April 2023 - Page 42 of 51 - Lokmarg

Salman Flaunts Chiselled Abs

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Fans go crazy when Bollywood actor Salman Khan flaunts his six-pack abs in each of his movies.

On Wednesday, the ‘Wanted’ actor took to his Instagram and shared a drool-worthy shirtless picture of him flaunting his chiselled chest and abs.
“May look like it but definitely not chilling,” he captioned the post.

In the picture, Salman could be seen sitting on a couch.

Soon after he dropped the picture, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons.

‘Bigg Boss’ contestant Prateek Sehajpal commented, “Mashallah.”

“Love you Bhai,” a fan commented.

Another user wrote, “Forever inspirational.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Salman will be next seen in the upcoming family entertainer film ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ opposite actor Pooja Hegde.

Helmed by Farhad Samji, the film is all set to hit the theatres on the occasion of Eid 2023.

Earlier, Salman shared the teaser of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. He introduced his character with a powerful dialogue. As Pooja Hegde asks him, “Waise aapka naam kya hai (what is your name)?” Salman replies, “Mera koi naam nahi hai, lekin main Bhaijaan naam se jana jata hun (I don’t have any name, but people know me as Bhaijaan)” as shots of him fighting goons play in the background.

Apart from that, he also has an action thriller film ‘Tiger 3’ opposite Katrina Kaif in his kitty. (ANI)

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Kareena Gears Up For ‘The Crew’ Shoot

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, on Wednesday, shared a glimpse from her makeup room as she gears up for the Day 2 of the shooting of her upcoming film ‘The Crew’.

Taking to Instagram, Kareena shared a picture on her stories which she captioned, “My Crew. Day 2 The Crew.”

In the picture, the ‘Heroine’ actor could be seen sitting in front of the mirror with her as her hairstylist is blow-drying her hair while she clicks a selfie with a pout. A cup of tea and a script is kept in front of her.”

In another story, she shared a picture of producer Rhea Kapoor who paid a visit on the sets of the film.

“Producer ji on set,” she captioned the post.

‘The Crew’ also stars Tabu, Kriti Sanon and Diljit Dosanjh in the lead roles.

The film is produced by the super-hit producer duo of ‘Veere Di Wedding’, Ektaa R Kapoor, and Rhea. Rajesh Krishnan has come on board to helm the project.

As per a statement, ‘The Crew’ is touted as a laugh-riot, set against the backdrop of the struggling airline industry. Three women, work and hustle to make it in life. However, their destinies lead to some unwarranted situations and they get caught in a web of lies.

Apart from ‘The Crew’, she will be next seen in director Sujoy Ghosh’s thriller which is based on the book ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’. It also stars Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat. Apart from that, she also has director Hansal Mehta’s next untitled film. (ANI)

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SRK Enjoys Paan In Video From NMACC

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Several photos and videos of the celebs from the grand NMACC Gala night are surfacing on social media. In a new video, actor Shah Rukh Khan was seen enjoying paan at the event.

Taking to Instagram, German blogger Caroline Daur shared a string of pictures and videos from the Gala night which she captioned, “deeply impressed by the extraordinary exhibition India in Fashion showcasing the fine craftsmanship and elaborately embroidered works celebrating the creatives and the heritage of India.”

The first few pictures and videos show Caroline Daur at the event.

In the second last video actors SRK, Ranveer Singh, and Varun Dhawan could be seen dancing to the song ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ at the gala night.

In the last video, the German blogger could be seen enjoying paan next to King Khan.

The ‘Don’ actor could be seen wearing a black kurta.

Soon after she shared the post, SRK fans swamped the comment section and dropped red hearts and fire emoticons.

“Shah Rukh Khan, the king of Bollywood, just casually behind you eating from the buffet is the vibe I am living for,” a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, “wow she’s just casually eating mithai next to shah rukh khan.”

“Oh my god last slide !!! You doesn’t even know who is next to you !! He’s the dream of the millions of girls and you’re eating next to him indifferent how it’s possible,” a fan commented.

SRK’s wife Gauri Khan and children Aryan Khan and Suhana Khan also attended the gala.

