Gujarat

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has sentenced retired IAS officer Pradeep Niranknath Sharma to five years in prison and imposed a ₹50,000 fine for causing financial loss of ₹1.2 crore to the Gujarat government during a land allocation case in Bhuj. Sharma, now 71 years old, served as the Kutch District Collector and Chairman of the District Land Pricing Committee (DLPC) from 2003 to 2006. He was found guilty of unlawfully allocating government land in Anjar Taluka’s Varshmedi village to Welspun India Limited and its associated companies at below-market rates, an act linked to money laundering. Government Property Seized The court also ordered the seizure of assets worth ₹1.32 crore belonging to Sharma, which were attached by...

Ahmedabad: An IndiGo flight traveling from Madinah to Hyderabad made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport after receiving a bomb threat via email. Flight 6E 058, carrying over 180 passengers and six crew members, was safely grounded as security agencies immediately swung into action. Bomb Threat and Security ResponseIndiGo Airlines reportedly received an email claiming that Flight 6E 058 had an explosive device on board. The airline promptly informed the authorities, and the flight was diverted to Ahmedabad as a precautionary measure. Upon landing, the aircraft was isolated, and passengers underwent screening while security personnel, including CISF and BDDS, conducted an initial investigation. Inspection and ClearanceThe flight had depar...

Ahmedabad:The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has scored a major success by arresting two individuals, including a woman and a former Indian Army Subedar, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. According to ATS officials, the duo was reportedly involved in espionage activities targeting critical locations. Details of the Arrest The female suspect, Rashmi Ravindra Pal, was arrested from Daman, while the male suspect, A.K. Singh, a former Subedar in the Indian Army, was apprehended in Goa. ATS claims that both suspects were transmitting classified and sensitive information to Pakistani agents, potentially compromising national security. Investigation Underway During the operation, ATS seized various electronic devices from the sus...

In a major relief for villagers of Porbandar district, the long-pending demand for a direct road link between Modadra and Paswari has finally been approved—thanks to the impactful ‘Swagat’ online grievance redressal programme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. The programme, now completing 22 years, has once again delivered a life-changing solution for rural residents. Villagers’ Decades-Old Problem Solved Through Technology Residents of Modadra village in Rapar taluka presented their long-standing road and bridge concerns before Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during the state-level ‘Swagat’ public hearing. Leading the representation, Lakhmanbhai Modadra and other farmers explained how the absence of a direct road forced them to tak...

In an inspiring tale that has taken social media by storm, a 70-year-old woman from a remote village in Gujarat has become a symbol of unwavering hope and willpower. Living in Mora village of Rapar taluka in Kutch district, Jivuben Rabari and her husband have welcomed their first child after 45 years of marriage, defying age, medical opinions, and societal doubts. For decades, the couple prayed in temples, sought blessings, and tried every possible treatment to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. As the years passed, relatives and villagers began saying that motherhood was no longer possible for Jivuben. But she refused to give up. A Miracle Powered by Science In October 2021, Jivuben achieved what many called impossible—she became a mother through IVF treatment. Although she...

Surat: The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, one of India’s largest infrastructure projects, is nearing completion, with travel time between the two major cities set to reduce from 24 hours to just 12 hours. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently shared key updates during an inspection of the Gujarat stretch of the expressway. Final Touches on Key Section Gadkari stated that construction on the 379 km Vadodara-Mumbai section is in its final stage and is expected to be completed by the end of next year. This stretch is a critical link connecting the full 1,359 km expressway through Virar, providing seamless connectivity across the route. Officials said the expressway is being built as an 8-lane modern highway using state-of-the-art technology to ensure a smooth, s...

Ahmedabad: At just 25 years old, Dr. Ganesh Baraiya has achieved what many would have deemed impossible. Standing only 3 feet tall and weighing just 20 kg due to dwarfism, Ganesh has recently begun his first posting as a medical officer after a long and challenging journey that even took him to the Supreme Court of India. A Journey of DeterminationBorn with dwarfism, Ganesh faced severe physical limitations, with a 72% disability in mobility. Despite this, he excelled academically, scoring 87% in Class 12 and clearing NEET with 233 marks. However, in 2018, the Gujarat government denied him and two other disabled students admission to MBBS courses. Ganesh, supported by his school principal Dalpat Kataria and trustee Revatsingh Sarvaiya, challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, which...

Ahmedabad: Gujarat, once infamous for curfews in the 1980s and 1990s, has transformed its law and order landscape over the past two decades, thanks largely to modern technology. Communal riots are now a thing of the past, and the state is leading the way in next-generation policing. At the forefront of this effort is Project VISWAS, touted as a ‘Brahmastra’ for the Gujarat Police, which has successfully completed its second phase. What is Project VISWAS?VISWAS, which stands for Video Integration and Statewide Advanced Security, is a comprehensive surveillance initiative aimed at real-time crime prevention, rapid response, and efficient investigation. In its second phase, the project now covers 54 cities and 79 interstate checkpoints, with 12,500 CCTV cameras installed across the state. ...

Ahmedabad, Gujarat:The iconic Ahmedabad Railway Station is on the brink of a historic transformation. It is being redeveloped into the country’s tallest and most advanced 16-storey multi-modal transport hub, a project that promises to redefine the future of transportation not just in Gujarat, but across India. According to Western Railway, work on the mega project is progressing at a rapid pace, and the station is expected to be fully ready by July 2027. A Next-Generation Station Like Never Before The upcoming structure is designed to be far more than a traditional railway station. With its height, architecture and futuristic facilities, the new hub will stand as a landmark in modern urban mobility. The 16-floor complex will feature: Massive multi-level parking zones Office...