September 2022 - Page 27 of 52 - Lokmarg

We Want To Transform India Into Manufacturing Hub: Modi At SCO

By LokMarg 16th September 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated to make India a manufacturing hub in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which has caused global supply-chain disruptions.

“The world is overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Several disruptions occurred in the global supply chain because of the COVID and Ukraine crisis. We want to transform India into a manufacturing hub,” PM Modi said while addressing extended format of the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States (SCO-CoHS) in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand.
Highlighting the country’s economic stability, he said India has more than 70,000 start-ups and over 100 unicorns.

“We are focussing on a people-centric development model. We are supporting innovation in every sector. Today, there are more than 70,000 start-ups and over 100 unicorns in our country,” said PM Modi.

“India’s economy is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5 per cent this year. I’m glad that ours is one of the fastest growing economies among the largest economies of the world,” he added.

The Prime Minister also raised the issue of “transit rights” of food supplies between the neighbouring nations highlighting that it took many months for India to send supplies to Afghanistan via Pakistan.

The SCO Summit usually has 2 sessions – a restricted session, only for the SCO member states, and then an extended session which includes participation by observers and special invitees.

Earlier, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev welcomed PM Modi to the Congress Centre in Samarkand for the 22nd SCO Summit. India has been working closely with Uzbekistan towards the success of their Chairship.

The SCO Member States, Observers, Special Guests of the Chair and representatives from regional organisations come together for a meeting in the expanded format.

This is the first in-person SCO Summit after the Covid pandemic hit the world. The last in-person SCO Heads of State Summit was held in Bishkek in June 2019.

The SCO currently comprises eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six “Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey).

The Shanghai Five, formed in 1996, became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2001 with the inclusion of Uzbekistan. With India and Pakistan entering the grouping in 2017 and the decision to admit Tehran as a full member in 2021, SCO became one of the largest multilateral organisations, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the global GDP and 40 per cent of the world’s population.

SCO has potential in various new sectors, wherein all the member-states could find converging interests. India has already pushed hard for cooperation in Startups and Innovation, Science and Technology and Traditional Medicine.

From the time of its full membership, India made sincere efforts to encourage peace, prosperity, and stability of the whole Eurasian region in general and SCO member countries in particular. (ANI)

Modi Arrives In Samarkand For SCO Summit, Meeting With Putin On Card

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Samarkand in Uzbekistan on Thursday evening to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit.

“Landed in Samarkand to take part in the SCO Summit,” PM Narendra Modi said in a tweet.
During the summit, the leaders are expected to review the activities of SCO and discuss prospects for future cooperation.

Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022 and India will assume the rotational annual presidency of the SCO at the end of the Samarkand Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit and is likely to have some other bilateral meetings.

The last SCO Heads of State Summit was held in June 2019 in Bishkek. India will assume the rotational annual presidency of the SCO at the end of the Samarkand Summit. PM Modi is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit. He is also expected to have some other bilateral meetings.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are also expected to attend the summit. Uzbekistan is the current chair of SCO 2022.

The Shanghai Five, formed in 1996, became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2001 with the inclusion of Uzbekistan. With India and Pakistan entering the grouping in 2017 and the decision to admit Tehran as a full member in 2021, SCO became one of the largest multilateral organizations, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the global GDP and 40 percent of the world’s population. (ANI)

CJI Lalit Refutes Reports Of Rift Among Top Judges

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Chief Justice of India (CJI) UU Lalit refuted any rift among judges of the Supreme Court in relation to the new listing system of cases on Thursday, and said that “all judges are on the same page”.

“We have taken a new way of listing. What has been reported is not the correct state of affairs. All Judges are completely on the same page,” CJI Lalit said in the felicitation function organised for him by the Supreme Court Bar Association.

The CJI elaborated that the new listing system was a work in progress that has shown promise by disposing of 5200 cases since its introduction.

Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul remarked that the new listing system does not give adequate time to take up matters fixed for hearing. The bench, also comprising Justice Abhay Oka, said that many cases cannot be taken up as there are a number of matters within the span of the ‘Afternoon’ session.

