INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 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: 44 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • November 4, 2022 135 dead, several Injured after Cable Bridge collapses in Gujarat’s Morbi, Rescue efforts are on Morbi (Gujarat) [India],(ANI): 135 people are reported dead and several injured after a cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi area on Sunday. Ambulances have reached the spot to carry injured to hospitals. Rescue operations are underway. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupender Patel said instructions have been given to the officials to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. “I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of the suspension bridge collapse in Morbi. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing by the system. The system has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant contact with the district administration in this regard,” the Chief Minister said. G a r u d Commandos from Air Force were pressed into the rescue operations soon after a cable bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi on Sunday, according to the state information department. The National Disaster Response Force was called for rescue operations after the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of over 135 persons. Morbi Suspension Bridge, Photo by PIB Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], October 29 (ANI): Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Saturday announced forming a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting. “Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, CM Bhupendra Patel has taken a historic decision in the cabinet meeting today – of forming a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state,” said Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat, the state government announced to constitute a panel to evaluate implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state. The committee is likely to be formed under a retired High Court judge. Earlier the Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh governments had announced their decision to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, gender and sexual orientation. Many political leaders have backed the UCC saying that it will bring equality in the According to the information department, 30 personnel of the Indian Air Force along with two columns of Army personnel have left for the spot. “After instant orders from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, for rescue and relief operations, three platoons of NDRF with 50 personnel of Indian Navy, 108 ambulance and ambulances from nearby areas, Garud Commando from Air Force Jamnagar, MORBI TRAGEDY SEE PAGE 6 Gujarat announces forming a committee for implementing UCC in state country. However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has termed it “an unconstitutional and anti-minorities move”, and called the rhetoric for bringing the law an attempt by Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Central governments to divert the attention from the concerns of inflation, economy, and rising unemployment. The Centre earlier this month told the Supreme Court that it could not direct Parliament to frame or enact any law on Uniform Civil Code in the country. The Ministry of Law and Justice in its affidavit stated that the matter of policy is for the elected representatives of the people to decide and no direction in this regard can be issued by the Centre. “It is for the legislature to enact or not to enact a piece of legislation,” the ministry told the apex court. Notably, in Bharatiya Janata Party’s 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, BJP promised the implementation of UCC if it comes to power. (ANI)
November 4, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Celebrates Diwali and New Year B A P S Swaminarayan Temple in Beltsville Maryland celebrated Diwali and New Year on 26th October. The Temple had a grand annkut. Annkut is an offering of a thousand vegetarian and vegan food items on the day after Diwali, which is celebrated as New Year in some part of India such as Western Indian state of Gujarat. Annkut is a yearly tradition followed by BAPS with thousands of devotees attending the temple programs throughout the day. In a special hour at noon, various dignitaries attended the festivities along with hundreds of BAPS followers. Senator Chris Val Hollen and Congress candidate Glen Ivey were special guests at the celebrations. Councilmember Will Jawando, PG County police chief Malik Aziz, US India SME Council CEO Elisha Pulivarti and others were also invited guests. All invited guests were felicitated. A US flag flown over the capitol was donated to the temple honoring the centennial celebrations of Shri Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The special hour was closed with an Aarti. Diwali is also known as the festival of lights and mainly celebrated by Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities all around the world. Chris Van Hollen, Glen Ivey, Will Jawando, and Malik Aziz reiterated the spirit of Diwali, the triumph of good over evil, light over dark. President Joe Biden and the first lady Jill Biden celebrated Diwali at the White House with community participation. Vice President Kamala Harris was present at the White House Celebrations. She along with her husband also held Diwali celebrations at her home with bollywood performances, traditional Indian food, lighting, sparkles and diyas. Maryland Mayor also organized a Diwali celebration on 20th of October and emphasized that diverse communities and religious freedom as the strengths of the state of Maryland. New York Mayor announced Diwali as a school holiday. UK elected its first Hindu PM of Indian origin on the Diwali making the 2022 Diwali a unique occasion. B A P S Swaminarayan is a sect of Hinduism with followers all around the world. USA has large BAPS communities in places like Maryland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Jersey and Chicago. Each BAPS temple around the world offer Annkut on the New Year and holds grand celebrations. Devotees visit temples, offer prayers, perform aarti, eat prasads and celebrate New Year. Different volunteers arrange the entire celebrations, sing bhajans, and assist devotees.
