Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Sunday was discharged from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi after the treatment.
Dr Singh got discharged at 5:20 pm from AIIMS, Delhi. He was admitted to AIIMS on October 13 and was under the observation of doctors since then.
He had complained of weakness, hospital sources had said.
Earlier this month, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the hospital to meet him. (ANI)
Spending time with pets and loving them indeed relieves stress, and Bollywood diva Disha Patani’s recent post showcases the same.
Taking to her Instagram handle, the ‘Malang’ actor posted a series of adorable pictures with her pooches.
In the snaps, Disha could be seen cuddling and kissing her four-legged friends ‘Bella’ and ‘Goku’ with all affection.
The cute post garnered more than 2 lakh likes within a few minutes of being shared. Fans and celebrity followers including her rumoured beau Tiger Shroff’s sister Ayesha also chimed into the comments section to shower love on the pictures.
“Babies,” Ayesha wrote with red heart emoticons added to it.
On a related note, the actor often shares pictures of her dogs Goku, Bella and cat Jasmine on her social media handle with her fans and followers.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Disha recently announced her second schedule wrap for the upcoming film ‘Ek Villain Returns’, which also stars John Abraham, Tara Sutaria, and Arjun Kapoor in lead roles.
The film is the sequel to ‘Ek Villain: There’s One in Every Love Story’ which was released in 2014, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra in the lead roles along with Riteish Deshmukh as the villain.
Directed by Mohit Suri, the film is being jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms. (ANI)
Immediately after returning to India after attending the G20 Summit and COP26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a review meeting with districts having low COVID-19 vaccination coverage on November 3 at 12 noon via video conferencing.
As per an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting will include districts with less than 50 per cent coverage of the first dose and low coverage of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The Prime Minister will interact with District Magistrates of over 40 districts in Jharkhand, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and other States with districts having low vaccination coverage. Chief Ministers of these States will also be present on the occasion, it added.
Meanwhile, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 106.14 crore. A total of 1,06,14,40,335 vaccine doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries. Of these, 68,04,806 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. (ANI)
In a veiled attack on Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that attempts were made post-Independence to forget Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his contributions, but the situation has changed as the world’s tallest statue is a testimony of the changed realities.
“Unfortunate attempts were made to forget Sardar Patel. After independence, his contributions were never given due respect. He was neither given Bharat Ratna nor proper respect. The situation has changed. He was given Bharat Ratna and this world’s tallest statue is before us to see,” Shah said while addressing the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ (National Unity Day) programme at Kevadia in Gujarat’s Narmada district to mark Sardar Patel’s 146th birth anniversary.
Shah further said that in 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government at the Centre, October 31 was introduced as National Unity Day.
“When there was a change in the country in 2014, the government was formed under the leadership of Modi ji, then it was decided to celebrate October 31 as National Unity Day. This was done so that the struggle that Sardar Patel fought for independence for years continues to inspire the younger generation of the country,” Shah noted.
Earlier today, he paid floral tributes to Patel at his 182-metre tall statue, which is the tallest in the world. The statue was inaugurated in October 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at the event, Shah said that Kevadia has become a pilgrimage site.
“Kevadia is not just the name of a place, it has become a shrine – a shrine of national unity, of patriotism. This sky-high statue of Sardar Patel is giving a message to the world that India’s future is bright, that nobody can damage the unity and integrity of India,” he said.
Sardar Patel, who is credited with uniting all 562 princely states of the pre-independent country to build the Republic of India, passed away on December 15, 1950. (ANI)
India reported 12,830 new COVID-19 cases, 446 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry on Sunday.
Of the 12,830 new infections and 446 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours, Kerala reported 7,427 new cases and 62 deaths.
As per the ministry, India’s active caseload stands at 1,59,272, which is the lowest in 247 days. The active cases account for less than 1 per cent of total cases and is currently at 0.46 per cent which is the lowest since March 2020.
So far, 3,42,73,300 positive cases have been registered across the country since the onset of the pandemic last year in March.
With 14,667 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries mounted to 3,36,55,842. Consequently, the recovery rate is currently at 98.20 per cent.
The COVID-19 death toll in the country stands at 4,58,186.
The daily positivity rate is 1.13 per cent and it is less than 2 per cent for last 27 days. Meanwhile, weekly positivity rate is 1.18 per cent, which also remained below 2 per cent for last 37 days.
As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), over 60.83 crore (60,83,19,915) COVID-19 tests have been conducted so far. Of these, 11,35,142 samples were tested on Saturday.
In the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive, 106.14 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. (ANI)
On the occasion of the 146th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday paid floral tributes to the First Deputy Prime Minister of independent India at his statue at Sardar Patel Chowk in the national capital.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders also reached the Parliament House to pay floral tributes to Sardar Patel.
