Month: June 2023

Modi On Global Peace of India and US

India, US Committed To Working For Global Peace: Modi

By LokMarg

Noting that the world order is taking a new shape in the post-Covid era, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and the US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity.

Speaking at the White House lawns after the ceremonial welcome, PM Modi said the societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values and the two countries take pride in diversity.
“In the post-Covid era, the world order is taking a new shape. In this time period, the friendship between India and US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world. India and the US are committed to working together for the global good and peace, stability and prosperity,” PM Modi said.

“The societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values. The constitutions of both countries begin with the three words ‘We The People’. Both countries take pride in their diversity and believe in the fundamental principle of ‘Sarv Jan Hitay Sarv Jan Sukhay’ (interest of all, welfare of all),” he added.

The Prime Minister talked about the contributions of the Indian-American community.

“After becoming Prime Minister, I came here many times, but today for the first time that the doors of the White House are open for the Indian-American community in such large numbers. The people of the Indian community are enhancing the country’s honour in the US through their talent hard work and dedication. You are the real strength of our relationship. Today, I thank President Biden and Dr Jill Biden for the honour you have been given,” he said.

“In a while from now, I and President Biden will hold discussions on India-US relations, and other regional and global issues. I firmly believe that just as always, our talks will be very positive and useful. In the afternoon, I will get the opportunity to address the US Congress for the second time. I am very grateful for that. I and the 1.4 billion Indians hope that India’s Tricolour and US ‘Star and Stripes’, keep on touching newer heights,” he added.

Prime Minister Modi, who is on state visit to the US, arrived at the White House to a ceremonial welcome.

“I would like to express gratitude to President Biden for this grand welcome and far-sighted address. This grand welcome is the pride and honour for 140 crore Indians, this is also an honour for 40 million people of Indian origin living in the US. I express heartfelt gratitude to President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden,” he said.

Upon his arrival at the White House lawns, PM Modi who was dressed in a traditional white kurta pyjama teamed with a powder blue jacket was greeted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.

A US delegation led by Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin assembled to greet PM Modi.

The Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu were also present.

National anthems of India and the US played out as thousands of people gathered on the White House South Lawns to greet PM Modi.

Huge crowds of people gathered at the South Lawns of the White House to welcome PM Modi. Visuals showed them waving Indian flags and chanting “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans.

Some people were waving a banner that read: “Indian American Diaspora welcomes Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi”. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Delhi Court Sahul Judicial Custody

PFI Case: Delhi Court Remands Sahul To Judicial Custody

By LokMarg

Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Thursday remanded Sahul Hameed to judicial custody who has been arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) from Madurai in connection with a money laundering probe against a banned organisation namely Popular Front of India (PFI).

The Vacation judge Chhavi Kapoor remanded Sahul Hameed to judicial custody till July 6. The accused was produced before the court after the expiry of three days of ED custody.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta for ED appeared for ED and submitted that an investigation is going on, accused may be remanded to judicial custody.

The fact of the case revolves around receiving higher money in violation of the law. It is alleged by the ED that the accused was operating from Singapore and was involved in the unlawful activities of the organisation.

While seeking an extension of remand on June 19, it was also submitted that the mobile phone of the accused contains relevant details which need to be confronted during the investigation.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the accused was earlier in the process of collecting illegal money/terror funds from legitimate and illegitimate channels from Singapore and other places. He stated to have been deported to India. Upon receipt of inputs, he was intercepted and could not give an account of certain activities taken by him towards collecting funds for PFI.

ED counsels had informed the Court that the statement of the accused under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was also recorded wherein he remained evasive in giving answers to certain material aspects collected during the investigation. Therefore ED arrested the accused.

Earlier the accused was remanded to ten days in ED remand which was extended on Sunday for one day. Again the accused was produced before the court on Monday.

Recently, the Special Court took cognizance of a chargesheet (Prosecution Complaint) filed by the Enforcement Directorate against several office bearers of Popular Front of India (PFI) in a special court in Delhi.

The court had noted that funds were used for the purpose of unlawful activities, inciting violence, which was allegedly held in North East Delhi in Feb 2020.

