Mercury dips further in Churu    Jaipur, Dec 31, 2009 (PTI): Cold conditions gave shivering spells to people in Churu and Mount Abu (on hills) recorded the lowest temperature of 3.8 and 2 degree C respectively last night, an MET report said. Mercury dipped by two to five degree C at many places including Jaipur, Bharatpur, Alwar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Sriganganagar districts due to dry weather conditions, the report said.   Though the cold wave has not struck the state this winter, but the minimum temperature at most places was below 11 degree C last night. Dholpur, Pilani and Sriganganagar recorded a minimum temperature of 4.5 degree C each followed by Sikar at 5.5 deg C and Chittorgarh at 6.5 deg C. Jaipur, Bundi and Udaipur recorded 7.8 degree C each while Bharatpur recorded 8.5, Ajmer 9.2, Rawatbhatta 10 deg C and Jaisalmer at 10.7 degree C.   Churu and Mount Abu coldest at 5 degree   Jaipur, December 18, 2009 (PTI): Churu and Mount Abu recording the lowest temperature of 5 degree C each. People shivered as mercury  further plummeted by one to three degree Celsius. After the squall, the cold conditions aggravated in the state, the MET department said in its report.   Sriganganagar recorded a minimum temperature of 6 degree C followed by Pilani 7.Bikaner and Sikar recorded a similar minimum of 8 degree C,while Bundi had a low of 9 C. Chittorgarh and Jaisalmer had a low of 10 C, and Jaipur 11 degree C. Weather would be dry with clear sky in north-eastern regions while partly cloudy in western districts of the state, a MET forecast said.   Flu claims two in Churu and five more lives in state   JAIPUR, December 11, 2009: Swine flu claimed two in Churu and five more lives in the state on Wednesday, taking the total toll up to 86. Jodhpur continued to lead the death chart with three more persons succumbing to the disease while another death is yet to be confirmed by officials. The other two deaths occurred in Jaipur and Churu. Reports said three suspected patients also died in different hospitals in the state during the day. Apart from this, 56 more positive cases were registered on Wednesday. So far, 2,057 patients have been tested positive in the state. The maximum positive cases have been reported from Jaipur which has registered 1,248 patients so far, most of which were children below 15 years.     Conservation of Blackbucks in Tal Chhaper    Lok Sabha, December 02, 2009 (PIB): Black bucks are found in many National Parks and Sanctuaries and also outside the Protected Areas in the country. One National Park and three Sanctuaries have  been notified specifically for the conservation of Blackbucks in the country. 75 Blackbucks died due to  shock caused by stormy rains with heavy hailstorms between 28 May and 31 May, 2009 in Tal Chhaper Sanctuary in Churu district. This has been informed by the State Government of Rajasthan,    The Central Government provides financial assistance to Protected Areas including Blackbuck Sanctuaries and National Park as per the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) submitted by the State Governments subject to availability of funds and fulfillment of necessary procedural requirements under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger' and 'Project Elephant'. Accordingly, no other scheme for Blackbucks is contemplated.    This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by S/Shri P.P Chauhan , Kachhadia Naranbhai and Jayaram Pangi in Lok Sabha today.     51-yr-old completes B-Tech after 27 years   JAIPUR, December 01, 2009 (PTI): 51-year-old English teacher Alan Ali Khan Ranasar village of Churu district has finally managed to get his degree after 27 years. Domestic problems have prevented him from completing his B-Tech way back in 1982.  Khan who got admission on merit in BITS Pilani in 1977, had to  discontinue his studies after seven semesters and joined as an English teacher in Rajasthan Government Service. But completing the engineering degree was always in the mind of this Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education topper. In 2007, Khan made a request to the University (BITS) to re-admit him as a student. Khan completed his degree in Electronics engineering by attending four semesters with the present students, an official release of the university said. He was ecstatic while participating in the graduation ceremony last week along with 2005-09 batch students.     Churu and Mount Abu shivers at 5 degree C    Jaipur, November, 27, 2009 (PTI): Churu and Mount Abu remained the coldest place in Rajasthan with a minimum temperature of five degree Celsius. Sriganganagar recorded a low of 7 degrees followed by Bikaner-- 9 degrees, Jaipur -- 12 degrees and Ajmer -- 13 degrees. While, Barmer and Jodhpur recorded 14 degrees, Kota and Jaisalmer recorded a minimum of 15 degrees. Mercury is expected to dip further in the state, MET department said.     Churu coldest region in Rajasthan    Jaipur, November 22, 2009 (PTI): Temperatures rose today but cold conditions are still prevailing across in Rajasthan even as Churu continued to remain the coldest place in the state.Churu and Ganganagar today recorded a minimum of seven and nine degree Celsius respectively in comparison to five and seven degree Celsius yesterday, Met office sources said.    Bikaner recorded a minimum of 12 degrees, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Barmer recorded 13 degree Celsius each while Jaisalmer recorded a minimum of 14 degree Celsius.Weather conditions would remain same during the next 24 hours, the sources said.    Mercury dips in Churu - coldest at 5 degrees    Jaipur, November 20, 2009 (PTI): Mercury today dipped further by 2-3 notches in parts of Rajasthan, even as Churu continued to remained the coldest at 5 degree Celsius, 2 degrees below normal.   Ganganagar, Dabok, Jaipur recorded minimum temperatures of 7, 9 and 10 degree Celsius respectively while Ajmer and Bikaner recorded the lowest of 11 degree Celsius. Barmer and Jodhpur recorded the lowest of 12 degrees while Jaisalmer and Kota recorded minimum temperatures of 13 and 14 degrees respectively. Cold would intensify in next 24 hours in the state, Met official said.     