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Twenty-seven Maoists in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, surrender
According to the police, up to 27 active Maoists with a combined reward of ₹50 lakh turned themselves in to the Sukma district on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.This comes a day after 60 other cadres and senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupathi, surrendered in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The government's determination to abolish Naxalism, which is mostly centered in the Bastar area of Chhattisgarh, by March 31, 2026, has been emphasized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.Ten women were among the 27 Naxalites who gave up in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. They surrendered in front of Central Reserve Police Force officials and top police officers. According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, they expressed dissatisfaction with the "hollow" Maoist doctrine, crimes carried out by Naxalites on defenseless tribal people, and the increasing power of security forces. The Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' initiative, which aims to facilitate development projects in rural communities, and the state's new surrender and rehabilitation policy also impressed the cadres, he said.According to the official, Oyam Lakhmu, a member of battalion no. 1 of the Peoples' Liberation Guerrilla Army, which was regarded as the most formidable Maoist military unit, was carrying a bounty of ₹10 lakh on his head. Three more According to him, Madvi Bhima, a party member in PLGA battalion no. 1's military platoon unit, Sunita, also known as Kawasi Somdi, and Sodi Mase, who were both members of regional military company no. 2, each held a ₹8 lakh reward. Additionally, he stated that a cadre held a prize of ₹3 lakh, two cadres held a bounty of ₹2 lakh each, and nine cadres held a reward of ₹1 lakh apiece.He stated that all of the Naxalites who turned themselves in received ₹50,000 in aid apiece and would receive additional rehabilitation in accordance with government policy.
Published 15 Oct 2025 05:10 PM
J&K: Srinagar erlebt teils heftigen Regen, IMD sagt Gewitter und starken Wind voraus
Heavy rainfall affected various areas of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in a temperature drop.The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the city will experience "Heavy Rainfall, Light to Moderate Rainfall, Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning & gusty winds(30-40kmph)" today.Previously, the Jammu and Kashmir government had instructed schools in the Jammu division to close due to the Indian Meteorological Department's prediction of heavy rainfall in this region. The government-issued circular states that all private and government schools in Jammu will be closed from October 6 to 7. In the Rajouri region, considerable damage was inflicted by intense rainfall that occurred earlier. Residents encountered difficulties because of compromised houses, roads that had sunk, and ruined harvests. Moreover, numerous rain-induced landslides have obstructed various routes within the district.In the meantime, torrential rains in North Bengal caused landslides and serious waterlogging, leading to significant destruction, road obstructions, and fatalities in multiple districts, such as Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. District authorities confirmed on Monday that at least 18 people were reported killed in Darjeeling due to incessant rain that caused devastation in northern West Bengal on Saturday night and early Sunday. Read more at:
Published 06 Oct 2025 05:40 PM
152 road segments in Delhi will receive significant renovations once the Center approves a Rs 803 crore investment.
With the Center accepting the Delhi government's proposal for Rs 803 crore in funding, 152 important sections, including the Ring Road and other flyovers, totaling more than 330 km throughout the Capital, are scheduled to undergo a significant makeover that includes repair, reconstruction, and resurfacing.According to officials, the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) money were granted earlier this month by the Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), who also requested administrative approval for the projects from the Delhi government. The MoRTH's CRIF program gives states and Union territory money to build and maintain important roads and infrastructure."Delhi is witnessing a new era of infrastructure development," stated Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister of the Public Welfare Department (PWD). Roads are the lifeblood of any contemporary city, and by fortifying these vital thoroughfares, we are guaranteeing millions of commuters' safety, speed, and sustainability every day."This project aims to build top-notch urban infrastructure that fulfills the dreams of all Delhiites, not just fix roads," he continued.PWD officials insisted that this "project will take the Capital a giant step closer to the vision of a Viksit Delhi" and that the city would see one of the most comprehensive road upgrade and infrastructure development programs in recent years. Roads in the Central, North, East, Northeast, Shahdara, and Northwest districts will be upgraded, new corridors will be built, flyovers will be developed, and roads will be strengthened, resurfaced, and widened, according to officials.The Kashmiri Gate ISBT to Wazirabad, Vikas Marg, ITO circle, Ferozshah road, and the Nizamuddin to Kalkaji stretch are some of the important sections that will undergo repairs and improvements. Another important route that will be extended is the Noida Link Road, which links Noida to Central and East Delhi.In order to relieve traffic and enhance connectivity in Outer, West, and Northeast Delhi, the PWD also intends to build three new flyovers at the Rajouri Garden-Tagore Garden stretch, Rohtak Road (Military Road–Jhansi Road), and on Road 63 and Gokulpuri stretch. The letter from MoRTH to the Delhi Chief Secretary said, "The competent authority in this ministry has agreed to approve the work listed to an amount of Rs 803.39 crore to meet the cost of work debitable to the Government of NCT of Delhi's allocations under the CRIF Act, 2000."
