Month: October 2021

In what seems like a fresh round of tension in the Punjab unit of Congress, former state unit president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday accused the Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi led government of “trying to erase Iron Lady of India from history” by publishing any remembrance advertisements for late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary.

Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader posted an advertisement released by “Captain Saab” Amarinder Singh-led government last year, as “none appeared” this year.

“I can understand BJP trying to erase ‘Iron Lady of India’ from history but don’t we still have a Congress Government in Punjab. PS. I know Capt Saab won’t mind my using this PB Govt’s ad from last year, as none appeared today,” Tweeted Jakhar.

In another post, Jakhar took a veiled dig at the appointment of Jagdish Tytler–one of the main accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots– as a permanent invitee to the Delhi Congress’ new executive committee and wondered if the absence of ad had anything to do with that.

“Or is it a case of ‘once burned twice shy’ – in light of a certain appointment two days ago?” Jakhar added.

Following Jakhar’s attack, Punjab Congress paid their tribute to Indira Gandhi on Twitter.

“We pay tribute to the Iron Lady of India and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Ji on her death anniversary,” tweeted the official account of Punjab Congress.

It is also to be noted that Punjab Chief Minister Channu didn’t tweet on the occasion of Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and many ministers also did not tweet on the occasion.

Sources close to Jakhar said that it’s not a matter of missing out on advertisements, but Chief Minister’s attempts to distance himself from the party’s legacy.

“This is a fundamental issue. A chief minister can not disown or shy away from his party’s legacy because he finds it politically inconvenient at a particular time. It’s not an oversight but seems to be a deliberate move so as not to antagonise the hardcore Sikh elements ahead of assembly elections. This incident also came two days after Channi was accused of concurring to the appointment of Tytler in DPCC,” the source said.

It is also important to be noted that Assembly elections are due in Punjab early next year.

“Questions are arising whether there the Punjab government fear of getting cornered by the opposition,” they added. (ANI)

The 26th United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26), delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, kicked off on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland.

As the first conference after the five-year review cycle under the Paris Agreement inked in 2015, delegates are expected to review overall progress and plan future actions on climate change in the coming two weeks, Sputnik reported.

The conference comes at a time when the world has gone through a series of climate-change-related weather disasters, from severe flooding to wildfires.

Issues high on the agenda include finalizing the rules for the Paris Agreement’s market mechanism and wealthy countries’ unmet finance pledge to the developing countries to help them tackle climate-related challenges.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, COP26 President Alok Sharma said: “We postponed COP26 by a year. But during that year, climate change did not take time off…And we know that the window to keep 1.5 degrees within reach is closing.”

“We know that our shared planet is changing for the worse. And we can only address that together, through this international system…And if we act now, and we act together, we can protect our precious planet,” Sputnik quoting him added. (ANI)

With Diwali just days away, New Delhi’s markets are witnessing a surge in shoppers.

Although social distancing is not at all being followed inside the market premises, continuous announcements are being done asking people to keep wearing the masks and follow social distancing.

Omdutt Sharma, Volunteer market president, Sarojini Nagar market told ANI, “The market has opened. We are making regular announcements to follow COVID appropriate behaviour. However, shoppers have to behave responsibly. We are strictly monitoring the crowds with volunteers asking people to keep wearing masks. We hope people will abide by it.”

Several businessmen, vendors that ANI spoke to said they are doing good business this year but it could never reach the scale of pre coronavirus days.

Vinod Monga a shop vendor who is running a shop in Karol Bagh for fifty years said “People are in the festive mood and avoiding wearing a mask because they feel everything is fine around.”

Adding to this, Monga said however the situation is better because 100 crore vaccination has been done.

Speaking further, the shopkeeper requested visitors to take care of their old age parents and ask them to stay home.

“I want to request all the visitors, please ask your old age parents to stay at home. The situation is not good for them,” he added.

Pankaj a visitor also said “during the second wave we have faced a lot of difficulties. Children and parents should avoid visiting these crowded places.”

According to the ministry, India reports 12,830 new COVID-19 cases, 14,667 recoveries and 446 deaths in the last 24 hours as per the Union Health Ministry.

Total recoveries figures reaches 3,36,55,842 with death toll reaching 4,58,186 and total vaccination scores to 1,06,14,40,335. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited Spain to invest in India and take advantage of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline, Asset Monetization Plan and the Gati Shakti Plan.

