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Time of India
18-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
PETA urges Gujarat to ban foreign breeds used in dogfights
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India, has begun a campaign for banning aggressive foreign dog breeds across Gujarat after a four-mont hold baby was mauled to death by a rottweiler in Ahmedabad. In a letter addressed to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and chief secretary Pankaj Joshi, Peta India called for urgent action to prohibit the breeding, sale and ownership of breeds such as rottweiler, pitbull terrier, Pakistani bully kutta, dogo argentino, presa canario, fila brasileiro, bull terrier and XL Bully, citing public safety and animal welfare concerns. 'These foreign breeds are engineered to be unstoppable weapons and are frequently abused in dogfights . We urge Gujarat to act swiftly to protect both humans and animals by banning the keeping and sale of these dogs,' said Shaurya Agrawal , advocacy associate, Peta India. After the rottweiler attack incident, state govt has indicated its intent to frame a policy around such breeds amid growing concerns regarding their use in illegal dogfighting rings, despite such activities being banned under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Peta India claims that many of these dogs are kept on heavy chains, subjected to ear cropping and tail docking — illegal and painful procedures intended to enhance their fighting capabilities — and are left untreated when injured due to the underground nature of these fights. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The animal rights body has proposed sterilization and mandatory registration of such dogs, followed by a phased ban on their sale, breeding and ownership. It has also urged the govt to shut down illegal breeders and pet shops and to crack down on organised dogfighting networks across the state. Dr Apoorva Gohil, a veterinarian, says there should be a 100% ban on the sale and breeding of such breeds across India. 'The penalty imposed on offenders should also be raised.'
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
PETA urges Guj to ban foreign breeds used in dogfights
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India, has begun a campaign for banning aggressive foreign dog breeds across Gujarat after a four-month-old baby was mauled to death by a rottweiler in Ahmedabad. In a letter addressed to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and chief secretary Pankaj Joshi, Peta India called for urgent action to prohibit the breeding, sale and ownership of breeds such as rottweiler, pitbull terrier, Pakistani bully kutta, dogo argentino, presa canario, fila brasileiro, bull terrier and XL Bully, citing public safety and animal welfare concerns. "These foreign breeds are engineered to be unstoppable weapons and are frequently abused in dogfights. We urge Gujarat to act swiftly to protect both humans and animals by banning the keeping and sale of these dogs," said Shaurya Agrawal, advocacy associate, Peta India. After the rottweiler attack incident, state govt has indicated its intent to frame a policy around such breeds amid growing concerns regarding their use in illegal dogfighting rings, despite such activities being banned under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Peta India claims that many of these dogs are kept on heavy chains, subjected to ear cropping and tail docking — illegal and painful procedures intended to enhance their fighting capabilities — and are left untreated when injured due to the underground nature of these fights. The animal rights body has proposed sterilization and mandatory registration of such dogs, followed by a phased ban on their sale, breeding and ownership. It has also urged the govt to shut down illegal breeders and pet shops and to crack down on organised dogfighting networks across the state. Dr Apoorva Gohil, a veterinarian, says there should be a 100% ban on the sale and breeding of such breeds across India. "The penalty imposed on offenders should also be raised."
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Gujarat tightens security across key locations; ups surveillance in coastal, border areas
Gandhinagar: A high-security alert has been issued across several states with Gujarat also intensifying its preparedness measures after the Indian Armed Forces' pre-dawn airstrikes on Wednesday on nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under "Operation Sindoor", an official said. Security agencies in coastal and border areas, particularly in Jamnagar, have launched extensive checking and surveillance operations. The Special Operations Group (SOG), Marine Police, and Task Force commandos have been deployed for patrols along sensitive coastal zones, including Halar beach -- known for its proximity to the Pakistan border. Meanwhile, in line with the directives issued by the Central government, a large-scale Civil Defence mock drill was conducted across Gujarat. Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Pankaj Joshi, oversaw the exercise through a virtual monitoring session held at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar. The mock drill aimed to assess the preparedness of various districts in responding to potential emergency situations and to enhance inter-agency coordination. During the virtual review, senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department Dr. Jayanti Ravi, Director General of Civil Defence Manoj Agarwal, Transport Commissioner Anupam Anand, and Relief Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey were present. The statewide drill included simulated scenarios to test the effectiveness of disaster response mechanisms, communication networks, and civil protection infrastructure. Authorities emphasised the importance of such exercises to ensure Gujarat remains ready to handle crises with efficiency and speed. In response to the heightened alert, all flights to and from key cities including Jamnagar, Bhuj, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Amritsar, have been suspended. Jamnagar Airport has implemented strict security checks under the supervision of district police, with teams inspecting vehicles and questioning drivers. Flights between Jamnagar and Mumbai will remain suspended for the next three days. Amid these developments, Amit