Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 6 (ANI): In an effort to empower and build the self-confidence of people who are disabled and in wheelchairs, the Divyang Cricket Association of India on Friday organised a cricket match in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
The first such event to be held in the city witnessed the participation of about 20-30 wheelchair-bound people.

“We have organised this so that people in wheelchairs do not have an inferiority complex. This is the first time an event like this is taking place. It will be remembered in Kashi’s rich history,” said Sumit Singh, Secretary of the Divyang Cricket Association.
Dr Uttam, President of the Uttar Pradesh Divyang Cricket Association said that the program aims to build self-confidence and empower people.
“Through this, we aim to empower and build the self-confidence of people who are disabled. We hope that in the coming years, similar matches and events can be organised across the country as well,” he said.
Participants also appreciated the organisation of the event.
Hublan, captain of the Mirzapur team said, “This program is very good. We will do our very best and try to win today. This will provide a platform for other disabled persons in such fields.”
“This is a very good platform for disabled people who are interested in playing cricket. This is a matter of pride for the city and a very good opportunity for disabled people who are unable to play traditionally. After this, we will be preparing for the Olympics,” said Santosh Pandey, captain of the Varanasi team (ANI)

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 6 (ANI): The Mumbai Police on Friday filed an FIR at the Oshiwara Police Station in Mumbai based on rape allegations made by a television actress.
According to the Mumbai Police, the actress, in her statement, alleged that she was raped by the accused on multiple occasions on the pretext of marriage.
“An FIR has been filed under sections 376 (2) (n), 406, 420, 504, 506, 323 and 34 of IPC has been registered and further investigation is underway,” the Mumbai Police said. (ANI)

Faridabad (Haryana) [India], March 6 (ANI): A pregnant cow that was rescued following an accident and abortion, died after four-five days in Haryana’s Faridabad, said a veterinarian on Friday.
Speaking to ANI, veterinarian Atul Maurya said over 70 kgs of garbage was removed from the cow’s body during the operation conducted by a team of three doctors.
“A pregnant cow was rescued after it met with an accident, it underwent abortion later. A 6-month baby cow was aborted, still, the animal was having blotting. We operated the animal and removed over 70 kgs of garbage from its body including plastic, glass and iron materials. However, we couldn’t save it,” he said.
“A team of three doctors operated the animal for four hours. Unfortunately, we could not save the animal and the cow died after 4-5 days,” he added.
Maury urged the general public not to throw garbage in the open so that cows do not eat the garbage. (ANI)

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], March 6 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said that the funds for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department will be substantially increased by the state government in the next state budget.
While inaugurating the MSME Trade fair 2021 through Video conferencing, the Chief Minister said “In the next financial year, the budget of MSME Department is being substantially increased. My Government will always go the extra mile to help and encourage the MSMEs to encourage them to participate and contribute in building a vibrant and globally competitive new resurgent Odisha.”
Stating that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been far beyond the public health sector, the Chief Minister said due to restrictions which were required to control the spread of the virus, the economy has been severely affected. “The MSME sector particularly has been affected and it will take a long time to recover fully,” he said.
He said that the government will continue to engage with the MSMEs and ensure that the COVID-19 impact is minimised.
“We have been working closely with millions of our micro-entrepreneurs in the form of Mission Shakti groups. I am glad to know that the Trade Fair has provided a special platform for them to showcase their products,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that Odisha is also doing well in the startup landscape for which it has been recognized at national level as a leader state. “The Startups are the future of industry and MSME because of their innovative and disruptive ideas,” he added.
The Chief Minister announced that to provide a better eco-system, the government is constructing a dedicated state-of-the-art incubation centre in Odisha known as O-Hub.
“I am happy that this year we are able to organise MSME trade fair and meet today inspite of the COVID-19 pandemic situation since last year. Thankfully, with the cooperation of all, Odisha has been able to successfully overcome the COVID-19 health crisis,” Patnaik said.
Different PSUs of the national and state levels are participating this year. Women entrepreneurs and Mission Shakti groups, startups and the food processing units are the focal sectors for this year’s event.
Keeping in view the prospective contribution of Mission Shakti groups in the socio-economic development of the state, special emphasis is being given for up-grading their members into successful entrepreneurs. An MoU in this regard has been signed between MSME Department and Mission Shakti. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 6 (ANI): The first meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) of Congress is likely to be held here on Saturday to finalise the names of candidates for the first two phases of the West Bengal and Assam Assembly polls.
The meeting will be held via video-conferencing. Senior leaders of the party and leaders of Congress’s West Bengal and Assam units will also participate in the meeting.
In West Bengal, Congress is in a pre-poll alliance with Left parties and the newly floated Indian Secular Front (ISF) by Furfura Sharif cleric Abbas Siddiqui. Meanwhile, 92 seats have been finalised for Congress in the alliance.
The alliance had on Friday announced the names of constituencies from where each party will contest for the first two phases of the assembly election in West Bengal. The consensus on some seats is yet to be arrived at by the alliance partners. The Left Front also announced the names of candidates for the seats allotted to it.
In Assam, Congress has joined hands with Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF, left parties and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) to form the “grand alliance”. The seat distribution is yet to be announced.
West Bengal Assembly elections for 294 seats will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29.
On the other hand, Assam Assembly elections will be held in three phases. In the first phase, 47 seats in 12 districts will go to the polls on March 27. In the second phase, 39 constituencies in 13 districts will go to the polls on April 1 while 40 assembly constituencies in 12 districts to go on polls on April 6.
The counting of votes in both states will take place on May 2. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the top commanders of the three defence forces at the Combined Commanders’ Conference at Kevadia in Gujarat on Saturday.
“The Combined Commanders’ Conference 2021 is scheduled to be held at Kevadia in Gujarat. The Prime Minister would be addressing the top commanders of the Indian Army, Air Force and the Navy at the event and is expected to give directions to the defence forces for being prepared for the challenges in the near and distant future,” government sources had earlier told ANI.
The Commanders’ Conference is attended by the Commander-in-Chief rank officers of the three services and the tri-services organisations such as the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters, Strategic Forces Command and the Port Blair-based Andaman and Nicobar Command.
During the event, presentations are expected to be given to the Prime Minister regarding the progress made in the field of the creation of theatre commands. As per plans, the Defence Ministry would be creating the Air Defence Command as the first step towards restructuring of defence forces in the country.
The Prime Minister is also expected to be briefed on the restructuring of the Army formations in view of the recent Chinese aggression in the Ladakh sector. He may also be briefed on the progress made by the different agencies created for catering to warfare in cyber and space domains. (ANI)