Month: September 2022

Shahid’s Adorable Wish For Mira On Her Birthday

By LokMarg

Actor Shahid Kapoor wished his wife Mira by posting an adorable photo with her on Instagram.

Shahid shared a candid photo with Mira and penned a note that read, “Happy birthday my lover. May we dance through life’s ups and downs together. Hand in hand with a smile on the face and a twinkle in the eyes.”

The photo is from the couple’s meet-up with Mira’s family on the latter’s parents’ 40th anniversary. Mira had earlier shared a video with Shahid on the day, wherein the couple was seen dancing together. Check it out:

Two days ago the couple celebrated their son Zain’s birthday.

Mira and Shahid tied the knot in 2015. They are also parents to daughter Misha, who was born in 2016. On July 7, the couple completed 7 years of togetherness.

Marking the special occasion, Shahid had taken Instagram to share a mushy selfie with his wife Mira and called her a “survivor”.

“7 down baby. Happy anni you made it through 7 hard long years. You a survivor. You a LEGEND,” he had written. Mira also shared an adorable photo with Shahid and wrote, “The love of my life. Happy 7 baby. I love you beyond the itch and back @shahidkapoor”.

Shahid and Mira had an arranged marriage.

On the work front, Shahid was last seen in Gowtam Tinnanuri’s ‘Jersey’ with Mrunal Thakur. He has some interesting projects lined up. Shahid will be next seen in director Ali Abbas Zafar’s upcoming action film ‘Bloody Daddy’. Along with this, he will be soon making his grand OTT debut with Raj and DK’s upcoming web series ‘Farzi’ along with south actor Vijay Sethupathi. (ANI)

Afghan Delegation To Discuss Humanitarian Crisis In Vienna

By LokMarg

At least thirty-one political and intellectual figures from Afghanistan will discuss the ongoing political as well as humanitarian crisis and put forward a critical perspective on the Taliban’s rule in a Vienna meeting which is scheduled to take place on September 15 at the UN office in Vienna.

The Vienna meeting on the current situation in Afghanistan and challenges will be convened on September 15 in the Austrian capital in the presence of political figures from Afghanistan, including women’s rights activists, former members of the parliament representing different provinces, journalists, and researchers, according to Khaama Press.
The Participating members of the Vienna meeting are the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) Ahmad Massoud, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta, women’s rights activist and former member of Afghan Delegation for Peace Negotiation, Fawzia Kofi, and former Afghan Ambassador to Norway, Shukria Barekzai, amongst many.

According to Khaama Press, the plight of Afghans, the economic system’s breakdown, the deprivation of education for girls, restrictions on the media’s activities, and the escalation of terrorist groups’ activities under Taliban rule will be discussed during the Vienna meeting at the UN office.

According to international assessments, Afghanistan now has the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity, with more than 23 million in need of assistance, and approximately 95 per cent of the population having insufficient food consumption.

Of particular concern is the vulnerability of more than four million internally displaced, including people belonging to minorities and over 3.5 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

More than 24.4 million people need humanitarian aid in Afghanistan–an increase from 18.4 million in 2021, according to a report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

The report states that the Taliban takeover of the country and the resulting cut in international assistance has led to a worsening humanitarian crisis and approximately 70 per cent of the Afghans are unable to provide for their basic needs on a daily basis. (ANI)

Delhi L-G Receives Complaint Against Kejriwal Seeking Probe Into Alledged Duped Exchequer

By LokMarg

Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has received a complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stating that he “grossly undervalued” and sold three urban commercial plots in Haryana’s Bhiwani district in 2021 and “evaded stamp duty and capital gains tax,” LG House officials said.

They said according to the complaint, Kejriwal sold three plots for Rs 4.54 crore and showed on papers “a grossly undervalued price of Rs 72.72 lakh”.
The officials said according to the complaint, Kejriwal sold the plots through his wife Sunita Kejriwal at the market rate of Rs 45,000 per sq yard “but showed the transaction at the rate of a meagre Rs 8300 per sq yard on papers”.

