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Antony Blinken Arrives In India For G20 Meeting

US Secy Of State Blinken To Visit India, Attend Raisina Dialogue

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to India in early March and the details of his visit are being worked out, sources familiar with the deliberations told ANI.

An official said the State Department is eyeing the first week of March for Blinken’s meetings in New Delhi, which would be a run-up to President Joe Biden’s meeting with Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) leaders.

“Secretary Blinken will be meeting his Indian counterpart and other officials to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Quad leaders summit in May 2023,” the source added.

This will be the third annual leaders’ summit of Quad members India, Australia, Japan and the US. Tokyo played host to the last summit in May 2022.

“The summit is expected to be held in Sydney and for now, most likely all four leaders will be present in person for the summit. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will travel to Sydney to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to further cement the Quad cooperation,” another person familiar with the developments told ANI.

While in India, Secretary Blinken will also be attending the Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference held in New Delhi on March 2-4.

Blinken is expected to address the Raisina dialogue, a conference held annually on geopolitics and geo-economics that the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India hosts.

Earlier in November, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India summit in Cambodia. Jaishankar and Blinken discussed the conflict in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, and bilateral ties between India and US.

US Secretary is also expected to travel to China in early February for continued discussions related to one of America’s most complicated and consequential relationships, however, no official announcements have been made as yet. (ANI)

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Adani Group Hits Back, Calls Hinderburg ‘Unethical Short Seller’

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

In a 413-page response to the Hindenburg Research report on the Adani business interests, the Adani Group has attacked Hindenburg as “an unethical short seller”.

The Adani report states that by “holding short positions” in Adani stocks, which simply put it is betting on the stock falling.

Hindenburg exposed its hand as it made huge money with the fall of Adani stocks immediately following the publication of the report on January 24.

In the summary of the long response by Adani Group, it said the report was “nothing but a lie”.

“The document is a malicious combination of selective misinformation and concealed facts relating to baseless and discredited allegations to drive an ulterior motive,” the Adani Group’s response said.

Adani Group, in its 413-page report, has also responded to all 88 questions raised by Hindenburg.

It went on to say the report by the US-based firm was intended only to create a “false market in securities” to enable Hindenburg, an admitted short seller, to book massive financial gain through “wrongful means at the cost of countless investors”.

Earlier on Thursday, Adani Group said it was mulling legal options in the US and India against Hindenburg Research after its report accused firms owned by Gautam Adani of market manipulation and accounting fraud.

Jatin Jalundhwala, Group Head – Legal, Adani Group, in a statement, said, “The maliciously mischievous, unresearched report published by Hindenburg Research on 24 January 2023 has adversely affected the Adani Group, our shareholders and investors.”

“We (the Group) are evaluating the relevant provisions under US and Indian laws for remedial and punitive action against Hindenburg Research,” Jalundhwala said.

Reportedly, the research firm, in its report on Tuesday, raised concerns about shares of Adani group companies having a possibility of declining from their current levels, owing to high valuations.

The timing of the report by Hindenburg Research, Adani Group had said, “clearly betrays a brazen, mala fide intention to undermine” the Adani Group’s reputation with the “principal objective of damaging” the group’s Follow-on Public Offering from Adani Enterprises, the biggest FPO ever in India. (ANI)

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SRK Magic: Burj Khalifa Lights Up With 'Pathaan' Sneak

‘Pathaan’ To Become Fastest Movie To Earn ₹250 Crore

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s latest release ‘Pathaan’ has proved to be a massive box office success since its release and the action thriller still continues to cross new milestones.

The film’s Hindi version is estimated to collect Rs 60 crores on Sunday, according to film critic and movie trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Taking to Twitter he shared early estimates for the film and wrote, “#Pathaan early estimates Sun [Day 5]: Rs 60 cr to Rs 62 cr. #Hindi version. Note: Final total could be marginally higher/lower.”

Earlier, Taran estimated that the film is expected to become the fastest to hit the Rs 250 crore mark in India on Day 5.

He wrote, ‘PATHAAN’ NEW MILESTONE: FASTEST TO HIT Rs 250 CR… AGAIN OVERTAKES ‘KGF2’, ‘BAAHUBALI 2’, ‘DANGAL’… #Pathaan: Will cross Rs 250 cr today [Day 5] #KGF2 #Hindi: Day 7 #Baahubali2 #Hindi: Day 8 #Dangal: Day 10 #Sanju: Day 10 #TigerZindaHai: Day 10 #India biz.

