Bengaluru To Chennai By Road In 2 Hours? What Nitin Gadkari Said

The Bengaluru-Chennai express highway will be launched by this year-end or January 2024 and it will prove crucial in reducing the travel time between the two metros to just two hours, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.

Also, Chennai will soon be connected with Delhi through the access-controlled highway project, he said.

"I reviewed the progress of National Highways projects in Chennai today. The Bengaluru-Chennai express highway will start by this year-end or January 2024. So, you can launch luxury buses and sleeper coaches in this sector," the minister said, addressing the 75th anniversary celebrations of Ashok Leyland in Chennai.

Mr Gadkari, who earlier launched the Ashok Leyland's IeV series, India's first electric commercial vehicles in its category, said there is a great requirement for electric buses in the country. 

"We are making good roads. We are connecting Delhi to Chennai via Surat, Nasik, Ahmednagar, Kurnool, Chennai (and beyond to), Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi (and also to) Bengaluru and Hyderabad, through the access-controlled highways project," he said.

His ministry is in the process of building an electric cable highway between the national capital and Jaipur, he said and urged Ashok Leyland and other players to produce vehicles that could use bio fuels or alternative energy, such as e-vehicles, in a big way and help the Centre achieve the goal of a five-trillion-dollar economy.

"I am working on diversification of agriculture to energy and power sector since 2004. Ten days ago, I launched a 100 percent bio-ethanol vehicle. In Bengaluru I had launched Ashok Leyland's vehicle which can run on methanol-blended fuel. My dream is to ensure the production of methanol trucks in India," Mr Gadkari said.

The Indian Oil Corporation is producing bio-ethanol-based fuel for automobiles and ethanol aviation fuel too. "Soon, the farmers of Tamil Nadu could help produce ethanol fuel from food grains," the minister said.

He said he was satisfied over the pace of NH projects and that the work on the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway project would begin soon.

The IeV series launched by the minister are India's first electric commercial vehicles in its category and aims to provide efficient and eco-friendly solutions for last-minute transportation needs.

At the event, Nitin Gadkari said hydrogen as an alternative fuel was the future. "The import of fossil fuel is a big problem for the country in terms of economy and pollution. So, it is imperative to explore and utilise bio fuels for sustenance, and reduce the logistics cost to single digit in about three to four years, from about 16 per cent at present," he said.

Further, this would make India competitive and a global player in exports, Mr Gadkari added.

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Bopanna-Ebden Cruise Into US Open 2023 Final With Straight-Sets Victory

US Open 2023, Men's Doubles Semifinal Highlights: India's star tennis player Rohan Bopanna and his partner Matthew Ebden entered the final of men's doubles at US Open 2023 on Thursday. The pair defeated the French duo of Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight-sets in the semi-final match. The first set went into the tiebreaker where Bopanna-Ebden won it 7-6 (7/3). The second set was dominated by the pair as it broke Mahut and Herbert twice. Bopanna-Ebden won the second set 6-2 to eventually seal in the match.

Highlights of Rohan Bopanna-Ebden's US Open semi-final match vs Mahut-Herbert:

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"Will Send You On Chandrayaan-4": ML Khattar's Reply To Woman Sparks Row

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has mocked a woman at a public event when she asked him for a factory in her neighbouring village saying that she would be sent on the Chandrayaan-4 mission.

In an unverified video which went viral, the woman is heard asking for setting up a factory in her neighbouring village of Bhatol Jattan so that it can generate employment opportunities for women.

In response to this, in the video clip, Mr Khattar is heard purportedly saying, "Agli baar chaand ke upar ek aur jo jayega na Chandrayaan-4, usme bhejenge. Baith jao. (next time you will be sent to the moon on Chandrayaan-4. Sit down)".

Opposition Congress and AAP on Thursday attacked Mr Khattar over his "Chandrayaan" remarks.

The venue of the public gathering is not clear in the video clip. Mr Khattar is currently in Hisar district as part of his Jan Samvad programme.

The short video clip was shared online by some Congress and AAP leaders from the state.

Senior Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala and Deepender Singh Hooda and Aam Aadmi Party leader Anurag Dhanda slammed Khattar.

"The sense of contempt and disrespect towards women is in the DNA of BJP/RSS only! The BJP CM of Haryana, in the arrogance of power, is shamelessly displaying the same anti-women thinking! "On the woman asking that a factory should be set up in her area so that she and the women there can also get employment, CM Khattar publicly mockingly says that 'Next time when Chandrayaan will go to the moon, I will send you in it'," Mr Surjewala posted on X in Hindi.

Mr Surjewala also said that on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, "people from Haryana to Madhya Pradesh will break their ego and will also show them the moon and stars during the day itself".

AAP's Dhanda, in a post on X, said, "It is unfortunate for Haryana that there is a BJP rule".

"Shame on such a Chief Minister. Those who were elected by the public to serve, today they are making fun of the public," AAP posted on X in Hindi.