The complaint alleged Kejriwal “duped the exchequer of Rs 25.93 lakh in stamp duty and Rs 76.4 lakh as capital gains tax”.

The officials said LG received a copy of the complaint dated August 28, 2022, addressed to Delhi Lokayukta against the Chief Minister, demanding an inquiry.

They said LG has marked the complaint to Delhi Chief Secretary for further necessary action.

The complaint said that two of these properties were in the name of Arvind Kejriwal and the third property was in his father’s name.

It alleged that Kejriwal “grossly undervalued and sold urban commercial plots on a 100-foot road situated in a market in Bhiwani, Haryana on February 15, 2021, at a market price of Rs 4.54 crore actually and showed it on paper at a grossly undervalued price of Rs 72.72 lakh.”

According to officials, the complaint said that Kejriwal “not only got unaccounted cash of Rs 3.8 crore but also evaded stamp duty worth Rs 25.93 lakh and capital gains tax amounting to Rs 76.4 lakh apart from obvious income tax evasion.”

The complaint said the buyers who got in touch with the complainant on condition of anonymity said that Kejriwal sold the plots at the market rate of Rs 1.53 crore, Rs 1.87 crore and Rs 1.14 crore respectively and received the amount exceeding the rate of Rs 8,300/sq. yards mentioned in the sale deed in cash.

The complainant also attached copies of three sale deeds.

The officials said that the complaint stated that Kejriwal and his wife, both former IRS officers, “conspired so blatantly to dupe their parent department and got away with it”.

The complaint alleged that it is a “clear case of evasion of stamp duty, income tax, capital gains tax and forgery by a person who is holding the high office of the Chief Minister of Delhi”. It also alleged that a person who is supposed to protect the law, “has indulged in such blatant corruption and tax evasion.”

The complaint urged the LG to get the matter inquired into with the help of competent and concerned agencies at the earliest.

It said a free and fair inquiry will ensure that “the fraud is exposed and the guilty brought to book”. (ANI)

Rajnath Reaches Tokyo For India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

By LokMarg

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Tokyo on Wednesday to participate in the second India-Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

Singh will also hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart.
“Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh reached Tokyo this evening. He will participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue tomorrow and hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart,” the Defence Minister’s office tweeted.

Singh along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Tokyo on Thursday.

In an earlier statement, the Ministry of Defence said the Japanese side will be represented by the Minister of Defence Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi.

“The 2+2 Dialogue will review bilateral cooperation across domains and chart out the way forward,” the statement said.

India and Japan are pursuing a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In addition to the 2+2 dialogue, Rajnath Singh will separately hold bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart to strengthen further defence cooperation between the two countries across various sectors. He is also scheduled to call on the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida during the visit.

Defence Minister will also attend a community event organised by the Embassy of India in Tokyo and interact with the Indian diaspora in Japan.

Last week, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Japan is one of those few countries with whom India does a 2+2 meeting.

“And the US is obviously the other one, which is the first one we started and I think we would look forward to 2+2 inter-sessional with the US here,” Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing.

The economic relationship between Japan and India has steadily expanded and deepened in recent years. The volume of trade between the two countries has increased.

Back in May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Japan. They had a productive exchange of views on enhancing bilateral relations in various spheres as well as on some regional and global issues.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to further enhance bilateral security and defence cooperation, including in the area of defence manufacturing.

At that time, they had concurred that the next 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting may be held in Japan at the earliest. (ANI)

Anushka Shares Moment From Story That Needs To Be Told

By LokMarg

Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, on Wednesday, shared a glimpse of ‘Chakda Xpress’, which is inspired by the life and times of fast bowler Jhulan Goswami on social media.

Taking to Instagram, the ‘Sultan’ actor treated fans with a new picture from the sets of her upcoming movie.
Sharing the picture, she wrote, “A moment from a story that needs to be told!”

In the picture, Anushka is seen recreating a moment from Jhulan’s life. Anushka as Jhulan is seen making an important phone call while pouring rain beats down on everything around her! A gripping image that highlighted the tumultuous journey in cricket that Jhulan might have had before she achieved success.

