Lok Sabha polls Phase 1: West Uttar Pradesh records 60.25 pc voter turnout

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

A total of 60.25 percent voter turnout was recorded in all eight parliamentary constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh, where voting was held on Friday in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election.

Lucknow, Apr 20: A total of 60.25 percent voter turnout was recorded in all eight parliamentary constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh, where voting was held on Friday in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election.

A total of 80 candidates--73 men and seven women--are contesting in the first phase in the state. The parliamentary constituencies that went for polling in UP on Friday included Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Saharanpur, Kairana, Moradabad, Pilibhit, Bijnor, and Rampur.

According to data shared by the Election Commission of India, Saharanpur recorded 65.95 percent of voter turnout, while Rampur recorded 54.77 percent, Muzaffarnagar recorded 59.29 percent, and Pilibhit recorded 61.91 percent. The voter turnout in Bijnor was recorded at 58.21 percent, Kairana at 61.17 percent, Moradabad at 60.60 percent, and Nagina at 59.54 percent.

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 concluded on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc-INDIA- a coalition of opposition parties formed to take on the BJP in the general elections, is eyeing ousting him from power.

According to the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1.87 lakh polling stations have been set up, while 18 lakh personnel have been deployed across the 102 constituencies going to the polls.

The Lok Sabha polls will be held in India in seven phases to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4.

The second phase will be held on April 26 and the remaining phases will be May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1 accordingly. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases.

(ANI)

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Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships: Brijesh, Aryan among seven Indians to enter finals

by Utkalika Mohanty

Astana, May 3: Brijesh Tamta and Aryan alongwith five other Indian boxers entered the finals in the youth men's category at the ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday.

Beginning the proceedings for India, Brijesh defeated Mongolia's Taalaibek Iasur in the 48kg category with a convincing 5-0 scoreline. Rahul Kundu (75kg) and Aryan (92kg) outclassed China's Kanjiebayi Ersi and Kyrgyzstan's Alybaev Tynystan with identical unanimous decisions.

Sagar Jakhar (60kg), on the other hand, forced a referee to stop the contest (RSC) win in the final round over Kyrgyzstan's Sadirov Dilerbek
Aryan (51kg), Yashwardhan Singh (63.5kg) and Priyanshu (71kg) further extended India's winning run with split decision verdicts.

Sumit (67kg) and Sahil (80kg) signed off with bronze medals after going down 0-5 against Kazakhstan's Sabyrkhan Torekhan and Kyrgyzstan's Zakirov Mukhammadaziz.

The Indian youth contingent has secured 22 medals, including 12 in the women's category, at the prestigious tournament, a release said.

Later tonight, Lakshay Rathi (92+kg) and the reigning junior world champions Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg) will fight for a place in the final along with 10 other Indian youth boxers

On Thursday night, Dhruv Singh (80kg), Guddi (48kg) and Poonam (57kg) made their way into the last 4 of the U-22 category.

On Saturday, Olympic-bound Preeti (54kg) and reigning youth world champion Vishvanath Suresh (48kg) will lead the charge for India in the U-22 semi-finals along with 17 other boxers.

Muskan (75kg) and Alfiya Pathan (81kg) have received byes in their respective U-22 semi-finals.

The tournament has been witnessing high-voltage action with the presence of 390-plus boxers from more than 24 countries, including strong boxing nations such as China, India, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan fighting for the medals across 25 weight categories.

The finals for the youth and U-22 category will be played on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

(ANI)

"...Flavour of mood on ground": PM Modi waves at crowd in Bengal's Bolpur

by Utkalika Mohanty

Bolpur, May 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the support of the people, as huge crowd was cheering for him in the Bopur city of Birbhum, West Bengal, where he had addressed a rally on Friday.

PM Modi said that this gives a flavour of the mood on the ground.

"There was a rally happening in Bolpur but there was another one at the helipad too! These glimpses give you a flavour of the mood on the ground," PM Modi posted on his X handle.

There was a rally happening in Bolpur but there was another one at the helipad too! These glimpses give you a flavour of the mood on the ground. pic.twitter.com/bWqA5kAnXT — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2024

PM Modi also addressed a rally in Bolpur, where he attacked the Trinamool Congress government over the West Bengal teachers' recruitment scam and said that he would not "spare" those people who played with the future of your children adding that this is "Modi's guarantee."

(ANI)

Munawar celebrates first anniversary of his ode to unrequited love

by Utkalika Mohanty

Mumbai, May 3: Musician and the winner of 'Bigg Boss 17' Munawar Faruqui expressed his gratitude as he celebrated the first anniversary of his romantic anthem 'Noor' saying the song has a special place in his heart as it beautifully conveys the essence of one-sided love.

'Noor' was the main track of Munawar's album titled 'Madari'. It reflects the essence of love and affection, connected deeply with fans all over the world.

Speaking on one year of the song, Munawar said: "This song has a special place in my heart because it beautifully conveys the essence of one-sided love. Its fusion of pop and romance speaks to me deeply, and I'm happy to see how it has touched the hearts of listeners over the last year."