 30 kgs but it was nowhere to the burden of feeding three children," she recalls.</p>

<p>Clad in a red kurta and a white salwar, Manju Devi sets out every day to work in multiple shifts, to make ends meet for her family.</p>

<p>She has been felicitated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, besides other 112 exceptional Indian women including former beauty queens Aishwarya Rai and Nicole Faria, mountaineer Bachendri Pal and Anshu Jamsenpa, missile woman Tessy Thomas, and private detective Rajani Pandit.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)&nbsp</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp</p>


Devi admits that the start was tough but with the help of other porters and words of encouragement from her family, she managed to pave her way through

In a profession that is considered strictly male-dominated, Rajasthan's Manju Devi stands tall as North-West Railways first woman porter. Manju took to the profession almost a decade back when her husband died. Manju decided to take charge of her family and look after her three kids. She managed to get her deceased husband Mahadev's porter license no.15 and took to the demanding task of hauling luggage of passengers at the Jaipur Railway Station. Devi admits that the start was tough but with the help of other porters and words of encouragement from her family, she managed to pave her way through all adversities. "I weighed 30 kgs and the passengers' luggage was also 30 kgs but it was nowhere to the burden of feeding three children," she recalls. Clad in a red kurta and a white salwar, Manju Devi sets out every day to work in multiple shifts, to make ends meet for her family. She has been felicitated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, besides other 112 exceptional Indian women including former beauty queens Aishwarya Rai and Nicole Faria, mountaineer Bachendri Pal and Anshu Jamsenpa, missile woman Tessy Thomas, and private detective Rajani Pandit. (With inputs from PTI)

Meet Manju Devi, first woman porter of North-West Railways 

<p>Rajasthan will host Bangalore team at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday in one of the most crucial encounters which will act as a decider to book a berth in the play-offs of Indian Premier League 2018.</p>

<p>At present, Rajasthan, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai are fighting for two empty seats of the play-offs as Hyderabad and Chennai have already qualified in the play-offs.</p>

<p>Fifty-two matches have been played till now and still, the fight is very tough and that can be seen when Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan will lock horns with Virat Kohli-led Bangalore.</p>

<p>A loss will definitely knock the team out the defeated team from the play-off race and a victory will give the team a better chance of going through.</p>

<p>There aren't any fresh news of injuries, players from both the teams are fit and healthy and it is expected that the skippers will enter the fields with the same squad.</p>

<p><strong>Playing (TBC):</strong></p>

<p><strong>Bangalore:</strong> Parthiv Patel, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Mandeep Singh, Sarfraz Khan, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal</p>

<p><strong>Rajasthan:</strong> D'Arcy Short, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klassen, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_oB49LojjKI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rajasthan will host Bangalore team at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday

Rajasthan will host Bangalore team at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday in one of the most crucial encounters which will act as a decider to book a berth in the play-offs of Indian Premier League 2018. At present, Rajasthan, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai are fighting for two empty seats of the play-offs as Hyderabad and Chennai have already qualified in the play-offs. Fifty-two matches have been played till now and still, the fight is very tough and that can be seen when Ajinkya Rahane-led Rajasthan will lock horns with Virat Kohli-led Bangalore. A loss will definitely knock the team out the defeated team from the play-off race and a victory will give the team a better chance of going through. There aren't any fresh news of injuries, players from both the teams are fit and healthy and it is expected that the skippers will enter the fields with the same squad. Playing (TBC): Bangalore: Parthiv Patel, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Mandeep Singh, Sarfraz Khan, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal Rajasthan: D'Arcy Short, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klassen, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, K Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat ×

IPL 2018: Match preview of Rajasthan vs Bangalore

<p>Rajasthan desire to move up the pecking order got a boost following an incredible win a week ago, and the mid-table team would look to keep the momentum going in its IPL game against Hyderanad here tomorrow.</p>

<p>The Rajasthan are aware of the challenges facing them at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, a few days after Hyderabad got the better of Punjab to grab the second position in the standings.</p>

<p>While Hyderabad have won five out of their seven games so far, Rajasthan are placed fifth with three victories and as many losses.</p>

<p>Rajasthan were on their way to suffer back-to-back defeats before a superb cameo from all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham helped them stun Mumbai by three wickets last Sunday.</p>

<p>The hosts are looking forward to skipper Ajinkya Rahane to lead them by example, and the India Test vice-captain must be eager to live up to the expectations.</p>

<p>With his explosive hitting, the immensely talented Sanju Samson is turning out to be Rajasthan's batting mainstay, and another big one could be in the offing.</p>

<p>Samson is high on confidence having played a few significant knocks so far in the cash-rich league.</p>

<p>The English duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler add muscle to Rajasthan's batting, and they are always keen to have a good hit in the middle.</p>

<p>Rajasthan's bowling department is shouldered by medium pacers Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat Ben Laughlin and Krishnappa Gowtham, who bowls off-breaks.</p>

<p>It may be a way game for them but Hyderabad will still fancy their chances.</p>

<p>Despite losing their skipper David Warner as a result of the one-year ban imposed on the Australian run-machine due to ball tampering, Hyderabad showed tremendous fighting abilities and the very impressive win ratio is proof of that.</p>

<p>While revenge may on Rajasthan's mid having lost the first leg game by nine wickets, the home team will need to play out of its skin to come out winners tomorrow.</p>

<p>Batting lynchpin Shikhar Dhawan will look to make merry, having missed out on the previous match against Punjab.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A certain Kane Williamson is always an asset to any team while Manish Pandey's confidence has surely gone up after what proved to be a critical half-century against Punjab.</p>

<p>The likes of Deepak Hooda and Yusuf Pathan add depth to their batting.</p>

<p>The world's top-ranked T20 bowler, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has led Rajasthan's spin attack with some success, and they have the ever-reliable Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearhead the pace department.</p>

<p>Khan was outstanding against&nbsp;Punjab, returning figures of three for 19 in four overs. The likes of Shakib-al-Hasan, Billy Stanlake Siddaharth Kaul complete Hy7derabad's attack.</p>

<p><strong>Teams (from):<br />
Hyderabad: Kane Williamson (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, Shakib Al Hasan, Manish Pandey, Carlos Brathwaite, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha, Rashid Khan, Ricky Bhui, Deepak Hooda, Siddarth Kaul, T Natarajan, Mohammad Nabi, Basil Thampi, K Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma, Sachin Baby, Chris Jordan, Billy Stanlake, Tanmay Agarwal, Shreevats Goswami, Bipul Sharma, Mehdi Hasan, Alex Hale.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Rajasthan: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Jofra Archer, Stuart Binny, Aryaman Birla, Jos Buttler, Dushmantha Chameera, Prashant Chopra, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Heinrich Klaasen, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Sudhesan Midhun, Sanju Samson, Jatin Saxena, D'Arcy Short, Ish Sodhi, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jaydev Unadkat.</strong></p>


Rajasthan are aware of the challenges facing them at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, a few days after Hyderabad got the better of Punjab to grab the second position in the standings.

