CR Kesavan with Shah

CR Kesavan Meets Shah, Nadda After Joining BJP

Former Congress leader CR Kesavan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda at Nadda’s residence in Delhi on Saturday after joining the party.

Earlier on the day, Kesavan who is the great-grandson of India’s first Indian Governor-General, C Rajagopalachari joined the BJP.
Speaking to reporters after his saffron switch, Kesavan said, “I wish to thank the BJP for having inducted me into the world’s largest political party, and, that too, on a day when our PM is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu.”

“PM Modi’s people-centric policies, corruption-free governance and reform-led inclusive development agenda have transformed India from a fragile economy to the fifth largest economy in the world,” he said.

Kesavan resigned from Congress on February 23, saying that he has not even seen vestiges of the values that made him work for the party with dedication for over two decades.

Kesavan shared his resignation letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Twitter saying he could no longer concur with “what the party symbolises, stands for or seeks to propagate”.

The former Congress leader also thanked Sonia Gandhi for the responsibilities assigned to him saying that he forged cherished friendships in the party that will remain.

His resignation came within a month of the desertion by former Union minister AK Antony’s son, Anil Antony, who parted ways with the party after coming out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversial BBC documentary series.

Anil Antony joined the BJP on April 6, in the presence of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and V Muraleedharan. Kerala BJP chief K Surendran and senior party leaders Tarun Chugh and Anil Baluni were also present on the occasion. (ANI)

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Ajit Pawar on EVMs

Not Possible To Manipulate EVMs : Ajit Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar on Saturday backed the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process in the country and said that he has “full trust” in it and it is not possible to manipulate it.

Pawar said that the people who lose the elections start blaming the EVMs and fail to accept the mandate of the people.
Backing the EVM, the Maharashtra Leader of Opposition said that had the machines been faulty, there would not be governments of various opposition parties in numerous states of the country including West Bengal and Telangana.

“I have full trust in EVM personally. If EVMs were faulty, then we would not have governments of opposition parties in states like Chattisgarh, WB, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is not possible to manipulate EVMs in our country. It is a big system altogether, lots of checks and balances are involved,” Pawar said while speaking to the media.

“If somehow it is proven that EVMs were manipulated, then there will be big chaos in the country. I don’t think anyone would dare to do such things. Sometimes some people lose elections but they think that they can’t lose it, then they start putting allegations about EVMs but in reality, it is the actual mandate of the people,” he added.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership, Pawar said that under him, the Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power in 2019 and he continued to become popular despite various remarks against him.

“Under PM Modi’s name, the party came to power in 2014 and reached sever remote places. After winning, a lot of statements were made against him but he got popular and under his leadership, BJP won in various states and repeated the same in 2019. If this is not the magic of PM Modi then what is? As far as education in politics is concerned, it is considered to be not much of importance,” the Maharashtra LoP said.

Earlier today, NCP chief Sharad Pawar reiterated his remark on the Adani issue and said there are more important issues such as price rise and farmers’ issues that the Opposition should raise instead of giving undue importance to the report by the US short-seller.

“Nowadays, the names of Ambani-Adani are being taken (to criticise the government) but we need to think about their contribution to the country. I think other issues such as unemployment, price rise, and farmers issues are more important and should be raised by the Opposition,” the senior Opposition leader said.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, after his explosive interview with a television news channel, Pawar said there is “no need” for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani issue as the Supreme Court-appointed committee will be more reliable and unbiased in its probe into the claims made in the report against the Indian conglomerate.

“There is a certain structure to a JPC. If a JPC comprises 21 members, 15 of them will be from the government side, as the other parties can only have a maximum of 6 members. So, in all likelihood, the JPC report will only reaffirm the government’s position in the matter. So, I think instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed committee will be more reliable and unbiased,” Pawar said. (ANI)

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Chennai International Airport Modi

Modi Inaugurates New Terminal Of Chennai International Airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Integrated Terminal Building (Phase-1) of Chennai International Airport on Saturday.

PM Modi was on a visit to Chennai to inaugurate several development projects.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia were present at Chennai International Airport during the ceremony.

The state-of-the-art terminal – spread across an area of 1,36,295 sq m – which will increase the passenger serving capacity from 23 million passengers per annum (MPPA) to 30 MPPA – and will be an important addition to the city’s infrastructure.

Besides boosting connectivity, it is also expected to benefit the local economy.

Among the unique features of the terminal is Skylight. This feature allows natural light to be harvested for illuminating the space inside the building.