“Paid tributes to Sardar Patel at the Parliament House on his jayanti. His contribution in India’s freedom struggle and ensuring the unity and integrity of our country will always be remembered,” tweeted the Defence Minister.
Calling Sardar Patel a ‘hero’ who united the country, Singh said he will be remembered for his contributions in liberating India.
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a hero who united the country in the thread of unity, will always be remembered for his role in liberating India and his decisive leadership. He has also contributed a lot for the construction of New India. I bow to him on the occasion of his birth anniversary,” said the Defence Minister in another tweet.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad also paid tribute to Sardar Patel in Patna on the occasion of his birth anniversary today.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday presided over the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Divas’ (National Unity Day) program at Kevadia in Gujarat where he also paid floral tributes to Sadar Patel’s 182-metre-tall statue, the tallest in the world. The statue was inaugurated in October 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
National Unity Day is celebrated in India on October 31. It was introduced by the Central government in 2014. Sardar Patel, who is credited with uniting all 562 princely states of the pre-independent country to build the Republic of India, passed away on December 15, 1950. (ANI)
Something peculiar and unprecedented is happening in perhaps one of the most advanced capitalist countries of the world – the People’s Republic of China, run by a totalitarian, one-dimensional and powerful regime led by the Communist Party of China. And it is certainly not a ‘Second Cultural Revolution’ which degraded and ravaged the lives of millions, including the educated youth, intellectuals, communists, literary figures, writers, musicians and artists, and veteran party leaders, among others. Besides, anything remotely western, including western classical music or literature, was abhorred and condemned.
The cultural revolution was implemented in the cities, towns and vast rural countryside of China, between 1966 and 1977, with Mao Tse Tung at the helm, and unleashed by the notorious ‘Gang of Four’. The gang was led by Mao’s fourth wife, Jiang Qing, also a former actress.
The ten-year project was enacted by the party cadres with devastating consequences, ostensibly to clean the party and society of ‘reactionary and bourgeois elements’, to resurrect the ‘original principles’ of Mao Tse Tung Thought, and to re-educate the educated youth and intelligentsia in urban areas and compel them to go and work for extremely long spells in rural countryside. All those deviating from the stated goals would be severely punished. President Xi Jinping was a student then; it is reported that his father, a committed party official holding important positions, too, was hounded and purged.
In the current circumstances, when it comes to the reality behind the Great Wall of China, it all seems trapped in a haze and maze of multiple contradictions, but no one really knows the real running story behind the iron curtain with total clampdown on freedom of expression and news. So much so, even the social media and internet is under State control. Indeed, an indiscreet or adventurous blogger, however anonymous, might land up in serious trouble if he-she, inadvertently, or otherwise, ruffles the feathers in the ubiquitous Chinese establishment. Undoubtedly, Big Brother is always watching.
However, something totally out of the ordinary is currently happening in China, which, till the other day, was celebrating its huge capitalist profit machine inside and outside the country, and, which had, since Deng Xiaoping, openly flaunted and encouraged the rise and rise of infinite private property and wealth, even while mass disparity and inequality was kept bottled-up and camouflaged by the iron fist of a dictatorial State apparatus.
Check out the bizarre events which have unfolded with its share of shadowy mysteries in recent times. It’s mind-boggling, and uncannily reminds of the dark memories of the cultural revolution.
Since the last two decades, top actress, director, pop singer and big business tycoon, beautiful billionaire Zhao Wei, has been a beloved of the country, a superstar bigger than the biggest names in Hollywood. Indeed, after capitalist reforms were ushered in the late 1970s, she had emerged as a national icon of the new ethos in China. Her films would gross millions in box office hits and her versatility and range as an actress was considered brilliant and kaleidoscopic.
Also known as Vicky, she was the catalyst behind award-winning and super hit movies, millions of her music albums were sold out across China and abroad, her big-time investments included hi-tech and entertainment ventures, while her fan-base almost hit the 100 million mark on Weibo, China’s microblogging site.
She was hailed with innumerable awards, and her personal earnings outstretched unimaginable heights. Her popular movies include, Lost in Hongkong, Hollywood Adventures, Red Cliff, Painted Skin, Dearest, Shaolin Soccer, My Fair Princess, Love, among others. She has been the main model of Fendi, the Italian fashion house, in China.
Besides, she was known to be a close buddy and partner of ‘Alibaba tycoon’, Jack Ma; she and her husband were apparently initial investors in Alibaba Pictures, with a $400 million stake, in 2015. It’s dark irony, that even Jack Ma seems to have suddenly lost his lustre in the eyes of the current dispensation in Beijing.
