New Delhi [India], February 26 (ANI): The second edition of ‘Khelo India National Winter Games’ which are being organised in Jammu and Kashmir will help in developing a new sporting ecosystem in the Union Territory and help in making it a sporting hub, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
Speaking at the inaugural address of the 2nd edition of the Khelo India National Winter Games, PM Modi said “the ‘Khelo India’ centres of excellence will also promote Jammu and Kashmir tourism.”
“These games happening in Gulmarg show Jammu and Kashmir is ready to reach new heights of peace and development. The experience of ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ will help us move forward with a holistic approach. These winter games in Jammu and Kashmir will help establish a new sporting ecosystem. The ‘Khelo India’ centres of excellence will also promote Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that sports is no longer just a hobby or “time pass” in the country. “In sports, we learn team spirit, look for new ways in defeats and learn to repeat victories. Sports shape the lives and lifestyle of players. It boosts self-confidence,” he stated.
The Prime Minister pointed out that under the new National Education Policy, sports have been given a lot of importance, and the government is opening sports universities in India.
“We have to think about how we can take sports science and management to the school level. It will give our youth more opportunities and increase India’s participation in the sports economy,” PM Modi stated.
Addressing the young sportsperson participating in the games, the Prime Minister said, “When you show your talent at Khelo India National Winter Games, remember that you are not just a part of a sport, but you are also a brand ambassador of self-reliant India. The world evaluates India with the ground you work on.” (ANI)

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 26 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted raids at multiple properties of a businessman in Kolkata in connection with the coal scam case, said sources.
Many bureaucrats and politicians allegedly received bribes through this businessman, said CBI sources.
Earlier CBI quizzed Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee’s wife and sister-in-law in connection with an ongoing coal scam.
Without naming, Abhishek had accused the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP)-led central government of exploitation of power. (ANI)

Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], February 26 (ANI): Activist Nodeep Kaur, a 23-year-old member of the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan from Punjab, was granted bail by Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday.
Nodeep Kaur was arrested on January 12 after she had participated in the farmer’s protests at Kundli in Haryana.
On February 11, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary had urged the National Women Commission (NCW) to immediate intervene for releasing Kaur, whose medical examination conducted after her arrest revealed injuries on her body and private parts.
“Manohar Lal Khattar led-BJP government in Haryana has been trying to annihilate farmers’ agitation from day one. Under its threatening theatrics, and at the behest of the Union government, the Haryana government forcibly picked up Nodeep Kaur and other labourers, who were peacefully protesting,” Chaudhary had said in an official release.
“Kaur has been charged under section 307 (attempt to murder) and extortion, which is not acceptable at all,” she added.
Chaudhary appealed to the NCW that the Punjab government, through Punjab State Women’s Commission, would lend legal assistance to Nodeep Kaur and the Haryana government should be directed to arrange a meeting of the Punjab State Women’s Commission’s delegation with the labour rights activist.
She also said that the allegations of outraging the modesty of Punjabi trade unionist Nodeep Kaur in police custody as per her family members and not even granting bail after several weeks, was a horrifying moment for the entire womanhood. (ANI)

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], February 26 (ANI): Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s ‘North-South’ remark, Robert Vadra, businessman and son-in-law of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, on Friday and said that Rahul is neutral and sees India as one.
Speaking to ANI, Vadra said, “Rahul Gandhi hasn’t said anything to hurt anyone. He is neutral and sees India as one. Rahul loves people of Uttar Pradesh, Amethi, Gujarat.”
While addressing a public rally in Thiruvananthapuram earlier this week, Rahul said, “For the first 15 years, I was an MP in the North. I got used to a different type of politics. For me, coming to Kerala was refreshing as suddenly I found that people are interested in issues and not just superficially but going into detail in issues.”
Several leaders, including Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, BJP president JP Nadda and Union Minister of State for Finance, Anurag Thakur slammed the Wayanad MP for his statements and have accused him of creating a ‘north-south’ divide.
Meanwhile, Vadra also welcomed the decision by a United Kingdom court ordering the extradition of fugitive diamond dealer Nirav Modi.
“The law of the country is doing its work, I am happy very much,” he said.
Notably, the UK court had ordered Modi to be extradited to India to stand trial after dismissing arguments of his “mental health concerns,” saying they are not unusual in a man in his circumstances.
Later, Vadra also raised concern over protesting farmers and said the government should listen to people and their opinion. (ANI)

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 26 (ANI): Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids in various location of West Bengal on Friday including Kolkata’s Princep Street and adjacent areas in connection with its ongoing probe into an illegal coal mining case, according to sources.
The ED is investigating the money laundering aspect in connection with the coal mining case, they said.
Earlier ED had conducted a raid in the house of the close aide of Anup Majhi alias Lala’s, who is said to be the mastermind of coal mine cases.
On the other hand, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has been also conducting another raid separately in various places including Asansol over the coal scam issue.
CBI earlier also had issued Look Out Notice against Anup Majhi who is said to be involved in the said coal mining case but he is still absconding since November last year. (ANI)

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], February 26 (ANI): Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases across Maharashtra, businesses of banquet halls have been impacted by the introduction of new coronavirus guidelines in Nagpur.
“Our business has been badly impacted by the new guidelines. We had to cancel all bookings and bear the loss. We are not taking bookings as we do not know how long the government guidelines for coronavirus will last,” Prashant Choudhry, a banquet hall owner told ANI on Thursday.
“As an owner, we can survive a bit longer but what about those who earn their livelihood by these events. However, violation of the rules has occurred in some banquet halls due to which, all of us are suffering,” said another hotel owner.
On the other hand, people who booked halls and lawns for their functions are disappointed with the guidelines.

“Cards have been printed and distributed to all the guests. Our relatives have applied for leaves to attend the wedding ceremony. Now we are worried that how their stay will be managed,” said a patron.
This comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asked authorities to put curbs on weddings and other such social functions because of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.
Thackeray even warned that he would be forced to order another lockdown if people failed to comply with the COVID-19 guidelines. He also issued instructions that any banquet hall violating the guidelines be sealed.
For social events, the state has mandated a maximum of 50 persons at a time in the banquet hall; they should be wearing masks along and maintaining social distance.
Meanwhile, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to close the iconic Oval Maidan in Mumbai from today, Chanda Jadhav, BMC Assistant municipal commissioner said on Thursday.
No activity will be allowed in the Maidan in south Mumbai, including sports till further orders.
Moreover, BMC has been collecting fines from the people in the city who were caught without face masks in public spaces.
Maharashtra on February 24 witnessed a spike in coronavirus cases, with more than 8,000 new cases of infections being reported in a single day after a gap of over four months. (ANI)