The Free Press Journal - Mumbai - December 17, 2024

In this issue

December 17, 2024

LANKA PM WON'T ALLOW ANTI-INDIA ACTIVITIES

Visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissananayake has assured India that he will not allow Sri Lankan territory to be used against India.

1 min

ONOP BILL IS LIKELY TODAY

The BJP-led central government will table the contentious 'One Nation One Election' Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

1 min

How were the sloganeers identified: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Karnataka government on how the accused who allegedly shouted \"Jai Shri Ram\" inside a mosque in the State were identified, reports Bar and Bench.

2 mins

For Sonia's eyes only: Nehru letters to Edwina

BJP wants nation to have access to 51 cartons that Sonia emissary carted away from Nehru Library to 10 Janpath

3 mins

Is delay a hallmark of Mahayuti govt?

Probably for the first time in the history of Maharashtra, a legislative session has commenced without the portfolios being allocated to the ministers.

2 mins

BEST bus mishap: One more death takes toll to eight

MISERABLE BEST | Another accident on Monday, biker sustains injuries; CM asks BMC chief to collaborate with BEST MD

2 mins

Oppn intensifies protest, Fadnavis assures action

The brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog gram panchayat in Beed, and the custody death in Parbhani reverberated in the winter session of the state legislature.

1 min

Govt tables supplementary demands worth ₹33,788 crore

On the opening day of its first cabinet session on Monday, the Maharashtra government tabled supplementary demands totaling Rs33,788.40 crore, including a provision of Rs1,400 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme.

1 min

Meet 'Steinway of tabla' for Zakir Hussain

\"I made tablas for him, he made my life,\" says Haridas Vhatkar who was termed the \"Steinway of the tabla\" by his most celebrated client - Ustad Zakir Hussain.

1 min

He will always stay with us musically

When the news of Zakirbhai cancelling his routine annual visit to India up to Jan 15, and later for the entire December 2024 to mid-March 2025, was intimated to the music fraternity, the reaction was a mix of not only surprise and shock but more of a deep concern over his health.

1 min

Police use fraudsters' tricks to nab them

The Gamdevi police have arrested two fraudsters from West Bengal by deploying scammers' own deceptive tactics to nab them.

1 min

Man booked for pronouncing triple talaq

The Shantinagar police have booked a 30-year-old man for allegedly harassing and pronouncing triple talaq to his wife in the KGN Chowk area of Shantinagar, Bhiwandi.

1 min

RTI exposes CIDCO's claim about wetlands

Even as City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has always denied accepting the wetland status of many areas in Navi Mumbai, a document procured through Right to Information (RTI) Act by environmentalist, has a different story to tell.

1 min

Ensure girls' safety near college: HC warns police

SAFETY FIRST | Police assured HC of measures to ensure the safety of Matunga students, patrolling during opening & closing

2 mins

Infant's body found wrapped in paper

The Versova police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person for allegedly concealing the birth of a child by secretly disposing of the infant's body.

1 min

1,831 drivers fined for violating traffic rules

The Mumbai police on Sunday penalised 1,831 drivers for not following traffic rules and among these 70 drivers were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol.

1 min

Iran's Zoroastrian head visits Bhikha Behram Well in city

The head of Iran's Zoroastrian community, Dr Mehraban Puladi, is on a religious and cultural tour in India.

1 min

Horse festival seeks support

The Sarangkheda Chetak Festival, held annually during Datta Jayanti in Nandurbar district's Shahada taluka, is renowned as a major horse-trading and cultural event.

1 min

HC unhappy with PMC's indifference

Asks Municipal Commissioner to personally vet fresh affidavit to be filed assuring compliance with Court's orders

1 min

Experts underscore efficient workforce management

Industries at the national and global levels are witnessing tectonic changes and it has become imperative for human resource development (HRD) professionals to tailor approaches and policies that are conducive to these changes, speakers at \"Anubhuti\", the eighth National Summit of National HRD Network opined.

1 min

Bandh sees mixed response in city

Ambedkarites and Republican Sena have been protesting a custodial death

1 min

City celebrates Datta Jayanti

Datta Jayanti was celebrated with enthusiasm in the city at the Datta Temples at various places on Saturday.

1 min

80% attendance for CTET at 38 centres

The Central Teachers Eligibility Test (CTET) was conducted across 38 centres in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday, with 80% of the 48,000 registered candidates appearing for the examination, according to CTET city coordinator Sharda Gupta.

1 min

Mkts decline amid weak global trends

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed lower on Monday as investors turned cautious ahead of the US Fed interest rate decision amid weak global cues.

