Author: LokMarg

The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games organising committee (HAPGOC) and the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) on Tuesday announced the postponement of the 2022 Asian Para Games, originally scheduled to take place from October 9-15.

The announcement follows the decision taken by the Olympic Council of Asia and the HAGOC, the games organising committee, to postpone the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games due to the size of the Games and the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A taskforce comprising of the APC, the Chinese Paralympic Committee and HAPGOC will now work on rescheduling the Games to take place in 2023.

APC President Majid Rashed in a statement said: “The Games preparations have been going very well and HAPGOC was ready to deliver an outstanding games. This was not an easy decision to make but we have taken it now to give a level of certainty to the IFs, NPCs and athletes who were planning to attend the Games. We will now work with the organising committee on securing a new date that works for the para-sport calendar.”

A further announcement on this is expected in the near future. The emblem, slogan and year of the Games will remain unchanged. (ANI)

Ahead of the presence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur-led Indian delegation at Cannes 2022 Red Carpet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a mesasage expressing his immense pride.

PM Modi’s message stated, “I am delighted to learn about India’s participation as a Country of Honour at the Marche du Film – festival de Cannes. As India celebrates its 75th year of independence, the 75th anniversary of Cannes Film Festival, as well as 75 years of Indo-French diplomatic ties enhance the pride and joy associated with the momentous milestones.”
The note further said, “Films and society are mirror images of each other. Cinema showcases human emotions and expressions in an artistic manner, binding the world together with a common strand of entertainment. India is the largest film producing country in the world. With films in many languages from different regions, the multifariousness of our film sector is remarkable. Rich heritage and cultural diversity are India’s strengths. We have a lot of stories to be explored. India truly possesses immense potential to become the content hub of the world. Government of India remains steadfast in its efforts towards furthering ease of doing business in the film sector.”

“From facilitating international film co-productions, to ensuring single window clearance mechanism for permissions for filming across the country, India offers seamless possibilities to filmmakers of the world. Our spellbinding locations, technological prowess in film making and the talent of young men and women provide a perfect backdrop for film makers,” PM Modi assured those who want to make India their content hub.

“It is heartening to note that a film by one of India’s most renowned filmmakers, Shri Satyajit Ray, has been restored for screening at the Cannes Classics section, when India is celebrating the birth centenary of the legendary filmmaker. This edition of Cannes Film Festival is special in many ways. Many Start-ups from India will showcase their strengths to the cinema world. The India pavilion will display facets of Indian cinema and promote international partnerships and learnings,” PM Modi said.

The PM signed off, extending best wishes for the “resounding success of the Festival.”

The India pavilion will be inaugurated by Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Wednesday at Cannes and the universal theme for this year is India the content hub of the world. (ANI)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday said that he will proceed with his USD 44 billion take over of Twitter only if the microblogging giant is able to prove that less than 5 per cent of its users are bots.

“20 pc fake/spam accounts, while 4 times what Twitter claims, could be much higher. My offer was based on Twitter’s SEC filings being accurate. Yesterday, Twitter’s CEO publicly refused to show proof of <5 pc. This deal cannot move forward until he does,” Musk tweeted.
His tweet came in response to a Twitter user who wrote that the Billionaire entrepreneur may be looking for a better deal as the previously quoted amount of USD 44 billion seems too high with 20 per cent users being fake or spam accounts.

This comes a day after Twitter CEO Parag Agarwal issued a series of tweets amid the debate surrounding the spam controversy between the company and Musk.

Agarwal on Monday emphasised that the company strongly incentivized to detect and remove as much spam as we possibly can, every single day.

“Next, spam isn’t just ‘binary’ (human/not human). The most advanced spam campaigns use combinations of coordinated humans + automation. They also compromise real accounts, and then use them to advance their campaign. So – they are sophisticated and hard to catch,” he tweeted.

The Twitter head said the company suspends over half a million spam accounts every day, usually before any of you even see them on Twitter.

“The hard challenge is that many accounts which look fake superficially – are actually real people. And some of the spam accounts which are actually the most dangerous – and cause the most harm to our users – can look totally legitimate on the surface,” he added.

Musk last week said that the deal to buy the social media platform Twitter is put on hold due to the calculation of fake accounts in it.

Twitter shares fell by 20 per cent in early trading after this announcement. (ANI)

Cipla Health has roped in Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana as the brand ambassador for their flagship health supplement brand, Maxirich.

