Month: August 2022

Iran on Monday “categorically” denied any link with the attacker who stabbed author Salman Rushdie in the United States.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a press conference ruled out any connection between the stabbing of the Indian-origin novelist and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported today.
Rushdie, who faced death threats over his book ‘The Satanic Verses’, was stabbed on stage in western New York state last week on Friday.

A number of world leaders including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have condemned the incident.

Furthermore, in the press conference, Kanaani said as quoted by IRNA that no one has the right to accuse Iran.

Rushdie, 75, hogged the limelight with his novel ‘Midnight’s Children’ in 1981. The India-born author won the Booker Prize for the novel which was also adapted for the stage.

But his 1988 book ‘The Satanic Verses’ led to a fatwa, a religious decree, by the then Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The threat forced him into hiding for several years.

On Saturday, Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and will be able to talk, after he was stabbed in western New York State during a lecture.

Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed that Rushdie was taken off a ventilator and could talk, without giving further details, according to The Washington Post.

Hadi Matar, who is suspected of stabbing Rushdie, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in the second degree and other charges in a New York court. (ANI)

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has once again praised India for its independent foreign policy, as the leader slammed Western countries for being critical of India for buying Russian oil despite the threat of sanctions amid Ukraine war.

Since his ouster from power in April, Imran Khan has decried a US-led foreign conspiracy against him. While criticizing the Joe Biden administration, Imran Khan on many occasions lauded India for not giving in to the demand of the West and continuing to purchase Russian oil despite being a “strategic ally” of the US.
During a huge gathering in Lahore last week, Imran Khan’s PTI party played out a video clip of India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar from the Bratislava Forum, held in June, where the Indian minister said that New Delhi will do what is best for their people.

“When the Indian foreign minister was asked not to buy Russian oil. He said who are they to dictate India’s foreign policy. Europe is buying Russia’s oil and people need it. He said that they will continue to buy it,” Imran Khan said while quoting EAM Jaishankar and added “Yeh hota hai aazad mulk.” (This is what an independent nation looks like)

Drawing a comparison between the two countries, the PTI chief slammed the Shehbaz government for bowing down to US pressure on buying Russian oil.

“We had spoken to Russia about buying cheaper oil but this government has no courage to say no to US pressure. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, people are below the poverty line. I am against this slavery,” Khan said.

“If India which got independence at the same time as Pakistan and if New Delhi can take a firm stand and make their foreign policy as per the need of its people then who are they (Shehbaz Sharif government) who are toeing the line,” Imran Khan said at the gathering.

Jaishankar’s remarks which Imran Khan referred to was delivered at the GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum being held in Slovakia in June this year.

During the forum held in June, EAM Jaishankar hit back at the unfair criticism against Indian oil purchase from Russia amid the Ukraine war that has created a knock-off effect on the world economy.

While defending India’s oil imports from Russia, Jaishankar stressed that it is important to understand how the Ukraine conflict is impacting the developing countries. He also questioned why only India was being questioned while Europe continues to import gas from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Responding to a question on whether India’s oil imports from Russia are not funding the Ukraine war, Jaishankar asked, “India buying Russia oil is funding the war… Tell me then buying Russian gas is not funding the war?”

“It’s only Indian money and Russian oil coming to India funding the war and not Russia’s gas coming to Europe not funding? Let’s be a little even-handed,” the external affairs minister had said. (ANI)

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an additional 10 lakh jobs for youth under various arrangements in the state.

Tejashwi said that the announcement was made during the Chief Minister’s speech on the occasion of 76th Independence Day in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.
“The Chief Minister has announced to provide 10 lakh jobs which would be expanded to 20 lakh to the youth. What could be a bigger announcement than this?” he said while speaking to the reporters.

The Deputy Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the announcement and said that it was according to the expectations of the unemployed and youth of the state.

“Many thanks to respected Chief Minister Shri @NitishKumar ji for the historic announcement of arranging 10 lakh jobs and additional 10 lakh jobs in Bihar from Gandhi Maidan, according to the expectations and dreams of the unemployed and youth,” Tejashwi tweeted in Hindi.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hoisted the tricolour at his residence in Patna, on Independence Day.

On the occasion of 76th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hoisted the national flag and delivered the customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Prior to that, he inspected the Guard of Honour which was positioned directly in front of the National Flag across the moat below the ramparts.