Published 10 Sep 2025 08:48 PM
The government lowers GST on frequently used goods; the new rates will take effect on this month's 22nd.
The government has lowered the GST on a number of goods in various categories. The GST reduction rate will take effect on this month's 22nd. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters in New Delhi today that the GST on goods used by the average person and middle class has been lowered from 18% or 12% to 5%. Hair oil, toilet soap, soap bars, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bicycles, dinnerware, kitchenware, and other home items would now only be subject to 5% GST, the Finance Minister announced.She added that the GST rate on paneer, chena, and ultra-high temperature milk has been lowered from 5% to 0%, while the GST rate on all Indian breads would now be 0%. Additionally, Ms. Sitharaman declared that the GST on the following food items has been lowered from 12 or 18 percent to 5 percent: namkeen, bhujia, sauces, pasta, instant noodles, chocolates, coffee, preserved meat, cornflakes, butter, and ghee.The Minister further stated that the GST slab has been reduced from 28% to 18% for commodities such as air conditioners, televisions larger than 32 inches, all TVs, dishwashing machines, small cars, and motorbikes. According to her, labor-intensive businesses have provided substantial support, and today's measures will also benefit farmers and the agriculture industry. According to the Minister, the GST rate on all agricultural equipment has been lowered from 12% to 5%. Regarding the automobile industry: #GST on small cars and motorcycles up to 350 cc was lowered from 28% to 18%. # The GST on ambulances, buses, and vehicles was lowered from 28% to 18%. # GST on three-wheelers was lowered from 28% to 18%. # All auto parts were subject to a uniform 18% rate. GST reduction on medical supplies: #33 life-saving medications now have a 12% GST reduction instead of a 0% one. # Three life-saving medications used to treat cancer, rare diseases, and other serious chronic illnesses now have GST cut from 5% to 0%. # GST on certain medications was lowered from 12% to 5%.
Published 04 Sep 2025 09:45 PM
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Demolitions as Extra-Judicial Punishment Have Left India in a Perpetual State of Violence
Under international human rights law, states must ensure that evictions only occur in exceptional circumstances, require full justification and the provision of adequate legal safeguards. None of that here in New India, of course. The demolitions in Uttarakhand last week, after which five people were killed in violence, follows a pattern that we see in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states. The pattern is of course that the government goes after citizens, especially Muslims. The demolitions are carried out as a form of extra-judicial punishment by the municipal authorities and the police, whether after episodes of communal violence or protests against discrimination. The pattern has been documented in reports like “Routes of Wrath: Weaponising religious processions” by the Citizens and Lawyers Initiative. In his foreword, former Supreme Court Justice Rohinton F. Nariman says the report corroborates the findings (of decline in Indian democratic values), adding: “It finds that in nine states, during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in April 2022, there were widespread acts of hooliganism and violence.” After this, the JCBs came out. A report by Amnesty International, of which I am India chair, has found similar patterns of people made homeless and deprived of livelihoods. These individuals were subjected to forced evictions, intimidation and unlawful force by the police and collective and arbitrary punishment, which undermined their rights to non-discrimination, adequate housing, and a fair trial. Muslim-concentrated localities were either chosen or Muslim-owned properties selectively targeted in diverse areas for demolitions.
