INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 30 No: 38 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • September 23, 2022 Gautam Adani is “Today’s era is not of war”, PM Modi tells Putin during bilateral meeting now the world’s 2nd richest person New Delhi [India], September 16 (ANI): Business conglomerate Adani Group’s chairman Gautam Adani is now the world’s secondrichest person after overtaking Louis Vuitton’s Bernard Arnault, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List. At the time of writing this report, Gautam Adani’s net worth was USD 153.9 billion, compared to Arnault’s net worth of USD 153.7 billion. Adani is now just behind business magnate Elon Musk, according to Forbes’ data. Elon Musk’s net worth is way higher at USD 273.5 billion. India‘s Mukesh Ambani is at number eight with a total net worth of USD 91.9 billion. Gautam Adani is a first-generation entrepreneur and the Adani Group comprises 7 publicly listed entities with businesses spanning energy, ports and logistics, mining and resources, gas, defense and aerospace and airports. The Group has established a leadership position in India in each of its business areas. The Adani Group is the third largest conglomerate (after Reliance Industries and the Tata Group) in India. Listed Adani group companies are Adani Enterprises, Adani Green Energy, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, and Adani Transmission. Over the past 5 years, flagship company Adani Enterprises has invested heavily in new growth sectors that include airports, cement, copper refining, data centres, green hydrogen, petrochemical refining, roads and solar cell manufacturing. Looking ahead, it plans to foray into the telecom space and has massive plans to grow its green hydrogen and airports businesses. Recently, the Group also announced plans to set up a 4.1 mtpa integrated alumina refinery and a 30 mtpa iron ore beneficiation plant in Odisha that could cost over Rs 580 billion. His group has committed USD 70 billion for green energy infrastructure. As corporate social responsibility toward the community, the Adani Group had decided to contribute Rs 60,000 crore towards charitable activities related to healthcare, education, and skill development, focussing mainly on rural India, he told shareholders at the group’s Annual General Meeting held in late July. (ANI) Quote: “Who so rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” — Proverb Samarkand [Uzbekistan], September 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit here and said “today’s era isn’t of war” while emphasizing the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security, and fertilizers. “Today’s era isn’t of war and I have spoken to you about it on the call. Today we’ll get the opportunity to talk about how can we progress on the path of peace. IndiaRussia has stayed together with each other for several decades,” the Prime Minister said. “We spoke on the phone several times about India-Russia bilateral relations and also on various issues. We should find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers. I want to thank Russia & Ukraine for helping us to evacuate our students from Ukraine,” he added. In his remarks, the Russian President said that he knows about India’s position and concerns regarding the Ukraine conflict. “I know about your position on Ukraine’s conflict and your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible. We will keep you abreast of what is happening there,” Putin said. Russia had launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February this year. Uzbekistan is the New Delhi [India], September 21 (ANI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who has signaled his desire to contest the election to elect a new party chief, met the party’s Central Election Authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Wednesday. Madhusudan Mistry later said they answered all queries of the party MP regarding the election of Congress president. “We answered all his (Shashi Tharoor’s) queries regarding Congress presidential election. We explained to him about the electoral rules, number of agents and their roles, and discussed how to fill out the form for election,” Mistry told ANI. The election of the Congress president is slated for October 17 and the counting of votes will take place on October 19. Mistry said those who want to contest for the post of president will need the signatures of 10 delegates. Asked if Ashok Gehlot can file his nomination while continuing in the post of Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mistry said the party constitution states that anyone can fight the presidential election on the condition that he or she is a Congress delegate. Amid growing buzz about his nomination, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said he is ready to discharge any responsibility given to him by the party. He met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday. Mistry also said that a separate polling booth will not be made for party leaders on Bharat Jodo Yatris including Rahul Gandhi. He said CEA can arrange for postal ballot for Rahul Gandhi and other delegates on the yatra. “A separate polling booth will not be made for Bharat Jodo Yatris like Rahul Gandhi as they are in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra but if he informs us before time, we can take his vote through postal ballot for the Congress Presidential