Urvashi Dev Rawal is assistant editor with Hindustan Times Rajasthan edition and is based in Jaipur. She reports on politics, development journalism and women’s issues. She has reported from Delhi and Gujarat previously.
Articles by Urvashi Dev Rawal
Rajasthan government puts school privatisation on hold
Facing resistance from more than 3.5 lakh teachers and fearing a political backlash, the Rajasthan government may drop a proposal to hand over state-run schools to private players.
Updated on Aug 03, 2015 01:10 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Ajmer blast case goes Malegaon way, 13 witnesses turn hostile
The trial of alleged Hindu extremists in the 2007 Ajmer blast case has received a setback as 13 of 93 witnesses have refused to support the prosecution in their depositions so far. Seven of those 13 are ‘material witnesses’ whose testimonies are crucial to prove the case.
Updated on Jul 05, 2015 08:48 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Rajesh Ahuja and Urvashi Dev Rawal, New Delhi/jaipur
Hindu terror probe: NIA yet to lay hands on masterminds
In its probe into Hindu terror cases, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) managed to nab almost all the foot-soldiers, but the agency has not been able to reach the masterminds of the conspiracy.
Updated on Jul 05, 2015 12:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Rajesh Ahuja/Urvashi Dev Rawal, New Delhi/jaipur
Lalit Modi row: Raje brazens it out, gives BJP the jitters
Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday defended the BJP’s controversy-hit ministers, saying “nobody is tainted” despite growing unease about the political fallout of Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s help to former IPL chief Lalit Modi.
Updated on Jun 26, 2015 08:24 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Kumar Uttam and Urvashi Dev Rawal, New Delhi/jaipur
Lalit Modi row: Raje reaches out to party leaders for support
An embattled Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje began tapping into her supporters within the BJP on Thursday as the party leadership weighed its options over sacking the senior leader for her links with former IPL boss Lalit Modi.
Updated on Jun 25, 2015 07:55 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
The fall of high-flying cricket administrator Lalit Modi in Rajasthan
At the peak of his influence, Lalit Modi was more than just a high-flying cricket administrator, but the recent controversy surrounding the man may have shattered his image in Rajasthan for good.
Updated on Jun 16, 2015 04:38 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Sense of unease prevails among Meghwals, Jats after the May 14 incident
It has been three weeks since six people were killed when Jats brutally attacked Dalits over an old land dispute in Dangawas village in Nagaur district. The social tensions in the village are very evident.
Updated on Jun 08, 2015 12:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Dangawas
Gujjars in Rajasthan re-launch quota stir, call for 'fight to finish'
The Gujjars on Thursday re-launched an agitation for reservation, turning to their old tactic of disrupting train services even as the Rajasthan government began back channel talks to sort out an issue which has seen largescale violence in the past.
Updated on May 22, 2015 08:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Pradeep Sharma/Urvashi Dev Rawal, Bharatpur/jaipur
Pak temples are oldest symbols of our shared culture: Reema Abbasi
Author and journalist Reema Abbasi wrote the book ‘Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience’ last year in which she painstakingly documented the Hindu past of the Islamic country. She travelled all over the country and visited over 40 sites in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In the city to participate in the Jaipur Literature Festival, Abbasi speaks to Urvashi Dev Rawal about the varied heritages of India and Pakistan, the recent Peshawar attacks and the need to strengthen Indo-Pak ties. Excerpts:
Updated on Jan 24, 2015 12:06 PM IST
None | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Shrinking vote base makes Cong fight tougher in panchayat polls
Apart from internal rifts, the erosion of its traditional vote base in rural areas will pose a stiff challenge for the Congress which is hoping for a good performance in the three-phase panchayat polls after a string of election losses. The polling for the first phase will take place on January 16.
Updated on Jan 05, 2015 01:24 PM IST
Hindustantimes.com | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
BJP hopes to storm Congress bastions in panchayat elections of Rajasthan
Despite stellar wins in the assembly, Lok Sabha and civic body elections over the last one year, the BJP is warily eyeing the panchayat polls where it has been on a weaker footing than the Congress.
Updated on Dec 19, 2014 04:50 PM IST
None | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Doda post ‘mafia’ thrives as govt turns a blind eye
As the state government turns a blind eye, a lucrative black market for dried opium pods is thriving in Ganganagar and neighbouring Punjab where the intoxicant is in high demand
Updated on Dec 10, 2014 05:06 PM IST
None | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Hindumalkot (ganganagar)
India’s women border guards challenge enemies and mindsets
Left with the responsibility of her shattered mother and three younger sisters, Asha decided to take the challenge head-on: she applied for a job on compassionate grounds in the Border Security Force (BSF) where her father was a constable.
Updated on Dec 06, 2014 05:46 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Hindumalkot
Artists should not offend sentiments, says Pak artist
Artists should behave very responsibly and should not hurt someone's sentiments knowingly. One can always convey one's message without hurting someone says Pakistani artist R.M. Naeem. The artist claims that the art scene in Pakistan is lively and artists have freedom but the political and economic scenario makes the going tough.