“This reduces energy consumption and makes a space feel enlivening and airy,” said an official explaining the feature.

The new terminal is a striking reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as the Kolam (a pattern or design drawn in front of South Indian homes), saree, temples, and other elements that highlight the natural surroundings.

According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Integrated Terminal Building of Chennai Airport has been developed at the cost of Rs 1,260 crore. The addition of this new Integrated Terminal building will increase the passenger serving capacity of the airport from 23 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) to 30 MPPA.

Earlier in a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said the Integrated Terminal will boost connectivity and also benefit the local economy.

The new terminal is a striking reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as the Kolam, Saree, Temples, and other elements that highlight the natural surroundings, as per the PMO.

The splendour and glory of the ancient Tamil culture was on full display and the latest advanced technology will come together to welcome visitors at the New Integrated terminal building, T-2, of the Chennai International Airport on Saturday.

Flying drones have been prohibited in Greater Chennai Police limits from 6 am to 10 pm on Saturday in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city, according to Chennai police.

Later in the day, PM Modi will flag off Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express at a function at MGR Chennai Central Railway Station.

Prime Minister will flag off the Express service between Tambaram and Sengottai. He will also flag off a DEMU service from Thiruthuraipoondi-Agasthiyampalli, which will benefit commuters from Coimbatore, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.

He will also inaugurate the 37 km gauge conversion section between Thiruthuraipoondi and Agasthiyampalli, which has been completed at a cost of Rs 294 crore. It will benefit the movement of edible and industrial salt from Agasthiyampalli in the Nagapattinam district.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the celebrations commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Math in Chennai. Swami Ramakrishnananda started Sri Ramakrishna Math in Chennai in 1897. Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are spiritual organisations engaged in various forms of humanitarian and social service activities.

In the evening, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of road projects worth about Rs 3,700 crore at the public programme at Alstrom cricket ground, Chennai. The projects include the inauguration of a 7.3-km long elevated corridor in Madurai and a 24.4-km long four-lane road of National Highway 785.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the construction of road projects of National Highway-744. The project worth more than Rs 2,400 crore will boost inter-state connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and ensure a convenient journey for pilgrims visiting Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur and Sabarimala in Kerala, the PMO informed. (ANI)

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Fresh Covid Cases

6,155 Fresh Covid Cases, Active Cases Climb To 31,194

The country recorded 6,155 fresh Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, marking a marginal increase from Friday’s tally of 6,050 cases, the Union health ministry stated in a bulletin on Saturday.

Covid infections in the country have seen an upward trend in the past few days, with the daily fresh infections at 2,994 on April 1, 3,824 on April 2, 3,641 on April 3, 3,038 on April 4, 4,435 on April 5, 5,335 on April 6 and 6,050 on April 7.
The overall active cases are stands at 31,194, as of Saturday, with the daily positivity rate at 5.63 per cent, the Health ministry stated further in its release.

With 3,253 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the overall count stood at 4,41,89,111, the bulletin stated, adding that the overall recovery rate is currently at 98.74 per cent.

Under the nationwide vaccination drive, a total of 220.66 crore vaccine doses (95.21 cr second doses and 22.87 cr precautionary doses) have been administered, as of Saturday, of which 1,963 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

The ministry further stated that the weekly positivity rate currently stands at 3.47 per cent.

On Friday, Delhi reported 755 fresh Covid cases, in a continuing upward spiral in infections. Neighbouring Bihar reported 17 new cases.

The superintendent of Patna’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) said, “Cases have increased due to recklessness and lax observance of Covid protocols. It could also be attributed to the changing weather pattern. But hospitals and the Bihar government are on alert.”

“Compared to other states, the situation in Bihar is still normal. Two patients were detected with Covid on Friday. They are receiving treatment and there is no need to panic,” he said.

Amid a nationwide upward trend in the Covid cases, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday chaired a review meeting with health ministers of all states and Union Territories through video conferencing.

Mandaviya urged state Health ministers to conduct mock drills at hospitals on on April 10 and 11 to assess their preparedness in handling a surge in cases.

He also urged states to identify emerging hotspots by monitoring trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases and sending sufficient samples for testing of COVID-19 and Influenza; and ramping up whole genome sequencing of positive samples.

It was observed that 23 states and UTs had average tests per million below the national average.”Irrespective of the new COVID variants, the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures, he said,” Mandaviya said.

