Gujarat – Page 6 – SD NEWS agency

PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Celebrate Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad

12Jan

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Gujarat, Politics, State

PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Celebrate Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz received a grand welcome during his first visit to India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally hosting him in his home state of Gujarat. The two leaders met at the Sabarmati Ashram, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi before participating in the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, symbolically flying kites representing India and Germany. Kite Flying Together The Kite Festival, a cultural highlight of Ahmedabad since 1989, gained further popularity under Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister. On this occasion, both leaders rode together in an open vehicle at the Riverfront, holding the strings of kites soaring in the sky. The event also featured a Hanuman-themed kite, emphasizing the local cultural essence. The kite ...

Fake Marriages, Sham Divorces, and UK Visas: Gujarat Police Uncover Illegal Immigration Racket

10Jan

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Gujarat, State

Fake Marriages, Sham Divorces, and UK Visas: Gujarat Police Uncover Illegal Immigration Racket

Bharuch, Gujarat:In a shocking revelation, Bharuch police have unearthed a sophisticated illegal immigration racket involving fake marriages and divorces to secure UK visas. The case came to light when a financial dispute exposed the fraudulent scheme, prompting authorities to investigate. The racket involved a local woman, Tasleembanu Karbhari, who was registered as the wife of Rizwan Meda, a UK-based resident of Valan village in Bharuch. Using forged marriage certificates (Nikahnama) and fake divorce documents, the conspirators arranged for Tasleembanu to travel to the United Kingdom on a dependent visa. How the Scheme Unfolded According to Inspector Anand Chaudhary, Rizwan Meda had collaborated with an agent, Shoaib Daud Ikharia, to process the UK visa using falsified documents...

ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹4.92 Crore of GLDC Officer Dhirubhai Sharma in Gujarat Money Laundering Case

9Jan

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Gujarat, State

ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹4.92 Crore of GLDC Officer Dhirubhai Sharma in Gujarat Money Laundering Case

Ahmedabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on corruption in Gujarat by provisionally attaching assets worth ₹4.92 crore belonging to Dhirubhai Bababhai Sharma, former Field Supervisor of the Gujarat Land Development Corporation (GLDC), Anand. The action has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, officials said on Thursday. This marks the second major ED action in Gujarat in recent days. Earlier, the agency had conducted raids and arrested the former Collector of Surendranagar district in a separate case. Properties Attached Across Gujarat According to details shared by the ED’s Gandhinagar Zonal Office, the attached assets include a commercial shop, a residential house, agricultural land, and the Jalas...

Gujarat Shaken: Rajkot Hit by Multiple Earthquakes, Schools Shut as Precaution

9Jan

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Gujarat, State

Gujarat Shaken: Rajkot Hit by Multiple Earthquakes, Schools Shut as Precaution

Rajkot, Gujarat: Repeated tremors in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat have raised concerns among authorities and residents alike. Rajkot experienced several earthquakes Thursday night, with the strongest jolts occurring early Friday morning, prompting people to rush out of their homes. As a precautionary measure, schools have been temporarily closed. Over the past 12 hours, Rajkot recorded four significant tremors, with magnitudes ranging between 2.7 and 3.8. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported. Locals reported that the ground shook seven times within 24 hours, causing widespread fear. The quakes were primarily felt in the Upleta and Dhoraji areas. The strongest tremor, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, struck Friday morning, about 28 kilometers from Up...

JP Nadda’s Bengal Visit: ‘Kamal Will Bloom in Bengal,’ Vows BJP Chief Ahead of Elections

9Jan

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Gujarat, Politics, State

JP Nadda’s Bengal Visit: ‘Kamal Will Bloom in Bengal,’ Vows BJP Chief Ahead of Elections

Ahmedabad/Vadodara: Ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda delivered a strong message, asserting that the lotus—BJP’s election symbol—will bloom in the state. Speaking in an aggressive tone, Nadda targeted Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) while highlighting the party’s success in implementing central schemes in other states. Targeting States That Delayed Ayushman BharatAddressing a public event during his Bengal visit, Nadda said there were three states that initially resisted the central government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme. The first was Odisha, where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had rejected it. The second was Delhi, where Arvind Kejriwal had initially opposed it. Nadda emphasized that in both states...