She was seen dressed in a red-white checked shirt and blue track pants.

As soon as the picture was posted, the actor’s fans and industry friends chimed into the comment section.

Singer Neeti Mohan dropped a comment. She wrote, “Can’t wait.”

Fans garnered the post with heart and fire emojis.

‘Chakda Xpress’ marks the comeback of the ‘Dil Dhadakane Do’ actor after her last release ‘Zero’ in 2018 with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Directed by Prosit Roy, ‘Chakda Xpress’ is a sports biopic film based on the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, which will stream exclusively on Netflix. The final release date of the film is still awaited.

The ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will be portraying the role of a cricketer for the first time in her career and she announced her comeback film with a special announcement video at the beginning of 2022.

Jhulan is a role model for aspiring cricketers in the country. In 2018, an Indian postage stamp was issued in her honour. Jhulan holds the world record for the highest number of wickets taken by a woman in an international career.

Anushka took a long break from her professional life after she welcomed her first child, her daughter Vamika, as she wanted to spend time with her and after a long wait, the ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ actor is all set for her comeback.

Anushka’s brother Karnesh Sharma will be producing ‘Chakda Xpress’ with his home production company Clean Slate Filmz. (ANI)

TikTok Pakistan

US Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Ban TikTok On Govt Devices

By LokMarg

A US lawmaker on Wednesday introduced a bill to prohibit the Chinese video sharing app TikTok from accessing thier citizens’ user data from within China and block the installation of the application on government devices.

The bill, introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota, also intends to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to initiate an investigation to determine if TikTok has engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
“Today, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) introduced the Block the Tok Act, a bill that would prohibit TikTok from accessing U.S. citizens’ user data from within China and block the installation of TikTok on government devices,” US Representative Johnson said in a statement.

The bill also looks to prohibit the installation and use of TikTok at military installations and national security agencies (CIA, NSA, FBI, etc.). It also wishes to prohibit the installation and use of TikTok on federal government devices.

Earlier this year, reports indicated the Chinese parent company of TikTok was freely accessing sensitive user data such as passwords, keystrokes, browser history, and voice and facial recognition

“According to TikTok’s own employees, ‘everything is seen in China,'” said Johnson. “It might seem trivial to go after an app known for viral dance videos, but TikTok is a national security concern. TikTok has more than one billion users, and China is using Americans’ information to advance its communist agenda. It’s no secret China’s goal is to replace the U.S. as the world’s superpower – Americans shouldn’t help China advance its agenda. Block the Tok keeps China’s hands off your personal information.”

According to Johnson, TikTok circumvented privacy safeguards since 2020 and paid nearly USD 100 million in fines for improper data collection. Currently, several government agencies have adviced employees against downloading the Chinese app on government devices.

The Block the Tok Act would put safeguards in place to ensure better user privacy, pursue transparency, and protect our national security. This act comes as several countries have expressed apprehensions about the Chinese app. Some have even banned the application citing security risks.

Last month, a former Google engineer revealed that the web browser used within China’s TikTok app can track every keystroke made by its users.

A report by The New York Times said that collecting information on what people type on their phones while visiting outside websites, which can reveal credit card numbers and passwords, is often a feature of malware and other hacking tools.

While major technology companies might use such trackers as they test new software, it is not common for them to release a major commercial app with the feature, whether or not it is enabled, NTY quoted researchers as saying.

“Based on Krause’s findings, the way TikTok’s custom in-app browser monitors keystrokes is problematic, as the user might enter their sensitive data such as login credentials on external websites,” said Jane Manchun Wong, an independent software engineer and security researcher who studies apps for new features.

However, TikTok in the statement said that Krause’s report was “incorrect and misleading” and that the feature was used for “debugging, troubleshooting and performance monitoring.”

