June 2023 - Page 50 of 52 - Lokmarg

Disturbances In Kosovo Won’t Affect Murmu’s Serbia Visit: MEA

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

India does not recognize the declaration of independence of Kosovo, Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that the situation in the country won’t affect President Draupadi Murmu’s visit to Serbia, which is scheduled to start from June 7.

Addressing a special briefing on the President’s visit to Suriname and Serbia, MEA’s Secretary West Sanjay Verma said, “Well, we are aware of the recent disturbances in Kosovo, which is at the extreme southern tip of Serbia. We have no reason at this point of time, as I say this, to be concerned that those incidents or have any consequence on the state visit of my president, nor have we been suggested otherwise by the hosts.”
“On the matter of Kosovo, our stance has been quite clear and consistent that we do not recognise the declaration of independence by Kosovo. We, however, also believe that any differences need to be resolved through dialogue,” Verma added.

President Murmu will pay a State Visit to Serbia on June 7, at the invitation of Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia.

He also hoped that the disturbances which have occurred over the last few days, are resolved peacefully through talks and that there is a de escalationof the situation.

Tensions have been rising in the past week in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. There were clashes with protesters on Monday over the installation of ethnically Albanian mayors in a disputed election.

Replying to media query whether the President’s visit was pre-planned before the political crisis, Verma said that it was pre-planned before all the political crisis.

“For a matter of record, this has been a longstanding invitation. I won’t remember exactly how long, but at least over a year, year and a half. I think because of the conflict in Ukraine, it was it it had to be rescheduled. And now we think it’s a conducive time for this visit to take place,” Verma added.

On Monday, around 25 soldiers from a NATO-led peacekeeping force were injured in clashes with Serb protesters while defending three town halls in northern Kosovo, Al Jazeera reported.

Serbia does not recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo and is backed by China, Russia and five other EU nations who also do not recognize the nation. (ANI)

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All 5 Poll Guarantees Of Cong Will Be Fulfilled This Year: Siddaramaiah

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who chaired a Cabinet meeting on Friday said that the five guarantees promised by the Congress ahead of Assembly elections will be implemented in the present financial year.

“We held a cabinet meeting today. We discussed all five promises thoroughly. We have decided that all five guarantees will be implemented in the present financial year,” Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The five ‘main’ guarantees, which Congress promised to fulfil after coming to power in Karnataka, were 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti); Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi); 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya); Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi) and free travel for women in public transport buses (Uchita Prayana).

Adressing a press briefing, here after the Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah said that the implementation (of guarantee about 200 units of free electricity) will begin from July 1.

“A total of 200 units of electricity will be free. Consumers who haven’t paid their bills till July will have to pay,” he added.

On the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which promises Rs 2,000 every month to every women ‘kartha’ of a family, will be implemented from August 15, the CM said. The online application will be opened from June 15 to July 15. Beneficiaries will have to submit Aadhaar card and bank account details

“June 15-July 15 Aadhar card and application need to be filed. Then from July 15-August 15 after analysing the bank accounts,” he said.

The Congress Cabinet in the State touched its full strength of 34 on May 27 after the induction of 24 more ministers in the cabinet.

The Karnataka Cabinet was expanded after the Chief Minister and Shivakumar held consultations with the party’s central leadership.

On May 20, Siddaramaiah took oath as the Chief Minister along with DK Shivakumar who took oath as his deputy.

This was followed by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government issuing the orders for the implementation of five guarantees which were promised by the party before the elections. (ANI)

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Ayodhya Rally In Support Of Brij Bhushan Postponed

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually harassing some women wrestlers, on Friday said that a June 5 “mega rally” in Ayodhya in his support has been postponed for a few days in wake of the ongoing investigation against him.

Several ace grapplers including Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik have been protesting against the BJP MP accusing him of sexual harassment and demanding his arrest. A group of seers had extended support to Singh and announced a ‘Sant Sammelan’ in Ayodhya.
Taking to Facebook, Brij Bhushan cited the ongoing police investigation against him and Supreme Court directives to announce the postponement of the rally.