What is happening in Xi Jinping’s new China with its sudden new doctrine of ‘Long-term Common Prosperity’ with a deadly crackdown on big business, hi-tech companies, celebrities, top TV shows, and social media-online activities, especially among the young, therefore, acquires both sinister and mysterious overtones. And there are no two-minute answers, like Chinese noodles.
Zhao Wei has suddenly been banned in China, and no one knows why! Her name and references to her has been eliminated from social media platforms, film and television credits, from the media and social media: all the highly popular stuff associated with her iconic status in the film or television industry, including chat shows, have vanished into the blue, including from live streaming sites.
Another famous actor, Zhang Zhehan, has been banned as well. His name has been removed from the social media. One apparent mistake he has done is that he was seen in pictures visiting the Japanese shrine for those who died in the war: the Yasukini Shrine. Zheng Shuang, another box office hit star of the highly successful television serial, ‘Meteor Shower’ has been fined a whopping $46.1 million for tax evasion.
Online gaming has been strictly stopped, especially among the young, and severe restrictions have been imposed on the entertainment industry. Celebrating celebrities and ‘fandom’ too is a strict no-no these days.
Chinese authorities have openly announced that tax evasion by the rich and the celebrities will not be allowed – but China observers are wary of such quickly shifting high moral ground. These manifest signs of high morality in a country which has been brazenly celebrating its unbridled capitalism and economic conquests at home and abroad since the rapid economic reforms ushered in by Deng, are often too sudden, unpredictable and lacks rationality.
According to The Economist (October 16, 2021), ‘‘It is also true that the rich and famous are under harsher scrutiny than they have known for decades. Tycoons and film stars have received painful reminders that they enjoy their success at the party’s pleasure. Some have lost fortunes or seen careers ended for defying China’s leaders, or for provoking public opinion with displays of swaggering privilege. Others have hastened to donate money and time to patriotic causes. New rules ban effeminate actors from television and curb how many hours youngsters spend on video games. State power is now invested in one man, Mr Xi, in a way not seen since the Mao era. Whether issuing textbooks on Xi Jinping Thought to six-year-old children or using smartphone apps to ensure that officials study Mr Xi’s wisdom, the leader’s sternly paternal presence is felt in every corner of life…’’
Come September, even while the personality cult of Xi Jinping seems to be integral to the newest ‘manufactured consent’ across China, a new and interesting phenomenon has emerged at the grassroot level. Primary schools in China now have classroom indoctrination with ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’. ‘Xi Yeye’ (Grandpa Xi) is looming large in the text books for pre-primary schools also. The tiny tots are too being told to listen to what Grandpa Xi is telling them.
The immortalisation of Xi Jinping, it seems, perhaps repositioning him as ‘President for Life’, is on – at full swing and fast forward – these days. Indeed, with his half-twisted, half-smile, hiding an indecipherable mind, only Grandpa Xi really knows – what he really wants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Unity Day, which is celebrated as the birth anniversary of India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, remarked on Sunday that for Sardar Patel ‘Ek Bharat’ meant equal opportunities for all including women, Dalits, deprived section of people, tribal and forest dwellers.
Addressing the nation, PM Modi said, “‘Sabka Prayas’ is even more relevant in the Amrit Kaal of Independence. This ‘Azadi ka Amrit Kaal’ is of unprecedented growth, achieving difficult goals and building the India of Sardar Saheb’s dreams.”.
The Prime Minister remarked that for Sardar Patel, ‘Ek Bharat’ meant equal opportunities for all. Elaborating this concept, he said, ” ‘Ek Bharat’ is a Bharat that gives equal opportunities to women, Dalits, deprived, tribal and forest dwellers. Where housing, electricity and water is within the reach of everyone without discrimination. The Country is doing the same with ‘Sabka Prayas’,” he added.
He said that Sardar Patel is not just a historical figure but lives in the heart of every countryman and people who are taking his message of unity forward are the true symbol of an unfractured feeling of unity. Rashtriya Ekta Parades in every nook and corner of the country and events at the statue of Unity are reflecting the same spirit, he said.
He said India is not just a geographical unity but is a nation replete with the generous standards of ideals, notions, civilization and culture. “This land mass where 130 crore Indian live is an integral part of our soul, dreams and aspirations,” he said.
Referring to the strengthening of India’s democratic traditions by the emotion of One India, the Prime Minister called for a collective effort from every citizen in the direction of achieving the goals of the country. The Prime Minister emphasized that Sardar Patel wanted a strong, inclusive, sensitive and alert India. An India that has humility as well as development. “Inspired by Sardar Patel, India is becoming fully capable of meeting external and internal challenges”, he added.
