September 2023 - Page 10 of 40 - Lokmarg

Mom-to-be Rubina Flaunts Her Baby Bump

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

‘Bigg Boss 14’ winner Rubina Dilaik is currently enjoying the most special phase of her life ‘Pregnancy’.

On Monday, she dropped a couple of pictures from her preggers diaries in which she could be seen flaunting her fully-grown baby bump.

Taking to Instagram, Rubina shared the post which she captioned, “Mamacado #vibes.”

In the pictures, she could be seen flaunting her pregnancy glow and donning a black body suit.

Soon after she dropped the pictures, her friends and fans swamped down the comment section and dropped red hearts and fire emoticons.

“Hottest mumma,” a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, “May your future be filled with new experiences, joy, much love, and happiness.”

A user wrote, “beautiful mumma.”

Rubina recently confirmed that she and her husband Abhinav Shukla are expecting their first child together.

Taking to Instagram, Rubina dropped a string of images from her recent vacation with Abhinav. In the pictures, Rubina is seen flaunting her baby bump in a black outfit.

“We promised we will TOGETHER explore the world since we started dating , got married and now will do AS A FAMILY welcoming the LITTLE Traveller soon,” she captioned the post.

Rubina and Abhinav recently marked their fifth wedding anniversary. In an Instagram post, Abhinav attributed the successful five years of their marriage to the blessings of Mahadev.

He wrote, “With the blessings of Mahadev its 5 years ! Same trek where i had planned on proposing her! #churdhar @rubinadilaik together, stronger, fitter & younger ! Oh BTW thats sunscreen on my beard.”

Abhinav and Rubina became the talk of the town with their stint on ‘Bigg Boss 14’. The two had revealed on the show that they were on the verge of getting a divorce when they decided to give their relationship a chance and entered the 14th season of ‘Bigg Boss’. Their innings on the show helped them resolve their differences and they later came out as a happily married couple. (ANI)

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Lara Hails Passage Of Women’s Reservation Bill

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Actor and former beauty queen, Lara Dutta, on Monday hailed the passage of the women’s reservation Bill in Parliament.

The draft legislation, which was passed by an overwhelming majority in both Houses, provides for a 33 per cent reservation for women not just in the Parliament but also in state legislative bodies.

At the success party of her recent release ‘Ishq-e-Nadaan’ in Mumbai on Monday, Lara shared her excitement with ANI, saying, “It’s brilliant. I was so excited to see this entire (legislative) process that went into the tabling and passage of this Bill in Parliament. I think the future can only get brighter from here and it’s about time.”

Actor Patralekhaa, too, shared her thoughts on the Bill.

“It marks a great leap for our country, and especially for the women. We are thankful to our honourable members of Parliament for passing this Bill,” she told ANI.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill in the first sitting of the Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building, during the Special Session that was convened recently. The Bill was named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Introducing the Bill in the House, the minister said, “This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People.”

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was the first Bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.

On September 21 (Thursday), the Parliament passed the historic draft legislation, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it unanimously.

A total of 214 members in the Upper House, voted in support of the Bill and none voted against it. The members welcomed the passing of the Bill by thumping their desks.

BJP members raised slogans hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and greeted him after the legislation was passed.

Marking a giant leap in the empowerment of one-half of the country’s population, chants of ‘Modi Modi’ were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation.

Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.

Lok Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday in the Parliament’s Special Session with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it.

Earlier Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha.

The new Women’s Reservation Bill was passed during the Special Session of Parliament which began on Monday. The two Houses were later adjourned sine die. (ANI)

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Leaders Extend Wishes To Manmohan Singh On His 91st Birthday

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with several other leaders extended their greetings to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his 91st Birthday on Tuesday.

PM Modi took to X and said “Birthday wishes to former PM Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. I pray for his long life and good health.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also wished the party’s veteran leader and said “Today Dr. Manmohan Singh turns 91. He has always been an outstanding symbol of erudition and learning. But much more than that he has always epitomised grace, sobriety, humility and dignity in whichever position he has held. These are extremely rare qualities in our public life, even more so now.”

