Month: August 2023

Kashmir Karolina Bielawska

Grateful To Have Visited Kashmir In Lifetime: Miss World Karolina

By LokMarg

Reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska, who loves to explore India and its culture, shared how the beauty of Kashmir mesmerised her.  

On Monday, she visited Kashmir and attended the 71st Miss World 2023 press conference during which Karolina said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to see this beautiful place (Kashmir) in India. I didn’t expect it at all, but it just stuns me with its beauty. We’ve been talking about Kashmir and I knew there would be beautiful scenery. But what we’ve seen today was really blowing our minds… And everyone welcomed us so nicely, so warmly that I cannot wait to welcome 140 nations and all my friends and family to bring them here to India and to show places like Kashmir, like Delhi, Mumbai. This is my third time in India, I am so happy not the last one. Every time we come here we discover something new and India is very diverse. However, in every state there is something common, which is the wonderful hospitality.”

Karolina along with Miss World India Sini Shetty and Miss World Caribbean Emmy Pena visited and explored Kashmiri handicrafts and art.

Kashmiri handicrafts, which have long been revered for their exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural heritage intrigued Karolina, Sini and Caribbean Emmy that all of them visited to Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre to see handicrafts.

They all were seen dressed in traditional attires of Kashmir with their crowns.

Not only that, they also enjoyed the view of the Jhelum River.

Speaking about the visit, Jamil Saidi, Chairman, PME Entertainment, “Kashmir, the crowning jewel of India, has a special place in my heart. My encounters with its warm people and majestic landscapes remind me of what India truly stands for – unity in diversity. We extend our gratitude to the LG and the wonderful people of this region for their kind-hearted welcome.”

Miss Julia Morley, Chairman & CEO Miss World Organisation said “I thank the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation for a great experience during the visit to the valley and applauded them for the great work the organization is doing. It’s been a breath-taking experience to visit Srinagar with the pageant holders and we have enjoyed every moment here”

Earlier today, Karolina enjoyed lunch and visited Dal Lake for shikara ride with other dignitaries.

Karolina Bielawska from Poland won the title of international beauty pageant Miss World 2021. She is a Polish model, TV presenter, social activist, UN Messenger of Peace Goodwill Ambassador, philanthropist and publicist.

Earlier, Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska shared her excitement about India becoming the venue for Miss World 2023 and said that she wanted to explore India’s values and culture.

Talking to ANI, Karolina Bielawska said, “I would love to visit Goa, to explore beach life. Go to Manipur, to see all the nature. I am also interested in business, I would like to go to Bangalore and meet intellectual people and learn about your businesses. There are so many places in India and one month is not enough to explore. I would love to travel and learn about people because they are an important part of every country.”

India will host the 71st edition of Miss World.

The prestigious international pageant will be hosted in India after 27 years, the last being in 1996.

India’s stint with this pageant has always been exceptional. India has won the Miss World contest six times – the first in 1966. While Reita Faria won the Miss World title in 1966, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was crowned in 1994. Diana Hayden won the Miss World title in 1997. Yukta Mookhey bagged the title of Miss World in 1999. The year 2000 saw a Miss India World again with Priyanka Chopra winning the crown. Manushi Chhillar became the sixth Miss India World. (ANI)

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Mamata

BJP May Hold General Elections In Dec, Before Due Date: Mamata

By LokMarg

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), might potentially conduct Lok Sabha elections as early as December, with the possibility extending to January.

“I suspect the BJP may hold elections this December itself, they may do so in January as well,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday while addressing a rally on the occasion of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad Foundation Day.

The Lok Sabha polls are scheduled to be held in 2024.

Speaking at a rally, she criticized the BJP for its actions and decisions regarding the appointment of the chief election commissioner.

“Chief Justice had asked to constitute a committee to appoint the chief election commissioner. They (the BJP) removed the Chief Justice from the panel and appointed a BJP cabinet minister in his place to appoint the chief election commissioner. What a lattu! He will keep spinning and disappear,” Mamata Banerjee said.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also claimed that the BJP has booked “all the helicopters” ahead of the parliament elections so that no other political party is able to get any helicopter.

