September 2023 – Page 694 – Safir News Agency

No politics should be done on Maratha reservation issue: Maha Congress leader

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After attending the all-party meeting, Thorat said, My party and I believe that there should be no politics on this. We will listen to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and extend support to the positive initiatives that will be taken by the govt

Published Date – 06:20 AM, Tue – 12 September 23

No politics should be done on Maratha reservation issue: Maha Congress leader — After attending the all-party meeting, Thorat said, My party and I believe that there should be no politics on this. We will listen to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and extend support to the positive initiatives that will be taken by the govt

Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Monday said that no politics should be done on the issue of Maratha reservation adding that his party will welcome and extend support to the positive initiatives taken by the state government on this matter.

After attending the all-party meeting, Thorat said, “My party and I believe that there should be no politics on this. We will listen to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and extend support to the positive initiatives that will be taken by the govt.”

An all-party meeting on the Maratha reservation chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde started at Sahyadari Guest House in Mumbai on Monday. Along with CM Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar also took part in the meeting.

In this regard, the former Rajya Sabha MP Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati also said that he wrote letters to Uddhav Thackeray when he was the Chief Minister and he also wrote letters to current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “I have been writing letters to Uddhav Thackeray when he was CM also wrote to Eknath Shinde too and I have also gone on hunger strike for reservation. For past more than 2 years govt has done nothing but now due to Jarange Patil hunger strike govt has called an all-party meeting,” he said.

“Government must clear its stand on Maratha reservation. I have kept my stand in the meeting. I was not supposed to come for the meeting but it’s for the community so I attended the meeting. Govt must listen to the demand of Jarange Patil as he has stopped drinking water and medical aid too. Govt must take decision now. It’s getting late now,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Ambadas Danve and Vijay Wadettiwar were also invited to the meeting.

Jayant Patil, Balasaheb Thorat, Anil Parab, Rajesh Tope, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Raju Patil, Vinod Nikolay, Sadbhau Khot, Rajendra Gavai, Sunil Tatkare, Gautam Sonawane are some of the leaders were also present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Maratha outfits had called for a bandh today in protest against the recent lathi charge by the police in Jalna district against protesters demanding reservation in Maharashtra.

The call for a bandh (shutdown) has received widespread support from various political parties. Suhas Desai, the head of the city unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), has voiced his support for the Bandh. Similarly, Pradeep Shinde, the city president of the Shiv Sena (UBT), has also backed the move.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday night held a meeting with a group of protesters from Jalna in Mumbai, and later said that “there was a positive discussion.” The meeting was convened after a delegation of protesters from Jalna came and met CMÂ Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.

The protesters have been demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

The meeting was convened after a delegation of protesters from Jalna came and met CM Eknath ShindeÂ in Mumbai.The protesters have been demanding reservation for the Maratha community.

“There has been a positive discussion with the delegation sent by Maratha agitation leader Manoj Jarange Patil. This delegation will discuss with Manoj Jarange, and we hope that this will find a way, CM Shinde said while speaking to reporters after the meeting.

On September 1, a clash broke out between police and those demanding reservations for the Maratha community. Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Manoj Jarange Patil who works as a coordinator for the Maratha Morcha and has been on a hunger strike for the past few weeks forÂ Maratha reservations continued his strike.

He has held extensive talks with the Maharashtra government but a breakthrough is yet to be achieved.
Jarange Patil has demanded a change in the ordinance issued by the state government regarding Maratha reservations. Their stand is that the fast to death will continue unless the desired change is made in the ordinance.

Hyderabad

Hyderabadis show strong preference for 2BHK homes

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According to the ANAROCK survey, 47 percent of respondents expressed a strong inclination towards 2BHK units, while 45 percent favoured the slightly larger 3BHK homes

Published Date – 07:00 AM, Tue – 12 September 23

Hyderabadis show strong preference for 2BHK homes

Hyderabad: In the face of mounting property prices and successive interest rate hikes over the past year, the Hyderabad real estate market remains as resilient as ever. The city’s denizens are displaying a penchant for mid-range and premium homes, a fact highlighted by the recent ANAROCK Consumer Sentiment Survey for the first half of 2023.

The results of the survey revealed a trend – despite economic uncertainties and the tightening of purse strings, Hyderabadis are showing a preference for 2BHK and 3BHK homes.

According to the ANAROCK survey, 47 percent of respondents expressed a strong inclination towards 2BHK units, while 45 percent favoured the slightly larger 3BHK homes.

