Month: May 2022

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu will call on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday, the day when Congress’ top decision-making body CWC will meet at the AICC headquarters to deliberate on the agenda for the brainstorming session as well as the party’s future strategy.

Sidhu will discuss matters regarding the revival of Punjab’s economy with the Chief Minister.

‘Chintan Shivir’ in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, the Congress’ top decision-making body CWC will meet at the AICC headquarters here on May 9 to deliberate on the agenda for the brainstorming session as well as the party’s future strategy.

Taking to Twitter the former Punjab Congress president said, “Will meet CM Bhagwant Mann tomorrow at 5:15 pm in Chandigarh to discuss matters regarding the revival of Punjab’s economy. Punjab’s resurrection is only possible with an honest collective effort.”

Sidhu’s meeting with Mann would be at a time when AICC in-charge of Punjab Harish Chaudhary has recommended disciplinary action against him.

Chaudhary moved a complaint to the Disciplinary Action Committee against Sidhu and requested to take action against him.

“Having been in-charge of the party’s affairs in Punjab from November until now, it has been my observation that Sidhu continuously criticised the functioning of the Congress government terming it corrupt and hand in glove with the Shrimoni Akali Dal,” the complaint mentioned.

“As the party was fighting the elections, it was inappropriate for Sidhu to set such a precedent. In spite of my repeated advice to Sidhu to avoid such activities, he continued to speak against the government relentlessly,” Chaudhary’s complaint said, as per sources.

After a poll drubbing in five states recently, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi had asked its state unit chiefs in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur to put down their papers. (ANI)

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced Sunday that the country was establishing a civilian national guard to “fight terrorism.”

His announcement was made in public remarks shortly after two Palestinians suspected of killing three Israelis in a knife attack were arrested earlier in the day.
Bennett noted that Israel was entering “a new stage in the war on terrorism,” and the need for a national guard is “more urgent than ever.”

The new guard will be deployed throughout the country to enable them respond quickly to emergency even before the arrival of police forces, he said.

Comprised of border police units along with reservists and volunteers trained for the tasks, the guard “will be activated in emergencies and disturbances, and in routine times as well, as necessary,” he noted.

Bennett said he had instructed the National Security Council and the Ministry of Public Security to present the government with a budgeted plan to establish the new guard by the end of May.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli security forces said after a three-day manhunt, the two suspects were captured in a forest near Elad, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish city where they killed three men and injured four others on Israel’s Independence Day on Thursday.

The incident came amid heightened tensions over a string of clashes between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in recent weeks. (ANI/Xinhua)

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu revoked its order to ban the ‘Pattina Pravesam’ ritual of the Dharumapuram Adheenam on Sunday.

‘Pattina Pravesam’, a tradition of devotees carrying the seer of the Dharmapuram Adheenam in a palanquin, will take place on May 22. The order was released by the Mayiladuthurai district Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) today.

AIADMK, BJP, and the Right Wing opposition opposed the state government’s ban on the practice of carrying the Adheenam on a palanquin.

Earlier, the Revenue Divisional Officer of Mayiladuthurai, J. Balaji issued the ban order for the event scheduled for May 22, terming the practice a “violation of human rights”.

The controversy over the ban on Dharmapuram mutt’s ‘Pattina Pravesam’, has triggered political controversy in Tamil Nadu.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday warned the state government to take back its order of banning the ritual or else they will violate it by continuing with the traditional practice.

“If government opposes Dharmapuram Adheenam’s ‘Pattina Pravesam’, we will break the government rule and will carry the ‘Adheenam’ in palanquin ourselves. Government should take back their order”, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said earlier this week.

Meanwhile, the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) had warned of protests against the practice. (ANI)

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth launched the Quatre Bornes to Phoenix segment of the India-Mauritius Flagship Metro Express project on Sunday.

“The much-awaited Quatre Bornes to Phoenix segment of the India-Mauritius Flagship Metro Express project was launched today by Prime Minister,” Indian High Commission in Mauritius tweeted.
“The new stations will bring the safe, timely & transformative Metro Project to a larger number of Mauritian people and make a difference to their daily commute. Progressing towards Curepipe and Mahatma Gandhi station,” the High Commission said in another tweet.

Earlier in January, India and Mauritius exchanged two key bilateral agreements including an agreement for the extension of a USD 190 million Line of Credit from the Indian government for the Metro Express and other infrastructure projects.

Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, India-Mauritius Development Partnership projects have progressed rapidly.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Jugnauth had jointly inaugurated the Metro Express project and the New ENT Hospital in Mauritius in virtual mode.

Likewise, in July 2020, the new Supreme Court Building of Mauritius was also inaugurated virtually by the two Prime Ministers. (ANI)

Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Indian Air Force’s plans to upgrade the fleet of its Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft has been put on the backburner for now.

