Month: March 2022

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and five other senior Congress leaders skipped the party’s Working Committee meeting on Sunday.

Former defence minister AK Antony skipped the meeting as he tested positive for COVID-19 today.
The other leaders who did not attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting include party MP A Chella Kumar, former Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Tariq Hameed Karra and G Sanjeeva Reddy.

A meeting of the CWC is underway to discuss the party’s crushing defeat in Assembly elections in five states.

The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country. (ANI)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday declared the film ‘The Kashmir Files’ tax-free in the state, stating that the film needs to be watched by maximum people.

He further said that the film is a heart-wrenching narration of the pain, suffering, struggle, and trauma faced by Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s

“Movie #TheKashmirFiles is heart-wrenching narration of the pain, suffering, struggle, and trauma faced by Kashmiri Hindus in the 90s. This needs to be watched by maximum people, hence we have decided to make it a tax-free in the state of Madhya Pradesh,” the Chief Minister said in a tweet.

Earlier, Haryana and Gujarat governments had declared that “The Kashmir Files” movie will be tax-free.

The Haryana government also directed cinemas and multiplexes not to charge state GST on the screening of the movie.

The film revolves around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. (ANI)

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the Gandhi family is important for the Congress’ unity and Rahul Gandhi should become the party president.

Speaking to ANI, Gehlot said, “Rahul Gandhi should become the party president. For the last three decades, nobody from the Gandhi family became the Prime Minister or a minister. It is significant to understand that the Gandhi family is important for Congress’ unity.”

Gehlot said Congress lost Punjab Assembly polls due to internal conflict

“In 2017, Congress was united and we won. After Channi became the chief minister the environment was conducive too but it was our mistake that due to internal conflict we lost Assembly elections in Punjab,” said the Congress leader.

Slamming the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), the Rajasthan Chief Minister alleged that the ruling party at the Centre pushed the real issues on backseat bringing religion to the forefront.

“Politics of polarisation is easier. BJP propagated Congress as a Muslim party on social media. Our way is to maintain the integrity and unity of the country. During polls, religion comes to the forefront while issues of inflation and jobs take a backseat for BJP,” Gehlot added.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is underway to discuss the party’s crushing defeat in Assembly elections in five states.

Ahead of the meeting, the dissident group within the party, G23, had suggested Mukul Wasnik for the post of president of the party, which was not accepted, sources said.

Sources said, “G23, which includes Anand Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal, had suggested Mukul Wasnik’s name for the post of president of the party. But it was not accepted.”

The source, who is a part of G23, also said that the new party president should lead the party in the manner as was done by Sonia Gandhi in the year 2000.

“Though Sonia Gandhi is the (interim) president, it is virtually (being) run by KC Venugopal, Ajay Maken and Randeep Surjewala. There is no accountability fixed on them. Rahul Gandhi is not the president. But he operates from behind the scene and takes decisions. He does not communicate openly. We are party’s well-wishers and not enemies,” added the source.

The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country. (ANI)

India is developing a new air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which would be able to strike at enemy targets at more than 800 kilometers.

The missile earlier had the capability of hitting targets at around 300 kilometers after being released from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

“The range of the BrahMos missile has been increased already and with the advantage of being airborne at high altitudes, the missile can travel a longer distance and can hit targets at 800 kms and beyond,” sources told ANI.

The BrahMos missile was recently in the limelight after one of it was misfired due to a technical malfunction from an Indian Air Force unit during a Command Air Staff Inspection (CASI) there.

The missile landed in Pakistani territory causing very less damage to the property and equipment there and no damage to lives there.

After the incident, India sent a letter to the Pakistani authorities deeply regretting the incident and also issued a statement in this regard.

Pakistan is trying to rake up the issue of the misfiring of the BrahMos and trying to question the safety of India’s missile arsenal at the international level but sources said the BrahMos was just a tactical missile.

India has enhanced the range of the tactical missile recently and it can go beyond 500 kilometers with just an upgrade in its software.

The Indian Air Force has equipped around 40 of its Su-30 combat aircraft with the BrahMos cruise missiles which can cause heavy destruction in enemy camps.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had brought these planes to the northern sector from their home base in Thanjavur during the peak of conflict with China.

The IAF also operates a surface to the surface squadron of planes to carry out pin-point attack against enemy vital installations and bases. (ANI)

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the party’s landslide win in Punjab is a big revolution and assured that all the promises made to the people of Punjab will be fulfilled.

“The world cannot believe that such a big (inquilab) has come inside Punjab. The whole world knew that Punjabis bring revolution, but still could not believe that such an incredible ‘inqilab’ could sweep…saare haar gaye…..Sukhbir ji, Parkash Singh Badal jee, Manpreet Badal got defeated….Channi defeated on both the seats, Majithia jee…..Navjot Singh Sidhu Jee tasted defeat…..only Punjabis could bring this ‘bahot bada inqilab’ (big revolution),” he said during the roadshow in Amritsar.

“AAP’s landslide win in Punjab is a big revolution (inquilab) and I am happy that for the first time after so many years, Punjab has now got an honest Chief Minister,” he added.

He further said that now all the government money will be spent on the people of Punjab.

“My younger brother Bhagwant Mann is ‘Kattar imandaar’ (honest man). The honest government will be formed in Punjab if any of our own ministers or any MLA ever dare to do something fishy, then they will not be spared, they will be sent to jail. Loot of Punjab will stop. Government money will be spent on the people of Punjab. We will fulfill all our promises, some will take time, some will be done immediately,” said Kejriwal.

