New projects being inaugurated by PM Modi are ‘electoral gimmick’: Yechury
Quoting a report which said there has been a sharp decline in fresh investment in the third quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the flood of new projects being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are an "electoral gimmick". Yechury shared a report, which quoted data from investment tracking firm Projects Today. According to the report, new investments slid 46 per cent in Q3 as manufacturing and infrastructure outlays shrank. "Given this data, the flood of new projects being inaugurated by PM Modi all over the country with much fanfare are purely an electoral gimmick. Given this trend, most of these announcements of new projects are destined not to materialise," Yechury said in a post on X. "Modi PR, propaganda and spin must be defeated," he said. The report said the sharp decline in fresh investment witnessed in the October-December 2023 period was spread across almost all major sectors and barring the electricity sector, all other major sectors saw contractions in fresh investments of more than 50 per cent.
3 killed in steam tank blast at UP sugar mill
Three people died and at least five were injured in a blast in a steam tank at a sugar mill here on Monday, police said. The blast took place at Jawaharpur sugar mill in the Ramkot police station area when work was going on in the factory, according to police and eyewitnesses. The injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment while those killed are yet to be identified, police said. An official statement issued in Lucknow said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Sitapur district magistrate to reach the spot and make arrangements for proper treatment of the injured. The chief minister also condoled the loss of lives in the incident, the statement said.
Last rites of legendary Hindustani classical vocalist Prabha Atre held in Pune
The last rites of renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Prabha Atre were performed with full state honours at Vaikunth crematorium in Pune on Monday. Atre, who represented the Kirana Gharana of Hindustani classical music, passed away early Saturday at the age of 92 following a cardiac arrest at her residence here. District collector Rajesh Deshmukh laid a wreath on the mortal remains, while the final journey was attended by people from all walks of life. Born on September 13, 1932, Atre was a multi-faceted personality. Besides being a classical vocalist, she also excelled as an academician, researcher, composer and author. A science and law graduate, she had a doctorate in music. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian honour, in January 2022. She was earlier honoured with the Padma Shri award in 1990 and the Padma Bhushan in 2002.
Nissan Motor India names Saurabh Vatsa as Deputy Managing Director
Nissan Motor India on Monday said it has appointed Saurabh Vatsa as the Deputy Managing Director with immediate effect. He will report to Managing Director Rakesh Srivastava and support in implementing the company's ongoing transformation roadmap, the automaker said in a statement. The appointment is reflective of the company's transformation plan to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead for the automotive industry in India, it added. Vatsa joins Nissan from Stellantis, where he was a member of the Stellantis leadership team and spearheading the Citroen brand since its inception in India. "His (Vatsa) appointment underpins our commitment to invest USD 600 m USD (Rs 5,300 crore) in India as part of the Alliance and introduce more products for the Indian consumer as part of the transformation plan," Nissan India Operations President Frank Torres said.
Idol of Ram Lalla sculpted by Arun Yogiraj selected for installation at Ram temple: Rai
A new idol of Ram Lalla sculpted by Mysuru-based Arun Yogiraj has been selected for installation at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, temple trust's general secretary Champat Rai said on Monday. Replying to queries at a press conference here, he said the current idol of Ram Lalla will also be kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the new temple. Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony is being organised in Ayodhya on January 22.
Tigress’ carcass found in UP’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
The carcass of a tigress was found floating in a stream in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary here, Forest Department officials said on Monday. No injury marks were found on the carcass, they said. On Sunday evening, a watchman of the Irrigation Department found the tigress' carcass floating in the Gerua upstream of Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghaghra Barrage in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Field Director Vivek Verma told PTI. The watchman informed the Forest Department patrol team and the department officials immediately took custody of the carcass, he said. The tigress was aged around 3-4 years. No injury marks were found on the carcass. The tigress' canines are claws are also intact, Verma said. The carcass has been sent for post-mortem examination, which will be conducted by a three-member team of veterinarians, he said. Forest Range Officer Anup Kumar told reporters that the carcass was quite bloated when it was found and the cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem report comes.
Current statue of Ram Lalla will also be kept in sanctum sanctorum
The current statue of Ram Lalla will also be kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the new Ram temple: Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai
Two motorcyclists injured by kite string in Odisha’s Cuttack
Two motorcyclists were injured in Odisha's Cuttack district when kite string got wrapped around their necks on Monday, police said. The incident took place near Balikuda on the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack road when they were travelling to Cuttack from Niali on a motorcycle. One person sustained injury on his neck while the pillion rider sustained injuries in his hand and palm, the police said. It was suspected that the duo were injured by banned Chinese manja (kite string). The injured persons have been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and their health condition is stated to be stable, they said. Earlier, Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra had warned people and shopkeepers that action will be taken against those who sell and use banned Chinese manja.
Goa Court Extends Police Custody Of Startup CEO Suchana
Goa court extends police custody of startup CEO Suchana Seth being investigated for her son's murder by another five days.
Gold Futures Rise Rs 188 To Rs 62,550/10 g
Gold prices on Monday rose Rs 188 to Rs 62,550 per 10 grams in futures trade as speculators created fresh positions on a firm spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for February delivery traded higher by Rs 188, or 0.3 percent, at Rs 62,550 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 9,411 lots. Fresh positions built up by participants led to a rise in gold prices, analysts said. Globally, gold futures increased by 0.34 percent to USD 2,058.50 per ounce in New York.
