Month: January 2022

China has stepped up its information against India in the Maldives with much help from both the local news portal Dhiyares and former President Abdulla Yameen ahead of next year’s Presidential elections in the atoll nation.

The ‘India Out’ campaign in the Maldives is known to be driven politically by former President Abdulla Yameen. Much before Yameen took the driver’s seat, a section of the Maldivian media led by the news portal Dhiyares, had begun a concerted campaign against India. It is, therefore, necessary to trace the roots of this campaign and understand the motives behind the campaign, according to Policy Research Group (PRG)’s Insight
Two things stand out about Ahmed Azaan, the founder of Dhiyares. First, he has consistently been calling for greater Chinese presence in the Maldives and second, he has used social media to the hilt to attack India and its alleged military presence in the country. The Chinese angle to this entire sordid episode can only be adduced based on the context of Azaan’s anti-India campaign, as analysed by PRG’s Insight.

Interestingly, the website of The Maldives Journal states that Ahmed Azaan is a journalist and writer with a BA in International Relations and describes him as one of the co-founders of “Dhiyares” and “The Maldives Journal”. His BA is apparently from ADA University in Azerbaijan. His areas of interest are said to be politics and economics.

On the other hand, during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen from 2013 to 2018, the Maldives had borrowed heavily from China, leading to a debt trap situation. As of now, Maldives owes China around USD 1.5 billion, which is huge for a country with a GDP of USD 4.9 billion

The reality is that China is displeased with the grant of several infrastructure projects to India in recent days, and would like to take these over.

Meanwhile, by flooding Twitter space in the Maldives with #IndiaOut content, Azaan has been able to create a mirage that a large number of Maldivians are rooting for #IndiaOut. This is not the case in reality as Azaan footprint for the #IndiaOut campaign has been exceedingly high and all the major supporters of the hashtag are also Azaan’s close associates.

Notably, around 210 handles had contributed a gigantic amount of 80 per cent to the hashtag. This basically means that the entire #IndiaOut hashtag can be traced to Azaan and his followers, working with a special agenda in mind.

A far more important issue here is to trace the Chinese connections of Azaan and his publications. These platforms of disinformation need to be monitored for they have shown a marked capability to create a rift in India-Maldives ties.

It is time to identify and expose the dangerous inroads made by the Chinese in Maldivian media and social media, as described by PRG’s Insight. (ANI)

On the birth anniversary of legendary classical vocalist late Pandit Jasraj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for the globalization of Indian Music.
Prime Miniter launched Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation on Friday.
Addressing the launch event via video conferencing, Prime Minister said, “In today’s era of globalization, Indian music should also make its global identity, create its impact globally, it is the responsibility of all of us. When the influence of technology is in every field, then there should be a revolution of technology and IT in the field of music too.”

Prime Minister Modi called for establishing startups in the country that are completely dedicated to music, based on Indian musical instruments and Indian musical traditions.

“Music is a very vast subject. I am not very knowledgeable about it, but the comprehensive knowledge given by our sages about ‘swar’ and ‘nad’ is amazing. Today we are reviving our art and culture centres like Kashi. Through our faith in environmental protection and love of nature, India is showing the way to the world through it. ‘Sabka Prayas’ should be included in this journey of India with the mantra of coexistence of heritage and development,” he added.

Remembering Pandit Jasraj on his birth anniversary, Prime Minister congratulated the nation for the establishment of the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation.

Pandit Jasraj, whose career in music spanned over 80 years, belonged to the Mewati Gharana. He received several accolades including the prestigious Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. The legendary classical vocalist passed away at the age of 90 on August 17, 2020. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the ruling BJP government in Uttarakhand is working towards modernizing the Army and producing weapons within the country in an effort towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

“Several works are being done by the Modi govt to modernise the Army and to make the country self-reliant in the production of weapons,” Shah said while addressing former Army personnel in Rudraprayag in the poll-bound Uttarakhand.
He also noted that the defence budget was increased by the BJP government at the Centre from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 4.78 crore in 2021-22 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“In 2013-14, the defence budget was Rs 2 lakh crore…The Modi govt increased the defence budget to Rs 4.78 crore in 2021-22,” Shah said.

Shah said that the BJP is committed to making changes in the security of the country adding that PM Modi has implemented the One Rank One Pension scheme, which reflects the priority of the party.
Highlighting the works of the party in the defence sector, Shah said that BJP has implemented programs to provide modern defence material to those on the line of duty and has made an effort to ensure that the quality is not compromised.
Slamming the Congress, Shah said that they are known as “failed government” while the BJP is known as a “double-engine” government.