Rajasthan desire to move up the pecking order got a boost following an incredible win a week ago, and the mid-table team would look to keep the momentum going in its IPL game against Hyderanad here tomorrow. The Rajasthan are aware of the challenges facing them at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, a few days after Hyderabad got the better of Punjab to grab the second position in the standings. While Hyderabad have won five out of their seven games so far, Rajasthan are placed fifth with three victories and as many losses. Rajasthan were on their way to suffer back-to-back defeats before a superb cameo from all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham helped them stun Mumbai by three wickets last Sunday. The hosts are looking forward to skipper Ajinkya Rahane to lead them by example, and the India Test vice-captain must be eager to live up to the expectations. With his explosive hitting, the immensely talented Sanju Samson is turning out to be Rajasthan's batting mainstay, and another big one could be in the offing. Samson is high on confidence having played a few significant knocks so far in the cash-rich league. The English duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler add muscle to Rajasthan's batting, and they are always keen to have a good hit in the middle. Rajasthan's bowling department is shouldered by medium pacers Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat Ben Laughlin and Krishnappa Gowtham, who bowls off-breaks. It may be a way game for them but Hyderabad will still fancy their chances. Despite losing their skipper David Warner as a result of the one-year ban imposed on the Australian run-machine due to ball tampering, Hyderabad showed tremendous fighting abilities and the very impressive win ratio is proof of that. While revenge may on Rajasthan's mid having lost the first leg game by nine wickets, the home team will need to play out of its skin to come out winners tomorrow. Batting lynchpin Shikhar Dhawan will look to make merry, having missed out on the previous match against Punjab. A certain Kane Williamson is always an asset to any team while Manish Pandey's confidence has surely gone up after what proved to be a critical half-century against Punjab. The likes of Deepak Hooda and Yusuf Pathan add depth to their batting. The world's top-ranked T20 bowler, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has led Rajasthan's spin attack with some success, and they have the ever-reliable Bhuvneshwar Kumar spearhead the pace department. Khan was outstanding against Punjab, returning figures of three for 19 in four overs. The likes of Shakib-al-Hasan, Billy Stanlake Siddaharth Kaul complete Hy7derabad's attack. Teams (from): Hyderabad: Kane Williamson (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, Shakib Al Hasan, Manish Pandey, Carlos Brathwaite, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha, Rashid Khan, Ricky Bhui, Deepak Hooda, Siddarth Kaul, T Natarajan, Mohammad Nabi, Basil Thampi, K Khaleel Ahmed, Sandeep Sharma, Sachin Baby, Chris Jordan, Billy Stanlake, Tanmay Agarwal, Shreevats Goswami, Bipul Sharma, Mehdi Hasan, Alex Hale. Rajasthan: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Jofra Archer, Stuart Binny, Aryaman Birla, Jos Buttler, Dushmantha Chameera, Prashant Chopra, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Heinrich Klaasen, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ben Laughlin, Mahipal Lomror, Sudhesan Midhun, Sanju Samson, Jatin Saxena, D'Arcy Short, Ish Sodhi, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tripathi, Jaydev Unadkat.

Rajasthan, Hyderabad face off in Jaipur

<p>Rajasthan celebrated their return to the 'fortress' with a 10-run win over Delhi in the rain-hit Indian Premier League contest here tonight.</p>

<p>Rajasthan overcame a shaky start and were on course to post a competitive total before heavy rain lashed the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, leaving them at 153 for five in 17.5 overs.</p>

<p>Intermittent rain led to a two and a half hour stoppage before umpires gave their go ahead for a shortened game. Rajasthan's innings eventually ended at 153 for five and Delhi were set a revised target of 71 runs in six overs as per Duckworth-Lewis method.</p>

<p>The visitors made a disastrous start with Colin Munro run out off the first ball of the innings following a mix-up with Glenn Maxwell (17 off 12).</p>

<p>Rajasthan's attack comprising pacers Ben Laughlin and Dhawal Kulkarni bowled well and kept the Daredevils batsmen guessing with their variations. Only two overs of Powerplay also hurt Delhi.</p>

<p>With Rishabh Pant (20 off 14) gone in the penultimate over, Rajasthan needed to defend 25 runs in the final over. Laughlin (2/20) did that pretty comfortably as Rajasthan recorded their first win of the season. It was a second straight loss for Delhi.</p>

<p>Earlier, captain Ajinkya Rahane (45 off 40) and Sanju Samson (37 off 22) staged the Royals' recovery before Jos Buttler (29 off 18) and Rahul Tripathi (15 off 11) provided entertainment towards the end.</p>

<p>Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (2/34) made a significant impact in his first game of the season, taking two crucial wickets.</p>

<p>Rajasthan, playing their first home game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in five years, were off to a wobbly start.</p>

<p>Big Bash star D'Arcy Short (6) was run out for the second game in a row after a mix up with Rahane over the second run.</p>

<p>The hosts were dealt another blow in the fifth when their costliest buy Ben Stokes (16) was dismissed by Trent Boult with a beauty that moved away to just enough to take the outside edge.</p>

<p>There was not much that Stokes could do about that ball but he looked ominous in his brief knock that comprised a crisp hit off Chris Morris over square leg.</p>

<p>Rahane and the talented Sanju Samson then got together to revive the innings.</p>

<p>Samson, just like in the team's opener against Sunrisers, showed sublime form. He smashed Boult for a four and six over square leg to get going. Especially, the front foot pull off the New Zealand pacer for a maximum was a treat to the eye.</p>

<p>The two Indian batsmen shared a 62-run stand for the third wicket, taking the team to 84 for two in 10 overs.</p>

<p>However, Nadeem found the stumps of Samson in the following over before removing Rahane in the 14th over, making it 112 for four.</p>

<p>The quick dismissals got England wicket-keeper batsman Buttler and Rahul Tripathi together and they both attacked the Daredevils from the word go.</p>

<p>Buttler hammered two fours and as many sixes in his entertaining knock before being bowled off a slower-ball from Shami.</p>

<p>The 17th over bowled by Morris leaked 18 runs, turning out to be the most expensive over of the innings.&nbsp</p>


Rajasthan overcame a shaky start and were on course to post a competitive total before heavy rain lashed the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, leaving them at 153 for five in 17.5 overs

Rajasthan celebrated their return to the 'fortress' with a 10-run win over Delhi in the rain-hit Indian Premier League contest here tonight. Rajasthan overcame a shaky start and were on course to post a competitive total before heavy rain lashed the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, leaving them at 153 for five in 17.5 overs. Intermittent rain led to a two and a half hour stoppage before umpires gave their go ahead for a shortened game. Rajasthan's innings eventually ended at 153 for five and Delhi were set a revised target of 71 runs in six overs as per Duckworth-Lewis method. The visitors made a disastrous start with Colin Munro run out off the first ball of the innings following a mix-up with Glenn Maxwell (17 off 12). Rajasthan's attack comprising pacers Ben Laughlin and Dhawal Kulkarni bowled well and kept the Daredevils batsmen guessing with their variations. Only two overs of Powerplay also hurt Delhi. With Rishabh Pant (20 off 14) gone in the penultimate over, Rajasthan needed to defend 25 runs in the final over. Laughlin (2/20) did that pretty comfortably as Rajasthan recorded their first win of the season. It was a second straight loss for Delhi. Earlier, captain Ajinkya Rahane (45 off 40) and Sanju Samson (37 off 22) staged the Royals' recovery before Jos Buttler (29 off 18) and Rahul Tripathi (15 off 11) provided entertainment towards the end. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (2/34) made a significant impact in his first game of the season, taking two crucial wickets. Rajasthan, playing their first home game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in five years, were off to a wobbly start. Big Bash star D'Arcy Short (6) was run out for the second game in a row after a mix up with Rahane over the second run. The hosts were dealt another blow in the fifth when their costliest buy Ben Stokes (16) was dismissed by Trent Boult with a beauty that moved away to just enough to take the outside edge. There was not much that Stokes could do about that ball but he looked ominous in his brief knock that comprised a crisp hit off Chris Morris over square leg. Rahane and the talented Sanju Samson then got together to revive the innings. Samson, just like in the team's opener against Sunrisers, showed sublime form. He smashed Boult for a four and six over square leg to get going. Especially, the front foot pull off the New Zealand pacer for a maximum was a treat to the eye. The two Indian batsmen shared a 62-run stand for the third wicket, taking the team to 84 for two in 10 overs. However, Nadeem found the stumps of Samson in the following over before removing Rahane in the 14th over, making it 112 for four. The quick dismissals got England wicket-keeper batsman Buttler and Rahul Tripathi together and they both attacked the Daredevils from the word go. Buttler hammered two fours and as many sixes in his entertaining knock before being bowled off a slower-ball from Shami. The 17th over bowled by Morris leaked 18 runs, turning out to be the most expensive over of the innings.