BJP imports leaders, exports confidence? What Ashok Chavan’s move says about the saffron party’s insecurities
The BJP needs Maharashtra to retain its strength in Parliament. With 48 seats — second only to Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats — the western state has been making the BJP nervous since the 2019 assembly elections when it failed to get a majority on its own On March 30, 2014, when he was in Nanded to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi received huge applause for his announcement that should he become prime minister, he would send Ashok Chavan to jail “within six months”. In 2023, with the incumbent PM expecting to begin his third innings, Chavan found himself mentioned again for his role in the Adarsh scam in the Modi government’s much tom-tommed White Paper, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week. However, as the 10th anniversary of the promise made in Nanded approaches, and barely four days after coming up in Parliament for his alleged role in the Adarsh scam, Ashok Chavan has joined the BJP. This is perfectly in line with the BJP’s current policy: Accuse and appropriate. Last year, when addressing party workers in Bhopal, Modi charged the NCP leadership of swindling Rs 70,000 crore in various misdeeds, including the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam, irrigation scam and illegal mining scam. Soon, Ajit Pawar, an alleged kingpin in these scams, joined hands with the BJP, sharing the deputy chief ministership with its home-grown stalwart, Devendra Fadnavis. The BJP’s “Free Incoming” policy, read with PM Narendra Modi’s frequent trips to the state, underlines the importance given to Maharashtra in pursuit of its “Mission 400” in the upcoming parliamentary polls. In contrast to its rhetoric, the BJP’s unabashed import of tainted leaders hints at how unsure it is about Maharashtra.Having peaked in the Hindi heartland, two states are crucial for the BJP’s parliamentary arithmetic — Bihar and Maharashtra. Thanks to habitual turncoat Nitish Kumar, the BJP is assured of its position in Bihar. However, Maharashtra continues to be its Achilles’ heel. This reality was reflected in the recent survey conducted by a private agency for a media house, which gave the ruling combine not more than 22 seats. This is despite the BJP making every effort to split the Shiv Sena and the NCP to form a three-party government in the state. If this poll is to be believed, the residual Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP that is led by the old Maratha war horse, Sharad Pawar, could walk away with as many as 26 seats. The fact that in the 2019 general elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena combine had pocketed 41 out of 48 seats speaks of how tough the task in Maharashtra is for the BJP. The BJP needs Maharashtra to retain its strength in Parliament. With 48 seats — second only to Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats — the western state has been making the BJP nervous since the 2019 assembly elections when it failed to get a majority on its own. The subsequent experiment by the Congress, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Shiv Sena to join hands and keep the BJP at bay forced the saffron party to adopt a two-pronged strategy: Split the Shiv Sena and the NCP and later weaken the Congress by incorporating many of its leaders. Having achieved the first two, the BJP is now on the third. A point worth noting is that all these imported settlers have a common imprint. Almost all of them are Marathas — be it Narayan Rane, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Harshvardhan Patil, etc — who were brought in a few years ago, or the fresh ones like Ajit Pawar and Ashok Chavan. The BJP’s quest for Maratha votes has a solid reason: It lacks its own Maratha leader who has popular appeal, particularly in western Maharashtra and Marathwada. The BJP has high hopes for Ajit Pawar for the former region, while it expects Ashok Chavan to deliver in the latter, where the BJP has been unable to find an able successor to the late Gopinath Munde. The legacy of Munde — who hailed from Beed, adjacent to Ashok Chavan’s constituency, Nanded — has three claimants: Two of his daughters, Pritam, a doctor and MP, and Pankaja, an MLA, and his nephew Dhananjay, who has joined hands with Ajit Pawar after a stint in the BJP. Even the three together do not wield the kind of influence that Munde did. Since his demise in 2014, the BJP has been in search of a formidable face in the region.
Ex-Navy vets freed by Qatar chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai, praise PM Modi
Setting foot to their homeland after several agonising months of captivity in Qatar, seven of the eight Indian navy veterans who were sentenced to death on ‘espionage’ charges, heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying they wouldn’t have been freed had it for the sustained diplomatic efforts at his behest to secure their release. Relieved to finally walk free, the seven former Navy officers raised chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ after arriving at the Delhi airport in the early hours of Feb 12. One of the Navy veterans who returned from Qatar said, “We waited almost for 18 months to be back in India. We are extremely grateful to the PM. It wouldn’t have been possible without his intervention and his equation with Qatar. We are grateful to the Government of India from the bottom of our hearts for every effort that has been made and this day won’t have been possible without those efforts.”The eight Indian nationals were imprisoned in Qatar since October 2022 and were accused of allegedly spying on a submarine programme. The retired naval personnel were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on charges that have not yet been made public officially.
