Month: February 2022

Mortal remains of singing icon Lata Mangeshkar has been brought to ‘Prabhukunj’, her Peddar Road residence here on Sunday.

Last rites with full State honours of Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away earlier today due to multiple organ failure, will be performed on Sunday at 6:30 pm at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

Earlier, the Central Government announced the two-day national mourning to be observed in memory of Lata Mangeshkar.

During the state mourning, the National Flag is flown at half-mast throughout India, and there will be no official entertainment. It has also been decided that the state funereal will be accorded to the departed soul.

The legendary singer passed away on Sunday morning at an age of 92.

Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating the singer at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, informed that Lata Mangeshkar died due to multiple organ failures.

“It is with profound grief that we announce the sad demise of Lata Mangeshkar at 8:12 am. She has died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post COVID19,” Dr Samdani informed.

The Bharat Ratna awardee was admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia and coronavirus in January. Mangeshkar was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer and was popularly known as “Nightingale of India” for her melodious voice.

Born on September 28, 1929, she began her career in 1942 at an age of 13. In a career spanning over seven decades, the melody queen recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. She recorded her songs in over 36 regional Indian and foreign languages.

She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2001. She was only the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi, to receive Bharat Ratna.

She was also the recipient of three National Film Awards among many other honours. ‘Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon’, ‘Babul Pyare’, Lag Ja Gale Se Phir’ among others are some of her iconic songs.

Mangeshkar is survived by four younger siblings- Asha Bhosle, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that legendary singer Lata Mangeskar’s melodious voice will always stay with us.

Addressing a virtual rally in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, Agra and Bulandshahr, PM Modi remembered the singer and paid tributes to her with a heavy heart.
“Lata Didi has gone to the heavenly abode. Many people, like me, will proudly say that they had a close connection with her. Wherever you go, you can always find her loved ones. Her melodious voice will always stay with us, I pay tributes to her with a heavy heart,” the Prime Minister said.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 years. She had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on January 8 after she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia.

Former Indian Cricket team Captain Virat Kohli on Sunday led the cricketing fraternity in paying rich tributes to the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who passed away after a brief illness. Kohli said that Mangeshkar’s melodious voice touched millions of people around the world.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the void left by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar’s demise will be impossible to fill.

Some personalities like Lata Mangeshkar take birth only once in a thousand years, said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday while remembering the legendary singer on her demise.

Though having recovered from COVID, the singer was put on ventilator support after her condition worsened on Saturday.

Last rites with full State honours of the legendary singers will be performed on Sunday at 6:30 pm at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

The Central Government had also announced that two-day national mourning to be observed in memory of Lata Mangeshkar.

Born on September 28, 1929, she began her career in the year 1942 at the age of 13. In a career spanning over seven decades, the melody queen recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. She had sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages.

In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour.

She’s also the recipient of three National Film Awards among many other honours she received during the span of her career. ‘Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon’, ‘Babul Pyare’, Lag Ja Gale Se Phir’ among others are some of her iconic songs.

Ahead of the Congress announcing their chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls, Congress leader Kuldip Singh Vaid on Sunday stated that most of the Punjab people want Charanjit Singh Channi to be announced as the CM candidate.

While speaking to ANI, Vaid said, “Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in his 111 days of rule has done very well. So everybody wants Channi to be the CM.”

He added, “If Channi is declared CM candidate, Congress will get additional 10 seats.”

According to the Congress MLA, everybody in Punjab is eagerly waiting for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to declare the CM candidate today.

Rahul Gandhi would make the announcement of Congress’ Chief Ministerial face at 2 pm in Ludhiana on Sunday.

When asked about Navjot Singh Sidhu as the CM face, Vaid said, “He is our President. Whatever the party high command decides, it will be accepted by all Congress cadres. I don’t think Sidhu would also object to it. He is also a party cadre like us.”

