Loktej English Team - Loktej English

Surat: Political Mahabharata, BJP's deliberation for the selection of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, observers took 'sense' from over 250 officials

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:43:15 +0530

After achieving a resounding majority in the Surat Municipal Corporation elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its deliberations for the selection of key positions including Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Chairman of the Standing Committee. The party has initiated a sense (opinion polling) process to gather views from leaders and representatives at various levels.

During this process, an emotional and unique scene was witnessed on Saturday morning at the BJP office in Udhna, where elected councilor Bhavishaben Patel, despite being hospitalized, arrived directly in front of the observers with an IV in her hand to register her presence. Her images have gone viral on social media, showcasing dedication and loyalty among party workers. In a conversation with the media, Bhavishaben Patel mentioned that she had been in the hospital for the past two days, but fulfilling the responsibility given by the party is her duty.

She clarified that she is not a contender for any position and will accept whatever decision the party makes. The party high command has appointed three observers in Surat—Shabdasharan Brahmbhatt, Janvi Vyas, and former state minister Mayur Rawal. These observers are personally gathering opinions from around 200 to 250 individuals, including councilors, organizational officials, ward presidents, MLAs, and MPs, at the BJP office.

Surat city BJP president Paresh Patel stated that according to the party's tradition, the opinions of every worker and representative are valued. Through this process, a qualified leadership will be selected democratically. He also clarified that the selection process will prioritize criteria such as the ability to accelerate the city's development, administrative understanding, public relations, and popularity.

This time, names are being considered not only for the four key positions of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Standing Committee Chairman, and Ruling Party Leader but also for the Municipal Education Committee. Efforts are ongoing to prepare a strong panel while keeping in mind the equations and balance of each ward. After the opinion polling is completed, the observers will prepare their report and submit it to the state leadership, based on which the final panel will be determined.

Subsequently, the names of the new Mayor and other officials will be finalized in a meeting of the state executive. Following the BJP's historic victory in Surat, all eyes are now on which face the party will present as the city's first citizen, the Mayor. Balancing between old and new faces is considered a significant challenge for the party, but the enthusiasm of the workers indicates that the organization is ready to move forward with strong leadership once again.

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Supreme Court Deals a Major Blow to TMC: Upholds Election Commission's Decision on Appointment of Counting Personnel

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:42:17 +0530

The Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling on Saturday regarding the Trinamool Congress (TMC) petition questioning the selection of staff for vote counting in West Bengal. A special bench comprising Justice P S Narasimha and Justice Joymalya Bagchi clarified that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has the full authority to choose its preferred officials for counting.

The court stated that the ECI's circular dated April 13 cannot be deemed incorrect. The TMC had alleged that the ECI was only appointing supervisors from the central government and public sector undertakings (PSUs), which could affect fairness. The Supreme Court's special bench rejected TMC's argument challenging the Calcutta High Court's decision.

The court noted that the Election Commission had made it clear that there would be a mix of employees from both the central and state governments in the counting process, thus any fear of malpractice was unfounded. A senior lawyer representing the commission assured the court that the returning officer has the authority to deploy staff from any government pool. Following this clarification, the court disposed of the petition, stating that no new orders were necessary in this matter.

Voting for the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal has already been completed in two phases (on April 23 and 29), and all eyes are now on the counting scheduled for May 4. The Calcutta High Court had previously dismissed TMC's petition on April 30, stating that there is nothing illegal in appointing PSU and central government employees as counting supervisors.

With the Supreme Court's stance, it is now clear that the Election Commission will conduct the counting process according to its established rules. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal represented TMC but ultimately had to return empty-handed.

Avoid these small mistakes while filling the OMR sheet in the NEET exam, or your answer sheet may be canceled - NTA

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:41:33 +0530

The countdown for the NEET (UG) 2026 medical entrance exam has begun, and this time success will depend not only on correct answers but also on the accuracy of filling the OMR sheet. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has warned that the OMR sheet is completely scanned by machines, so incomplete bubbles, tick marks, or selecting multiple options will invalidate even correct answers.

Candidates are advised to reserve at least 15 minutes at the end to fill the OMR sheet and to fill in the dark blue or black bubble only after matching each question number. A record 22,79,743 candidates have registered for the exam scheduled on May 3, which is the highest number to date. The increasing interest of women in the medical field has surprised everyone; out of the total applicants, 13,32,928 are women, accounting for approximately 58 percent of the total.

