On Saturday night, Atiq Ahmed, a former gangster who later became a politician, and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were fatally shot at close range while being escorted by police to a medical college in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh for a checkup. Despite police presence, three attackers fired multiple rounds, resulting in the deaths of both Atiq and Ashraf at the scene. 

The Uttar Pradesh police reported that Atiq had accumulated over 100 First Information Reports (FIRs) related to different cases, and the recent addition to this list was the Umesh Pal Murder case. In the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal, who was assassinated shortly after winning the Allahabad (West) Assembly seat, Umesh Pa played a crucial role as the main witness.

Khalid Azim, the younger brother of former MP Atiq Ahmed, whom Raju Pal had defeated in the election, was his opponent. Umesh Pal, who resides in the area, was subjected to gunshots and crude bomb attacks outside his residence in February of this year.

Who is Atiq Ahmed

During the 1990s and 2000s, Atiq rose to prominence as a regional entrepreneur and established a criminal organisation known as Gang No. 227, which is said to have engaged in acts of extortion and illegal seizure of land. Starting as an independent candidate, he secured his first victory as an MLA from Allahabad West Assembly constituency in 1989, subsequently earning the distinction of winning five consecutive terms.

He contested twice as a candidate of the Samajwadi Party (SP), before eventually joining the Apna Dal and being appointed as its state president. In 2002, he resigned from his seat and ran as a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 from Phulpur, representing the SP party. He won the election with a margin of 50,000 votes.

In the same year, his brother Khalid Azim contested in the Allahabad West by-poll, but lost to Raju Pal. Atiq surrendered in 2008 and was expelled from the SP following Raju Pal’s murder and Umesh Pal’s accusation against him and his associates. Umesh Pal claimed that he was abducted and coerced into making a court statement in their favour, leading to political pressure against Atiq.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, he ran as a candidate for the Shravasti constituency under the SP party, but lost by a margin of almost one lakh votes. Later, in the 2019 election, he contested as an independent candidate against the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Varanasi constituency, but managed to receive only 855 votes in the Lok Sabha election.

Atiq, who was among the earliest gangsters in Uttar Pradesh, had his first murder case registered against him in 1979. By the time of his demise, he had accumulated 100 criminal cases. It is believed that he was the first individual in Uttar Pradesh to be charged under the ‘Gangster Act.’

On March 28, Atiq was convicted for the first time in the Umesh Pal Murder case and was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Uttar Pradesh. Atiq family members are also being sought in connection with the Umesh Pal murders case. Shahista, his wife, is currently evading authorities and carries a reward of Rs. 50,000. Ali Ahmed and Umar, two of Atiq’s sons, are incarcerated in Naini and Lucknow central jails respectively. Asad, another son, was killed in an encounter with the UP STF on 13 April. Atiq’s two younger sons are being held in a juvenile home located in Prayagraj.

On Monday, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, presented a plan to enhance the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools. Reaffirming his earlier commitment to overturning the prevailing negative attitude towards maths in the country. Sunak censured the UK’s ‘anti-math’ culture, which he believed was impeding the country’s development and called for a greater appreciation of numeracy, placing it on an equal footing with reading proficiency. 

“Although we may make light-hearted jokes about our lack of mathematical ability, we would never find it amusing to joke about being unable to read. Our current endeavours aim to shift our negative attitudes towards maths and take a step forward in providing all young individuals with the necessary skills for a prosperous future,” The Prime Minister, who has Indian ancestry, shared a four-step plan on Twitter aimed at improving mathematics education as a key component of his government’s efforts to hasten economic growth. 

The fine points indicate that there will be a revamp of the country’s approach to mathematics, through the establishment of a new panel of education specialists. In addition to this, there will be an increase in the number of maths hubs to aid in teaching and the creation of new professional certifications for leaders in primary school mathematics. The proposal is in line with his previous statements, which include his initial significant address this year in January, where he expressed his desire for all students in the UK to study mathematics until they reach the age of 18. 

According to a report by a news agency, the United Kingdom has ranked among the least numerate countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development bloc, with more than 8  million adults in the country having maths skills lower than what is expected of a 9-year-old. Sunak’s proposal holds importance as it coincides with UK teachers planning to go on strike at the end of the month because of insufficient salaries. This is happening while the country is dealing with a high cost of living crisis and double-digit inflation. 