Karnataka in tie-up with Coffee Board to train 1 lakh women entrepreneurs
Karnataka in collaboration with Coffee Board plans to train one lakh women members of self help groups (SHGs) as coffee entrepreneurs in the state.Karnataka, the largest producer of coffee in India, plans to train 100,000 women from self-help groups (SHGs) as coffee entrepreneurs in an effort to empower and boost the coffee industry. The state, in collaboration with the Coffee Board, will also set up 2,500 coffee kiosks managed exclusively by SHG women. Karnataka accounts for over 70% of the country's coffee production, with coffee being grown in over 2.46 lakh hectares in the state. The majority of coffee growers in Karnataka are small growers. The Coffee Board is in regular discussions with the State Rural Livelihood Mission to create women coffee entrepreneurs, and with the formal announcement made in the state budget for 2024-25, the initiative will be implemented in the coming year. The coffee industry in Karnataka provides employment to over 5.19 lakh people on a daily basis. The poultry industry in India is urging the government to allow the import of genetically modified (GM) maize and soyameal due to strong competition for maize supplies from ethanol-makers. The industry heavily relies on maize for its feed requirements and believes that importing GM maize and soyameal, as well as introducing high-yielding GM seeds, will increase productivity. Suresh Chitturi, Managing Director of Srinivasa Farms and Co-Chair of CII’s National Committee on Animal Husbandry and Dairy, highlighted the success of the Green Revolution in increasing wheat and paddy productivity through the introduction of high-yielding varieties. The poultry industry also called for measures to increase maize production from 30 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes. The demand for maize from the poultry industry is expected to grow by 1 million tonnes annually, while the country's maize usage for ethanol production is projected to increase from 0.8 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes by 2027-28. The per capita egg consumption in India has reached 101 eggs and is expected to rise to 180 eggs in the next 6-7 years due to increased awareness of immunity and protein intake. sources
Indias economic growth may exceed 6% for rest of the decade: Goldman Sachs
India’s economic growth may exceed 6 per cent for the rest of the decade, driving more investments from China into the South Asian country, Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s India economist said. Potential growth is an estimate of the pace an economy can grow at withoucuts ausing excess inflation. India’s central bank governor last month estimated the nation’s potential growth rate was around 7 per cent.Goldman Sachs expects the private sector in India to accelerate investments after nationwide elections. Businesses have deleveraged aggressively and their balance sheets are among the “cleanest that we have seen India in the last 20 years or so,” he said. The Reserve Bank of India is expected to wait for the Federal Reserve to move before adjusting monetary policy, he said, adding that the RBI’s actions will come in three phases, including easing liquidity, a change in the policy stance followed by interest rate cut.
India, UK trade pact talks at advance stage; we want a fair deal: Govt
The negotiations for the proposed India-UK free trade agreement are at an advanced stage, and both sides are working to iron out differences on the remaining issues, a top government official said on Thursday. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said the negotiations are taking time because "we want" to safeguard India's interest. India should commercially gain out of it and we should also be able to safeguard the interest of our farmers, PLI (production linked incentive) scheme goods. So, we are there to see that the deal is a fair deal," he told reporters here. Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry L Satya Srinivas said the talks are at an advanced stage and going on at a "very" high level to iron out differences. The 14th round of talks started on January 10.The investment treaty is being negotiated as a separate agreement between India and the UK.The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to $20.36 billion in 2022-23 from $17.5 billion in 2021-22.On the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement, the ministry informed that the seventh round of talks is scheduled from February 19-23 here. In June 2022, India and the EU restarted the negotiations for the long-pending trade and investment agreement on Friday after a gap of over eight years.On the India-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), Additional Secretary in the ministry Rajesh Agrawal said that legal scrubbing of text on clean and fair economy agreements is underway. He said the supply chain resilience pact will come into force from February 24 this year. To implement this, he said, action plans are being developed to optimise participation in institutional structures under the supply chain pact.