“The new listing system is not giving adequate time to take up matters fixed for hearing like the present case as there are a number of matters within the span of ‘Afternoon’ session,” the order passed by the bench of Justice Kaul had said.

CJI Lalit, while addressing the gathering, said that till yesterday, the apex court could dispose of 5200 matters as against the filing of 1135 cases.

“As a result of change over, there have been certain instances where matters were listed on the 11th hour. Difficult for judges, indebted to them for discharging everything with a smiling face. That’s how we were able to dispose of 5200,” he said.

We have been able to reduce the arrears by 4000, CJI said terming it a good beginning. “So many matters were pending and had become infructuous. So we had to dispose of them and the results are before you,” CJI added.

After assuming the office of CJI, one of the first changes introduced by CJI Lalit was regarding the hearing of cases in the top court on non-miscellaneous days (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). As per this, on non-miscellaneous days, the apex court currently hears regular matters in the morning session (10.30 am to 1 pm) and miscellaneous and after notice matters in the afternoon session (2 pm to 4 pm).

Earlier, the norm was to take up miscellaneous matters first and then proceed to the regular hearing.

CJI also said that it was always his dream to become a judge of the Supreme Court.

“It’s a privilege to be a lawyer. Everything I am today is a because of this legal profession. I can’t consider myself to be anything other than this profession. Being a member of this bar association was a matter of privilege,” CJI further said.

Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal also attending the felicitation ceremony said that he was happy to have a CJI of “unquestionable integrity and calm” who doesn’t raise his voice whatever may be the provocation.

“We are all happy that one among us, who is a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, is holding the highest judicial office in the country. Only a few among us have had the privilege of being directly elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court of India. We are additionally happy that we are having a Chief Justice of India of unquestionable integrity,” AG said.

“If the last two and half weeks of Justice Lalit’s tenure have shown us anything it is that he is committed to planting a seed of lasting change and that his tenure offers a great future for this institution,” AG further said. (ANI)

Tendulkar To Federer: Fell In Love With Your Brand Of Tennis

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, who announced retirement from competitive sport on Thursday.

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer announced his retirement from competitive tennis saying that the upcoming Laver Cup in September would be his last Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) event as a player.

“What a career, @rogerfederer. We fell in love with your brand of tennis. Slowly, your tennis became a habit. And habits never retire, they become a part of us. Thank you for all the wonderful memories,” tweeted Sachin Tendulkar, who is a big fan of tennis himself.

Federer took to Twitter to announce his retirement through a letter.

He has won 103 ATP singles titles and overall 1,251 matches throughout his illustrious career. Federer has also won 20 Grand Slam titles, including a record-making eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles.

“To my tennis family and beyond, Of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I have met along the way: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you,” read the letter.

“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I have worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years.”

“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career. The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour,” announced Federer.

Federer said that the decision is “bittersweet” and he will miss everything that the tour has given him. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate.

“I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible,” he added.

Federer thanked his family, former coaches, Swiss Tennis and his team for everything they did for him throughout his career.

“I would like to especially thank my amazing wife Mirka, who has lived through every minute with me. She has warmed me up before finals, watched countless matches even while over 8- months pregnant, and has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years.”

“I also want to thank my four wonderful children for supporting me, always eager to explore new places and creating wonderful memories along the way. Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever,” he continued.

“I would also like to thank and recognize my loving parents and my dear sister, without whom nothing would be possible. A big thank you to all my former coaches who always guided me in the right direction…you have been wonderful! And to Swiss Tennis, who believed in me as a young player and gave me an ideal start.”

“I really want to thank and acknowledge my amazing team, Ivan, Dani, Roland, and particularly Seve and Pierre, who have given me the best advice and have always been there for me. Also Tony, for creatively managing my business for over 17 years. You are all incredible and I have loved every minute with you,” he concluded.