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November 4, 2022 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN Morbi bridge collapse: Young good samaritans save around 60 lives 20 & up $ SERVICES • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 C&S Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com Morbi (Gujarat) [India], November 1 (ANI): The heroic actions of a youth, who himself was one of the victims of the Morbi bridge collapse, has saved the lives of around 60 people. The Morbi bridge collapse incident claimed the lives of 135 people. Naim Sheikh, who knew how to swim managed to save, with the help of his friends, about 50-60 people, even though, he himself was also injured in the incident. He is currently admitted to Civil Hospital in Morbi and undergoing medical treatment. Speaking to ANI, Sheikh said he along with his five friends was at the bridge when it collapsed. Five of them survived but sadly, one of his friends died in the incident. “ Six of us had gone there, out of which only five of us have survived and one died. I can swim, so, my friends and I together managed to save about 50-60 people. It was heart-rending. I got hurt when I was bringing the people to safety,” Sheikh told ANI. Another survivor said that around 500 people were on the bridge when it collapsed. “Around 500 people were on the bridge when suddenly it collapsed and we all fell in the water. For around one hour I was in the water,” he added. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with local administration and other agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the spot of the Morbi bridge collapse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Morbi in Gujarat today. Earlier on October 31, nine persons, including officials of Oreva, the company that renovated the bridge, ticket sellers and security men, were arrested for the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat. On Sunday, the suspension bridge above the Machchhu River in the Morbi district. Visuals showed people falling into the river below. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Gujarat Police in the bridge collapse incident in Gujarat‘s Morbi district against private agencies for the attempt to commit culpable homicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Gujarat Police has filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the bridge collapse tragedy. The Gujarat government has constituted a fivemember committee headed to probe the bridge collapse incident. The police also informed that the management person agency did not take due care and quality check of the bridge and kept it open for the people on October 26, displaying severe carelessness. As per reports, the bridge was closed for about 8 months for maintenance and the repair work was being completed by a private agency. State-wide mourning in Gujarat will take place on November 2, for the people who died in the Morbi tragedy. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at Gandhinagar Raj Bhavan chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings in the state on November 2 and no government public functions, receptions, or entertainment programs will be held. (ANI)
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November 4, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK 135 dead, several Injured after Cable Bridge collapses in Gujarat’s Morbi, Rescue efforts are on MORBI TRAGEDY FROM PAGE 1 30 personnel of IAF along with two columns of Army personnel and seven teams of Fire Brigade left for Morbi with advanced equipment from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Diu and Surendranagar,” the department said. It further informed that an isolation ward has also been set up in Rajkot Civil Hospital for treatment of the injured ones. “3 of SDRF as well as two platoons of State Reserve Police (SRP) are also reaching Morbi for rescue and relief operations. An isolation ward has also been set up in Rajkot Civil Hospital for treatment,” the department added. Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with local administration and other agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the spot of the Morbi bridge collapse. “With one more injured succumbing at the District hospital a while ago, the death toll stands at 135. A total of 14 persons are still hospitalized. One person is still reported to be missing and a search is on for him,” told Morbi District Collector. Commandant Prasanna Kumar, NDRF rescue incharge said, “We have been continuing our search and rescue operations. We have resumed today morning and continuing. We have not been informed about any official number of persons missing but it is suspected that three or four persons may be there in the river bed. Though we have not recovered anybody or a missing person today but we will continue the operation.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Morbi in Gujarat today. Earlier on October 31, nine persons, including officials of Oreva, the company that renovated the bridge, ticket sellers and security men, were arrested for the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat. “We arrested nine people after filing FIR under various sections of IPC. The arrested includes the managers of Oreva company and ticket clerks,” said Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range. “As and when we get evidence, police will nab the accused further. We have also formed a Special Investigation team pertaining to the incident,” he added. On Sunday, the suspension bridge above the Machchhu River in the Morbi district. Visuals showed people falling into the river below. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed by the Gujarat Police in the bridge collapse incident in Gujarat‘s Morbi district against private agencies for the attempt to commit culpable homicide and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Gujarat Police has filed a First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the bridge collapse tragedy. The Gujarat government has constituted a five-member committee headed to probe the bridge collapse incident. The police also informed that the management person agency did not take due care and quality check of the bridge and kept it open for the people on October 26, displaying severe carelessness. As per reports, the bridge was closed for about 8 months for maintenance and the repair work was being completed by a private agency. State-wide mourning in Gujarat will take place on November 2, for the people who died in the Morbi tragedy. The decision was taken at a highlevel meeting held at Gandhinagar Raj Bhavan chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings in the state on November 2 and no government public functions, receptions, or entertainment programs will be held. PM Modi chairs high level meeting, says authorities must stay in touch with affected families families and ensure that extensive inquiry which Bhupendra Patel, state Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting in Morbi, Gujarat to review the situation in the wake of the unfortunate bridge mishap killing at least 135 people. The Prime Minister stated that the authorities must stay in touch with the affected they receive all possible help in this tragic hour. According to a press statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Officials briefed the Prime Minister on the rescue operation and the assistance provided to those affected. PM Modi said the need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- October 28, 2022 My Inner Life by Robert William ‘Tis true my garments threadbare are, And sorry poor I seem; But inly I am richer far Than any poet’s dream. For I’ve a hidden life no one Can ever hope to see; A sacred sanctuary none May share with me. Aloof I stand from out the strife, Within my heart a song; By virtue of my inner life I to myself belong. Against man-ruling I rebel, Yet do not fear defeat, For to my secret citadel I may retreat. Oh you who have an inner life Beyond this dismal day With wars and evil rumours rife, Go blessedly your way. Your refuge hold inviolate; Unto yourself be true, And shield serene from sordid fate The Real You. will identify all aspects relating to this mishap. He also added that the key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the very earliest. Those present at the meeting were CM Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Minister Brijesh Merja, Chief Secretary of Gujarat, State DGP, local Collector, SP, Inspector General of Police, MLAs and MPs and other officials. INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans 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. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manish Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George Visit: www.indiathisweek.online Advertisements ADV Solutions Inc. Tel: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 e-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Letters, Comments, Press Releases e-Mail: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com
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November 4, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Girls’ auctioning row in Bhilwara: Rajasthan Police strict towards atrocities against women, says DGP ML Lather Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 30 (ANI): After reports of girls being auctioned on stamp papers in Bhilwara surfaced, Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) ML Lather said that the state police is strict towards atrocities against women. “Rajasthan Police is strict towards atrocities against women. The media has been told about two victim girls and a case was registered in the year 2019 in relation to the incident with both the girls,” he said. The DCP further added that a case was registered in Hanuman Nagar police station of the district under various sections of IPC, POCSO Act, JJ Act and IT Act. “In the year 2019, Operation Gudiya was run in the Bhilwara district in connection with the purchase and sale of girls,” he said. Earlier on October 29, the chairperson of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Sangeeta Beniwal, held a meeting at the Collectorate in Bhilwara following reports of girls being auctioned on stamp papers in the area. The District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and other officials were present at the meeting. “I came to know from DSP and Collector that this case is from 2019. At that time, police presented a challan of 25 people in court. Out of 6 girls, 4 have been rehabilitated & 2 are in girls’ homes as they’re from other states. I’ll reach them soon and get complete information,” said RSCPCR chief, Sangeeta Beniwal. Earlier, Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the Congress party had exposed such cases which had been happening during the previous regime of the BJP in the state. “The incident happened in 2005 when the BJP was in power. In 2019, we came and exposed it. 21 accused were arrested, three died and one is absconding. Two children died, and the rest went to their homes. It was turned into national news,” Gehlot said while addressing a press conference here. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Commission for Women (NCW), the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Rajasthan State Commission for Women (RSCW) have all sought reports into the allegations. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal had also written to Gehlot seeking action against the culprits for auctioning girls on stamp papers to settle disputes over loan repayments in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. “It is reported in the newspaper that girls as young as 8-year-old are being openly auctioned on stamp paper in over half a dozen districts of the state. The report has stated that whenever there is a dispute between two parties particularly involving financial transactions and loans, people approach caste-based panchayats to settle the matter, the DCW chief wrote. “These panchayats settle financial disputes and recover the money by auctioning young girls belonging to the lender families. The girls are then sent to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Delhi, and even abroad and subjected to physical abuse, torture, and sexual assault. If the families refuse to sell their girls, their mothers are subjected to rape on the diktats of the local caste panchayats!,” Maliwal’s letter read. (ANI) unfortunately died. A rescue team of about 6 persons, deputed to the site after the incident, has also got trapped under the debris”, said Jitendra Sharma. He further tweeted that All efforts are being made to retrieve and save the trapped persons. Further assistance, as required, is provided. “All efforts are In the Andhra Pradesh Government, he served as Principal Secretary in the Urban Development Department; Managing Director of AP State Finance Corporation and Secretary (the Finance Department). He also held the post of the Collector & DM of the Chittoor and Khammam districts. being made to retrieve and save the trapped persons. Further assistance, as required, is provided. I am in constant touch with the district administration,” read his tweet. The lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, was deeply anguished by the mishap at DrabshallaRatle hydroelectric project. “Deeply anguished by mishap at Drabshalla- Ratle hydroelectric project. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones– prayers for the early recovery of the injured. Army, SDRF & police are carrying out rescue operations. Dist Admin directed to provide all necessary assistance” read his tweet. Further details are awaited. (ANI) 4 killed, 10 injured as oil tanker catches fire in Mizoram’s Aizawl J&K: 4 dead, six injured in landslide at Ratle Power Project Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], October 29 (ANI): At least 4 people were killed and 10 others injured after a tanker carrying petrol caught fire in Mizoram‘s Aizawl district on Saturday evening. The incident took place at the Tuirial area where a tanker carrying petrol caught fire. C. Lalruaia, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Aizawl told ANI that so far four bodies have been recovered from the site. “10 other persons were also injured in the incident. One four-wheeler taxi and two 2wheelers were damaged in the fire incident,” the police official said. More details are awaited. (ANI) Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 30 (ANI): As many as four people died and six others were injured on Saturday in a landslide at the site of an under-construction Ratle Power Project, informed the police officials. “The rescue operation has been completed. A total of four bodies and six injured were rescued,” said Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Devansh Yadav. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Sharma said that a rescue team of about 6 persons, deputed to the site after the incident, has also got trapped under the debris. “Spoke to DC Kishtwar, J&K on receiving a report of a fatal landslide at the site of the under-construction Ratle Power Project. JCB driver New Delhi [India], November 1 (ANI): Giridhar Aramane, a 1988batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, assumed the office of Defence Secretary on Tuesday. Before taking charge, Aramane laid a wreath at National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. He saluted the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives while protecting the nation. “We draw inspiration from these bravehearts and promise to work towards fulfilling their dream of making India a safe and prosperous country,” he said during his visit to the National War Memorial. In his 32 years of experience in IAS, the new Defence Secretary has held various important portfolios in the Central Government as well as the Andhra Pradesh government. Prior to his current assignment, Aramane was Secretary, of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Earlier, he was an Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. Apart from Cabinet Secretariat, he also looked after Exploration Division in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and was Executive Director in charge of inspections in the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority. Giridhar Aramane takes over as new Defence Secretary
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2022 9 President Murmu extends formation day greetings to states New Delhi [India], November 1 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday greeted the people of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Lakshadweep and Puducherry on their formation day. “Greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Lakshadweep and Puducherry on their formation day. My best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the residents of these States and Union Territories,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet. A n d h r a Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Lakshadweep and Puducherry are observing their Foundation Day today. Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala came into being in 1956 while Haryana was formed in 1966 and Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, by integrating Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar. On November 1, 1956, Andhra Pradesh was For Advertisements Call: 301-445-0200 301-917-4800 indiathisweekads@gmail.com www.indiathisweek.online formed by bringing together all Telugu-speaking regions of Hyderabad. Karnataka was founded on Karnataka Rajyotsava Day on November 1, 1956, after the passing of the State Reorganisation Act. Karnataka was formed when all Kannada-speaking regions of India were merged to form a single state. However, the state had to be renamed Karnataka on November 1, 1973. It was originally known as Mysore State. The State of Madhya Pradesh was formed by merging the erstwhile Central Provinces CP & Berar, Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh and Bhopal. November 1 is celebrated as Chhattisgarh Foundation Day since 2000. Earlier, Chhattisgarh was a part of Madhya Pradesh. On this day, in 1966, the state of Haryana was carved out of Punjab while Punjab Day is also celebrated across the state on November 1 marking the formation of the state under the Punjab Reorganisation Act (1966). During the reorganization of Indian states in 1956, the Lakshadweep islands were separated from Malabar District and organised into a separate union territory for administrative purposes. The formation of Puducherry is celebrated as Liberation Day every year on November 1. The commemorates the transfer of Puducherry from French colonial rule to India. (ANI)
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