Updated on Nov 18, 2014 06:15 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Performance basis for govt to rank districts in job scheme
In a bid to crackdown on complaints of laxity and irregularities under MGNREGA, the state government has come up with ‘report cards’ of districts, ranking them on the basis of their performance in implementing the job scheme
Updated on Nov 04, 2014 04:07 PM IST
None | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
My daughter's husband, father-in-law set her on fire: Heeralal Yadav
Repeated dowry offerings failed to satisfy Nitesh Yadav’s in-laws. She spent a painful month in hospital before dying with 95% burns. Her case reflects the gender bias and violence against women in Rajasthan.
Updated on Aug 17, 2014 11:10 PM IST
Hindustan Times | As told by Heeralal Yadav to Urvashi Dev Rawal, Baran, Rajasthan
Modi wave powers BJP’s mission 25 in Rajasthan
The Modi wave powered Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s ‘Mission 25’ as the party won all 25 Lok Sabha seats, its best-ever performance in the state. The last time a party won 25 seats was after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984.
Updated on May 17, 2014 01:31 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Modi wave powers BJP sweep in Rajasthan
The Modi wave powered Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje's 'Mission 25' as the party won all 25 Lok Sabha seats, its best-ever performance in the state. The last time a party won all 25 was after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 when the Congress swept the state.
Updated on May 16, 2014 03:35 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Thorough cleansing needed in BCCI, says Lalit Modi
After he was elected as the RCA president, the former IPL chairman Lalit Modi is braced for a legal battle with the BCCI. In an email interview to HT, Modi says the spot-fixing scandal has shaken the trust of fans and wants an administrative purge.
Updated on May 10, 2014 07:45 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
BCCI better watch out, says Lalit Modi
The new Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president Lalit Modi is no stranger to controversy and is bracing for a legal fight with the Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI).
Updated on May 09, 2014 11:08 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal
Dausa voters divided over three Meenas
It is 8.30 pm and National People’s Party patron Kirori Lal Meena is addressing a group of villagers in Binderwada village in Sikandra, 25 km from Dausa, his last few public meetings in Dausa parliamentary constituency before he retires for the day.
Updated on Apr 23, 2014 03:02 PM IST
None | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Dausa
Jaswant to file nomination from Barmer today
Jaswant Singh on Sunday put his party in a tight spot by announcing he would file nomination papers for Barmer, prompting Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje to step in to quell the growing dissent in the saffron brigade.
Updated on Mar 24, 2014 12:45 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur/jodhpur
Outsiders, imposters encroaching upon BJP ideology: Jaswant Singh
Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh is not happy. The party's denial of a ticket to him from Barmer has led to turmoil within the BJP in Rajasthan. Singh talks to HT's Urvashi Dev Rawal about his plans for the future.
Updated on Mar 22, 2014 09:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Will Rajasthan witness the saffron thunder again?
Having won 163 of the 200 assembly seats, the BJP appears on course to fulfil its ‘Mission 25’, its vision of winning all the Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Updated on Mar 10, 2014 05:29 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Rajasthan: Cong licks wounds, BJP set to storm fort in Lok Sabha polls
The writing is clear — at least, so far — on the wall. In the bipolar contest — a long tradition in Rajasthan — in 2014 general elections, the BJP will certainly have advantage, as it had in the assembly polls two months ago.
Updated on Feb 06, 2014 08:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Lalit Modi’s RCA hopes now hang in balance
Banned former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi’s controversial move to contest the Rajasthan Cricket Association elections hung in balance after the Supreme Court observer, NM Kasliwal, put off his final decision on the issue to Wednesday, a day before the poll.
Updated on Dec 18, 2013 01:57 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Educated, young Muslims make new course
They are trying their luck at the hustings to challenge the politicians, who they say have used them as a vote bank. Urvashi Dev Rawal reports.
Updated on Dec 07, 2013 03:59 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
Joshi back in the match, Gehlot on sticky wicket
The return of CP Joshi to Rajasthan politics has opened up a fresh chapter in the kissa kursi ka, with the chief minister’s chair at stake.
Updated on Nov 14, 2013 12:10 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur
I would like to perform in Kashmir: AR Rahman
Despite the controversy over music conductor Zubin Mehta’s concert in Kashmir, Oscar-winning musician, composer and singer AR Rahman says Kashmir is a beautiful place and he would perform there, but only if the Kashmiris want him to.
Updated on Oct 22, 2013 05:38 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, New Delhi
Rajasthan's model is better than Modi's Gujarat: CM Ashok Gehlot
No govt in Rajasthan has held power for two consecutive terms. But Ashok Gehlot, who has been touring the state for the Congress’s Sandesh Yatra, says the feedback from the people has been positive. Urvashi Dev Rawal reports.
Updated on Aug 19, 2013 08:37 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Urvashi Dev Rawal, Jaipur