“I have heard Presidents and Prime Ministers refer to him as a guru. He does not need self-advertisement. On a personal note, I still recall the time in Sep-Oct 1986 when as Deputy Chairman he inducted Arvind Virmani, Rakesh Mohan and myself into the Planning Commission which was a tremendous learning experience,” Jairam Ramesh said on X.

Manmohan Singh was on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982-1985. He was the 13th PM of India with his tenure from 2004-2014 and was the longest serving PM after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Serving as the finance minister of India in PV Narsimha Rao’s government, Singh has been given credit for economic liberalization in the country in 1991. The reforms made the Indian economy more accessible for foreign investors which increased FDI and reducing government control. It greatly contributed in the country’s economic growth.

The liberalization of the Indian economy in 1991 is credited with unleashing competitive markets and enabling the forces of creative destruction leading to benefits that can be witnessed today also.

Manmohan Singh also brought National Rural Employment guarantee act (NREGA) which later came to be known as MGNREGA.

Right to Information act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under Manmohan Singh government which made the transparency of information between the government and public better.

He is currently a member of Rajya Sabha.

External Affair Minister also wished Manmohan Singh on X where he said “Birthday greetings to former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Pray for his long life, good health and happiness.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wishing the veteran leader said “Former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji’s integrity, unwavering commitment to nation-building and economic upliftment of the masses will always be an inspiration to me. Wishing him good health and happiness on his birthday.”

DMK leader and Tamil Nadu CM, MK Stalin said “Birthday greetings to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh! As PM, his leadership during the global financial crisis and commitment to inclusive policies reshaped India’s future. His composed, intellectual, and humble approach serves as an example, providing valuable lessons for leadership in every era. His legacy of progress and stability endures. Here’s to more inspiring years!” (ANI)

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India Has Demonstrated Most Successful G20 Ever: US Ambassador Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever.

“India’s marvellous growth, its rapid rise, its leadership in the world today has demonstrated the most successful G20 we have ever seen,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti was addressing the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit “Sharing ideas & Potential for sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years” organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

Garcetti while speaking on India-US ties, said: “The goal that we should be establishing, I think, together, is, how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for, as we’ve done just in the last few months, bringing down the retaliatory tariffs and the trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like even more than we would imagine today. “

The US Ambassador congratulated India on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

He said: “Congratulations on a marvellous space year here in India. Landing on the dark side of the moon, doing something that only four nations have done before and doing it so beautifully, so reasonably and so successfully. But now we’re looking at commercial space together.”

The US Ambassador on Tuesday reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada.

His comments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind the killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said. (ANI)

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We Care About Both India And Canada, Says US Envoy Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti has reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada. Garcetti’s comments on Tuesday come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

Garcetti’s comments shortly after US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US was concerned made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners, as the Secretary said on Friday” the State Department spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the US envoy to India who was attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) highlighted that India will again probably be the number one source of students from across the world and the US is very close to adjudicated one million visa applications in India.

Garcetti said, “A record number of student visas were processed this summer. Now, India, again, will probably be the number one source of students from across the world.”

He further said that the US is anticipating 25 per cent of foreign students just from India.

“25 per cent we anticipate of foreign students in the United States will come just from India. And then, second, we also are very close to our 1 million visa application in India being adjudicated, which will be a brand new record as well,” Garcetti said.

He further noted that the US is not doing this with more people.

“We’re not doing this with more people. We’re just working harder, working smarter, and making sure more Indians can come to America,” he added.

Speaking about the IPACC, Garcetti said that it highlights how close the US and India have become to co-host all the heads of armies from around the Indo-Pacific region.

“It’s not just the closeness of the two nations. It’s the integration of all nations, both of us speaking for a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific. It’s our values that guide this. And I’m so excited to see and to demonstrate the strength not only of a bilateral relationship but what happens when India and the United States are together,” he said.

Earlier today, the US Army’s Chief of Staff General Randy George on Tuesday said the partnership between the US and Indian Army is vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific and the relationship between the armies is strong and growing stronger.