IPL 2018: Rajasthan make winning return to 'fortress', beat Delhi by 10 runs

<p>A meteorite that struck a village near Rajasthan just 20 kms from the capital Jaipur in June 2017 could reveal many mysteries about the origin of life and provide clues about&nbsp;the evolution of the solar system, the Geological Survey of India stated.</p>

<p>The meteorite had struck Mukubdpura near Rajasthan in the early morning of June 6, 2017, creating a 6 feet deep crater in an agricultural land.</p>

<p>Reports say that some think it is because of the &#39;meteorite impact&#39;while others suggest that it could be shaped out because of &lsquo;tectonic&rsquo; or &lsquo;structural&rsquo; activity or &lsquo;magmatism&rsquo;.</p>

<p>When the meteorite hit last year, the Geological Survey of India&#39;s state experts and Forensic Science Team found hard black stone pieces of what looked like a black coal of about 4 kgs from the crater that measured three feet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports say that it looked like a reddish-yellow fireball coming from the sky and created a massive thud on the ground. Scientists at GSI stated that the carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, unlike other meteorites, contain very primitive traces of carbon. And carbon forms the backbone of all life on earth.</p>

<p>They stated that there could be a likelihood that this meteorite could contain substances from space which could have been formed during the early stages of the evolution of the solar system and help discover the origins of life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Scientists also said that another meteorite had struck Tinsukia in Assam just prior to the Mukundpura meteorite on June 5. It had hit the floodplains of the River Lohit.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The meteorite had struck Mukubdpura near Rajasthan in the early morning of June 6, 2017 creating a 6 feet deep crater in an agricultural land

A meteorite that struck a village near Rajasthan just 20 kms from the capital Jaipur in June 2017 could reveal many mysteries about the origin of life and provide clues about the evolution of the solar system, the Geological Survey of India stated. The meteorite had struck Mukubdpura near Rajasthan in the early morning of June 6, 2017, creating a 6 feet deep crater in an agricultural land. Reports say that some think it is because of the 'meteorite impact'while others suggest that it could be shaped out because of ‘tectonic’ or ‘structural’ activity or ‘magmatism’. When the meteorite hit last year, the Geological Survey of India's state experts and Forensic Science Team found hard black stone pieces of what looked like a black coal of about 4 kgs from the crater that measured three feet. Reports say that it looked like a reddish-yellow fireball coming from the sky and created a massive thud on the ground. Scientists at GSI stated that the carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, unlike other meteorites, contain very primitive traces of carbon. And carbon forms the backbone of all life on earth. They stated that there could be a likelihood that this meteorite could contain substances from space which could have been formed during the early stages of the evolution of the solar system and help discover the origins of life. Scientists also said that another meteorite had struck Tinsukia in Assam just prior to the Mukundpura meteorite on June 5. It had hit the floodplains of the River Lohit.

Jaipur meteorite-hit could help discover evolution of solar system: Geological Survey

<p>To mark the International Women&#39;s Day on Thursday, Indian railways deployed all women ticket checking staff on Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a>: On the occasion of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalWomensDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalWomensDay</a>, Indian Railways deployed all women ticket checking staff on Mumbai Central- Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Visuals from Mumbai Central Railway Station. <a href="https://t.co/LlUK4CaovR">pic.twitter.com/LlUK4CaovR</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971565346665779200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Deccan Queen Express trains that run between Mumbai and Pune will also have permanent&nbsp;all-women staff from Thursday.</p>

<p>For the past couple of weeks, Indians Railways have introduced all&nbsp;women staff stations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Stations that have already been handed over to all women includes Matunga Road station in Mumbai,&nbsp;Ajni railway station in Nagpur,&nbsp;Chandragiri near Tirupati and Gandhinagar in Jaipur has already been handed over to all women staff.</p>

<p>Job duties from station&nbsp;masters to guards and cleaners all are being handled by women.</p>

<p>According to reports, the initiative is taken after the directions of Central Railway General Manager to have at least one women-only station&nbsp;in each division.</p>

<p>Similarly, Air India is also observing the day by operating flights with an all-women crew to New York, Frankfurt, Singapore and various other destinations.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-to-operate-all-women-crew-flights-to-celebrate-international-womens-day-34944">Air India to operate all-women crew flights to celebrate International Women&#39;s Day</a></p>


Deccan Queen Express trains that run between Mumbai and Pune will also have permanent all-women staff from Thursday

To mark the International Women's Day on Thursday, Indian railways deployed all women ticket checking staff on Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. #Mumbai: On the occasion of #InternationalWomensDay, Indian Railways deployed all women ticket checking staff on Mumbai Central- Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Visuals from Mumbai Central Railway Station. pic.twitter.com/LlUK4CaovR — ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2018 × Deccan Queen Express trains that run between Mumbai and Pune will also have permanent all-women staff from Thursday. For the past couple of weeks, Indians Railways have introduced all women staff stations. The Stations that have already been handed over to all women includes Matunga Road station in Mumbai, Ajni railway station in Nagpur, Chandragiri near Tirupati and Gandhinagar in Jaipur has already been handed over to all women staff. Job duties from station masters to guards and cleaners all are being handled by women. According to reports, the initiative is taken after the directions of Central Railway General Manager to have at least one women-only station in each division. Similarly, Air India is also observing the day by operating flights with an all-women crew to New York, Frankfurt, Singapore and various other destinations. Also read: Air India to operate all-women crew flights to celebrate International Women's Day

International Women's Day: Indian Railways deploys all women ticket checking staff