Breaking down the budget preferences, the real estate services firm revealed that in Central Hyderabad, the budget for a 2BHK home ranges from Rs 85 lakh to 1 crore. Meanwhile, in East Hyderabad, budget-conscious buyers can secure a 2BHK unit for a more affordable price of Rs 45 lakh to 55 lakh.

In North Hyderabad, the housing market provides options in the range of Rs 50 lakh to 60 lakh for 2BHK homes. Heading towards the southern region, prospective homeowners can find a comfortable 2BHK dwelling for approximately Rs 40 to 50 lakh. In West Hyderabad, a budget of Rs 60 to 70 lakh opens the doors to premium 2BHK living.

On the other hand, the ANAROCK report for the first half of 2023 has reported a significant surge in home sales in Hyderabad. A total of 27,800 homes were sold during this period, marking an impressive 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Photo 2023 09 11 22 47 42

World

German FM Berbock makes unannounced visit to Kyiv

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“With enormous courage and determination, Ukraine is also defending the freedom of all of us,” Baerbock said in a statement released by the foreign ministry upon her arrival.

And Ukraine can “count on us” in return, Baerbock added, Barrons reported.

Germany will not let up in its efforts to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia economically, militarily, and in the humanitarian sphere, Baerbock said.

It was Baerbock’s fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022.

Ukraine’s bid for European Union membership is expected to be among the topics of discussion with Ukrainian officials during this trip.

Ukraine received EU candidacy status a year ago and is hoping to begin formal negotiations this year on what it needs to do to firm up its membership bid.

MNA/PR

Sports

Badminton: Kiran George clinches Indonesian Masters title in two straight sets

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Kiran George won the Indonesia Masters Super 100 men’s singles title on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Koo Takahashi in two straight sets

Published Date – 02:30 PM, Sun – 10 September 23

Badminton: Kiran George clinches Indonesian Masters title in two straight sets — File Photo

Indonesia: The young Indian shuttler, Kiran George won the Indonesia Masters Super 100 men’s singles title on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Koo Takahashi in two straight sets, here.

Ranked No. 50, the Indian shuttler defeated Takahashi ranked 82, with a scoreline of 21-19, 22-20. Earlier, Kiran also won the Odisha Open in 2022 for his maiden Super 100 title.

The 23-year-old Indian shuttler has proven to have excellent technique and outstanding fitness throughout the competition. In the semifinals, Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia was upset in a three-setter game by Kiran, who has established himself as a big stage performer on the BWF World Tour.

In the final match of the tournament, both the players showed an exorbitant display of rallies and played at their nerve. In the first game, Kiran, who is quick on the feet, mostly played dribble on the net and a criss-crossing game to take the lead.

In the second game, Takahashi took the initial lead of 2-0, but the Indian was quick to turn the table as he played a crosscourt smash and took the lead of 4-2 before taking the lead to 11-9 at the interval. However, the Japanese held his nerve firmly and managed to level the game at 20-20.

Kiran, yet again with two crosscourt smashes, wrapped up the game early and won the Super 100 Major Title.

Earlier this year, Kiran, who trains at Prakash Padukone Academy in Bengaluru, defeated Chinese star Shi Yuqi and Weng Hong Yang at the Thailand Open.

Business

Rupee falls 13 paise to 82.84 against US dollar in early trade-Telangana Today

admin Sep 12, 2023 0

Positive sentiment in the equity markets failed to provide support to the Indian currency facing pressure due to the elevated level of greenback

Published Date – 09:55 AM, Tue – 5 September 23

Rupee falls 13 paise to 82.84 against US dollar in early trade

Mumbai: The rupee depreciated 13 paise to 82.84 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday amid the withdrawal of foreign funds from domestic equities and firm crude oil prices.

Positive sentiment in the equity markets failed to provide support to the Indian currency facing pressure due to the elevated level of greenback, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 82.78, then touched the lowest level of 82.84 against the American currency, registering a decline of 13 paise over its last close.

On Monday, the rupee had settled at 82.71 against the dollar.

Gaurang Somaiya, forex and bullion analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said, “Volatility in rupee remained low following lack of cues on the domestic as well as global front.” In the next couple of sessions, services PMI number from major economies will likely trigger a move for the rupee.

“Today, the focus will be on the services PMI number that will be released from the Euro zone and the UK. The better-than-expected economic number could lift the major crosses higher. We expect the USDINR (Spot) to trade sideways with a negative bias and quote in the range of 82.30 and 82.80,” Somaiya said.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, fell marginally by 0.01 per cent to 104.23.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, was trading 0.04 per cent lower to USD 88.96 per barrel.

