June 2023 - Page 19 of 52 - Lokmarg

Biden, First Lady Host Modi At Private White House Dinner

By LokMarg 22nd June 2023

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House, a day before the high-profile state dinner.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan are also attending the dinner, which featured the President’s favourite foods- pasta and ice cream.
Earlier on Wednesday the President of the United States and the First Lady received Prime Minister Modi at the White House in Washington DC on his arrival of the second leg of his official state visit.

PM Modi’s motorcade pulled up in the South Portico around 7:36 pm (local time). US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden welcomed him. The camaraderie between leaders was visible as they seen laughing and engaged in conversation.

The first couple presented Prime Minister Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century among other gifts. PM Modi also presented the Bidens with gifts that included a special Mysore sandalwood box handcrafted by a master craftsman from Rajasthan and containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha.

At the intimate dinner, the trio enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance, according to the White House.

PM Modi took to Twitter to thank US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting him at the White House.

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.

“To maintain growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On the one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world’s biggest youth factory. That is why, I believe that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth,” he added.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Indian government to secure a bright future for students such as implementing the New Education Policy and integrating education and skilling. Speaking about the work that the Indian government did for the bright future of the students, PM Modi stated that they have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling.

PM Modi urged American students to come to India and said that hundreds of United States teachers are already in India, participating in a tech partnership. (ANI)

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Bidens Gifts For Modi: Vintage Camera, Antique Book Galley

By LokMarg 22nd June 2023

United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday (local time) presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first State visit to the country, with an official gift- a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th century.

According to the White House, the first couple also gifted a vintage American camera, accompanied by an archival facsimile print of George Eastman’s Patent of the first Kodak camera, a hardcover book on American wildlife photography, and a signed, first edition copy of ‘Collected Poems of Robert Frost’.
Meanwhile, PM Modi presented the US President a copy of the first edition print of ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ published by Faber and Faber Ltd of London and printed at the University Press Glasgow.

PM Modi also gifted a special Mysore sandalwood box, handcrafted by a master craftsman from Jaipur. The box contains the idol of Lord Ganesha and a Diya (oil lamp), handcrafted by a family of fifth-generation silversmiths from Kolkata. He also gifted to First Lady Jill Biden, a 7.5 carat lab grown green diamond, which reflects the chemical and optical properties of earth-mined diamonds, and a Papier mache – a box, known as kar-e-kalamdani.

Later in the evening, President Biden along with the First Lady and PM Narendra Modi enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India and saw performances by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom performed and a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance.

The gifts were exchanged during an intimate dinner hosted by Joe Biden and Jill Biden for PM Modi at the White House. The dinner comes ahead of the high-profile State dinner at the South Lawn of the White House

PM Modi’s motorcade pulled up at the White House South Portico in the evening. The US President and First Lady Dr Jill Biden received him and were later seen chatting before posing for pictures.

Three senior Indian officials- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Deputy Chief of Protocol Aseem Vohra- were spotted when PM Modi, President Joe Biden and the First Lady entered the residence.

Earlier in the day, Jill Biden hosted PM Modi at the National Science Foundation (NSF.

PM Modi will address a joint sitting of the US Congress tomorrow afternoon (local time). (ANI)

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Assam Flood: 45,000 People, 108 Villages Currently Underwater

By LokMarg 22nd June 2023

The flood situation in Assam’s Nalbari district has deteriorated as about 45,000 people and 108 villages under 6 revenue circles of the lower Assam district are currently underwater.

Around 200 families in Moiraranga, Batahghila village have been affected by this deluge and most of the families are now taking shelter on roads, and embankments by making temporary tents.

Following torrential rain in the past few days in Assam and neighbouring country Bhutan the water level of Pagladiya River is flowing above the danger level mark and inundated new areas in the past 24 hours.

The flood waters have submerged nearly 90 villages of Ghograpar, Tihu, Barbhag, and Dhamdhama areas in the district and many villagers have been forced to leave their homes and taken shelter on roads, high lands by making makeshift tents after the flood waters entered their homes.

While talking to ANI, a village of Moiraranga village, Manoj Rajbongshi said that his family is now living in an embankment after the flood waters entered his home.

“My family is now living in an embankment after the flood waters entered my home. Many properties of our home have been damaged after the flood waters entered our home. There is now knee-deep water inside my home. The water level is gradually increasing. We are now facing lots of problems,” Manoj Rajbongshi said.

Another villager, Jyotish Rajbongshi from Moiraranga village said that he lost everything due to the flood, all his household items have been damaged.

“I have lost everything due to this flood. Every household item in our house has been damaged. I along with my wife am now living in this embankment. We couldn’t get any stuff out of the house,” Jyotish Rajbongshi said.