The GoC Delhi area conducted the Prime Minister to the Saluting Base where a combined inter-services and police guards presented the general salute to him, following which PM Modi inspected the Guard of Honour.

On his arrival in the Red Fort, the Prime Minister was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar.

Later, a combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard presented a general salute to the Prime Minister. Thereafter, PM Modi inspected the Guard of Honour. No synonyms found.

Meanwhile, people are enthusiastically taking part in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. (ANI)

French President, Emmanuel Macron congratulated India on its 76th Independence day as he assured strengthened bilateral ties with the country.

Hailing India’s stunning achievement for the last 75 years, Macron said, “Dear friend @NarendraModi, dear people of India, congratulations on your Independence Day! As you proudly celebrate India’s stunning achievements in the past 75 years, you can count on France to always stand by your side,” taking to Twitter.

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. The areas of Defence and Security Cooperation, Space cooperation, and Civil nuclear cooperation constitute the principal pillars of our Strategic Partnership with France.

India and France are increasingly engaged in new areas of cooperation like security in the Indian Ocean region, climate change including the International Solar Alliance, and sustainable growth and development among others.

India and France share a close degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues. In the economic domain, while there exists vast potential, French economic capacities, it’s business and industry, its capital, and technologies have forged linkages with the Indian economy and India’s developmental goals.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid also took to his Twitter handle and extended his warm wishes to his Indian counterpart, EAM S Jaishankar on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day in India.

“Warm greetings and best wishes to my dear colleague EAM @DrSJaishankar, the Govt. and the friendly people of #India on the jubilant occasion of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence,” he tweeted.

Underlining the strengthened ties between India and Maldives, he said that he is confident that the strategic partnership between the two nations will continue to prosper.

India-Maldives development partnership has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and covers large infrastructure projects, community-level grant projects, and capacity-building programs which are based purely on the requirements of the Maldives, implemented through transparent processes and in a spirit of cooperation between the two governments.

In the first week of August, India and the Maldives signed a number of agreements to push the bilateral partnership to the next level in the field of infrastructure and connectivity.

These agreements were signed during the visit of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 76th Independence Day. The August 15 ceremony is particularly significant this year as it marks the 75 years of India’s Independence.

Notably, this was Prime Minister’s ninth address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Here are the top quotes from PM Modi’s speech at the Red Fort while addressing the nation:

1.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid
homage to the freedom fighters who fought against British rule
. “Our country is grateful to Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Ramprasad Bismil, Rani Laxmi Bai, Subash Chandra Bose, and all other freedom fighters who shook the foundations of the British Empire. We salute not only those who fought for freedom, but also the architects of free India such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, amongst the many others,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that India has been home to great thinkers like Vivekanand, Aurobindo and Rabindranath Tagore. “Our heroes like Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Lal Bahadur Shastri fought for our independence and moulded our country,” he said. PM Modi also
recalled the contributions of the women freedom fighters of India.
The prime minister said that every Indian is filled with pride when they remember the strength of the women of the country – be it Rani Laxmibai, Jhalkaribai, Chennamma, Begum Hazrat Mahal.

2.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for unity among people while pointing out that sometimes the country’s talent is restricted by its language barriers, urged countrymen to be proud of every language. “Sometimes our talent is restricted by language barriers. This is an example of Imperialism.
We need to be proud of every language in our country.
When we are connected to our roots, then only can we fly high; and when we fly high, we will provide solutions to the entire world,” asserted the Prime Minister in his address to the nation today.

3.
Prime Minister said that
natural farming will give new strength to India
. “There are multiple employment opportunities opened with creation of Green Jobs,” he said. “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisaan, Jai Vigyaan, Jai Anusandhan – as we celebrate 75 years, we need to follow this mantra that was given to us by Lal Bahadur Shastri and later tweaked by Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” the PM said.

4.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at the evils of
nepotism and corruption
and sought the people’s cooperation to fight them. The prime minister said that the country needs to shift its mentality from “Bhai-Bhatijawad” and Parivaarwad (nepotism) and give an opportunity to the citizens who deserve it.