The number of male candidates recorded is 9,46,815. According to the NTA, there is no scope for correction or overwriting on the OMR sheet, so first-time test takers are advised to practice at home with a timer on a sample sheet to avoid panic at the last moment. On the exam day, May 3, rain and thunderstorms are expected in several states across the country.

In this regard, the NTA has issued a special advisory for candidates. They have been instructed to leave for their centers well in advance, considering the weather and potential flooding.

It is important to note that the gates of the examination centers will be strictly closed at 1:30 PM, and no entry will be allowed under any circumstances after that. Students should not forget to carry their admit cards along with necessary arrangements suitable for the weather and identification documents to avoid any unpleasant situations.

IPL 2026: Kyle Jamieson Faces Consequences for Aggressive Celebration After Dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:40:27 +0530

Kyle Jamieson of Delhi Capitals has landed in controversy following an aggressive celebration after dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi during a match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1. According to an official statement released by the IPL, Jamieson was found guilty of violating Article 2.5 of the code of conduct, which pertains to the use of abusive language or provocative gestures towards an opposing player.

For this misconduct, Jamieson received one demerit point and a strict warning. During the match, after dismissing Suryavanshi for just 4 runs, Jamieson celebrated by clapping loudly near the young batsman's face and gestured sharply for him to head towards the dugout. The 15-year-old Suryavanshi has been in excellent form this season, having scored half-centuries in just 15 balls on two occasions, making his wicket crucial for Delhi.

However, fans on social media criticized the excessive behavior of an experienced foreign bowler towards a teenage player. Jamieson admitted his mistake before match referee Rajiv Seth. In terms of the match result, Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals in a high-scoring encounter.

Rajasthan set a massive score of 225/6, thanks to Riyan Parag's impressive 90 runs. Chasing the target, Delhi secured victory with five balls to spare, bolstered by a strong opening partnership of 110 runs between KL Rahul (75 runs) and Pathum Nissanka (62 runs). With this win, Delhi has strengthened its position in the points table, but the disciplinary action against Jamieson remains a concern for the team.

Raja Shivaji’ Creates History at the Box Office: The Film Earned ₹11.35 Crores on Its First Day on Maharashtra Day

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:39:30 +0530

The historical drama film ‘Raja Shivaji’, directed and acted by Riteish Deshmukh, made a significant impact at the box office upon its release on May 1. The film, which premiered on Maharashtra Day, has won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.

As per agency report, the film achieved a net collection of ₹11.35 crores on its first day, with a gross collection of ₹13.51 crores. The film's compelling story and Salman Khan's special cameo played a major role in attracting audiences to theaters, allowing it to cross the double-digit mark on its opening day. Riteish Deshmukh has set new records for earnings in Marathi cinema with ‘Raja Shivaji’.

The Marathi version alone opened with ₹8 crores, significantly higher than Riteish's previous hits like ‘Mouli’ (₹3.25 crores) and ‘Lai Bhari’ (₹3.10 crores). Additionally, the film surpassed the opening records of cult films like ‘Swaas’ and ‘Timepass 2’. In the Hindi market, the film also collected a respectable ₹3.35 crores, indicating its popularity beyond linguistic boundaries.

In comparison to commercial figures, ‘Raja Shivaji’ easily surpassed the first-day collection of Kangana Ranaut's ‘Manikarnika’ (₹8.75 crores). However, it currently trails behind Ajay Devgn's ‘Tanhaji’ (₹15.10 crores) and Vicky Kaushal's ‘Chhawa’ (₹33.50 crores) among films based on the Maratha Empire. With advance bookings already generating ₹5.14 crores, experts believe that the film could set even bigger records over the first weekend.

Trump Deals a Major Blow to NATO Over Iran War Controversy, to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany

Loktej English Team — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:35:43 +0530

The United States has officially announced that it will withdraw 5,000 troops from its ally Germany, delivering a significant blow to NATO in Europe. This surprising move comes at a time when tensions in Europe have escalated due to comments made by President Trump and the German Chancellor.

The Pentagon took this step following a heated debate between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The main reason for this escalation was a controversial remark made by Merz regarding the ongoing Iran war, where he stated that Iran was humiliating the U.S. In negotiations to end the two-month-long conflict.