Known for his energetic portrayal of roles, Ayushmann is one of the most versatile and dynamic actors in the Indian film industry. His infectious energy and massive successes at the box office across genres have led him to become a youth icon, making him the perfect brand ambassador for Maxirich.

The new communication will feature him advocating the adoption of Maxirich Gold – an advanced daily multivitamin supplement, powered by Ginseng along with 19 Vitamins and Minerals, which provides max energy and max immunity.

Commenting on Ayushmann Khurrana becoming the face of Maxirich, Shivam Puri, CEO, Cipla Health said, “In Ayushmann Khurrana, we have found the perfect brand ambassador because he exudes all the qualities and attributes that Maxirich portrays. As an artist, Ayushmann Khurrana stands for energy, vitality and versatility, something that Maxirich also stands for and delivers to its consumers. Maxirich has touched the lives of millions of people throughout the country with its wide range of best-in-class health supplements. It has the rare distinction of having a portfolio of various health supplements which cater to a wide array of wellness needs all under one brand – Maxirich. A perfect match with Ayushmann!”

Through this partnership, the brand aims to inspire consumers to adopt Maxirich along with their daily diet which will provide them with the required energy enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities in different facets of their daily lives.

Bollywood superstar Ayushmann Khurrana says, “In today’s hectic lifestyle it is important to have the energy to live life uninterrupted. Being a strong advocate of healthy living, I am delighted to partner with Maxirich & the Cipla Health family in championing the importance of multivitamins and health supplements in our daily lives. So, let us begin the journey to a life full of max energy and max immunity.”

Maxirich from Cipla Health has a range of health supplements which include Multivitamin Capsules, Multivitamin Syrup, Vitamin C+ Zinc chewable tablets, Calcium tablets and Liver tonic. (ANI)

Actor R. Madhavan has arrived in France and he is super-duper excited to attend the Cannes Film Festival 2022.

Ahead of marking his appearance on the red carpet of the prestigious film festival, Madhavan took to Instagram and shared a video from his hotel room in French Reviere and showed off the scenic view from his window.

Madhavan’s room had several windows near which a windchime was seen. Several palm trees were seen along the roads near the hotel.

“Cannes Day1- morning of the Main Red Carpet.. View from my room.. 6.30 am. #rocketryatcannes #rocketrythenambieffect,” he captioned the post.

Cannes 2022 is extremely special for Madhavan as his film ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ is scheduled to premiere at the gala. (ANI)

In a veiled attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the country is making rapid strides in the telecom sector as 5G and 6G will help boost growth in every sector after “losing a decade of policy paralysis and corruption of the 2G”.

Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Prime Minister Modi said, “The country has made rapid strides from 3G to 4G and now 5G and 6G, out of the despair, frustration, corruption, policy paralysis of 2G era. Our telecom sector is a great example of how self-reliance and healthy competition create a multiplier effect in society and the economy.”

PM Modi launched a 5G Test Bed, developed as a multi-institute collaborative project by a total of eight institutes led by IIT Madras.

“5G Test Bed is an important step towards the country’s self-reliance on critical and modern technology in the telecom sector. 5G technology is also going to bring positive changes in the governance of the country, ease of living and ease of doing business. This will boost growth in every sector including agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and logistics. This will also create many employment opportunities,” said the Prime Minister.

He said connectivity will determine the pace of progress of the country in 21st century. He stressed on the modernization of connectivity at every level.

PM Modi further said that every village in the country today is being connected with optical fiber.

“Before 2014, even 100-gram panchayats in India were not connected to optical fiber connectivity. Today broadband connectivity has reached about 2.5 lakh gram panchayats. To make mobile accessible to the poorest of the poor families, we have emphasized on manufacturing of mobile phones in the country itself. The result was that the mobile manufacturing units increased from 2 to over 200,” he said.

Prime Miniter said that India is the fastest expanding country in the world in terms of teledensity and internet users.

“Now the country is marching ahead with the ‘whole of the government’ approach by moving beyond the thinking of silos. In the last 8 years, we have infused new energy in the telecom sector with the Panchamrita of Reach, Reform, Regulate, Respond and Revolutionize. TRAI has played a very important role in it.”

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Test Bed project has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 220 crore. The Test Bed will enable a supportive ecosystem for Indian industry and startups which will help them validate their products, prototypes, solutions and algorithms in 5G and next-generation technologies.

TRAI was established in 1997 through the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. (ANI)

India on Tuesday rejected a ‘farcical resolution’ by the Pakistani National Assembly and said the country has no locus standi on matters that are internal to India.