The developments as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed ways to deepen ties between both countries.
“PM Modi invited Spain to invest in various sectors including Green Hydrogen, infrastructure and defence manufacturing and further take advantage of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline, Asset Monetization Plan and the Gati Shakti Plan,” the Ministry of External Affairs informed in a statement.

The two leaders also discussed India-EU relations as well as cooperation on climate action and priorities at the upcoming COP26. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific, the statement said.

The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) is a first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure to citizens and improve their quality of life, Invest India informed.

The project aims to improve project preparation and attract investments into infrastructure.

Besides, the Asset Monetisation Plan is concerned with shifting from ‘privatization’ and ‘slump sale’ of assets to ‘structured partnerships’ with the private sector within defined contractual frameworks, Niti Aayog informed.

Meanwhile, during the G20 Summit in Rome, PM Modi also attended the session on Climate Change and Environment.

Later today, Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (ANI)

Where celebrities are sporting their best spookiest looks for Halloween’s night, here’s Bollywood diva Jacqueline Fernandez who took the social media ablaze by channelling her inner mermaid princess for the occasion.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Jacqueline shared a picture of herself where she could be seen dressed up as a sultry mermaid princess for Halloween 2021.

The ‘Kick’ actor donned a silver body-hugging gown with a tiara. Keeping the fashion game on, Jacqueline accessorised her look with some finger rings, a pair of long bling earrings and a silver tiara. Keeping her curly long tresses open, she amplified the glam quotient with sparkly glitter along with purple blush on her cheeks, black eyeliner streaks, mascara-laden eyelashes, blue, silver and purple eyeshadows, blue lens and filled-in eyebrows.

Her well-fitted gown also had a small trail that was styled as a mermaid’s tail to increase the oomph of the entire look.

Sharing the pictures, Jacqueline wrote, “Happy Halloween everyone!! I hope you stay your craziest, weirdest self!!”

Her alluring post garnered more than eight lakh likes with a string of heartfelt comments from fans and celebrity followers.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Jacqueline was recently seen in the horror-comedy film, ‘Bhoot Police’. She has multiple projects in the pipeline including ‘Kick 2’, ‘Bachchan Pandey’, and ‘Ram Setu’.

She will also be featured in a special project with ‘365 Days’ actor Michele Morrone. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here on Sunday and discussed ways to deepen ties between India and Spain.

In a tweet, Prime Minister’s Office said that the two nations are cooperating extensively in areas such as trade, energy, innovation and more.
“In Rome, PM @narendramodi met the Prime Minister of Spain, Mr. @sanchezcastejon. Both leaders had fruitful talks on ways to deepen ties between India and Spain. The two nations are cooperating extensively in areas such as trade, energy, innovation and more,” PMO tweeted.

PM Modi is in Rome to attend the G20 summit. He has held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. On Saturday, he met French President Emmanuel Macron and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Meanwhile, the G20 summit was kicked off on Saturday. The second day of the G20 started with a walk of the Heads of Delegation in one of the symbolic places of the historic downtown: Trevi Fountain.

Thereafter, PM Modi attended the session on Climate Change and Environment on Sunday.

Afterwards, the G20 Heads of Delegation gathered at the Convention Center La Nuvola for a side event and two working sessions.

Later today, Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Convention Center La Nuvola in Rome will then host both the multilateral sessions and the bilateral meetings of the Leaders. Today’s engagement also includes a working session on Sustainable Development.

The Summit will end with the traditional final press conference by Prime Minister Mario Draghi who, opening the meeting yesterday, highlighted that “multilateralism is the best answer to the problems we face today. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here on Sunday and discussed ways to deepen ties between India and Spain.

In a tweet, Prime Minister’s Office said that the two nations are cooperating extensively in areas such as trade, energy, innovation and more.
“In Rome, PM @narendramodi met the Prime Minister of Spain, Mr. @sanchezcastejon. Both leaders had fruitful talks on ways to deepen ties between India and Spain. The two nations are cooperating extensively in areas such as trade, energy, innovation and more,” PMO tweeted.

PM Modi is in Rome to attend the G20 summit. He has held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. On Saturday, he met French President Emmanuel Macron and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Meanwhile, the G20 summit was kicked off on Saturday. The second day of the G20 started with a walk of the Heads of Delegation in one of the symbolic places of the historic downtown: Trevi Fountain.

