Jaipur, June 6 (IANS) Patron of the Kshatriya Yuvak Sangh, Bhagwan Singh Rolsahabsar, passed away after battling kidney failure and other organ complications at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital.Rolsahabsar, who had been undergoing treatment for the past several days and was on ventilator support, passed away late Thursday night.His mortal remains have been kept for public viewing at Sangh Shakti Bhavan, Jaipur.The final rites will be performed today at 3 p.m. in Jaipur.Born on February 2, 1944, in Rolsahabsar village of Sikar district, he was the fifth child of Megh Singh and Gom Kanwar.His demise has cast a pall of gloom across the entire Malani region and the Kshatriya community.Residing at the Gramya Alokayan Ashram on Gehun Road in Barmer, Rolsahabsar dedicated his life to social reforms and value-based living.Through camps organised at the ashram, he inculcated values such as discipline, patience, service, and devotion to the motherland.Several public representatives, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Congress leader Sachin Pilot, have visited the ashram over the years.Though highly respected among political circles, Rolsahabsar remained detached from active politics, dedicating himself entirely to the upliftment of society. His journey with the Kshatriya Yuvak Sangh began in 1963 after attending a seven-day training camp in Ratangarh. Over time, he became a devoted volunteer and also managed the Rajput hostel branch.In October 1989, he assumed the role of head of the Kshatriya Yuvak Sangh. According to Rajendra Singh Bhiyad, he actively participated in over 500 camps and was admired for his unwavering commitment to the organisation. He was married to the daughter of Thakur Tej Singh of Siwana.Condolences have poured in from across the political spectrum.Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra, and Sachin Pilot expressed deep sorrow over his demise.Chief Minister Sharma said, “We have lost a great social reformer and dedicated servant of the community. May the departed soul find a place in the supreme abode. Om Shanti.”Gehlot remarked, “The news of Shri Bhagwan Singh Ji Rolsahabsar’s passing is deeply saddening. He was a man of simple living and strong values, a guiding force in social life. His affection and humility have always left a deep impression on me. May God grant peace to his soul and strength to his family and followers to bear this irreparable loss.”–IANSarc/svn

Patna, June 6 (IANS) As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began his extended tour of Bihar, several leaders from the ruling NDA, including Union Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi, Giriraj Singh, and Bihar Minister Nitin Naveen, launched a barrage of criticism aimed at him and the grand old party.Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, in a post on social media platform X, welcomed Rahul Gandhi to what he called the “new Bihar”, contrasting it with the alleged lawlessness during the RJD-Congress rule two decades ago.“Welcome Rahul Gandhi, to the good governance in Bihar. Bihar is no longer the same that Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Gandhi family left us 20 years ago… If Rahul Gandhi had come to Bihar during Lalu Prasad’s rule, he could have been kidnapped,” Manjhi wrote, suggesting that Sonia Gandhi would have had to negotiate with criminals through Lalu Prasad for her son’s release.Union Minister Giriraj Singh escalated the rhetoric, accusing Rahul Gandhi of actions that “defame the Indian Army”, going as far as to say: “This man speaks the language of Pakistan. He has insulted our army’s symbols, and that is an act of treason.”Meanwhile, Bihar Road Construction Minister Nitin Naveen accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of disrespecting Dr B.R. Ambedkar, demanding an apology to the nation.“Rahul Gandhi should tell the nation why his party never gave due respect to Babasaheb Ambedkar. The exploitation of women was also at its peak during Congress rule,” Naveen alleged in Patna.Amid the political heat, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Gaya to meet the family of Dashrath Manjhi, the legendary “Mountain Man” of Bihar.He is also scheduled to visit Rajgir in Nalanda, where he will address a ‘Samvidhan Sammelan’ and return to Gaya to participate in a Mahila Samvad (women’s dialogue) programme.The visit is part of Congress’ broader campaign to revive its presence in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections, aiming to engage with grassroots communities and marginalised sections.–IANSajk/dpb

