Month: April 2022

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday expressed hope that the Kashmiri Pandits who were displaced from their homes in the 1990s after the onset of terrorism will soon return back to their houses in the Kashmir valley.

“I have a feeling that the day is very near when the Kashmiri Pandits will come back to their homes and I wish that day comes soon,” said Bhagwat while addressing the Kashmiri Hindu community via video conference on the last day of the Navreh celebrations here.

Bhagwat said that the Vivek Agnihotri directed ‘The Kashmir Files’ has revealed the true picture of the Kashmiri Pandits and their exodus in the 1990s from the Kashmir valley.

The Vivek-Agnihotri directed ‘The Kashmir Files’, which was released in theatres on March 11, stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar and others. The film has sharply polarised the political spectrum in the country.

“Today, every Indian knows about the truth of the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits. This is the time that Kashmiri Pandits have to go back to their own homes in a way that they are never uprooted again in future,” the RSS chief added.

The RSS chief also said that the Kashmiri Pandits should take a resolve to return to their homeland, so the situation will change soon.

He said, “Some are in support of this movie, some are calling it half-truth… But the common people of this nation are of the opinion that by presenting this harsh truth to the world, this film has not only presented the pain of displaced Kashmiris but shaken us as well.”

He further said that nobody can force the Kashmiri Pandits to leave, and if anybody tries to do it, then he will have to face the consequences.

Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra (SSK), Jammu, organised a three-day programme, beginning April 1 and will conclude today, to celebrate the ‘Tyaag and Shaurya Divas’, urging the ‘Kashmiri Samaj’ to take a pledge to return to their homeland on the auspicious occasion of Navreh.

The film shows the plight of Kashmiri Pandits who had to flee the valley in the 1990s to escape the militancy.

The SSK has been celebrating the ‘Navreh, Tyaag and Shaurya Divas’ with the community members and school children for several years while also organising seminars, essay writing and quiz competitions to highlight the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits.

This coincides with the first day of the Chaitra (spring) Navratras. Kashmiri Pandits dedicate the Navreh festival to their Goddess Sharika and pay homage to her during the festival. (ANI)

Sri Lanka is reeling under a deep economic crisis as the country’s foreign reserves have been depleted and the Rajapaksa government is struggling to pay for the import of fuel.

As a result, there is an acute power shortage in the country and violent protests are being reported. The government has declared an emergency and a countrywide 36-hour curfew has been imposed due to the protest on Sunday as of now around 600 protesters have been arrested.

In these difficult times, India has come forward to bail the island nation out of the crisis. India has responded to urgent requests from Sri Lanka with promptness.

“Since January this year, support from India to Sri Lanka exceeds USD 2.5 billion. A fuel line of credit of USD 500 million was signed in February. Four consignments totaling over 150,000 tons of jet aviation fuel, diesel and petrol have since arrived beginning in March. Five more consignments are to follow till May. Another line of credit of USD 1 billion for food, medicine and essential items was signed last month,” Gopal Baglay India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka told ANI.

“The first consignment of rice from India is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka shortly under this credit facility,” Bagley added

Besides, the Reserve Bank of India has extended a currency swap of USD 400 million and deferred payments owed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka under the Asian Clearance Union worth several hundred million dollars.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka said: “These facilities, negotiated and concluded within a matter of weeks, have proved to be the lifeline for the people of Sri Lanka at a time when financing of imports by Sri Lanka is difficult due to the balance of payment situation.”

“India’s prompt assistance for the people of Sri Lanka at this hour has been appreciated by all sections of the Sri Lankan society” the Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka added.

India on Saturday delivered 40,000 MT of diesel to Sri Lanka to help ease the power crisis in the island country which is witnessing acute power cuts.

A part of the US 500 million oil line of credit (LoC) extended by India to Sri Lanka, this is the fourth consignment of fuel delivered from India to Sri Lanka under the LoC. Further, India has supplied around 200,000 MT of fuel to the island nation over the last 50 days.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector. (ANI)

A Pakistan journalist on Saturday said that the Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was attacked in London by an activist of the current Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and added efforts for the arrest of the culprits are being made.

This comes at a time when keeping up his attack on the opposition ahead of Sunday’s vote of confidence in the National Assembly, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that if Leader of Opposition and PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif (Brother of Nawaz Sharif) takes over, “they will do slavery of America”.