The AAP national convenor further asked the people of Punjab to join Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann during the oath ceremony in Khatkar Kalan.

“Mann will take oath as Chief Minister on March 16, not only he, each and every Punjabi would be the Chief Minister. Everyone has to come to Khatkar Kalan and have to take the oath with him. Now, only development will happen in Punjab and will make “Rangla” (vibrant or prosperous) and happy Punjab,” added Kejriwal.

Kejriwal along with Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann hold a roadshow on Sunday in Amritsar to thank the people of the state for entrusting AAP with a sweeping majority.

Ahead of the roadshow, the two leaders visited Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting and took stock of global technology usage in the defence sector and also India’s advances in the same, sources said.

The sources said the Prime Minister emphasised on integrating the latest technology in India’s security apparatus.

According to sources, PM Modi reiterated that every effort must be made to make India self-reliant in the defence sector so that it not only strengthens the country’s security but also enhances economic growth.

The Prime Minister today chaired the CCS meeting to review security preparedness and the prevailing global scenario in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

During the meeting, PM Modi was briefed on the latest developments and different aspects of India’s security preparedness in the border areas as well as in the maritime and air domain.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on the latest developments in Ukraine, including the details of ‘Operation Ganga’ to evacuate Indian nationals, along with some citizens of India’s neighbouring countries, from Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi directed that all possible efforts should be made to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen Shekharappa, who died in Kharkiv. (ANI)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said that the party leader Bhagwant Mann alone will take oath on March 16 at the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s native village Khatkar Kalan while 16 Ministers would be sworn in later.

Sources said that the party has decided that only Mann will take oath since the swearing-in is taking place at a special and historic location. They also added that the Cabinet will shortly be expanded with the swearing-in of 16 other ministers.

Notably, Mann has invited Kejriwal to the oath-taking ceremony.

The AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is on a day-long visit to Amritsar where he is taking part in a roadshow to express gratitude to the people of the state for giving the party a two-third majority in Punjab.

Mann and Kejriwal visited Jallianwala Bagh on Sunday and paid floral tribute at the memorial ahead of the roadshow in Amritsar.

Before visiting the memorial, two senior AAP leaders visited Golden Temple to seek blessings.

Meanwhile, speculations are rife over the likely constitution of the Cabinet amidst reports of the top brass of the Aam Admi Party giving a free hand to its Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann to choose his ministerial colleagues.

Many devotees were seen dancing enthusiastically in the Dwarkadhish temple, on Sunday, marking the early celebrations of Holi.

Both the Indian and foreign visitors seem to enjoy the colourful vibe around.

People have been witnessing the Holi craze in Braj since Basant Panchami on 5th February 2022. Celebration of ‘Dhap Holi’ reaches the world-famous Dwarkadhish temple from Mathura via Barsana and Nandgaon.

It is a belief here that when Holi is celebrated at the temple, God fills the devotee’s life with happiness.

“This tradition of celebrating Holi at temple premises has been a culture since time immemorial in the Pushtimarg Sampradaya. During the month of Phalgun (February/March), around 5 feet tall and 3 feet broad Dhap (step) is made to bathe in oil, a month before the holi festival. This step is then placed in the middle of the temple where the Brajwasis try to convince and impress Krishna by singing melodies,” said Rakesh Tiwari, spokesperson at Dwarkadhish Temple.

People, here, are often seen enjoying the colourful synergy in the air while the Holi is being played. Eventually, the craze and excitement for festivals keep on increasing. (ANI)

Preparations for the visit of Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar are in full swing on Sunday.

“People around here are very happy from the election result and are excited to meet the new Chief Minister,” said Manish Gupta, Tourist.

Another tourist praised the beautification and cleanliness of the area.

“The place is so clean and is looking so good. This place has an important history attached to it and I am happy visiting here,” said Sujata Gupta.

Another tourist Ghanshyam Goyal who looked excited and expecting to meet the two AAP leaders.

“Delhi CM and Punjab CM are visiting here, I am excited to meet them,” he said.

The Punjab Chief Ministerial face of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is visiting Amritsar today to take part in a roadshow to express gratitude to the people for giving the popular mandate with two-third majority in the state in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

Speaking to the reporters before leaving for Amritsar, Mann said, “We will take the blessings of Guru Sahib to fulfil the promises we made to the people of Punjab. Our national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Amritsar (for roadshow) today to thank the people.”

The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly. (ANI)

India continues to witness a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases as the country reported 3,116 new infections in the last 24 hours, 498 lesser than yesterday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.

With this, the active caseload in the country stands at 38,069. The daily positivity rate in the country currently is 0.41 per cent while the weekly positivity rate is 0.50 per cent.

As many as 5,559 COVID patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 4,24,37,072 since the onset of the pandemic in the country.

The recovery rate remains at 98.71 per cent.

According to the Ministry, 47 patients succumbed to the virus during this period. The death toll in the country rises to 5,15,850.

As far as the vaccination drive is concerned, 180.13 crore COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

In the last 24 hours, 20,31,275 vaccine doses were administered taking the total number of vaccine doses administered to 1,80,13,23,547.

According to the ICMR, 7,61,737 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. 77,85,20,151 samples have been tested so far in the country. (ANI)