Churu coldest at 7 degree Celsius in Rajasthan    Jaipur, Nov 19 (PTI) Rajasthan today witnessed another cold day with mercury dipping by 2-3 notches further, even as Churu continued to remain coldest at 7 degree Celsius.   Ganganagar recorded the lowest of 10 degrees Celsius while Bikaner and Jaipur recorded minimum temperatures of 11 degree Celsius, a Met department official said.   Ajmer and Dabok recorded 12 degrees, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Barmer recorded minimum of 13, 14 and 15 degree Celsius respectively, he added. According to the Met department, cold breeze would intensify in next 24 hours in the state.     Churu at 15.5 degrees and Sriganganagar at 12 degrees coldest    Jaipur, November 16, 2009 (PTI) Sriganganagar remained the coldest place in Rajasthan at 12 degrees even as misty and cloudy weather continued for the third day today in many parts of the state. Mercury hovered around 15.5 degrees in Churu and Jaipur cities. Jaisalmer recorded a minimum of 12.9 degree Celsius, while cities like Bikaner, Barmer and Pilani recorded the temperature of 14 degrees each.     Fog affected normal life and vehicular movement in the state capital and surrounding sub-urban towns in the morning, the Met office said, adding that some parts in the state also received drizzles. Weathermen have predicted that northerly cold winds will strike the state in a few days.     Doctor working at Churu held for dowry demands   JAIPUR, November 7, 2009 : The city police, on Friday, arrested a doctor on charges of harassing his wife, who is also a doctor for dowry. The doctor, a resident of Jaipur had allegedly been demanding dowry since his marriage. The police arrested him from Churu where he works in a hospital. According to the police, the accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Garg (38), a resident of Bank Colony in Mahesh Nagar extension. "His wife, Dr Pratibha had lodged an FIR with Mahila police station (south) alleging harassment. She alleged that Manoj and his family members initially behaved properly with her, but later started harassing her for dowry," said a police officer. "After preliminary investigations, the charges levelled against Manoj were found to be true after which he was arrested," said a police officer.     Four killed from Rejri village in Churu district in road mishap    Hisar (Haryana), Oct 30 (PTI) Four persons were killed and one seriously injured when a truck and a mini-truck collided on the Hisar-Balsamand road here today.Police said the victims hailing from Rejri village in Churu district of Rajasthan, were coming towards Hisar in a mini-truck.When the vehicle reached near Chandan Nagar, it collided with a truck coming from the other side, killing all four on the spot, police said.    Nights gets cooler in Churu District     Churu, Oct 22, 2009 (PTI): With dry weather conditions and clear skies, night temperatures in Rajasthan have fallen by 2 to 4 degree celsius, the Met department said here. It said the Churu and Pilani had the lowest temperature of 12.7 degrees, about four degrees below normal. Jaipur had a minimum of 15 degrees. Day temperatures in the state ranged between 34 and 37 degrees, it said, adding Barmer was hottest at 37 degrees followed by Churu at 36 degrees. Jaipur had a day temperature of 34 degrees. The Met department said night temperatures could further dip in the next 24 hours.    Seven killed, eight injured in accident in Churu District   Jaipur, October 17, 2009(PTI): Seven persons were killed and eight others seriously injured, when a jeep in which they were travelling collided head-on with a Rajasthan Roadways bus late last night in Churu district, police sources said today. "The mishap occurred near Ratan Nagar town, some 10 kilometres from Churu district, when labourers of a factory were heading towards their village in Nagaur district to celebrate Diwali," the sources said.  "Victims were rushed to nearby hospital, where six persons declared brought  dead, while one succumbed to injuries during the treatment," they said, adding that the condition of the injured was stated to be serious.     Churu hottest in Rajasthan at 39 degree celsius    Jaipur, Oct 10 (PTI) Churu remained the hottest place today in Rajasthan, recording a day temperature of 39 degree celsius, according to the Met office. Gangangar and Bikaner recorded 38 degrees, Jaisalmer had a maximum of 37 degree while Barmer and Jodhpur recorded highs of 36 degree celsius.Ajmer, Kota and Jaipur recorded maximums of 35 degrees respectively,    Churu hottest in Rajasthan at 43 degree celsius     Jaipur, Oct 1 (PTI) Churu remained the hottest place in Rajasthan today, recording a maximum temperature of 43 degree celsius followed by Barmer and Bikaner, both at 42 degrees, the Met office said here. It said Jaisalmer and Jodhpur had a high of 41 degrees, while Ganganagar registered a maximum of 40 degrees. The state capital and Ajmer recorded day temperatures of 39 degrees while Dabok  and Kota had a maximum of 38 degrees, the Met office said.      Churu district is experiencing a heat wave    Churu, September 30, 2009: Churu district is experiencing a heat wave as mercury hovering around 40 degrees Celsius in the district. According to Met office the maximum temperature is running four to five degrees Celsius above normal in the state. It has been an unusually hot year in the state. Generally by the end of September the sun mellows and it is mildly cold in the evenings and morning. People start to pack off their coolers and air conditioners. However, this year even now coolers and air conditioners are in full use as there is no sign of the scorching heat abating.    According to the Met office, the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from many parts of western  Rajasthan since September 25. The withdrawal line passes through Sri Ganganagar, Churu, Jodhpur and Barmer, Met officials say. Ganganagar has been the hottest place in the state with maximum temperature crossing 41 degrees Celsius followed by Churu, Bikaneer and Barmer reporting the maximum temperature at 40 degrees Celsius. Jaisalmer and Jodhpur were also sizzling at 39.1 and 38.9 degrees Celsius.    