Federer also thanked his “loyal sponsors”, who he said are like partners to him and hard-working teams and tournaments on the ATP Tour, who consistently welcomed everyone with kindness and hospitality.

“I would also like to thank my competitors on the court. I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. I feel extremely grateful. We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels,” he added.

Federer also extended his special thanks to his “unbelievable” fans.

“You will never know how much strength and belief you have given me. The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills in my life. Without you, those successes would have felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy,” he added.

The tennis legend said that the last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure for him.

“While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I have already lived a full lifetime. I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive. Through my travels, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life, who consistently took time out of their busy schedules to come to watch me play and cheer me on around the globe. Thank you,” he added.

Federer recalled that when his love for the sport started, he was a ball kid in his hometown of Basel.

“I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day,” he added.

“So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true. Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you,” he concluded. (ANI)

Jacqueline Remained In Touch With Sukesh, Nora Cut Ties: Cops

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Thursday questioned actor Nora Fatehi in connection with her relations and the gifts which she got from conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar who is in Tihar jail in a case of extortion of Rs 200 crore.

Special commissioner of police, EOW, Ravinder Yadav said that her brother-in-law had got a BMW from Chandrashekhar in 2021.

On Wednesday, EOW had also grilled Bollywood diva Jacqueline Fernandez for eight hours at its office in connection with the case. But both the actors have no direct connection with this case.

Special Commissioner of Police (EOW) Ravindra Yadav told ANI that Sukesh would try to influence the Bollywood actresses as he was having a huge wealth of properties which he acquired through extortion.

Delhi Police sleuths had called three persons today for questioning: Nora Fatehi, her brother-in-law Mehboob aka Bobby Khan, and Pinky Irani.

Irani is a person who approached Fatehi for gifts on the direction of Chandrashekhar. She was called to participate in an event at the studio in Chennai owned by Chandrashekar’s wife Lena Maria, last year.

In the event, Fatehi was offered a BMW car and a participation fee in the event. Fatehi, during questioning, said that she refused to take that gift, however, she told that they should give it to her brother-in-law Mehboob alias Bobby.

Mehboob, who is a native of Morocco, mostly lives in Mumbai and works in the Bollywood industry. He had also directed the movie “Leela ek Paheli” in which Sunny Leone played a lead role.

Mehboob recognized Pinky Irani today during the questioning.

Sources said Pinky Irani’s code word was ‘Angel’. She introduced herself to Nora with the code name Angel. EOW officers said that she would often ignore Chandrashekar as he repeatedly tried to approach her through Irani.

“Today, we called Fatehi, Irani, and Mehboob and confronted each other. We also recorded their statements separately,” said an officer.

Meanwhile, EOW has also recovered a super bike, Ducati, costing around Rs 8 lakh from Prashant who is the manager of Fernandez. This bike was gifted by Chandrashekhar to Prashant.

According to sources, Jacqueline Fernandez was so convinced and influenced by Chandrashekhar that she would call him the “man of her dreams” and was thinking of marrying him.

Nora never met Chandrashekhar. She had talked with him through Whatsapp, twice, the source said.

While speaking to ANI, Ravinder Yadav said, “There is more trouble for Jacqueline Fernandez as she did not cut ties with Sukesh even after knowing his criminal antecedents. But Nora did disconnect herself once she suspected that something is fishy.”

In today’s questioning contradictions were cleared that BMW was kept by brother-in-law of Nora as Nora refused to receive the gift

Nora is also likely to turn witness in the Delhi police case but the investigation is still on. (ANI)

These Countries Have NOT Been Invited To The Queen’s Funeral

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

People of the UK will relive the glorious life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral on Monday. Queen Elizabeth II breathed her last on September 9 and ever since the Royal Family and the people of the UK have been in mourning.

For the funeral, many guests ranging from political heads of countries to distinct royal family members and dignitaries from across the globe will fly to the UK.
Although the official guest list hasn’t been released yet, New York Post has shared the names of a few countries that didn’t make the cut.