“The BJP has booked all helicopters ahead of the parliament elections so that no other party can get any. This is their state. They think that money can buy anything,” she said.

Mamata Banerjee warned that India will be governed in an ‘autocratic’ way if the BJP comes back to power again.

“In India, Indians are not free because only the BJP is free here. If they come to power again, only the BJP will stay free and govern India in their autocratic way,” the TMC supremo said.

Taking on the BJP for raising ‘Goli Maro’ slogans in Jadhavpur, Mamata Banerjee dared, “Do you want to shoot? If you have the audacity, shoot at us. We will see to it.” The Bengal Chief Minister added that she has instructed the police to arrest those who have raised ‘Goli Maro’ slogans.

Mamata Banerjee claimed that someone texted her that Abhishek Banerjee would be arrested before the Lok Sabha election. 

“Someone texted me yesterday that Abhishek will be arrested before the election. Do you know what they have done? They have taken whatever data he had on his computer…They uploaded some files created by them into his computer,” Mamata said.

“If you are experts in computers, we are no less…We presented facts and told them that they had uploaded these files to his computer,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced that the recently successful Chandrayaan 3 mission had 28 scientists from Bengal and the government plans to facilitate all of them very soon.

The Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) is celebrating its 26th foundation day. TMCP, the student wing of All India Trinamool Congress, was founded on August 28, 1998, months after Mamata Banerjee formed Trinamool Congress, following her difference with the Congress, on January 1, 1998. Banerjee broke away from the Congress with the objective of ousting the then-Left Front regime from power. (ANI)

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Terrorists Kill Kashmiri Pandit Guard In Pulwama

Jammu Kashmir: Assets of 2 Pak-Based Terrorists Attached in Doda

By LokMarg

Acting tough against Pakistan-based terrorists who are trying to revive terrorism in the Doda district of Jammu, the police on Monday attached the property of two terrorists.

The Doda district police said a process has been initiated to attach properties of 14 other terrorists operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Nearly 13 kanals of land situated at Mugal Maidan in Kishtwar belonging to proclaimed offender Lal Din and 4 kanal situated at village Phagsoo Thathri belonging to hardcore terrorist Abdul Rashid have been attached.

These terrorists have been declared “proclaimed offenders” and were absconding.

“Doda Police has launched a special drive against the absconders and wanted criminals and on the proceedings of Doda Police (16) absconders wanted in various cases of heinous nature were declared as proclaimed offenders by the orders of Hon’ble Court and additionally property of two absconders after declaring their proclamation was attached by the orders of Hon’ble Court,” the police said in a statement.

The most-wanted hardcore terrorists whose proclamation was ordered by the court on the proceedings initiated by the Doda Police are two brothers; Mohammad Amin and Mohammad Ashraf of Gandoh in the Doda district, who escaped to Pakistan after attacking civilians and security forces in the early 1990s, the police said.

Talking about the action taken, Doda SSP Abdul Qayyum said, “So far we have attached properties in two cases (belonging to proclaimed offenders) and we are seeking property details in 14 cases from the Revenu department as per the court orders… Proclamation of 16 has taken place in which two are related to militant cases…” (ANI)

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Yousuf Saeed Filmmaker

‘National Integration Award To ‘Kashmir Files’; Irony Just Died Laughing’

By LokMarg

Yousuf Saeed, an independent filmmaker and author based in New Delhi, says the BJP is manipulating National Film Awards to push its own political agenda. His views:

Last week, on August 24, The Kashmir Files, a movie directed by Vivek Agnihotri which was summarily panned by majority of filmmakers as propaganda cinema, won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration category at National Film Awards. Yes, you heard the category right: National Integration.