“Contrary to the report’s claims, we do not collect keystroke or text inputs through this code,” TikTok said. (ANI)

Nithari

Justice Chandrachud’s Constitution Bench To Go Green

By LokMarg

Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday said that the Constitution bench headed by him will be a “green bench” and asked the lawyers not to submit any papers or physical documents.

“We will keep this a completely green bench so there would be no papers. Please don’t carry papers,” said Justice Chandrachud to the lawyers.
When an advocate expressed difficulty in using technology, Justice Chandrachud said that officials of the Supreme Court Registry and IT cell court officials are willing to train lawyers on Saturdays on how to use technology to present arguments.

Justice MR Shah also comprising the bench told the advocate, “We also got training, someday you have to start”.

“The Secretary-General and the IT Cell head are masters of technology, they said that they are willing to train the seniors on how to use technology on Saturdays,” Justice Chandrachud added.

The bench then directed the Registry to scan paper books and make them available to the bench and the parties.

The observation of the bench came while hearing a dispute between the Delhi government and the Centre over control of administrative services in the national capital.

The other three cases listed before the Constitution bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha are related to the Maharashtra political crisis dispute, the validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, and the validity of extending the benefit of reservation and nomination in Legislative Assembly under Article 334 beyond the original period of operation, which is 10 years. (ANI)

National Logistics Policy

Modi To Inaugurate Unveil Statue Of Netaji At India Gate Tomorrow

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate ‘Kartavya Path’ and unveil a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate at 7 pm on Thursday.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office, the move symbolises a shift from erstwhile Rajpath being an icon of power to Kartavya Path being an example of public ownership and empowerment.
“Prime Minister will also unveil the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate on the occasion. These steps are in line with Prime Minister’s second Panch Pran for New India in Amrit Kaal: remove any trace of colonial mindset,” the statement said.

Over the years, Rajpath and adjoining areas of Central Vista Avenue had been witnessing pressure of increasing traffic of visitors, putting stress on its infrastructure. The PMO said that it lacked basic amenities like public toilets, drinking water, street furniture and adequate parking space. Further, there was inadequate signage, poor maintenance of water features and haphazard parking.

“Also, a need was felt to organise the Republic Day parade and other National events in a less disruptive manner with minimal restrictions on public movement. The redevelopment has been done bearing these concerns in mind while also ensuring the integrity and continuity of architectural character,” it said.

Kartavya Path will exhibit beautified landscapes, lawns with walkways, added green spaces, refurbished canals, new amenity blocks, improved signages and vending kiosks. Further, new pedestrian underpasses, improved parking spaces, new exhibition panels and upgraded night lighting are some other features that will enhance the public experience.

It also includes a number of sustainability features like solid waste management, stormwater management, recycling of used water, rainwater harvesting, water conservation and energy-efficient lighting systems, among others.

The statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, which will be unveiled by the Prime Minister, is being installed in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas (January 23) by him.

The statue, made of granite, is a fitting tribute to the immense contribution of Netaji to our freedom struggle and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to him.

Crafted by Arun Yogiraj, who was the main sculptor, the 28 feet tall statue has been carved from a monolithic granite stone and weighs 65 MT. (ANI)

Bill On Data Privacy Will Be Ready Soon: Sitharaman

By LokMarg

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday assured that the new bill on data privacy will be ready “soon” and the Information Technology minister has been diligently working on it.

Ashwini Vaishnaw is the Union minister for information and technology.
“We will soon have a new Data Privacy Bill, which will be a product of consultations and will address every such concern most of us had on the privacy Bill,” she said.

Sitharaman made the remarks here today while addressing the ongoing India Ideas Summit organised by US-India Business Council.

The central government last month withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 from the Lok Sabha several months after it was introduced.

Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw had said the Bill was withdrawn because the Joint Parliamentary Committee recommended 81 amendments in a bill of 99 sections.

“Above that it made 12 major recommendations. Therefore, the bill has been withdrawn and a new bill will be presented for public consultation,” he had then tweeted.

Further, in her address to the US-India Business Council, she said jobs, equitable wealth distribution and ensuring that India is still on the path of growth are some of her top red-letter priorities.