“With your support, I have served as a member of the Lok Sabha for the last 28 years. I have tried to unite people of all castes, communities and religions, both in power and in opposition. It is for these reasons that my political opponents and their parties have levelled false allegations against me,” Singh wrote on Facebook.

He further said that the purpose of the rally was to discuss the “evil forces” of the society but in view of the ongoing police probe and directions of the top court, the rally has been postponed.

“In the present situation, some political parties are trying to disturb social harmony by promoting provincialism, regionalism and caste conflict by holding rallies at various places. The purpose of holding a ‘Sant Sammelan’ at Ayodhya on June 5 was to discuss about the evil forces that are spreading in the entire society,” he said.

The WFI president added, “But since the police are investigating the allegations. To respect the serious directions of the Supreme Court, the ‘Jan Chetna Maharally, June 5, Ayodhya Chalo’ program has been postponed for a few days”.

Previously, Singh had said that he would be addressing a rally on June 5.

The WFI president also thanked and expressed gratitude to all his supporters and well-wishers.

“Lakhs of supporters and well-wishers from all religions, castes and regions have supported me in a humble way on this issue. That’s why I express my gratitude to everyone and assure that I and my family will always be indebted to you,” he stated.

On Thursday, Brij Bhushan Singh had alleged that the protesting wrestlers are changing their “demands and language” continuously and added that he still stands by his statement that he will hang himself if even one of the allegations against him is proven to be true.

“…First they (protesting wrestlers) had some other demand and later they demanded something else. They are changing their demands and language continuously. I had said that if even one case against me gets proven, I will hang myself…I stand by my statement..,” the BJP MP told reporters in Gonda.

On Tuesday, Olympic medalist wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik alongwith Vinesh Phogat arrived in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar to immerse their all medals including Olympic ones in the river Ganga, as a mark of their protest.

However, on the intervention of farmer leader Naresh Tikait the wrestlers held off immersing their medals and said that a Khap meeting would be held on the issue.

The wrestlers later issued a five-day ultimatum to the authorities to act against the WFI chief.

On May 28, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia along with Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where they planned to stage a demonstration. FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 147, 149, 186, 188, 332, 353, Section 3 of the PDPP Act, said Delhi Police. (ANI)

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Manipur: 140 Weapons Surrendered After Shah’s Appeal

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

After the appeal made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Manipur, the State police on Friday said that a total of 140 weapons have been surrendered at different places across the State.

Among the surrendered weapons include SLR 29, Carbine, AK, INSAS Rifle, INSAS LMG, .303 Rifle, 9mm pistol, .32 pistol, M16 rifle, smoke gun and tear gas, local made pistol, stan gun, modified rifle, JVP and a grenade launcher, the Manipur Police said.

Police said that situation is “normal” in most districts and curfew has been relaxed for 12 hours (between 5 am and 5 pm) in Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur; eight hours (between 8 am and 4 pm) in Jiribam; seven hours (between 5 am and 12 pm) in Thoubal and Kakching; 10 hours (between 5 am and 3 pm) in Churachandpur and Chandel; eight hours (from 6 am to 2 pm) in Tengnoupal; 11 hours (from 6 am to 5 pm) in Kangpokpi; and 12 hours (from 6 am to 6 pm) in Pherzawl.

“There is no curfew in Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong,” the police added.

The positive development came after the Home Minister, on the last day of his four-day visit to the State addressed a press conference in Imphal appealing to all sections in violence-hit Manipur to maintain peace, hold discussions and promote harmony as well as surrender their weapons to the police.

Shah had warned that strict action would be taken against those found possessing weapons during the combing operation by the police.

He had also appealed to the people of Manipur to not to pay heed to rumours and to maintain peace. On behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government, the Home Minister had also expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed in Manipur violence.

“The violence between two groups started in Manipur on April 29 after a decision given by the court. For the last six years, Manipur has been free from bandh, blockade, curfew and violence and under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the double-engine government of Manipur has achieved unprecedented progress in all parameters of development in the state,” he said.

He added that over the past six years are the years of development and peace in the history of Manipur.

“A number of initiatives have been taken including opening central institutions in the region, strengthening the infrastructure, bringing industrial investment, making Manipur education and sports hub of the Northeast by smoothly running the educational institutions,” Shah had said on Thursday.