The flood waters submerged nearly 310 hectares of cropland in the district.

In the last 24 hours, the flood waters have damaged two embankments, 15 roads, two bridges, culverts, and agri bundh in the district.

Earlier, according to the reports of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), following torrential rains in Assam, other neighbouring states and the neighbouring country Bhutan, the water levels of several rivers are flowing above the danger level mark and inundated new areas.

The ASDMA flood report said, “44707 people have been affected alone in Nalbari district followed by 26571 people in Baksa, 25096 people in Lakhimpur, 15610 people in Tamulpur, 3840 people in Barpeta district.”

Over 1.07 lakh domestic animals, and poultry have also been affected in the first spell of flood in the flood-hit districts.

The NDRF, SDRF, and Fire and Emergency Services are also engaged in rescue operations on Wednesday evacuating 1280 people from flood-hit areas. (ANI)

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WFI Elections Postponed, To Be Held On July 11: IOA

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections have been postponed from July 6 to July 11, as per the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

In the election, the members of the executive committee of WFI will be decided. The occupants of the post of president, one post of senior vice-president, four posts of vice president, one each position of secretary general and treasurer, two posts of joint secretary and five posts of an executive member will be decided, as per a letter from IOA.
The last date for receiving names for the electoral collage will be June 25 by 5:00 PM. Two nominations from each State/Union Territory will be made. All state/UT wrestling federations will nominate two persons each of their respective associations, who are part of the executive body to form the electoral collage for the election to elect the WFI’s executive committee, added the letter.

Preparation and display of electoral collage, circulation to affiliates and publishing the same on websites of IOA/WFI will be done on June 28.

Submissions of nominations for election will be from June 29 to July 1 from 11 AM to 5 PM. The preparation and display of nominations received by returning officer will be done on July 3 by 1 PM.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on July 4 by 11 AM. The submission of the notice of withdrawal of candidates will be done between July 4 to July 7, till 5 PM. On July 8, a final list of candidates will be made by 11 AM, added the letter.

Polling will be done on July 11 from 11 AM to 1:20 PM. Counting of votes will start from 1:30 PM and results will be declared on the same day.

Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers had been on a protest in the national capital since the beginning of this year in order to press for the arrest of the Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment.

Earlier on June 13, Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections were announced to be held on July 6 amid the ongoing protest by wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, by the newly-appointed returning officer for WFI elections Mahesh Mittal Kumar in a statement.

The process of filing nominations was also announced to start from on June 19.

“Whereas, the undersigned has been appointed as the Returning Officer by the Indian Olympic Association vide its letter No. IOA/I-28/2023/1350 dated 12th June 2023 for the purpose of conducting the election of the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India(WFI), which is an affiliate member of the Indian Olympic Association(IOA),” the statement by the office of the returning officer read.

The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) organised a three-member ad hoc committee in April as mandated by the Sports Ministry, and two members were named to oversee WFI’s day-to-day activities and pick wrestlers for international events in the interim term.

After a meeting with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said the government assured that the ongoing probe by Delhi Police against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will be completed before June 15.

Earlier in June, former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar was appointed as the returning officer for the Wrestling Federation of India elections by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Joint Secretary and Acting CEO Kalyan Chaubey on Monday confirmed the appointment of Justice MM Kumar through an official letter, also authorising him (Kumar) to appoint an Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) and other staff to assist him in conducting the elections.

The elections will be critical in moulding the future of wrestling in India and deciding the federation’s leadership. (ANI)

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Chhetri Goal-Scorer In International Football

Chhetri Becomes Fourth-Highest Goal-Scorer In International Football

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri scored a hat-trick in his team’s triumph in their SAFF Championship campaign opener against Pakistan and became the fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football history.

Now, he has taken his goal tally to 90 and has surpassed Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia (with 89 goals) to climb to the fourth spot among the highest goal-scorers in international football.
Argentina FIFA World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi (103 goals), Iran’s retired player Ali Daei (109 goals) and legendary Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo (123) are above Chhetri in the goal-scoring list.

Among the active players, Chhetri has the third-most goals by an international player, with only Messi (103 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (123 goals) ahead of him.

The Indian men’s football team ran roughshod over arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the SAFF Championship 2023, putting four goals past a hapless rival defence at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri led from the front, scoring a hat-trick (10′, 16′ and 73′) followed by Udanta Singh Kumam’s goal in the 81st minute.

With this win, India has maintained the seventh straight clean sheet against their traditional rivals.

India positioned themselves at the top of the points table in Group A, having a better goal difference than Kuwait, who, earlier on Wednesday defeated Nepal 3-1 in the tournament opener.

India came into this tournament on the back of its title-winning campaign at the Intercontinental Cup, 2023. They are currently placed at 101 in the FIFA rankings.