Meanwhile, ‘Pathaan’ has minted 429 crores worldwide. It earned Rs 265 crore in India and Rs 164 crore overseas.

‘Pathaan’ has received a massive response from viewers and SRK’s fandom globally has warmly welcomed the actor to his movie after four years. The film also entered the Rs 100 crore club on its opening day.

With its opening weekend record, it also created two new feats – the fastest Hindi film to breach the Rs 300 crore worldwide barrier and secondly, becoming the first Hindi film to collect over 300 crores gross on its opening weekend. (ANI)

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Cold Wave: 10-15% Surge In Heart Attacks, High BP In Delhi-NCR | Lokmarg

Delhi-NCR To Receive Rain, Thunderstorm On January 30

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas are to face light to moderate rain with thunderstorms on the intervening night of January 29 and January 30, informed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of most places of entire Delhi.

Narela, Bawana, Alipur, Kanjhawala, Budha Jayanti Park, Jafarpur, Nazafgarh, Delhi Cantt, India Gate, Akshardham, Palam, Safdarjung, Lodi Road, Nehru Stadium, IGI Airport, Vasant Vihar, R K Puram, Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Vasant Kunj, Hauzkhas, Malviya nagar, Kalkaji, Mahrauli, Tughlakabad, Chhattarpur, IGNOU, Ayanagar, Deramandi area of Delhi to have light rain.

In the NCR region, Loni Dehat, Hindon AF Station, Bahadurgarh, Indirapuram, Noida, Gurugram, and Manesar to have rain.

Haryana’s Bhiwani, Uttar Pradesh’s Kithor, Garhmukteshwar, Hapur, and Gulaoti to have light to moderate intensity rain.

Haryana’s Jind, Gohana, Hansi, Rohtak, Charkhi Dadri, Mattanhail, Jhajjar, Loharu, Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Narnaul; Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnaur, Khatauli, Sakoti Tanda, Hastinapur, Chandpur, Daurala, Meerut, Modinagar, and Pilani and Jhunjhunu of Rajasthan to have rain in the late night of Jan 29. (ANI)

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Tourists Throng India’s First Igloo Cafe In Gulmarg

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

A glass igloo restaurant in the middle of the snow-covered mountains in Gulmarg has become the centre of attraction for tourists in the hill station in Kashmir.

Tourists can be seen enjoying their meals and taking photographs in this glass-wall restaurant.

This unique glass igloo restaurant is developed by Kolahoi Green Heights, a hotel in Gulmarg. The hotel claims it is the first glass igloo restaurant in the valley. It is worth noting that earlier they had built the valley’s first snow-covered restaurant.

According to Hotel Manager Hamid Masoudi, it has always taken unique measures to make Gulmarg attractive to tourists. He said that in 2020, the hotel made the biggest Igloo in Asia, while in 2021, they made the biggest Igloo in the world and this year, they made a glass igloo, which is the first such igloo in Kashmir.

“We took this concept from Finland and built three igloos in the courtyard of our hotel which was not seen anywhere before. Then we also built three igloos at phase one of Gulmarg which are very much appreciated by the visitors here,” Masoudi said.

He further said that imported fabricated material has been used for this unique igloo. This unique glass-fronted restaurant keeps the interior heat insulated as well as offers the best views.

“Eight people can sit in it at a time in each of these glass igloos. We are trying to give a different kind of experience to tourists,” Masoudi added.

These unique glass-fronted restaurants are loved by locals.

Sayakh, a tourist said that he had come to the Kashmir Valley and wanted to spend time in Gulmarg and when he found this restaurant, he had a very different experience.

“Sitting in it felt like I was peering through the window of heaven. It is not cold at all in this glass-enclosed restaurant. The view outside with a cup of coffee and this unique experience, I consider myself lucky,” Sayakh said. (ANI)

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Kapil Sharma Ties Up With Guru Randhawa For Debut Song

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Kapil Sharma is all set and excited about his collaboration with Guru Randhawa for their debut song. The poster of their upcoming song was unveiled on social media.

Taking to Instagram, Guru Randhawa treated fans with a new announcement and shared a poster featuring Kapil.

Sharing the poster, he wrote, “We are excited to share ” ALONE ” with you all. Can’t wait the world to hear @kapilsharma paji debut song. Out on 9th feb. @tseries.official @directorgifty @sanjoyd @iyogitabihani #bhushankumar.”

In the poster, Kapil is dressed in a black T-shirt topped-up brown coat. Guru Randhawa was seen in an all-black attire.

The duo’s upcoming song ‘Alone’ will be out on February 9.