Hyderabad, June 6 (IANS) Former Telangana Minister and BJP MP Eatala Rajender on Friday appeared before Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, which is probing the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.Rajender, who had served as the finance minister in the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government between 2014 and 2019, appeared before the Commission at BRK Bhavan.The Commission was examining him as part of its investigation into the alleged irregularities in the project built across the Godavari River at a cost of over Rs one lakh crore.Rajender is likely to be questioned about the decisions taken in the Cabinet for the construction of the project and the release of funds.He had served as health minister in the second term of BRS but resigned from the party and joined the BJP in 2021 after then-Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) dropped him from the Cabinet over allegations of land grabbing.The Ghose Commission has also summoned KCR and former Minister T. Harish Rao.KCR was issued notice on May 20, directing him to appear on June 5. The BRS chief, however, requested the Commission to postpone his appearance to June 11.Harish Rao, who was the irrigation minister between 2014 and 2019, is scheduled to appear before the Commission on June 9.The Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose, is probing the alleged irregularities in planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram project.The one-man Commission was constituted in March 2024, a few months after some piers of the Medigadda Barrage caved in.The term of the Commission has been extended repeatedly for seven times so far after its initial term ended on June 30, 2024.Notices to KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender were issued a day after the state government extended the Commission’s term for two more months, till July 31, to enable it to complete the examination of all those involved.The Commission has, so far, examined over 100 engineers, retired and serving officials associated with the barrages and others.Most of the engineers examined by the Commission either admitted to lapses in the procedures or expressed ignorance about decision-making.The Commission examined various documents, including the final report of the National Dam Safety Authority, the Vigilance report and other files.The panel was expected to submit its report to the government on May 21 or 22. However, the Commission decided to examine KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender as most of the engineers and officials who deposed before it stated that the decisions were taken in the presence of the then chief minister and that they acted on the CM’s and ministers’ orders.–IANSms/dpb

Chandigarh, June 6 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence of Amritsar apprehended two people, Sukhchain Singh and Jugraj Singh, who were actively involved in cross-border arms smuggling and recovered eight weapons, police said on Friday.Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, said that acting on specific Intelligence, these operatives were intercepted while transporting a consignment of illegal arms from Pakistan-based smuggler Noor.The DGP wrote on social media handle X that three Glock 9mm pistols, four Px5 pistols and one .30 bore pistol were seized.”A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to identify additional handlers and unearth the full extent of this smuggling network,” the DGP added.In another crackdown a day earlier on cross-border drug smuggling networks, Amritsar Commissionerate Police busted two international narco-trafficking cartels with the arrest of its six drug smugglers, including a woman, and recovered four kg heroin.DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that one module is operated by arrested accused Sevenbir, who is in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers.The latter received heroin consignments and operated under the guise of livestock trade, he said.The DGP added that one of the arrested accused, Jasbir Kaur, is linked to the cartel of the infamous smuggler Ranjeet, alias Cheeta, and maintained contact with smugglers in India and across the border.In one more major breakthrough on Thursday, the police dismantled a cross-border weapon smuggling module with links to Pakistan and arrested two of its operatives after recovering six highly sophisticated pistols.The accused have been identified as Surajpal Singh and Arshdeep Singh.DGP Yadav said that accused Surajpal Singh was in direct contact with Pakistan-based handlers identified as Rana and Sikander, who were using drones to drop consignments of arms and ammunition.–IANSvg/rad

Patna, June 6 (IANS) Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday welcomed the day-long visit…