Churu hottest in Rajasthan    Jaipur, September 24, 2009 (PTI) Churu remained the hottest place in Rajasthan with a maximum temperature of 43 degree celsius, as the scorching sun affected normal life in the state. Bikaner and Ganganagar remained hot at 42 and 41 degress respectively. Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, and Kota recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degree celsius, while Ajmer and Jodhpur recorded maximum of 39 degrees, according to the Met department here. The Met forecast said weather conditions would remain same during next 48 hours.    Athlete, 7 others die in 3 mishaps   JAIPUR, September 22, 2009: Usha Sanadhya, an accomplished athlete, and seven others died in three separate accidents in the state on Monday. According to police, Usha, 50, a discus and hammer thrower, was learning how to drive her new scooter on Monday. She lost control of the vehicle and hit a wall and sustained severe head injuries. She was rushed to MB hospital where she was declared brought dead.  Seven others were killed and many injured in two accidents in Jaipur and Churu districts on Monday.    Four people died and four others were injured when a Tavera in which they were travelling rammed a truck which was parked on the road near the Bagaru on Jaipur- In yet another accident, three persons died when the jeep in which they were travelling turned turtle in the Rajgarh area of Churu district on Monday. The three were returning after offering puja at a temple.    Kidnapping a newly married woman and raping her in Ratangarh area    Churu, September 20, 2009: Police arrested three persons on charges of kidnapping a newly married woman and raping her in a moving car in Ratangarh area of Churu district on Friday night. The police said that victim had got married recently and was returning to her family on Friday night  when she was kidnapped by three youths in a Tavera car. "She was waiting for a bus at Ratangarh bus stand when she was kidnapped by three youths. The victim alleged they forced her into the car and took turns in raping her," said a police officer. He added that police have arrested the three accused, identified as Jitedra Singh, Anil Singh and Ajeet Singh. A case has been registered under section 376 of IPC and police are interrogating the three accused.    Three women in the state were allegedly raped on Saturday. The police have lodged cases and are investigating the matter.  Source: The Times of India    A question of identity and  humanity of Dayaram from Churu   JAIPUR, September 15, 2009: Twenty-three-year old Dayaram from Churu district had a unique problem. He weighs just about 15 kg and is hardly a metre high. His problem is an identity crisis. Neither is he recognised as a man nor a handicapped! Then what is he? He raised this querstion to none other than the chief minsiter Ashok Gehlot and finally got an answer. Dayaram's puzzle came to the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday at a public hearing. He said he had studied up to Class IX. But nobody is ready to employ him. Then he applied for a handicapped personn pension. Even that was not forthcoming as no doctor was ready to give him a certificate citing rules. Apart from his short stature he had no other disability, the doctors argued. For this man, belonging to a farmer's family at Reeba village in Churu, life  was becoming unbearable.    Finally, he decided to take this matter to the chief minister himself. He had only a simple request. He may be recognised as a physically challenged as he could not carry out normal work of an able-bodied person. This chief minister recognised his plight and accepted his logic. Gehlot was touched by Dayaram's predicament and asked officials to do the needful to obtain the certificate of physically challenged person from the medical board. He also enquired about any legal hurdles in providing Dayaram the certificate. Source: The Times of India    Saldulpur-Ratangarh-Dungargarh to become broad guage     Churu, September 6, 2009 (PTI): Movement of trains on the Saldulpur-Ratangarh-Dungargarh came to a stop today as it will be converted to broad guage from metre guage.The 257.78 km section with 28 stations will be converted into broad guage at a cost of 474.79 crore.    Heavy rain in Taranagar    Churu, August 31, 2009: Several villages of Taranagar Tehsil was flooded due to a very heavy rain. The most effected villages were Bhanin, Devgarh, Bany, Jhadsar, Khandhalan, Haripura and Duleri due to two hours continuous rain. Several houses were  collapsed.     Five dead, eight injured in road mishap near Sujangarh    Jaipur, August 29 (PTI) Five persons were killed and eight others injured when a jeep in which they were travelling collided with a truck on a highway in Churu district today. The incident happened near Sujangarh area in Churu town, 206 km from Jaipur. The victims were coming after offering prayer at Salasar Balaji temple in Sikar district, police said.   The victims were rushed to a nearby hospital where five of them, including two women, were declared brought dead. The condition of eight of them were stated to be serious, they said.     Churu has declared a drought in 26 out of 33 districts     JAIPUR, August 26, 2009 (Reuters) - Rajasthan government has declared a drought in 26 out of 33 districts following over 50 percent damage to the crops due to poor monsoon this year, a senior official said. Churu is one of the affected district. The other affected districts are Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittuargarh, Dausa, Dungarpur, Ganganaagr, Hanumangarh, Jaipur,  Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Naggaur, Palim, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur.    Mercury shoots up in the district     Churu, August 23, 2009: Mercury today rose marginally in the Churu district in the absence of rains in most parts of the region. Temperature settled above normal in several places of Rajasthan. Churu and Ganganagar recorded a day temperature of 40 degree celsius each followed by Bikaner (39 C), Barmer and Jaisalmer (38 C each), Jodhpur and Jaipur (37 C each) and Ajmer and Kota (35 degree celsius each).