Russia
Belarus
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Syria
Venezuela

According to the online publication, Russian President Vladimir Putin wished King Charles III on his accession recently. However, the country was still snubbed by the UK as they reportedly didn’t get an invite to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. It’s also interesting to note here that North Korea, Iran, and Nicaragua were sent invites, but those were only sent out to their ambassadorial representatives and not the head of state. Another news that recently made the rounds was that former US President Donald Trump would also be in attendance. However, the UK government, according to the New York Post, has squashed the rumor, saying that only the sitting US President and his wife will be attending. New York Post further reports that 750,000 people will be present at the funeral. (ANI)

Ayan Mukerji Poses With Ranbir At Somnath Temple

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Ayan Mukerji dropped a picture featuring Ranbir Kapoor from their visit to Somnath Temple on Thursday, on social media.

Taking to his Instagram handle, the ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ director treated fans with a new picture.

In the picture, he was seen posing with the ‘Shamshera’ actor dressed in ethnic attire.

Ranbir was seen wearing a white kurta-pajama that he paired with a navy-blue Nehru jacket. On the other hand, Ayan opted for a yellow-white kurta set.

Sharing the picture, he wrote, “Somnath Temple.” Shri Someshwaray Jyotirlidaay Maharudray Namah // My Third Jyotirling Visit this year. Had told myself I would come here after Brahmastra releases, and am so happy and energised that we made it here! #gratitude.”

‘Brahmastra’ team including Alia Bhatt, the trio recently headed to Ahmedabad for the film promotion.

Recently, Ayan Mukerji announced that ‘Brahmastra’ unreleased songs would be out on Dussehra.

He shared the video with a glimpse of songs including ‘Kesariya,’ ‘Deva Deva’ and ‘Dance Ka Bhoot.’

Along with the caption, “Some News on The Music Album Of Brahmastra. There is a lot of Music in the movie which we haven’t released, yet. Like… Rasiya… our Shiva Theme… other versions of our Main Songs… other Themes…The main reason is that we needed to focus on finishing the movie properly pre-release, and couldn’t do justice to launching these tracks properly.”

He added, “This is just a general shout-out to say that we are resuming this Journey with focus and excitement now… that we plan to launch Rasiya and other tracks starting early next week…And we plan to have our entire Brahmastra Music Album complete and released – by DUSSEHRA, Oct. 5th ! #musicofbrahmastra.”

‘Brahmastra’ is helmed by Ayan, along with Ranbir and Alia. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and south actor Nagarjuna in the lead roles. (ANI)

CM Chouhan Says Incident Of Sexual Assault On Nursery Student Is Faith Shaking

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday termed the rape of a minor girl in Bhopal on a private school bus as “faith-shaking” and called for a meeting to give necessary directions in the matter.

“The misbehaviour with a daughter in a private school bus in Bhopal is a faith-shaking incident. Strict action should be taken against the guilty driver, female help, as well as the school management. “Necessary directions were given in the emergency meeting this morning,” CM Chouhan said in a tweet.
At the emergency meeting at 7 a.m. today, CM Chouhan said that it is the responsibility of the school management to maintain the trust with which the parents send their children to the school.

“It is the responsibility of the school to verify the staff who run school buses here. We cannot leave the children in the hands of predators,” he added.

He further emphasised the school’s responsibility to keep a check on the CCTV cameras and ensure why they are not functioning. The message that no action is taken against the influential people should not go to society, he said.

“There should be a strong belief that if there is a government, the criminals will not go away, strict action should be taken in the given time, so that the management also understands its responsibility, the Chief Minister added.

Chouhan directed that the drivers of all school buses in Bhopal should be tested and the ones with a record of the offence and a guilty persona should not be kept employed.

“Workshops regarding the training and legal provisions of its staff should be organized,” CM mentioned while adding that the training focused on awareness and information regarding the provisions of the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act should also be organised for the parents as well as children in both the public and private schools.

