Month: November 2020

As he completed the second year of a happy married life with his superstar wife Deepika Padukone, actor Ranveer Singh on Saturday marked their wedding anniversary with a special love-soaked post.

The ‘Gully Boy,’ actor took to Instagram to share two adorable pictures of himself with the ‘Piku’ actor and extended anniversary greetings to his “gudia (doll).”

The pictures showed the ‘Bajirao Mastani,’ actors decked up in co-ordinated matching ensembles posing near a serene lake.

While Deepika is seen wearing a cream coloured suit with peach coloured flower prints on it, Ranveer is seen wearing a matching Kurta with similar prints along with a peach coloured waistcoast.

“Souls eternally intertwined. Happy second anniversary, Meri Gudia (My Doll) @deepikapadukone,” Ranveer wrote in the caption.

The much-loved couple ceremoniously tied the knot on November 14, 2018, in Italy’s Lake Como. The two wedded in a traditional south Indian ceremony, following which they also had a north Indian wedding a day after.

The couple has starred together in a number of films including Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’.

Deepveer will soon be seen together in Kabir Khan’s ’83’ with Ranveer essaying the role of World Cup-winning former Indian captain Kapil Dev while needless to say, Deepika will play his on-screen wife. (ANI)

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan and said that the election results were being prepared in advance.

“The fake government has drawn up a pre-poll rigging plan in Gilgit-Baltistan. The political bribes are being doled out for that,” said the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief, while speaking at a news conference, reported Geo News.

He alleged that wheat was being distributed in a large number of trucks, which carried banners with the portraits of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PDM chief said various tactics were being employed to ensure the win for the ruling PTI in the election.

Rehman further claimed that the Election Commission and the state agencies were not performing their assigned duties.

He added that the PTI government was hiding behind the coronavirus pandemic, and said that the opposition alliance would go ahead with its planned public meetings.

Rehman asserted that there was unanimity in the PDM over the fact that July 25, 2018 election was rigged, for which the civil and military establishment was responsible,Geo News reported.

“We will talk to those responsible for this, not this fake government,” he said.

“Pakistan relations with the close friends such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirate have gone soar,” he added, while maintaining that price-hike and corruption are at their peak and the people are sick of this ‘fake’ government.

Pakistan had earlier announced that it will hold elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly on November 15. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will celebrate Diwali with soldiers at Longewala in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on Saturday.

Chief of Defence Staff, Bipin Rawat, Army Chief MM Narvane and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Rakesh Asthana will accompany the Prime Minister to Jaisalmer.

Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi greeted the citizens on the occasion of Diwali and wrote on Twitter, “Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this festival further brightness and happiness. May everyone be prosperous and healthy.”

On Friday, the Prime Minister appealed to people to light a ‘diya’ on Diwali as a salute to the soldiers guarding the nation on the borders.

“This Diwali, let us also light a Diya as a ‘Salute to Soldiers’ who fearlessly protect our nation. Words can’t do justice to the sense of gratitude we’ve for our soldiers for their exemplary courage. We’re also grateful to families of those on the borders,” he tweeted.

PM Modi also tweeted an audio clip of his recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, in which he had first given a call to citizens to light a ‘diya’ for soldiers on the festival of lights.

“We must remember our brave soldiers who are guarding our borders even in this festive time, serving Bharat Mata and providing security. We must celebrate Diwali only after remembering them. We must also light a lamp for these brave sons and daughters of Mother India,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that even though all soldiers and frontline COVID-19 workers would not be home to celebrate the festival with their loved ones, the entire nation will pray for them. (ANI)

In a bid to assert its dominance over Hong Kong, China has threatened countermeasures against Britain and Australia for condemning its disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers from the Hong Kong Legislative Council, reported NHK World.

Singling out both countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claimed that some countries have violently interfered in China’s internal affairs and seriously violated the basic principles of international law and relations.

He further informed that China firmly opposes this and has lodged a protest with the countries, while threatening that China will take firm and necessary measures, if Britain, Australia, and other countries do not change their stance on China’s internal affairs.

According to NHK World, European countries and the United States are stepping up their criticism of China, with officials saying the country is depriving Hong Kong people of rights promised under the “one country, two systems” framework.

On Wednesday, four Hong Kong opposition lawmakers were disqualified with immediate effect after the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) passed a resolution allowing local authorities power to unseat politicians without having to go through the city’s courts.

Following the dismissal of lawmakers, all Hong Kong’s pro-democracy legislators resigned together in the protest against China’s top legislative body’s resolution, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

“Hong Kong, from today onward, can no longer tell the world that there is ‘one country, two systems’,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Wu Chi-wai.

The lawmakers unseated on Wednesday were the Civic Party’s Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Kwok Ka-ki and Dennis Kwok, alongside Kenneth Leung of the Professionals Guild, who were previously barred from running in the now-postponed Legislative Council elections, originally slated for September. (ANI)

The BJP has urged for President’s rule in West Bengal, party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said on Friday stating that the state cannot conduct a free and fair 2021 Assembly elections under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government.

Vijayvargiya, who is Central Observer for West Bengal said that free and fair elections can be held only if President’s rule is imposed or in the absence of the current local administration.

“India is the biggest democratic country. There is no place for violence in democracy. We can defeat people involved in violent activities through the electoral process. In the upcoming Assembly polls, people of Bengal will stand up against this violent politics,” he said.

When asked if President’s rule should be imposed in West Bengal, he said “We are demanding for it. But the decision has to be taken by the Central government. We have told Election Commission that an atmosphere conducive for free and fair elections should be created.