As soon as the collaboration was announced, the industry friends chimed in the comment section.

Mika Singh wrote, “Kya baat hai the 2 rock star in one frame.”

Rapper Badshah reacted with raised hands emoji.

Recently, Guru Randhawa collaborated with Shehnaaz Gill for the song ‘Moon Rise’. The music video was unveiled earlier this month.

The singer is all set to make his acting debut in the upcoming comedy film ‘Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay’ alongside actor Anupam Kher.

Kapil on the other hand, after being screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of Kerala Nandita Das and Kapil Sharma’s ‘Zwigato’ is all set to hit the big screen soon.

The film is all set to release on March 17, 2023.

The film, which is presented by Applause Entertainment, is about an ex-floor manager (Kapil) of a factory who loses his job during the pandemic. He then works as a food delivery rider, grappling with the world of ratings and incentives.

To support the income, his homemaker wife begins to explore different work opportunities, with fear but also the excitement of new-found independence.

The film is about the relentlessness of life, but not without their shared moments of joy. It captures the lives of invisible, ‘ordinary’ people.(ANI)

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Will Chop Off Hands Of Anyone Who Touches Stalin: DMK’s TR Baalu

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

DMK MP and former union minister TR Baalu made a controversial statement saying he will chop off the hands of whoever touches his party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Speaking at an event organized in support of the Sethusamudram project in Madurai, the DMK leader spoke about his efforts for the project.
Baalu said, “I will chop off the hands of anyone who touches my party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, or Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani. This is my dharma.”

The DMK MP criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre for halting the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project project. He said the Centre’s decision to stop the project is like abruptly halting a train midway.

He alleged that the central government is halting the project without applying scientific or rational thinking and instead following religious lines. The DMK leader claimed the project would have now brought a profit of Rs 750 crore per annum.

Baalu said on many occasions compromised religious beliefs to complete development projects.

He said, “In my constituency, Sarasawathi Temple, Lakshmi temple, and Parvathi temple on GST were demolished. I only demolished all these three temples. I know I will not get votes but I also know how to get votes. My supporters even warned me that if temples were demolished, I will not get votes. But I told them there is no other way.”

“I told the need a temple. I constructed better temples with better facilities. Like this, in many places, I have convinced religious beliefs and completed projects,” added the DMK MP.

Earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to implement the Sethusamudram Project without further delay.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister MK Stalin, requested the Union Government not to delay the project as it is important for Tamil Nadu and the country’s economic growth.

A grand waterway project straddling India and Sri Lanka, the Sethusamudram project proposes to connect the Palk Strait with the Gulf of Mannar. The project is seen as key to bringing economic prosperity to the state and the country.

Commissioned in 2005, the project came to halt in light of protests by rightwing groups claiming that the project may harm the ‘Ram Setu’ bridge, which is believed to have been built by Lord Ram to reach Sri Lanka.

The Sethasasamudram project included a proposal to minimize a ship’s travel by almost 650 km, by making a canal in the Palk Strait.

Environmentalists and activists, too, protested against the project claiming it might pose a potential threat to the environment in Rameswaram, the southernmost tip of the country. (ANI)

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Modi Congratulates U-19 Indian Women’s Team For Winning ICC T20 World Cup

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team for winning the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.

India became the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup winners on Sunday, after a comprehensive, seven-wicket victory over England in Potchefstroom.
“They have played excellent cricket and their success will inspire several upcoming cricketers. Best wishes to the team for their future endeavours,” tweets PM Modi.

It was another clinical display with the ball that held the key to India’s march to victory, with Titas Sadhu setting the pace, with the spinners delivering another telling performance when it mattered.

Supplementing the fine bowling was outstanding fielding. The dismissal of England’s captain, Grace Scrivens, epitomised the sheer determination in the Indian ranks. The left-hander hit Archana towards long-off, where Gongadi Trisha sprinted in, then leapt forward to take an excellent, tumbling catch.

It was the key wicket, in many ways, and the celebrations from India confirmed as much. Scrivens would go on to scoop the Player of the Tournament award, but she would have given all of that up for a better English display with the bat.

Shafali Verma won the toss and elected to bowl, and Sadhu struck yet again in the first over. She hurried one onto Liberty Heap, who could only loop her attempted pull straight up and back to a gleeful Sadhu.

Her figures of two for 6 in four overs deservedly earned her the Player of the Match award with just the start that India craved. She was backed up well by Archana (two for 17) and the irrepressible Parshavi Chopra, who snared two for 13 to close out a terrific tournament offering.