Dilli Chalo protest: Farmers call ceasefire for now, say will try again tomorrow
Farmers are demanding a law on minimum support price for crops and have said it will march towards Delhi after their talks with a team of union ministers failed on Monday. Farmer leaders on Tuesday evening declared a temporary ceasefire for today and said they would continue with their protest from tomorrow morning. Addressing the media on Tuesday, the farmers said they are worried about the well-being of their members. “Around 60 of our men have sustained injuries. The government is provoking us by attacking us with tear gas shells and rubber bullets,” they said. Farmers are demanding a law on minimum support price for crops and have said it will march towards Delhi after their talks with a team of union ministers failed on Monday. Earlier in the day, farmers began to remove the barricades at the Punjab-Haryana (Shambhu) border, following which the Haryana police fired rounds of tear gas to disperse them. After the confrontation between the farmers and the police at the Shambhu border (Haryana-Punjab), the Tikri border was sealed by the Delhi Police, according to news agency PTI. Additionally, all entry and exit points of the surrounding streets and villages that connect to the highway near Tikri Metro Station were also closed. 'Delhi Chalo' agitation is spearheaded by SKM splinter group Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. It urged all like-minded farmer organisations to unite and take part in the February 16 Gramin Bharat Bandh called by the central trade unions. News agency PTI said SKM has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding Minimum Support Price for crops, slamming action on the farmers' 'Dilli Chalo' march and accusing the government of trying to "project" division among farmer bodies.
Farmers protest: Key differences in 2020 versus 2024 agitation
Thousands of farmers from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh were back on the road to the national capital on February 13 over two years after they had called off their strike. The move came after the last round of talks between the farmer leaders and the Union ministers remained inconclusive on February 12 night. Massive security arrangements have been made and borders have been between Punjab and Haryana and Haryana and Delhi to deter farmers from entering New Delhi. However, this protest is different from the ones the farmers held in 2020-2021. In 2020, the farmers protested the three farm laws. They were repealed by the Centre in 2021. However, the key demand this time is different. They want legal guarantee to MSP for all crops, full debt waiver and pension for farmers, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's formula, and withdrawal of cases against farmers during the 2020 protest. According to the guidelines, the government sets the MSP for nearly two dozen commodities twice a year based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.
Farmers demonstration in 2024 Union ministers meet in Chandigarh with union leaders
In the midst of a standoff between protestors and security forces at two locations on the Punjab-Haryana border, three Union ministers started their third round of negotiations with the heads of the farmer unions that are demonstrating in Chandigarh on Thursday night.Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Rai met with farmer leaders in response to the ongoing "Delhi Chalo" agitation by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political). Attending the meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration in Sector 26 was Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as well.The two parties will be having their third round of discussions; the first two, held on February 8 and 12, ended in a deadlock. The protest was initiated in response to requests by farmers for a minimum support price (MSP) law for crops and loan waivers, which the BJP-led Centre was under pressure to grant. A guaranteed MSP cannot be announced, as the Center has made clear.The leaders of the farmer unions and the Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai have ended their third round of talks with the Punjab Chief Minister in Chandigarh. Speaking to the media, Minister Arjun Munda said that the discussion was fruitful because the farmers had raised a lot of significant issues. The following set of meetings, according to him, will take place on Sunday.Long after midnight, the third round of negotiations between the Punjabi farmers who are protesting and three central ministries ended in a constructive manner. The conversation was "very positive," according to Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, and they had agreed to get together again on Sunday night. The leaders of the farmer unions referred to the talks on MSP, the Swaminathan report, and loan waiver as "fruitful," and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that he would keep mediating peace for the state since he did not want to witness young people being targeted by tear gas.The state's internet would be restored, and the suspended social media pages of the farmer leaders would be reactivated, Central leaders promised. As the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator, Sarvan Singh Pandher, put it, "If the commitments made during the meeting are translated into action, it would be highly beneficial for the farmer." This statement summed up the conversation well. Speaking to the media, Mann stated that all of the demands put out by the farmers were considered in a constructive setting. "As the state's chief, I stood up since Punjabi farmers are the ones most impacted. All of the topics were thoroughly discussed."I brought up the subject of three districts' internet bans and how they affect students taking exams. Why are they at fault? The farmers displayed shot rounds. We remarked that this was not how the farmers should be handled.