In response, Trump sharply advised Merz to focus on resolving the Russia-Ukraine war and to concentrate on fixing his own country instead of wasting time on the Iran war. A senior Pentagon official described Germany's recent statements as highly inappropriate and stated that the President is rightly responding to these comments by withdrawing troops from NATO countries. The troop withdrawal process is expected to be completed within 6 to 12 months, bringing the number of U.S. troops in Europe back to pre-2022 levels. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, then-President Joe Biden had increased the number of troops in Europe, but now the U.S. Is reversing those decisions.

It is noteworthy that the largest U.S. Military base in Europe is located in Germany, which is a key NATO member, with approximately 35,000 troops currently stationed there, along with an important training hub. In recent months, Germany and NATO have been under heavy scrutiny from Trump, who has criticized European allies and NATO for not sending their navies to open the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war.

Rural Employment Accelerated in Vadodara, Over 1.9 Million Man-Days Created under VBGRAMG Scheme

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:10:42 +0530

The VBGRAMG scheme, aimed at promoting rural employment in Vadodara district, has achieved remarkable success over the past five years. Under this scheme, operated by the District Rural Development Agency as part of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a total of 1,910,477 man-days of employment have been generated.

The scheme has focused on creating job opportunities and building assets in the district, with a total expenditure of 642.731 million rupees, strengthening economic activities in rural areas. According to data, there has been a continuous increase in expenditure in recent financial years. In the financial year 2023-24, 131.439 million rupees were spent, 174.5 million rupees in 2022-23, and 137.7 million rupees in 2021-22.

Effective spending was also recorded in previous years under this scheme. Local workers have been provided employment through forest work, road construction, and other public development works in Vadodara district under this scheme. The steps taken by the district administration have created new livelihood opportunities in rural areas and accelerated overall development.

Commercial LPG Price Hike Hits Surat's Textile Industry Hard

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:48:12 +0530

The recent increase of Rs. 993 in the price of commercial LPG cylinders has plunged Surat's major textile industry into a deep crisis.

Already struggling with global energy inflation and weak demand, the industry is now facing mounting pressure from additional costs. This was stated by Giridhar Gopal Mundra, associated with the textile industry. He mentioned that the LPG price hike is having the most significant impact on the city's dyeing, printing, and processing sectors, which are highly energy-dependent.

The rise in LPG prices has led to a significant increase in processing costs per meter and per kilogram. Many units have reduced production, while some have even started temporarily shutting down operations. The impact of this increase is not limited to production costs; it is also indirectly affecting workers.

Due to the rising cost of living, there is an increase in the migration of laborers, leading to a shortage of workers in the industry. This is directly affecting production capacity. He noted that Surat's main synthetic (MMF) sector is currently under dual pressure.

On one hand, raw materials, which are based on crude oil, have become expensive, while on the other hand, the increased LPG prices have further raised processing costs. In comparison, the cotton sector is relatively less affected, although it is not entirely immune to rising costs in processing, transport, and dyeing. He also mentioned that the rising costs of yarn and processing could lead to an increase in clothing prices by 15 to 20 percent in the near future.

However, due to weak demand, sluggishness in international markets, and intense local competition, the industry is currently unable to pass this burden onto customers immediately. In the near future, the industry will have to face this increased cost itself, which is bound to impact profits. A gradual increase in processing charges is expected in the coming months, after which price hikes in sarees, dress materials, and ready-made garments may also be observed, especially in synthetic products.

Surat: Veera Drishti's Self-Reliance Summer Camp Successful, 150 Women Trained

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:47:58 +0530

A month-long summer camp training program organized under the Self-Reliance Project by the Veera Drishti branch of Mahavir International in Surat was successfully completed. This training camp, which started on April 1, was held at Seth Shri P.H.

Bachkaniwala Vidya Mandir School, with special support from Dr. Ritaben Phulwala. Approximately 150 women and girls participated in the camp, receiving vocational training in mehndi, nail art, and beauty parlour skills.

The participants engaged enthusiastically in the training, and certificates were awarded to all at the end of the program. During the training, many participants not only learned new skills but some also started their small businesses immediately after the training, receiving orders that marked a solid start towards their self-reliance. Expert trainers Sania, Esha, and Manisha provided their services during the camp.

