Rajasthan

Jaipur: Rajasthan is witnessing a sharp drop in temperatures following recent storms, rain, and hailstorms across the state. The cold wave has intensified, affecting daily life in several districts. Mount Abu, the state’s only hill station, recorded a chilling minus 7°C, marking the season’s lowest temperature. Key Highlights Mount Abu records minus 7°C Frost covers fields in multiple districts Daytime temperatures drop by up to 10°C Cold wave disrupts normal life Impact Across the State The Rajasthan Meteorological Department reported extreme cold and severe cold wave conditions over the past 24 hours. Some areas, including Bharatpur, received light rain, while hailstorms were reported in other districts. Post-rain, the cold winds further intensified the chill. M...

Sawai Madhopur: Visitors to Ranthambore National Park were treated to a rare and heart-warming wildlife moment on Thursday evening, when a young tiger cub was seen playfully catching an egret and then releasing it unharmed—turning what looked like a hunt into a moment of sheer mischief. The unusual scene was witnessed near Malik Talaab in Zone 4 of the park during an evening safari. The cub, a male offspring of tigress Riddhi (T-124), was roaming near the water body when an unsuspecting egret came into its path. In a sudden move, the cub pounced and gently grabbed the bird by its wings, holding it in its mouth. At first, tourists—both Indian and foreign—were stunned, assuming the cub had made a successful kill. For nearly five minutes, the young tiger was seen walking along the edge ...

Bhilwara: A terrifying incident shook the Arya Vidya Mandir campus in Bhilwara early Saturday morning, when a massive gas leak explosion destroyed a room on the third floor of the school building. Miraculously, five members of the headmaster’s family escaped unharmed, leaving the community in awe of their narrow escape. The explosion occurred around 4 a.m. when Headmaster Balmukund, his wife, and their three young daughters were asleep in the room. The blast was so powerful that walls collapsed like cards, and pieces of the iron door were blasted 25 feet away, landing on a neighboring rooftop. The shocking event triggered panic across the locality, with residents rushing out of their homes. Miraculous EscapeDespite the intensity of the explosion, Balmukund and his family suffered onl...

Dausa, Rajasthan: A tragic incident has shaken the village of Lotwada in Dausa district, where 22-year-old Sanjana, a bright BA final-year student, took her own life, leaving behind a note revealing the emotional turmoil she had been facing. The student reportedly fell victim to heartbreak in a secret romantic relationship, which has now come to light through the diary she left behind. Sanjana, who lived with her grandparents in the village to focus on her studies, was the pride of her parents, who worked as laborers in Gurgaon to secure a bright future for their daughter. Shockingly, her notebook contained heart-wrenching words such as “forgiveness” and “betrayal,” indicating the depth of her distress. Suicide Note Reveals PainAccording to police officer Jagdish Sharma, the notebook...

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has launched a scathing attack on the state BJP government over the implementation of the Disturbed Area Act, calling it an affront to Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. Through social media, Gehlot expressed his outrage, stating that the state, where the ethos of “Padharo Mharo Des” and communal harmony runs deep, is now being labeled as “disturbed.” He described the move as one of the most shameful steps in Rajasthan’s history. “Model of Peace vs. Laboratory of Communal Politics”Gehlot recalled that during the Congress rule, the party, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, had established India’s first Department of Peace and Non-Violence. The department aimed to strengthen society through dialogue, harmony, and love, leaving no spa...

Banking services across the country will remain largely paralysed for four consecutive days, beginning Saturday, due to a combination of holidays and a nationwide bank strike. Customers have been advised to plan their financial transactions accordingly, as branch-level services, cheque clearance, and cash transactions will not be available during this period. Why Banks Will Remain Closed According to bank unions, services will be severely affected from January 24 to January 27 due to the following reasons: January 24 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday (Bank Holiday) January 25 (Sunday): Weekly Holiday January 26 (Monday): Republic Day (National Holiday) January 27 (Tuesday): Nationwide Bank Strike As a result, customers will face a four-day shutdown of physical banking oper...

Private bus operators across Rajasthan observed a statewide strike on Saturday, protesting against what they describe as the strict and unilateral enforcement of bus body code regulations and the imposition of hefty fines by the Transport Department. The strike is expected to severely disrupt passenger services, with thousands of private buses staying off the roads. Passenger Services Hit Across Major Routes According to operators, Rajasthan has nearly 10,000 sleeper buses currently in operation. Due to the strike, private bus services on major intercity and long-distance routes are likely to remain suspended, causing significant inconvenience to passengers, particularly those travelling overnight or across districts. Operators Allege Arbitrary Fines Despite Compliance Kailash ...

Tourists visiting Jaisalmer, the “Golden City” of Rajasthan, will now have to pay an additional entry fee for their vehicles. The municipal council has decided to impose a tourist vehicle tax for the first time in 22 years, following approval from the state government’s Department of Autonomous Governance. The new rule will come into effect once the official gazette notification is issued. Toll Plazas at Key Entry PointsTo collect the tax efficiently, toll plazas will be set up on two major routes into the city: Jodhpur Road and Barmer Road. These are the primary entry points for most tourist vehicles. According to the municipal council, these locations will ensure smooth and transparent collection of the fee. A similar tourist tax was last levied in 2004, managed under a contract sy...

Sikar, Rajasthan: A wedding in Sikar district took an unexpected turn when a lighthearted ritual escalated into a financial dispute, leading to the bride refusing to marry and filing a police complaint. The controversy arose during the traditional “joota chhupai” (shoe-hiding) ceremony, where the groom’s sisters demanded ₹11,000 in exchange for returning his shoes. Minor Ritual Sparks Major ConflictBoth families had collectively spent around ₹30–40 lakh on the wedding. With all rituals completed, including the pheras, the preparations for the bride’s departure were underway. During the shoe-hiding ceremony, the groom’s sisters set their unusual demand. Initially, the groom’s side treated it as a joke and offered a smaller sum, but the sisters insisted on their full demand. The lighthear...