He had also said that a judicial commission would be set up under the chairmanship of the retired Chief Justice of the High Court to investigate the Manipur violence and that a peace committee would also be constituted under the chairmanship of the Governor of Manipur, in which representatives of all sections would be included. (ANI)

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‘Wrestlers Protest Is Pure Drama; It Won’t Achieve Anything’

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Amlesh Singh Yadav, an international wrestler and a National Gold Medalist, terms the ongoing protest of wrestlers to be mere propaganda. His views:

Let me begin with saying that I am happy to hear that wrestlers who were camping at Jantar Mantar for a month have been removed from the protest site. They were not only causing problems for the common man in a VIP zone but were also seen misbehaving with security personnel. Their threat to immerse Olympic medals in the Ganga was a cheap drama to gain media attention and stay relevant in the news.

It all turned out to be a damp squib in the end. Being a wrestler myself, I can tell you that they have very little support in the wrestling community. This is the age of social media and people are aware of real issues. The video clips of their demonstrations and moving in and out of the protest site have exposed the hollowness of their claims. They have found support only from a select group of people and organisations which are proven opponents of the current government at the Centre, be they farmers from one community or political leaders. They are not going to achieve anything from such demonstrations.

The timing of their protest coincides with the timing of national trials which clearly shows and reveals their intentions to escape trials. They – just a handful of them actually – want to play in international tournaments without attending the trials. This demand is illegal and will never be met. The Wrestling Federation has been overhauled to disallow their arm-twisting tactics. Now, youngsters from every part of the country are finding place in wrestling trials and the best talent will represent India.

***Yadav has been a National Gold Medalist in wrestling***

The WFI will not allow any kind or blackmail or pressure from any lobby to favour a select group of wrestlers. Have you noticed that these wrestlers have virtually no support from other wrestlers in the country? As I pointed out earlier they have support only from the political opponents of the ruling party, not from any sportsperson or organization.

ALSO READ: Women Wrestlers Betrayed By Their Own

What they are trying to do now is creating nuisance by challenging the police and judiciary by ignoring their advice. That is the reason why they announced throwing their medals in the Ganga. This creates small sensation in the media and, with coordinated efforts, social media. But this will not hold for long.

The fact is that these wrestlers were losing relevance after reforms were brought into the (Wrestling) Federation. They could not digest it when their dominance in the wrestling was challenged from younger talent of other states. So they launched their theatrics. But all this has fizzled out now and they are losing trust and confidence by each passing day. My advice to them is that they should return to the mat and prove their prowess there instead of holding demonstrations.

As told to Rajat Rai

Extremely Unfortunate: Rijiju On Rahul Calling Muslim League ‘Secular’

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his “completely secular” remarks for the Indian Muslim League party stating that it was “extremely unfortunate” that some people in the country “still consider the person who supports the Muslim League as Secular.”

Rijiju also asked how Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Muslim League which was “responsible” for India’s partition on religious lines be a secular party.
Taking to Twitter, the BJP leader said, “Jinnah’s Muslim League is a secular party? The party responsible for India’s partition on religious lines is a secular party? Extremely unfortunate that some people in India still consider the person who supports the Muslim League as Secular!”

The Indian Union Muslim League, is an ally of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala. Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad in the Lok Sabha before being disqualified from Parliament.

Responding to a question on Congress’ alliance with the Muslim League during his interaction at the National Press Club in Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi said, “Muslim League is a completely secular party. There is nothing non-secular about Muslim League. I think the person (who sent the question) has not studied the Muslim League.”

Gandhi is currently on a visit to the US.

The BJP has criticised Rahul Gandhi for his remark stating that the Congress leader’s compulsion to remain acceptable in Wayanad that he called Muslim League a “secular party”.