The main objective of the camp was to economically empower women and girls, which the organizers achieved remarkably. Participants expressed a desire for more such training programs in the future. Veera Drishti, Surat assured that the organization would continue such efforts to empower more needy women.

The success of the program was acknowledged by Veera Drishti, thanking Seth Shri P.H. Bachkaniwala Vidya Mandir School, Dr.

Ritaben Phulwala, the school's teachers, and trainers. Additionally, zone chairperson Nisha Sethia, chairperson Sangeeta Rathi, secretary Smriti Jain, and treasurer Aarti Sonawat thanked all participants for their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

Surat's Excitement for IPL 2026, Fan Park to Offer Stadium-like Experience

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:47:28 +0530

Surat is becoming a major attraction for cricket fans as the excitement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 grows this year. The IPL Fan Park has been organized at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, where fans can enjoy live matches on a big screen.

The live broadcast of each match aims to provide an authentic stadium experience, allowing spectators to feel as if they are in a real stadium. Entry to the fan park is completely free, enabling more people to participate in this cricket festival. The atmosphere is further enhanced by music, merchandise, food stalls, drinks, and various exciting activities.

The crowd, filled with cheers, slogans, face painting, and support for their teams, creates a vibrant cricketing environment. Fans are openly cheering for their favorite players and teams while enjoying their special 'fan moments.' These fan parks, organized in about 50 cities across the country, are spreading the IPL craze to every corner. Millions of cricket enthusiasts are expected to participate this season, making this event one of the largest fan experiences to date.

Organizers state that the excitement for the IPL is increasing every year, and this time they are making efforts to make it even more memorable through the fan park. For cricket lovers in Surat, this is a golden opportunity to enjoy live matches with stadium-like energy right in their city.

Surat: Who will be the next mayor of the city? BJP in the sensing process, focus on female candidates

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:46:55 +0530

After winning a record 115 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now preparing to form a new board. Following the issuance of the gazette, a new term will begin in the municipal corporation, and the city is set to get a new mayor.

Since the mayoral position is reserved for women (general category) this time, it is certain that Surat will select its sixth female mayor. With 58 female councilors winning in the elections, several names are being discussed for the mayoral position, and there is intense competition within the party. Before selecting the mayor and other officials, the BJP will adopt a 'sensing process'.

This process will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10 AM at the BJP office in Udhna. In this process, the party's observers, former ministers, former MLAs, MPs, legislators, and city organization officials will gather opinions from elected representatives. After this process, a panel will be prepared, based on which appointments will be made for the mayor, deputy mayor, standing committee chairperson, ruling party leader, and other positions.

For the BJP, which has come to power for the seventh consecutive time, the biggest challenge now is to maintain balance within the organization while assigning responsibilities to capable faces. The decisions made in the coming days will determine the administrative and developmental direction of Surat for the next five years.

Surat: Meeting of Traders Regarding 'Gau Samman Abhiyan', Call for Grand Rally on May 7

Loktej English Team — Fri, 01 May 2026 20:46:09 +0530

A significant meeting was held by the traders of Surat in support of the 'Gau Samman Abhiyan', attended by a large number of traders and social workers. The meeting discussed advancing the campaign on a broader scale and gathering public support.

Speakers emphasized that the aim of this nationwide campaign is to honor the cow as the national mother. The cow holds a special place in Indian culture, and to convey this sentiment to the public, it was decided to intensify the campaign in Surat. During the meeting, traders unanimously decided to conduct a large-scale signature campaign in the city.

They will collect signatures from as many citizens as possible through a designated form to present the sentiments of society in an organized manner. It was also decided that a grand rally would be held in Surat on May 7, 2026, at 9 AM, with the participation of traders, social organizations, and the general public in large numbers. After the rally, the collected signatures will be submitted to the District Collector's office in Surat along with a memorandum addressed to the President and Prime Minister of India.

All traders present pledged to consider this campaign a social and cultural responsibility and committed to making it successful. They also called for involving more people and spreading awareness.

On Thursday, another meeting was held at the Dhumhal Balaji Temple under the guidance of Sadhvi Kapilashri, where responsibilities regarding the campaign were assigned. Several officials associated with FOSTA and leading traders were present at the meeting, expressing their commitment to work together to make this campaign successful.