Ahmad Noorani, the Pakistani journalist currently with Fact Focus, a Pakistan-based digital media, wrote on Twitter, “Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been attacked in London by a PTI activist. Action must be taken in Pakistan against the PTI as now the party has crossed all limits. Physical violence can never be condoned. PTI must be made an example now.”

He also shared that Sharif’s guard was injured in the attack. “Nawaz Sharif’s guard was injured in the attack. All efforts must be made to ensure the arrest of culprits in the UK tonight. PTI must also be fixed during a few hours,” he added.

“Shahbaz Sharif will be a slave of America… he said in a TV Programme yesterday that beggars are not choosers… what does this mean? Does that mean that the poor and beggars are slaves? Ask him (Shehbaz Sharif) who brought Pakistan to such a state. Just because we are poor, should we be slaves?” Imran Khan said while taking questions from viewers on TV.

Opposition parties have said that Imran Khan “has lost majority” with some of his allies deserting him and that Shahbaz Sharif will be the Prime Minister.

Imran Khan attacked Shahbaz Sharif saying he faces allegations of massive corruption.

He also referred to the “threat letter” from a foreign power and linked the opposition’s no-trust vote with it.

“The letter says as soon as Imran Khan is removed, we will spare you… They all had conspired beforehand that when Imran Khan is removed, Shahbaz Sharif will come, on whom there are allegations of corruption worth millions,” Khan said.

“Who brought Pakistan to Life Support machine? These three stooges were taking turns to rule the country for 30 years, they have brought us to this state and are now asking us to be slaves of America,” he added.

Khan has been referring to Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman as “three-stooges”.

“They will always be slaves of America and will make all of you slaves of America,” Imran Khan said.

He urged people, especially the youth, to come on the streets to express their disapproval of the opposition’s move against him.

The no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government is set to be tabled in the National Assembly on Sunday and he faces the prospect of losing it. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga on Saturday claimed that Punjab Police reached his home to arrest him without informing the local police.

“Punjab Police Car number PB65AK1594 reached my home to arrest me without informing local police. Now they are tracking my friends addresses and going to their homes. No information of FIR, Police station, Sections against me to me till now. CC @DelhiPolice @DCPWestDelhi,” Bagga said in a tweet.

Earlier, he said that he is in Lucknow and Punjab Police reached his home.

“I am in Lucknow, without any information @PunjabPoliceInd reached my home. May I know the reason? CC @DCPWestDelhi,” he had said.

In another tweet, Bagga said that he will oppose Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal if he terms ‘genocide of Kashmiri Pandits a lie, no matter if one or 100 FIRs are registered against him.

“No matter if one or 100 FIRs are registered against me but if Kejriwal calls the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits a lie, then I will protest, if he laughs at the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits, then I will protest no matter what consequences I have to face for it,” he said.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, addressing the budget session of the Delhi Assembly, earlier this week had attacked the BJP’s demand to make ‘The Kashmir Files’ movie tax-free.

Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won a majority in the recently concluded Punjab Assembly elections. (ANI)

Sri Lanka imposed a nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm in the evening today till the morning 6 am on Monday (April 4) following unrest in the country with protests outside the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the ongoing economic crisis in the Island country.

“Under the powers given to the president curfew has been imposed countrywide from 6 pm on Saturday to 6 am on Monday,” the government’s information department said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday evening, President Rajapaksa had issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a state of public emergency in Sri Lanka with immediate effect.

“In order to ensure public security and maintenance of public order and to continue with supplies and services essential to the life of the people, according to the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, a state of public emergency has been declared right throughout the country with effect from April 01, 2022,” Information Department of the Government of Sri Lanka informed in a statement.

Rajapaksa said the emergency was declared in the interests of public security, protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

On Friday evening, Sri Lanka had also imposed a police curfew in the Western Province for six hours amid unrest after protests were held outside Sri Lankan President’s residence over the worsening economic crisis in the island nation.

Several protestors gathered outside the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday as the island nation faces an unprecedented economic crisis.

The protest was staged over the government’s failure to address the existing issues in the island nation. The protesters clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana.

After the protest, at least ten people were injured including journalists.

Meanwhile, fifteen individuals arrested over the protest held in Mirihana were ordered to be released on bail after being produced before Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court, Daily Mirror reported.

It further reported that each of them was ordered to be released on a surety bail by Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.

Sri Lanka is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power and gas shortage and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance.

Sri Lanka is witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Sri Lanka’s currency has been also devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8. (ANI)

In a move to provide safe transport to women and girl students, the police here have set up three ‘She Auto’ stands, the first of its kind in the state, on Friday.

Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, MLA, along with city Mayor Dr R Sireesha and Urban Superintendent of Police Venkata Appala Naidu inaugurated the dedicated auto stands at the RTC Bus Stand, Mahila University and Ruia Hospital.

The MLA appreciated SP Naidu for focusing on the safety of women auto-rickshaw drivers. The SP said the aim behind the She Auto stands was to provide safe transportation to women.

Naidu has set up special stands for women auto drivers in different parts of the city, giving priority to women. “Tirupati is the first state in the state to set up special auto stands for women like this. Proved that women have a special place in society by setting up auto stand by setting up auto stand in RTC bus stand in Tirupati, Women’s University and Rua Hospital. Earlier, women auto drivers use to keep their vehicles with men at other auto stands,” the MLA said.

The SP said that it is a well-known fact that women drivers have an apex level of driving skills. “Accidents involving women-driven autos are very rare,” the police official added. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took to Twitter and extended wishes for the sacred month of Ramzan.

PM Modi tweeted, “Greetings on the commencement of Ramzan.”
The message further said, “May this holy month inspire people to serve the poor. May it also further enhance the spirit of peace, harmony and compassion in our society.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, “Ramzan Mubarak! May this pious month bring good health, peace and prosperity to all.”

Ramzan ‘Chand’ (moon) has been spotted on Saturday, and the first ‘Roza’ will be observed on Sunday.

This annual observance of Ramzan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. (ANI)

Sri Lanka imposed a nationwide curfew starting at 6 pm in the evening today till the morning 6 am on Monday (April 4) following unrest in the country with protests outside the residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the ongoing economic crisis in the Island country.

“Under the powers given to the president curfew has been imposed countrywide from 6 pm on Saturday to 6 am on Monday,” the government’s information department said in a statement.
Earlier on Friday evening, President Rajapaksa had issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a state of public emergency in Sri Lanka with immediate effect.

“In order to ensure public security and maintenance of public order and to continue with supplies and services essential to the life of the people, according to the powers vested in the President under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, a state of public emergency has been declared right throughout the country with effect from April 01, 2022,” Information Department of the Government of Sri Lanka informed in a statement.

Rajapaksa said the emergency was declared in the interests of public security, protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

On Friday evening, Sri Lanka had also imposed a police curfew in the Western Province for six hours amid unrest after protests were held outside Sri Lankan President’s residence over the worsening economic crisis in the island nation.

Several protestors gathered outside the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday as the island nation faces an unprecedented economic crisis.

The protest was staged over the government’s failure to address the existing issues in the island nation. The protesters clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana.

After the protest, at least ten people were injured including journalists.

Meanwhile, fifteen individuals arrested over the protest held in Mirihana were ordered to be released on bail after being produced before Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court, Daily Mirror reported.

It further reported that each of them was ordered to be released on a surety bail by Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.

Sri Lanka is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power and gas shortage and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance.

Sri Lanka is witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Sri Lanka’s currency has been also devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8. (ANI)

With several reports citing the emergence of a new mutant of the novel Coronavirus known as XE which is more transmissible than the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society has urged citizens of the country not to panic and closely monitor the development of the variant.
Speaking exclusively to ANI today, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) Director Rakesh Mishra said, “The new mutant XE emerged for the first time in mid-January, but I believe that there is no need to push a ‘panic button’. So far, only 600 cases have been reported across the world. But we need to keep a close watch on it.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s latest report, the new mutant called XE may be more transmissible than any strain of COVID-19 reported so far.

He further said that there is no indication that it can cause a wave of COVID-19. “No indication is present at the moment highlighting that this new variant is so strong that it can cause a wave. We need to wait for some more time to make comments on how transmissible it can be,” he said.

Dr Mishra also stressed that it is important to take all safety measures to curb the spread of the virus.

“It is unfortunate that a certain section of the society seems to be eager to declare that the pandemic is over. People should take care by using masks, administering vaccines as per rules and boosters wherever allowed and avoiding unnecessary clustering in crowded spaces, especially in close spaces. Act civil by wearing masks.”

Meanwhile, India today reported 1,260 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of Coronavirus infections to 4,30,27,035. India also recorded 83 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry.

Today morning, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 184.52 crore (1,84,52,44,856) as per provisional reports till 7 am today. COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on March 16, 2022. So far, more than 1.81 crore (1,81,21,823) adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. (ANI)