BJP Promises All-Round Development In Punjab: Assembly Polls

Days ahead of Assembly elections in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Friday said that the party is committed to Punjab’s all-round development which would ensure the resurgence of industry and protection of the farming community.

In a statement, Chugh said Punjab needed to be immediately taken out of the hold of drug mafias and the BJP would ensure that it happens within six months of the party’s win.
The BJP would also make sure that law and order is restored in the state, particularly in view of the repeated attempts being made by the Pakistan ISI to disturb peace in Punjab, he said.

Chugh assured the business community in the state that the BJP would soon introduce a package for the industries so that there was an immediate halt of industrial migration from the state. He said special care would be taken to promote small scale units that have suffered due to pandemic conditions.

Similarly, a package would be announced for agriculture so that farming would become a profiteering profession and Punjab could go back to the days of the Green Revolution with the hard work and commitment of farmers. Farmers have been the spinal cord of Punjab and the BJP would make sure that farmers get back to prosperity and progress.,

He said that the BJP would also announce a package for students to improve their job opportunities in the state. New start-ups would be launched in a big way to enable the youth to capitalise on his enterprise and hard work.

He said the departure of students to other countries must be checked and new avenues would be opened in Punjab to ensure that there was no more flight of youth from Punjab.

Political parties have been aggressively campaigning in Punjab. Congress is the incumbent government in the state.

Assembly polls for electing 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. The results will be declared on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats, ousting the SAD-BJP government, which had been in power for 10 years. (ANI)

Rajnath Reviews Preparations For DefExpo-2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the preparations for the 12th edition of DefExpo-2022 which is scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in March this year, informed the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“Rajnath Singh appreciated the arrangements made by Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and exuded confidence of a safe and successful DefExpo-2022,” said the press release issued by the ministry.

As per the ministry, Singh also used the occasion to launch the DefExpo-2022 Mobile app. The app provides information on the exhibitors, schedule, speakers, venue maps, driving directions, publications as well as notifications to visitors and exhibitors.

DefExpo-2022 will now be held between March 10-14,2022 and will be held in a hybrid format featuring both physical and virtual stalls, said the ministry.

“The exhibition is being planned in a three-venue format – exhibition at the Helipad Exhibition Center (HEC); Events and Seminars at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) and live demonstration for the public at Sabarmati Riverfront. Safety protocols such as the compulsory wearing of facemask, non-contact interactions, respiratory hygiene, etc will be implemented at all venues in line with the prevailing health protocols,” read the press release.

DefExpo is Asia’s largest exhibition on land, naval, and homeland security systems. 930 exhibitors have registered for the event so far, with significant attendance of Foreign Defence Ministers as well.

The press release said, “To instill a sense of pride, the theme of the event has been christened, ‘Path to Pride’. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the event will showcase India’s resolve to be first amongst firsts”.

It further said, “With indigenous technological and logistic prowess at the forefront, the event will invigorate the defense industry, start-ups, and MSMEs to cement solid partnerships with attending foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The DefExpo-2022 is symbolic of India’s resolve to further its business interests and take global initiatives towards furthering peace and security in the region.”

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Manoj Pande, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Sanjiv Mittal and other senior civil and military officials of MoD were present on the occasion.

The last edition of the event was held in Lucknow in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANI)

K’taka: Shivakumar Demands Eshwarappa’s Resignation

Demanding the resignation of Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa for his controversial comment about replacing the national flag with a saffron one, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Friday said BJP does not know the Constitution properly and also how to respect the National Flag.

“BJP is a part of defaming the National Flag, it’s not just KS Eshwarappa, as they’re supporting him. They don’t know the constitution properly or how to respect the national flag. Congress has given the National Flag, Constitution, freedom, they’re (BJP) enjoying it”, said DK Shivakumar.

Shivakumar stated that until the Chief Minister and Governor sacks the Karnataka rural development and Panchayat Raj minister, they won’t allow holding the assembly sessions. He said, “Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa must resign (over his saffron flag remark). We’ll continue overnight protests at Karnataka Assembly till he gets sacked from the Cabinet, otherwise, we’ll go to the court and not allow the Assembly to function.”