There were also wickets apiece for Mannat Kashyap, Verma and Sonam Yadav, as England tumbled to 22 for four and then eventually 68 all out in 17.1 overs. After a tournament of free-scoring, only Ryana Macdonald-Gay (19 off 24 balls), Niamh Holland (10) and Sophia Smale (11) could reach double figures.

England’s hopes for more heroics with the ball were raised when they removed Verma (15) and Shweta Sehrawat (5) inside the first four overs. Verma hit a four and a six as she tried to put the heat on England early before she top-edged Hannah Baker to short fine-leg.

Soumya Tiwari and Trisha were having none of it. Tiwari smacked three fours in her 24 not out from 37 balls, while Trisha got more and more fluent as the target came into sight. Her 29-ball stay was ended on 24, bowled by Alexa Stonehouse as she tried to finish it off in style. (ANI)

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Odisha CM Mourns Demise Of Min Naba Das

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Expressing shock and distress over the demise of State Health Minister Naba Das when he succumbed to bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said that Naba Das was an asset to both the Government and the party and his death is a great loss to Odisha.

Das was shot at by one police personnel near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district earlier today.
Das, who was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district, succumbed to his injuries in Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar today.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “I am shocked and distressed over the very unfortunate demise of Minister Sri Naba Das. The doctors made every possible effort to save his life. But unfortunately, he could not recover,” the Chief Minister said.

Describing the late minister an asset for the government and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Patnaik said that Das carried out several initiatives to benefit the people.

“As a leader, he was instrumental in strengthening Biju Janata Dal. He was a grass root person and was loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people,” he said.

“His death is a great loss to the State of Odisha,” the Chief Minister added.

Patnaik also prayed for peace and tranquility of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members.

The Health Minister, who was said to be in a critical condition, was airlifted to the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar where he breathed his last.

Das was shot at by one police personnel near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district earlier today, following which he was critically injured.

A team of doctors led by Dr Debashish Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him.

On operating was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung and causing massive internal bleeding and injury, the officials said.

According to officials, the injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries.

Following the shooting incident, the Chief Minister directed the Crime Branch to take up the investigation into the matter, following which a team of Odisha Crime Branch headed by a senior police official proceeded to Brajarajnagar where state Health Minister Naba Das was shot at.

The team led by Additional Director General Arun Bothra left for the crime spot to inquire into the firing incident on Minister Naba Das.

Earlier, an eyewitness, advocate Ram Mohan Rao said that the policeman fired at the Odisha minister from point-blank range.

“This incident occurred at about 12.30 afternoon at Gandhi chowk when Das was on his way to attend a program. He sustained bullet injuries to his left chest, leaving him seriously injured,” Rao said.

“At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, the crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after the shooting from close range. Minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar,” he added.

The exact reason behind the firing is still unclear. (ANI)

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Tourists Flock To Mount Abu As Fog Envelopes Hill Station

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

It had rained yesterday in Rajasthan’s hill station Mount Abu and as tourists arrived there in large numbers to enjoy the cold weather, fog enveloped the town on Sunday.

A tourist told ANI, “I came here to enjoy the -4 degree Celsius temperature. It rained yesterday here after which there is a lot of fog. A lot of people are here to enjoy the weather.”
After the thick fog covered the mountains, heavy rains began in the hill station which continued for a prolonged period of time. Due to the heavy rains, the weather became naturally attractive but the visitors and tourists who came outside to explore the hill station had to rush back to their rooms.

Though the rains caused a little increase in the minimum temperature, the cold weather remained bitter and frigid. The tourists here enjoyed the cold weather and they were seen capturing the climate through their mobile phones as they made their moment memorable.

“Suddenly the weather changed. It seems like heaven. After the rain, the temperature rose a little and the beautiful fog is just a treat to our eyes,” said a middle-aged tourist, who visited the place along with his friends.

The tourists and visitors thoroughly embraced the chilly weather and the dense fog in the mountains. The temperature in the hill station has been remarkably low for the last 25 days which on the mercury has remained below 0 degrees Celsius, as claimed by the locals.

The Indian Meteorological Department experts believe that after heavy rains, extremely chilly winds would begin once the sky is clear.

Among a group of youngsters, a youth said, “Four of us came from Ahmedabad on a totally unplanned trip. One of my friends suggested on the way that let’s head to Abu and I have not regretted it. It is extremely beautiful and one of the best experiences I will ever have on a trip,”(ANI)

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