Meanwhile, on the work front, SRK will be next seen in director Atlee’s action thriller film ‘Jawan’ and in director Rajkumar Hirani’s next ‘Dunki’. (ANI)

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Rescue Ops Resume At Avalanche Site In Nathu La

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Officials of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Wednesday resumed the rescue operation on Jawaharlal Nehru road in East Sikkim, where a massive avalanche came yesterday, claiming the lives of at least seven people and leaving several trapped under the snow.

On Tuesday, at about 11.30 am, a massive avalanche hit the 15th Mile on Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathu La.
The Army, State Disaster Management Team, and police were also engaged in search and rescue operations.

However, the search and rescue operation was later called off at 6 pm due to inclement weather, triggering fear of fresh snowslides.

As per officials, seven tourists including a minor girl were killed while 13 others were injured in the avalanche.

The deceased were identified as Shiva Psd Lamichaney, Ashika Dhakal, Rebya Singh, Bal Singh, Sourav Roy Chaudhary, Pritam Matiy and Muna Shah Shrestra, officials said.

“Among the 7 deceased we have identified three as Nepal nationals, and two each were from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The Bengal victims will be taken in an ambulance, 2 from Uttar Pradesh will be flown while those from Nepal will be taken by road for which the State Social Welfare department is looking into the logistics of taking mortal remains,” Gangtok District Collector said.

The Collector said that ex-gratia to the victims will be given as per norms for the Indian victims, but for Nepal victims, the decision will be taken by the Home Department.

Among those that were taken to the STNM Hospital, Gangtok DC informed that 13 victims were taken to STNM Hospital, seven have been discharged with minor injuries while six persons are still admitted.

Gangtok Superintendent of Police Tenzing Loden Lepcha while addressing the media, yesterday evening, at the DC office in Gangtok informed, “Currently weather conditions are bad hence rescue operations are on hold. Again in the morning, another rescue operation will be carried out by NDRF from Pakyong station. State Disaster Relief Force was active.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolence and said that he was distressed by the mishap.

“Distressed by the avalanche in Sikkim. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I hope the injured recover soon. Rescue ops are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PM Modi had tweeted. (ANI)

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RBI Likely To Announce Another Repo Rate Hike Tomorrow

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

The Reserve Bank of India is likely to announce the hike in benchmark interest rate — repo rate — on Thursday after a three-day meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee.

Governor Shaktikanta Das will announce the outcome of the meetings at 10 in the morning tomorrow, followed by a press conference at noon.
RBI started its first bi-monthly review of the new financial year with its Monetary Policy Committee meeting on April 3, April 5 and April 6. The central bank has six bi-monthly reviews of its monetary policy in a year. And, there are out-of-cycle reviews in which the central bank conducts additional meetings in times of emergency.

At the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI in early February, it decided to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent to manage inflation. So far, RBI raised the repo rate, the rate at which it lends to banks, by 250 basis points cumulatively since May 2022.

Raising interest rates is a monetary policy instrument that typically helps suppress demand in the economy, thereby helping the inflation rate decline.

These meetings are being watched carefully by stakeholders as almost every central bank tries to take stock of the rising inflation, with a fear of a looming mild recession.

According to SBI Research’s latest Ecowrap report, the RBI is expected to pause its interest rate hike and the current 6.5 per cent repo rate could be the terminal rate for now.

The report asserted that the RBI has enough reasons to pause the repo rate hike in the April meeting.

At the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI in early February, it decided to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent to manage inflation. Raising interest rates is a monetary policy instrument that typically helps suppress demand in the economy, thereby helping the inflation rate decline.

According to advisory firm Emkay Global Financial Services, RBI is likely to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points (100 basis points is equivalent to 1 percentage point).

“In addition (to the rate hike), the neutral stance will give the MPC flexibility to be non-committal on forward guidance, yet subtly give direction on a ‘pause’,” Emkay said in a report. (ANI)

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ED Opposes Sisodia’s Bail

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday opposed the bail plea of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and said that the agency is in the process of gathering some fresh evidence as there is some crucial evidence that is still being unearthed.