Trump Shows Up In A US Court Regarding Closed-Door
During a closed-door meeting in his case involving classified documents, former US president Donald Trump was in federal court in Florida on Monday. The lawyers were debating who would have access to the top-secret evidence. In June, Trump, then 77 years old, entered a not guilty plea to allegations of making false statements, conspiring to obstruct justice, and illegally keeping information related to national defense. Aileen Cannon, the case's judge, has called attorneys from both sides to appear in court on Monday.A group of supporters holding posters welcomed the former president and his entourage when they arrived at the Fort Pierce courthouse, approximately 125 miles (200 kilometers) north of Miami, at 9:00 am (1400 GMT). The government's attorneys are against the move, claiming that the material is too sensitive, but Trump's lawyers are hoping to obtain access to the classified evidence that is currently in the hands of the prosecutors. Cannon stated that Trump's attorneys need to be ready to "discuss their defense theories of the case, in detail, and how any classified information might be relevant or helpful to the defense" in a court document announcing the hearing.She will first hear from the defense, and then from the federal prosecutors. The trial for Trump is set to start on May 20. Two workers, Waltine Nauta, Trump's personal assistant, and Carlos de Oliveira, the property manager, are also accused. Trump has attended hearings in a number of court cases against him in recent weeks.
Jagdeep Dhankhar And M Kharges Big Face-Off In Parliament Over Rules
When Mr Dhankhar appeared to accuse the Congress of "insulting" a Bharat Ratna recipient, Mr Kharge lost his cool and asked the Vice President to not indulge in politics. The Vice-President then retorted, "Because I come from the farmer community, does not mean I am a weak Chairman. I have tolerated a lot."New Delhi: The buzz around the Jayant Chaudhary-led RLD joining hands with the NDA and the consternation this has caused in the troubled INDIA alliance spilled over into Parliament on Saturday, sparking a sharp exchange between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The exchange began after Jayant Chaudhary, whose party is a member of the INDIA alliance, rose in the Rajya Sabha and started thanking the BJP-led NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing that the Bharat Ratna would be conferred posthumously on his grandfather Chaudhary Charan Singh. Congress leaders objected to the speech and Mr Dhankhar then asked Mr Kharge to either "control your people or rise and address the House". Prefacing his remarks with the assertion that he and the Congress were happy that former Prime Ministers Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, and the father of the Green Revolution, Dr MS Swaminathan, were being awarded the Bharat Ratna - and that he "saluted" all three personalities - Mr Kharge wondered how Mr Chaudhary was allowed to speak on the issue. "Whenever we want to discuss something, you always ask us what rule we should be allowed to do so under. I want to pose the same question to you: under which rule was he (Mr Chaudhary) permitted to speak? If this is the way it is, you should always give us permission as well. On the one hand, you talk about rules, and on the other, you allow whoever you want (to speak)," Mr Kharge said in Hindi. Incensed, Mr Kharge thundered, "Don't make politics (sic). I said we salute all the people who have worked for this country. Irrespective of political parties. Irrespective of caste and creed. We salute them. But the way the discussion is going on, neither are you following the rules nor have you brought that agenda for discussion. We all could have participated."
Amit Shah says BJP always welcomes new allies, talks on with SAD
The BJP does not believe in "family planning" in politics and always welcomes new allies, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Saturday and said that talks were on with the Shiromani Akali Dal. Speaking at an event, Shah also stressed that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will be implemented before the Lok Sabha polls and predicted the BJP will win 370 seats while the NDA will get more than 400 seats out of 543 in the elections.Asked about the possibility of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), headed by Jayant Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and other regional parties joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the home minister said, "We believe in family planning (in general) but not in politics." "We always want that our alliance grows and we always welcome new allies. Our ideology has remained the same since the days of Jan Sangh. Those who like to join us can come," he said at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2024.When pressed further on the re-entry of SAD in NDA, he said, "Talks are going on but nothing has been finalised." On the possibility of joining hands with the TDP, which left the NDA in 2018, or the YSR Congress, Shah said, "Everything is not disclosed in such platforms. Wait for some time. Everything will be clear for all." In a major political realignment ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar switched from the opposition INDIA bloc to the NDA last month while there is talk of RLD also joining the BJP-led alliance."There are normally two reasons why they leave. It is because of certain incident or it is because of the political equation of a particular state. But the BJP never sought separation from any party. BJP always maintained the coalition dharma," Shah said. The Union minister asserted that there is no suspense over the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls and even the Congress and other opposition parties have realised that they will again have to sit in the opposition benches.
