Month: May 2023

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour on July 14 in Paris this year.

PM Modi has been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris.
According to the official statement, an Indian armed forces contingent will participate in the Parade alongside their French counterparts.

PM Modi’s visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, the official statement read.

India and France defend the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and share a vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific

This historic visit of PM Modi will also deliver common initiatives in order to respond to the key challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and will be an opportunity for India and France to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, including in the context of India’s G20 Presidency, the official statement added. (ANI)

The BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Australia’s Sydney was found vandalised in the early hours on Friday (local time), The Australia Today reported.

This comes almost two months after temples in Melbourne and Brisbane were vandalised by pro-Khalistan supporters.
According to The Australia Today, a news outlet focused on multicultural communities and the Indian subcontinent, authorities at the temple in Western Sydney’s Rosehill suburb said they found unwanted graffiti on the structure’s front wall and a so-called ‘Khalistan flag’ hanging on its gate.

“When I went this morning for prayers I saw ugly vandalism on the front wall,” a local resident of Harris Park and a daily visitor to the Swaminarayan temple told the Australian media outlet.

The Australia Today media report said it understands that local police were notified by the temple management as early as 7 am, and the latter has told the media outlet that NSW Police officers have attended the temple and CCTV footage has been provided to assist them in the investigations.

Earlier this year too, there were reports of temple vandalisation in Australia. Three temples in Melbourne and two in Brisbane were vandalised by Khalistan supporters.

The latest episode of temple vandalisation by anti-social elements comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend in-person the Quad Leaders’ Summit scheduled on May 24 in Sydney. Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation will host a grand community reception in honour of PM Modi a day ahead of the QUAD Leaders’ Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier raised concerns with his Australian counterpart, to which he assured that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority.

“I gave him the assurance that Australia is a country that respects people’s faith. That we don’t tolerate the sort of extreme actions and attacks that we’ve seen on religious buildings, be they Hindu temples, mosques, synagogues, or churches. This has no place in Australia,” Albanese said addressing a press conference during his recent India visit, which was reported by ANI on March 11

In the US and Canada too, the pro-Khalistan supporters had attempted on various occasions to vandalise temples and Indian diplomatic installations after police in India lodged a manhunt on radicalist Amritpal Singh. The radical preacher of separatism was on the run for over a month and surrendered before Punjab Police on April 23 from Moga. He was later flown to Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, where several of his aides were kept and booked under the stringent National Security Act.

Amritpal Singh leads “Waris Punjab De”, a radical organisation started by actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.

Punjab Police had launched a crackdown on him and members of his outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’ on March 18, a month after his supporters stormed a police station in Ajnala for the release of one of his aides.

A day after police in India launched the operation to arrest, Amritpal, a propaganda meeting in Australia’s Brisbane by Khalistan sympathisers was organised, which they called a referendum, but it failed badly. The propaganda meeting did not manage to gather steam, as just a handful of people had turned up.

A handful of Khalistani supporters who attended the propaganda meet were trying to mobilise people to join in, but their outreach attempt too had failed. (ANI)

An earthquake of magnitude struck 6.2 near the West coast of Honshu in Japan on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

The quake occurred at 2:42 p.m. on Friday (local time) at a depth of 8.7 kms.
According to USGS, the epicentre was found to be at 37.540°N and 137.305°E, respectively. As per the authorities, there have been no reports of tsunami damage up to this point.

On the shore of the Sea of Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture has experienced long tremors that have the potential to shake tall buildings. The city of Suzu experienced class 3 tremors. They may make it difficult for people to stand still and even topple furniture, according to experts, reported Japan-based NHK World.

According to local authorities, there have been two instances of structures collapsing. The specifics are being verified by officials as of now.

Further details awaited. (ANI)

In the wake of clashes in parts of Manipur, the Northeast Frontier Railways has cancelled all Manipur-bound trains considering the law and order situation in the Northeastern state.

“No trains are entering Manipur till the situation is improved. The decision has been taken after the Manipur government advised to stop train movement,” Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway told ANI.
Meanwhile, the Indian railways have also cancelled the operations of four trains for May 5 and May 6 following violence in the state.