Summer is the season when the skin of men undergoes a lot of stress due to heat, humidity, and sweat. This can lead to many skin problems like acne, sunburn, rashes, and dryness. It is important to note that the harsh sun rays can cause long-lasting damage to your skin, leading to premature ageing and even skin cancer. Thus, it is essential to take care of your skin in summer by using appropriate skincare products that can protect and nourish your skin. By adopting a good skincare routine, you can keep your skin healthy and glowing even in the scorching heat of summer. So, here is the list of skin care products one should incorporate into their daily routine:

• Sunscreen: 

Sunscreen is a must-have product for men in summer. It helps to protect the skin from harmful UV rays that can cause skin damage, premature ageing, and even skin cancer. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it for 15-20 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply it every two hours if you are going to be outside for a prolonged period.

• Face Wash: 

The summer season can make your skin oily and sweaty, leading to acne breakouts. Using a good face wash can help to cleanse your skin and prevent the build-up of oil and dirt. Look for a face wash that is gentle on your skin, has salicylic acid, and is suitable for your skin type.

• Moisturiser: 

Moisturiser is not just for the winter season; it is equally essential in summer. The heat and humidity can make your skin dry and itchy, leading to flaky skin. A lightweight moisturiser can help to hydrate your skin and prevent dryness. Look for a moisturiser with SPF to get extra sun protection.

• Body Wash: 

Sweat and dirt can make your body smell bad and lead to skin irritation. A good body wash can help to keep your skin clean and fresh. Look for a body wash that is gentle on your skin, has a refreshing scent, and is suitable for your skin type. It’s also a good idea to opt for a body wash that contains natural ingredients like tea tree oil or neem, which have antibacterial properties and can help to prevent skin infections.

• Toner: 

A toner can help to balance your skin’s pH level, prevent acne breakouts, and tighten your pores. Look for a toner that is alcohol-free, gentle on your skin, and suitable for your skin type. Toners containing ingredients like witch hazel or aloe vera can be especially beneficial for oily or acne-prone skin.

• Lip Balm: 

Lips can also get dry and chapped in summer. A good lip balm can help to hydrate your lips and prevent chapping. Look for a lip balm that has SPF to protect your lips from the sun. Additionally, opt for a lip balm with natural ingredients like shea butter or beeswax, which can nourish and soothe your lips without causing any irritation. Remember to apply lip balm throughout the day, especially after eating or drinking.

Taking care of your skin in summer is essential to prevent skin problems and keep your skin healthy and glowing. Sunscreen, face wash, moisturiser, body wash, toner, and lip balm are some of the best skin products for men in summer. Choose products that are gentle on your skin, suitable for your skin type, and have SPF to get extra sun protection. Happy Summers!

On April 17th, 2023, Monday, The crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is all set to witness a high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Two teams with huge fan bases, RCB and CSK, will go up against in Match 24 of the ongoing IPL 2023. The expected encounter will be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. MS Dhoni and Virat Kohi will also be seen battling with each other, two of Indian cricket’s biggest stars in the modern era. 

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won two games, and currently at the 6th in the points table. The second defeat for CSK of the season comes in their last outing against Rajasthan Royals (RR). This rivalry between the two South Indian sides has produced many thrilling matches, has birthed many stars, and solidified the status of many greats as legends because of the fierce bowling spells and breathtaking knocks that have been produced by these two teams against each other.  

Both the teams have locked horns 30 times in the IPL so far. Chennai Super Kings has won 19 of these matches whereas Royal Challengers Bangalore has won 10 matches.  One match failed to produce a result. With a winning percentage of 65.5 percent, CSK has been on the stronger side historically.  However, in the previous discussions during IPL 2022, Royal Challengers Bangalore emerged victorious by 13 runs, with Harshal Patel (3/35) helping the RCB to defend the target of 174 runs. 

Two of the biggest and prominent stars of their respective franchises as well as Indian cricket in general, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have performed against each other. It will be a treat to watch and something worth looking at too. Ravindra Jadeja is the one bowler who takes the most number of wickets against RCB by a bowler from any side, a total of 26 scalps. Faf Du Plessis, a former CSK star and presently the RCB skipper, will be looking to come good against his former franchise, having managed to score 46 runs in two matches against the champions for the four-times with a best score of 38 runs. This match will be extremely important for both teams to perform if their team is to win. 

India has a vibrant multi-party political system, with hundreds of political parties registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, only a few parties hold the coveted status of being recognized as a national party. In recent times, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was recognised as a national party by the Election Commission of India (ECI). 

Besides that three prominent parties lost their national party statuses, such as Trinamool Congress, NCP and the CPI. The recognition as a national party provides significant benefits, including access to state funding, reserved party symbols, and eligibility to contest elections across the country. This article, how parties lose or gain national party status in India.