According to the ED, the accused persons have revealed that they have played an active role in bogus cash donations on behalf of PFI and in claiming and projecting PFI’s unaccounted cash raised through unknown and suspicious sources as untainted and legitimate.

ED had stated that the PMLA investigation has revealed that as a part of a criminal conspiracy hatched by PFI office bearers over the past many years, suspicious funds from within the country and abroad have been raised by PFI and related entities and have been clandestinely remitted to India in a concealed manner and deposited in their bank accounts over the years.

Earlier in March, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal upheld the decision of the Central Government decision to ban Popular Front of India and its affiliates.

The Tribunal has dismissed the allegations levelled by the organisation that one particular community is being targeted by the government. The Tribunal while passing the Judgement noted that the members of PFI and its affiliates are indulging in secessionist activities which were contrary to the social fabric of the country.

In September last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates as an ‘Unlawful Association’.

The press statement issued in this regard stated that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associates or affiliates/fronts have been found to be involved in serious offences, including terrorism and its financing, targeted gruesome killings, disregarding the constitutional set-up of the country, disturbing public order etc. which are prejudicial to the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country.

Therefore, the Ministry of Home Affairs found it necessary to curb the nefarious activities of the organization and has hence declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an ‘unlawful association’ under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

India To Sign Artemis Accords For Space Exploration

By LokMarg

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight operations this year according to senior US Administration officials.

This comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first State visit to the US.
“In the space sector, we will be able to announce that India is signing the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision for space exploration for the benefit of all humankind,” Senior US Administration officials said on Thursday.

Also, they said that NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight operations this year.

The Artemis Accords is a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the United States government and other world governments participating in the American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2025.

The senior officials also said that the Indian National Semiconductor mission will receive 800 million USD from Micron Technology in setting for setting up semiconductor assembly and test facilities in India.

Recently, India and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing the Semiconductor Supply chain during India – USA 5th Commercial Dialogue 2023, which can help India realize its long-nurtured dream of becoming a hub for electronic goods.

Speaking to ANI, the officials said, “With respect to semiconductors, Micron Technology with support from the Indian National Semiconductor mission announced an investment of more than 800 million USD that together with additional financial support from the Indian authorities up to a 2.75 billion USD semiconductor assembly and test facility in India”.

“In the semiconductors sector, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company is going to announce a training programme for 60,000 Indian engineers in the country,” they added.

The officials said that the two governments are working together on advanced telecommunications including 5G and open routing systems.

“On advanced telecommunications, we are working together on 5G and other technologies, including open routing systems. We will be announcing partnerships on open field trials and rollouts, including scale deployments in both US and India with operators and vendors, markets. This will involve backing from the US International Development Finance, cooperation, and to promote the deployments in India,” they told ANI.

The officials further said that US intends to open two new consulates in India.

“The United States intends to open a new consulate in Bengaluru and one other city. India looks forward to announcing new consulates in the United States,” the US administration officials said. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

White House Modi Biden

Huge Crowd Gathers Outside White House To Welcome Modi

By LokMarg

A huge crowd of Indian diaspora gathered outside the South Lawns of the White House on Thursday, awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.

‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Modi Modi’ chants echoed in the air as people gathered in huge numbers. Some of the signs held by people in the crowd read “America loves Modi.”
People could be seen chanting slogans and waving the national flags of both India and the US.

PM Modi is on his first state visit to the US. an official state visit is the highest-ranked diplomatic invitation extended to a visiting leader.

An Indian-origin student on the balcony of the White House played the violin and a as a large crowd of Indian-Americans waited to welcome PM Modi

Poornima Boria, CEO of the National India-US Chamber of Commerce and former advisor to the US State Department of Commerce described it as an incredible moment.

“What an incredible moment! We are proud of our Prime Minister. Never before so many people were allowed to come to the South Lawns of the White House,” she told ANI.

Another woman from Nigeria also heaped praises on Prime Minister Modi and said that she has never seen such a large crowd.