In the domestic equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex was trading 43.46 points or 0.07 per cent higher at 65,671.60. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 17.85 points or 0.09 per cent to 19,546.65.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Monday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 3,367.67 crore, according to exchange data.

Morocco quake toll passes 2,800 as rescuers search for survivors

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The death toll from Morocco’s deadliest earthquake in more than six decades has risen to more than 2,800, as rescuers raced against time to find survivors.

Search teams from Spain, Britain and Qatar were joining Moroccan rescue efforts on Monday after a 6.8-magnitude quake struck late on Friday in the High Atlas Mountains, with the epicenter 72 km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakech.

State TV reported the death toll had risen to 2,862 with 2,562 people injured. Rescuers said the traditional mud brick houses ubiquitous in the region reduced the chances of finding survivors because they had crumbled.

Footage from the remote village of Imi N’Tala showed men and dogs clambering over steep slopes covered in rubble.

After an initial response that was described as too slow by some survivors, search and rescue efforts appeared to be speeding up on Monday, with tent camps appearing in some locations where people were preparing for a fourth night outdoors.

A video filmed by Moroccan outlet 2M showed a military helicopter flying over an area close to the epicenter, dropping sacks of essential supplies to isolated families.

With much of the quake zone in hard-to-reach areas, the authorities have not issued any estimates for the number of people missing.

The harm done to Morocco’s cultural heritage has been emerging gradually. Buildings in Marrakech old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were damaged. The quake also did major damage to the historically significant 12th-century Tinmel Mosque.

Residents in Tinmel, a remote village closer to the epicenter where 15 people were killed, said they had been sharing food, water and medicine, but desperately needed tents and blankets to shelter from the cold mountain nights.

In a televised statement on Sunday, government spokesperson Mustapha Baytas defended the government’s response, saying every effort was being made on the ground.

The army said it was reinforcing search and rescue teams, providing drinking water and distributing food, tents and blankets.

King Mohammed VI has not addressed the nation since the disaster. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch told local media the government would compensate victims, but gave few details.

Morocco has accepted offers of aid from Spain and Britain, which both sent search and rescue specialists with sniffer dogs, from the United Arab Emirates, and from Qatar, which said on Sunday a search-and-rescue team was on its way.

State TV said the government had assessed needs and considered the importance of coordinating relief efforts before accepting help, and that it might accept relief offers from other countries later.

(Source: Reuters)

Hyderabad

Telangana: Govt Degree Colleges get NAAC edge

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In the recent grading, Sri Rama and Bhaktha Gentela Narayana Rao Government Degree College Khammam has secured the NAAC A grade with a 3.64 CGPA score, which is the highest grade achieved by any degree college in the country

Published Date – 06:40 AM, Tue – 12 September 23

Telangana: Govt Degree Colleges get NAAC edge

Hyderabad: The Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across the State have become synonymous with the quality education along with the best infrastructure in place.

This also gets reflected in the recent grading by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which conducts the assessment for quality status and accordingly grants a grade to higher educational institutions in the country.

In the recent grading, Sri Rama and Bhaktha Gentela Narayana Rao (SR&BGNR) Government Degree College Khammam has secured the NAAC A grade with a 3.64 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) score, which is the highest grade achieved by any degree college in the country.

The college which was granted autonomous status in 2015-16 has 104 experienced faculty, of whom 50 are PhD holders. Similarly, three colleges – Begumpet, Hanamakonda and Sangareddy have secured NAAC A grade, which is the second highest grade.

The NAAC grading is done based on the seven-point criterion – curricular aspects, teaching-learning and evaluation, research, innovations and extension, infrastructure and learning resources, student support and progression, governance, leadership and management, and institutional, values and best practices.

While there are 144 GDCs including 22 newly established ones, a staggering 93 GDCs have received accreditation from the NAAC. Seven more colleges are up for the grading. A total of 289 colleges including degree, engineering, pharmacy and other higher educational institutions in the State have been granted NAAC grades as of August 21, 2023, and 93 alone are the GDCs.

According to Commissionerate of Collegiate Education officials, Telangana is one of a few States in the country with the highest number of GDCs receiving accreditation.

The NAAC grading aids the colleges in expanding the placement opportunities for students. The colleges with NAAC grades receives various research projects and support from funding agencies and also enables the institutions to initiate innovative and modern methods of pedagogy.

World

The Sea nominated for best low-budget film at Wales festival

admin Sep 12, 2023 0

Experiencing its 24th international presence, ‘The Sea’ had previously participated in the Madrid International Independent Film Festival, the 2022 Twin Rivers Multimedia Festival in the United States, as well as the London Short Film Festival in the UK.

It narrates the story of some guys who are planning to go on a trip to the north of Iran.