election,” Mistry said. Shashi Tharoor had met the party’s interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday and is learnt to have conveyed his intention to contest the party’s presidential elections to “make internal democracy” in the party stronger. Tharoor is a member of G23 which had written to Sonia Gandhi seeking sweeping reforms in the party. (ANI) Shashi Tharoor meets Madhusudan Mistry as poll buzz gets stronger in Congress current chair of SCO 2022 whereas India will be the next chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have congratulated India for the SCO Presidency in 2023 during the meeting of the expanded circle of the Heads of SCO. This is the first inperson SCO Summit after the Covid pandemic hit the world. The last in-person SCO Heads of State Summit was held in Bishkek in June 2019. The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six “Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey). The Shanghai Five, formed in 1996, became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2001 with the inclusion of Uzbekistan. With India and Pakistan entering the grouping in 2017 and the decision to admit Tehran as a full member in 2021, SCO became one of the largest multilateral organizations, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the global GDP and 40 per cent of the world’s population. (ANI)
September 23, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Jaishankar participates in India-UAE-France trilateral Ministerial meet; exchanges ideas New York [US], September 20 (ANI): As part of his diplomatic meetings in the US, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in a trilateral Ministerial meeting of India-UAE-France with his counterparts and exchanged ideas between the strategic partners. In a tweet, Jaishankar wrote, “A productive first trilateral Ministerial meeting of India-UAE-France. Active exchange of ideas between strategic partners and UNSC members. Thank UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for hosting France Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and me.” India and France are maritime nations with dynamic maritime economy sectors like marine technology and scientific research, fisheries, port and shipping, to name a few. Possessing vast exclusive economic zones, their fate is closely linked to the sea and the ocean. Both nations intend to make the blue economy a driver of the progress of their respective societies while respecting the environment and coastal and marine biodiversity. Both countries aim to contribute to scientific knowledge and ocean conservation and ensure that the ocean remains a global common, a space of freedom and trade, based on the rule of law. India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two countries entered into a Strategic Partnership which is emblematic of their convergence of views on a range of international issues apart from a close and growing bilateral relationship. India and UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship based on ageold cultural, religious and economic ties between the two nations. They established diplomatic relations in 1972. While the UAE opened its Embassy in India in 1972, Indian Embassy in UAE was opened in 1973. The traditionally strong bilateral relations enjoyed by India & UAE have received an impetus with regular exchange of high-level bilateral visits from time to time. The momentum generated by visits at the highest level was sustained by back-toback reciprocal visits at the level of Foreign Ministers too. Kicking off a jampacked diplomatic week in New York, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, Jaishankar on Monday held an in-person meeting with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi. Jaishankar held a set of bilateral talks with his counterparts in the Balkans, Europe and the Caribbean. Over the course of the week, Jaishankar is scheduled to have more than 50 official engagements including bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral meetings. After concluding his visit to New York on Saturday, he is scheduled to visit Washington for three days starting Sunday for what the External Affairs Ministry said for “a high-level review of the multifaceted bilateral agenda and strengthen cooperation on regional and global issues to consolidate the India-US strategic partnership further”. In Washington, Jaishsnkar is expected to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials of the Biden Administration. A round table focused on science and technology is also on the agenda for Washington. (ANI)
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September 23, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India will overtake UK to become 3rd largest economy by end of decade: UK High Commissioner New Delhi [India], September 21 (ANI): India will overtake the United Kingdom to become the third largest economy by the end of the decade and thus New Delhi and London need to work together, British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis said on Tuesday. “For two economies roughly the same size, India will grow fast overtaking the UK to become the third largest economy by end of the decade, thus both need to work together,” Ellis said at the India-UK business outreach trade and investment alliances program in New Delhi. He further said, “The UK has left European Union is an opportunity to write our own rules which can