<p>Protests against the movie Padmaavat -- the movie is scheduled for release on January 25 -- are gathering pace around the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh approached the Supreme Court Tuesday to rethink its stay on their ban of the movie. The movie had been banned by two other states -- Gujarat and Haryana, but the court had last week ordered the bans to be lifted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court had said then that if the movie Bandit Queen (on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi) could be <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">released, then why not </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Jaipur meanwhile, the Rajput Karna Sena staged a protest against the movie, saying, &quot;We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Consider it a warning or request,&quot; the self-styled Sena added. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajput Karni Sena staged protest in Jaipur against screening of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>, say &#39; We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film &amp; if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences. Consider it a warning or request&#39;. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> <a href="https://t.co/IJosg8jQo7">pic.twitter.com/IJosg8jQo7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955328111725363201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In Chittor meanwhile, Rajput women took out a &quot;Chetavani rally&quot;. They said they would commit jauhar (mass sati) should the movie be released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And ANI reported that a youth in Bhilwara had climbed a 350-foot-tall mobile tower along with a bottle of petrol. ANI added that the protester was saying he &quot;will come down only when Padmaavat is banned in the country&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Monday that any cinema hall screening the movie would be given security but that &quot;if someone decides not to screen the film it will be good.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If someone decides not to screen the film it will be good but if someone screens the film, they will be provided security. It is our duty to comply with Supreme Court&#39;s order: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZpfKOFG86">pic.twitter.com/0ZpfKOFG86</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955322116622073856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;It is our duty to comply with the Supreme Court order,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police in Haryana said a mall in Kurukshetra had been vandalised on Sunday evening in protest against the movie. They said a group of 20 to 22 miscreants had attacked the mall with swords and hammers.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We suspect this act was against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>. 20-22 people suddenly entered the mall at 6:48 pm, vandalised it &amp; escaped without saying a word. We have identified a few of them. Further Investigation is underway: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a> Police <a href="https://t.co/ThAwR6S63d">pic.twitter.com/ThAwR6S63d</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955320870800572416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Protesters had also blocked roads and set buses on fire in Gujarat on Sunday evening, again in protest against the movie.</p>

<p>Senior state minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said afterwards that such protests were &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/violent-protests-in-gujarat-against-padmaavat-minister-calls-it-natural-30310" target="_blank">natural</a>&quot; and that the government was looking for a legal opinion following the Supreme Court&#39;s order.</p>


'We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences,' the Rajput Karni Sena said

Protests against the movie Padmaavat -- the movie is scheduled for release on January 25 -- are gathering pace around the country. The two states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh approached the Supreme Court Tuesday to rethink its stay on their ban of the movie. The movie had been banned by two other states -- Gujarat and Haryana, but the court had last week ordered the bans to be lifted. The court had said then that if the movie Bandit Queen (on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi) could be released, then why not Padmaavat. In Jaipur meanwhile, the Rajput Karna Sena staged a protest against the movie, saying, "We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences." "Consider it a warning or request," the self-styled Sena added. Rajput Karni Sena staged protest in Jaipur against screening of #Padmaavat, say ' We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film & if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences. Consider it a warning or request'. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/IJosg8jQo7 — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × In Chittor meanwhile, Rajput women took out a "Chetavani rally". They said they would commit jauhar (mass sati) should the movie be released. And ANI reported that a youth in Bhilwara had climbed a 350-foot-tall mobile tower along with a bottle of petrol. ANI added that the protester was saying he "will come down only when Padmaavat is banned in the country". Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Monday that any cinema hall screening the movie would be given security but that "if someone decides not to screen the film it will be good." If someone decides not to screen the film it will be good but if someone screens the film, they will be provided security. It is our duty to comply with Supreme Court's order: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/0ZpfKOFG86 — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × "It is our duty to comply with the Supreme Court order," he added. Police in Haryana said a mall in Kurukshetra had been vandalised on Sunday evening in protest against the movie. They said a group of 20 to 22 miscreants had attacked the mall with swords and hammers. We suspect this act was against #Padmaavat. 20-22 people suddenly entered the mall at 6:48 pm, vandalised it & escaped without saying a word. We have identified a few of them. Further Investigation is underway: #Haryana Police pic.twitter.com/ThAwR6S63d — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × Protesters had also blocked roads and set buses on fire in Gujarat on Sunday evening, again in protest against the movie. Senior state minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said afterwards that such protests were "natural" and that the government was looking for a legal opinion following the Supreme Court's order.

As Rajasthan, MP go to Supreme Court, protests against Padmaavat gather pace

<p>On a day India celebrated its 69th Republic Day, it seemed like all of Jaipur, the well-heeled from Delhi and then some had descended on Jaipur&rsquo;s Diggi Palace for the 2108 edition of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival. One of the speakers that WION managed to interview on the sidelines was eminent sociologist Dipankar Gupta, who has been a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi for over three decades and has authored or edited over twenty books. He has served on various boards including the board of directors of the Reserve Bank of India and NABARD. Edited excerpts.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>On Combatting Prejudices:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>People who are authors, scholars and writers should lead a very active life and when they write something they should be conscious that there is a very strong stream of prejudices flowing through the world and how does one combat it. And because you have instant television, instant WhatsApp so it is very easy for people to be instantly misled. And there is a certain premium in forwarding prejudices which aren&rsquo;t examined. The basic tenet of democracy is citizenship and, while I agree we should be value-neutral, there is one value which we cannot neuter and that is the value of &lsquo;citizenship&rsquo; which is basically about intersubjectivity - how I put myself in your shoes - and this is the conscious task that academics, commentators and journalists must perform. You don&rsquo;t just put out news, you try to ask yourself what impact will my news have.</p>

<p><strong>On Social Sciences, Democracies and Journalism:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Social Sciences are a stream of knowledge that has done well only in democracies. It hasn&rsquo;t prospered in any non-democratic country no matter how rich it is. So if you are a social scientist, you have a vested interest in promoting democracy for your own good. There can be all kinds of social sciences but some of the best in the world is premised on the principles of citizenship meaning - can I put myself in the shoes of those I am writing about. A similar drive, I would say, should exist amongst journalists, because good journalism is only in democracies. In mainstream social sciences, the citizen isn&rsquo;t central. In sociology, it is the &lsquo;other&rsquo;.I&rsquo;m studying villagers. I&rsquo;m not studying myself whom could have been in a village. That&rsquo;s a very big difference. I&rsquo;m not studying a scheduled caste, I&rsquo;m studying myself who could have been a scheduled caste. Once you make that transition which is a very important transition to make, that is when I think good social science emerges.</p>

<p><strong>On Universal Healthcare and Education:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>If I&rsquo;m doing health for the poor, just for the poor, or education for the poor, then I&rsquo;m not interested, it is for the others but if I have policies that affect everybody and that policy should be of quality then it is a different kind of ball game altogether. Why is it that in countries in Western Europe they spend 7.5 percent (of GDP) on health whereas we spend only 1 percent? That is because there is the impulse of citizenship that everyone is the same. What we do here is - those poor people, they are at least getting something out of this. Why are you making a fuss? There is the Safdarjung Hospital (government hospital in Delhi), there is that village school, let it be. So this distinction between the rich and the poor or brahmins and the rest is perennial, especially in every discipline of social sciences and this is where I think we have failed our discipline.</p>

<p><strong>Policy for All and not just the Poor:</strong></p>

<p>If you have universal health delivery and education and you make the private sector work hard to match that standard, you will do so much for the poor. The best way to solve the problem of poverty is to forget the poor and think society. When you think of education for the poor or health for the poor, you end up with poor health and poor education where you and I will not participate because that is not for us. We&rsquo;re the ones who sign the papers and yet we have no interest in it. So until we get interested, unless it is our business as well and this is not something that is outlandish&hellip; most countries in Western Europe when they started their programmes on universal health and education was when they were at their poorest. We as citizens don&rsquo;t do enough in the sense that I&rsquo;ve very rarely come across a drawing room conversation in middle class or upper-class families where they discuss issues of health and education in the way we&rsquo;re talking about it. And when you raise the issue, they&rsquo;ll say &lsquo;Where is the money?&rsquo; I tell them tomorrow if Pakistan attacks India, will you say we don&rsquo;t have the money let us surrender. You&rsquo;ll find the money. This is an emergency, find the money.</p>


The basic tenet of democracy is citizenship, Dipankar Gupta said.