UPA pushed India into fragile five club: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman tore into the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on Friday, saying it pushed the country into the Fragile Five and left it in dire straits in 2014 with its economic mismanagement by putting the "first family" first.During the UPA regime, the security of the nation was compromised, environmental clearances were delayed, and the leadership failed as it was run by a "super prime minister" and there was at least one big-ticket corruption case every year. Initiating the debate on the 'White paper on Indian economy and its impact on the lives of people of India', Sitharaman said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who put the nation first, pulling the country out of crisis and placing it among the top five economies of the world. India is now on the way to becoming the third-largest economy, she said, adding that the NDA government will make India a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.The youth should know what efforts the Prime Minister has put in to restore the country's past glory, said the FM, even as opposition members Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress Party and NK Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party moved substitute motions against the white paper. On the need for the document being presented now, the finance minister said citizens as well as government officials would have been disillusioned had the white paper been released in 2015-16."Had we done that, no investors would have invested in India and if the truth of the economy was given out at that time, people would have lost faith," Sitharaman said. She said when the NDA government took over in 2014, there was a critical shortage of ammunition and defence equipment. Bullet-proof jackets and night goggles were not available for soldiers."When you don't put the nation first, when you put your first family first, and when you have other considerations than transparency, the results are out there for you to see," Sitharaman said. "So what happened after 2008 when there was a global financial crisis and what happened post-Covid shows clearly that if the intent of the government is sincere, results will be good."
Leaf sheep slug takes the internet by storm
Fascinating sea creatures called the leaf sheep slug are taking the internet by storm with their fluffy appearance and quirky antics. Found primarily in the waters around Japan, the leaf sheep slug, also known as Costasiella kuroshimae, is the only sea creature in the world that can perform photosynthesis like plants.One of the most endearing features of the leaf sheep slug is its resemblance to a tiny, grazing sheep. Covered in fluffy green appendages called cerata, these slugs munch on algae, giving them their distinctive colour and helping them blend with their surroundings. It is like they are wearing a fluffy green coat. It is a type of sea slug that looks like a tiny, walking ball of green fuzz.Leaf sheep slugs can often be seen “herding” together in groups, moving gracefully through the water like a flock of sheep. Scientists believe this behaviour helps them protect themselves from predators and find the best grazing spots.Despite their small size, leaf sheep slugs are making a big impact on marine conservation efforts. Their reliance on algae makes them an important part of their ecosystem, helping to keep algae populations in check and maintaining the health of coral reefs. Leaf sheep slugs are harmless to humans, making them the perfect subject for underwater photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Prince Harrys visit to see King Charles III amid cancer news cost him…
Prince Harry's recent meeting with his father, King Charles III, amid his cancer news, has been doing the rounds in media circles. The long journey from the US to London reportedly took him more than 10 hours, lasted than an hour, but cost him a lot of pounds. The unfortunate cancer diagnosis reunited the Duke of Sussex with his father and his homeland for the first time since September. Flying overnight from California, he landed at Heathrow alone as his wife Meghan Markle and two children stayed back in California. After stepping down from their royal posts, the nuclear family unit has lived there since 2020. It's quite likely that Harry may have spent more than £18,000 on plane tickets alone. Security and other transport charges are yet to be added to the cost. Daily Express confirmed that a flight from LA to Heathrow costs £1,317 (Economy). The rising charges for Premium Economy, Business and First Class are £2685, £7040 and £8624, respectively (as listed on the British Airways website on February 7). The return flight may cost £1,458 for Economy, £2,929 for Premium Economy, £7,284 for Business, and £8,868 for First Class. Therefore, a return First-Class ticket would have cost him a whopping £17,492 overall. On top of that, the Prince's private security cost estimation is listed as around £1.5million to £2.3million a year. This would possibly also include guards posted at Harry and Meghan's California home, and other scouting teams. Former reports from royal experts also suggest that even otherwise, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 'spending problem' vexes the Palace.