ED lawyer further submitted that our investigation is not into the scheduled offence but is an investigation into the process of activity involved in the generation and use of proceeds of crime.
Appearing for Manish Sisodia, Advocate Vivek Jain argued that no PMLA case has been made against him. “Section 45 of PMLA would come against me only if an offence under Section 3 is made out,” Advocate Vivek Jain said.

“ED’s reply opposing my bail doesn’t even show I have concealed any proceeds of crime or acquired any proceeds of crime, or I projected proceeds of crime. Not a single rupee has come into my account or my family’s account. They have raided my home, and they have checked my bank accounts. They even have gone to my native place,” he argued.

The Special Judge MK Nagpal after noting down the submissions, kept the matter for April 12, 2023, for further arguements in the bail.

Meanwhile, the Court also extended the Judicial Custody of Manish Sisodia in the ED case of excise case till April 17, 2023.

Manish Sisodia was physically produced before the Court on Wednesday at the end of his Judicial remand period, granted earlier.

The Rouse Avenue Court was hearing a bail plea of Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD.

The Enforcement Directorate on the last date had filed its lengthy reply opposing the bail plea in the court.

Last week the same court dismissed the bail plea of Sisodia in the CBI case related to the Excise matter.

Earlier, while sending Sisodia on ED remand Court said, it cannot be ignored that investigation into an ED case is a complicated affair and keeping in view the intricacies of the case, the multiplicity of the persons/accused involved in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering and the huge volume of the records or data seized during the investigation and required to be analysed by the Investigating Agency, it is bound to take some time and the IO or InvestigatingAgency cannot be faulted or blamed for the same, though they are duty bound to do and conclude it as early as possible.

Appearing for ED earlier, Advocates Zohaib Hossain submitted that huge mail data, mobile data all of that are being forensically analyzed. The mobile phone was changed the day when LG wrote to the CBI, which was used by Sisodia for a long time.

Counsel for ED had further submitted that the statements were confirmed by the recovery of the data received from the computer of the arrestee. Mobile data, email data, and cloud data were also received during the interpretation.

Earlier, ED said, the act of pro-active destruction of evidence leads to only one inference that Manish Sisodia made conscious efforts to destroy evidence of the offence of money laundering, said Enforcement Directorate while seeking remand of Manish Sisodia in connection with the Excise Policy case.

Appearing for ED, Advocates Zohaib Hossain and Naveen Kumar Matta had earlier submitted that even in the statement given by Manish Sisodia on 07.03.2023 and 09.03.2023, he has been untrue. “On being asked about his association with Dinesh Arora, who handled the transfer of kickbacks from the South Group to Vijay Nair, he gave an answer contrary to what has been revealed by independent persons/stakeholders.

The ED earlier also told the court that Manish Sisodia had purchased SIM cards and mobile phones in other people’s names.

There was a conspiracy behind framing the excise policy. The conspiracy was coordinated by Vijay Nair, along with others and the Excise policy was brought out for extraordinary profit margin for wholesalers, ED argued in the court.

ED told the court that the margin of 12 per cent of wholesale profit margin to private entities was never discussed in the GoM meeting.

Countering Sisodia’s lawyer’s arguements, the ED lawyer told the court that if the policy is a matter of executive then there would not be a coal scam or a 2G scam.

He was arrested during his Judicial custody in Tihar Jail, where he was lodged in.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 9 arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in the liquor policy case on February 26, 2023. The same Court on March 24, had kept the order reserved on bail plea of Sisdodia in CBI case and fixed March 31, for the pronouncement of the order.

Sisodia was arrested by the CBI earlier in its ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). (ANI)

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Covid Empowered Groups To Conduct Review Meet In Delhi

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

The COVID-empowered groups review meeting would be in Delhi at 4.30 pm on Wednesday, said official sources.

Dr. V K Paul, Director General Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Bahl and other senior health officials will attend this meeting, added the official sources.
According to the sources, this is a review meeting to know the Covid-19 situation and preparedness in the country.

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) will also attend the meeting.

A total of 4,435 fresh COVID-19 infections were reported across the country in the last 24 hours, a significant jump from Tuesday’s tally of 3038 cases, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.

It is the highest single-day rise in the last nearly six months, the ministry said.