According to the Union health ministry, states and UTs were also requested to expeditiously increase the rate of testing from the current rate of 100 tests per million, as of the week ending 7th April and further advised to increase the share of RT-PCR in tests. (ANI)

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Befitting Answer On May 10: Modi

Telangana Needs To Be Wary Of People Nurturing Dynastic Rule, Graft: Modi

In a veiled attack on Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao-led government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Telangana needs to be very careful of people who nurture dynastic rule, nepotism and corruption.

Prime Minister Modi said he was pained at the non-cooperation of state government in the Centre’s projects.
Addressing the gathering at Parade Ground, Hyderabad, PM Modi said, “Serving people with utmost devotion is our primary goal. But I am very pained about one thing… It hurts a lot when the development and welfare measures by the central government do not fructify well due to hindrances posed by state governments. This has been happening in Telangana.”

He said due to the lack of cooperation from the state government, many central projects were getting delayed and it is the people who are the ultimate sufferers.

He said the state government should not allow any hindrance to development projects.

“I appeal to the Telangana government to not allow any obstruction to development measures, not make the people of Telangana the victims, not to deprive the state of prosperity,” he added.

Attacking the ruling BRS in Telangana without taking names, PM Modi said dynasty politics and corruption are not different. He said corruption flourishes where dynasty politics prevails.

Prime Minister Modi said, “In today’s new India, it is our priority to fulfill the aspirations of the countrymen. But a handful of people are very agitated by these development works. People, who keep nurturing dynastic rule, nepotism and corruption, are irked by those who work honestly. They are not concerned with the interest of the country and society. Such people only like to see their families flourishing. Telangana needs to be very careful about such people.”

He said those, who are trying to escape from their own corrupt acts by seeking protection from the court, received a jolt.

“We have enhanced the digital payment system across the country, but why did not this happen earlier? It did not happen because the dynastic forces did not want to give up their control over the system. The familists wanted to keep control of which beneficiary would get what benefit and how much. But today, Modi has attacked the very root of corruption,” PM Modi said.

The projects launched today in Telangana, Prime Minister said will further ‘Ease of Travel,’ ‘Ease of Living’ as well as ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the state.

He said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has been dedicated to fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of Telangana’s people.

“In the last nine years, around 70 km of the Metro network has been laid in Hyderabad only,” the PM said.

He said Telangana is reaping the benefits of the efforts being taken to modernise railways in the entire country.

Referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Covid pandemic, PM Modi said India invested a record amount in the modernisation of infrastructure when the world was witnessing economic turbulence.

He said Rs 10 lakh crore has been allotted for infrastructure modernisation in this year’s budget.

In Telangana, PM Modi said the NDA government has been geared towards both industrial and agricultural development. The textile sector is what empowers both the farmers as well as labourers, he added.

He said the Centre decided to establish seven Mega Textile Parks across the country and one among these will be established in Telangana. It will not only boost employment but will also ensure overall development in the state, he said.

“Today’s new India…the new India of the 21st century, is rapidly building modern infrastructure in every corner of the country. Vande Bharat Express represents a convergence of faith, modernity, technology and tourism. Also, the inauguration and laying of the foundation stones for the development projects worth Rs 11,000 crore today mark a special day for Telangana,” he said.

These projects, PM Mod said, will boost connectivity and strengthen infrastructure in the state.

Earlier on Saturday, PM Modi flagged off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express from Secunderabad Railway Station here. The latest in the Vande Bharat trains will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three-and-a-half hours, particularly benefitting pilgrims of both the Telugu states.

This is the first Vande Bharat Express of India connecting Tirupati — a city in Andhra Pradesh which is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples. This is India’s 13th Vande Bharat Express which will run between Secunderabad in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati.

Prime Minister Modi said, “Along with railways, the network of highways in Telangana is also being developed rapidly. Due to the continuous efforts of the central government, today the length of National Highways in Telangana has doubled. In the year 2014, there was about 2,500 km long National Highway here, which has increased to 5,000 km today. Work is underway on road projects worth Rs 60,000 crore for the development of Telangana, which includes the ‘game changer’ Hyderabad Ring Road.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday. He was received by Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Bandi Sanjay was also present at the airport.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao did not receive PM Modi at the airport. Instead, the CM deputed state minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav to receive the Prime Minister at Begumpet airport in his absence.

The Telangana CM also skipped Prime Minister Modi’s programme in the state on Saturday. Chief Minister KCR was invited following the protocol.

KCR’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has been at loggerheads with the BJP, which is trying to make political and electoral inroads into Telangana. Assembly election in the state is due this year.