The national awards are in the hands of the incumbent BJP government and evidently they are using this platform to honour the proponents of their political narrative. They had earlier rewarded actress Kangana Ranaut for a similar, jingoistic film, Manikarnika, among others. By rewarding The Kashmir Files with a prestigious national award, they are not only endorsing a communal and hate-filled movie, but also mocking their opponents. Through their choice of the Nargis Dutt National Integration award, they have succeeded in putting this film in such a category, irrespective of all the criticism and controversy.

The BJP’s parent organization, Sangh Parivar has been running anti-Muslim propaganda since 2010 in various forms, especially through popular cinema, where Muslims and Mughals have been continuously shown as villains and enemies of India. The Kashmir Files is one such propaganda film that uses the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to migrate from Kashmir in the 1990s, to garner Hindu votes. According to many Kashmiri Pandits, the BJP/RSS has never really bothered about them earlier — they were too busy with mandir-masjid issues. It’s only recently that they have decided to cash in on this subject to spread hate against Muslims and polarizing Indian society.

ALSO READ: ‘Propaganda Films Must Be Countered, Not Banned’

The Kashmir Files is an extremely biased representation of what happened with the Pandits in Kashmir. For instance, it totally ignores the much bigger suffering that the Kashmiri Muslims went through at the hands of the militants and Indian armed forces in the last couple of decades. Instead of doing anything good for Kashmiri Pandits, the film only spreads hatred and fear among the people.

There is a sharp divide between the opponents and supporters of the BJP government and Sangh parivar. This award has two purposes: to irritate and defeat the opponents and to assure their supporters and voters that this film (which they went to see in hordes) is really great and they did well to support it.

Serious, meaningful cinema has obviously been intentionally ignored. One glaring example is the film, Mulk, which brilliantly campaigned for communal harmony and tolerance through its cinematic narrative, but was not given a national award.

(The narrator has made documentary films like Basant, Khayal Darpan, Khusrau Darya Prem Ka, and Campus Rising which have been shown at various film festivals and academic venues. Through films and lectures, Saeed campaigns for peace and against the growing menace of online hate speech and misinformation. He has authored several books including Muslim Devotional Art in India (2012), Partitioning Bazaar Art (2023) among others. He runs arts & culture web portals like Tasveerghar.net and Ektara.org)

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As told to Amit Sengupta

Narendra Modi

Modi Distributes 51,000 Appointment Letters To Govt Recruits

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly-inducted recruits in government departments and organisations, at Rashtriya Rozgar Mela on Monday and said India’s economic growth is throwing up opportunities for youth across sectors.      

Addressing the event through video conferencing, the Prime Minister said sectors such as pharma and automobile were growing at fast pace.

“The pharma sector is growing at a fast pace and it will create huge job opportunities in the coming days…The automobile industry is also growing very fast. Both these industries (Pharma and automobile industry) are going to further develop in the coming days,” he said.

“The tourism sector is likely to contribute over Rs 20 lakh crore to the Indian economy by 2030, creating 13-14 crore new job opportunities for the youth,” he added.

The Prime Minister said India will become one of the world’s top three economies in this decade.

“When I give this guarantee, I will do that with full responsibility,” he said.

The Rozgar Mela is being held at 45 locations across the country.  Through this Rozgar Mela event, Ministry of Home Affairs has recruited personnel in various central armed police forces (CAPFs) such as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Shashtra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo- Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Narcotics control Bureau (NCB) as well as Delhi Police. 

The new recruits, selected from across the country, will be joining the various positions such as Constable (General Duty), Sub-Inspector (General Duty) and Non–General Duty Cadre Posts in various organisations under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The PM termed the new appointees as ‘Amrit Rakshaks’ and urged them to continue enhancing their abilities.

“I congratulate all those who have got the appointment letters today. I call them ‘Amrit Rakshaks’ because those who are getting appointment letters today will be serving the nation over the next 25 years and will be protecting the countrymen as well.”  

He said the government has made several changes in the recruitment process for paramilitary forces to open new avenues for the youth including option of giving test in more languages.

He cited example of Uttar Pradesh and said that better law and order situation leads to more investment.