PM Modi to Participate in ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ on January 11; Preparations in Full Swing

8Jan

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Gujarat, State

PM Modi to Participate in ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ on January 11; Preparations in Full Swing

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: The much-awaited Somnath Swabhiman Parv has officially commenced in Gujarat, beginning with ceremonies at the historic Dholeshwar Mahadev Temple. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was present during the inaugural events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the Somnath Temple on January 11, as part of his three-day Gujarat tour, which will also include hosting the German Chancellor and attending key cultural and regional events. Itinerary and Key Events PM Modi will arrive in Gujarat on January 10 and will remain in the state until January 12. During his visit, he will: Lead the ‘Shaurya Yatra’, a one-kilometer procession featuring 108 horses, as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations. Perform pooja and rituals at the historic So...

IAS Officer Arun Mahesh Babu’s Sudden Inspection Creates a Stir in Vadodara Municipal Corporation

7Jan

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Gujarat, State

IAS Officer Arun Mahesh Babu’s Sudden Inspection Creates a Stir in Vadodara Municipal Corporation

Vadodara, January 7, 2026: The Vadodara Municipal Commissioner, Arun Mahesh Babu, has set the town buzzing after a surprise inspection at ward offices, sending shockwaves through the entire municipal staff. His unannounced visit to the local ward offices caught many off guard, leading to a flurry of activity. Employees, who were usually taking casual breaks or stepping out for tea, scrambled to return to their desks. During the inspection, Arun Mahesh Babu didn’t just make an appearance; he demanded records from the ward officers and made it clear that negligence and absenteeism would no longer be tolerated. His direct approach has made headlines as he took the initiative to oversee the functioning of the smallest administrative units in the city, something that has never been done befo...

Anant Ambani Offers Prayers with Father, Donates ₹5 Crore at Salangpur Hanuman Temple in Gujarat

5Jan

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Gujarat, State

Anant Ambani Offers Prayers with Father, Donates ₹5 Crore at Salangpur Hanuman Temple in Gujarat

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani has once again drawn public attention, this time for his spiritual journey and generous donation at one of Gujarat’s most revered temples. After offering prayers at the Somnath Temple to mark the New Year, Anant Ambani, accompanied by his father, visited the famous Shri Kashtbhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple in Salangpur, Botad district. Seated on the ground alongside his father, Anant Ambani performed traditional rituals and sought blessings from Lord Hanuman. Following the prayers, he donated ₹5 crore to the temple trust, a significant contribution that will be used for temple development and improving facilities for devotees. About the Salangpur Hanuman Temple The Shri Kashtbhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple, located in Salangp...

Mumbai BMC Elections Heat Up: BJP Targets Uddhav Thackeray Over “Jihadi Elements” Claims

5Jan

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Gujarat, State

Mumbai BMC Elections Heat Up: BJP Targets Uddhav Thackeray Over “Jihadi Elements” Claims

Mumbai: The political battle for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections has intensified, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking aim at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, following remarks made by New York Mayor Joharan Mamdani praising Umar Khalid. BJP alleges that certain “jihadi elements” are attempting to take control of India’s major cities and alter their cultural identity. BJP’s Accusations Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam warned that the party will not allow Mumbai to “become New York,” referencing Mamdani’s support for Umar Khalid. Satam claimed that this is part of an international conspiracy to influence Indian cities, with attempts to weaken their cultural and political fabric. He further accused Uddhav Thackeray and his supporters of being part of thi...

Gujarat IPS Officers Celebrate New Year with Surprise Promotions as KLN Rao Appointed In-Charge DGP

1Jan

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Gujarat, State

Gujarat IPS Officers Celebrate New Year with Surprise Promotions as KLN Rao Appointed In-Charge DGP

Ahmedabad, Gujarat: As the New Year ushered in celebrations across the country, Gujarat Police officers on duty received an unexpected dose of good news. Late on 31st December, the Gujarat government appointed KLN Rao as the in-charge Director General of Police (DGP) following the retirement of IPS officer Vikas Sahay. Just hours later, at midnight marking the start of 2026, the government released promotion orders for 14 IPS officers, making it a New Year to remember for the state police force. Promotions Across Top RanksThe promotions span multiple top-level positions, including DGP, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Inspector General of Police (IGP), and Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Among the newly promoted, Narasimha Komar, the Police Commissioner of Vadodara and chai...