He further assured that the BJP is voted to power in the state, they will ensure that youth would not need to migrate outside of the state.
Earlier in the day, Shah held a door-to-door campaign in Rudraprayag. He also offered prayers at Baba Rudranath Temple in Rudraprayag.
Polls to elect the 70-member Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

Trinamool Congress Vice-President Luizinho Faleiro on Friday announced his withdrawal as a TMC candidate from Goa’s Fatorda constituency for the upcoming Assembly polls.

“I announce my withdrawal as Goa TMC candidate from Fatorda and hand over the baton to a young woman advocate. That has been the policy of the party – to empower the women,” said Luizinho Faleiro.
The TMC’s new candidate for the Fatorda constituency is Seoula Avilia Vas.

According to Faleiro, he has taken the decision after ‘could not do justice’ in the last election. “My earlier experience says that when I fought the election last time, we could not do justice to them. To replace me, we have a very able Flora, who will represent the Fatorda constituency,” he added.

He said that he had consulted the party leaders before stepping down as Fatorda’s candidate. “I’ve taken this decision after consulting our party’s national chairman because I would like to fight and campaign all over Goa for all the TMC candidates so that they can perform well,” said the TMC’s National vice-president.

Speaking at the press conference Mahua Moitra said, “We are here in Fatorda to put up a fight and defeat the BJP. We are here not as the last moment option but a true and honest option to people of Fatorda who do not want BJP.”

“We have chosen a woman who is a fighter, an activist and most important she is not connected to a political family. That is what Mamata Banerjee wants to do”, said Moitra. (ANI)

With the administration of over 57 lakh vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 164.44 crore, Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

The Ministry, in a press release, said, “More than 57 lakh doses (57,35,692) vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 164.44 crore (1,64,44,73,216) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.”
This has been achieved through 1,79,63,318 sessions.

As per the Ministry, 4,43,89,137 doses of vaccines have been administered to beneficiaries of age group 15-18 years, and 1,03,41,442 as precaution doses.

Further, the release informed that 3,47,443 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, and the cumulative tally of recovered patients, since the beginning of the pandemic, is now at 3,80,24,771.

2,51,209 also new COVID cases were reported in the last 24 hours, taking India’s active caseload to 21,05,611.

“While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 17.47 per cent and the daily positivity rate is also reported to be 15.88 per cent,” the Ministry said.

The last 24 hours saw a total of 15,82,307 COVID tests. India has so far conducted over 72.37 crore (72,37,48,555) cumulative COVID tests. (ANI)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called an all-party meet on January 30 ahead of the commencement of the Budget Session of the Parliament.

In this customary meeting, floor leaders of various political parties will be present to discuss the smooth functioning of the Parliament session under the chairmanship of the Lok Sabha Speaker.

On January 30 at 3:00 pm, the government has called for an all-party meeting with leaders from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to discuss how to go about the business as well as take into concern the opposition’s demand for discussion.

At 5:00 pm, the Rajya Sabha chairman has called for a meeting of the Rajya Sabha leaders. This meeting will take place virtually and will be chaired by M Venkaiah Naidu.

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on January 31 at 11: 00 am with the President of India addressing both houses in a joint session following which the economic survey will be tabled.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget at 11:00 am on February 1 and this time, it will be a Paperless Budget. (ANI)

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked Special Investigation Team (SIT) to file a status report on a petition filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa seeking action against Kamalnath in a matter related to 1984 riots.

Justice Subramonium Prasad has asked SIT to file a status report and listed the matter for further hearing on March 28, 2022.

The court was hearing a petition filed by BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa in the matter of FIR No 601/1984 Parliament Street Police station against Kamalnath.

Sirsa was represented by Senior Advocate Maninder Singh and Advocate Gurbaksh Singh.

In a statement, Sirsa said that he had filed a petition in Delhi High Court in the matter of FIR No 601/1984 Parliament Street Police station against Kamalnath in 1984 genocide and had sought directions to SIT to take action against Kamalnath in the FIR and demanded that he should be arrested without further delay.

According to Sirsa, this case was related to the murder of two Sikhs at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib during the 1984 Sikh genocide. Sirsa said, “We had given representations to SIT and witnesses had also deposed against him in the case. Special permission was taken from Home Ministry to reopen the case related to Kamalnath. Despite these representations, SIT was not acting against him, so we had moved High Court.”

The SIT had opened this case in September 2019.

Sirsa said that today’s decision of the High Court has rekindled a hope in the community that every guilty will get punishment for his sins. He said that he was personally pursuing matters in different courts and the community will ensure that justice is delivered in every case and every guilty is sentenced to life imprisonment or given capital punishment. (ANI)