The newly inducted appointees will have opportunity to train themselves through Karmayogi Prarambh, an online module on iGOT Karmayogi portal, where more than 673 e-learning courses have been made available in ‘anywhere any device’ learning format.

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh also addressed the event.  (ANI)

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INDIA bloc Parliamentary meet

Ghosi Byelection In UP Is First Test of INDIA Alliance

By LokMarg

By Usman Kidwai

After forming a mega alliance ‘INDIA’, the by election to the constituency of Ghosi in Uttar Pradesh will be the first show of strength for the opposition as the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Apna Dal Kameravadi has decided not to field a candidate of their own and chose to extend support to Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhkar Singh.

On Saturday all these three parties issued an official letter to support SP candidate in the Ghosi by-election.

Congress’ UP president Ajay Rai told ANI “This election will be a start of defeat for BJP and the people of Mau have completely lost their faith in the BJP because of the defection politics of Dara Singh Chauhan. People there have made up their minds to defeat the BJP and are determined to ensure the victory of the coalition candidate. He also mentioned that we have made appeal to our leaders and workers to support SP candidate in this election.”

The Ghosi assembly seat went vacant after the resignation of Dara Singh Chauhan who was elected as Ghosi MLA on an SP symbol in 2022 UP assembly elections but later he resigned from the post and joined BJP.

On the support of opposition parties BJP UP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, “Knots of this alliance have already been opened as till now no Congress, RLD leader have come forwarded to campaign for SP candidate whereas on the other hand leaders of NDA were seen standing together in support of BJP candidate even in the filing of nomination.”

UP Energy Minister AK Sharma who has been camped in Ghosi told ANI that the mood of the people was firmly with the BJP. 

” Dara Singh Chauhan will win by a huge margin in Ghosi. This INDIA alliance is a fused party. These parties have kept the country in the dark for 70 years. If you switch on one fused bulb, six fused bulbs or 26 such bulbs there will be no light. The INDIA alliance has 26 such fused bulbs” said Sharma.

Uttar Pradesh Ghosi constituency bypoll is scheduled for 5th September and its result will be declared on 8th September. Earlier this year Dara Singh Chauhan resigned from the assembly membership and joined hands with BJP. Now Dara Singh Chauhan is fighting this election on the BJP symbol where as his major opponent Sudhkar Singh is fighting on the Samajwadi Party symbol. (ANI)

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Russia Ukraine war

Ukraine: 2 Killed, 5 Injured In Russian Missile Attack

By LokMarg

At least two people were killed and five others injured after Russia launched a missile strike on Monday on a Ukraine village, CNN reported citing a senior Ukrainian official. 

Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President’s office, said the strike caused an explosion at an oil mill in the village of Hoholeve.

Local officials said search operations and the removal of rubble are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters that its Air Defense Troops have foiled Kyiv’s attempt to attack Russian territory with an aircraft-type drone and shot it down in the Moscow Region, as per TASS News Agency. 

“On August 28, at about 4:30 am Moscow time, the Air Defense Troops foiled another attempt of the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack on Russian territory with an aircraft-type drone. It was destroyed in the air over the territory of the Lyubertsy district of the Moscow Region,” the ministry said.

While Moscow’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin on his Telegram channel wrote, “Today the Air Defense Troops destroyed a drone flying towards Moscow in the Lyubertsy area. For the time being, there are no casualties and no destruction. Emergency services are working at the scene of the incident.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials on Monday claimed that Russia launched strikes across Ukraine overnight, killing at least one person and damaging homes and infrastructure, CNN reported. 

In Kherson, at least one person died and two others were injured after Russian forces shelled residential areas, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the southern region’s military administration. 

“The enemy carried out 69 shellings over the past 24 hours, launching 395 shells from mortars, artillery, tanks, Grad MLRS, UAVs, and aircraft,” Prokudin said on Telegram Monday. 

In central Ukraine, Russian strikes hit infrastructure in the Poltava region, said Dmytro Lunin, the head of its regional military administration. 

Missile attacks damaged homes in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, while the nearby Nikopol district was shelled, according to Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk region military administration, according to CNN.

