News in brief from across Gujarat

Ahmedabad

-Due to security reasons associated with Republic day and US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, Indian Railways has closed its parcel service to Delhi for four days. Railways will lose revenue worth crores as it has stopped booking of new parcels.

-World famous musician Yanni started his performance at Vadfest in Vadodara with these words, “Hello India, Kem Chho Gujarat?” One Indian tune Yanni played in his performance was film Meri Jung’s son ‘Zindagi har kadam ek nai jang hai’. This was Yanni’s third show in India. As soon as he completed his performance at 9.57 pm, people started shouting ‘once more’. However, due to time restriction of 10.00 pm prescribed by law, he couldn’t give further performance. Yanni said, “India is a great country, people are very good. I will come here every year.”

-It’s Vasant Panchmi today. Thousands of weddings are organized on this day, as it is considered one of the best muhurts(auspicious time to hold good functions).

-Only 107 well-to-do people have selected to opt out from LPG cylinder subsidy in Ahmedbad so far. The government is of opinion that well-to-do rich people should on their own take decision to opt out from subsidy benefits, as the concept of subsidy is actually about serving poor and lower middle class people.

-Ahmedabad city deputy collector has sent a letter to city police commissioner recommending cancellation of license of Aloft, Cambay Grand and Cambay Saffire hotels due to non-payment of luxury tax. Unpaid tax of Aloft hotel is Rs. 1 crore, Cambay Grand Rs. 20 lakh while Cambay Saffire Rs. 4 lakh.

-Former leader of opposition and present MLA of Abdasa, Shaktisinh Gohil who is also Congress party’s national spokesperson was spotted in Gujarat High Court working as lawyer. Shaktisinh has received his ‘sanad(license)’ to work as lawyer back. He represented an accused who is presently in custody in Justice AJ Desai’s court yesterday. He left the court as soon as hearing was over.

-Bollywood stars including Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Arjun Kapoor among others will play football at Jolly party plot in Surat on 7 March for ‘Garv’ charity project which is about helping poor children who are into begging in various parts of Surat city. Garv project has been initiated by Vasant Gajera.It intends to take care of poor children upto the age of 22. According to Gajera’s plan, 500 children who are into begging will be taken to Vatsalya dham where they will first get health and nutrition care for 30 days, and later they will be taught good manners so that they can connect to mainstream children. Later, for one year they will be trained for skills.

-Famous Ghazal singer Manhar Udhas opened a three-day long youth festival of Vir Narmad South Gujarat University in Surat. 1196 students from 102 colleges are participating in this 42nd youth festival which shall conclude on 25 January at university convention hall.

-Social Defense department of Government of Gujarat raided a mass wedding function of Talpada Koli community in Kariyana village of Babra taluka and prevented wedding of 10 underage couples. Out of total 21 couples who were participating mass wedding, in 7 cases either bride or groom was found under age. In one case both bride and groom were under age. In 2 cases, birth certificates were altered. As per law, bride has to be above 18 and groom above 21.

-Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Dr. Pravin Togadia addressed a sammelan on anniversary of Somnath Bapu in Sajod in Bharuch district of Gujarat. Togadia stressed on unity of all Hindus against barriers of casteism. MoS in centre and Bharuch MP arrived in the function only after Togadia left the stage.