India got off to a fast start and demonstrated their aggressive intent against 195th-ranked Pakistan.

India scored their first goal within 10 minutes of the game after Pakistan goalkeeper Saqib Hanif blundered in front of the goal. Saqib Hanif failed to clear the ball quickly after receiving a back-pass and played it into the path of a rushing Sunil Chhetri. The Indian skipper took advantage of the mistake and scored to put India up 1-0.

Following the score, India’s team began to attack Pakistan’s half from both flanks. Under pressure, Pakistan’s defence collapsed and gave a penalty for handling the ball in their half. Sunil Chhetri went up and shot it to the left corner of the goal, putting India up 2-0.

India maintained possession and dominated the game. Meanwhile, Pakistan nearly scored in the 29th minute as Muhammed Sufyan dribbled past the Indian defenders only to hit the crossbar. India led 2-0 at the end of the first half.

India maintained their lead in the second half and pressed for a goal right away. The Indian midfield provided through-balls to the strikers, but the attackers were unable to capitalise.

After an end-to-end battle in which Pakistan came dangerously close to scoring, the Indian side was awarded a goal. Under Indian pressure, Pakistan’s defence broke once more. Sunil Chhetri was brought down in the box, and the referee swiftly signalled to the spot. This time, Chhetri scooped the ball into the top left corner to complete his hat trick and put India up 3-0.

India scored the game’s fourth goal minutes later. Anwar Ali floated a shot into the Pakistan half, where an unmarked Udanta Singh collected it and scored from close range to make it 4-0. With the game out of reach for Pakistan, the Indian football team maintained possession and finished the game.

India will play Nepal in their second Group A match on Saturday. (ANI)

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‘UK-India Partnership A Defining One For Our Times’: Sunak

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the UK-India partnership on Wednesday, calling it “a defining one for our times”, informed an official release.

His remarks have come ahead of India Global Forum’s flagship UK-India Week 2023.
Praising the role of IGF in fostering closer ties between India and the United Kingdom, Sunak said the event is a catalyst for forging new trade ties.

“India Global Forum’s annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations. It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our people. I am confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times,” the British PM said.

Responding to Sunak’s remarks, Manoj Ladwa, founder and chairman of India Global Forum, said that given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence, it is more important than ever for India and UK to forge closer ties.

“Given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence around the world, I believe that it is more important now than ever before that the UK and India forge closer and deeper ties. I am therefore grateful to Prime Minister Sunak for recognising the role that IGF is playing in bringing our two great democracies closer to unlocking the true potential of the partnership,” he said.

Last year, as Chancellor, while speaking at IGF’s UK-India Awards, Sunak had emphasised the importance of forging a partnership of equals.

“India isn’t looking to the past. And nor can we. We need to move forward. Because the UK does not have a natural right to sit at the table with one of the world’s largest, fastest-growing, and most dynamic economies. We must earn it,” he said.

In the backdrop to the 2030 Roadmap agreed upon by both governments and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Prime Minister Sunak’s comments are a key indicator of his ambition to transform and elevate UK-India ties, the release stated.

On the sidelines of the recent G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Sunak and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while taking stock of the progress in the FTA negotiations.

The British government has estimated that a trade deal could increase UK’s GDP by approximately 3.3- 6.2 billion euros and India’s by around 3.7-8.6 billion euros by 2035.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party who will be opening UK India Week this year, said ahead of his participation, the time has now come to look to the future and work on all areas where there is scope for mutual benefit.

“I am looking forward to speaking at India Global Forum. The Labour Party has a long and strong relationship with India which I am very proud of. The time has now come to look to the future and work on how we can deepen and widen our cooperation in critical areas such as trade and investment, technology and innovation, climate action, diversity and inclusion, and healthcare, the future of work, skills and education — all areas where I see huge scope for mutual benefit.”

Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh, and UK Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan will be among the several senior political and business figures from the UK and India participating at India Global Forum.

“India Global Forum’s UK-India Week is a six-day series of events that brings together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, UK and across the world to discuss and explore opportunities for further collaboration and growth. The event features a series of discussions, keynote speeches, and exclusive networking opportunities from the 24 to 30 June 2023 in London and Windsor. Over 2000 in-person participants will attend IGF UK- India Week 2023 over 12 marque events in iconic locations,” the release stated. (ANI)

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Modi Led Yoga Event Enters Guinness Book

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

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

Prime Minister Modi led a special Yoga session on the lawns of the UN headquarters to mark the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga.
“Today, there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today, in New York, at the UN, they had 135. It is a new Guinness world records title…,” Michael Empric, official adjudicator, Guinness World Records, told ANI.