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the country’s 76th Independence Day, the Prime Minister said that there is no place for corruption in our society and that the people of the country need to come together as a society to punish those who have propagated the evil of corruption. “Today the nation shows anger towards corruption, but not the corrupted. Until and unless, people have the mentality of penalizing the corrupt, the nation cannot progress at optimum pace,” Prime Minster Modi said.

“Another evil we need to come together against is nepotism. We need to give opportunities to those who are talented and will work towards the progress of the nation. Talent will be the basis of a New India. To cleanse every institute of India, let’s shift our mentality from ‘Bhai Bhatijawad’ and Parivaarwad and give an opportunity to the citizens who deserve it,” said PM Modi on the occasion of the country’s 76th Independence Day. Though India is faced with numerous challenges and restrictions, the PM highlighted that the country has the ability to overcome them all for a New India.

5.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the
youth to dedicate the next 25 years of their lives for the development
of the nation and highlighted five resolves to accomplish the same.

The Prime Minister said, “When dreams are big, the hard work is equally strenuous. We need to be inspired by the sankalp and determination of our freedom fighters who dreamt of a free India. I urge the youth to dedicate the next 25 years of their lives for the development of the nation. We will work towards even the development of the entire humanity. That is the strength of India.”

6.
Referring to
‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign,
PM Modi said, ” The nation’s enthusiasm for Tiranga seen in the last three days could not have been imagined by many experts and it symbolises the nation’s reawakening.

7.
PM Modi also asked the citizens to focus on
‘Panchpran.’
He said, “In coming years, we’ve to focus on ‘Panchpran’- First, to move forward with bigger resolves and resolve of developed India; Second, erase all traces of servitude; Third, be proud of our legacy; Fourth, strength of unity and fifth, duties of citizens which includes the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers.

8.
PM Modi also mentioned
digital India
in his speech from Red Fort. He said, “Today, we are seeing the Digital India initiative, startups grow in the country, and a lot of talent is coming from Tier 2 & 3 cities. We have to believe in our abilities.”

PM Modi said India’s “techade” is here as the government is focusing on technologies such as 5G, semiconductor manufacturing and optical fibre cables. These technologies, PM Modi said, will bring about a revolution at the grassroots level.

9.
PM Narendra Modi gave a powerful message to the nation to take a pledge to
stop disrespecting women.
He said, “It’s important that in speech and conduct, we do nothing that lowers the dignity of women.”

“I have one request to every Indian. Can we change the mentality towards our women in everyday life. Pride of Nari Shakti will play a vital role in fulfilling the dreams of India. It is important that in our speech and conduct, we do nothing that lowers the dignity of women. Respect for Women is an important pillar of India’s growth. We need to support our ‘Nari Shakti’,” PM Modi said.

10.
PM Modi said, “When such an
aspirational society
exists, governments too have to work on the knife’s edge to fulfill these aspirations. Community spirit has risen again in the last few years. For the last three days the entire country has marched with the Tricolour.”

11.
The Prime Minister said that
‘India is the mother of democracy.’
“India has seen a lot of ups and downs in the last 75 years. There have been sorrows as well as achievements in these years. We faced natural calamities, wars and other problems. But unity in diversity became our guiding power,” PM Modi said.

12.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people to
support and promote sports
and praised India’s ‘stellar’ performance in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2022. “Our stellar performances at international sporting events are an example of India’s shining talent. We need to promote and support such talent,” PM Modi said.

In his address for the 76th Independence Day at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon the collective spirit of 130 crore of “Team India”, to take the country forward and ensure that it is a developed nation in the next 25 years. (ANI)

Pakistan and its ally Taliban are at loggerheads. Pakistan has committed a strategic blunder in thinking that the Taliban, which the country helped in fighting a US-backed Afghanistan for over two decades, will fulfil Islamabad’s wishes.

Both the allies are at loggerheads with the threat of a bloody skirmish along the Durand Line on the anvil, reported the Afghan Diaspora Network.
Although several thorny issues have taken the forefront in the past year, the most compelling for the moment is the truce talks with terrorist group, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which enjoys clear patronage of the Afghan Taliban, a close ally of Pakistan.

Dealing with TTP was one of the first few conditions set by the Pakistan Army for helping the Taliban to negotiate the pitfalls of governance. But the Afghan Taliban had not shown any inclination to keep its promise, reported the Afghan Diaspora Network.

General Javed Bajwa seems to have realised his mistake in pressing ahead with talks despite the continuous recalcitrant attitude of TTP leaders quite late.