really work well with India as there is political will... PM Modi and the UK PM Liz Truss spoke just over a week ago and had a very good conversation.” Earlier, UK High Commissioner told ANI that New Delhi and London have the high ambition of completing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by Diwali this year, which will increase employment and bring economic development to India over the next 25 years. On being asked, if it could be a “Diwali Dhamaka”, the UK High Commissioner nodded, saying, “I hope so.” “I think we have high ambition on completing the FTA by Diwali. The FTA will create more jobs, more growth, and more opportunities for India to grow and develop,” he added. The bilateral trade between India and the UK is likely to double by 2030 from the current level helped by greater economic engagements between the two countries, diversification of global supply chains, and overall ease of doing business, as per an industry report released last month. As India and the UK collaborate for economic growth against a backdrop of global disruptions, Grant Thornton Bharat launched the second edition of Britain Meets India (BMI) Report 2022, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), supported by the UK’s Department of International Trade (DIT). According to the report, 618 UK companies have been identified in India that together employ approximately 4.66 lakh people and have a combined turnover of Rs 3,634.9 billion. 58 of these 618 companies featured in the report’s Growth Tracker (companies with turnover greater than Rs 500 million and 10 per cent year-on-year growth) – these fast-growing UK companies achieved an average growth of 36.3 per cent, which is a 10 per cent jump from 2021 where fast-growing UK companies clocked an average growth rate of 26 per cent. The report was launched by Alex Ellis CMG, High Commissioner of UK to India, Chandrajit Banerjee, DG – CII, Vishesh C Chandiok, CEO, Grant Thornton Bharat and Pallavi Joshi Bakhru, Partner and India-UK Corridor Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat in New Delhi in the presence of over 50 dignitaries, industry and government representatives from the UK and India. Meanwhile, last month the two countries concluded the fifth round of talks for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (ANI) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 20 (ANI): Hyderabad police on Tuesday arrested a man accused of murdering a vegetable vendor and stealing her gold ornaments. According to Police, the accused came to Hyderabad a few years ago and worked in a lodge in Secunderabad. Police said he used to do labour work for house construction and other works for which he travelled from Hyderabad to Kurnool, Anantapur, Prakasham, Kamareddy districts etc. A few months ago he befriended one Rathlavath Devamma, a vegetable vendor in Bowenpally. They both used to consume toddy. He got evil thoughts when he saw her gold and silver ornaments, said the police. Chandana Deepthi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North zone said the accused hatched a plan to kill Devamma and steal ornaments to gain easy money. For executing his plan, he took her to the toddy compound at RTC Colony Bowenpally in the evening of September 15 and both consumed toddy. Then, he took her Tirumulgherry and slit her throat with a razor blade. He escaped with her ear studs, mangalsutra, silver anklets and Rs.8,000, said the DCP. He was arrested in Trimulgherry area in Secunderabad. Police also recovered the gold jewellery from his possession. The investigation is underway. (ANI) Man arrested in Hyderabad for murdering vegetable vendor
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September 23, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India-US relationship France, US hail PM Modi’s advice to Putin over Ukraine witnessed a paradigm shift in last 50 years: Jaishankar New York [US], September 21 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that for almost 50 years, India regarded the US with suspicion, struggled during the 2008 nuclear deal and it has taken a lot of effort to overcome earlier assumptions and forge the mutual relationship as it stands today. While speaking at Columbia University, New York, Jaishankar said, “Despite the US offering a very clear advantage, we struggled during the 2008 nuclear deal as our innate and deep-rooted suspicion towards the US held us back.” He said that the attitude towards the US between the late 40s and 2000s, for almost 50 years, India regarded the US with suspicion and a lot of wariness. “It was a very substantive relationship. But the overall foreign policy assessment of the US was a deep caution. When the world began to change the tenability of that view came into question. The nuclear deal in 2005-2008 was a struggle.” “It has taken us a lot of effort to overcome earlier assumptions in order to forge a different relationship with the US,” he added. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar highlighted that one of the key differences that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made on this relationship is that he has not carried any ideological baggage. “He is not a person who is rooted in a certain world which makes you fundamentally distant from the US. He has been very practical and outcome-oriented and he found convergences with the US. That is why we have seen remarkable progress in the last 8 years. We would not have had that if we were not ready to challenge the assumptions that held us back early.” Explaining that sometimes in the diplomatic world “we get too intense about our problems and debates” he noted that “it takes someone with very practical common sense you bring you down to the ground.” He also admired his predecessor and former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. “I worked with her. We made a very good team. She brought a lot of political experience and certain practicality of life to what is the profession which sometimes tends to be circular.” Jaishankar termed 75 years of independence as a good occasion to reflect. “A set of people over a period of time that determine what is right or what is wrong. They have a view of the world and those are the assumptions that they make. And the reason I wrote that is to question the assumptions.” “The world has changed so much and the opportunities for India and the challenges for India. The assumptions that we had `10 years ago are today challenging. The book was written with exercise and provocations. Which is to read the book and argue with me.” (ANI) New York [US], September 21 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hailed at the United Nations General Assembly for his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war, by the US and France at the UNGA meeting in New York. On the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand on September 16, PM Modi had said “today’s era isn’t of war” while emphasising the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers. France President Emmanuel Macron and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday (local time) welcomed PM Modi’s statement to Putin on Ukraine. “Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India was right when he said the time is not for war. It is not for revenge against the West, or for opposing the West against the east. It is the time for a collective time for our sovereign equal states. To cope together with challenges we face,” Macron said. Sullivan in a White House statement said: “I think what Prime Minister Modi said — a statement of principle on behalf of what he believes is right and just — was very much welcomed by the United States and for the Indian leadership, which has longstanding relationships in Moscow, from the very top all the way through the Russian government, to continue to reinforce that message that now is the time for the war to end”. Apart from the UNGA, PM Modi’s statement became popular and was praised by international media. American network CNN praised PM Modi’s hold on world politics and reported, “Indian leader Narendra Modi tells Putin: Now is not the time for war.” While another US publication The Washington Post’s headline was “Modi rebukes Putin over the war From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- September 23, 2022 Concord Hymn By Ralph Waldo Emerson Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, July 4, 1837 By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled, Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world. The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set today a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit, that made those heroes dare To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee. in Ukraine”. “India’s Leader Tells Putin That Now Is Not an Era for War,” The New York Times said in its headline. It was the lead story on the webpage of both The Washington Post and The New York Times. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin had said that he knows about India’s position on the Ukraine conflict. “I know about your position on the Ukraine conflict. I know about your concerns. We want all of this to end as soon as possible,” Putin said. “But the other party, the leadership of Ukraine has claimed... that they refuse to engage in the negotiation process. They said they want to achieve their objectives, as they say, on the battlefield militarily. We will keep you abreast of everything that is happening over there,” he added. “The rare reproach showed the 69-year-old Russian strongman coming under extraordinary pressure from all sides,” the Post said. Putin said that relations between Russia and India are in the nature of a privileged strategic partnership and continue to develop very rapidly. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are solely those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor either by mail to the above address or by e-mail provided below. 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September 23, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Tharoor, Gehlot emerge probables for Congress prez in case Rahul Gandhi declines post: Sources New Delhi [India], September 19 (ANI): Ashok Gehlot, who is considered to be close to the Gandhi family, and Shashi Tharoor, who got the nod for the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, have emerged as top probable contenders for the office of the party chief in case Rahul Gandhi decides not to enter the fray. Amid speculation that Ashok Gehlot could be running for the party president, the election for which is set to take place next month, sources close to the Rajasthan Chief Minister said that he is “trying to persuade Rahul Gandhi” to contest rather than his own nomination. This comes amid buzz of Gehlot being a leading choice for the party’s president post in the election