On a day India celebrated its 69th Republic Day, it seemed like all of Jaipur, the well-heeled from Delhi and then some had descended on Jaipur’s Diggi Palace for the 2108 edition of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival. One of the speakers that WION managed to interview on the sidelines was eminent sociologist Dipankar Gupta, who has been a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi for over three decades and has authored or edited over twenty books. He has served on various boards including the board of directors of the Reserve Bank of India and NABARD. Edited excerpts. On Combatting Prejudices: People who are authors, scholars and writers should lead a very active life and when they write something they should be conscious that there is a very strong stream of prejudices flowing through the world and how does one combat it. And because you have instant television, instant WhatsApp so it is very easy for people to be instantly misled. And there is a certain premium in forwarding prejudices which aren’t examined. The basic tenet of democracy is citizenship and, while I agree we should be value-neutral, there is one value which we cannot neuter and that is the value of ‘citizenship’ which is basically about intersubjectivity - how I put myself in your shoes - and this is the conscious task that academics, commentators and journalists must perform. You don’t just put out news, you try to ask yourself what impact will my news have. On Social Sciences, Democracies and Journalism: Social Sciences are a stream of knowledge that has done well only in democracies. It hasn’t prospered in any non-democratic country no matter how rich it is. So if you are a social scientist, you have a vested interest in promoting democracy for your own good. There can be all kinds of social sciences but some of the best in the world is premised on the principles of citizenship meaning - can I put myself in the shoes of those I am writing about. A similar drive, I would say, should exist amongst journalists, because good journalism is only in democracies. In mainstream social sciences, the citizen isn’t central. In sociology, it is the ‘other’.I’m studying villagers. I’m not studying myself whom could have been in a village. That’s a very big difference. I’m not studying a scheduled caste, I’m studying myself who could have been a scheduled caste. Once you make that transition which is a very important transition to make, that is when I think good social science emerges. On Universal Healthcare and Education: If I’m doing health for the poor, just for the poor, or education for the poor, then I’m not interested, it is for the others but if I have policies that affect everybody and that policy should be of quality then it is a different kind of ball game altogether. Why is it that in countries in Western Europe they spend 7.5 percent (of GDP) on health whereas we spend only 1 percent? That is because there is the impulse of citizenship that everyone is the same. What we do here is - those poor people, they are at least getting something out of this. Why are you making a fuss? There is the Safdarjung Hospital (government hospital in Delhi), there is that village school, let it be. So this distinction between the rich and the poor or brahmins and the rest is perennial, especially in every discipline of social sciences and this is where I think we have failed our discipline. Policy for All and not just the Poor: If you have universal health delivery and education and you make the private sector work hard to match that standard, you will do so much for the poor. The best way to solve the problem of poverty is to forget the poor and think society. When you think of education for the poor or health for the poor, you end up with poor health and poor education where you and I will not participate because that is not for us. We’re the ones who sign the papers and yet we have no interest in it. So until we get interested, unless it is our business as well and this is not something that is outlandish… most countries in Western Europe when they started their programmes on universal health and education was when they were at their poorest. We as citizens don’t do enough in the sense that I’ve very rarely come across a drawing room conversation in middle class or upper-class families where they discuss issues of health and education in the way we’re talking about it. And when you raise the issue, they’ll say ‘Where is the money?’ I tell them tomorrow if Pakistan attacks India, will you say we don’t have the money let us surrender. You’ll find the money. This is an emergency, find the money.

Conversations from the sidelines of ZeeJLF 2018: 'The best way to deal with poverty is to forget poor'

<p>The much-awaited annual Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began on Thursday, however, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who was supposed to inaugurate the literary extravaganza, failed to turn up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The festival will witness over 350 speakers on fiction and nonfiction topics to journalism and travel writing over the course of five days at the iconic Diggi Palace and will go on until January 29.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The event was inaugurated by former Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and British-born American essayist and novelist Pico Iyer.</p>

<p>Iyer, who delivered the keynote address, hailed the role of literature, particularly in the present times, when &quot;poets are being eclipsed by novelists and novelists by multimedia devices&quot;.Literature has become more indispensable than ever. In the time of travel bans, literature has become more important because it is not respectful of boundaries,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Iyer went on to say that it was literature that had the power to make the world a better place, and not &quot;wars and drone attacks&quot;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Our words and ideas can take us a little bit past simplicities and remind us that ultimately we can change the world by changing how we dream of it</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Our words and ideas can take us a little bit past simplicities and remind us that ultimately we can change the world by changing how we dream of it" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Writer and festival co-director William Dalrymple said in an era of &quot;quick fix pleasures of Netflix&quot;, people still had appetite for serious fiction.</p>

<p>&quot;What differentiates JLF from other literature festivals is that we are completely free and open to all. Anyone can walk in... for five days, we set up a mini university,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Author and co-director Namita Gokhale said while the festival has shown tremendous growth over the years, the organizers have made sure to maintain the spontaneity and democratic spirit that remains the hallmark of the event.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up at JLF following threats from the Rajput group Karni Sena against Padmaavat, said Sanjoy K. Roy, managing director of Teamworks Arts, which organises JLF.</p>

<p>Mahipal Singh, the president of the fringe group, has warned that they will be protesting against the presence of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi at the festival.</p>

<p>JLF has become one of the biggest festivals across the board which will represent over &nbsp;15 Indian and 20 international languages this year.</p>

<p>Roy said knowledge and culture was the only way to transform society, and that dissent, within a constitutional framework, was essential to the fabric of democracy.</p>

<p>&quot;It is important to understand the importance of culture and create platforms for dissent. As long as the dissent is within the constitutional framework, it&#39;s fine... fringe groups may not agree with the words a writer writes, or a film that a filmmaker makes or a painting that a painter makes,&quot; Roy said.</p>

<p>Further, special events will also be organised at the Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal to celebrate the rich culture and architectural heritage of the Pink City.</p>


Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was supposed to inaugurate the literary extravaganza today