“Manipur state authorities have advised to stop train operations in Manipur due to the prevailing Law and Order situation there. 4 trains have been cancelled. The decision was taken initially only for May 5 and 6,” the railways said.

Moreover, army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur and flag marches are being held to control the situation after violence erupted broke out on May 3 during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur to protest the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category.

Earlier on Thursday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma called an urgent meeting to ensure the safety of students from Meghalaya following reports of violence in Manipur.

In the meeting attended by senior government officials, the CM highlighted that the safety of all students must be ensured. He also directed the officials to come up with a plan for the evacuation of students if the situation arises.

Sangma said that over 200 residents of Meghalaya are studying in Manipur and that the Government is putting in place a helpline for students or family members to reach out to in case of emergencies.

The Army asked people to be careful about fake videos.

“Fake Videos on the security situation in Manipur including a video of an attack on Assam Rifles post being circulated by inimical elements for vested interests. #IndianArmy requests all to rely on content through official and verified sources only,” the Spear Corps, Indian Army said in a tweet.

Violence broke out on May 3 during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district to protest the demand of Meiteis, who dominate the Imphal Valley, for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

To tackle the worsening law and order situation after tribal groups took out rallies in several districts of Manipur, the state government has suspended mobile internet for five days. Along with a ban on large gatherings, a night curfew too has been imposed in several districts of the state. (ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar greeted Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with a “Namastey” on Friday in Goa at a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Zardari is here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) and incidentally, the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India in almost 12 years.
The two-day-long meeting of SCO member states began here on Thursday.

Visuals showed the Jaishankar greeting Zardari in Indian tradition with a “Namastey”, avoiding a handshake.

On his arrival in the coastal State yesterday Zardari had said he looks forward to constructive discussions with his counterparts from friendly countries.

The Pakistan minister was received at the airport by Indian diplomat JP Singh (Joint Secretary, Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran desk).

The Pakistan politician is attending the SCO conclave at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

“I am happy to arrive in Goa for participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. I am leading the Pakistan delegation at SCO and hope that the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) will be successful,” Zardari said in a video on Thursday shared by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.

Ahead of Day Two of the SCO conclave foreign ministers of the member countries began to arrive at Taj Exotica venue and

Jaishankar also welcomed SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang to the Meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.

On Thursday, Jaishankar held a meeting with Chinese counterpart Qin Gang. The discussions focussed on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring “peace and tranquillity” in the border areas.

“A detailed discussion with State Councillor and FM Qin Gang of China on our bilateral relationship. Focus remains on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring peace and tranquillity in the border areas. Also discussed SCO, G20 and BRICS,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, too folded hands and greeted his Indian counterpart, Jaishankar as he was welcomed for the Meeting of the SCO meeting.

Jaishankar and Lavrov had yesterday held bilateral talks.

Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were also received in Goa by the External Affairs Minister.

India hosted a cultural event on Thursday evening ahead of the main meeting on Friday.

The theme for India’s chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is ‘Secure-SCO’.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. The SCO has India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members. India took over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the summit held in Samarkand in 2022.

The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. India took over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the Samarkand SCO Summit in 2022. (ANI)

Charanjit Singh Atwal, former Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of party national president JP Nadda, in Delhi.

On April 19, Atwal resigned from the primary membership of Akali Dal.
Atwal was born on 15 March 1937, was the Deputy Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha of India from 2004 to 2009.

He represented the Phillaur constituency of Punjab in the 14th Lok Sabha and was a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He was also the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly twice.

It is noteworthy, Charanjit’s son Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal along with several others from Punjab, joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in New Delhi on Sunday.

They were formally inducted into the BJP in the presence of senior BJP leaders at the party’s national headquarters in the Capital on Sunday. (ANI)

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ actress Bhumi Pednekar talked about the changing scenario of films and how OTT has given a platform to many movies and created a parallel world for them.