The armies of India and the United States will host the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. (ANI)

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Canadian Army Deputy Chief In India For ‘Army-To-Army Relations’

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Canada’s Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar does not impact the Canadian Army contingents presence here at the Indo-Pacific Conference and they are here to build relationships from army to army and let both governments deal with it.

“I am fully aware of, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement. The government’s stance and the government’s request for India to participate in, and cooperate in the investigation. But, really, that has no impact on us here at the Indo-Pacific conference. We’re really here to build relationships from army to army, and we’ll let our governments deal with that issue, themselves,” Major General Scott said.

Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott is currently attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC).

Expressing his delight, Scott said that Canada is looking forward to participating in training or exercises with the partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

He further said that this conference provides a forum where they can meet with other leaders of other nations of similar interests.

“We’re very happy to be here and very gracious for India to be hosting this,” he added.

Scott highlighted that between the India-Canada armies, areas of interest can be found and perhaps areas to continue to train, to exchange officers, to look for education opportunities, and exercises, “where we continue to participate as two different armies where we can both learn from each other and pass on great lessons to each nation.”

Major General Peter Scott also highlighted his meeting with the Indian army commander general Manoj Pande on Monday.

“Last night, I had the honour of meeting personally your army commander. We chatted for a few minutes. He’s very grateful for Canada to be here, and I mentioned him,” he said.

The armies of India and the United States are hosting the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.

Speaking at the conference Army Chief General Manoj Pande stressed on the fact that the security of one nation in the region was linked to its neighbour.

“The challenges we face transcend across borders, and our response to them must factor this. The Indo-Pacific region is not merely a collection of nations – it is a web of interdependencies. We are bound by geography, and our destinies are intertwined. The security and prosperity of one nation is intrinsically linked to the security and prosperity of its neighbours, and much beyond” General Pande said.

This year’s conference’s theme is “Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.”There will be both larger plenary sessions and more intimate break-out sessions at the conference. Participants will take part in vibrant conversations on subjects including peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid/disaster relief, leadership development, and women’s emancipation as well as hear from eminent guest speakers.

Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. (ANI)

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India Permits Export of 75,000 Tonnes Non-Basmati Rice to UAE

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

India has allowed the export of non-basmati white rice to the tune of 75,000 tonnes to the UAE. Notably, the export of non-basmati white rice was prohibited from July 20 to check the domestic prices and ensure domestic food security.

The exports to UAE are permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in its notification on late Monday evening.

While amending the export policy, DGFT maintained that the export will be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their government.

Last month, India had decided to allow the export of rice to “meet the food security requirements” of Singapore.

West African country Benin is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India. Other destination countries are UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote D’ Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon Somalia, Malaysia, and Liberia.

India in September 2022 banned the exports of broken rice and imposed a 20 per cent duty on exports of non-Basmati rice, except for parboiled rice amid concerns about low production due to a fall in area under the paddy crop. It later lifted the ban in November. (ANI)

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Alia Bhatt To Star In Vasan Bala’s Next Film ‘Jigra’

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Actor Alia Bhatt on Tuesday announced her next film with director Vasan Bala.

Titled ‘Jigra’ the film will be co-produced by Karan Johar and Alia herself.

Post the success of the romantic drama film ‘Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ Alia will be again seen joining hands with KJo for the new project.

On Tuesday, actor Alia took to her Instagram account and shared the announcement video of the film.

“Presenting #Jigra, directed by the extremely talented @vasanbala and produced by @dharmamovies & @eternalsunshineproduction. From debuting in a Dharma production to now producing a film with them, in many ways, it feels like coming full circle from where I started. Every day is a different day… exciting, challenging (and a little scary)… not just as an actor but also as a producer as we bring this film to life, and I CANNOT wait to share more as we move forward. JIGRA – in cinemas on 27th September 2024,” she captioned.

Karan also shared the announcement video and captioned it, “The return of…my #Jigra, @aliaabhatt once again on this exceptional story helmed by @vasanbala. A story of unbreakable love & unshakable courage! JIGRA – in cinemas on 27th September 2024.”