The much-awaited annual Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began on Thursday, however, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who was supposed to inaugurate the literary extravaganza, failed to turn up. The festival will witness over 350 speakers on fiction and nonfiction topics to journalism and travel writing over the course of five days at the iconic Diggi Palace and will go on until January 29. The event was inaugurated by former Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and British-born American essayist and novelist Pico Iyer. Iyer, who delivered the keynote address, hailed the role of literature, particularly in the present times, when "poets are being eclipsed by novelists and novelists by multimedia devices".Literature has become more indispensable than ever. In the time of travel bans, literature has become more important because it is not respectful of boundaries," he said. Iyer went on to say that it was literature that had the power to make the world a better place, and not "wars and drone attacks". Our words and ideas can take us a little bit past simplicities and remind us that ultimately we can change the world by changing how we dream of it × Writer and festival co-director William Dalrymple said in an era of "quick fix pleasures of Netflix", people still had appetite for serious fiction. "What differentiates JLF from other literature festivals is that we are completely free and open to all. Anyone can walk in... for five days, we set up a mini university," he said. Author and co-director Namita Gokhale said while the festival has shown tremendous growth over the years, the organizers have made sure to maintain the spontaneity and democratic spirit that remains the hallmark of the event. Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up at JLF following threats from the Rajput group Karni Sena against Padmaavat, said Sanjoy K. Roy, managing director of Teamworks Arts, which organises JLF. Mahipal Singh, the president of the fringe group, has warned that they will be protesting against the presence of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi at the festival. JLF has become one of the biggest festivals across the board which will represent over 15 Indian and 20 international languages this year. Roy said knowledge and culture was the only way to transform society, and that dissent, within a constitutional framework, was essential to the fabric of democracy. "It is important to understand the importance of culture and create platforms for dissent. As long as the dissent is within the constitutional framework, it's fine... fringe groups may not agree with the words a writer writes, or a film that a filmmaker makes or a painting that a painter makes," Roy said. Further, special events will also be organised at the Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal to celebrate the rich culture and architectural heritage of the Pink City.

Jaipur Literature Festival kicks off, CM Vasundhara Raje fails to turn up

<p>A man succumbed to his injuries as an ambulance allegedly failed to reach the accident site in Rajasthan&#39;s Bharatpur where a bus hit the bike.</p>

<p>The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw.</p>

<p>Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Ram Ratan Chaudhary confirmed the incident and said, &quot;We reached the spot after receiving information and a private ambulance was called. The ambulance was taking time to reach the spot so we took them to the hospital in a rickshaw.&quot;</p>

<p>The bus driver is on the run at the moment.</p>


The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw

A man succumbed to his injuries as an ambulance allegedly failed to reach the accident site in Rajasthan's Bharatpur where a bus hit the bike. The accident happened on Friday when a bus hit a bike killing one and injuring two women, who were later taken to a hospital in a rickshaw. Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Ram Ratan Chaudhary confirmed the incident and said, "We reached the spot after receiving information and a private ambulance was called. The ambulance was taking time to reach the spot so we took them to the hospital in a rickshaw." The bus driver is on the run at the moment.

Man dies from ambulance delay in Rajasthan's Bharatpur

<p>The police today claimed to have seized around one quintal beef, five cows and five vehicles in Bharatpur district late last night.</p>

<p>&quot;Following a tip-off, we raided a village and recovered approximately one quintal beef, five cows, one pick up jeep, three motorcycles and one more vehicle last night, &quot; Station house officer of Kama police station, Rakesh Kumar said.</p>

<p>He said the accused, who were planning to transport the beef and the cows, absconded during the action and were being searched.&nbsp;</p>


'Following a tip-off, we raided a village and recovered approximately one quintal beef, five cows, one pick up jeep, three motorcycles and one more vehicle last night,' said station house officer, Rakesh Kumar.

The police today claimed to have seized around one quintal beef, five cows and five vehicles in Bharatpur district late last night. "Following a tip-off, we raided a village and recovered approximately one quintal beef, five cows, one pick up jeep, three motorcycles and one more vehicle last night, " Station house officer of Kama police station, Rakesh Kumar said. He said the accused, who were planning to transport the beef and the cows, absconded during the action and were being searched.

Jaipur: Police claim to find 1 quintal beef, hunt for accused

<p>A 24-year-old woman in Jaipur has been pulling out and eating her own hair.</p>

<p>The hair, a knot that was a foot and two inches long and 10 inches wide, weighing 1.5 kg, finally had to be removed through surgery.</p>

<p>Mandori Devi had complained of a severe stomach ache for a number of years.</p>

<p>She would vomit as soon as she ate anything.</p>

<p>Several hospitals were consulted but her problem could not be diagnosed.</p>

<p>Finally, Government Satellite Hospital in Bani Park operated on Devi to extract the hair from her stomach.</p>

<p>Devi looked like a normal, healthy woman but suffered from trichophagia -- a compulsive urge to eat her own hair.<br />
<br />
Doctors say there have been 138 recorded cases of trcophagia so far.</p>

<p>Devi&#39;s husband had no idea about her disorder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devi&#39;s doctors said tha had she not been operated on, her condition could have turned life-threatening.&nbsp;</p>


Doctors say there have been only 138 recorded cases of trichophagia -- an addiction to eating one's own hair -- worldwide

A 24-year-old woman in Jaipur has been pulling out and eating her own hair. The hair, a knot that was a foot and two inches long and 10 inches wide, weighing 1.5 kg, finally had to be removed through surgery. Mandori Devi had complained of a severe stomach ache for a number of years. She would vomit as soon as she ate anything. Several hospitals were consulted but her problem could not be diagnosed. Finally, Government Satellite Hospital in Bani Park operated on Devi to extract the hair from her stomach. Devi looked like a normal, healthy woman but suffered from trichophagia -- a compulsive urge to eat her own hair. Doctors say there have been 138 recorded cases of trcophagia so far. Devi's husband had no idea about her disorder. Devi's doctors said tha had she not been operated on, her condition could have turned life-threatening.

WATCH: Jaipur woman addicted to eating her own hair

<p>Bollywood rallied behind director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who was attacked by members of a fringe group, the Rajput Karni Sena, while shooting his upcoming historical drama &quot;Padmavati&quot; in Jaipur yesterday (January 27).</p>

<p>The filmmaker, has meanwhile, reportedly cancelled the shooting in Jaipur.</p>

<p>The film&#39;s lead actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor expressed their anguish on Twitter.</p>

<p>Deepika, who plays the titular role of Padmavati -- a medieval-era Rajput queen -- said she was &quot;shocked&quot; and disheartened by the events and said the team behind the film was not distorting any historical facts.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As Padmavati I can assure you that there is absolutely no distortion of history.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash">#Padmavati</a></p>
&mdash; Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/825283777022795776">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our only endeavour is &amp; has always been to share with the world the story of this courageous &amp; powerful woman in the purest form there is.??</p>
&mdash; Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/825283905817366530">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In a state of shock!deeply saddened and disheartened by yesterday&#39;s events!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavati?src=hash">#Padmavati</a></p>
&mdash; Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/825283718289948672">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ranveer Singh, who plays Turkish king Alauddin Khilji in the film, said the film was being made keeping in mind the &quot;sensitivities and emotions of the people of Rajasthan.&quot; He also added that Sanjay Leela Bhansali one of the most accomplished and authentic filmmakers in India and he would not do anything to hurt anyone&#39;s feelings.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As a team, we are making &#39;Padmavati&#39; keeping in mind the sensitivities and emotions of the people of Rajasthan and the Rajput community.</p>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/825291693876506624">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sanjay Sir is one of the most accomplished &amp; authentic filmmakers we have in India, &amp; he wont ever do anything to hurt anyones feelings.</p>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/825291780337856512">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Whats happened is very unfortunate. We hope the people of Rajasthan will understand &amp; empathise with our intentions &amp; give us their support.</p>
&mdash; Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial/status/825291815632957445">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>His co-star from the film, Shahid Kapoor, condemned the violent attack on his director, saying &quot;will know when u see #padmavati the dignity he brings to it.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very very sad. Words do fall short and feel too little to express feelings. Violence is unacceptable. This incident has shocked me.</p>
&mdash; Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/shahidkapoor/status/825293335212363776">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We need to look deep within as a society, as a country, as a people. Where are we headed.</p>
&mdash; Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/shahidkapoor/status/825293737689440257">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sanjay bhansali is a film maker who the country should be proud of. You will know when u see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/padmavati?src=hash">#padmavati</a> the dignity he brings to it.</p>
&mdash; Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/shahidkapoor/status/825296333971918848">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Padmavati&quot; is based on the character of Queen Padmavati, who features in the epic poem. &quot;Padmavat&quot;, written by renowned poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the 16th century</p>