Congress' Deepender Hooda said "cracking crude jokes with the sentiments and demands of the public, especially women, in public programmes has become a daily routine for Chief Minister Khattar Sahib".

"Please mark my words, this time their arrogance is going to be badly shattered," Mr Hooda said on X.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Police Case Filed Against BJP's Amit Malviya Over "Sanatana Dharma" Post

A police case been filed against BJP leader Amit Malviya for allegedly spreading fake news on Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's speech on "Sanatana dharma".

Mr Malviya, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, had said the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin had called for "genocide" of the followers of "Sanatana dharma".

The case has been filed under charges including provoking riots, and enmity among communities.

A police case has also been filed against Uttar Pradesh seer Piyush Rai, who announced a Rs 10 crore bounty on Udhayanidhi Stalin.

"We are not those who will be afraid of such intimidation. I am the grandson of Karunanidhi, who slept on railway tracks for Tamil Nadu. We are not worried about these threats," Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

On September 2, the DMK leader, who also holds the sports portfolio, alleged that Sanatana dharma is against social justice and equality, and it should hence be "eradicated."

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"Zero Trust" Model To Prevent Cyberattacks During G20, Alert Level Raised

India has raised the level of alert around its critical infrastructure ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in Delhi this weekend, amid cyber threats originating from foreign shores.

"Indian agencies working overtime to keep a check on China-Pakistan cyber warriors who are trying  to undermine India ahead of G20. Keeping  cyber threats in mind, India has raised the level of alertness around its critical infrastructure," a senior officer told NDTV, adding the critical infrastructure includes government websites.

According to him, keeping the scale of the threat, cybersecurity at the summit is being handled by the Computer Emergency Response Team, while the rest of Delhi is being secured by the cybersecurity wing of the Delhi Police.

"The level of alert also has been raised at 28 hotels where VVIPs and delegates would be staying," he said.

Cyber squads have been stationed at ITC Maurya where US President Joe Biden would be staying. Also, arrangements have been done at The Lalit, Shangri-La, Claridges, Eros Hotel, Radisson Blue, Taj Hotel, Pride Plaza, Vivanta by Taj, Hotel Grand, Ambassador by Taj, The Ashok, Hyatt Regency, JW Marriott, Pullman, Roseate, Andaz Delhi, The Lodhi, The Leela, The Suryaa, The Sherton at Saket, Oberoi Gurgaon, Leela Gurgaon, Trident Gurgaon, Imperial Delh, The Oberoi, and ITC Bharat Gurgaon.

All these hotels have been asked to function on the "principle of zero trust" - that is constant monitoring of all IT assets.

The Home Ministry's cyber unit said the "zero trust" model relies on strong authentication and authorisation for every device and person before any access or data transfer takes place on a private network, no matter if they are inside or outside that network's perimeter - from "trust, but verify" to "never trust, always verify".

In the "zero trust" model, no user or device is trusted to access a resource until their identity and authorisation are verified. This process applies to those normally inside a private network, like an employee on a company computer working remotely from home or on their mobile device while at a conference across the world.

"This also applies to every person or endpoint outside of that network. It makes no difference if you have accessed the network before or not," an advisory sent to all hotels linked with the G20 summit said.

These arrangements are being done after a meeting in the Home Ministry where the history of cyberattacks during G20 Summits were discussed by security agencies.

In February 2011, a spear phishing attack occurred around the Paris G20 Summit, in which phishing emails and malware attachments were sent to the French Ministry of Finance officials with the aim of accessing classified G20 documents.

In 2014, the personal data of attendees at the G20 meeting in Brisbane was leaked. In June 2017, the Hamburg G20 Summit was targeted by hackers.

Security agencies have been working overtime to stall threats and dispel misinformation campaign, which in the past few days has accelerated into overdrive.

Data of the cybersecurity unit, which functions under the Home Ministry, shows social media warriors from both China and Pakistan are spinning a web of lies to discredit India's hosting of the world's mega event in its capital.

"A lot of misinformation is being floated on various sites. Mainly, these platforms are sharing fake information on Jammu and Kashmir. We have managed to block many accounts, but it's a continuous process," a senior Home Ministry official said.

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Faulty Floodlight In Lahore Stops PAK vs BAN Game. Internet Reacts

The first Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday abruptly came to a halt when one of the floodlights went out of service mid-match. The players looked confused and waited for about 15 minutes as the organisers tried to restore service. During the fifth over of Pakistan's innings, one of the floodlights went off and play was stopped.  Players left the field and fans switched on their mobile phone torches.  The floodlight was restored after about 15 minutes. 

Pakistan were at 15/0 in 5 overs with Fakhar Zaman (13) and Imam-ul-Haq (2) unbeaten at the crease when the interruption occurred. Earlier Pakistan pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah shredded Bangladesh's batting order and the team was bundled out for 193 in just 38.4 overs.

Pakistan's pace attack proved too hot for Bangladesh and apart from Shakib Al Hasan (53) and Mushfiqur Rahim (64), other batters struggled. Rauf was the chief destructor as he bagged four wickets while Naseem Shah claimed three and Shaheen Afridi scalped one wicket.  

