February 2023 - Page 13 of 50 - Lokmarg

AAP’s Shelly Oberoi Elected Delhi Mayor

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

Aam Aadmi Party candidate Shelly Oberoi has been elected as the new mayor of Delhi after having secured 150 votes on Wednesday.

“I assure you all that I will run this House in a constitutional manner. I expect you all will maintain the dignity of the House and cooperate in its smooth functioning,” Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said as soon as she was elected as the mayor.
The BJP received 116 votes in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls to elect Delhi’s mayor as the previous three attempts – on January 6, January 24 and February 6, failed to elect the mayor.

“Goondaism has lost, the public has won. BJP wanted to make its own mayor by cheating. I congratulate Shelly Oberoi on her election as Delhi mayor. Next, Ale Iqbal will become the deputy mayor,” AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

The voting which started at around 11.30 am went on for more than 2 hours.

A total of 10 nominated MPs, 14 nominated MLAs and 241 elected councillors out of 250 voted in the mayoral election.

“The goons lost, the public won. Many congratulations to all the workers on becoming the Mayor of Aam Aadmi Party in Municipal Corporation of Delhi and once again whole hearted gratitude to the people of Delhi. Many many congratulations to the first Mayor @OberoiShelly of AAP,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

The polling began with the MPs and MLAs casting their votes, followed by voting by the elected Councillors. The nominated MLAs of both parties also cast their votes, among whom 13 were from the AAP and 1 from BJP.

AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi also cast his vote. In the last election, the presiding officer had barred Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Sanjeev Jha from voting on the grounds that both of them were accused of corruption.

There was a need for 274 valid votes for the mayoral election. Congress has 9 Councillors who boycotted the election. In this situation, a total of 265 votes had to be cast in today’s election.

Either of the two mayoral candidates needed 134 votes to win.

The voting began at 11.30 am after the Supreme Court ruled that the Delhi Mayor election be conducted. The court also ruled that the aldermen (nominated councillors) would have no right to vote.

The election was due after Aam Aadmi Party won the MCD elections in December last year.

The last three attempts to elect the Mayor failed due to the political bickering between the Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. The civic centre met for the first time on January 6, second on January 24 and last on February 6.

In the last meeting, Presiding officer Satya Sharma of the BJP administered oath to the aldermen, the members nominated by Lt Governor Vinai Saxena before administering the oath to the elected councillors.

A plea was thereafter filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi LG’s decision to permit the nominated members to vote, after which the top court on February 8 issued a notice to the LG.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also had sent a proposal to the LG to conduct elections on February 22 which was approved on February 18.

As per the order issued by the Lieutenant Governor, elections for the mayor, deputy mayor and six members of the standing committee will be held on February 22.

According to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the Municipal House has to meet within a month after the conclusion of the civic polls and elect the mayor. However, the election has been stalled thrice over the dispute over the voting rights of nominated members.

The municipal elections in Delhi were held on December 4 and the results were announced on December 7. Aam Aadmi Party won 134 seats out of 250. (ANI)

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Bhagyashree Drops A Heartfelt Birthday Wish For Son Abhimanyu

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

On the occasion of her son Abhimanyu’s birthday, actress Bhagyashree penned a heartfelt post.

Calling Abhimanyu a “blessing” in her life, Bhagyashree wrote, “Happy Birthday Son! You are a blessing in my life, the meaning to my existance… from a baby in my arms to the handsome man standing beside me…I value and hold close countless memories that will tide me through when I turn over the horizon.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Co80FVcoSt-/?hl=en

She added, “May the Lord God bless you with strength, wisdom and abandance. May you always have gratitude towards all that you have and all that you are about to recieve. May the universe engulf its arms and welcome you with love. Love you.”

Bhagyashree also posted a string of pictures of Abhimanyu. In one of the images, he is seen striking a stylish pose with his mom.

Bhagyashree married Himalay Dasani in 1990, a year after her debut in the film industry with ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, which went on to become a cult film. Apart from Abhimanyu, the two are also doting parents to daughter Avantika.

Both Abhimanyu and Avantika are actors. Abhimanyu made his acting debut in 2018 with the action film ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’. He also featured in the films ‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’ and ‘Nikamma’.