“Art and cinema are reflections of society and with changing times our thoughts are changing and we are recognizing which thoughts need to be highlighted more and thus the cinema is witnessing a change. Especially with OTT, there are a number of changes and many films have got a parallel world to flourish on different platforms. For young actors and for someone like me who always tried to play different roles and become part of different kinds of films, this is the perfect and most fulfilling time,” Bhumi told ANI on the sidelines of FICCI Frames 2023.
Bhumi has made her place among the audience with her roles in both commercial cinemas as well as movies with strong messages for society. The actress gave credit to the choices made by her in the initial years of her career.

“I believe every actor is a sum total of the choices made by him and I am getting good content because of the choices I made in the initial years,” she added.

The 33-year-old actress is known for her powerful acting in movies such as ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’, ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ and many of her films are yet to come like ‘Bhakshak’, and ‘The Lady Killer’.

Furthermore, she discussed being selective in choosing roles and if she is not so keen on doing movies such as ‘Pati, Patni Aur Woh’.

“I do get rom-com and potboilers but my preference is choosing films where I can show my talent as an actor. The character is strong and can bring out my calibre and skills as an artist to my audience,” she said. (ANI)

Actor Sara Ali Khan recently finished shooting for her upcoming fil ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ and went on vacation to Kashmir with family and friends.

The ‘Gaslight’ actor took to Instagram and shared a string of snaps where she can be seen enjoying her holidays with her mother and actor Amrita Singh.
In the first photo, Sara is taking a selfie with a pout and the moon in the background. She wore a saffron sweater and a woollen cap. In another picture, she can be seen sitting outdoors and can be seen leaning on her friend who stood behind her.

In the next picture, Sara, her friends, and Amrita sat around an indoor fireplace. Sara opted for a saffron sweater and beige pants and kept her hands near the fire. Amrita wore a black outfit as she sat behind her daughter.

In one of the snaps, Sara can be seen relaxing in the swimming pool along with her friend and was busy in a conversation. The actor also posted a solo picture of herself inside the pool.

In the last picture, Sara and her friends posed outdoors for the camera. She was seen in a white jacket, beige pants, a woollen cap, and shoes.

Along with the post, she wrote, “Hello Full Moon Phase, Snow-clad mountains with sunny rays

Sitting by the fire enjoying the flame, the haze. Nights are warm, sun-kissed swim in the days. Phones been off this week so time to hear what Sara says. #purnima #fullmoon.”

Fans reacted to the post and showered love in the comment section.

A fan wrote, “Sara” with a heart emoji, while another user commented, “First like….Sara.”

Meanwhile, Sara will be seen in director Laxman Utekar’s next ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bach Ke’ romantic drama film alongside Vicky Kaushal.

Apart from that, She will be seen in Karan Johar’s next ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ in which she will play a brave freedom fighter in a fictional tale set against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Sara and Vikrant Massey starrer ‘Gaslight’ is streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar since 31 March. (ANI)

Various departments are busy preparing for the G20 summit to be held in Srinagar, while many others have finalised their preparations.

There is also a program for the visit of delegates from 20 countries to the city of Gulmarg and Dal Lake. A large part of it has already been cleaned and the cleaning work on the other part is going on in full swing.
In order to clean the Dal Lake from weeds in the water, several persons have been employed at

many places to make the Dal Lake attractive.

The sanitation work is carried out in Dal throughout the year. But for the G20 summit, special attention is being paid to the cleaning of several important places in the lake.

The Vice Chairman of Lake Conservation and Management Authority Dr. Bashir Ahmed Butt said that every possible effort is being made to make the Dal attractive and even better. So that a positive message is sent at the international level. He said that not only the tourism sector will get more boost from the G20 summit being held in Srinagar and the delegates visiting Dal Lake. It is possible that more and more tourists will be attracted towards visiting Kashmir.

Talking about bringing several areas within the Dal Lake on the tourist map and developing these areas as tourist villages, VC Bashir Ahmed Butt said that the Lake Conservation and Management Authority has cleaned the selected areas, apart from the navigation channels. Restoration and other works have been taken up.

During the conversation, he said that the country’s highest aerator has been installed in Dal Lake. It will throw water up to 85 meters i.e. 279 feet. Apart from this, air tars have been installed at 6 more places in the lake. Such measures are intended to make the lake more attractive and also to give a special look on the occasion of the G20 meeting.

