India

Rishikesh, Aug 13 (PTI) A statue of Babasaheb Bhimarao Ambedkar was vandalised here, sparking a protest by locals, police said on Thursday.People were irked to find that a book representing the Indian Constitution was missing from the statue's hand on late Wednesday evening, he said.

As the news of vandalism spread, locals gathered at the Ambedkar Chowk and created a ruckus demanding immediate action against the culprits, Kotwali inspector incharge Ritesh Shah said.

New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) An offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard was launched and rechristened as "Sarthak" on Thursday, the Defence Ministry said.

The ship was launched by Veena Ajay Kumar, wife of Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, through video conferencing from the Coast Guard headquarters at New Delhi, said the ministry in a statement.

New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) India and Nigeria signed an agreement on space cooperation on Thursday, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

Calling Nigeria India's close friend and the largest trading partner in Africa, Muraleedharan said the MoU is another milestone in the relations of the two countries.

Jaipur, Aug 14 (PTI) The Ashok Gehlot government won a confidence vote in the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday, ending the threat triggered by a rebellion within the Congress ranks in the state.

The motion of confidence moved by the Congress government was passed by voice vote, an expected win after the return of the 19 dissident MLAs led by Sachin Pilot to the party-fold.

Replying to the debate on the motion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP, accusing it again of trying to bring down his government.

Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) Equity indices nursed losses for the third straight session on Friday as investors pruned exposure to banking, financial and consumption stocks amid negative global cues.

Weak macroeconomic data and a depreciating rupee further curbed risk appetite, traders said.

Tanking 663 points from the day's high, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 433.15 points or 1.13 per cent lower at 37,877.34.

The broader NSE Nifty slumped 122.05 points or 1.08 per cent to close at 11,178.40.

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus, on Friday said he has tested negative.

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday held activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt for his two derogatory tweets against the judiciary.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said it would hear on August 20 the arguments on quantum of sentence to be awarded to Bhushan in the matter.

A contemnor can be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend up to six months or with a fine of up to Rs 2,000 or with both.

KANPUR: Sudden arrival of police on the wide road in Jajmau area on Friday afternoon remained a matter of surprise for the people present all over the place.

The police came in its designated vehicle with hooting siren and started warning people. They were also tossing sticks on the road. Some riders started running fast while a few others were standing by the side of the shops.

Their faces revealed to some extent as to why the police suddenly came into strict action on the road.

KANPUR: On mobile replies the young son of the house attendant that 'Papa is cleaning the guest house momentarily.' So it is not feasible for him to attend your call.

The house lady kept the phone on the table after switching it off with a grin. 

She mumbled how could he be free when there is fixed a programme at the guest house. The whole of the day gets ruined this, she thought. 

The servants are not as much humble these days. They count for every minute of the labour exerted in the easier or more difficult work, added the lady.

KANPUR: Crowded localities force residents to find residential spaces in newer colonies which are more often situated in remote areas. People had to move for a cleaner, safer and peaceful places.

But, what they have to face at first hand is the non-availability of basic things required in their daily lives.