Avantika made her acting debut with the OTT series ‘Mithya’, released in 2022. (ANI)

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Sonam’s Hubby Anand Ahuja Calls Her Forever Girlfriend

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

When you compliment your partner, it makes them feel loved. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja must have experienced this feeling after her husband Anand Ahuja praised her on a social media platform.

Taking to Instagram, Sonam dropped a few mirror selfies in which she is seen flaunting her red outfit.

Anand quickly shared the same pictures on his Instagram and dropped an adorable compliment for Sonam.

“Forever my girlfriend,” he captioned the post.

Sonam and Anand got married on May 8, 2018 after dating for several years. The couple recently embraced parenthood with the birth of their son Vayu.

The duo welcomed their baby boy on August 20, 2022 in Mumbai.

The proud parents announced the news through a cute message template that read, “On 20.08.2022, we welcomed our beautiful baby boy with bowed heads and open hearts. Thank you to all of the doctors, nurses, friends and family who have supported us on this journey. It’s only the beginning, but we know our lives are forever changed.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sonam will be next seen in the upcoming film ‘Blind’ directed by Shome Makhija, starring Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak and Lillete Dubey in prominent roles. (ANI)

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Police Issue Notice To Singer Neha Singh Rathore For Inciting Hatred

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday, served notice to ‘UP Mein Ka Ba’ fame singer Neha Singh Rathore for allegedly inciting hatred amongst the public through her video.

The notice has been served regarding the video ‘UP Mein Ka Ba- Season 2’, which was uploaded on her Twitter and YouTube.
A team of Kanpur police reached the residence of Neha Singh in Kanpur (rural) on Tuesday night and served notice under Section `160 of the Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC).

The police in the notice sought details on a series of points about her video that went viral on social media.

The police asked whether it was her in the video, and if yes, then whether the videos were uploaded by her only. The police have also asked if the YouTube channel and the Twitter account thorugh which the video was shared belong to her or not?

The police have also asked if the lyrics of the videos were written by her, and if yes, then does she stand by them? If she has not written the lyrics, then has the lyricist taken your permission?,” the police notice reads.

The police also asked whether is she aware of the adverse impact of the video on the society.

The UP Police have sought an explanation from her through a notice within three days, failure in doing which may result in a legal case under sections of IPC and CRPC being registered against her.

“This song has created enmity and tension in society, and you are legally bound to make your stand clear on the issue. So, you are required to file your reply within three days of receiving the notice,” the UP Police’s notice read.

“In case, the reply is not found satisfactory. If your reply is not found satisfactory, then a case will be registered under the relevant sections of IPC and CRPC, and proper legal investigation will be carried out,” it added. (ANI)

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United States Number One Priority, US Visa Officials

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

United States President Joe Biden, on Tuesday, said that last year while the whole world was bracing for the fall of Ukraine after Russia started its special military operation, Ukraine stood proud, tall and free.

While addressing thousands of people gathered outside the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Biden said, “One year ago, the world was bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Well, I have just come from a visit to Kyiv, and I can report: Kyiv stands strong! Kyiv stands proud. It stands tall. And most important, it stands free.”
“When Russia invaded, it wasn’t just Ukraine being tested. The whole world faced a test for the ages. Europe was being tested. America was being tested. NATO was being tested. All democracies were being tested. And the questions we faced were as simple as they were profound,” he added.

He also stated that when Russia launched its attack on Ukraine, the whole world were don’t know how to respond to such a situation but still, Ukraine stood strong.

“One year later, we know the answer. We did respond. We would be strong. We would be united. And the world would not look the other way,” he added.

Talking about his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden said that he is honoured to stand with Kyiv to declare that the US will keep standing up for these same things no matter what.

He also said that when Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered his tanks to roll into Ukraine, “he thought we would roll over. He was wrong. The Ukrainian people are too brave. America, Europe, and a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We were too unified. Democracy was too strong.”

Biden stated that Putin predicted and perceived that he will win the war easily but the result was different. He also said that Putin thought that he would get the “Finlandization” of NATO. Instead, he got the “NATOization” of Finland and Sweden.

He thought NATO would fracture and divide. Instead, NATO is more united and more unified than ever — than ever before, US President added.

Biden further said that Putin thought he could weaponize energy to crack your resolve Europe’s resolve. Instead, the US and its NATO allies are working together to end Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

“And then, he met the iron will of America and the nations everywhere that refused to accept a world governed by fear and force. He found himself at war with a nation led by a man whose courage would be forged in fire and steel: President Zelenskyy,” Biden said while addressing here.