Rare bustard sighted at Churu sanctuary   JAIPUR, August 8, 2009: A pair of Great Indian Bustard was sighted at the Tal Chappar sanctuary in Churu district earlier this month. This is the first time in recent history the endangered bird has been sighted in this sanctuary, otherwise known for its blackbucks.    “It’s the first time in 30 years that a Great Indian Bustard pair has been witnessed at the Tal Chappar sanctuary. While the female bird was spotted on August 1, the male was seen the next day. Even during the first bustard conference in 1981, no one had reported such an event,’’ a forest department official said.    The area where the bird was spotted has now been closed to tourists. “We have enclosed the area and are keeping a watch on the birds. They are still there. These birds may have migrated to the sanctuary from Bikaner,’’ the official added. Although all the four species of bustards have been accorded the highest degree of protection by placing them in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, their number continues to decline at an alarming rate.

The Great Indian Bustard spotted in Tal Chhapar sanctuary of  Rajasthan.

Budania elected to Rajya Sabha unopposed   JAIPUR, August 4, 2009: Narendra Budania on Monday was elected to the Rajya Shabha unopposed as the BJP, after hinting at putting up a contest, withdrew from the by-election. The seat fell vacant after senior BJP leader, Jaswant Singh, resigned after winning the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat. Budania's winning the coveted seat, the term for which expires on July 4, 2010, was on expected lines as the Congress enjoys an  absolute majority in the assembly. However, the candidature of this three time MP from Churu (1985, 1996, 1998) and one time MLA from Sardarshahr in 1993, did surprise some within the party.    The weather in Churu District has been mainly dry   Churu, August 1, 2009 (PTI): The weather in the state has been mainly dry for th past few days and there has been no rain since July 29. Weather conditions according to forecast would remain the same during next 24 hours.The maximum temperature in Churu was recorded 39 degrees, which made it the  second hottest place in the state. Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature of 40 degree celsius today in the desert state of Rajasthan, a MET official said here. Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Jaipur recorded maximum of 37, 36 and 35 degree celsius respectively while Kota, Barmer and Jodhpur recorded 34 degrees.   Govt orders probe into the death of 75 black bucks in Tal Chhaper    New Delhi, July 13, 2009: Government has ordered a probe into the recent death of 75 blackbucks in a Rajasthan sanctuary due to heavy rainfall, Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh informed Rajya Sabha today. "I did not know about this incident. I accept that I should have been careful. I have asked for a detailed report from Wildlife Institute of India (WII) as to why Tal Chhaper sanctuary authorities failed to cope with the situation," he said during Question Hour.    The animals had died in the sanctuary in Churu district due to shock caused by stormy rains with heavy hailstorms in May, Ramesh said. "The sanctuary authorities were not prepared to handle such a situation  we were caught napping and did not have a plan to counter it and protect the blackbucks," he said. Ramesh said the government has taken some concrete steps for protecting rare animals.    People agitate at several places for water    Churu, July 10, 2009: Even as Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot demands special status for the desert state because of its water needs, the water crisis continues to worsen in many districts including Churu. The farmers of Churu, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner are up in arms against the administration for lack of water for irrigation. The Power cut is also continue upto  4 to 6 hours daily in the district. Over 200 villagers from Sawai Garhi Ram village under Reni police station of Alwar district blocked Rajgarh-Mahua road for  two-and-half hours in protest against water and power crisis.    In Chomu, around 50 people blocked national highway-11 for over an hour protesting against water crisis in the area. Under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Vyapari Sangharsh Samiti, farmers blocked the roads at several points in Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner. In Rawatsar area, agitating farmers blocked the mega highway and stopped the vehicles for over two hours.     First Monsoons rain  in the  district   Churu , July 03, 2009: In Churu district there was moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorm on Thursday night with the arrival of mansoons. While there was a moderate rain in Churu, a heavy to moderate rain was reported in Sardarshar, Ratangarh, Sujangarh, Taranagar, Sadulpur, Rajaldesr towns.  In Sardarshar a  heavy rain up to 14 mm was reported.  In Sidhmukh and Dadrewa 30 to 40 mm rain was reported.    Churu district is back to heat    Churu, June 29, 2009: After a few spells of showers, which brought down the temperature a little, the district was back in the middle of heat wave conditions on Sunday with mercury shooting up above 45° Celsius in some places. Sriganganagar was the hottest place in the entire northern region  with temperature recording a maximum 46.8° Celsius, followed by Churu at 45.8°C. The entire Bikaner division was reeling under an  intense heat wave.     SIkar, jaipur and some other parts of Rajasthan experienced pre-Monsson rains. “The South West monsoon will reach UP and Rajasthan in the next two days after which it will move towards Delhi. We will be able to tell the exact date of Delhi monsoons in a few days,” said S C Bhan, Director, Safdarjung Met  Department, New Delhi.      Tal Chappar to be developed as tourist destination   JAIPUR, June 22, 2009: Tal Chappar sanctuary would be developed as a major tourist destination to play a role of a catalyst for the development of the area, said chief minister, Ashok Gehlot. He was speaking at a meeting here on Sunday. He exhorted people to adopt greening as a way of life following the good tradition of the Vishnois of western Rajasthan. The future of a desert state like Rajasthan is dependent on tree plantation, said Gehlot.    He added that the government would provide all help to develop Tal Chappar as a major tourist destination. The sanctuary is home to  blackbucks. With the inflow of domestic and foreign tourists to the sanctuary, this would also open up employment opportunities for the locals. He said development plan of the area would be made with the total involvement of the locals and officials working at grass root level.    Speaking on the occasion, education minister, Master Bhanwarlal Meghwal, assured that the state government is committed to the development of the blackbuck sanctuary. He also said the chief minister has already announced Rs 5 crore for repair of a road from Tal Chappar to Bidasar.

70 black bucks die of shock' in rain-hit Tal Chappar   JAIPUR, June 2, 2008 : The recent spate of unexpected downpours accompanied by  thunderstorms has come as a rude shock  to the endangered black bucks of the Tal  Chappar sanctuary in Churu district. According to reports about 70 black bucks have died in the sanctuary due to the weather shock. State chief wildlife warden, R N Mehrotra said on Monday, "The victims were mostly the old and the infants. The reason behind the deaths has been identified as a shock' due to a sudden change in weather. Post mortem of about 50 carcasses has been conducted and a three-member team of doctors has been deputed to search for the dead  animals, he added.  The Tal Chappar sanctuary, located on the fringes of the Thar desert, is home to about 2,000 black bucks.