1 min

Swiss' withdrawal of MFN status not to impact EFTA trade pact: Secy

Swiss suspension of the most favoured nation clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) will not have any impact on the commitments signed in a trade agreement between India and the EFTA bloc, a top government official said on Monday.

1 min

Flash composite PMI rises to 4-month high in December

India's private sector output expanded at the fastest pace in four months in December, led by a jump in service sector activity, even as companies across both the manufacturing and the service sectors saw a faster upturn in new business intakes.

1 min

India sees over 90% rise in smartphone exports in Nov

India has seen a record smartphone exports in November this year, surpassing the Rs 20,000 crore mark for the first time in a month, which was led by Apple.

1 min

Over 17.4L opted for higher pension on higher contribution under EPS-95

As many as 17.49 lakh members of retirement fund body EPFO have applied for the option to contribute on their actual (higher) basic pay for eventually getting higher pension after an apex court order in November 2022, Parliament was informed on Monday.

1 min

Indian IT services hiring to remain low till growth momentum picks up by H2 FY26

Hiring in the Indian IT services industry is expected to remain low-key in the near term until the growth momentum picks up by H2 FY2026, according to ICRA.

1 min

Delhi HC summons SpiceJet CEO, COO

In fresh trouble for beleaguered low-cost airline SpiceJet, the Delhi High Court has directed the chief operating officer (COO) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the carrier to appear before it, in a plea seeking compliance of over $6 million in payment to the aircraft engines lessors.

1 min

RBI Guv exhorts staff to strive for perfection

Malhotra 'reassured' staffers that the RBI, an 'august institution', is his 'family' now

1 min

George Soros has links with Assam MP, claims Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that an MP from the Assam has links with US-based billionaire George Soros, amid the BJP's charge against the Congress central leadership of conniving with the investor to destabilise the country.

1 min

Priyanka's bag with 'Palestine' tag triggers row

In a show of support for the people of Palestine, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday carried a bag to Parliament that had \"Palestine\" emblazoned on it.

1 min

Ancient idols unearthed in Sambhal

Three fragmented idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Lord Ganesha were discovered during the excavation of an ancient well situated within the premises of a Shiva temple in Khaggu Sarai locality, Sambhal.

1 min

CONG UNDERMINED FREEDOM OF SPEECH

WAR OF WORDS | Constitutional amendments made to serve the interests of 'one family,' alleges Sitharaman; Kharge counters

2 mins

Farmers hold tractor march in Haryana

A score of farmers on Monday took out \"tractor marches\" in several towns of Haryana to express their solidarity with the Punjab farmers who have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana to press for their demands since February.

1 min

NIA nabs key ULFA (I) man

The National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested a key operative of the banned terrorist outfit, ULFA (I), for planting IEDs in Guwahati (Assam) during the 2024 Independence Day celebrations.

1 min

13 Naxalites held in Sukma

Thirteen Naxalites were arrested and explosives were seized in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, a police official said on Monday.

1 min

TMC distances from Hakim's communal comment

Amid controversy over Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor and TMC minister Firhad Hakim's \"communal\" comment, TMC on Monday had distanced itself from Hakim's comment.

1 min

Cold wave warning for several northern states

FREEZING POINT | Sub-zero temperatures in J&K, Himachal's Spiti records -10.6 Celsius

1 min

Special measures to address Seed and Fertilizer shortages

The Andhra Pradesh government is taking proactive steps to ensure that farmers face no shortage of seeds and fertilizers in the upcoming agricultural seasons.

2 mins

Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan strategize coalition dynamics

The conversation also touched upon measures to ensure seamless coordination among party cadre at the district and village levels. Reviewing the coalition's performance in the recently concluded irrigation associations' elections

1 min

1971 War heroes remembered

‘Vijay Diwas’, which translates to ‘Victory Day’ in Hindi, has been celebrated on December 16 every year since 1971 which marks the anniversary of India’s historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

1 min

Video 'shows' Vijayendra trying to bribe ex-minority panel chief

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that there was video footage showing former state Minority Commission Chairperson Anwar Manippady accusing state BJP president B Y Vijayendra of attempting to \"bribe\" him by offering Rs 150 crore, to hush up his report on the Waqf encroachments.

1 min

'I don't consider Zakir an Indian musician, he was a global artiste

Violin maestro L Subramaniam, a long-time collaborator of Ustad Zakir Hussain, said the late tabla maestro was one of those rarest of rare musicians who was at home with every genre of music.

2 mins

Rail roko protest across Karnataka tomorrow

Members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha have decided to conduct a 'Rail Roko' protest across the state on December 18 to express serious concern over the deteriorating health of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a hunger strike in support of farmer demands at the Delhi border.

1 min

New scheme will curb C-section deliveries: Min

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday that a new programme will be launched next month to control caesarean deliveries in the state.