This statement was issued in response to media queries regarding the resolution passed by the Pakistan National Assembly regarding ‘Delimitation in the UT of J-K’.
“We categorically reject the farcical resolution passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on the subject of the delimitation exercise in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has no locus standi to pronounce on or interfere in matters that are internal to India, including the Indian territories under Pakistan’s illegal and forcible occupation,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

India once again reiterated that the entire territory of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has been, is and shall always remain an integral part of India.

Bagchi said the delimitation exercise in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a democratic exercise based on the principles of extensive stakeholder consultation and participation.

“It is regrettable that instead of putting their own house in order, the leadership in Pakistan continues to interfere in India’s internal affairs and engage in baseless and provocative anti-India propaganda,” the ministry added.

The MEA spokesperson once again said that Pakistan must immediately cease anti-India cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism, and stop the grave and persistent human rights violations in Pakistan occupied Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh (PoJKL).

The statement also asked Pakistan to refrain from effecting any further material changes in the status of PoJKL, and vacate the Indian territories that are under its illegal and forcible occupation. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interrogate Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Banerjee in Kolkata instead of Delhi.

A bench of Justices UU Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia said the ED has to give at least 24 hours prior notice to the couple before interrogation and simultaneously a notice shall be issued to the Commissioner of Police and Chief Secretary of Kolkata.
The Supreme Court in an interim order stayed Delhi High Court March 11 order by which Banerjees’ pleas against the issuance of summons by the ED were dismissed.

The Court said it would not tolerate any kind of obstruction and interference by state machinery if ED interrogates the Banerjees in Kolkata.

The apex court also issued notice to the ED on Banerjees’ appeal against the High Court order and sought a response within three weeks and posted the matter for hearing on July 19.

The State of West Bengal assured the Supreme Court that complete assistance shall be rendered by West Bengal to ED officials.

In case there is any interference, the ED shall approach the vacation court of the apex court, said the SC.

The West Bengal government has assured that in case any complaint is filed against ED officials no coercive action will be initiated, noted SC in its order.

The ED is conducting the investigation in a money-laundering probe, linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal, in which the agency had issued summons to the Banerjee couple.

Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, had told the apex court that he is ready to be probed by the ED in Kolkata.

The Banerjees have challenged the summons issued to them by the ED for appearance here in connection with the money laundering probe linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal.

They have requested the top court to quash the summons and restrain the ED from seeking their presence for questioning in Delhi. They pleaded that they can be questioned by the ED at Kolkata and sought a stay on High Court’s order.

The petitioners have asked the apex court to decide whether the ED can assume pan-India jurisdiction to summon persons from anywhere to Delhi.

“Whether the Respondent can assume pan-India jurisdiction to summon any person at the place of their choice, while exercising powers under Section 50 PMLA?,” the plea questioned while adding that High Court has failed to appreciate that the couple is permanent residents of Kolkata and the entire alleged cause of action and the place of the alleged offence, is in the State of West Bengal.

The search and seizure operations recorded in the FIR/RC took place in West Bengal wherein allegedly stolen coal was recovered and all the accused persons named in the FIR/RC are permanent residents of West Bengal, it added.

Approaching the top court, Banerjee said he belongs to TMC and was a leading figure in keenly contested Assembly Elections in the West Bengal in April/May 2021 (around the same time when the FIR was registered) wherein his party trounced the political party at power in the Centre, and “thereby giving justifiable cause to “target” and “fix” the Petitioner no.1 (Banerjee) by misusing the Central Investigation Agencies”.

The contention of the petitioners is that this entire case against them is nothing but a political witch-hunt and cannot be brushed away lightly as done in the impugned order (of the High Court).

The plea further stated that the High Court order is “misconceived, erroneous and deserves to be set aside”.

The High Court had dismissed Banerjees’ plea who had challenged the September 10, 2021 summons issued to them and had sought direction to the ED not to summon them for their appearance in Delhi since they are residents of West Bengal.

The 34-year-old MP represents the Diamond Harbour seat in Lok Sabha and is the national general secretary of the TMC.

The ED lodged a case under the provisions of the PMLA based on a November 2020 FIR registered by the CBI that alleged a multi-crore coal pilferage scam related to Eastern Coalfields Ltd mines in the state’s Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol.

Al ocal coal operative Anup Majee is alleged to be the prime suspect in the case. The ED had claimed that the TMC MP was a beneficiary of funds obtained from this illegal trade. Banerjee has denied all charges. (ANI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at multiple residential and official premises of the Lok Sabha MP of Congress Karti Chidambaram and his father and former Union Minister P Chidambaram across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu.