India’s active Covid caseload currently stands at 23,091 with a daily positivity rate of 3.38 per cent, the ministry said

The COVID-19 cases in India have seen an upward trend in the past few days with the daily fresh infections ranging between 2,994 on April 1 to 3,824 on April 2 and 3,641 on April 3 and 3038 on April 4.

With 2,508 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total number of recoveries stands at 4,41,79, 712. India’s recovery rate currently is at 98.76 per cent, the union ministry further stated.

Under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, India has so far administered 220.65 crore Covid vaccine doses of which 1,979 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

The ministry further stated that the weekly positivity rate currently stands at 2.79 per cent.

In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said that Omicron’s sub-variant which is circulating in the country has not led to an increase in hospitalisations and there is no need to worry.

“We need to remain alert but there is no need to worry. Currently, the sub-variant of Omicron which is circulating in the country hasn’t increased hospitalisations,” Mandaviya said.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for Covid in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country. (ANI)

MHA Issues Advisory To States Ahead Of Hanuman Jayanti

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued an advisory to all states on the maintenance of law and order ahead of Hanuman Jayanti.

The MHA advised the states to ensure peaceful observance of the festival and keep track of factors that could disturb communal harmony in society.
“MHA has issued an advisory to all states in preparation for Hanuman Jayanti. The governments are encouraged to ensure the maintenance of law and order, peaceful observance of the festival, and monitoring of any factors that could disturb communal harmony in society,” the Home Minister’s Office said in a statement.

The development comes on the heels of clahes that erupted in West Bengal and neighbouring Bihar during Ram Navami celebrations. Incidents of violence, arson and stone pelting were reported in these two states around Ram Navami.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were also enforced in some areas of West Bengal in the wake of the clashes.

Ahead of Hanuman Jayanti, the acting Chief Justice Bench of the Calcutta High Court had also ordered the deployment of central force personnel in some sensitive areas of the state.

The court directed the state to request the assistance of paramilitary forces in the interest of maintaining law and order.

“If the intelligence department of the state was alert, such violence would not have happened. It also instructed that no political leader will give any provoking statement to the media,” the court said. (ANI)

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Many More Will Join BJP In Next 10 Days”: JDS Leader LR Shivarame

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Former MP and expelled Janata Dal (Secular) leader LR Shivarame on Wednesday joined the BJP in the presence of the party’s state chief Nalinkumar Kateel and party national general secretary CT Ravi, in Bengaluru.

In an exclusive interview with ANI after joining the BJP, Shivarame said, “In the next 10 days, many more leaders will be joining the BJP. The people of Karnataka want a double-engine government in the state and the party will form a majority government in Karnataka.”
On why he left the JD(S), he said, “I have been in politics for the last 40 years. I started my career with the Youth Congress. But both in the JD(S) and the Congress, leadership couldn’t sustain promising, young members. Internal politics and clashes keep on happening regularly. You don’t even have the right to express your suggestions openly. That’s why I have decided to join the BJP”.

Senior JDS leader ATR Ramaswamy also joined the BJP recently.

The former MP said that Karnataka voters are very ‘clever’ that they want a double-engine government in the state.

“People know that in a double-engine government, work doesn’t suffer and projects are put on the fast-track. Coordination with the Centre is very important. We are seeing this in so many states. The BJP has been in power in Karnataka for the last three years. The development we saw under the BJP rule is something no one could have even imagined in the last 50 years. So, the people of Karnataka are ready to vote for the double engine government,” he further said.

He added, “BJP is a cadre-based party and is working to win Karnataka and make further inroads in the South. Forget Siddaramaih, forget Shivakumar, forget Kumaraswamy. BJP will form the government in the state with its biggest majority”.

He said that in some areas ,BJP and JDS are strong, while in others, all three parties, including the Congress, are strong.

“However, despite all that, the BJP will come to power,” he said. (ANI)

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Bhutan Appreciates India For Extending Standby Credit Facility, Currency Swap

By LokMarg 5th April 2023

Bhutan on Wednesday appreciated India for extending Standby Credit Facility at the reduced interest rate and extended settlement period, and for providing an additional currency swap support of USD 200 million, according to India-Bhutan joint statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs.