“Jinnah’s Muslim League, the party responsible for India’s partition, on religious lines, according to Rahul Gandhi is a ‘secular’ party. Rahul Gandhi, though poorly read, is simply being disingenuous and sinister here…It is also his compulsion to remain acceptable in Wayanad,” BJP leader Amit Malviya said in a tweet. (ANI)

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Beacon Of Courage, Bravery: Modi On 350th Coronation Anniv Of Shivaji

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Chhatrapati Shivaji ended the mindset of slavery and his ideas continue to inspire the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

PM Modi was addressing the nation on the 350th coronation anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Calling him the ‘beacon’ of bravery and courage, the Prime Minister said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continues to inspire the country and his thoughts can be seen in the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji continues to inspire us. He was a beacon of bravery and courage and showed us self-governance. He ended the mindset of slavery. Shivaji was a great soldier as well as a great administrator. Today the reflection of his thoughts can be seen in the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” he said.

“This day is celebrated like a festival all over Maharashtra. When the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took place, it carried the slogan of Swaraj and the cheer of nationalism and brought new consciousness, new energy,” PM Modi.

“The coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a wonderful and special chapter of that period. National welfare and public welfare have been the basic elements of his governance,” he added.

The Prime Minister also said that taking inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj, the Indian Navy was freed from the trace of slavery and the identity of British rule was replaced by his royal seal.

PM Modi added, “Hundreds of years of slavery had taken away the self-esteem and confidence of our countrymen. It was a difficult task, at that time, to instil confidence in people. But, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, during that period, not only fought the invaders but also infused a belief in the people that self-rule was possible”.

He further said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is known for his bravery as well as for his good governance and put forward a comprehensive vision of nation building.

“He established Swaraj (independence) as well as Suraaj (good governance). His works, governance system and policies are equally relevant today. Recognizing India’s potential, the way he expanded the Navy, inspires us even today. It is the good fortune of our government that last year, taking inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, India freed the Navy from a trace of slavery. The identity of the British rule has been replaced by the royal seal of Shivaji Maharaj,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi added, “Even after so many years, the values established by him are showing us the way forward. Based on these values, we have to complete the journey of 25 years of Amrit Kaal. This journey will be to make the India of Shivaji Maharaj’s dreams… This will be the journey of Swaraj, good governance and self-reliance… This will be the journey of a developed India”. (ANI)

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Russia Blames US, Apple For Hacking Thousands Of iPhones

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Without providing evidence, Russia’s Federal Security Service claimed on Monday that several thousand iPhones in the country had been compromised in a recently uncovered espionage operation that it attributed the US government, The Washington Post reported.

Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab claimed that the campaign had installed file-stealing malware on iPhones belonging to its staff that were running an outdated version of Apple’s mobile operating system. The firm added that it lacked sufficient proof to attribute the breaches to any particular government or organisation.
According to Kaspersky, the infections started with an iMessage attachment without any user involvement, a vector similar to that employed by NSO Group, a vendor of Pegasus spyware, and rivals who sell to international government agencies.

A Kaspersky representative told The Washington Post that researchers were still investigating the effort and lacked sufficient technical proof to identify its source.

The Federal Security Service (FSB), however, asserted that the attack targeted thousands of people, including diplomats stationed there, that the United States was responsible, and that the vulnerability’s presence proved Apple had worked with US government hackers.

An Apple spokesperson while denying the charges said, “We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will,” according to The Washington Post.

A Kremlin spokesperson stated that the government believed iPhones to be inherently unsafe.

The foreign ministries of China and Israel did not reply to calls for comment after the FSB said that hacked diplomats were from those nations among others, according to The Washington Post.

No impacted devices, according to Kaspersky, were using an operating system that was more recent than iOS 15.7, which was replaced in September 2022. None of the impacted devices were also using Lockdown Mode, an optional setting that lessens the number of ways that iPhones can be attacked by limiting the functionality of iMessage, among other things.

A high-end government spying operation would more frequently exploit a zero-day vulnerability, which is an undiscovered defect that still affects software that is fully patched. International spying frequently targets the gadgets used by embassies and private security professionals.

The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence refused to provide any comment to The Washington Post.

Kaspersky did not divulge much that would have helped Apple determine what vulnerability was used, and it notified the firm just overnight, hours before the FSB revealed its findings.