“I have seen Presidents of many countries visiting the US, but never seen such a large crowd gathered here to welcome them. This crowd here means that he (PM Modi) is doing good,” she said.

The huge crowd of the Indian diaspora had come from different regions to meet PM Modi at the White House.

“I work up at 3 am and came all the way from Richmond to welcome PM Modi and I am very excited,” Rumesh Shah from Gujarat said.

Another supporter Alka Shah said, “I would come from any part of the world to meet the Prime Minister of our country. He is the only one the whole world knows about him. He can be a role model for the rest of the leaders of the world.”

“I am here to meet Prime Minister Modi. He is the best man in the whole world. He is going to make India no. 1,” a man from Gujarat who is living in the US for the last 50 years told ANI.

Prime Minister Modi who arrived in Washington DC from New York was hosted by United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House on Wednesday. He was also hosted for an intimate dinner at the White House, a day before the high-profile state dinner.

Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi led a special Yoga session on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York City to mark the 9th edition of International Yoga Day.

The special Yoga session led by PM Modi on the lawns of the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday entered the Guinness Book of World Records for drawing people of most nationalities performing Yoga together.

In addition to official engagements, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to interact with leading CEOs, professionals, and other stakeholders.

He will also meet members of the Indian diaspora. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Kriti's Mom Pens Cryptic Note

Kriti’s Mom Pens Cryptic Note Amid ‘Adipurush’ Row

By LokMarg

Amid massive backlash against Kriti Sanon-starrer ‘Adipurush’, the actor’s mother Geeta Sanon penned a cryptic post extending support to the film.

In an Instagram note, Geeta spoke about not looking at a person’s mistakes, but understanding their emotions.
She posted, “Jaki rahi bhavna jaisi, Prabhu murat dekhi tin taisi.” She explained the meaning of this, and wrote, “Iska arth hai ki achi soch aur drishti se dekho toh srishti sundar hin dikhai degi. Bhagvan Raam ne hi hume sikhaya hai ki Shabri ke ber me uska prem dekho naki ye ki wo jhoothe the… Insan ki galtiyon ko nhi uski bhawna ko samjho. Jai Shri Ram (With a positive outlook, the whole world will seem beautiful. Lord Ram himself taught us to find love in Shabri’s ‘ber’, and not pay heed to the fact that Shabri lied. Don’t focus on a person’s mistakes, focus on their emotions. Jai shri Ram).”

The post evoked mixed reactions.

“Ekdum sahi,” Kriti’s younger sister Nupur commented.

“So true,” a social media user commented.

However, several social media users called out Kriti’s mom.

“You shouldn’t support this anti Hindu film blindly. You should teach your daughter Hindu values instead of encouraging her in anti Hindu activities,” an Instagram user wrote.

Directed by Om Raut, ‘Adipurush’, which is which is a dramatic retelling of Ramayana, has been constantly under the scanner ever since the makers released the film.

From critics to reviewers, several people from across the country have expressed disappointment over the film’s certain dialogues. Some of which include ‘marega bete’, ‘bua ka bagicha hain kya’ and ‘jalegi tere baap ki’.

In the wake of such flak, the makers of ‘Adipurush’ revamped the dialogues. The film stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman and Saif Ali Khan as Ravan.

Amid the row, Nepali capital Kathmandu’s Mayor Balendra Shah enforced a ban on Indian movies following the ‘Adipurush’ dialogue controversy. In less than an hour of the KMC Mayor’s decision, the Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya also sent letters to three movie theatres to halt the screening of all Indian movies starting Monday morning.With orders from the mayors of both Metropolitan cities, the halls in both places have taken off the screening of Indian movies from their schedule and replaced them with Hollywood and Nepali movies. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Angad Adorable Picture With Mrunal

Angad Drops Adorable Picture With Mrunal

By LokMarg

Actors Mrunal Thakur and Angad Bedi will be seen sharing screen space with Angad Bedi in ‘Lust Stories 2’.

On Thursday, Angad took to Instagram and shared a BTS picture with Mrunal from the sets of the film.

The image shows Angad and Mrunal flashing their million-dollar smiles.

“A lust Story…Made for Each Other,” Angad captioned the post.