KCR, on the other hand, is trying to expand his party to other states as part of its national ambitions.

Last year, KCR renamed his party — the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) — to Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), marking the first step toward becoming a national party to counter the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He was also seen putting in efforts to unite the opposition parties for a united fight against BJP in next year’s general elections.

In a major thrust to infrastructure and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 11,300 crore in Telangana on Saturday.

In a programme at Parade Ground, Hyderabad, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station and other infrastructure projects.

During the programme, Prime Minister flagged off 13 new Multi-Modal Transport Service (MMTS) services in the suburban section of the Hyderabad-Secunderabad twin city region, providing commuters with a fast, convenient and comfortable travel option.

He inaugurated the doubling and electrification of the Secunderabad-Mahabubnagar project. Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of National Highway projects worth more than Rs 7,850 crore.

Prime Minister further laid the foundation stone of AIIMS Bibinagar. AIIMS Bibinagar is being developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,350 crore.

The establishment of AIIMS Bibinagar is an important milestone in providing comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Telangana at their doorstep, said the PMO statement. (ANI)

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Modi To Flag New Vande Bharat Trains

Modi Flags Off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express from Secunderabad Railway Station here. The latest in the Vande Bharat trains will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three-and-a-half hours, particularly benefitting pilgrims of both the Telugu states.

This is the first Vande Bharat Express Secunderabad to tirupati connecting India– a city in Andhra Pradesh which is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples. This is India’s 13th Vande Bharat Express which will run between Secunderabad in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati.
The new semi-high speed train connects the IT city Hyderabad with Tirupati. This is the second Vande Bharat train to start from Telangana within three months.

Earlier in January, PM Modi had flagged off India’s eighth Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam.

The inauguration of the train on the new route comes one week after the Prime Minister flagged off the latest Vande Bharat on the Bhopal-New Delhi route.

The Secunderabad Tirupati Vande Bharat Express has stops at Nalgonda, Guntur, Ongole, and Nellore stations while it covers its 660 km journey between the cities.

The train will cut the commuting time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours. Besides, it takes less than a minute or 52 seconds for the train to touch at a speed of 100 kmph.

The new Vande Bharat Express is equipped with CCTV cameras, power backup, GPS-based information systems and vacuum toilets.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station.

The train will make travel seamless for those visiting the spiritual city of Tirupati from Hyderabad.

The Vande Bharat Secunderabad to Tirupati will depart at 6 am and reach the destination (Tirupati) at 2:30 pm. The train will cover the whole distance in 8 hours and 30 minutes, which is much less as compared to the 12 hours taken by most of the existing services.

It is pertinent to note that Vande Bharat Train is an indigenously manufactured, semi-high speed and self-propelled train set. The train is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities. It will provide a faster, more comfortable and more convenient travel experience to rail users.

Vande Bharat 2.0 is equipped with more advancements and improved features such as reaching a speed of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 52 seconds, whereas, the time to reach 160 kmph is 129 seconds and a maximum speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour.

The improved Vande Bharat Express will weigh 392 tons when compared to the previous version of 430 tons. It will also have a Wi-Fi content on-demand facility. Every coach has 32 screens providing passenger information and infotainment compared to 24 in the previous version.

Vande Bharat Express will also be environmentally friendly as the ACs will be 15 per cent more energy efficient. With dust-free clean air cooling of the traction motor, travel will become more comfortable. A side recliner seat facility provided only to Executive Class passengers earlier will now be made available for all classes. Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats.

In the new design of Vande Bharat Express, a photo-catalytic ultraviolet air purification system is installed in the Roof-Mounted Package Unit (RMPU) for air purification. As recommended by Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, this system is designed and installed on both ends of RMPU to filter and clean the air free from germs, bacteria, viruses etc. coming through fresh air and return air.

The Vande Bharat Express 2.0 offers various superior and aircraft-like travelling experiences. It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System – KAVACH. (ANI)

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Arjun's Birthday Post For Girlfriend

Arjun’s Birthday Post For Girlfriend Gabriella Is All Things Love

Actor Arjun Rampal poured out sweet words to wish his girlfriend Gabriella on his birthday.

Taking to Instagram, Arjun wrote, “Another year swished by, yet so many beautiful memories were created in our little cocoon. Thank you, to many more my darling. Happy Happiest birthday Green eyes @gabriellademetriades #happybirthdaygabby.”
Arjun also posted a video featuring his adorable and love-filled moments spent with Gabriella.