“In the current atmosphere, free and fair elections cannot be held. Free and fair elections can be held only if President’s rule is imposed or by local administration,” he claimed.

Vijayvargiya said that new politics has begun in Bihar and the state will develop under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

When asked if BJP’s next target is to form government in Maharashtra, he said: “It is not right to comment on it now. But the way the government is functioning there, there is public outrage against the Maharashtra government. I cannot say what will happen in the future.” (ANI)

As many as 7,802 new COVID-19 cases and 91 deaths were reported in the national capital within 24 hours, taking the total number of cases in the national capital to 4,74,830, the Delhi health department informed on Friday.

The number of active cases now stands at 44,329, while the death toll mounted to 7,423.

So far, 4,23,078 recoveries have been reported from Delhi, including 6,498 in the last 24 hours.

The case positive rate currently stands at 13.80 per cent, while the death rate (in the last 10 days) stands at 1.07.

As many as 56,553 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, India’s COVID-19 tally crossed the 87-lakh mark on Friday with 44,879 new cases in the last 24 hours, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total number of positive coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 87,28,795, including 4,84,547 active cases and 1,28,668 deaths. (ANI)

Congress on Friday appointed Ajit Sharma, MLA from Bhagalpur, as the new chief of its legislature party (CLP) in the state.

“Ajit Sharma has been appointed as Bihar Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader,” Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told reporters in Patna.

Baghel and party leaders Avinash Pandey were observers for the meeting which earlier passed a resolution urging party chief Sonia Gandhi to name the leader for the post.

Sources said Baghel and Pandey held a one-to-one meeting with MLAs and held discussions with Sonia Gandhi after which a decision was taken to appoint Sharma the new CLP leader.

Congress won 19 seats in Bihar assembly. The meeting was attended by 17 MLAs.

The Congress office, where the meeting was held earlier, witnessed ruckus as supporters of two MLAs resorted to pushing and shoving over the choice of a new leader.

Sources said that supporters of Siddharth Singh, who won from Bikram seat, and Vijay Shankar Dubey, a former minister who won from Maharajganj, resorted to sloganeering and pushing each other. They were demanding that their leader be elected to the post.

Speaking to ANI, Bihar Congress President, Madan Mohan Jha said he will take cognizance of the matter.

“I am not aware of ruckus, I will take cognizance of the matter. There is no big deal in two MLAs not attending the CLP meeting today. Abidur Rahman is unwell and Manohar Prasad did meet us yesterday, today he didn’t come,” said Jha. (ANI)

Former Miss World and actor Manushi Chhillar on Friday said that he is thrilled that her family will be whole again this Diwali.

The 23-year-old actor’s mother, Dr Neelam Chhillar was in Delhi working through the coronavirus pandemic and Manushi couldn’t get to meet her. The Chhillar family will finally come together again this festive season as her mother has flown down to Mumbai for the festival.

“It is definitely a super special Diwali for me and our family this year. Diwali is all about celebrating with your loved ones. My family is my biggest anchor and Diwali for me has always been about being grateful for the unconditional love that they shower on me,” she said.

“So, for me, this Diwali became all the more special because I finally got to meet my mother after 8 months,” she added.

The former Miss India went on to share how her mother has been fighting COVID-19 on the frontline.

“My mother was working in Delhi and then coronavirus hit our country and she had to stay in Delhi and work through the pandemic. We were on video calls every single day and missing each other terribly but I respect her all the more because she chose to do her duty for the nation, her fellow citizens and I couldn’t be prouder. She inspires me,” the 23-year-old actor said.

“I’m going to cherish every moment with my mother and our family before I start shooting again. It’s going to be a very hectic next few months and I’m looking forward to my work commitments after this festive season,” she added.

Manushi, won the Miss World crown 17 years after Priyanka Chopra made India proud on the world stage in 2017.

She is currently shooting for her Bollywood debut ‘Prithviraj,’ where she will be seen working opposite superstar Akshay Kumar. (ANI)

Mumbai Police arrested five workers of the Dalit Youth Panther party for allegedly threatening a businessman and trying to extort Rs 5 lakh from his company, the police said on Friday.

“Five political workers of Dalit Youth Panther party namely BhaiSaheb Jadhav (38), Aniket Ghadge (32), Kamlesh Shinde (42), Namdeo Patil (33) and Ritik Kambale (21), who were threatening a businessman and trying to extort Rs 5 lakh rupees from his company Neeraj Cement company. The accused had threatened him that if he fails to pay the money, they will disturb the ongoing work by his company,” the police statement said.

The police said that an FIR was registered by Govandi police on November 11 and all five accused were arrested the next day.

“Today they were produced before a court and are remanded to police custody till November 15,” the police added. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to citizens of the country to light a diya on Diwali as a salute to the soldiers guarding the nation on the borders.

While addressing the countrymen via a video message, featuring soldiers, police officials, health workers fighting on the frontlines of COVID-19, on Twitter, the Prime Minister also expressed his gratitude to their families.

“Friends, we must remember our brave soldiers who are guarding our borders even in this festive time, serving Bharat Mata and providing security. We must celebrate Diwali only after remembering them. We must also light a lamp for these brave sons and daughters of Mother India,” the Prime Minister said.

He said that even though all soldiers and frontline COVID-19 workers would not be home to celebrate the festival with their loved ones, the entire nation would pray for them.

“This Diwali, let us also light a Diya as a #Salute2Soldiers who fearlessly protect our nation. Words can’t do justice to the sense of gratitude we’ve for our soldiers for their exemplary courage. We’re also grateful to families of those on the borders,” he said, via his video message on Twitter.

Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated on November 14 this year. (ANI)