The seventh edition of the annual Wales International Film Festival (WalesIFF) will be held online on 14-15 September 2023 on the SparqFest platform.

SKH/5883664

Sports

Archery World Cup Final: Prathamesh Jawkar wins silver in men’s compound event

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Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar narrowly missed out on a top spot on the podium in the men’s compound event and settled for a silver

Published Date – 02:40 PM, Sun – 10 September 23

Archery World Cup Final: Prathamesh Jawkar wins silver in men’s compound event — IANS Photo

Hermosillo: Indian archer Prathamesh Jawkar narrowly missed out on a top spot on the podium in the men’s compound event and settled for a silver after going down to Mathias Fullerton of Denmark in the gold medal match at the Archery World Cup Final 2023, here on Saturday.

In a thrilling showdown, the tension reached its peak as the match concluded with an extraordinary 148-148 tie after five sets. In the dramatic shoot-off that followed, both archers showcased their incredible skills by hitting a perfect 10. However, it was Fullerton, who emerged victorious, as his arrow was impeccably closer to the center of the target.

Jawkar’s day began with a convincing 149-141 victory against world no.5 Italian Miguel Becerra in the quarterfinal. He then shot a perfect 150 against world No. 1 Mike Schloesser of the Netherlands to beat the second-seeded archer by a point to book his berth in the final.

The Indian has made a big impression in his first season on the Hyundai Archery World Cup tour, winning gold at Shanghai Stage 2 having been seeded 33rd.

Ace archer Abhishek Verma, men’s compound archer to win a silver at the Archery World Cup Final in 2015, missed out on a medal after losing the bronze medal match 150-147 to the Schloesser.

Verma produced his best performance of the day in the bronze medal playoff against Schloesser, scoring 149 points in five sets. However, the Dutch emerged victorious having shot a perfect 150.

In the women’s compound event, reigning world champion Aditi Gopichand Swami suffered an upset in the quarterfinals against Dane Tanja Gellenthien. After the scores were level at 145 in five sets, Gellenthien progressed to the semifinals with a 10-9 win in the tie-breaker.

Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who was part of the team that won gold medal at the world championships in Berlin earlier this year, also bowed out in the last eight after losing 144-149 to defending champion Sara Lopez of Colombia, who went on to win her eighth world title, beating Tanja Gellenthien in the final.

Dhiraj Bommadevara, India’s only representative in recurve discipline at the World Cup Final, will be in action on Sunday.

Business

Indian stocks extend gains with all sectoral indices in green-Telangana Today

admin Sep 12, 2023 0

Indian stock indices continue to remain firm, with most sectoral indices tracking in the green on Tuesday early trade

Published Date – 11:10 AM, Tue – 5 September 23

Indian stocks extend gains with all sectoral indices in green

New Delhi: Indian stock indices continue to remain firm, with most sectoral indices tracking in the green on Tuesday early trade. Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty were at 65,775.44 and 19,579.00, up 0.2-0.3 per cent from their previous day’s closing.

“A significant trend in the market is the strength in IT index which is up 4.2 per cent in a week. Mid-cap IT has been doing well and now large-caps like HCL Tech, Infosys and Wipro have joined the rally. The order pipeline of IT companies is expected to improve on the back of the expected soft landing of the US economy,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Indian stock markets finally ended a five-week losing streak and gained nearly a per cent last week.

The Indian economy witnessing a firm GDP growth rate of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of 2023-24 is likely to have improved investors sentiment lately. With a GDP growth of 7.8 per cent, India continues to be the fastest-growing major economy.

Against this backdrop, Morgan Stanley has upwardly revised their economic growth forecast for India for fiscal year 2024 after April-June quarter data showed it grew at its quickest pace in a year. The multinational investment bank raised its growth forecast to 6.4 per cent from its earlier estimate of 6.2 per cent.

Also, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have remained net buyers in Indian stock markets for the sixth straight month till August, a positive for markets, according to data from the National Securities Depository (NSDL). So far in 2023, they have bought equity assets worth Rs 1.38 lakh crore on a cumulative basis.

However, there remains a concern as the rise in inflation lately has led to some uneasiness among investors. The benchmark Sensex is now hovering at its off-high, with June and July inflation figures relatively having depressed the market sentiments. Retail inflation in India rose sharply in July to 7.44 per cent, in the process breached RBI’s 6 per cent upper tolerance target, largely due to a sharp spurt in vegetable, fruit, and pulses prices.

“Amid all, we reiterate our view to focus on stock selection and preferring auto, IT and metal for long trades,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP – Technical Research, Religare Broking.