1 min

C'garh govt registers offence against 27 IAS officers

Chhattisgarh government has registered a complaint against 23 IAS officers for misuse of power, malpractice, and corruption from 2019 to 2024.

1 min

Young man dies after swallowing live chick

A tragic and bizarre incident has been reported from Ambikapur, in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, where a young man named Anand Yadav lost his life after following the instructions of a 'Tantrik' in a bid to resolve his childlessness.

1 min

WINTER SESSION STARTS ON A STORMY NOTE

BJP MLA confronts government over land encroachments | Congress walks out during paddy sack procurement debate

1 min

Govt releases funds for Mobile Medical Units

The Urban Administration and Development Department Government of Chhattisgarh has sanctioned ₹55.58 crore for ensuring seamless health services in urban areas till March 2025.

1 min

Maxivision Eye Hospital commits ₹200 crore for Gujarat expansion

Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospital, one of India's leading eye care networks, is gearing up for a major expansion in Gujarat.

1 min

1500 GIDC workers to benefit from subsidised canteen

The Pandesara Industries Association has inaugurated a subsidized restaurant in the Pandesara GIDC Estate to ensure better health and productivity among its employees.

1 min

Yatharth Pandya fights age fraud in sports

Prominent sports activist and former national table tennis player Yatharth Pandya has taken legal action against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for failing to enforce the National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports (NCAAFS).

1 min

2-day NRI Summit 3.0 begins, Indore showcased as investment destination

150 participants from 28 countries attend Indori Summit

1 min

3.3°C in Bhopal, lowest in 58 yrs

1.9 degrees Celsius in Pachmarhi; severe cold wave continues in Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen

1 min

Congress protest fizzles out after mass arrest on stage

Tear gas, water cannon and heavy security arrangements were in place to stop Congress leaders from reaching the state Assembly; however, the opposition leaders concluded their demonstration at a dais set up at Jawahar Chowk on Monday.

1 min

ED cracks down on Cong leader Golu Agnihotri

Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday detained working president of City Congress Vishal Agnihotri alias Golu Agnihotri at Delhi airport in connection with money laundering case and brought him back to the city.

1 min

INDIA bloc's leadership crisis

Omar Abdullah, who fought the J & K polls in alliance with the Congress, has urged the grand old party to prove its ability to lead the Opposition

2 mins

Israel to expand Golan settlements after fall of Assad

Israel's government has approved a plan to encourage the expansion of settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, BBC reported.

1 min

North Korean troops killed in Ukraine

The Ukrainian military has released photos and footage of what appear to be dozens of North Korean soldiers killed along with Russian troops in Russia's western Kursk border region, a Ukrainian media outlet has said.

1 min

Bangladesh prepares for polls

POLL BUGLE | Yunus hints that an election is likely in late 2025 or mid-2026

2 mins

Meet Suryansh Shedge: Mumbai's next wonder kid

Thirty six is an important number in Suryansh Shedge's fledgling career.

1 min

Pravin Gawade stars in Shahu Sports Academy win

Shahu Sports Academy beat Fighters Sports Club by nine wickets in the Baba Bhosale T20 League match in Kolhapur.

1 min

Sri Lanka won't allow its land to be used against India

EVEN AS CHINA TARGETS INDIA

1 min

India struggle at 51 for 4

BGT TROPHY DAY 3: RAIN STOPS PLAY

1 min

INDIAN WOMEN LIFT CUP, AGAIN

WOMEN'S JUNIOR ASIA CUP

1 min

FINLAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OPENS GUWAHATI CAMPUS

FINNISH ENVOY ATTENDS INAUGURAL EVENT

1 min

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The Free Press Journal - Mumbai Newspaper Description:

The Free Press Journal is one of the oldest English Daily newspapers from Mumbai with a heritage of more than 90 years. And yet, The Free Press Journal is a contemporary paper and rooted in current urban realities.

In keeping with the international trend, it has reinvented itself in terms of design, get up and content. It means different thing to different people – a platform for the articulate, a trendsetter for the young and a chronicle for the old.

It was at the forefront of freedom struggle against the British and continues with the free and fearless journalism till date. Indeed, the history of The Free Press Journalism mirrors that of Indian independence.

Swaminath Sadanand, a 30-year-old idealist from Madras trudged his way to Bombay and with a vision that was to prove uncomfortably ahead of his day, brought out a newspaper as unorthodox in character as it was innovative in concept. For Swaminath Sadanand, the Free Press Journal was not so much a business venture as a cause.

The spirit with which he launched the paper and ran it for almost three decades helped it make it an integral part of two great Indian movements — the struggle for independence and the evolution of Indian publishing.