FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 146 | INDORE | SUNDAY | NOVEMBER 2, 2025 | Pages 18 ` 4 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 TULSI VIVAH www.freepressjournal.in World US Hindu group asks Vance to 'engage with Hinduism' P.11 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE NATION UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema The comeback King P.16 Growth through 8 thematic groups fuels MP Vision@2047 Our Staff Reporter Chief Minister Mohan Yadav unveiled Madhya Pradesh Vision @2047 document and announced creation of Omkareshwar Sanctuary during the State Foundation Day programme on Saturday. The vision document emphasises integrated development through eight thematic groups. It highlights sustainable industrial growth, 100% literacy, AI-capable classrooms, 10 Global Skill Parks, pucca housing for all and expanded services in tourism and IT. The CM announced that the Omkareshwar Sanctuary will cover 611 sq km across Khandwa and Dewas districts, becoming the 27th sanctuary in state. The region already hosts tigers and leopards. Plans are also underway to bring rhinos and wild buffaloes from Assam, and king cobras to further enrich state’s wildlife diversity. He said tiger rescue centres and new zoos are being planned to provide visitors opportunities to see big cats in their natural habitats. Explaining the purpose of Vision Document 2047, CM Yadav said it charts the course for what needs to be achieved over the next 25 fp Briefs NEW DELHI Aadhaar updates go digital In a significant move to provide digital convenience to Aadhaar cardholders, the UIDAI has announced major reforms to make Aadhaar updates faster, simpler, and entirely online, effective from Saturday. The new changes will allow cardholders to update key details such as their name, address, date of birth, or mobile number directly through the UIDAI portal. JAIPUR Terror network busted in Raj Rajasthan's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has detained five individuals from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jalore and Karauli districts following intelligence inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, officials said on Saturday. FIRST STATE TO LAUNCH INTRA-STATE AIR SERVICE Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Madhya Pradesh became first state in the country to start intra-state air services with launch of PM Shri Hawai Paryatan Helicopter Sewa on 70th Foundation Day on Saturday. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav flagged off the inaugural flight at Raja Bhoj Airport, marking a new chapter in state’s tourism and connectivity initiatives. The service has been introduced in three tourism sectors and will begin regular operations from November 20, available five days a week. CM Yadav said the initiative will redefine travel within Madhya Pradesh by offering faster and more comfortable access to key tourist destinations. He said that it will combine faith, spirituality and tourism while creating new employment opportunities and supporting local products through SECTOR 1: Indore, Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Gandhi Sagar, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Hanuvantia, Khandwa, Khargone, Burhanpur, Barwani, Alirajpur, Ratlam, Jhabua, Nalkheda, Bhopal, Jabalpur. SECTOR2: Bhopal, Madai, Pachmarhi, Tamia, Chhindwara, Sanchi, Indore, Datia, Damoh, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Kuno, Orchha, Guna, Rajgarh, Sagar, Hoshangabad, Betul, Tikamgarh, Jabalpur. SECTOR 3: Jabalpur, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Chitrakot, Sarsi, Parsuli, Maihar, Satna, Panna, Khajuraho, Katni, Rewa, Singrauli, Amarkantak, Seoni, Sidhi, Mandla, Pench, Dindori, Bhopal, Indore. homestays and rural marketing. Currently, travel from Bhopal to Pachmarhi takes about five hours by road, but with the new service, the journey will take only 45 to 50 minutes. Agreements have been signed with Trans Bharat Aviation for Sector 1 and Jet Serve Aviation Pvt Ltd for Sectors 2 and 3. years. He said that the state received investment proposals worth Rs 30 lakh crore during the Global Investors Summit, with projects worth over Rs 8 lakh crore now taking shape. He said that helicopter services and medical colleges are being launched under the PPP model, which may serve as an example for other states. Technical colleges will also be opened to enhance youth skills. Several states, he said, are visiting Madhya Pradesh to study its Air Ambulance model. ISRO to launch country’s heaviest communication satellite today 2 women burnt alive, one hurt in blaze at chemical warehouse 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter INDORE PTI SRIHARIKOTA The 24-hour countdown for the launch of over 4,000 kg communication satellite CMS03 commenced at this spaceport on Saturday, ISRO said. The satellite weighing about 4,410 kg will be the heaviest to be launched from the Indian soil and into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), the space agency said. The spacecraft will travel onboard