New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) In a scathing attack on Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi ahead of his visit to Bihar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday accused him of disrespecting the Indian security forces and aligning rhetorically with India’s adversaries, declaring that people will not support him.Speaking to reporters, Giriraj Singh said: “What will happen during the Bihar visit?””The person visiting Bihar is someone who opposes India’s military and has worked to defame the Indian military worldwide. They have even insulted the security forces’ valour, which is an act of treason. Their language resembles that of Pakistan,” he alleged.Taking the rhetoric further, the Minister accused LoP Gandhi of questioning the armed forces and mocking national pride.”He raises doubts over our military’s courage, that is an act of betrayal. His language mirrors Pakistan’s. People will oppose his visit, and in the upcoming elections, why would anyone vote for someone who doesn’t respect the military or the nation?” Singh remarked.He also contrasted LoP Gandhi with former leaders who united across party lines during national crises.“In 1971, when the Indian Army won, did Indira Gandhi win or did the Army win? Atal Bihari Vajpayee, despite being in Opposition, said there’s only one party now, India. But this man mocks the bravery of the nation. Such a person deserves to be boycotted,” Singh said.Echoing similar sentiments, BJP’s Bihar State President Dilip Jaiswal criticised the Congress party’s move to label Rahul Gandhi as ‘Jan Nayak.’“This is laughable. On the soil of Bihar and in this country, the only true ‘Jan Nayak’ is Karpoori Thakur. We have always honoured him with that title. The Congress is trying to snatch that identity and impose it on Rahul Gandhi, which will never be accepted,” Jaiswal asserted.“Karpoori Thakur will always remain Bihar’s ‘Jan Nayak’. No one else can claim that legacy. The people of Bihar will not tolerate this political appropriation,” he added.LoP Gandhi’s visit to Bihar comes at a crucial time as both the BJP and Congress intensify their political narratives ahead of the next round of elections.He will be on a day-long visit to Bihar on Friday during which he is scheduled to interact with several women’s groups in the Gayaji district and attend a function in Nalanda, among other programmes.–IANSrs/rad

Amaravati, June 6 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have thanked the NDA government at the Centre for advancing the vision of the South Coast Railway Zone.

Both the leaders took to social media to thank the Centre for appointing a General Manager for the South Coast Railway Zone (Visakhapatnam Railway Zone).The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Union Government for advancing the vision of the Visakhapatnam South Coast Railway Zone.He congratulated Sandeep Mathur on his appointment as General Manager of South Coast Railway, Visakhapatnam and wished him a fruitful tenure in his new role.Pawan Kalyan also took to ‘X’ and thanked the NDA government for accelerating the development of the South Coast Railway Zone. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Railway Minister.The Jana Sena leader stated that in a major boost to the South Coast Railway Zone, the NDA Government has appointed Sandeep Mathur as its General Manager.”This key administrative appointment is set to streamline operations of the zone, fulfilling another key promise made during the state bifurcation and realising the long-standing aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh,” posted the Jana Sena leader.”Heartfelt congratulations to Sri Sandeep Mathur on his appointment. Wishing him all the best in leading South Coast Railway towards greater efficiency and progress,” he added.At the time of the division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the then Congress-led UPA government had promised a new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.However, it was in 2019 that the Central government announced the creation of the new zone and the Detailed Project Report was prepared.The zone will comprise Vijayawada, Guntur, and Guntakal divisions of South Central Railway and the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway.In January this year, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the South Coastal Railway Zonal Headquarters in Visakhapatnam, realising the long-awaited dream of the people of the North Andhra region.–IANSms/svn

Jammu, June 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Railway Bridge, after which he visited the photo exhibition highlighting technical hardships faced during the construction of the Bridge.PM Modi interacted with the engineers and the skilled workers who braved all odds of weather and topography to complete the World’s tallest Bridge at 359 metres, 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower of Paris.The PM congratulated the engineers and workers for braving all odds to complete the construction of the Bridge in a record time, which is a marvel of engineering excellence.MoS (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accompanied the Prime Minister when he visited the photo exhibition showing the various challenges faced during the construction of the bridge.PM Modi showed keen interest in understanding the technical problems faced during the construction of the Bridge. The CEO Railway Board, Satish Kumar, briefed the PM during the photo exhibition.Satish Kumar accompanied the PM when he inaugurated the Chenab Bridge while he went round the inaugural track.The PM was informed that the maintenance of the Katra-Srinagar railway track is totally mechanised, making it the first such railway track in the country.This makes the track the safest in the country. The PM also inaugurated the Anji Khad cable-stayed Railway Bridge, which is the first of its kind railway bridge in the country.PM walked across the bridge holding the national flag, and also went across the bridge in a railway coach.L-G Manoj Sinha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and CM Omar Abdullah were with PM Modi.PM Modi will then go to Katra town, the base camp town of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, from where he will flag off two Vande Bharat trains, one from Katra to Srinagar and the other from Srinagar to Karra.While the PM will physically flag off the Katra-Srinagar train, he will flag off the Srinagar-Katra train through virtual mode.The PM will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate projects worth Rs 46,000 crore.–IANSsq/dpb