Addressing the special event, PM Modi said, “Yoga comes from India, it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free of copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal.”

He added that last year, the entire world came together to support India’s proposal to celebrate 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ and it was wonderful to see people, across nationalities, coming together again to mark Yoga Day.

“Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, and happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’,” PM Modi added.

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015, after PM Modi’s proposal to dedicate a day to celebrating the ancient Indian fitness routine was formally accepted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

In his 2014 address to the UNGA, Prime Minister Modi proposed June 21 as the date for marking International Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has a special significance in many parts of the world. (ANI)

Sylvester daCunha, Man Behind Amul Girl, Is No More

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

Sylvester daCunha, the creator of Amul’s enduring ‘Utterly Butterly’ girl, passed away in Mumbai.

Amul’s managing director Jayen Mehta expressed grief over daCunha’s demise on Twitter, saying, “Very sorry to inform about the sad demise of Shri Sylvester daCunha, Chairman of daCunha Communications last night at Mumbai A doyen of Indian advertising industry who was associated with Amul since the 1960s. The Amul family joins in mourning this sad loss@RahuldaCunha.”

After coming across Mehta’s post, many took to Twitter, mourning daCunha’s loss.

A social media user wrote, “Truly the doyen of Indian advertising industry and brand builder of many brands, closest we know personally is Amul !His immense contribution is worth many a salutes … our prayers with the Da Cunhas and wishes for his legacy to continue and grow..!Om Shanti”

Another said, “Shri Sylvester Dacunha will be remembered for his creative and out-of-the-box contributions to Amul. My heartfelt condolence to the family!”

The Amul mascot has become a rage across the country with her witty one-liners on current issues, both political and otherwise.

The trademark polka-dot dress, blue hair pulled back in a ponytail and adorable pink cheeks have added have made Amul’s mascot a darling with millions across the country. (ANI)

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Modi in Yoga Day Event at UN Headquarter

Modi-Led Yoga Day Event: UNGA Prez, Richard Gere To Participate

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

The Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters in New York will see participation from President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, actor Richard Gere and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Also participating in the event will be digital evangelist Vala Afshar, award-winning storyteller Jay Shetty, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna and Grammy award winner Ricky Kej.
The function will also be attended by personalities and influencers from all walks of life including diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders, and yoga practitioners, among others.

People from more than 180 countries will be joining the PM for the Yoga Day programme.

Meanwhile, ahead of the PM Modi-led Yoga event, there were chants of ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ at UN Headquarters lawns in New York.

The Prime Minister is presently on his maiden state visit to the United States, during which he will lead celebrations of International Yoga Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York today.

“At around 5:30 pm IST, I will participate in the Yoga program which is being organised at the headquarters of the United Nations. The coming together of more than 180 countries on India’s call is historic. When the proposal for Yoga Day came to the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, it was supported by a record number of countries,” PM Modi said in a video message on Wednesday morning.

Speaking about the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’, PM Modi said, “The ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ has made the Yoga Day events more special this year. Its idea is based on the interrelationship between the idea of yoga and the expanse of the ocean.”

The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is ‘Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of ‘One World-One Family’.It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. Like every time, this time too programs related to yoga will be organised in every corner of the country. (ANI)

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Vidya Starrer ‘Neeyat’ Intriguing Teaser, Posters Unveiled

By LokMarg 21st June 2023

Vidya Balan’s character, detective Mira Rao and the 10 suspects.

Taking to Instagram, Abundantia Entertainment shared a series of posters and teasers.

While the teaser gives us a preview into the enigmatic world of the murder mystery, each of the posters paints an alluring image of the characters, raising immense anticipation for the trailer.

‘Neeyat’ features a stellar ensemble cast led by Vidya Balan and including Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Neeraj Kabi, Shahana Goswami, Amrita Puri, Dipannita Sharma, Niki Walia, Shashank Arora, Prajakta Koli and Danesh Razvi.

‘Neeyat’ is a suspense-thriller, which revolves around the story of an unlikely detective (Vidya Balan) investigating inexplicable killings at a billionaire’s party where nothing is as it seems and all suspects have a secret or two.

The movie is directed by Anu Menon who last directed Vidya Balan in the 2020 superhit ‘Shakuntala Devi’, based on the life and times of the lady known as the human-computer. Anu Menon’s recent directing credits also include multiple episodes of the internationally acclaimed series ‘Killing Eve’.

Produced by the Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment, that also produced Shakuntala Devi, and co-produced by Prime Video, Neeyat narrates a gripping suspense story of an unlikely detective (Vidya Balan) who investigates a mysterious murder at a billionaire’s party where nothing is what it seems and all suspects hide a secret or two.

‘Neeyat’ releases only in theatres on July 7. (ANI)

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