Rain with storm brings down mercury   Churu , May 31, 2009: Thunder storm accompanied by rain in the district on Sunday night has brought the mercury down significantly. The storm uprooted scores of trees and electric poles resulting in disruption of power supply. Waterlogging on rail tracks too affected train services. High velocity winds and rains lashed Churu, Sikar, Kota, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Bharatpur, Dausa, Ajmer, Jaipur and adjoining areas of the state claiming lives of hundreds of birds and uprooting a number of trees on Saturday evening .The rains brought down the temperature bringing in much needed respite from the scorching heat.   Sub-inspector, constable arrested for taking bribe  Churu, May 26, 2009: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday caught a sub-inspector and a constable taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 for filing a challan in a court in Taranagar in Churu district. According to ACB, one Dilip Kumar, a resident of Chalkui village, lodged an FIR against two persons – Hanuman and Indraraj — under Sections 452, 341 and 323 of IPC on May 10. Next day, Hanuman and Indraraj lodged an FIR against Dilip under Sections 341 and 323 of IPC.    Churu hottest in Rajasthan as heatwave continues    Churu , May 18, 2009: Heat wave conditions continued across Rajasthan on Sunday with Churu being the hottest at 47.5 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal.Ganganagar and Kota were the second hottest places in the State with Mercury touching 46.6 degrees Celsius, the Met department said here. Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur also reeled under the heatwave, recording maximums of 45.7, 44.9 and 44.8 degrees Celsius respectively.  Barmer, Ajmer and Dabok recorded maximums of 44.7, 44.2 and 42.2 degrees  Celsius respectively. According to the Met office, slight rain with dust storms may occur in  eastern parts of the State during the next 24 hours. — PTI    Churu  Lok Sabha seat retained  by BJP   Churu May 16, 2009: Churu Lok Sabha seat retained again by the BJP candidate Ram Singh Kaswaha. Ram singh Kaswaha received 3,76,708 votes, while the Congress  candidate Rafique Mandelia received  3, 64 278. Ram Singh Kaswaha won by a thin majority of 12440 votes.  Scorching heat, power cut and scarcity of water in Churu district  Churu May 15, 2009: Friday experienced high temperature with Churu recording maximum 48.5°C and minimum 29°C. Churu and Kota remained the hottest with 48.5°C each.    The soaring temperature coupled with power cuts has made things extremely difficult for the people here. The Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (JVVNL) has officially declared a power cut of four hours in the disrric headquarters of Churu, while towns Ratangarh, Shardarshahar, Sujangarh, Rajgarh, Taranagar etc would be facing a power cuts of five hours. The condition  of the rural areas is even worse with power cuts of six to eight hours.The water supply is also effected.    Churu at 42.5 degrees Celsius     Churu, May 13, 2009: Temperatures at many places in the Churu district soared on Wednesday also. Churu recorded a maximum of 42.5 degrees. Barmer being the hottest at 44.7 degrees Celsius. The temperatures in Kota, Ganganagar and Bikaner which recorded maximums of 42.6 degrees Celsius.  Jodhpur, Ajmer and Dabok experienced highs of 41.9, 41.3 and 40.6 degrees Celsius respectively..  The state capital and Jaisalmer recorded maximum temperatures of 40.3 and 40.1 degrees Celsius respectively. The weather would mainly be dry in the state in the next 24 hours, the Met office said.     Meanwhile an acute scarcity of water was experienced in Churu, Chapper, Ratangarh and other villages of Churu disrict.   Voting percentage in Churu  Lok Sabha seat   was about 53.40   Churu, May 07, 2009: The polling in the Churu district  remain peaceful. The main contestants are the Congress party's Rafique Mandelia and the Bharatiya Janata Party's  Ramsingh Kasba the M.P. in 2004 election. The voting process was slow due to extreme heat.     The total number of voters in Churu district are 15,33,913. Total number of male voters are 8,08,251 and number of female voters are 7,20,274.     Modi election meeting in Churu   Churu, May 04, 2009: BJP's campaign manager Narendra Modi hold election meetings in Churu. Modi's meeting at Churu in Rajasthan on Saturday was five hours behind the schedule because his helicopter couldn't land in a dust-storm. But to his surprise, thousands of people stayed back to hear him.    