The film is all set to hit the theatres on September 27, 2024.

Further deets about the project are still awaited.

Soon after the ace filmmaker shared the announcement video, fans swamped down the comment section and dropped red hearts and fire emoticons.

“Omg this is amazing,” a fan commented.

Another fan wrote, “Looks amazing.”

Director Vasan Bala previously helmed films like ‘Monica O My Darling’, a crime thriller film ‘Peddlers’ and ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’.

‘Jigra’ marks Alia and Vasan’s first on-screen collaboration.

Apart from this, Alia will also be seen in director Farhan Akhtar’s film ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ alongside Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif.

Recently, in an interview with US-based publication Variety, director Farhan Akhtar shared that ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ is on hold at the moment.

“We just have issues with dates, and the actor’s strike that’s happened has put Priyanka’s dates into a huge tizzy with what can happen and what can’t, so I’ve started genuinely believing that that film now has a destiny of its own. It’ll happen when it has to, we’ll see,” Farhan told Variety.

The film promises to be another tale of friendship in the lineage of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’. (ANI)

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Engagement With Afghanistan Will Work, Not Isolation: Qatar

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Following the worsening situation in Afghanistan, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar Majed Al-Ansari said that the complete isolation of Afghanistan will not work and the only way forward is engagement, reported TOLO News.

“We fully understand that the situation in Afghanistan today is not easy for the international community to engage with the current government, but complete isolation is not the situation, it didn’t work, it will not work” and “the only way forward is engagement,” he said.

Moreover, Ansari highlighted that Qatar is working to mediate in Afghanistan and the rest of the world.

“Afghanistan is a very important topic for Qatar. We are highly invested in that issue. We are working on mediating between Afghanistan and the rest of the world basically. So, a lot of things to be done,” he added.

Meanwhile, according to some political analysts, it is important to have a mediator to resolve the current situation in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.

Sayed Qaribullah Sadat, a political analyst said, “The issue of China and Taiwan is a problem, and a mediator is needed. The issue of Saudi Arabia and Iran has a problem, and a mediator is needed, similarly, Afghanistan’s position from a political and economic point of view and the challenges that Afghanistan’s politics face, needs a mediator.”

Another political analyst noted that Qatar can be a good mediator in the ongoing situation of Afghanistan as its political journey began from Qatar.

“Qatar can both pave the way and become a good mediator in the current situation because the political journey of the Islamic Emirate started from Qatar,” said Mohammad Ajmal Zurmati, a political analyst.

Moreover, according to TOLO News, Ansari said Qatar’s Foreign Minister and the Taliban leader have discussed various issues in a meeting, including women’s right to work and education, reported TOLO News.

Earlier this week, the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett said that women and girls in Afghanistan have lost trust in the global community and the international community has betrayed Afghan women, reported Khaama Press.

Bennett made these remarks during a session titled “Combatting Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan” on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly held on Friday.

Further, he called for practical measures to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

He stated that Afghan women and girls have been left isolated and a sense of mistrust towards the global community has developed among Afghan women.

Afghan women have been facing discrimination and injustice for two years now. Be it in terms of education, jobs, or life, they have been suffering since the Taliban took over.

Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. (ANI)

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MP Polls: BJP Releases 2nd List of 39 Candidates, Fields 3 Union Ministers

By LokMarg 25th September 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its second list of 39 candidates for the forthcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh including Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Singh Patel.

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Singh Patel have been fielded from the Dimani and Narsingpur constituencies.

Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste will be contesting from the Niwas constituency.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and BJP MP Rakesh Singh have been fielded from Indore-1 and Jabalpur Paschim constituencies.

Other notable candidates in the list included MPs Ganesh Mantri, Rakesh Singh and Reeti Pathak.

On September 13, the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) held a meeting to discuss Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections at the party’s headquarters in the national capital.

The meeting was attended by PM Modi including BJP President JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah, along with other members of the election committee and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The BJP released its first list of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on August 17, revealing the names of 39 candidates.

The state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. (ANI)

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