In Delhi, the CBI searched the 80 Lodhi Estate residence of Karti Chidambaram on Tuesday morning.

“The CBI is conducting searches at multiple locations (residence and office) of Karti Chidambaram, in connection with an ongoing case”, said his office to ANI.

There were total seven members in the CBI team. Karti Chidambaram was not at his residence during the raid at 7.30 am, said Birbal Singh, the security guard posted at Karti Chidambaram’s house.

The CBI team questioned the staff present at Karti Chidambaram’s Delhi house and took some papers with them.

Meanwhile, searches are being conducted in multiple residential and official premises of Chidambaram across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Sivagangai in Tamil Nadu.

“I have lost count,” tweeted Congress leader Karti Chidambaram while reacting to CBI searches at his premises.

According to sources, three places are being raided in Mumbai while two each in Chennai and Sivaganga, his Parliamentary constituency.

Karti Chidambaram is being probed in cases registered by the CBI, including the case lodged on May 15, 2017 over irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during P Chidambaram’s tenure as the Union Finance Minister.

Thereafter, the ED had also lodged a money laundering case. The economic offences watchdog had registered a PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case based on FIR by the CBI and alleged that irregularities took place in the FIPB clearance to INX media. (ANI)

The Varanasi civil court-ordered to seal ‘wazukhana’ in Gyanvapi mosque after “big Shivling” was found, said Lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, Jain said, “During the survey exercise yesterday, we found a well-like structure in the middle of the wazukhana. We requested the Commissioner to reduce the water level at the wazukhana. When the water was reduced, we reached the well-like structure and found a big Shivling. The Shivling has a diameter of around 4 metres and a height of around 3 feet. I believe it is deeper inside the ground.”

“It was necessary to put the fact under the knowledge of the court. We moved an application in the court seeking order to preserve and secure this important piece of evidence. Following this, the court ordered the CRPF commandants to protect it round-the-clock and UP DGP and Chief Secretary to monitor it,” he said.

The lawyer said the wuzu should not be performed there since Shivling was found there.

“The area has been sealed. And, performing wuzu at the place of Shivling is not justified. So the court gave the order to seal the wazukhana area in the mosque,” Jain said.

Asked about the claims by the other party that the structure is not Shivling but a fountain, Jain said, “We understand the difference between fountain and Shivling. If it is a fountain then it would have a different system. It is a Shivling.”

Notably, the Supreme Court will be hearing the plea seeking a stay on the survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi today.

The SC bench, headed by Justice DY Chandrachud, will hear the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee on Tuesday.

On this, Jain said, “I believe the matter in Supreme Court has gone infructuous. They (Muslim party) already complied the order they challenged in the Supreme Court. They participated in exercise and were part of the commission. Now can they challenge it after participating? We believe Supreme Court will not interfere in the matter.”

The three-day-long court-monitored videography survey of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi concluded on Monday.

As the survey was completed, the Hindu petitioner in the case, Sohan Lal Arya on Monday claimed that the committee found a Shivling at the complex. Arya, who accompanied the court commission for the mosque survey, said that they have found “conclusive evidence”.

The survey was conducted in accordance with the Varanasi Civil Court’s order to continue the survey despite objections from the mosque authorities.

After the conclusion of the survey, the Varanasi court ordered the District Magistrate of Varanasi, Kaushal Raj Sharma, “to seal the area where the Shivling was found and to bar people from going to the place.”

In its order, the court said that the DM, police commissioner and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandant Varanasi will be responsible for the security of the sealed area.

The civil court had appointed a court commissioner to conduct the survey and videography of the site and the same was challenged before Allahabad High Court, which dismissed the appeal on April 21. The April 21 order of the High Court was challenged in the apex court.

Five women had filed a petition in the court seeking permission for daily worship at the Shringar Gauri temple, which is claimed to be situated inside the Gyanvapi Mosque premises.

The order of the civil court for undertaking survey and videography at the premises was subsequently given by the court.

Another petition, which was filed by one Vijay Shankar Rastogi, had contended that the entire premises belonged to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and that the Gyanvapi Mosque is only a part of the temple complex, is also pending in the court since 1991.

Rastogi had also claimed that the Kashi Vishwanath Temple had been built over two thousand years ago and the temple was demolished by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Advocate Vishal Singh, the Court-appointed special assistant commissioner, in Varanasi, said that the survey was conducted in an unhindered manner. (ANI)