Arora, Joint Administrative Manager of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam and CEO of the Statue of Unity, chaired a review meeting to assess the readiness of the security system at the Narmada Dam. He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power and communication lines, while keeping backup systems ready to face any emergencies. The State Reserve Force stationed in Ekta Nagar continues its 24x7 surveillance of the dam and surrounding areas. Mock drills are also being conducted across the state to prepare for emergency scenarios. In Jamnagar, the Fire Department is leading coordinated drills across four city zones, involving over 100 personnel and 30 fire engines. Chief Fire Officer K.K. Bishnoi held a detailed pre-briefing for station officers, ensuring readiness for any disaster resulting from escalated tensions. The Jamnagar district police, led by SP Premsukh Delu, also held a comprehensive review with top law enforcement officials, focusing on maintaining law and order and coordination among various departments. Meanwhile, the state government, in coordination with central agencies, has reinforced surveillance and readiness measures to prevent any potential threats. Key urban centers, including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, and Vadodara, are under increased watch, with additional deployment of police forces and paramilitary units in sensitive zones. High-traffic public spaces like railway stations, airports, religious sites, and major stadia -- including the Narendra Modi Stadium -- are being patrolled regularly while and security checks have been intensified.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gujarat Confidential: BJP meet at Statue Of Unity
With the Statue of Unity turning into a popular destination for government and political conventions, the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajasthan state unit is now planning to organise its annual party executive meeting in Tent City in Ekta Nagar. On Tuesday, leaders of the Rajasthan's BJP unit conducted a recce in Ekta Nagar to finalise the venue for the convention, which is likely to be held in the first week of May. The selection of the venue of the BJP convention has raised eyebrows with Rajasthan already known for its own tourist destinations. A Rajasthan BJP leader, on condition of anonymity, said: 'There should be no controversy over the choice of venue as one should view it as an acknowledgment of the fantastic tourism circuit that has been set up in Gujarat, which again, owing to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a model that should be replicated. In fact, the Rajasthan government has been exploring the prospects to develop tourism circuits in the state, with a focus on adventure tourism. Our convention at Ekta Nagar will help us in recommending strategy to the government.' The Rajasthan BJP leaders' visit came just a few days after Gujarat Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi visited Ekta Nagar to plan and strategise for a grand event on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to be held on October 31 this year. Sources said that the event, which will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Modi.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Coldplay concert created ‘economic impact' worth Rs 641 crore: Report
A report by global strategy consultant EY-Parthenon on the two-day concert by British rock band Coldplay has claimed that it created an 'economic impact' of Rs 641 crore across industries — of which Rs 392 crore was 'injected into Ahmedabad's local economy through spending on accommodation, restaurants, local transportation and shopping'. The report titled 'India's Rising Concert Economy', made public Wednesday, finds that hotel room tariffs rose by three to six times 'within just two days of the announcement of the shows', while airline fares went up by '3-4 times'. Coldplay performed in Ahmedabad 's Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25 and 26. The shows saw a record audience footfall of 2,22,000. According to the report, 86% of the attendees were from outside of Ahmedabad, from across 28 states and Union Territories. The report, which analysed inputs of a survey conducted by BookMyShow, an online ticket booking platform, stated that 47% of the 2,821 attendees stayed in Ahmedabad 'spending an average of Rs 12,401'. As per the findings, 50% of them spent more than one night in the city, while 23% spent more than Rs 15,000 on their stay. As per the report, almost while 40% stayed in hotels, almost as many stayed with 'friends or relatives' (39%), while 14% claimed they 'didn't stay anywhere'. According to the report, the GST earned from those two days amounted to Rs 72 crore. 'Rooms that typically cost around INR15,000 even during peak season soared to INR50,000- 90,000 within just two days of the announcement of the shows at Ahmedabad. Several upscale hotels charged as much as INR1.60 lakh for a two-night stay, a rate hike that surpassed even New Year's Eve prices in some cases,' the report claimed, citing media reports. The report, commissioned by BookMyShow, claimed that it was developed 'based on primary and secondary research, discussions with various companies and stakeholders, and cross-referencing of available data points'. As per the report, airline fares from key cities to Ahmedabad, including short-haul destinations, 'experienced substantial hikes with one-way tickets being charged 3-4 times higher than the regular fare'. The also report claimed that the concert in Ahmedabad 'boosted local commerce, with 38% of attendees engaging in local shopping, spending an average of INR2,253 per person. Notably, 71% of these shoppers were under 28 years old, highlighting how the concert introduced local artisans, handicrafts and culture to a younger, wider audience'. Also, 15,000 were deployed for concert operations that included 4,500 police personnel, 400 student volunteers and 200 staff from various government and local authorities, the report showed. Among the Gujarat government arms, which assisted in the organisation of the concert were the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat Gas Ltd, the gas distribution company with Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi as its chairman, and Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, the report added.