The security company, which frequently collaborates with Russian law enforcement, did release a list of obscure websites that had been used to connect to the infected phones as well as technical indicators of penetration that consumers might use to examine their own devices, The Washington Post reported. (ANI)

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Shatrughan Wished Sonakshi On Her 36th B’day

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

As Sonakshi Sinha turned 36, the proud father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha showered his love and shared a special social media post for her on Friday.

Taking to Twitter, Shatrughan who shares a great bond with his daughter dropped a string of pictures and also gave a shoutout to her new web series, ‘Dahaad’.
Sharing the pictures, he wrote, “How beautiful. times have gone by. On this great & auspicious day loads of love for the apple of our eye, for another wonderful year of fun, entertainment & great achievements. We are all so very proud of your strength & everything.”

He added, “You have accomplished, especially the milestone you have created with ‘Dahaad’ which is the talk of the town today & one of the most wonderful films which add another feather to your body of work, recently released on amazing Amazon Prime Video.”

In the first picture, Sonakshi’s glimpse from ‘Dahaad’ can be seen.

In the second picture, the father-daughter duo posed for the camera with varying degrees of smiles.

The third picture showcased young Sonakshi with her father.

A perfect family picture can be in other photos.

In the comment section, Sharughan posted more photos of Sonakshi and him. Some of the pictures also showcased her mom Poonam Sinha and her twin brothers Luv and Kush Sinha.

He wrote, “You shall always remain very special to us. May your special day bring an abundance of happiness, joy & lots of love today & every day. ‘Happy great day!’ God Bless.”

Sharing her birthday plans this year, Sonakshi had recently told ANI, “For the last 5-6 years I have been travelling on my birthday… I like to take a break and like to spend time with a few close friends of mine. I have been following this ritual for the past several years. I am currently in the middle of a shoot…so this birthday I can go only close by. I might go to Alibaug or Lonavala. However, I have not decided yet.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Meanwhile, Sonakshi will also be seen in the upcoming action thriller film ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ alongside Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff.

On the other hand, Shatrughan Prasad Sinha, an Indian film actor, and politician was a member of Lok Sabha from Patna Sahib and Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Union Cabinet Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Shipping in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

Sinha has also served as a member of the standing committee on transport, and tourism and has been a cultured member of the consultative committee in the Ministry of external affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs from 2014-2019. In 2016, he also launched his biography, ‘Anything but Khamosh’.

Shatrughan Sinha has done over 100 films in his career. ‘Kalicharan’, ‘Dostana’, ‘Jaani Dushman’, and ‘Khudgarz’ are some of his memorable movies.

With his personality, baritone and dialogue delivery, Shatrughan Sinha has always grabbed fans’ attention. (ANI)

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Ileana Gives Sneak Peek From Her ‘Babymoon’

By LokMarg 2nd June 2023

Actor Ileana D’Cruz who frequently shares glimpses of her pregnancy has now posted a video on her babymoon.

She posted a boomerang video on her Instagram story and gave a sneak peek into her babymoon without revealing the location.
Taking to Instagram, the actor posted a photo from a beach, and captioned it, “Babymoon.”

Ileana’s cryptic post triggered curiosity among netizens

Earlier, the actor had surprised her fans by announcing that she was expecting her first child.

Recently, the actor took to her Instagram account and shared a couple of mirror selfies in which she could be seen flaunting her baby bump. She captioned the pictures, “It’s all about angles.”

A few days back, Ileana shared pictures dressed n a beautiful black slit dress. The actor cutely looks at her baby bump while she poses for the camera. She captioned the post, “Bump alert !![?]””

From the very beginning, Ileana has been extremely tight-lipped about her personal life.

Earlier several reports suggested that Ileana is dating Katrina Kaif’s brother Sebastian Laurent Michel. The duo’s relationship rumours surfaced after the two were spotted vacationing with Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif in the Maldives.

The couple has not yet made their relationship official.

Ileana was earlier in a relationship with photographer Andrew Kneebone for quite a few years.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Ileana was last seen in The Big Bull, co-starring Abhishek Bachchan. Filmmaker Kookie Gulati directed the film and Ajay Devgn produced it. She will be next seen in ‘Unfair And Lovely’ with Randeep Hooda. (ANI)

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