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Four killed as SUV collides with container truck on MP-Rajasthan border

Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh), April 21 (IANS) Four persons died and three others sustained severe injuries in a road accident on the Neemuch-Nasirabad highway, near the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan state border.

The tragedy occurred when an SUV collided with a container truck, resulting in a violent impact that left the car in pieces. The accident took place at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Sunday near Rajputana Hotel under the Nimbahera police station area of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

The SUV, bearing registration number MP 13 ZA1508, first hit the road divider before losing control and crashing into the container truck coming from the opposite lane.

Investigating officer Vishwajeet from the Nimbahera police station in Rajasthan told IANS, “Four of the vehicle’s occupants died while three others who were severely injured had been taken to Udaipur hospital for treatment. They have been identified as residents of various locations, including Ingoria and Narwal in Ujjain, and Badanwar in Madhya Pradesh. The collision was so intense that one side of the SUV was completely crushed.”

According to the police officer, the group had departed from Ingoria village in Ujjain district and was travelling to Rajasthan to visit the renowned ‘Sanwalia Seth’ (Lord Krishna) temple. The accident occurred near the village of Bangred Mamadev. The driver, Rajesh, aged 30, reportedly lost control of the vehicle while navigating a sharp turn, which is believed to have led to the crash. Rajesh died on the spot.

Among the deceased are Gaurav Pawar, aged 32, from Ingoria, Ujjain; Anil Bhambi, aged 18, from Narwal, Ujjain; and Sanjay Bhambi, aged 40, from Kheda, Badanwar. The injured individuals — identified as Deepak Bhambi, aged 39, from Urdupura, Ujjain; Sunil Balai, aged 28, from Shakarpur, Ujjain; and Yogesh Bhambi, aged 20, from Ingoria, Ujjain — were provided initial treatment at a local hospital before being referred to Udaipur for advanced medical care.

The families of the victims have been informed, and post-mortem examinations of the deceased have been conducted. Sanwaliaji Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna in Madaphiya village on the Chittorgarh-Udaipur Highway, Rajasthan.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who are injured in the accident.

–IANS

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Significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat: PM Modi on successful launch of Firefly

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the successful launch of India’s first private satellite constellation, ‘Firefly,’ by Bengaluru-based space-tech start-up Pixxel, calling it a testament to India’s growing strength in space innovation.

Addressing the 118th episode of his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi stated, “At the beginning of 2025 itself, India has achieved historic milestones in space exploration. Today, I am proud to announce that Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based Indian space-tech start-up, has successfully launched ‘Firefly,’ India’s first private satellite constellation. This hyperspectral satellite constellation ranks among the world’s finest for high-resolution imagery.”

Emphasising that this accomplishment represents a “significant step towards a ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the Prime Minister said, “This success showcases the growing strength and innovation of our private space sector. On behalf of the nation, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the team at Pixxel, ISRO, and IN-SPACe for this remarkable achievement.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted another recent breakthrough in space technology by Indian scientists — the successful execution of satellite docking in space.

“When two spacecraft connect in space, it is termed space docking, a critical technology for sending supplies to space stations and crew missions. With this, India has become the fourth country to achieve this feat,” PM Modi said.

He further lauded ISRO’s experiments in growing plants in space, citing the germination of cowpea seeds aboard a spacecraft as a pioneering step.

“This inspiring experiment paves the way for growing vegetables in space in the future, demonstrating the foresight of our scientists,” he said.

PM Modi also spoke about IIT Madras’s ExTeM Centre, which is advancing research in space manufacturing technologies like 3D-printed buildings, metal foams, and optical fibres.

“This research will bolster India’s Gaganyaan mission, and future space stations, and open new avenues for technological innovation,” he noted, praising Indian scientists and innovators for their vision in addressing future challenges.

Shifting focus to India’s burgeoning start-up ecosystem, the Prime Minister celebrated the completion of nine years of the Start-Up India initiative.

Expressing joy over the participation of youth in the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,’ which coincided with Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, PM Modi said, “Swami Vivekananda rightly said that passion for an idea is key to achieving one’s goals. The dialogue with young leaders from across the country was inspiring, with discussions spanning start-ups, culture, women, youth, and infrastructure.”

“More than half of the start-ups formed in these nine years are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It’s heartening to see cities like Ambala, Hisar, Kangra, Chengalpattu, Bilaspur, Gwalior, and Washim emerging as vibrant hubs of innovation,” he said.

PM Modi highlighted the role of women in driving this growth, sharing that a significant number of start-ups in smaller cities are led by women entrepreneurs.

“In a state like Nagaland, start-up registrations increased by over 200 per cent last year. Sectors like waste management, renewable energy, biotechnology, and logistics are witnessing remarkable start-up activity,” he said, adding that young Indians are thinking beyond conventional sectors, achieving success through bold ideas.

The Prime Minister also reflected on societal changes surrounding start-ups, recalling how they were once dismissed as unviable ventures.

“A decade ago, people questioned the relevance of start-ups. Today, start-ups are setting new benchmarks. I encourage everyone to seize the opportunities India is creating and to trust in their dreams,” he said.

–IANS

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Pvt Haj tour operators’ quota for 10,000 pilgrims restored as govt seeks Saudi help

New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) With the intervention of the Indian government, the Saudi Haj Ministry has offered a lifeline to private Haj operators whose quota of sending about 10,000 pilgrims faced cancellation due to delayed documentation, an official said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) said that the Saudi Haj Ministry, in a rare gesture, has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all Indian Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) to complete their work with respect to 10,000 pilgrims.

The portal had been closed earlier as CHGOs, despite reminders, had failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport of pilgrims, as required under the Saudi regulations.

The Minority Affairs Ministry has now issued directions to Haj group operators to avail of the special relaxation offered by the Saudi authorities and urgently complete the formalities on the Nusuk Portal.

The matter of ‘cancellation’ of private tour operators’ quota was raised by Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC) Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern over the development.

“Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution”, she said on social media platform X.

The Minority Affairs Ministry said that due to the Indian Government’s efforts, the Haj quota allocation for India has increased from 136,020 in 2014 to 175,025 in 2025.

These quotas are finalised by the Saudi authorities closer to the time of the pilgrimage, it said.

The Ministry, through the Haj Committee of India, manages arrangements for the bulk of the quota allotted to India, which is 122,518 in the current year.

The balance of over 52,000 slots of the quota were allotted, as is customary, to private tour operators, said a statement.

Due to changes in Saudi guidelines, more than 800 Private Tour Operators were consolidated into 26 legal entities termed Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), by the Ministry this year.

Addressing legal challenges, the Haj quota was allocated by the Ministry to these 26 CHGOs well in advance. However, despite reminders, they failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities and failed to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport of pilgrims.

The Saudi Haj Ministry later informed that due to delays, the available space in Mina became occupied.

However, due to the Indian Government’s intervention, the Saudi Haj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims, said a statement.

–IANS

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