The killing of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri, who advised the TTP, and senior TTP leader Omar Khalid Khorasani recently, made it quite clear even to Bajwa that the talks had no future.

He quickly transferred Lt General Faiz Hameed from Peshawar to Bahawalpur, a move which clearly underlined failure on the part of the army to bring around TTP for a ceasefire.

Although the army had projected the talks with militants as ‘national interest’, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and scores of others, civilians and security personnel were deeply sceptical of the militant group.

In fact, people in the tribal province had been protesting publicly against any truce with TTP responsible for the killings of several thousand citizens in the past, reported the Afghan Diaspora Network.

According to various Pakistan data sources, the TTP, since its inception in 2007, had carried out over 3000 terrorist attacks in Pakistan, killing about 7500 persons, including over 2500 security personnel, of which 815 were from the army.

The most horrendous was the attack on an Army school in Peshawar in which TTP militants killed over 132 students and 17 others in December 2014. The most strong opponents to the present round of talks with the TTP were the family members of the slain children.

But it was the local Pashtuns in KP and other tribal areas who have been persistently raising their voice against any move to reconcile with TTP. There was both furore and anger when former Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to open talks with the terrorist group.

He was supported by Bajwa. Bajwa should have known better–past agreements had all failed and there was no evidence of the Afghan Taliban raising their finger to push TTP towards a negotiated settlement. But for strange reasons, the army decided to go along with talking to a militant group which had been targeting the army personnel for years, reported the Afghan Diaspora Network.

Moreover, the Federal Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, early this month admitted that the law and order situation in KP was worsening and people were holding protest demonstrations in various parts of the province against the Taliban’s presence in their area.

He pointed out protests were taking place in Dir, Swat and other places. His response came after a provincial legislative member, Mohsin Dawar told the National Assembly that the people of North Waziristan had been protesting for the past 26 days. He warned that terrorism had spread across KP and warned it would soon grip the whole country.

These fears are strengthened by targeted attacks on local leaders and police in the province. The most recent attacks were Malik Liaqat Ali, a member of the KP Assembly and on police in Matta and other parts of Swat. Such attacks have been witnessed in southern districts and some towns in central districts in the past many months. Attacks on police in Swat and the abduction of an army officer and police officer underlined the growing influence of the Taliban, reported the Afghan Diaspora Network.

According to local residents, as many as 186 incidents were reported in North Waziristan from 2019 till June 2022. If compared with any other merged district, the number of such incidents was 56 in South Waziristan, nine each in Orakzai and Kurram, 16 in Mohmand, 12 in Khyber and 61 in Bajaur since 2019.

Attacks on policemen and other law enforcement agencies have continued in southern districts as well as in Peshawar in the past year. Over 63 policemen have died in targeted killings and other attacks this year. Besides, armed attackers have attacked several police stations, posts and vans with grenades in recent months. (ANI)

Legendary veteran guitarist Carlos Santana, after a scary collapse last month at one of his concerts, is back to business as usual.

According to Fox News, on July 5, Santana fell on stage while performing in Michigan. He was treated by medics after passing out and was eventually removed, but not before waving to a crowd of fans, as per a fan video. Reportedly, he was affected by the extreme heat in Michigan.
Santana reposted a message shared by his wife, fellow musician Cindy Blackman, where she explained, “it was 100 degrees on stage and 114 under the lights so that coupled with not enough water is what caused the issue.”

He and his band, who are touring with Earth, Wind & Fire, had six shows postponed due to health concerns. Santana resumed his tour in Connecticut this past Friday.

Prior to his return to the big stage, the rocker was spotted out in New York City looking jovial and no worse for wear reported Fox News.

Santana is no stranger to medical emergencies. Last December, Santana underwent what his management described as an “unscheduled” heart procedure that caused the postponement of that month’s residency in Las Vegas. However, he resumed the residency the following month and in late March launched another North American tour that has continued ever since.

The tour with Earth, Wind & Fire is scheduled to continue through the end of August. Just two weeks later, the musician is slated to resume his longstanding residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas through the end of September before resuming for two more weeks in November, as per Variety. (ANI)

The Embassy of Japan on Monday presented a vocal and instrumental rendition of India’s national anthem on the occasion of India’s 76th Independence Day.