Thereafter, PM Modi attended the session on Climate Change and Environment on Sunday.

Afterwards, the G20 Heads of Delegation gathered at the Convention Center La Nuvola for a side event and two working sessions.

Later today, Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Convention Center La Nuvola in Rome will then host both the multilateral sessions and the bilateral meetings of the Leaders. Today’s engagement also includes a working session on Sustainable Development.

The Summit will end with the traditional final press conference by Prime Minister Mario Draghi who, opening the meeting yesterday, highlighted that “multilateralism is the best answer to the problems we face today. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of those who lost their lives in a road accident in Chakrata.

“The injured will also be given Rs 50,000 each,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a tweet.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic accident in Chakrata, Uttarakhand. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000 each: PM @narendramodi,” the PMO tweeted.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Dehradun road mishap climbed to 13 on Sunday, informed Dehradun District Magistrate Dr R Rajesh Kumar.

The road accident took place at Bulhad-Baila road in the Chakrata tehsil of Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district. (ANI)

As Kerala is all set to re-open schools from Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the guidelines prepared jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Education need to be strictly followed by all schools.

“It is very important to keep the schools functioning in a safe manner. The support of teachers and parents alike is essential in this regard. For this, the guidelines prepared jointly by the Department of Health and the Department of Education in collaboration with other departments need to be strictly followed,” the Chief Minister said.
“Important instructions have been passed on to schools and to parents also,” Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister said that the schools would implement necessary instructions to control congestion in schools, maintain maximum social distance among children, and ensure cleanliness in classrooms and surroundings.

“Each school will work in collaboration with the health department to take the necessary steps to complete the safety procedures. Necessary mechanisms are in place to monitor and implement these activities,” he said.

Detailing on the government’s decision over re-opening schools in the state, Vijayan said that the study was able to progress well through online classes, but students missed the school ambience.

“There were challenges in online education but the situation is changing from Monday,” he said.

“The number of new cases and patients undergoing treatment has been greatly reduced. The government has taken the decision with utmost vigilance. Classes one to seven, classes 10 and 12 will start from November 1 and the rest from November 15, he added. (ANI)

Bollywood diva Shilpa Shetty channelled her spooky side as she turned out as a ‘zombie bride’ from Halloween 2021.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Shilpa shared a reel video of herself in which she could be seen revealing her extremely spooky look for this year’s Halloween.
Shilpa could be seen unveiling her face from her ‘zombie bride’ look that made her unrecognisable.

Sharing the video, Shilpa wrote, “Happy HaLLowEen… #halloween2021 #boo.”

The post went viral within a few minutes of being posted and accumulated thousands of likes on the photo-sharing platform.

Shilpa is one of the most active celebrities on social media. She took a little break from the virtual world after her husband Raj Kundra was arrested in the porn racket case.

The ‘Hungama 2’ actor recently celebrated her first Karva Chauth after Raj was granted bail in the porn racket case.

The couple ceremoniously tied the knot on November 22, 2009, following a big fat wedding function in Khandala.

Shilpa and Raj are parents to two children, eight-year-old Viaan Raj Kundra and one-year-old daughter Samisha Shetty Kundra.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Shilpa was recently seen as a judge at the reality show ‘Super Dancer 4’, alongside Geeta Kapur and Anurag Basu. The reality show had its last episode aired on 9 October 2021. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Rome.

The second day of the G20 started with a walk of the Heads of Delegation in one of the symbolic places of the historic downtown: Trevi Fountain. Thereafter, PM Modi attended the session on Climate Change and Environment on Sunday.
Afterwards, the G20 Heads of Delegation gathered at the Convention Center La Nuvola for a side event and two working sessions.

Later today, Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Convention Center La Nuvola in Rome will then host both the multilateral sessions and the bilateral meetings of the Leaders. Today’s engagement also includes a working session on Sustainable Development.

The Summit will end with the traditional final press conference by Prime Minister Mario Draghi who, opening the meeting yesterday, highlighted that “multilateralism is the best answer to the problems we face today.

On Saturday, Prime Minister had called on Pope Francis at the Vatican City. He later invited Pope to visit India.

He also attended a session on Global Economy and Global Health at the G20 and later held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (ANI)