Dust storm and rains cools down heat   Churu, May 3, 2009: A cloudy sky triggered by dust storm and thunderstorms in western parts of the state and Churu district brought slight relief to people reeling under severe heat wave in Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Jaipur also received scattered light drizzles, with dust storm engulfing many areas, even as the atmosphere remained cloudy during most of the day. According to officials of Met department, there could be a slight drop in temperature in the next few days.    Mercury rises sharply in the Churu district and heat wave swept   Churu, April 28, 2009:: Mercury soared to uncomfortable levels as heat wave swept vast swathes of North India today with Rajasthan's Thar desert bearing the brunt of the weather fury.Churu, Jodhpur and Bikaner simmered at 43.5, 43.4 and 43.3 degree celsius repectively as the weather bureau predicted hotter days ahead. Rajasthan's Barmer and Jaisalmer districts in the desert region seared at 45 and 43.9 degree celsius respectively as mercury climbed to unbearable levels elsewhere in the state.   Transfers set Arjun Ram Meghwal to join politics   BIKANER, April 25, 2009: Four transfers in as many months' set Arjun Ram Meghwal's mind thinking that he should step down as a public servant and join active politics. After allegations against him by some Congress people during the last assembly polls in the state, which led to his transfer mid way  during the polls as the collector of Churu and later the attitude of Congress government set this bureaucrat's mind thinking.    "While allegations by some notorious minds led to my transfer, later the team sent by the Election Commission in their report cleared my name stating that the charges couldn't be proved. So this sets the  pace for me," says Meghwal. He said, "After the change of government, I would see my name in every transfer list and precisely was transferred four times in four months, which led to this decision."    Agriculture officer caught taking bribe in Churu   JAIPUR, April 24, 2009: A team of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) caught an agriculture officer red-handed when he was accepting bribe of Rs 11,000 in Churu on Thursday. According to DG (ACB) K S Bains, one Harichand Saini approached the ACB complaining that officer Harkaran Lega demanded bribe from him.  "Saini owns a fertilizer shop at Churu Sabzi Mandi. Harkaran had taken samples of some mustard, onion and radish seeds from him before providing him a government contract. Seeds of mustard and onion were found suitable, but seeds of radish were not up to the mark. To mention in his file that seeds of radish were also as per norms, Harkaran demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 from Saini," said ACB. However, Saini only gave him Rs 11,000. Source: The Times of India    Four killed in accident   Jaipur , Apr 21, 2009: Four persons, including a woman and her daughter, were killed today when the car in which they were travelling collided head on with a truck at Bhanipura village in Churu district, police said.The incident took place in the morning when the victims were on way their way to Raghunathpura in Sriganganagar district from Banswara, they said adding the driver also died on the spot. Source: PTI   Congress list for Churu, Rajasthan   Churu, April 13, 2009 : Congress party has announced its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat, from Churu and candidates for other six constituencies. Congress Churu candidate Rafique Mandelia, is a relative of Churu MLA Maqbool Mandelia. He is the only Muslim candidate in the party's list so far.   The candidates announced on Friday night include: Namonarain Meena (Tonk-Sawai Madhopur), Mahadev Singh Khandela (Sikar), Rafique Mandelia (Churu), Ijjeyaraj Singh (Kota), Divya Singh (Jaipur rural) and Khilarilal Bhairwa (Karauli-Dhaulpur). The Congress has announced the second list a day before the nomination process is scheduled to start in the state.    Car thieves held after 12-hr chase    JAIPUR, March 28, 2009: It was a chase that had all ingredients of a Bollywood script. It lasted for over 12 hours and the terrain, on the outskirts of Churu and Sikar, was rough with a three-member gang involved in looting cars giving cops a tough time. The trio, being pursued following the killing of a police constable during an encounter on Thursday, was finally arrested near Fatehpur Kotwali of Sikar on Friday. They later confessed to being involved in two separate car loot incidents, where they had escaped with the vehicles after killing the drivers.  Source: The Times of India    Ex-BSP leader arrested for rape   JAIPUR, march 24, 2008: The president of Dalit Kirti Dal and an ex-BSP leader, who  had fought assembly elections from TB constituency in Churu in 1998 and Hanumangarh in 1993 was arrested by Shashri Nagar police on charges of rape on Monday. A fter the victim's statements in the court, a case was lodged against Ramjas in February this year and since then he was absconding. He was arrested from his village Dholipal.