Take a look

Gabriella reacted to the post with a face-holding-back tears emoji.

Arjun and Gabriella have been in a relationship for a while now. They met through mutual friends back in 2018 and started dating each other after a few months. In 2019, the couple welcomed their son Arik Rampal together.

Arjun has two daughters, Mahikaa Rampal and Myra Rampal, with his ex-wife Mehr Jesia. The couple officially separated in 2019.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Arjun was last seen in an action film ‘Dhaakad’ opposite Kangana Ranaut, which failed to impress the audience at the box office.

In the coming months, he will be seen in Abbas Mastaan’s upcoming film ‘Penthouse’ alongside Bobby Deol.

Apart from this, Arjun will be seen in the sports action film ‘Crakk’.The film also stars Vidyut Jammwal and Jacqueline Fernandez. As interesting and quirky as it sounds, ‘Crakk’ is going to be India’s first-ever extreme sports action In the film, the actor will be seen performing a variety of extreme sports stunts and action sequences all on his own.

‘Crakk’ is the journey of a man from the slums of Mumbai to the world of extreme underground sports. ‘Crakk’ is presented by Reliance Entertainment and produced by Action Hero Films & PZ pictures, produced by Vidyut Jammwal, Parag Sanghvi, and Action Hero Films & Team, co-produced by Adi Sharmaa and Aditya Chowksey. Apart from Aditya, the film is written by Sarim Momim, Rehan Khan with the additional screenplay – dialogue by Mohendar Pratap Singh. (ANI)

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South Korea Mahatma Gandhi Memorial

South Korea FM Visits Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Pay Tribute

South Korea Foreign Minister, who is on a 2-day state visit to India, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Rajghat in New Delhi on Saturday.

After laying a wreath, Park Jin also signed visitor’s book at Rajghat.

Calling Mahatma Gandhi’s spirit of Satyagraha “noble”, the minister said he had always cherished his teachings, advocating democracy and human rights. He added that it was 27 years ago when he visited India for the first time.

“I visited India 27 years ago, it was my first to India. I always cherish his (Mahatma Gandhi) noble spirit of Satyagraha,” the Foreign Minister of South Korea said.

“I hope we can pursue contributive diplomacy together with India, which is Korea’s special strategic partner to contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity to the world,” he added.

South Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin’s visit to India comes as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi, on Friday welcomed Park Jin to India, saying his visit will help strengthen India-South Korea Strategic Partnership.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his South Korean counterpart on Friday held discussions on taking forward India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership.

“Glad to welcome @FMParkJin of Republic of Korea on his first official visit to India,” Jaishankar tweeted on Friday.

“Our discussions today will take forward our Special Strategic Partnership,” he further wrote.

Park on Friday said South Korea would like to upgrade its existing successful partnership with India and focus on trade, investment and supply chain stabilisation in manufacturing sector and also critical minerals.

The South Korean Foreign Minister on Friday also called on Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In an exclusive interview with ANI in which he dwelt on a range of subjects — from India as a ‘soft powerhouse’ to the viral ‘Naatu Naatu ‘song from the movie ‘RRR’, which won as Oscar this year, Park Jin on Friday said he was happy that the Korean embassy here has paid special attention to the movie and that both the countries need much wide cultural exchange.

“Naatu Naatu dance is really popular in Korea. I saw the movie myself which is a fantastic movie and story. I think it was extraordinary and I am very glad that our embassy has given special attention to Naatu, Naatu and the movie. They demonstrated music, singing and dancing to the Indian public which I think is a great way to communicate with each other,” the Minister said.

“I love Bollywood movies, I saw 3 idiots and Chennai Express. I think we need a wider cultural exchange between the two countries especially among the young generation to understand each other and to appreciate India’s culture and vice versa,” he added.

On the strategic partnership between the two countries, Park said that it is mutually beneficial.

“Korea and India have a special strategic partnership. This is very special relationship through which we can work together with the same vision towards the future and I think that we should make full advantage of this special relationship for our mutually beneficial relationship in the future”.

Expressing optimism about India’s G20 Presidency, the visiting Foreign Minister said that South Korea would be very happy to work with India. (ANI)

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Sharad Pawar reservation

SC Panel More Reliable Than JPC: Pawar

After his explosive claim on the report by Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said there are more important issues such as price rise and farmers’ issues that the Opposition should raise instead of giving undue importance to the report by the US short-seller.

