Rajnath to inaugurate induction of Su-30 fighter squadron
Thiruvananthapuram: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh would inaugurate the induction ceremony of SU-30 fighter squadron at the Air Force Station in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, Air Marshal Amit Tiwari said on Wednesday. At a press meet here, Tiwari said this would be the second frontline fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to be based in South. The induction ceremony would take place on January 20 and the fighters would have the most potent platform capable of long reach and multi-role capabilities, he said. The maritime strike squadron inducted in the IAF is also armed with the indigenous Brahmos missile, Tiwari said. The IAF had earlier announced the resurrection of the 222 SquadronThe Tigersharkson January 1 with the Sukhois. The squadron was originally raised on September 15, 1969 with another Sukhoi fighter, the SU-7, and later with the MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft. The newly resurrected 222 Squadron would be operationalised with Brahmos-equipped Sukhoi-30 air superiority fighter with twin engine, the officials said. (PTI)
Goddess Lakshmi on notes may improve condition of rupee: Swamy
Khandwa: BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy has said he was in favour of inscribing the image of Goddess Lakshmi on banknotes which could “improve the condition of the Indian currency”. Swamy was speaking to reporters on Tuesday night after addressing a lecture series titled ‘Swami Vivekananda Vyakhyanmala’ in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district. Responding to a question about the picture of Lord Ganesha printed on the Indonesian currency, Swamy said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi can answer this question. I am in favour (of this). Lord Ganesha removes obstacles. I rather say that a picture of Goddess Lakshmi (on currency notes) may improve the condition of Indian currency. Nobody should feel bad about this.” Expressing concerns over the rising population, Swamy said India would leave China behind by 2025 as the most populous nation. (PTI)
Casting director held in sex racket
Mumbai: The Mumbai police has arrested a Bollywood casting director for his alleged involvement in a sex racket and rescued a make-up artist and a junior actor in the western suburb of Versova here, police said on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, the social services branch on Tuesday nabbed Navin Premlal Arya (32) while he was allegedly pimping out the two victims for Rs 60,000 each near a coffee shop at Versova in Andheri, an official said. On interrogating the accused, the police found that the racket, which has been operating for the last few months, involved models and Bollywood artistes, he said. The rescued women are both from West Bengal and the make-up artist, was in touch with Delhi-based pimp Ashwinikumar who had sent her to Mumbai, senior inspector Sandesh Yeole of SS branch said. Two of Arya’s associates are also wanted in the case, he added. An offence under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act has been registered at Versova police station and further probe is on, Yeole said. (PTI)
Aaditya meets Rahul in Delhi
New Delhi: Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence here, two days after the Sena skipped a crucial opposition meet in Parliament complex. This is the first meeting between the two leaders after the Shiv Sena formed the coalition government in Maharashtra with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Shiv Sena termed it as a routine meeting between the two leaders. Sources said the two leaders discussed the current political situation as also issues of coordination and issues concerning environment and tourism, which the Sena leader handles as a minister in Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi is also learnt to have discussed issues of CAA and NPR with the junior Thackeray during the 30-minute meeting. Sources said Thackeray also met senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and is learnt to have discussed ways to improve coordination between the alliance partners. (PTI)