‘Lust Stories’ explores the concepts of modern-day relationships and the varying degrees of complexities that come with it.

Lust Stories 2 is an anthology of four stories directed by ace directors Amit Ravindernath Sharma, Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki and Sujoy Ghosh.

The cast also includes Kajol, Vijay Varma, Tamannaah Bhatia, Tillotama Shome, Amruta Subhash, Neena Gupta and Kumud Mishra.

‘Lust Stories’ will be streaming on Netflix from June 29.

In the coming months, Mrunal will also be seen opposite Vijay Deverakonda in a yet-to-be-titled project.

The film is being helmed by Parasuram Petla and is being produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations.Mrunal shared a picture with Vijay on her Instagram handle and wrote in the caption, “The first step in a very exciting journey…It’s my 1st time working with @srivenkateswaracreations and I’m really thrilled to be sharing the screen with @thedeverakonda..Can’t wait for the shoot to begin @parasurampetla #KUMohanan @gopisundar__official #VasuVarma #DilRaju #Shirish @harshithsri @hanshithareddy”

She also has a film with Nani. The duo recently wrapped up filming the project.

Speaking about the movie, Mrunal earlier said, “I’m sure elated and excited to be part of this project. It’s a really heartwarming story and the team backing the project is immensely talented. I’m looking forward to working with Nani. It’s an interesting curve, given I did the remake of Jersey last year, a film Nani originally starred in.” (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Ranbir’s New Look Gets Papp’s Praise

By LokMarg

Star couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt made a stylish appearance at the Mumbai airport on Thursday morning.

The duo was clicked by paparazzi as they arrived at the airport and in no time their pictures and videos from the airport went viral.
Dressed in a black shirt and pants, Alia looked super cute. She paired her outfit with black sunglasses and a pair of white sneakers. Ranbir, on the other hand, looked dapper in a light blue shirt, pants, and white sneakers. He also sported black sunglasses. However, it’s his clean-shaven look that caught everyone’s attention.

Paparazzi appreciated Ranbir’s new look.

In one of the viral clips, a few shutterbugs can be heard saying ‘nice look,’ to which Ranbir asked, “Kiska look (whose look)”? When the paps took Ranbir’s name, he smiled while Alia replied, “Aur mera (what about me)?”

Ranbir and Alia’s airport presence garnered loads of likes and comments on social media.

“Alia literally blushed when Ranbir held her close,” a fan commented.

“Hit jodi hai boss,” another one wrote.

If reports are to be believed, Ranbir and Alia, who are fondly called ‘Ralia’ by fans, flew to Dubai for a vacation.

Alia and Ranbir fell in love during the shoot of their hit film ‘Brahmastra’. After dating for a couple of years, the two tied the knot in April last year.Their wedding ceremony took place amidst family and close friends at Ranbir’s residence in Mumbai.

2022 became even more special for the two with the arrival of their daughter Raha. Announcing the baby’s arrival, Alia via an Instagram post said, “And in the best news of our lives:- Our baby is here…and what a magical girl she is. We are officially bursting with love – Blessed and obsessed PARENTS!!!! Love love love Alia and Ranbir.The couple has not disclosed the face of Raha yet. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

congress urban naxalism Nadda

World Praises Modi Except Congress: Nadda

By LokMarg

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) JP Nadda on Thursday slammed Congress party and said the whole world praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the Congress called him a snake, illiterate, chaiwala.

“The whole world praises PM Modi but Congress calls him a snake, illiterate, chaiwala. Today there is an economic slowdown in America, Europe, and Australia but India’s economy is standing strong,” BJP national president said in Jharkhand.
Earlier in May, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had compared PM Modi to a “poisonous snake”.

“PM Modi is like a ‘poisonous snake’. You might to check if it’s poison or not. But if you lick it, you’re dead,” Kharge had said at an election rally.

However, he later issued a clarification on his remark, saying his statement wasn’t intended at hurting anyone.

PM Modi is currently on a State visit to the US. Prior to the visit to the White House, PM Modi met Gary E Dickerson, the President and CEO of Applied Materials, Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology and H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and CEO, of General Electic and CEO of General Electic Aerospace.