Ukrainian air defences destroyed four cruise missiles over the past day, the military said Monday. (ANI)

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Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar Shares Spl Message For Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra

By LokMarg

India’s iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar commended India’s first-ever gold medal winner at the World Athletics Championships.   

Neeraj Chopra recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and managed to keep his lead intact till the very end to win Gold at Budapest.

Arshad Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games champion with 87.82 m got a silver medal. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch secured the bronze with the best throw of 86.67 m. 

“India’s first-ever gold at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships. It’s a historic milestone for Indian sports. May your hard work keep shining in every tournament you represent India,” Sachin on Monday took to X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Tendulkar’s former teammate Virender Sehwag congratulated the Golden Boy in his unique style. 

“Fenkon toh aise fenko ki chaar log bole Kya fekta hai yaar. 88.17 mtr door Bhaala phenka and a World Athletics Championship Gold for our Champion #NeerajChopra . The mega run continues,” Sehwag wrote in his tweet. 

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir summed up Neeraj’s success in a few words, “Gold for our diamond!”

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh extended wishes and wrote, “Neeraj Chopra making us all proud .. first indian to win multiple world athletics championships medals.. Keep rocking”

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared a special message for the 25-year-old and wrote, “We all love Gold but Neeraj Chopra Adores it… entire nation is proud of you brother.”

India’s experienced spinner Yuzvendra Chahal wrote, “Making India proud! Congratulations on winning the gold at the World Athletics Championships.”

Neeraj will return to lead India’s medal hopes in the Hangzhou Asian Games, which is to be held from September 23 to October 8.

The Asian Games will mark Neeraj’s final major competition of this year. (ANI)

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meeting of the party's Uttarakhand core committee in Haridwar

U’khand: BJP Core Committee Meet Underway In Haridwar

By LokMarg

Hitting the poll mode early for the next Lok Sabha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called an important meeting of the party’s Uttarakhand core committee in Haridwar on Sunday.

BJP national president JP Nadda along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the party’s state core committee meeting at Hotel Godwin in Haridwar.

BJP’s national president JP Nadda is chairing the meeting.

In this meeting, Nadda is reviewing the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections of the party in Uttarakhand.

State President Mahendra Bhatt, MP and former Chief Minister are present in the meeting.

Nadda reached Uttarakhand earlier today as part of his one-day visit to the state. He was received by CM Dhami at Jollygrant Airport.

Nadda and Dhami also listened to the 104th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’ in Haridwar. The broadcast of the ‘Mann ki Baat’ was held at Rishikul University Auditorium in Haridwar. (ANI)

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umbrella act combining all water-related laws Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Sukhu Halts Formal Felicitation Ceremonies Until October 31 

By LokMarg

In a significant move under ‘Vyavstha Parivartan’, the state government has decided to halt the practice of honoring dignitaries by presenting shawls, caps, and bouquets during official events.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this decision, attributing it to the ongoing natural calamity concerns. As per these directives, no formal honoring or felicitation ceremonies will take place in government functions until October 31, 2023.

Earlier, the state government has also suspended the customary guard of honor traditionally accorded to VVIPs during field visits until September 15, this year.

These measures collectively reflect the state’s commitment to enacting meaningful change and fostering a pragmatic approach towards governance.

“The state government’s decision not only aligns with the need to channel resources and attention towards managing natural calamities but also underscores a departure from symbolic formalities to more substantive actions in the realm of governance,” said the Chief Minister. 

Earlier, as many as 281 roads, including National Highway 305, were blocked in Himachal Pradesh due to rainfall, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre on Sunday.

Besides this, 177 water supply schemes have also been disrupted. However, there were no fire incidents in the past 24 hours, the government data added.

Meanwhile, at least 367 people have died in Himachal Pradesh in rain-related incidents this year since the onset of monsoon, the State Disaster Management Authority said on Friday.

According to official data, an average of about seven individuals have been losing their lives daily in rain-linked occurrences within the hilly state since the monsoon’s commencement on June 24. (ANI)

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