Punjab would vote for the 117 seat-assembly elections on February 20 while the counting is on March 10. (ANI)

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passed away on Sunday at the age of 92 years, informed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

“The country’s pride and music world’s Shirmor Swar Kokila Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji’s demise is very sad. My heartfelt tribute to the holy soul. Her passing is an irreparable loss to the country. She was always an inspiration to all the music seekers,” Gadkari tweeted after he visited Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

“Lata didi was an intense patriot. She has always had a firm faith in the ideology of Swatantraveer Savarkar. Her life has been full of many achievements. Lata ji has always been an inspiration to all of us for good deeds. Her contribution to Indian music is incomparable,” he said in another tweet.

The megastar had been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital on January 8 after she was diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia.

Though having recovered from COVID, the star singer was put on ventilator support after her condition worsened on Saturday.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also expressed condolences over Mangeshkar’s demise.

“Sad to learn about the demise of Swar Kokila, Lata Mangeshkar ji. She enriched our lives for decades with her soulful voice. The nightingale of India has passed away but she will live in our hearts forever. Om Shanti,” Joshi tweeted.

Mangeshkar was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer and was popularly known as “Nightingale of India” for her melodious voice.

Born on September 28, 1929, she began her career in the year 1942 at the age of 13. In a career spanning over seven decades, the melody queen recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films. She had sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages.

In 2001, in recognition of her contributions to the nation, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour and is only the second vocalist, after MS Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour.

She’s also the recipient of three National Film Awards among many other honours she received during the span of her career. ‘Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon’, ‘Babul Pyare’, Lag Ja Gale Se Phir’ among others are some of her iconic songs.

Mangeshkar is survived by four younger siblings- Asha Bhosle, Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. (ANI)

Tennis player Jwala Gutta on Sunday urged everyone to plant saplings and save nature as she participated in Green India Challenge with her actor husband Vishnu Vishal in Hyderabad’s GHMC park.

The couple thanked Rajya Sabha MP Joginpally Santosh Kumar for initiating the Green India Challenge. “We are happy to participate in the Green India Challenge”, said Jwala Gutta.

Vishnu Vishal asked Ravi Teja and Director Manu Anand to take forward the Geen India Challenge. The couple requested everyone to plant saplings and save nature to counter climate change. (ANI)

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the former “is not a PM, but a King” who takes decisions without listening to anyone.

“A PM should work for everyone, listen to people…Narendra Modi is not a PM, but a king. He ignored farmers for almost a year because a king doesn’t talk or listen to labourers and takes his own decision for them,” said Rahul Gandhi.

“Earlier (in UPA governments) India was led by a prime minister of the country but today’s India is being led by a king, who just take decisions and listen to no one,” he added.

Congress leader made the following comments while addressing a gathering of farmers at Kichha Mandi of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand.

Rahul Gandhi during election campaigning in poll-bound Uttarakhand visited Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar to seek blessing and offer his prayers.

The Congress leader on Wednesday had accused the Centre of having a “flawed vision” and centralising power. He said, “the idea of the king has come back”.

“This centralised vision of king has been removed by Congress in 1947. Now the idea of the king has come back. Now there is a king, a Shahenshah, a ruler of rulers and master of masters,” said Gandhi.

Uttarakhand is scheduled for polls on February 14. The results will be announced on March 10. (ANI)

The fees of 50 per cent seats in private medical colleges will now be at par with government medical colleges of that particular State/UT, said the National Medical Commission on Saturday.

“After extensive consultations, it has been decided that the fee of the 50 per cent seats in the private medical colleges and deemed universities should be at par with the fee in the government medical colleges of that particular State and UT. The benefit of this fee structure would be first made available to those candidates who have availed government quota seats, but are limited to the extent of 50 per cent of the total sanctioned strength of the respective medical college/deemed university.

“However, if the government quota seats are less than 50 per cent of total sanctioned seats, the remaining candidates would avail the benefit of a fee equivalent to the government medical college fees, based purely on the merit,” added the notification.