Eurasian larks visit Tal Chhapar sanctuary    Churu, March 8, 2009 (PTI): Flocks of Eurasian larks from Central Asia and Europe have started coming to the Black Deer Wildlife Bird sanctuary in Tal Chhapar, 10 km near here, on their seasonal visit. The avians which have been resorting in the sanctuary for the last one month, have become major attraction for the passerby, wildlife experts said. The avian guests are likely to stay for breeding purpose till April end, they said.    The migratory birds lay two to three eggs which are hatched by the female larks. The birds' presence is the main attraction for tourists, especially during this season, said Forest officer Surat Singh.

Eurasian larks visit Tal Chhapar sanctuary

HC stays election of zila pramukh, pradhan   JAIPUR, March 03, 2009: The Rajasthan High Court on Monday stayed the scheduled election of three zila pramukhs and two pradhans, to be held on March 3. The election of zila pramukhs of Churu, Alwar and Karauli districts and the pradhans of Lakshmangarh in Sikar and Kishangarbas in Alwar district were challenged in the court on the ground that the vacant seats of the ward members of the respective constituencies were not filled through elections.    PepsiCo to spend 2.5 million on kids, women in India    New Delhi, March 1, 2009 (PTI): As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, soft drink major PepsiCo will be spending five million dollar (about Rs 25.5 crore) over malnourished children in  India and Bangladesh. In India Churu district will be benefited by this initiative.    The programme would be carried out by PepsiCo Foundation under 'Save the Children' initiative to create awareness about health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene among the rural population, the company said in a statement. This initiative is likely to benefit about 6,50,000 children under the age of five, along with lactating women, in these two countries. PepsiCo Foundation has earmarked 2.5 million dollar for India, and would start with three districts in Rajasthan and implement its programme through community health groups.       3 held for BSP leader's murder  JAIPUR, February 17, 2009: Churu police on Monday claimed to have solved the murder case of BSP leader Virendra Nangli with the arrest of three persons including the mastermind and shooter. A candidate in the recent Vidhan Sabha elections, Virendra Nangli was gunned down by three motorcycle- born miscreants near Sheetla Chowk under Rajgarh police station of the district on February 6. Following the incident, violence broke out in several parts of Churu and one person was killed and several others injured in police firing and lathicharge.      Churu collector, SP replaced following death in police firing   Jaipur , February 8, 2009: Taking serious note of a death in police firing in Churu district today, Rajasthan Chief Minister replaced the Collector and the Superintendent of police of the district and initiated an enquiry into the incident.  Collector Sawant Bhaskar and SP Hinglaj Dan have been replaced by Krishnakant Pathak and Bipin Pande respectively, according to an official spokesman. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had also issued an enquiry  for the incident where one person was killed and seven were injured in police firing following violence over the murder of a local BSP leader Virendra Singh Nyangali, he said. Divisional commissioner of Bikaner Pritam Singh has been asked to conduct an enquiry into the incident and submit the report within 30 days. Both Sawant and Dan are awaiting their posting orders, the spokesman added. Source: PTI   BSP leader Nangli gunned down   Churu, February 6, 2009: Tension prevailed in Rajgarh area of Churu district after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Virendra Nangli was gunned down by unidentified miscreants near Sheetla Chowk on Friday. Nangli, who had lost the assembly election recently, was killed on the spot when three motorcycle-borne miscreants, with their faces covered, fired on the leader while he was coming out of a market.    Police are yet to register a complaint and make an arrest. Soon after the incident, thousands of people came out on to the roads and closed down the market in protest. When police tried to stop them, they threw stones. The police lathicharged and fired a few shots in order to disperse the crowd. According to reports, the miscreants fled after the crime.  Nangli had breathed his last by the time they had taken him to hospital.     Memorial to 26/11 Mumbai attack martyrs in Thane    Thane, February 2, 2009 (PTI): To pay a befitting tribute to the martyrs who gave their lives in the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, a memorial is being built here to be completed within a few days. The memorial, first of its kind possibly in the country, is fast taking its shape in the predominantly tribal Wada taluk of the district. It is in the premises of the Swami Vivekananda Vidyamandir, an educational complex, the memorial is being set up.    The entire idea is the brainchild of a senior social worker from the district Om Prakash Sharma, who has been doing yomen service in the tribal region of the district. Om Prakash Sharma, originally from Churu of Rajastan came down to Thane for business and got involved in the social activities and welfare of tribal. An NCC cadet himself, during his school and college days, he said that he thought it fit to pay tribute in this fashion to the martyrs who laid down their lives and decided to go in for the memorial which will be preserved life long.     He said that the work of the memorial, which has an inverted rifle and a cap on it being made at Dausa of Sikhandara in Rajastan and will be made of world class red stone, and a number of artistes are busy giving it the shape, he said. Thane Rural DSP Naval Bajaj laid the foundation stone for the memorial on January 15, 2009. Within less than one hundred days of the actual incident, the memorial, which will have a full canopy, will be ready and inaugurated, Om Prakash Sharma said.    Cold wave continue to sweeps in Churu   Churu, December 31, 2008: The current cold waves continues sweeping the Churu district on Tuesday and a sharp drop in temperature in Churu and district areas. A dense fog till 11AM on Wednesday morning observed in the churu district. Trains are running late. Mount Abu  witnessed temperature plunging as low as four degrees Celsius. The current cold waves sweeping the state also saw sharp drop in temperature in Churu, Pilani, Ganganagar  areas.  Churu, December 31, 2008: The district collector of Churu Ajitab Sharma was  transferred to Kota and   Bhaskar A Sawant  appointed  the new collector  for Churu.    The famous poet and music composer  P.K. Mishra expired   Sujangarh, December 27, 2008: P.K. Mishra who hailed from Sujangarh in Churu district expired on Wednesday at Chennai. He  was the son of Freedom-fighter Pandit Girishchandra Mishra of Sujangarh.       P K Mishra, who penned this song, along with two dozen other such popular songs    'दिल है छोटा सा छोटी सी आशा...'       ‘Dil hai chhota sa, chhoti si asha...’,  the chartbuster from  Mani Ratnam's ‘Roja’, a Bollywood flick based on love in the times of terrorism in Kashmir which was a super hit in the 90s because of its songs, shooting locations and thematic appeal, may not have thinned away from cine-goers’ memory.    The mortal remains of the veteran lyricist, who passed away in Chennai on Wednesday,  cremated at his ancestral place on Friday. He was 65 and is survived by his wife and two sons.   P K  Mishra lived and worked in Chennai. He worked with music director A R Rahman and the duo gave the Bollywood a number of musical hits like ‘Hindustani’, ‘Hum Se Hai Muqabala’ and ‘Vishwa Vidhata’. Director Mani Ratnam said, "We will miss him very much. He was a very easy person to work with, and he had the ability to maintain the original flavour in his lyrics, while conveying the same in Hindi with a freshness."    He also worked with Ilayaraja and Karthik Raja, and his list of films include Hindusthani', Hamse Hai Muqabala', Saza-e-Kalapani', Duniya Dil Walonki', Viswa Vidhata' and Love Birds.'     The Churu district assembly poll results    Churu, December 08, 2008: The winners in churu district assembly seats are:     Churu : Maqbol Mandelia  (Congress) wins by 8111 votes    Ratangarh: Rajkumar Rinwa (BJP) wins by 17851 votes    Sujangarh: Bhanwarlal Megwal (Congress) wins by 14061 votes    Sardarshahar: Ashok Pincha (BJP) wins by 9774    Taranagar: Rajendra Rathoor (BJP) wins by 17613    Sadulpur: Kamla Kasba (BJP) wins by 6595 votes   The BSP factor in Rajasthan polls   Churu, November 16, 2008: It's usually been a straight fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress in the Rajasthan elections, but now, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), also contesting all the 200 seats in the state. Now in Churu district the Jat-Dalit alliance in Sardarshaher, Churu, and the Rajput-Dalit combine in other constituencies.

Shri Kanhiyalal Sethia no more  Kolkata, November 11, 2008: The great Rajasthani poet, Padamshree Kanhiyalal sethia is no more. He died on Tuesday , the 11th November at Kolakata. His famous geets -'Dharti Dhora ri..." and "Patal and Pithal..."  are the most popular and famous  geets not only in India but  also in other countries.   He born in 11 September, 1919 in Sujangarh (Churu ). In 1943 he came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi and took part in Quit India movement ".  He wrote several books and famous poems. In the year 2004 he was awarded PadmaShree.