On the other hand, the people directly or indirectly connected with the tourism sector are also very happy and optimistic about the G20 summit being held here. They say that this summit will not only promote Jammu and Kashmir at the international level but the tourism sector of Kashmir will get a new dimension.

Associated people say that due to the Coronavirus and the unfavourable conditions of Jammu and Kashmir before that, the tourism sector, which is the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, was affected to a great extent, but this sector has been slowly declining for the past few years. Returning to Kashmir. A record number of tourists was seen in Kashmir in 2022. Although last year 1 crore 88 thousand domestic and foreign tourists visited Kashmir, more than 2 crore tourists are expected to arrive this year. He said that in such a situation, even from the G20 meeting, the tourism sector will reach new heights.

It should be noted that conferences regarding the upcoming G20 summit are going to be held in 56 cities of India including Srinagar. (ANI)

World Championships and Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh Phogat and other wrestlers protesting against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Thursday accused Delhi Police of working in favour of the federation’s president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and urged them to release the protestors being detained.

A scuffle broke out between the protesting wrestlers and Delhi Police at the protest site on Wednesday night. The wrestlers claimed they were manhandled and abused by the police personnel.
“Delhi Police is working in favour of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh,” said Vinesh to the media in a press conference.

Vinesh said that the wrestlers are extremely grateful to Supreme Court for the support they have shown them so far.

“We will follow whatever orders they issue. They have also said that we can go to Delhi High Court or Magistrate. We will do it in case timely action is not taken,” added the wrestler.

Amid the ongoing protest by top wrestlers in the national capital, the Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that proper security has been provided to the grapplers including a minor complainant.

Supreme Court on Thursday noted that the purpose of the petition has been served as FIR has been registered and that security has been provided to wrestlers. SC said that the proceedings have been closed at this stage and if petitioners wish for something else, they can approach the magistrate or the High Court in its jurisdiction.

Bajrang Punia, the Olympic medalist asserted that the wrestlers do not have any issues with any government, but the WFI and its president itself. He also urged Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to come and support the wrestlers.

“I urge him (Haryana CM) to come here and support us, it is about giving justice to the daughters of this country,” said Bajrang.

Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia also accused the protestors are being detained and urged Delhi Police to release them.

15 people including a leader of Bharatiya Kisan Union on their way to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to support the wrestlers’ protest were detained by the police at Haryana’s Singhu border on Thursday.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Abhimanyu Kohar and others were on their way to join the wrestlers’ protest against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh over alleged sexual harassment complaints against him.

Some of India’s top wrestlers, including Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, have been protesting against the WFI chief and BJP MP Singh over allegations of sexual harassment, demanding his arrest. Singh, the six-time MP has denied the allegations.

On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha met the protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar.

Usha, a retired Indian track and field athlete and a Rajya Sabha MP, had earlier ruffled feathers with her remarks that the wrestlers should have approached the IOA instead of hitting the streets against the WFI and its president.

“Indian Olympic Association is having a committee for sexual harassment, instead of going to the streets they (protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier but they did not come to IOA. It is not good for sports not only for wrestlers, they should also have some discipline,” the IOA president told reporters last week, a remark that didn’t go down well with the wrestlers.

Three months ago prominent wrestlers came forward to lead a protest against the WFI chief, following which the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the formation of an ‘oversight committee’ to probe allegations against the WFI, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and some coaches.

On April 23, Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik, returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar. They claimed that six women wrestlers, and a minor, filed a sexual harassment complaint against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station but Delhi Police did not register an FIR. The protesting grapplers also wanted the Ministry to make public the findings of the Oversight Committee.

Seven days into protest, police registered two FIRs against WFI president Singh over allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of women wrestlers by him.

“The wrestlers should have taken this step three months ago. FIR has been registered, now the wrestlers should focus on their practice. Even the Prime Minister does not have the right to punish, only the court does,” Yogeshwar Dutt told ANI.

The protesting wrestlers have made it clear that they won’t move until they get justice and Brij Bhushan be removed as the WFI chief and put behind bars. (ANI)