Thiruvananthapuram, June 6 (IANS) Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian has departed for France to participate in the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which is being held in Nice, France. Speaking to IANS before his departure, Cherian said the summit aims to address critical challenges confronting the oceans and inspire concrete actions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).“I am taking part in the special event of the 3rd UNOC3 titled Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit. The coastal cities and regions are being affected by climate change, and the meeting I am taking part in is trying to find solutions to adapt to the changing times,” said Cherian.He further said that the invitation to participate in the global summit was originally extended to the Chief Minister.“The invitation was for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and he asked me to represent Kerala. This is a hot topic, and Kerala has been facing the aftereffects of climate change that has affected more than one million fisher folks in our state,” he told IANS.The Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit will include mayors, governors, and administrators of coastal cities and regions around the world, as well as representatives of island states and key stakeholders involved in climate adaptation efforts.Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and President of the Coalition, underlined the significance of the gathering.“With the launch of the Coalition of coastal cities and regions (Ocean Rise & Coastal Resilience Coalition), we — mayors, governors, and administrators of coastal communities — are building an initiative to adapt our territories, protect our populations, and preserve our biodiversity. Through this Coalition, we are giving ourselves every chance to face together the greatest challenge of the century: global climate change,” Estrosi said.–IANSsg/skp/

New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday welcomed the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan in New Delhi for the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue, as India continues to put a strong foot forward in enhancing anti-terror and de-radicalisation partnerships across the region.“4th India-Central Asia Dialogue begins in Delhi. EAM S Jaishankar warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan, Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyzstan and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan,” spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.EAM Jaishankar took to social media as he hosted the five Central Asian foreign ministers, stating “With Central Asian colleagues at the start of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue.”After attending the India-Central Asia Dialogue on Friday, the Central Asian Ministers will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the evening before wrapping up their India visit.During the fourth edition of the dialogue on Friday, the ministers will discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with a particular focus on trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation. They will also share perspectives on challenges to regional security and other regional and global issues of mutual interest.“India and Central Asia, in each other’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’, enjoy close and cordial contemporary diplomatic relations underpinned by millennia-old cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The first India-Central Summit held virtually in January 2022 and the mechanism of India-Central Asia Dialogue, at the level of Foreign Ministers, have taken this relationship substantially forward,” read a statement issued by the MEA.Earlier on Thursday, the Central Asian Foreign Ministers participated in the India-Central Asia Business CouncilAddressing the Business Council meeting in the national capital, EAM Jaishankar urged the India-Central Asia Business Council to recommend a roadmap for further deepening of India-Central Asia ties in trade, economy, and investment.He highlighted three broad objectives for strengthening the economic partnership.“Delighted to join my fellow Foreign Ministers from Central Asia this evening at the India-Central Asia Business Council. In an uncertain world, the three broad objectives for our economic partnership are to deepen existing cooperation, diversify our trade basket and introduce sustainability and predictability in our economic interactions. Highlighted digital economy & innovation, financial services, healthcare & pharma, connectivity and streamlined transit as solutions to achieve them,” EAM posted on X.The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in January 2019 in Samarkand, serves as a key platform for strengthening ties between India and Central Asia. The second meeting took place virtually in October 2020 and focussed on regional security, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure development. The third meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2021 and emphasised connectivity to further deepen the ties between India and Central Asia.–IANSint/scor/rs