a LVM3-M5 rocket, dubbed as 'Bahubali' for its heavylift capability. The launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and it has been moved to the second launch pad here for taking up pre-launch operations, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said on Saturday. Two women died while a man suffered burn injuries in a major fire that broke out at a chemical warehouse on CAT Road under the Rau police station limits on Saturday evening. Around eight people including children were inside the warehouse when the fire erupted. Most managed to escape safely, but two women were trapped in the blaze and lost their lives. The warehouse contained highly flammable chemicals, which intensified the flames. The flames also spread to a nearby printing press. Four fire tenders and police teams rushed to the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after several hours. The bodies were later recovered and sent for post-mortem. Ramkali Jyoti Additional DCP Alok Kumar Sharma said the deceased were identified as Ramkali (50), wife of Haridas, a resident of Rangwasa, and Jyoti (38), wife of Manoj Neem, a resident of Shri Ram Nagar. The fire broke out at Swastik Enterprises Chemical Ware- house, owned by Suraj Bhagvani, which deals in plastic recycling and repackaging. The presence of flammable chemicals has fueled the blaze. Woman’s saree caught fire from oil lamp- DCP Krishan Lalchandani said that preliminary investigation suggests the fire may have been caused by an oil lamp lit for the occasion of Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi, though police are verifying the exact cause. 4Continued on | P8 ‘Indo-Pacific should be free from coercion’ PTI NEW DELHI India's emphasis on rule of law and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific is not against any country, but to safeguard interests of all stakeholders, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday amid mounting global concerns over China's aggressive military posturing in the region. In an address at a conclave of defence ministers of ASEAN member states and the bloc's dialogue partners in Kuala Lumpur, Singh said India believes that the Indo-Pacific should remain open, inclusive, and free from any form of "coercion". He also pitched for an approach of "collective security" to ensure sovereignty of every nation in the region. "India's emphasis on the rule of law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its advocacy for freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific, are not directed against any country but are meant to safeguard the collective interests of all regional stakeholders," he said. 4Continued on | P8 offgrid Lucknow gets UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy tag PTI LUCKNOW From the silken softness of Galouti kebabs to the intoxicating aroma of Awadhi biryani and the cloud-like nothingness of Makkhan Malai, the notes of Lucknow's cuisine are many, each more delectable than the last, and now recognised by UNESCO. Reaffirming a widely acknowledged matter of fact, Lucknow has officially been inducted into UNESCO's Creative Cities Network (CCN), under the 'Gastronomy' category, marking a global acknowledgement of its culinary heritage. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on Friday designated 58 cities as new members of the CCN, which now includes 408 cities across more than 100 countries, "for their commitment to championing creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development". The United Nations in India in a post on X said, "From mouth-watering Gal- E-paper Readers’ corner The Game That Outlasted Empires P.10 Flood threat looms in N Bengal amid record rainfall in HP STATE FOUNDATION DAY | Omkareshwar Sanctuary announced; stress on literacy, AI-capable classrooms, skill parks, housing for all BHOPAL MUMBAI outi Kabab to Awadhi Biryani, delectable Chaat and Golgappe, desserts like Makhan Malai and so much more -- Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh is a haven for food, enriched in centuries-old traditions." Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people all over the world to visit Lucknow to discover the city's uniqueness. Modi said Lucknow is synonymous with vibrant culture, at the core of which is a great culinary culture. "I am glad that UNESCO has recognised this aspect of Lucknow and I call upon people from around the world to visit Lucknow and discover its uniqueness," the prime minister wrote on X. He was responding to a post by Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that it is "a recognition of its distinguished culinary heritage and invaluable contribution to India's rich gastronomic traditions". 9 killed in stampede at Andhra temple Mismanagement turns Ekadashi celebration into deadly chaos Kiranmai Tutika AMARAVATI A day meant for prayer and devotion turned into a scene of heartbreak at the Sri Vijaya Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, on Saturday. A deadly stampede during Ekadashi celebrations claimed nine lives — eight women and a child — and left 13 others injured. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the privately managed hilltop temple since early morning to offer prayers. Around noon, a section of the metal railing on the staircase leading to the first floor collapsed. In the ensuing chaos, devotees lost balance and fell over one another, triggering a crush that left several people unconscious and many severely injured. Emergency teams rushed the victims to hospitals in Kasibugga and Palasa. Three of the injured remain in critical condition. Officials said while temple normally sees about 2K devotees on weekends, over 15,000 had gathered for Ekadashi— far beyond its capacity District officials said that while the temple normally sees about 2,000 devotees on weekends, over 15,000 people had gathered for the Ekadashi festivities — far beyond its capacity. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who visited the site, said the tragedy was the result of overcrowding and poor management. “The deaths are Always first responder in global crisis: PM PTI 4Continued on | P8 FPJ Mumbai’s Gentleman Editor passes away V RAIPUR India has always come forward as a first responder during any global crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, adding the nation has always stepped forward as a reliable partner to provide help. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Shanti Shikhar centre for spiritual learning and meditation of Brahma Kumaris in Chhattisgarh's Nava Raipur, Modi said his government's mantra is to ensure the country's development through development of the states. "Whenever a crisis arises anywhere in the world today, whenever a disaster strikes, India steps forward as a reliable partner to provide help. India is always the first responder," Modi said. "We are those who see Shiva in every living being," he said. "In our tradition, every religious ritual concludes with the proclamation that may the world prosper and may goodwill prevail among all beings," he added. Guided by the mantra that the development of the state deeply painful. A thorough inquiry has been ordered,” she said. “Initial reports show the temple was privately managed and not under the Endowments Department,” HM said. Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy later confirmed that the shrine was built and managed by a private individual, Harimukund Panda, on his own 12acre property at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore. “This is not a government temple. The management failed to anticipate the crowd and did not alert the authorities or police. Whenever a crisis arises anywhere in the world today, whenever a disaster strikes, India steps forward as a reliable partner to provide help Narendra Modi Prime Minister leads to the development of the nation, the government is engaged in the Viksit Bharat mission to make India developed, Modi said. "In this crucial journey towards a developed India, institutions like Brahma Kumaris have a very significant role to play. "I have been connected with all of you for several decades now. I am not a guest here; I am one of you," he told the gathering. eteran journalist Shailender Dhawan, 65, who served as editor of The Free Press Journal at Mumbai for nearly two decades, has passed away. Known for his wit, calm leadership, and memorable headlines, he was deeply devoted to FPJ. Recently settled in C ha n d i g a r h , D hawa n remained a beloved figure in Mumbai’s newsroom circles - a gentle soul remembered with warmth and respect. News of Shailender Dhawan's demise has come as a shock. He was 65. But he himself said he could have continued for many more years. He was closely associated with The Free Press Journal as its editor for almost two decades. He recently relocated to Chandigarh following the retirement of his wife from the Reserve Bank. I told her this morning that his heart was still in Mumbai. She corrected me saying "his heart was in FPJ." Indeed it was. India vs SA clash for maiden WC glory PINK STARDUST AWAITS IANS NAVI MUMBAI The stage is set for a monumental history-making clash as India and South Africa lock horns in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final on Sunday. In a tournament already defined by upsets, one of these teams will shed their 'bridesmaid' tag to be crowned champion for the very first time. This final is a battle of resilience. India, in their third final, seeks to heal the heartbreaks of 2005 and 2017. South Africa, in their debut final, aims to complete a fairytale run. Both teams stunningly avenged their group-stage losses by knocking out giants Australia and England in the semifinals. The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, a fortress for the undefeated Indian side, will Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her South African counterpart Laura Wolvaardt pose with the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 trophy @ICC/X via PTI host over 30,000 fans. However, unseasonal rain forecast for the evening could add a dramatic twist, with a reserve day in place. (Detail on Sports Page)