How does a political party get ‘National’ party status

Once a political party registered in ECI and after some time got recognised as a ‘National’ party on behalf of its work which is outlined by the election commission. According to the ECI, a party must fulfil at least one of the following conditions to be recognized as a national party:

1. The party has won 2 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha (11 seats) from at least three different states in the latest general election.
2. In a contest of election, the party has secured 6 percent of the total valid votes in at least four states, in addition to winning four lower house seats.
3. A party should have been recognized as a state party in at least four states.

Once a party is recognized as a national party, it is entitled to certain privileges and facilities, such as a reserved symbol for its exclusive use throughout the country, free airtime on state-owned media during elections, and a larger share of election funds from the government.

What If the party lose the ‘National’ party tag

A national party can lose its status if it fails to meet the above criteria in any subsequent Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly election. In such cases, the party will be recognized as a state party in the states where it has a presence, and it will lose the privileges and facilities that come with national party status. Once the party lost their national party status, the following consequences face – 

• The particular party symbol will not display on the EVM.
• The party may not be invited or participate in Election Commission meetings.
• It may also affect the political funding of a particular party.
• The party may not be allowed to connect to the people through state-media organisations like Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• It will have a direct impact on star campaigner numbers, which will be reduced from 40 to 20 during elections.
• The party will have to use a different symbol to participate in the election process.

What are the major benefits of gaining national party status? 

As recognised national political parties have certain benefits, listed below.

• The party can contest elections from anywhere in the nation. 
• Particular party candidates can be filing the nomination in any state
• The party can hold one election symbol, which is exclusive and valid across the country. 
• The Election Commission will provide the two sets of voter list revisions.
• The party member is also allowed access to the votes list.
• A party will open a central office in New Delhi and land will be provided by the government. 
• A particular party can list 40-star campaigners and in addition to this expenditure, the star campaigners will not be included in the election expenditure. 
• The party also gets a platform of state-owned media to convey its message to the masses. 

How many national parties in India

Check out the list of recognised national parties under the guideline of the Election Commission of India (ECI) given below. 

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
2. Indian National Congress (INC)
3. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
4. Bahujan Samaj Party (BJP)
5. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
6. National People’s Party (NPP)

The recognition of national party status is an essential aspect of the Indian political system, and it is not easy to achieve or maintain. The criteria for national party status are stringent, and parties must work hard to meet them. Losing national party status is a significant setback, and parties must strive to regain it in the next election. Overall, the recognition of national party status is a testament to the popularity and influence of a party in the Indian political landscape.

On April 17th, 2023, Monday, The Bathinda police detained one Army jawan in connection with a recent military station firing incident in which four army personnel were killed in their sleep. The firing incident in which the army personnel was killed took place inside the Bathinda Military Station in Punjab on April 12th. Mohan Desai, an accused, has admitted his crime and said he shot his colleagues over personal disputes. Mohan Desai, who was the witness to the killing of 4 jawans, has been arrested for murdering the soldiers.

 According to the Punjab Police, four army personnel were interrogated in connection to the incident on Sunday. Among the four jawans, Mohan was one of them who was summoned by the police officers for questioning. The sources said Mohan told the investigation team and the army authorities that he was subjected to sexual harassment and turned the gun on his fellow army personnel to avenge the humiliation after meticulous planning. A case has also been registered by the police against two unidentified individuals concerning the incident.

On the basis of the statement of Major Ashutosh Shukla, a witness of the incident, the FIR was registered. The four murdered army personnel have been recognized as Yogesh, Santoish, Sagar, and Kamlesh. They were asleep in their rooms after finishing their duty when two masked men attacked them with sharp-edged weapons and riffles. The four jawans were found in the pool of blood in their rooms, and all four of them belonged to an artillery unit of the army.  The police informed the media that one of the weapons used in the crime was seized. According to the Army statement, no other injuries to personnel or damage to the property have been reported. 

Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, also received information of the incident from Manoj Pandey,  Army Chief General, sources said. The army conducted a joint investigation with police to establish the facts of the case and the area was fenced off. The sensational murder on 12th April had raised questions on security arrangements, especially since it happened amid the speculations of retaliation to the massive crackdown on separatist Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and his outfit ‘Waris Punjab Se’. 

On Monday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is also the nation’s Minister of Industry and Trade arrived in New Delhi to co-chair the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission. Which has mainly aimed to increase trade ties between the two countries. As per the official Twitter handle of the Russian Embassy, post, “Denis Manturov landed in the Republic of India on a working trip. On April 17, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov reached for a two-day working visit to the Republic of India, New Delhi.”

Deputy PM Manturov firstly participated in the 24th India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The IRIGC is the prime institutional mechanism to manage economic cooperation. It consolidates six working groups on trade and economic cooperation, industrial modernization, tourism, energy, culture science and technology. A  general meeting of the intergovernmental commission (IGC) will be scheduled on Tuesday, subsequent of these co-chairs will sign the final agreement of the 24th IGC assembly.