Americans have record-high credit card debts totalling $1.05 trillion amid historic inflation
Americans started 2024 on a hopeful note, but it seems a chunk of spending landed on credit cards. The average balance per cardholder hit a record high, reaching $6,360, contributing to a total credit card balance of $1.05 trillion in the fourth quarter. Economic pressures from historic inflation and 11 Federal Reserve rate hikes led many to rely on credit cards to make ends meet, says Michele Raneri from TransUnion. Higher interest rates and elevated living costs worsened the situation. Gen Z and millennials are bearing the brunt. About 10% of those aged 18 to 29 and 8% of those aged 30 to 39 are 90 days past due on their credit cards. Subprime borrowers, with less favourable interest rates, saw balances grow by 32% to $105 billion. Serious-level delinquencies are at their highest since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. This includes both normal credit cards (2.59% delinquency rate) and private label credit cards (1.79% delinquency rate). The surge in credit card usage contrasts with a dip in credit originations, showing lenders' cautiousness amidst increasing delinquencies. However, millennials accounted for 29.6% of all new credit card originations. Over the past years, there has been a shift towards credit card reliance, especially post-pandemic. While stimulus payments temporarily eased the burden, reliance on credit cards surged afterwards leading to an increase in cardholders carrying balances month to month. The potential for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later in the year could provide relief. Lower interest rates might make refinancing an attractive option, allowing consolidation of high-cost debt into lower-interest products. The road ahead is uncertain, but understanding the causes and trends can help individuals navigate the storm of credit card debt. Awareness, budgeting, and seeking financial advice are crucial steps towards financial stability.
"Person Who Does Good Work Never Gets Respect": Nitin Gadkari
Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday raised concern about opportunistic politicians wanting to remain associated with the ruling party of the day and said such "deterioration in ideology" was not good for democracy. He also said there are leaders who stand firm in their ideology but their number is gradually declining. "I always say this jokingly that no matter which party's government it is, one thing is sure that the one who does good work never gets respect and those who do bad work are never punished," Mr Gadkari said, without taking names. The minister was addressing an event organised by the Lokmat media group here to present awards to parliamentarians for their exemplary contributions. "In our debates and discussion, differences of opinion is not our problem. Our problem is lack of ideas," the senior BJP leader said. "There are people who stand firm with conviction based on their ideology but the number of such people is declining. And deterioration in ideology, which is happening, is not good for democracy," he said. "Neither rightist nor leftist, we are known opportunists, some people write like this. And all want to remain associated with the ruling party," he added.Mr Gadkari said India is the world's largest democracy and in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words, India is the mother of democracy."It is because of this speciality, our democratic governance system is an ideal for the rest of the world," he added.
Ian Lavender, the last surviving star of British sitcom ‘Dad’s Army,’ has died
LONDON (AP) — Actor Ian Lavender, who played a hapless Home Guard soldier in the classic British sitcom “Dad’s Army,” has died, his agent said Monday. He was 77. Agent Hilary Gagan said Lavender had been ill for some time and died with his wife and sons at his side. Lavender was the last surviving main cast member of “Dad’s Army,” about a ragtag volunteer unit assembled to defend their seaside English town from potential Nazi invasion during World War II.Originally broadcast between 1968 and 1977, it attracted as many as 18 million viewers an episode -- a third of the British population -- and remains perennially popular in reruns. Lavender played Private Frank Pike, the youngest member of the unit and frequent butt of the epithet “stupid boy!” from commanding officer Captain Mainwaring. Another scene, in which a captured German officer demands the young private’s name and Mainwaring thunders: “Don’t tell him, Pike” is routinely voted one of Britain’s funniest TV moments.Born in 1946, Lavender was 22 and just out of the Bristol Old Vic theater school when he was cast in the show alongside a troupe of stage and screen veterans.He later acknowledged that his iconic role in “Dad’s Army” had led to him being typecast, but said he’d “be a fool to have regrets.”