Experts in the medical fraternity welcome the Centre’s move.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Vikas Bhatia, Executive Director, AIIMS Bibinagar said, “It is a welcoming decision as it will help meritorious and deserving students having financial constraints. The opportunities for such aspirants have been enhanced. The country needs the best doctors and it is a good decision.”

Hailing the decision, Dr Anil Chandna, executive member, Dental Council of India (DCI) said, “I think it was a long time due. It is the right decision is in the right direction. This will benefit to meritorious students and society by large. Deemed universities were charging an exuberant fee which was beyond the budget of students from the middle class. Meritorious students who can not afford these higher fees can pursue their dreams in the medical field.”

National Medical Commission is entitled to frame guidelines for the determination of fees and all other charges in respect of fifty per cent. Of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which are governed under the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said that the people of the state will show their anger to the Yogi Adityanath government in the Assembly polls by not voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party, claiming that Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) -SP alliance will win an overwhelming majority of 400 seats out the total 403 Assembly seats in the ensuing elections.

“Have seen the anger of the people against the BJP government, the alliance (SP-RLD) is going to get 400 seats, BJP will get the remaining 3 seats,” said Yadav.

He further slammed the Adityanath government for the poor law and order in the state.

Terming the attack on AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s convoy as the biggest failure of law and order situation in the state, Akhilesh said, “SP condemned the incident as soon as we got to know. BJP should answer if the mafia opened fire when they saw a political leader. It’s the biggest failure of the law and order system. We’ve seen their law and order many times,” he said.

Referring to the Hathras gang rape of a 19-year-old girl in 2020 whose body was cremated by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the administration without the consent or the presence of the victim’s family, SP chief said “Family of the daughter from Hathras wanted justice, they wanted to cremate her respectfully.”But what did the people of this government do? They didn’t let it happen. Had she received proper treatment at the hospital, she would perhaps have been alive today.”

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a landslide victory winning 312 Assembly seats. The party secured a 39.67 per cent vote share in the elections for 403-member Assembly. Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI)

Rajya Sabha this week clocked 100 per cent productivity, with the Upper House making full use of the available time in the ongoing Budget session in the absence of any adjournments.

Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu appreciated the Members for the smooth functioning of the House. He urged upon the Members to continue with this spirit for the remainder of the Budget session and also for the future.

During the first week, after the President’s Address to the joint session of the Parliament and the Budget presentation, Rajya Sabha has held discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the President for 7 hours 41 minutes with 26 Members taking part in the proceedings.

The Rajya Sabha is slated for a 12-hour discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament, which also includes the reply by the Prime Minister, which is likely next Tuesday. The Union Budget-2022-23 will be discussed for 11 hours. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to reply to the Budget discussions on Friday. The Upper House will spend about 23 hours for discussions on Motion of Thanks to President’s address and the Union Budget, which are the two major items of businesses for the first week of the Budget session. Private Members’ Business on next Friday has been dispensed with to allow the House to conclude the Budget discussion.

According to the Rajya Sabha secretariat 25 of the starred questions have been replied orally during the three days of Question Hour in the first week, while 31 Zero Hour and 14 Special Mentions were made by the Members during the Zero Hour, reduced by half an hour per sitting.

As many as 15 Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the week. Two pending Bills were also discussed in the House. The Companies (Amendment Bill), 2019 was withdrawn after the completion of discussion by the BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe with the approval of the House. Discussion on the Population Regulation Bill, 2019, moved by the BJP MP Rakesh Sinha is to be concluded.

Rajya Sabha witnessed functioning for three consecutive days during the week without forced adjournments after a year, the last time being March 15-17, 2021, during the Budget session last year.

The productivity of the Rajya Sabha has been 100 per cent or more for the fourth consecutive Budget session of 2014 to 2017 and of the regular Budget session in 2019. It was 28.90 per cent in 2018 and 6.80 per cent during 2019 (Interim Budget session). Productivity was 76.10 per cent in 2020 and 93.50 per cent during the Budget session last year. (ANI)