scheduled to be held on October 17, the result of which will be declared on October 19. The speculation gained traction after Gehlot met Sonia Gandhi at her residence in the national capital a few weeks ago, in which, according to the sources, the Congress interim president had asked him to be prepared for the poll to decided the party chief. “Ashok Gehlot says that rather than thinking of running for Congress President he is trying to persuade Rahul Gandhi to do so. He remains a loyal soldier of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi,” the sources said. However, Gehlot has maintained distance from any such reports by refraining from making comments when asked whether the election would have a long-term impact on his politics in Rajasthan. Many believe that Gehlot is backed by the top leadership to run for the post. Notably, Shashi Tharoor is a candidate of the G-23 group within the party to contest for the poll. He garners the support of several MPs as along with him, five other MPs had written a letter to Congress central election authority chairman, Madhusudhan Mistry demanding that electoral roles should be made available to all. However, Mistry had responded by stating that it will not be made public, but anybody who is willing to contest can access the electoral role from his office from September 20. In the absence of a member of the Gandhi family in the prez poll, Gehlot and Tharoor are the probable candidates to run for the poll. Earlier this evening, sources said that Tharoor has got the nod from Sonia Gandhi to contest the polls after he met her in Delhi. The nomination for the poll will start on September 24 and will conclude on September 30. After the refusal of the Gandhi family to enter the race for the post of president, Gehlot and leaders like Mukul Wasnik, K C Venugopal, Kumari Selja, Malikarjun Kharge, Bhupesh Baghel are being considered possible choices. The Congress party has completed the internal election process by August 20. The party had announced that the election for the post of president will be held between August 21 and September 20. However, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has still not cleared his stance on whether he would contest or who his choice would be. (ANI) Mohali (Punjab) [India], September 18 (ANI): Amid the raging controversy over the alleged leaked objectionable videos of Chandigarh University students, University authorities on Sunday claimed that no objectionable video was made of the girl students except a personal video shot by a girl, which she shared with her boyfriend. In an official statement, RS Bawa, ProChancellor, Chandigarh University said, “There are rumours that seven girls have committed suicide whereas the fact is that no girl has attempted any such step. No girl has been admitted to the hospital in the incident.” Bawa further said, “There is another rumour that 60 objectionable MMS have been found of different students. This is totally false and baseless. All the rumours of objectionable videos shot of other girl students are totally false and baseless. During the preliminary investigation conducted by the University, there have been no videos found of any student which are objectionable except a personal video shot by a girl which was shared by herself her boyfriend.” Bawa informed on the request received by the students, Chandigarh University has itself volunteered the further investigation to the Punjab Police Department which has taken one girl into custody and has filed an FIR under IT Act. The University said all the mobile phones and other material has been handed over to the police for further investigation. The statement said Chandigarh University is fully cooperating with police in the investigation. P u n j a b Government ordered a high-level inquiry over the matter. “Sad to hear about the incident of Chandigarh University. Our daughters are our pride. I have ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. Strict action will be taken against whoever is guilty. I am constantly in touch with the administration. I appeal to all of you to avoid rumors,” said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Massive protests were held by Chandigarh University students in Mohali on Saturday night after alleged ‘leaked objectionable videos’ of women students went viral. Protesting students alleged that a student made videos of girl students while taking a bath in the hostel. The video was later made viral on social media. The protesting students also claimed that after the videos went viral, girl students living in the hostel attempted suicide. However, police refuted the suicide attempts claim. Police have arrested one student in the matter. “It is a matter of a video being shot by a girl student and circulated. FIR has been registered in the matter and the accused is arrested. No death has been reported related to this incident. As per medical records, no suicide attempt or death has taken place. One student who was taken in an ambulance was suffering from anxiety and our team is in contact with her,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Mohali Vivek Soni. “Forensic evidence is being collected. So far in our investigation, we have found out that there is only one video of the accused herself. She has not recorded any other video of anyone else. Electronic devices and mobile phones have been taken into custody and will be sent for forensic examination. Apart from the video of one student, no other video has come to our notice,” he added. Punjab Higher Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer ordered a thorough probe over the matter. “It is really saddening to know about the unfortunate incident at Chandigarh University. Since this matter is very sensitive, it is my request not to forward any unsubstantiated news. There is no news of suicide by any girl student. I assure justice to University students, especially girls. The DC Mohali and SSP have been ordered to conduct a thorough inquiry into the entire incident. Guilty would not be spared,” said the Minister. Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has appealed to Chandigarh University students to remain calm and assured them that the guilty will not be spared. “I humbly request all the students of Chandigarh University to remain calm. No one guilty will be spared. It is a very sensitive matter and relates to the dignity of our sisters and daughters,” said the Minister in a Twitter post. Punjab State Women Commission took cognizance over the matter. “This is a serious matter. An investigation is underway. I am here to assure parents of all students that the accused will not be spared,” said Manisha Gulati, Chairperson, Punjab State Women Commission. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal condemned the incident. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said, “A girl recorded objectionable videos of many girl students in Chandigarh University and made them viral. This is very serious and shameful. All the culprits involved in this will get the harshest punishment. Victim girls have courage. We all are with you. Act with patience.” Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Som Parkash also demanded strict action against the culprits. “It is an unfortunate incident. Police should take serious action against those involved in this incident so that such incidents do not occur again,” the BJP leader told ANI. (ANI) Objectionable Videos: Accused girl shared her personal video to boyfriend, no objectionable video of other students found, claims Chandigarh University
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 9 Sale Ends 9-30-2022 Transgender Marriage: Wife finds after 8 years she was married to woman fraudulently, spouse denies Va d o d a r a (Gujarat) [India], September 18 (ANI): A shocking incident of a female discovering after several years of marriage that her spouse is a female by birth surfaced in the Vadodra district of Gujrat. The marriage took place in 2014. However, the lady’s husband, Dr Viraj Vardhan from Delhi refuted the allegations and said that she knew everything prior to the marriage as he had “shown” and made her aware that he had undergone Genderreassignment surgery. He said that he also told her about the three stages that were yet to be performed. “She knew everything. She had said that she and her daughter are very much attached to you,” Viraj alias Vijeta said. “I officially adopted her daughter. She had even broken the engagement demanding a house before marriage and after nine years she claims that she doesn’t even know her husband’s body,” he said. Talking further to the media persons, Viraj said, “Since we were living in different rooms for the past year, she had installed a camera over in my room and clicked pictures. She along with her brother came to me in April this year with those pictures.” Viraj, however, accepted that he was a female by birth and later trans-gendered before the marriage. The case came to light when a woman hailing from Sayajiganj lodged a complaint against her husband Viraj in the city’s Gotri police station after discovering the medical reports of his surgery conducted in 2020 in Kolkata. The woman, in her complaint, had alleged that her husband was initially a female who had undergone sex-change surgery and kept the matter secret for eight years of their marriage. As per the complainant, the accused Viraj, who belonged to Delhi got married to the Vadodara-based lady, but the couple never had any “relations like that of a husband and wife”. By examining the documents of surgery on the lower part of her husband’s body, the complainant said that this was when she learned that her husband Viraj was originally Vijeta, and had undergone surgery on the body’s upper part during the wedding. After getting a hold of the relevant facts after that, the police registered a First Information Report in the matter and brought Viraj alias Vijeta from Delhi to Vadodara. The woman’s advocate Siddhartha Pawar disclosed that the couple had married after reaching out to each other through an online matrimonial site and when both the families met in Vadodara, none of the females in the accused’s family had revealed the matter. The police have also registered a complaint against the accused’s mother and sister for allegedly hiding the truth. “The complainant woman saw a match with Dr Viraj for herself through a matrimonial site in 2014 when she was a widow... after shifting to Delhi, the couple could not dwell on the physical relationship, when the complainant questioned her husband he dismissed the discussion and had said her that he met with an accident when he was in Russia and sometimes he used to deliver excuses of allergy in the private parts,” said Abhay Soni, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vadodara. (ANI)
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