Shri Kanhiyalal Sethia  (11 Sept. 1919 - 11 Nov. 2008)

BJP names only 4 candidates from Churu district in first list   JAIPUR, November 10, 2008: After hours of deliberations over the weekend, the BJP finally announced its first list of candidates for the Assembly elections, late on Sunday night. From Churu district only 4 names out of 6 were announced. From Churu - Harlal Saran, Sardulpur - Kamla Kaswan, Sardarshahr - Ashok Picchha and from Taranagar - Rajendra Singh Rathor. The names of candidates  from Ratangarh and Sujangarh constituency were not yet declared.     Churu collector transferred after poll review  Churu, November 2, 2008:  Now Ajitabh Sharma is the new collector of Churu district, replacing Arjun Ram Meghwal. Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal has been  shifted to the post of director Rajsico, Jaipur.    A day after chief election commissioner N.Gopalaswamy reviewed the arrangements for the forth coming assembly elections, several district authority were replaced after their work was found unsatisfactory.

Shri Salasar Balaji Dham Fair   Salasar, October 13, 2008: Sidhapith Salasar Balaji Dham Lakhi  fair on Sarad Purniam starts from 13th and 14th October. Lacs and lacs devotees from Rajasthan, Punhab, Haryana and other parts of country are coming for Balaji Darsans waving red flags. The devotees have a great faith and sradha in Salasar Balaji. Till Monday more than four lacs devotees reached Salasar for Balaji Dharsan.    Devotees also visits to Anjani Ma temple for Dharsan and blessing of the Ma. The Anajani Ma temple is well decorated and very near to Balaji Dham. Devotees also pay their respect to saint Mohandassji offering flowers at Mohandassji Samdhi.    A tight security arrangement is made in and around the temple complex. In this fare a new underground subway was opened for the convenience of devotees. Medical help, ambulance, fire brigade services, help service camps,  were also provided in this fare. Several Bhandaras for free meal were organised by several social organisations, such as Hanuman Seva Mandal Batinda, Kerkheda, Fajilaka Navyuvak Mandal, Mittal Charitable trust etc.

Salasar ( सालासर)Balaji Dham

Bumper crop of onion but no storage facility.   Jaipur, May 12, 2008: There was a bumper crop of onion this year in Churu and Shekhawati region where you can pick up a kilo of onion for as little as Re 2. But the farmers are helpless as there have no storage facility. The worst-affected districts include Churu, Sikar and Jhunjhunu where onion prices in wholesale markets have hit rock-bottom. Not a single cold-storage facility is vailable in the three districts. Ironically, chief minister Vasundhara Raje had on several occasions assured the farmers of the region that they would be provided exclusive onion storage facilities.    In the absence of such facilities and direct links with outside markets, these farmers are selling onions to middlemen and retail market agents at throwaway prices - between Re 1 and Rs 2 a kg. The Shekhawati belt is one of the largest onion-producing regions in north India and these onions have a typical white tinge compared to the red onions grown in the Nashik belt of Maharashtra.   Source: The Times of India

The Churu  Shekhawati belt is one of the largest onion-producing regions in north India

Mahashivratri was celebrated in Churu District  Churu, March 07, 2008: Mahashivratri was celebrated with religious fervour throughout the district on Thrusday. Shiv temples situated in various towns of the district as Churu, Ratangarh, Sardarshar, Sujangarh, Rajgarh, Taranagar, Bidasar, Ratannagar  and villages have been decorated. Devotees of Shiva fast during the day and maintain a long vigil during the night.     On the day of Shivratri, the Shiva lingam is bathed with the five sacred offerings of a cow, called panchagavya. Thereafter, the five foods of immortality - milk, clarified butter, curd, honey and sugar - are placed before the lingam. Dhatura and jati, though poisonous fruits, are believed to be sacred to Shiva and thus offered at His temples.      More details about Shivaratri    Lord Shiva (शिव)

Shiva lingam

Protest march and agitations  in Churu District    Churu February 18, 2008: Sani Mali Samaj Sangarsh Samiti demonstrate their anger and held  a protest march  in Churu. They were demanding for the arrest of culprits of Mangturam murder case.  Cold wave swept Churu district  Churu, January 22, 2008: The minimum temperature recorded today night in Churu 0 (Zero) degree Celsius. The minimum temperature at Ganganagar  -0.2 degree, Pilani  -0.6 and Jaipur 6.4 degree Celsius recorded. The minimum temperature recorded in Simla is -0.6. Still whole of Rajasthan state reeled under intense cold wave.  Churu is again the coldest district  Churu, January 21, 2008: The minimum temperature recorded today night in Churu -2 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature at Jaipur  was observed 3.1degree, Ganganagar -0.5 degree and Kota 7 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature recorded in Churu on Friday was 7.2 degree. Whole of Rajasthan state reeled under intense cold wave.  Churu is the coldest than Shimla  Jaipur, January 4, 2008: The minimum temperature recorded today night in Churu  -0.3 degree Celsius. On January 2, Rajasthan reeled under intense cold, with the mercury  plummeting to a minimum of -1 degrees Celsius (below freezing point) in Churu, the coldest day even Shimla. The presence of snow over the grass and tree was observed in different villages of the Churu district. The minimum temperature at Pilani was observed 0.7degree, Ganganagar 1degree and Jaipur 4.4 degree Celsius. Forecasting a clear sky, the Met office said temperatures are expected to take a rise in almost every part of the state in the next 24 hours. The previous week saw the absence of western disturbances guiding mercury to take a downward swing.

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