Referring to steps taken to strengthen the country in the last 7 years, the Prime Minister informed that the country got rid of unnecessary old laws, strengthened the ideals of unity, and emphasis on connectivity and infrastructure has reduced geographical and cultural distances.
“Today, strengthening the feeling of ‘Ek Bharat- Shreshth Bharat’, a ‘Mahayagya’ of social, economic and constitutional integration is going on” and the country’s resolve and capability in Water, sky, land and space are unprecedented and the nation has started moving on the path of new mission of Aatmnirbharta.
The Prime Minister reiterated the power of ‘Sabka Prayas’ in the fight against Corona where new covid hospitals, essential medicines, 100 crore doses of vaccines were made possible due to the collective efforts of every citizen.
Referring to the recently launched PM GatiShakti National Master Plan to harness the collective power of government departments, the Prime Minister said that if along with the government, people’s ‘Gatishakti’ is also leveraged, nothing is impossible. Therefore, he said, that our every, action should be marked by consideration for wider national goals. He gave examples of students who can consider the sector-specific innovations when they choose their stream of study or while, shopping, people should keep the goal of Aatmnirbharta, along with their personal preferences. Similarly, industry and farmers, cooperative institutions can keep the goals of the country in mind while making their choices.
The Prime Minister gave the example of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and said that the government has made people’s participation into the nation’s strength. “Whenever ‘Ek Bharat’ moves, we get success and also contribute towards ‘Shreshth Bharat'”, he concluded. (ANI)
Following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis in the Vatican, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and head of churches in Odisha Father John Barwa on Saturday said Indian Christians are very glad about the meeting.
“Indian Christians are very glad that our Prime Minister has met our Pope. Surely, the relationship will grow. We were looking forwards to this meeting for many years. We are happy and feel proud about it,” Father John Barwa told ANI.
Similarly, Father S Shankar, Spokesperson, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese said that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis is good news for the Christian community in the country while adding that Pope’s visit to India will come as an opportunity to further the inter-faith harmony.
“It is great news not just for Christians but for every Indian. We wanted the Pope to visit India. We hope that Pope’s visit will come as an opportunity to further the inter-faith harmony,” Father S Shankar told ANI.
Brother Shajan Antony, Principal, Little Flower High School, Hyderabad believes that the meeting is a great step forward towards peace, harmony and interfaith dialogue.
“Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Pope Francis today is indeed a very joyous and landmark occasion for all of us particularly Catholic community in India. It is a great step forward towards peace, harmony and interfaith dialogue,” Brother Shajan Antony said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Pope Francis to visit India during a “very warm” meeting at the Vatican City which lasted for an hour on Saturday.
The meeting was scheduled only for twenty minutes however, it went on for an hour, sources said. Prime Minister Modi and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better such as fighting climate change and removing poverty.
It may be recalled that the last Papal Visit happened in 1999 as Pope John Paul II visited India when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister.
Now it is during Prime Minister Modi’s term that the Pope has been invited to visit India.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi departed from the Vatican City after his meeting with Pope Francis on Saturday ahead of the G20. He was accompanied by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar.
The Vatican is a city-state surrounded by Rome and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Prime Minister arrived in Italy on Friday to participate in the two-day G20 Summit. (ANI)
After working her fingers to the bone, actor Kangana Ranaut on Saturday wrapped the shooting of her upcoming film ‘Tejas’.
The National award-winning actor hopped on to her Instagram handle to share a special video that starts with a close-up look of Kangana dressed up as an Indian Air force officer, writing the movie’s title on a beach and then closes with an aerial view revealing the full name of the movie etched on the beach.
Sharing the video, Kangana wrote, “Another beautiful journey comes to an end… It’s a wrap for Tejas. What a ride. Above all what an opportunity. This will make the entire Nation proud…”
She then thanked the director and producers of the movie for choosing her as the lead.
“Thanks to everyone who worked on this project … eternally grateful for getting to play a soldier a war hero in this lifetime. Jai Hind …. See you in the cinemas in 2022,” Kangana concluded.
‘Tejas’ features Kangana in the role of ‘Tejas Gill’, an Indian Air Force pilot. The film is written and directed by Sarvesh Mewara.
The Indian Air Force was the first of the country’s defence forces to induct women into combat roles in 2016. The film takes inspiration from this landmark event.
The film is being bankrolled by RSVP Movies, the production house that had also produced the blockbuster military drama ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’.
Kangana had recently received her fourth National Film Award as the Best Actress for her performances in ‘Manikarnika: Queen of Jhansi’ and ‘Panga’.
Meanwhile, on the work front, the Padma Shri awardee will be seen in ‘Manikarnika Returns: The Legend Of Didda’, ‘Emergency’, ‘Dhaakad’, ‘Tejas’, and ‘The Incarnation: Sita’. (ANI)
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