Both sides of the government plan to consider the issues of bilateral trade and economic and humanitarian cooperation. The Deputy PM will also carry out many bilateral conferences, the Russian official said in the tweet. The main emphasis of meetings, enhancing several institutionalised mechanisms, has been set up for the development of economic cooperation between the two nations. The central institution at the government stage is IRIGC-TEC. 

Both countries reviewed the improvement achieved in the many Working Groups and Sub-Group Meetings under the pipeline of  IRIGC-TEC which will be held in New Delhi. The Intergovernmental Commission is a system for continuously observing bilateral progress across the major sectors of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and India.  This Intergovernmental Commission was established by a consensus on the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed in May 1992. 

Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a crucial part of cancer treatment, and Dr. Arjun Agarwal (Surgical Oncology) at the Rohilkhand Cancer Institute in Bareilly can assist you in early detection and successful treatment.

Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. Dr. Agarwal and his team at the Rohilkhand Cancer Institute are experienced in providing radiation therapy to patients with various types of cancer.

During radiation therapy, Dr. Agarwal and his team use state-of-the-art technology to deliver high-energy radiation to the tumor area while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. This ensures that the cancer cells are destroyed while healthy cells are protected.

Like all cancer treatments, radiation therapy can cause side effects, but Dr. Agarwal and his team can help manage these side effects with medication or other treatments. They will also work closely with you to prepare for radiation therapy and provide support throughout the treatment process.

If you or a loved one is facing cancer treatment, contact Dr. Arjun Agarwal (Surgical Oncology) at the Rohilkhand Cancer Institute in Bareilly for expert care and guidance. Visit their website at www.rohilkhandcancerinstitute.com for more information.

On Sunday, a request was made to the Supreme Court to establish an impartial committee led by a former judge of the apex court to investigate the death of Atiq Ahmed, a gangster-turned-politician, and his brother Ashraf, who was fatally shot while under police escort. This request was made after the incident. Advocate Vishal Tiwari filed a plea requesting an investigation into 183 encounters that have occurred in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.

On Saturday night in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, ahmed (60) and Ashraf, who were under police escort on their way to a medical college for a checkup, were fatally shot by three men who posed as journalists and approached them while they were responding to reporters’ inquiries, despite being in handcuffs. The final funeral ceremonies for ahmed’s son Asad, who, along with one of his associates, was killed in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, took place just a few hours before the shooting.

The request was made for the establishment of an impartial panel of experts to investigate the death of Atiq and Ashraf. “An Independent Expert Committee should be established under the supervision of a former Supreme Court justice to investigate the 183 encounters that have taken place since 2017, as accounts by the Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), and the police custody killing of Atiq and Ashraf. The committee should provide instruction and proper directives to make sure the preservation of the rule of law,” the petitioner said.

According to the plea, extrajudicial killings or fake police encounters are not by the law. As per the statement, if the police become reckless and engage in dangerous behaviour, it can lead to a breakdown of the rule of law and instil fear in people towards the police. This situation can pose a significant threat to democracy and also contribute to a rise in criminal activity. 

Former Lok Sabha member Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were murdered on April 15 by assailants pretending to be newsreaders. According to unidentified reports, the Allahabad District Court remanded the three attackers who killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed to judicial jail for a period of fourteen days. 

Former Lok Sabha member Ahmed and his brother were slain on April 15 by assailants acting as television reporters while they were being transported to an Allahabad hospital for a required medical examination. The two gunmen and an accomplice were reportedly captured by police at the scene of the crime. Luvlesh Tiwari, Mohit alias Sunny of Hamirpur, and Arun Kumar Maurya of Kasganj have been recognized as one of them.

In connection with the murder of Umesh Pal, the key witness in the 2005 assassination of Raju Pal, a lawmaker from the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP), Atiq, who was facing over 100 criminal cases, was transferred from Sabarmati prison in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad to Naini prison in Allahabad. On March 28, Atiq asked the Supreme Court to provide him and the other members of his family who were suspected of being involved in the murder of Umesh Pal protection. He also contested being sent from Sabarmati to Allahabad prison for the same case’s inquiry.

Atiq had expressed worry to the Supreme Court that the Uttar Pradesh police would kill him in a staged encounter. The Supreme Court, however, rejected Atiq’s appeal, noting that Atiq was already in police custody and would be kept safe by the State’s machinery.

Notably, his son Asad and friend Gulam were slain in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Jhansi two days before Atiq died and 14 days after the Supreme Court denied his motion.