India also agreed to positively consider Bhutan’s request to extend an additional Standby Credit Facility (SCF) for a period of five years, it said.
Bhutan also noted with satisfaction the timely flow of funds from the Government of India (GoI) to ensure smooth and uninterrupted progress of projects under the 12th Five Year Plan with about 90 per cent of India’s committed plan assistance to Bhutan already released.

To take this exemplary development partnership forward, India agreed to step up support for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan which was welcomed by Bhutan, joint statement said.

Both sides reviewed various elements of bilateral hydropower cooperation and expressed satisfaction that projects totalling 2136 MW, which have been jointly set up, are functioning well. Both sides also welcomed the recent handing over of 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP to Bhutan, added the statement.

Hydropower cooperation has been the cornerstone of the India-Bhutan bilateral economic partnership. It has been a productive arrangement for both countries whereby Bhutan receives a steady stream of revenue from the sale of power from hydropower plants which have been jointly developed and India benefits from the assured supply of energy. The role of hydropower projects in helping the Bhutanese economy during the COVID-19 inducted global economic slowdown was noted in this context.

In terms of ongoing projects, both sides reiterated their commitment to finding a technically sound and cost-effective way forward for Punatsangchhu-I HEP, the statement said.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in the construction of the 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II HEP and looked forward to its commissioning by early 2024. Both sides noted that the tariff discussions had been initiated and agreed to expeditiously conclude the tariff protocol for this project, read the statement.

On the periodic revision of the tariff of Chhukha HEP, the Bhutanese side welcomed India’s offer to revise the tariff to Rs 3 per unit, which represents a 17 per cent increase over the earlier tariff.

Bhutan thanked India for enabling the import of power from India to meet Bhutan’s energy deficit during the winter months. India agreed to positively consider Bhutan’s request for sale of power into the Indian Energy Exchange from the 64 MW Basochhu HEP.

Both sides also reiterated the importance of cooperation in hydropower sector and the urgent need to review and finalize modalities for new projects including Sankosh HEP, read the statement.

India assured consideration of Bhutan’s request for access to financing and market for power sale for new and upcoming hydropower projects in Bhutan.

It was also agreed to extend India-Bhutan energy partnership in the area of non-hydro renewables, such as solar and wind as well as in green initiatives for e-mobility. India assured necessary technical and financial assistance for projects in these areas.

On the proposed trilateral hydropower cooperation among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India, both sides expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders, added the statement.

The two sides welcomed the growing strength of bilateral trade and economic ties.

To further expand bilateral cooperation on trade, technology, cross-border connectivity, and mutual investments, following was agreed upon: To work on long-term sustainable arrangements for the export of agricultural commodities; To explore long-term bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities to Bhutan such as petroleum, fertilizers, and coal; To consider setting up the first Integrated Check Post along India-Bhutan border near Jaigaon and Phuntsholing; To take forward the project on the proposed cross border rail link connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan; To expedite the operationalization of the Third International Internet Gateway for Bhutan; To take forward development of inland waterways connectivity and to work towards opening of additional Foreigners Check posts between Bhutan and Assam to facilitate the entry and exit of third country nationals between India and Bhutan by land rout, added the statement.

In terms of new areas of partnership which now encompass Startups, Space and STEM education, both sides welcomed the exceptional progress made in the space sector cooperation, including the recent launch of the first satellite jointly developed by India and Bhutan and the inauguration of the satellite’s ground earth station in Thimphu.

At the invitation of the President Droupadi Murmu, King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid an official visit to India from April 3 to 5.

During his visit, he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The King of Bhutan and Prime Minister Modi held discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the manner in which India and Bhutan assisted each other in the fight against the COVID pandemic. They agreed to closely work together for progress and development in the region as economies recover from the pandemic, it said.

PM Modi reaffirmed India’s deep commitment to unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and reiterated continued and full support to the socio-economic development in Bhutan.

Guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, and in consonance with the priorities of the people and Royal Government of Bhutan, both sides recognized that the long-standing Bhutan-India development partnership, is reflective of strong ties of friendship and cooperation based on trust and mutual understanding. (ANI)

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