“President Putin is confronted with something today that he didn’t think was possible a year ago. The democracies of the world have grown stronger, not weaker. But the autocrats of the world have grown weaker, not stronger,” he added.

“Because in moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, knowing what you stand for is most important, and knowing who stands with you makes all the difference. The people of Poland know that. You know that. In fact, you know — you know it better than anyone here in Poland. Because that’s what solidarity means,” Biden said. (ANI)

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India Number One Priority, Have Reduced Wait Time For Visa: US

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

India is the United States’ number one priority, US Visa officials said while adding that after the COVID pandemic, there has been a rise of around 36 per cent in visa processing across the country.

While addressing a media interaction organised by Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies on Tuesday, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Julie Stufft said, “India is the number one priority that we are facing right now. We are absolutely committed to getting out of this situation. Anyone in India seeking a visa appointment or visa have to wait for that’s not certainly our ideal.”
She further stated, “So far this year, we have issued 36 per cent more visas than we did before the COVID pandemic in India. And that is a huge percentage of progress.”

Stufft also announced that come fall, the US will start the Visa stamping program domestically within the US for visa renewals, including H-1 and L-1. Visa. The Department of State representative told reporters that initiatives are in place to speed up domestic visa revalidation in certain categories on a pilot basis.

“This fall will be the first that we’ll be able to put out a call for applications. The pilot is this summer..and we’re gonna be doing it for people in worker status. So that would be H’s and L and, and I’s,” the official added.

Acknowledging that the difficulties are still being experienced, the officials said the department was also expanding its interview waiver process for some temporary workers, students and academic exchange visitors.

“All the non-visitor time or student-visa have very very low wait times and that’s really key. Our H-1B and F student’s wait time were just as high almost six months ago and so we brought down the wait time,” she added.

The H-1B visa, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Talking about the India-US relationship, Deputy Assistant Secretary for India, Nancy Jackson said that people-to-people is the most important relationship between US and India.

“As I look at the relationship it strikes me that people-to-people ties between our two nations are really the bedrock of what is one of the most consequential relationships in the world and that is the India-US relationship. And we can’t underscore that enough and so addressing the view wait time that we were facing is critical. Not only to maintain these people-to-people ties but also to expand in that space. So because of that, this issue remains a top priority,” she added.

The officials said Indian applicants who happen to be travelling for business to another country can go and apply for a US visa. Citing the example of countries like Thailand and Germany Sufft noted, “We’ve also opened up other missions and this is actually unprecedented. We’ve asked other US embassies to take on India visa applicants specifically if they choose to travel there.”

On January 21, the US Mission in India launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. The US Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad all opened consular operations on Saturday to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews.

The US Mission will continue to open additional slots for appointments to take place on select Saturdays, according to the statement released by US Embassy in India. These additional interview days are among the measures that have been taken to address the backlog in visa processing caused by COVID-19.

The US Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas. According to the statement, dozens of temporary consular officers from Washington and other embassies will arrive in India to increase processing capacity in January-March. (ANI)

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Gulab Chand Kataria To Be Sworn In As Assam Governor Today

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

Former Rajasthan Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gulab Chand Kataria will be sworn in as Assam Governor on Wednesday.

Raj Bhavan, Guwahati on Tuesday, accorded a warm and traditional welcome to Assam Governor designate Gulab Chand Kataria on his arrival at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.
Along with him, his wife Anita Kataria was also accorded a warm welcome by the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan.

Gulab Chand Kataria will take the oath of office at a solemn programme at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

He will be the 31st Governor of the state of Assam and succeeds Professor Jagdish Mukhi as the Governor who demitted office on completing his term.

Gulab Chand Kataria hails from Udaipur, Rajasthan, and is the former Home Minister of Rajasthan and a leader of opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly prior to his appointment as the Governor. (ANI)

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Delhi Likely To Get Its New Mayor Today

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

After three failed attempts by the municipal body to hold the election to the top post, Delhi Mayoral elections will be held on Wednesday in which the city is expected to get its new Mayor following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter.

The polling will take place at 11 am after the Supreme Court stepped in and ruled that the election to the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi shall be conducted first. The court also said that the aldermen (nominated persons) would have no right to vote.
The last three attempts to elect the Mayor failed due to the political bickering between the Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. The civic centre met for the first time on January 6, second on January 24 and last on February 6.