Congress held an overnight protest inside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly after Eshwarappa said that the saffron flag may become the national flag sometime in the future and maybe be hoisted on the Red Fort.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the Congress leaders were selectively quoting a part of the minister’s statement and were misleading the Assembly and people.

“Eshwarappa has issued a clarification. He did not say that the saffron flag would be hoisted at the Red fort immediately but in another 300 or 500 years. He said it may or may not happen. He also added that we have accepted the national flag and no one must disrespect it. Legally, Eshwarappa has not committed any mistake and no action can be taken against him,” Bommai said. (ANI)

Capt., Badal Two Sides Of The Same Coin, Says Sidhu

Launching an attack on Captain Amarinder Singh and Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said that both leaders are two sides of the same coin and choosing any one of them would be a retrograde step.

Addressing reporters in Amritsar, Sidhu said, “Captain Amarinder Singh and Sukhbir Singh Badal are two sides of the same coin. Choosing Captain or the Badals would be a retrograde step. If change has to be brought, this man (referring to himself) is in front of you with a plan.”

Punjab will go to the polls on February 20 and the counting of votes will be on March 10. (ANI)

Cong Couldn’t Supply Water To Rural Punjab In 70 Yrs: AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday slammed Congress saying that it could not provide water supply to villages in Punjab in 70 years.

Addressing a Nukkad Sabha (a street corner meeting) in Jalalabad, ahead of Assembly elections in the state, Kejriwal alleged that there no water supply in 150 villages in the Congress-ruled state.

“There’s no water supply in 150 villages, don’t know what they’ve (Congress) done in last 5 years, they couldn’t even supply water in last 70 years but we’ll ensure water supply to every village once our government is formed,” he said.

Kejriwal has been campaigning in the pol-bound state for the past few days. He held a roadshow in Pathankot on Thursday. Earlier he also campaigned in Fatehgarh Churian of Gurdaspur district.

Kejriwal and the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate Bhagwant Mann conduct a roadshow in Jalandhar Cantt Assembly constituency on February 16.

Assembly polls for electing 117 assembly seats in Punjab will be held on February 20. The results will be declared on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly polls in the state, the Congress had won an absolute majority by winning 77 seats, ousting the SAD-BJP government, which had been in power for 10 years. (ANI)

Alia’s Granny Turns 93, B-Town Pours Greetings

Alia Bhatt’s mother and veteran star Soni Razdan shared a glimpse of her ‘Iron Lady’ mom on social media from her 93rd birthday.

Taking to her Instagram handle on Friday, the ‘Call My Agent: Bollywood’ actor shared a clip of her ‘mummy’ Gertrude Hoelzer from her birthday a day before, enjoying a cup of hot beverage with sandwiches.

In the caption, she wrote, “My inimitable mummy on her 93’rd birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday mummy nothing stops this lady does it !”

The post was flooded with likes and love-filled comments.

Pooja Bhatt commented, “Trudy! Uffff! Bow to her spirit!”

“Happy bday,” Ranbir Kapoor’s sister Riddhima Kapoor added.

Aahana Kumra wrote, “Oh my god!!!! She’s gorgeous!!! Happy birthday to the Iron Lady!!”

Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt will be seen in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, which also stars Ajay Devgn.

Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film revolves around a maiden sold by a suitor into prostitution and how she becomes a prominent, celebrated figure in the underworld and Kamathipua red-light district.

‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is scheduled to release in theatres on February 25. (ANI)

3 Labourers Die After Getting Stuck In Bengal Vacuum Oxygen Unit

Three labourers died after they were stuck inside a vacuum oxygen unit at the Durgapur Steel Plant on Friday afternoon, said local police.

Police said that according to the preliminary investigation, there was some technical mishap in the plant due to which seven labourers got stuck inside and could not breathe.