<p>The plot of the film revolves around the 1303 siege of Rajasthan&#39;s Chittor fort by Alauddin Khilji. According to folklore, the invasion was motivated by his desire to capture Rani Padmavati, the wife of the ruler of Mewar, Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, who immolated herself after the fort was captured.<br />
<br />
<strong>Fringe group defends itself</strong></p>

<p>The Rajput Karni Sena is objecting to an alleged dream sequence between Padmavati and Alaudin Khilji. Its members went on a rampage during filming at Jaipur&#39;s Nahargarh Fort on Friday, and allegedly attacked Bhansali and destroyed film equipment.</p>

<p>They claim that the director is distorting facts and depicting Padmavati&#39;s character in a poor light. They also blamed the filmmaker&#39;s security personnel for the commotion, alleging that they had fired bullets in the air.</p>

<p>&quot;He (Bhansali) is distorting history and we will not allow them to do so. In no book is it written that Alauddin Khilji fell in love with Padmavati or he was her lover,&quot; &nbsp;Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a senior leader of Karni Sena told the press in Jaipur on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This film should not be made. We wrote a number of times to Bhansali asking him to present history in the right manner. But he did not listen to us.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>We had gone to talk to them but bullets were fired in the air which provoked the members. It was me who tried to stop the members from assaulting Bhansali,&quot; Mahipal Singh, the state chief of the group said.</p>

<p><strong>Padmavati was not anyone&#39;s &#39;lover&#39;&nbsp;:</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Rajasthan Congress leader criticises Bhansali</strong><br />
<br />
Rajasthan Congress leader Pratap Singh on Saturday said that Queen Padmavati was not anyone`s `lover` as the filmmaker is portraying her in his upcoming flick, and was devoted to her husband.&quot;<br />
<br />
Padmavati has a history, she had fought for everyone. Chittaur is a pride of the nation,&quot; Pratap Singh told ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Film industry soft target for fringe groups: Film body</strong></p>

<p>The Film &amp; Television Producers Guild of India today (January 28) urged the government to take strong punitive action against the miscreants, saying that the film industry had become a soft target by fringe groups.</p>

<p>&quot;As President of The Film &amp; Television Producers Guild of India and speaking on behalf of the entire film industry, I strongly condemn the acts of vandalism on the sets of &#39;Padmavati&#39; as a direct attack on freedom of expression in our democracy,&quot; the film guild&#39;s president Siddharth Roy Kapur said.</p>

<p>The Guild pointed out that this is not the first time that fringe elements have &quot;unilaterally taken the law into their own hands to disrupt shoots/film releases and cause tremendous financial losses to film producers.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;It is a glaring paradox that on the one hand the Central Government, various State Governments along with the film fraternity has been leaving no stone unturned to universally project India as an attractive shooting locale and on the other such hands miscreants are resorting to hooliganism of the worst order to defeat the `Shoot in India` endeavor,&quot; the film body said in a statement.</p>

<p>The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed historical magnum opus &quot;Jodhaa Akbar&quot; &nbsp;was also not permitted to release in Rajasthan by the same group despite censor certification, the guild said in a statement.</p>

<p><strong>Here&#39;s how the rest of the film industry condemned the attack:</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. bloody spineless cowards ..</p>
&mdash; Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/825018708145881091">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In 2008 , this is what SLB said about how he looks at Padmavati..for those who assume what he is making without knowing the script are wrong <a href="https://t.co/ksfBGe5MW0">pic.twitter.com/ksfBGe5MW0</a></p>
&mdash; Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) <a href="https://twitter.com/anuragkashyap72/status/825270334362439681">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali....this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!!</p>
&mdash; Karan Johar (@karanjohar) <a href="https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/825013203100856320">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It&#39;s appalling to hear what happened to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SanjayLeelaBhansali?src=hash">#SanjayLeelaBhansali</a> .im so saddened..Violence is not what our forefathers taught us..</p>
&mdash; PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra/status/825113847111495682">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Appalled &amp; horrified by what happened on SLB set.NO amount of diff of opinion or disagreement justifies this pathetic behaviour. Shameful!</p>
&mdash; Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnushkaSharma/status/825036271370248193">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Film industry must stand as 1 n do whatever it takes to ensure that d reprehensible attack on SLB becomes a flashpoint for goondagiri 2 stop</p>
&mdash; Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzmiShabana/status/825198612409942017">January 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Did random people enter another persons workplace n raise their hand on him because dey decide dey don&#39;t like what he does? I am enraged!!!</p>
&mdash; Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/825047721560059904">January 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal said taking law into one&#39;s own hands is never the right approach.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Violence of any kind is terrible. You can have different views about incidents in history and that&#39;s another matter that people can also feel aggrieved but to take law into your hands and attack a person like this is simply not done. It is not the right way to approach it,&quot; Benegal told ANI.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was shooting in a Jaipur fort, when he was assaulted by activists of a Rajput group