PM Modi, who arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday, started his day by attending the ‘Skilling for Future’ event where he said that India and the United States partnership will serve as the driving engine behind sustainable and inclusive global growth. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Biden ease for skilled Indians Workers

Biden Plans To Ease Visas For Skilled Indian Workers

By LokMarg

In order to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the United States, the Joe Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, Reuters reported citing three people familiar with the matter.

The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US. The US State Department could make the announcement on Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without the need to having to travel to other nations, Reuters reported citing one of the sources, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years.
By far, a large percentage of H-1B visa holders and applicants hail from India. Indian citizens made up 73 per cent of the nearly 4,42,000 H1-B workers in the fiscal year 2022. Another US official said that the mobility of the people is considered a “huge asset” to the US.

“And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things,” Reuters quoted the US official as saying.

A US State Department spokesperson did not reveal the visa types that would qualify or the timing of the pilot launch. The spokesperson said that the pilot will start with a small number of cases with the intent to scale the initiative in the following one or two years, Reuters reported.

Each year, the US government makes 65,000 H1-B visas available to companies that intend to have skilled foreign workers and an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, Reuters reported. The visa for the workers remains valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.

The decision to allow some of the temporary foreign workers to renew their visas in the US will free up resources for visa interviews in consulates in other nations, Reuters reported citing the sources. Citing sources, the report said the pilot program will include some workers with L-1 visas.

Earlier in March, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the country has received the sufficient number of electronic registrations needed to reach the Congressionally mandated H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2024.

“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap),” USCIS said in the statement.

“We have randomly selected from the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap, and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration,” it added. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/

Modi Praises Artificial Intelligence G20

Modi Praises Artificial Intelligence At G20 Education Ministers’ Meet

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed on the role of G-20 countries in striking the right balance between the opportunities and challenges posed by digital technology, which he termed as a force multiplier in increasing access to education and adapting to future needs.

Addressing a G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting held in Pune via video message today, the Prime Minister touched upon the potential of Artificial Intelligence which offers great potential in the field of learning, skilling and education.
The Prime Minister stressed that G20 countries with their respective strengths can play a crucial role in promoting research and innovation, especially in the Global South. He urged the dignitaries to create a path for increased research collaborations.

Continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling are key to making youth future-ready, said Prime Minister noting that education is not only the foundation upon which India’s civilization has been built, but it is also the architect of humanity’s future.

Highlighting the significance of the G20 Education Ministers’ Meet towards the future of our children and youth, the Prime Minister expressed delight that the group has identified green transition, digital transformations and women’s empowerment as accelerators for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

“Education is at the root of all these efforts”, the Prime Minister said, as he expressed confidence that the outcome of the meeting will be an inclusive, action-oriented and future-ready education agenda.

“This would benefit the whole world in the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future”, the Prime Minister said.

Throwing light on the emphasis laid on research and innovation, the Prime Minister highlighted that India has set up ten thousand ‘Atal Tinkering Labs’ across the country which act as research and innovation nurseries for our school children. He informed that more than 7.5 million students are working on more than 1.2 million innovative projects in these labs.

He recited a Sanskrit Shloka which translates into ‘True knowledge gives humility, from humility comes worthiness, from worthiness one gets wealth, wealth enables a person to do good deeds, and, this is what brings joy’, he said that India has embarked on a holistic and comprehensive journey.

Modi emphasized that foundational literacy forms a strong base for the youth and that India is combining it with technology, and highlighted the ‘National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy”, or ‘Nipun Bharat’ initiative by the Government and expressed happiness that ‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy’ has been identified as a priority by G20 as well.

Underlining the need to make youth future-ready by continuously skilling, reskilling, and up-skilling them, PM Modi emphasized aligning their competencies with evolving work profiles and practices.

Further, stating that India is undertaking skill mapping where ministries are working in tandem, he suggested that G-20 countries can undertake skill mapping at the global level and find gaps that need to be plugged in. (ANI)

Read More: http://13.232.95.176/