The musical celebration of India completing 75 glorious years of independence was compiled by Japanese Embassy staff members comprising both Indian and Japanese nationals.
“Namaskar, on the occasion of India having completed 75 years of her independence, I wish to express my sincere congratulations to the people of India. My Embassy staff members both Indian and Japanese will now present a joint performance of the national anthem of India to celebrate this happy occasion together. I hope you will enjoy it,” said the Japanese Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki in a video message.

India-Japan has shared a cordial and crucial relationship over the years. Recently, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was on an official visit to India in March for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit between the two countries.

At the summit, Japan announced to invest Rs 3.2 lakh crores in the next five years in India. Seven JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) loans for projects in connectivity, water supply and sewerage, horticulture, healthcare, and biodiversity conservation in various States.

An MoU has been signed to introduce Johkasou technology in India by Japanese companies for decentralised wastewater treatment. It is used in areas where sewage infrastructure has not yet been developed.

Sustainable Development Initiative for the North Eastern Region of India was also announced. It was launched with an eye on India’s infrastructure development in the Northeast, and includes both ongoing projects and possible future cooperation in connectivity, healthcare, new and renewable energy, as well as an initiative for strengthening bamboo value chain.

On cyber security, the leaders discussed “India-Japan Digital Partnership” with a view to enhancing the digital economy through promotion of joint projects in the area of IoT (internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence) and other emerging technologies.

The two leaders expressed their commitment to promoting peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two PMs affirmed the importance of bilateral and plurilateral partnerships among like-minded countries in the region including the QUAD grouping between India-Australia-Japan and the United States.

The Japanese Prime Minister invited PM Modi for the QUAD Summit Meeting in Tokyo.

The Summit took place at a time when the two countries were celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and India was celebrating its 75th anniversary of Independence.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated a Japanese ‘Zen Garden – Kaizen Academy’ at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) in Gujarat. (ANI)

With India celebrating its 76th Independence Day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to take a pledge to make the Union Territory Nasha-Mukt (free of drugs), Bhrashtachar-Mukt (corruption free) and Rojgaar-Yukt (employable).

“Jammu and Kashmir is on the move. I call upon every section of the society to make their valuable contribution to a happy, peaceful and prosperous Union Territory. On this Independence Day, let us take a pledge to make Jammu and Kashmir Nasha-Mukt, Bhrashtachar-Mukt and Rojgaar-Yukt,” he said while addressing the people of Jammu and Kashmir today.
Sinha said that the administration has decided that August 5 will be celebrated as Freedom from Corruption day every year in Jammu and Kashmir and continuous drives against corruption will be done throughout the year.

“Three years back, PM Modi lit a lamp of modern economic and social development in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir administrations achieved notable achievements. Despite various challenges, we completed 50,726 projects in last financial year with a five-time speed,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that in the new Jammu and Kashmir, the base of the 21st century for realising the dreams and hopes of the youth is being prepared.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the nation for the ninth time from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day, said that India is the “mother of democracy” and everyone is working towards empowering every Indian at every corner of the nation.

Addressing the nation today on this historic day, PM Modi said, “India is the mother of democracy. India has proved that it has a precious ability and faced many challenges during its journey of 75 years.”

The Prime Minister recalled the philosophies of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. “Based on the philosophy of Gandhi ji, we are working towards empowering every Indian at every corner of the nation … be it Dalit, women, farmers, Divyang … from north to south, east to west,” said PM Modi.

“An aspirational society is important for any nation. Today, we are proud that these aspirations are present in every household in India. Every citizen is enthusiastic and works with progress for the progress of New India. This Amrit Kaal is providing us with a golden opportunity to fulfill the dreams and goals of this aspirational society,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said that despite challenges faced post-Independence, nothing could hamper the zeal of Indian citizens. “This soil has power. Despite many challenges, India did not stop, did not bow down and kept moving forward,” PM Modi said.

Speaking at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Indians must work towards a developed country and remove any vestiges of colonialism. He added that Indians must also retain their roots while ensuring unity in diversity. PM Modi said that citizens must also carry out their duties.

In view of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, a multi-layered security cover along with Facial Recognition System cameras have been installed at each entry/exit point at Red Fort in the national capital where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on August 15, Delhi police said on Sunday. (ANI)