The police should also communicate effectively with the parents and society on the subject, he added. (ANI)

Taliban Prevents 60 Sikhs From Leaving Afghanistan; SGPC Asks Centre’s Help

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

Sixty Afghan Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive in India on September 11 were stopped by the Taliban regime from leaving the country as they were carrying holy scriptures with them.

Following the incident, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday condemned the Taliban move and asked the Centre to intervene and ensure that the community’s sentiments were not hurt or disrespected in the landlocked Afghanistan.
SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the ban on taking the “holy body of Sri Guru Granth Sahib” out of Afghanistan by the Taliban regime, according to a statement issued by the committee.

He said that according to the information received by the committee, a group of 60 Afghani Sikhs were supposed to come to India on September 11, but they could not arrive because they were prevented from bringing the “holy image of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”.

The Shiromani Committee President termed it a “direct interference” in the religious affairs of the Sikhs by the Taliban regime, according to the statement.

Advocate Dhami said that on the one hand, attacks were being carried out against Sikhs and holy Gurudwaras inside Afghanistan while on the other hand they were being prevented from bringing the holy scripture with them to India.

Advocate Dhami said that the Sikhs in Afghanistan were leaving the country because “they are not safe and when the Sikhs do not stay in the country, then who will take care of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji?”

“That is why Sikhs bring the holy Guru Granth Sahib with them when they come to India,” he explained. Dhami said the Taliban regime should not take decisions against the sentiments of Sikhs.

The SGPC chief also made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter and stop the actions being taken by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan against the religious sentiments of the Sikhs.

Religious minorities in Afghanistan, including the Sikhs, have been victims of repeated targeted attacks after the Taliban took control of the country.

There was a spate of attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan recently. On June 18 this year, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) attacked the Karte-Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul which claimed the lives of about 50 people. There have been other attacks as well.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabul’s Short Bazaar area in which 27 Sikhs were killed and several were injured. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack.

There were just about 700 Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan in 2020, but a large number of them left the country following the Taliban’s takeover on August 15, 2021. (ANI)

Nepali Traders Dying Due To Undeclared Blockade By China

By LokMarg 15th September 2022

For the last two years, Beijing has imposed an undeclared blockade at the transit points on the Nepal-China border, citing the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused economic hardships for Nepali traders and deaths by suicide.

Sudarshan Ghimire, the owner of Sweet Baraha Enterprises, who created the image of a good businessman on New Road, chose the path of suicide. He died by suicide on September 6, 2022, reported local media EPARDAFAS.
China, for the last two years, has been allowing only a few containers to cross the transit points on the Nepal-China border.

Hare Ram Paudel, a young entrepreneur from Sindhupalchowk involved in the import and supply of Chinese goods in the Nepali market, committed suicide on October 13, 2020, due to frustration when his goods got stuck on the Nepal-China border for months.

The entrepreneurs were in a double trap, their goods were lying at the border for many months, and they also had a massive amount of loans, reported the Nepali publication.

On one hand, they had been going through a financial crisis, and on the other hand, banks and other moneylenders were demanding the installments or the dues cleared on a regular basis.

The Nepali trader committed suicide under stress as his financial condition worsened since the containers with his goods got stuck at the Chinese border for a long time.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China in December 2019, Nepal’s trade through the China border has been affected.

Many meetings and discussions between the two countries were held to ease smooth trade for Nepali traders, there was an agreement to operate the border completely in two directions, but it has not been implemented yet, reported EPARDAFAS.

Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi, who recently visited Nepal, assured us that arrangements would be made soon so that imports and exports could be done easily from both northern ports. However, the border restrictions have not been eased till now.

Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Narayan Khadka, who was on a visit to China last August, also said that discussions have been held with China on the border issue but the outcome of that visit and meeting has not been seen as fruitful till now.

Similarly, at present, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Li Zhanshu is on an official visit to Nepal.

Nepalese leaders are again urging the Chinese side to facilitate the opening of the transit points on the Nepal-China border, including the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints, so that the China-imported goods can enter Nepal in time for big festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and others that are approaching in the country reported EPARDAFAS. (ANI)