“Nowadays, the names of Ambani-Adani are being taken (to criticise the government) but we need to think about their contribution to the country. I think other issues such as unemployment, price rise, and farmers issues are more important and should be raised by the Opposition,” the senior Opposition leader said.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, after his explosive interview with a television news channel, Pawar said there is “no need” for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Adani issue as the Supreme Court-appointed committee will be more reliable and unbiased in its probe into the claims made in the report against the Indian conglomerate.

“There is a certain structure to a JPC. If a JPC comprises 21 members, 15 of them will be from the government side, as the other parties can only have a maximum of 6 members. So, in all likelihood, the JPC report will only reaffirm the government’s position in the matter. So, I think instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed committee will be more reliable and unbiased,” Pawar said.

On whether his statement would harm the Opposition unity at a time when major Opposition players are adamant on a JPC into the Adani row, Pawar said, “As far as the Opposition unity is concerned, I do not see the demand for a JPC have anything to do with it. My party has extended support to the JPC demand but I feel that the panel will be dominated by ruling party members. That’s why I am saying that the demand for a JPC probe should not be linked with Opposition unity.”

Reiterating that a Supreme Court-appointed committee will be reliable, the NCP chief said one should introspect on the relevance one should give to a “foreign company” and the position it has taken on an “internal matter” of the country.

“I don’t know what Hindenburg is. A foreign company is taking a stand on an internal matter of this country and we should think that how much relevance that company has for us. We should, instead, demand a Supreme court-monitored probe by a committee appointed by it,” said Pawar.

The NCP chief’s remarks are at variance with those of the Congress, which has insisted on a JPC probe into the Hindenburg report on the Adani group. Several other Opposition parties have supported the demand for a JPC probe.

“….Someone gave a statement, and it created uproar in the country. Such statements were given earlier too, which created ruckus. But the importance given to the issue this time was out of proportion. There was a need to think who raised the issue (gave report). We had not heard the name who gave the statement. What is the background?. When such issues are raised, they create uproar in the country, the cost is borne ….how it impacts the economy. We can’t ignore such things, and it seems (it) was targeted,” Pawar told NDTV in an interview.

He said the SC-appointed committee has been given guidelines, and a timeframe to submit its probe report.

He said the Opposition, which has been raising a ruckus in the Parliament to press for a JPC, should realise that the BJP has a majority in both Houses.

“Today, who has the majority in Parliament? The ruling party. The demand was against the ruling party. The committee to probe against the ruling party will have majority of members from the ruling party. How will the truth come out, there can be apprehensions. If Supreme Court investigates the matter, where there is no influence, there is a better chance of the truth coming out. And once the SC announced a committee for probing the matter, there was no need of JPC (probe),” he said.

The second half of the budget session saw continuous disruptions over the demand for a JPC into the Hindenburg-Adani row.

The Supreme Court had last month set up a six-member expert committee “to investigate if there was a regulatory failure in dealing with the alleged contravention of laws pertaining to the securities market in relation to the Adani Group or other companies”.

The committee was asked to give the report in two months. (ANI)

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India On Foreign Land: VP Dhankar

People Try To Tarnish Image Of Rising India On Foreign Land: VP Dhankar

In a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his “Indian democracy is under attack” remark in London, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said it is painful when some people “try to tarnish the image of rising India on foreign land”.

Speaking at an event to mark social reformer Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s birth anniversary in Delhi on Friday, Dhankhar said, “It is painful when some people among us try to tarnish the image of a rising India on foreign land. This has to be stopped.”
“Any person, who has the best interests of the country at heart, will always speak about the strides that India is making and where it should improve. I believe that our leaders should work on addressing the shortcomings or areas where we are lacking instead of criticising the country on foreign soil,” the Vice President said.

Further voicing his displeasure over the remarks that he claimed were intended to sully the country’s image on foreign shores, Dhankhar invoked Swami Dayanand’s words about India’s independence and his resistance to foreign rule and occupation.

Earlier, Rahul hit the headlines over his lecture at London’s prestigious Cambridge University, claiming that the Indian democracy was “under attack” on the watch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Everybody knows and it’s been in the news a lot that Indian democracy is under pressure and under attack. I am an Opposition leader in India, we are navigating that (Opposition) space,” Rahul said in his Cambridge address.

“The institutional framework, which is required for a democratic Parliament, free press, the judiciary, just the idea of mobilization, moving around all are getting constrained. So, we are facing an attack on the basic structure of Indian democracy,” he had added. (ANI)

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