The incident divided the social media users. While some were sympathetic other blasted Pakistan Cricket Board for poor organising of the continental event. 

"Whoever designed the schedule of #AsiaCup2023 is nothing but brain-dead? Surely, you look at the weather before scheduling matches? Now, we are looking at last-minute Harakiri. Flood in Colombo, rain in Kandy, no floodlights in Dambula, Hambantota not viable logistically. Brilliant #CricketTwitter #INDvNEP." wrote another user.

Whoever designed the schedule of #AsiaCup2023 is nothing but brain-dead? Surely, you look at the weather before scheduling matches? Now, we are looking at last-minute Harakiri. Flood in Colombo, rain in Kandy, no floodlights in Dambula, Hambantota not viable logistically....

— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) September 4, 2023

"More delays at the Asia Cup. This time it's not rain but due to a floodlight failure #PakvsBan #AsiaCup2023" commented a user. 

More delays at the Asia Cup. This time it's not rain but due to a floodlight failure #PakvsBan #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/YONoBCgq3l

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 6, 2023

The @ICC should ban matches in Pakistan as no international facilities available.

Yesterday : they should update Afghanistan batsmen on each moment on the big screen.

Today : Pakistan vs Bangladesh gets delayed due to floodlights.

Such a shame.#AsiaCup2023 #PakvsBan #AsiaCup

— Rizwan Afghan (@RizwanCricket17) September 6, 2023

"Pak don't even have good floodlights but they wanted to host a full asia cup. #AsiaCup #PAKvBNG" Another user wrote.  

Pak don't even have good floodlights but they wanted to host a full asia cup. #AsiaCup #PAKvBNG

— kirat_13 (@kirat1313_) September 6, 2023

"So India-Pakistan fans even fight for floodlight failure. It's a normal thing and can happen to any stadium in the world," wrote a user. 

"Didn't we see floodlight failure during India v S Africa T20 in Guwahati, and in Mohali during IPL this year?  Public memory is conveniently short," wrote a user.

Didn't we see floodlight failure during India v S Africa T20 in Guwahati, and in Mohali during IPL this year?

Public memory is conveniently short.

— Stereotypewriter (@babumoshoy) September 6, 2023

With PTI inputs

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"Reservations Should Continue As Long As Inequality Persists": RSS Chief

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that discrimination exists in our society, and reservations should continue as long as inequality persists.

Speaking at an event in agpur, he also said the 'Akhand Bharat' or undivided India will become a reality before today's youngsters become old, as those who separated from India in 1947 are now feeling that they made a mistake.

Incidentally, Mr Bhagwat's statement on reservations came at a time when the Maratha community's agitation for a quota has once again intensified.

"We kept our own fellow human beings behind in the social system. We did not care for them, and it continued for 2000 years. Until we provide them equality, some special remedies have to be there, and reservations is one of them. Hence, reservations have to continue till there is such discrimination. We at the RSS give all support to the reservations provided in the Constitution," he said.

Discrimination exists in society even though we may not see it, he noted.

Reservations are about "giving respect" and not just about ensuring financial or political equality, the RSS chief further said.

If the sections of society which faced discrimination suffered for 2000 years, "why cannot we (those who did not face discrimination) accept some trouble for 200 more years," he added.

Replying to a question by a student, Mohan Bhagwat said he can not tell exactly when the Akhand Bharat will come into existence.

"But if you go on working for it, you will see it materialise before you get old. Because the conditions are becoming such that those who separated from India feel that they made a mistake. They feel that we should have been India again. They think that for becoming India they need to erase the lines on the map. But it is not so. Being India is accepting the nature ("swabhav") of India," the RSS chief said.

To a question about the claims that the RSS did not hoist the national flag at its headquarters in Mahal area here from 1950 till 2002, Bhagwat said, "Every year on August 15 and January 26 we hoist the national flag, wherever we are. There is flag-hoisting at both our campuses in Mahal and Reshimbagh in Nagpur. People should not ask this question to us." He then recalled an incident during the Congress's Tejpur convention near Jalgaon in 1933 when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the national flag on an 80-feet pole.

The flag got stuck midway in front of a crowd of about 10,000, but a youth came forward, climbed the pole and freed it, he said.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru asked the youth to be present at the convention the next day for felicitation, but it did not happen because some people told him that the youth attended an RSS 'shakha' (daily assembly), Mr Bhagwat claimed.

When (RSS founder) Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar learnt this, he visited the youth's house and praised him, the RSS chief said.

The youth's name was Kishan Singh Rajput, he added.

"The RSS has been associated with the honour of the national flag from the very first time it faced a problem. We also hoist the national flag on these two days (August 15 and January 26)....But whether it is hoisted or not, when it comes to the honour of the national flag, our swayamsevak (RSS volunteer) has been in the forefront and ready to give his life," Mr Bhagwat said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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