The deal for the 12 most advanced Su-30MKI aircraft worth over Rs 20,000 crore would also be delayed slightly as the stakeholders will now have to add more Made-in-India content in the planes as per the current policy of the government to promote Indian defence products over imports, government sources told ANI.
The Indian Air Force was planning to upgrade 85 of their planes up to the latest standards in collaboration with the Russians and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The plan has been put on the backburner for now in view of the present situation, the sources said.

The plan was to equip the Su-30 aircraft with more powerful radars and the latest electronic warfare capabilities to make it more powerful as per the latest standards, the sources said.

The Su-30 MKIs form the mainstay of the Indian Air Force as 272 of them have been ordered by the IAF in different batches as every time shortage of fighter jets in service was highlighted, the Russian manufacturers would receive an order of 30 to 40 of these planes.

The aircraft are supplied by the Russian manufacturers to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in semi and complete knocked-down kits and then they are assembled in the Nasik facility.

The ongoing conflict in Russia and Ukraine has also resulted in delays in the supply of spares for the fighter aircraft fleet.

Sources said even though the spares situation is manageable at the moment and expected to remain so in the near future as India had stocked them up in a considerable amount post the Uri surgical strikes and the ongoing China conflict.

However, it is expected that the supply of these spares and other equipment may become an issue after a year or so and that is why, the force has gone on an indigo ration spree of its imported equipment. (ANI)

Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene revealed the secret behind her success in Bollywood when she was a struggling actor.

In conversation with Tisca Chopra at Goafest 2022, Madhuri opened up about her initial days in the industry and how her mother encouraged her to fulfil her dreams.
On the occasion of Mother’s Day, she said that hard work and dedication is the success mantra that her mother gave during the initial days of her career when the actor was doubting her decision.

“My mother told me to give it my all and to put in the hard work with dedication. She believed in me and was an immense source of encouragement and support to me,” Madhuri said.

Urging everyone to keep doing the good work, the Kalank actor added, “I came to the movies very early but started questioning my decision as it was not working out for me. But I continued to put in the good work and then Tezaab proved to be an overnight success. So, I say to everyone here, things may take time, but always continue to do the good work consistently.”

Meanwhile, Madhuri is gearing up for the release of the Amazon Original movie ‘Maja Maa’, which is directed by Anand Tiwari and produced by Amritpal Singh Bindra. (ANI)

Kenneth Welsh, the Candian actor best known for his memorable roles in ‘Twin Peaks,’ ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ and ‘The Aviator,’ has passed away at the age of 80, and is survived by his son Devon Welsh.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, his agent Pam Winter confirmed that the prolific artist died peacefully on May 5 at his home in the suburbs of Toronto, surrounded by loved ones.
ACTRA, the Canadian film and television union, confirmed the actor’s death, posting a tribute message Friday to social media that read, in part, “Ken was one of Canada’s all-time great performers, with hundreds of memorable roles spanning decades. He will be greatly missed.”

Born on March 30, 1942, in Edmonton, Alberta, Welsh moved to Montreal to attend the National Theatre School. He began his career as a member of Ontario’s acclaimed Stratford Festival, which became known for his performances in Shakespearean plays.

Welsh had many projects in post-production at the time of his death, including appearing in the Amazon’s returning episode of the Canadian sketch series ‘The Kids in the Hall,’ premiering later this month.

The actor had earned many accolades throughout his career including earning a Canadian Genie Award for his role in the 1995 film ‘Margaret’s Museum.’ Also in 2003, he was named a member of the prestigious Order of Canada. (ANI)

A plea was filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court seeking the directions to the Archaeological Survey of India to probe the 22 closed doors in the Taj Mahal to ascertain the presence of the idols of Hindu deities.

The plea sought the constitution of a fact-finding committee and the submission of a report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It has been said in the petition that the idols of the Hindu deities are locked up behind closed doors.
The plea also cited the claims by some historians and some Hindu groups about the monument being an old Shiv Temple.

“Some Hindu Groups and reputable Sants are claiming this monument as old Shiv Temple supported by many historians and facts however many Historian believes it as Taj Mahal build up by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. Some people also believe that Tejo Mahalaya @ Taj Mahal appears to be one of the Jyotirling i.e. the outstanding Siva Temples,” the plea stated.

“It is respectfully submitted that there are certain rooms situated in upper and lower portions (approx.22 rooms) of four storied building which is permanently locked and many Historian like P N Oak and crores of Hindu Worshiper strongly believes that in those lock rooms temple of Lord Shiva is present,” it further stated.

Citing an RTI filed to the ASI regarding the reason behind the doors closed in Taj Mahal, the plea stated “in the Reply by the department of Archaeological Survey of India, Agra it was said that due to security reasons those doors are locked.” (ANI)

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz was admitted to a hospital in the Red Sea city of Jeddah to undergo medical tests, local media reported citing Saudi Press Agency.

According to a statement from the royal court, he was admitted to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
King Salman, 86, underwent gallbladder surgery in 2020 and had the battery of his heart pacemaker replaced in March, reported Khaleej Times.

He became ruler of the world’s top oil exporter in 2015. Prior to his accession, he was Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia from June 16, 2012 to January 23, 2015. (ANI)