Bollywood rallied behind director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who was attacked by members of a fringe group, the Rajput Karni Sena, while shooting his upcoming historical drama "Padmavati" in Jaipur yesterday (January 27). The filmmaker, has meanwhile, reportedly cancelled the shooting in Jaipur. The film's lead actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor expressed their anguish on Twitter. Deepika, who plays the titular role of Padmavati -- a medieval-era Rajput queen -- said she was "shocked" and disheartened by the events and said the team behind the film was not distorting any historical facts. As Padmavati I can assure you that there is absolutely no distortion of history.#Padmavati — Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 28, 2017 × Our only endeavour is & has always been to share with the world the story of this courageous & powerful woman in the purest form there is.?? — Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 28, 2017 × In a state of shock!deeply saddened and disheartened by yesterday's events!#Padmavati — Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 28, 2017 × Ranveer Singh, who plays Turkish king Alauddin Khilji in the film, said the film was being made keeping in mind the "sensitivities and emotions of the people of Rajasthan." He also added that Sanjay Leela Bhansali one of the most accomplished and authentic filmmakers in India and he would not do anything to hurt anyone's feelings. As a team, we are making 'Padmavati' keeping in mind the sensitivities and emotions of the people of Rajasthan and the Rajput community. — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 28, 2017 × Sanjay Sir is one of the most accomplished & authentic filmmakers we have in India, & he wont ever do anything to hurt anyones feelings. — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 28, 2017 × Whats happened is very unfortunate. We hope the people of Rajasthan will understand & empathise with our intentions & give us their support. — Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) January 28, 2017 × His co-star from the film, Shahid Kapoor, condemned the violent attack on his director, saying "will know when u see #padmavati the dignity he brings to it." Very very sad. Words do fall short and feel too little to express feelings. Violence is unacceptable. This incident has shocked me. — Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) January 28, 2017 × We need to look deep within as a society, as a country, as a people. Where are we headed. — Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) January 28, 2017 × Sanjay bhansali is a film maker who the country should be proud of. You will know when u see #padmavati the dignity he brings to it. — Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) January 28, 2017 × "Padmavati" is based on the character of Queen Padmavati, who features in the epic poem. "Padmavat", written by renowned poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the 16th century The plot of the film revolves around the 1303 siege of Rajasthan's Chittor fort by Alauddin Khilji. According to folklore, the invasion was motivated by his desire to capture Rani Padmavati, the wife of the ruler of Mewar, Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, who immolated herself after the fort was captured. Fringe group defends itself The Rajput Karni Sena is objecting to an alleged dream sequence between Padmavati and Alaudin Khilji. Its members went on a rampage during filming at Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort on Friday, and allegedly attacked Bhansali and destroyed film equipment. They claim that the director is distorting facts and depicting Padmavati's character in a poor light. They also blamed the filmmaker's security personnel for the commotion, alleging that they had fired bullets in the air. "He (Bhansali) is distorting history and we will not allow them to do so. In no book is it written that Alauddin Khilji fell in love with Padmavati or he was her lover," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a senior leader of Karni Sena told the press in Jaipur on Saturday. "This film should not be made. We wrote a number of times to Bhansali asking him to present history in the right manner. But he did not listen to us." We had gone to talk to them but bullets were fired in the air which provoked the members. It was me who tried to stop the members from assaulting Bhansali," Mahipal Singh, the state chief of the group said. Padmavati was not anyone's 'lover' : Rajasthan Congress leader criticises Bhansali Rajasthan Congress leader Pratap Singh on Saturday said that Queen Padmavati was not anyone`s `lover` as the filmmaker is portraying her in his upcoming flick, and was devoted to her husband." Padmavati has a history, she had fought for everyone. Chittaur is a pride of the nation," Pratap Singh told ANI. Film industry soft target for fringe groups: Film body The Film & Television Producers Guild of India today (January 28) urged the government to take strong punitive action against the miscreants, saying that the film industry had become a soft target by fringe groups. "As President of The Film & Television Producers Guild of India and speaking on behalf of the entire film industry, I strongly condemn the acts of vandalism on the sets of 'Padmavati' as a direct attack on freedom of expression in our democracy," the film guild's president Siddharth Roy Kapur said. The Guild pointed out that this is not the first time that fringe elements have "unilaterally taken the law into their own hands to disrupt shoots/film releases and cause tremendous financial losses to film producers." "It is a glaring paradox that on the one hand the Central Government, various State Governments along with the film fraternity has been leaving no stone unturned to universally project India as an attractive shooting locale and on the other such hands miscreants are resorting to hooliganism of the worst order to defeat the `Shoot in India` endeavor," the film body said in a statement. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed historical magnum opus "Jodhaa Akbar" was also not permitted to release in Rajasthan by the same group despite censor certification, the guild said in a statement. Here's how the rest of the film industry condemned the attack: At the same time Shame on you Karni Sena, you make me feel ashamed to be a Rajput.. bloody spineless cowards .. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) January 27, 2017 × In 2008 , this is what SLB said about how he looks at Padmavati..for those who assume what he is making without knowing the script are wrong pic.twitter.com/ksfBGe5MW0 — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) January 28, 2017 × Am appalled at what has happened with Sanjay Bhansali....this is the time for all us as an industry to stand by our people and fraternity!! — Karan Johar (@karanjohar) January 27, 2017 × It's appalling to hear what happened to #SanjayLeelaBhansali .im so saddened..Violence is not what our forefathers taught us.. — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) January 27, 2017 × Appalled & horrified by what happened on SLB set.NO amount of diff of opinion or disagreement justifies this pathetic behaviour. Shameful! — Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) January 27, 2017 × Film industry must stand as 1 n do whatever it takes to ensure that d reprehensible attack on SLB becomes a flashpoint for goondagiri 2 stop — Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) January 28, 2017 × Did random people enter another persons workplace n raise their hand on him because dey decide dey don't like what he does? I am enraged!!! — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) January 27, 2017 × Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal said taking law into one's own hands is never the right approach. "Violence of any kind is terrible. You can have different views about incidents in history and that's another matter that people can also feel aggrieved but to take law into your hands and attack a person like this is simply not done. It is not the right way to approach it," Benegal told ANI. (WION with inputs from agencies)

'Padmavati' row: Film industry condemns attack on filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali

A woman&#39;s forehead and other body parts were inked with expletives in northwestern India after she failed to fulfill her in-laws dowry demands, police said today.<br />
<br />
In her police complaint, the 25-year-old victim has also alleged rape by her brother-in-law and husband&#39;s nephew.<br />
<br />
She said two years after her marriage to a man based in Alwar district of Rajasthan state, her in-laws started demanding money and motorbike as dowry. When she resisted their demands, expletives were tattooed on her forehead and arms.<br />
<br />
The victim now lives with her family in Jaipur district of the state, where she filed the police complaint.<br />
<br />
&quot;She alleged in her complaint that she was raped by her brother-in-law and nephew and she was tortured by her husband and others with expletive tattoos on her forehead and other parts of body over dowry.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;She also told us that when this matter came to light they (in-laws) tried to erase the tattoos with acid. We have registered a complaint and investigation is underway,&quot; said senior police official, Abdul Wahid.<br />
<br />
He added that the victim would be sent for medical examination to ascertain the allegations of rape.<br />
<br />
The victim alleged that her husband threatened to kill her if she failed to fulfill his dowry demand.<br />
<br />
&quot;He (husband) asked me to get a motorbike and money from my parents, failing which he would stab me to death,&quot; she said.<br />
<br />
A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said there were 337,922 reports of violence against women such as rape, molestation, abduction and cruelty by husbands in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

She alleged that her nephew and brother-in-law raped her, while her husband and others tattooed her body with abusive words

A woman's forehead and other body parts were inked with expletives in northwestern India after she failed to fulfill her in-laws dowry demands, police said today. In her police complaint, the 25-year-old victim has also alleged rape by her brother-in-law and husband's nephew. She said two years after her marriage to a man based in Alwar district of Rajasthan state, her in-laws started demanding money and motorbike as dowry. When she resisted their demands, expletives were tattooed on her forehead and arms. The victim now lives with her family in Jaipur district of the state, where she filed the police complaint. "She alleged in her complaint that she was raped by her brother-in-law and nephew and she was tortured by her husband and others with expletive tattoos on her forehead and other parts of body over dowry. She also told us that when this matter came to light they (in-laws) tried to erase the tattoos with acid. We have registered a complaint and investigation is underway," said senior police official, Abdul Wahid. He added that the victim would be sent for medical examination to ascertain the allegations of rape. The victim alleged that her husband threatened to kill her if she failed to fulfill his dowry demand. "He (husband) asked me to get a motorbike and money from my parents, failing which he would stab me to death," she said. A report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) said there were 337,922 reports of violence against women such as rape, molestation, abduction and cruelty by husbands in 2014, up by nine per cent since 2013. (Reuters)

Woman inked with expletives over dowry in northwestern India

jaipur

Jaipur, News on Jaipur, stories on Jaipur, articles on Jaipur, Jaipur stories at Wion, Jaipur news, Jaipur latest news