Aam Aadmi Party, which won the MCD polls, with 134 seats has fielded Shelly Oberoi for the mayor’s post while Rekha Gupta, a three-term councillor from Shalimar Bagh, is the BJP’s nominee.

A plea was thereafter filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi LG’s decision to permit the nominated members to vote, after which the top court on February 8 issued a notice to the LG.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also had sent a proposal to the LG to conduct elections on February 22 which was approved on February 18.

As per the order issued by the Lieutenant Governor, elections for the mayor, deputy mayor and six members of the standing committee will be held on February 22.

“As recommended by Chief Minister, GNCTD, I approve the proposal to convene the adjourned first meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 11 am for the election of Mayor, Dy. Mayor and six members to the Standing Committee,” the order said earlier.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also directed the concerned authority to issue notice for the election of mayor.

The House was stalled thrice due to ruckus following differences between AAP and BJP members.

The municipal elections in Delhi were held on December 4 and the results were announced on December 7. Aam Aadmi Party won 134 seats out of 250. (ANI)

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Indian Plate Moving 5 CM Every Year, Raising Possibility Of Earthquakes: NGRI

By LokMarg 22nd February 2023

A leading weather scientist and geological expert has warned that the Indian tectonic plate is moving about 5 cm every year, leading to accumulation of stress along the Himalayas and increasing the possibility of major seismic events — earthquakes — in the coming days.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Dr N Purnachandra Rao, the chief scientist and seismologist at the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), said, “The Earth’s surface comprises various plates that are constantly in motion. The Indian plate is moving about 5 cm every year, resulting in the accumulation of stress along the Himalayas and raising the possibility of major earthquakes.”
“We have a strong network of 18 seismograph stations in Uttarakhand. The region, referred to as the seismic gap between Himachal and the western part of Nepal, including Uttarakhand, is prone to earthquakes that might occur any time,” the chief scientist added.

An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred 56 kms north of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, at 10.38 pm on Monday, the National Centre for Seismology stated.

The epicentre was at a depth of 10 kms beneath the earth’s surface, the agency said.

“An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 occurred 56km north of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh at around 10:38 pm, yesterday. The depth of the earthquake was 10 km below the ground,” the NCS said in a statement.

On February 19, an earthquake struck the town of Nandigama in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district. No loss of lives was reported in the incident. (ANI)

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Dulquer Expresses Gratitude After Winning Dadasaheb Phalke Award

By LokMarg 21st February 2023

Dulquer Salmaan on Tuesday expressed gratitude after receiving his first-ever award for the Hindi film ‘Chup: Revenge of the Artist’.

Taking to Instagram, Dulquer dropped pictures of himself with Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Sharing the picture, he penned a long note, “This one felt special! My first ever award for Hindi. And my first ever for Best Actor in a negative role. Many thanks to the jury of @dpiff_official for this honour and @abhialmish for being such a kind host. For some reason my old friend, my nerves got the better of me on stage and I blanked out like a first timer.”

He thanked ‘Chup’ director R Balki for the opportunity and for showing trust on him.

“So the one person I truly need to thank for this is Balki sir. I dont know how he saw me as Danny but he did. And the conviction he had in me, his guidance and vision was everything for me. Thank you sir and all my wonderful costars, the best crew and everyone at @hopeprodn for giving me the best experience on #Chup. This one is for all of you,” he added.

R Balki also received Best Director Dadasaheb Phalke Award for ‘Chup’.

Apart from Dulquer, the film also stars Sunny Deol, Pooja Bhatt, and Shreya Dhanwanthary in lead roles.

The film is touted as a romantic psychopath thriller. It is said that the film is a homage to master filmmaker Guru Dutt and his 1959 classic ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’. Shreya Dhanwanthary is also a part of the film.

The screenplay and dialogues of ‘Chup: Revenge of Artist’ have been co-written by Balki and critic-turned-writer Raja Sen and Rishi Virmani. With music by composer Amit Trivedi and Vishal Sinha credited as the film’s director of photography (DOP), ‘Chup: Revenge of Artist’ is co-produced by Pranab Kapadia and Anirudh Sharma.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Dulquer will be next seen in the action thriller ‘King of Kotha’. Helmed by Abhilash Joshiy, the Pan India film will release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The official release date of the film is slate during Onam. (ANI))

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