However, according to her, inflation is not as it was brought down to “some manageable levels”.

To put things into context, India’s retail inflation fell to 6.71 per cent in July, the lowest level in five months, helped by an easing in food and oil prices, as per the National Statistical Office (NSO) data, it has been over the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance band of 6 per cent for the seventh consecutive month in a row.

The previous month – June, the retail inflation was at 7.01 per cent in June. Inflation figures for August are expected early next week. (ANI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Laws To Stop Love Land Jihad Himanta

Demolished Madrasas Were Al-Qaeda Offices: Assam CM

By LokMarg

A day after the demolition of madrasas in Assam’s Goalpara district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said all demolished madrasas were not madrasas but Al-Qaeda offices.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Sarma said, “All demolished madrasas were not madrasas but Al Qaeda offices. We demolished 2-3 and now the public is coming to demolish others. The Muslim community is coming to demolish, saying that they do not want a madrasa where the work of Al-Qaeda is done. That changes madrasa’s character.”
The Chief Minister’s statement came after local residents of Pakhuria Char in Assam’s Goalpara district demolished a madrasa on Tuesday after a cleric associated with it was held for alleged anti-national activities.

“Locals took the initiative to demolish a madrassa. The government was not involved in it. They were surprised that the jihadi who was arrested was a teacher in the madrassa. People have given a strong message that they do not support jihadi activities,” Goalpara Superintendent of Police VV Rakesh Reddy told ANI.

“Today, the locals of Darogar Alga, Pakhiura Char in Goalpara district voluntarily demolished the madrassa & the residence adjacent to the madrassa which was previously used by two suspected Bangladeshi nationals as a strong resentment towards the Jihadi activities,” said the Assam Police CPRO.

In the last few weeks, four madrasas have been demolished, with the first three being pulled down by government authorities. Earlier on August 4, the government authorities demolished Madrasa Jamiul Huda Madrasa at Moirabari in Morigaon district.

Earlier on Saturday, two suspected terrorists linked with the Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) terror groups were arrested by the Assam police in the Goalpara district.

The arrested persons have been identified as Abdus Subhan, Imam of Tinkunia Shantipur Mosque under Mornoi police station and Jalaluddin Sheikh, Imam of Tilapara Natun Mosque under Matia police station in Goalpara, after they were grilled by the police for several hours.

Goalpara SP VV Rakesh Reddy had said that both the aforesaid persons were arrested after they were grilled for hours.

“We have gotten input in July this year from arrested Abbas Ali who is also linked with Jihadi elements. During the interrogation, we found that they were directly connected with Barpeta and Morigaon modules of AQIS/ABT in Assam,” the SP had said.

“During the house searches of the accused persons, a number of incriminating material related to the Al-Qaeda, Jihadi elements, posters, books among other documents were seized along with the mobile phones, SIM cards and ID cards,” he had added.

The senior Assam cop further had said that they (accused) have also given logistic support to the Jihadi terrorists who came here from Bangladesh.

“The Bangladeshi nationals are absconding and the arrested terrorists had given shelter to the Bangladeshi terrorists in Goalpara. The arrested persons had organized one Dharma Sabha in December 2019 at Sundarpur Tilapara Madrassa under the Matia police station where many Bangladeshi nationals with linkages to AQIS were invited as guest speakers,” the police officer had said.

He had further disclosed that these arrested persons were involved in providing logistic support as well as sheltering the Bangladeshi nationals, who are currently absconding.

“They confessed being members of AQIS and recruited Ansars/Sleeper Cells in Goalpara and revealed direct funding and supports have come from the absconding Bangladeshi terrorists,” SP VV Rakesh Reddy had added.

A fresh case has been registered at Matia police station case number under sections 120(B), 121, 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) RW and sections 18, 18 (B), 19, and 20 of the UA(P) Act.

Earlier on July 28, 11 persons were detained in a major crackdown in Assam for their alleged links with the global terror outfits including AQIS and ABT. (ANI)