Four are reported to be in a critical condition and have been admitted to DSP Main Hospital, said police. (ANI)

Congress Love For Pak Is Well Known: Anil Vij

Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij took a dig at Congress, saying that the party’s love for Pakistan is well known.

Vij tweeted, “Love for India’s enemy Pakistan by the national and state (Punjab) leaders of Congress is well known. The people of Punjab have suffered most during wars with Pakistan. The people of Punjab will never vote for Pakistan lover Congress.”

Punjab will go to the poll on February 20. (ANI)

Indian World Forum Hails PM For Humanitarian Aid To Af

Puneet Singh Chandhok, President of the Indian World Forum on Friday, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanking him for providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and for undertaking efforts for the welfare of Afghan Hindu and Sikh minorities and ensuring their safe evacuation.

Notably, the Government of India from time to time has granted citizenship and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) to Afghan Hindus and Sikhs. In the letter, Chandhok urged the government to process the remaining pending citizenship applications.

The IWF president urges the country to consider the setup of a single-window facility in particular for Afghan Minorities for processing their fresh and pending applications in a time-bound manner.

After the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021, all the earlier visas issued to Afghans have been invalidated for those out of the country. As these Afghans now seek fresh e-visa, he urged the government to process these pending applications.

“Government may consider and set up a dedicated cell for issuance and processing of fresh visas, conversion into LTV Visas, residential permits and exit permits for Afghan minorities in a time-bound manner along with easing of restrictions including the requirement of a local guarantor”, he said.

He also pointed out that India may consider maintaining the Gurdwaras and Mandirs in Afghanistan in coordination with International agencies as it is likely that disgruntled elements may grab the personal estate of minorities.

Talking about the Hindus and Sikhs who have been displaced from the war-torn Islamic nation, he urged PM Modi to consider setting an “Afghan Nagar” at any suitable location by providing land on a gratis basis.

In the letter, he said, “detailed mechanism may be adopted wherein the allotment, construction and development cost may be jointly borne by the community at large.”

Chandhok also said that Afghan Hindu and Sikh youth have a strong built-in particular known for their fearless combat and bravery and they can be put under training and be recruited in Armed Forces and Central Police Organisations under a special drive.

He also praised the leadership for the transfer of holy books from Afghanistan to India including Sri Guru Granth Sahib and ancient Hindu scriptures. (ANI)

Russia: Withdrawing Armed Forces From Near Ukraine

Russian Defence Ministry on Friday said that it had begun withdrawing more tanks and other armoured vehicles from areas near Ukraine’s border amid the ongoing tension between Moscow and Kiev.

“Units of the Western Military District continue to return to the points of permanent deployment after the scheduled exercises. Another vehicle convoy with military equipment has begun to march from the training ground to the point of permanent deployment,” the ministry said, according to Sputnik News Agency.

The convoy included about 30 heavy vehicles with personnel, special equipment, military materiel, the ministry noted.

Despite Russia’s claims to be pulling forces back from Ukraine’s borders, shelling from the Moscow side has raised tensions.

The US Embassy in Kiev informed on Thursday that Russia’s shelling of Stanytsia Luhanska in Ukrainian government-controlled territory in Donbas hit a kindergarten, injured two teachers, and knocked out power in the village.

“Russia’s shelling of Stanytsia Luhanska in Ukrainian government-controlled territory in Donbas hit a kindergarten, injured two teachers, and knocked out power in the village. The aggressor in Donbas is clear – Russia,” tweeted US Embassy in Kiev.

Russia’s recent build-up of around 150,000 troops just over the border from the Donbas region in the east, in Belarus to the north and Crimea to the south, which began in the autumn, has escalated tensions.

Russia claims the surge of forces has always been for military exercises and that it poses no threat to Ukraine or any other nation, but has refused to offer any real explanation for the biggest build-up of military might in Europe since the Cold War.

Defence officials in Moscow have said since Tuesday that troops and military hardware are pulling back, having completed some of the drills. Western intelligence officials say, on the contrary, that Russia has moved roughly 7,000 more troops close to the borders in recent days. (ANI)