Month: December 2023

2024 Lok Sabha elections

INDIA Bloc Searches For PM Face; BJP Targets 50% Vote In 2024 LS Polls

By LokMarg

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections draw near, India’s political landscape is undergoing a significant reshuffling. The emerging INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) consortium is gearing up to challenge the established National Democratic Alliance, setting the stage for an electoral showdown.

The political landscape of India is experiencing a profound transformation in anticipation of the 2024 elections. The rise of the INDIA alliance, a revamped version of the existing UPA, poses a formidable challenge to the enduring supremacy of the NDA. This transformation, characterised by shifting alliances, alterations in vote percentages, and fluctuations in seat allocations, highlights the dynamic and unpredictable nature of India’s electoral scenario.

Till now, the INDIA bloc have held four meeting. The first meeting of the joint opposition convened in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. The third meeting happened in Mumbai on August 31-September 1 and the fourth meeting was held on December 19 in the national capital.

INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) parties are seeking to put a united challenge against the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The 28 parties participated in the fourth meeting and kept their thoughts before the committee of the alliance.

Challenges for INDIA bloc

Coming up to the challenges which the INDIA bloc might face are finalising a seat-sharing arrangement and agreement on a PM face.

The centrality of the Congress to the bloc was inadvertently endorsed by Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, when they proposed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the PM face of the INDIA bloc but Kharge said that the question of PM face could be decided after the Lok Sabha polls.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections loom just four months away, the allocation of seats becomes pivotal for the and INDIA bloc, especially after recent electoral setbacks.

This discontent among INDIA bloc leaders is not unprecedented, as evident from previous meetings.

During the Assembly elections statements made by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress state president Ajay Rai had created the rift between the parties. Later, the Congress high command had intervened and talked to the SP chief to solve the issue.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked its INDIA block ally Congress on caste census, reminding them that the party did not conduct a caste census when it was in power.

“Congress is the party that did not conduct caste census after independence… When all the parties in the Lok Sabha were demanding a caste census, they did not conduct a caste census,” Akhilesh Yadav told ANI Satna in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Given that concerns such as the caste census failed to strike a chord with voters in recent state elections, leaders of the INDIA bloc may reconsider their strategy and work on formulating a fresh approach.

INDIA bloc meetings

The inaugural meeting of the Opposition coalition took place in Patna, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar being the convenor. Fifteen opposition parties participated with the aim of consolidating their forces against the Modi led central government in the impending general elections.

In the second meeting held in Bengaluru 26 opposition parties forged an alliance. During the meeting, the coalition was christened INDIA, an acronym for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

In the Mumbai meeting, the opposition parties adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while announcing that seat-sharing arrangements would be finalized as soon as possible in a spirit of give-and-take.

Moreover, in the fourth meeting INDIA bloc addressed various issues, including seat-sharing, a joint campaign blueprint, and devising a strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The fourth meeting was held in the backdrop of escalating tensions between the government and the opposition over the suspension of parliamentarians during the winter session of Parliament.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that INDIA bloc parties will focus on seat-sharing talks at the state level, adding that if any issue arises, it will be taken up at the leadership of the alliance.

Kharge stated that all INDIA parties unanimously decided how to take the alliance forward. At least 8-10 meetings will be held together across the country.

INDIA bloc also passed the resolution on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the suspension of MPs from Parliament.

“INDIA parties reiterate that there are many doubts on the integrity of the functioning of the EVMs. These have been raised by many experts and professionals as well. There is widespread demand for a return to the ballot paper system,” the resolution stated.

It suggested that “Instead of the VVPAT slip falling in the box, it should be handed over to the voter who shall then place it in a separate ballot box after having verified his or her choice. 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips should then be done.

Henceforth, the key challenge before the INDIA parties is to fight the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha election on an alternative common programme to counter the ruling dispensation.

The INDIA alliance, marked by a spectrum of opinions from the Left’s and J-K parties’ dissatisfaction to Shiv Sena’s vocal support for the ruling, must reconcile these differences to formulate a cohesive stance. This unified stance is crucial to effectively counter the BJP’s attempt to introduce another divisive issue to polarize voters in the heartland.

How BJP gearing up for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

As the battle for 2024 begins, the BJP undeniably maintains the upper hand. After securing victories in three crucial Hindi heartland states–Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh it being said that that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its position to face the INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress party was in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and was a major contender in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. However, it only secured victory in the southern state, taking power from the dominant Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

After which, Congress will now be in power in three states–Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.

The 3-1 scoreline in this round of assembly elections is a comforting signal for the BJP’s poll prospects next year.

The party had crafted its campaign around the PM, his welfare interventions and larger credibility.

During the recently concluded Assembly polls, PM Modi stood as the pivotal figure for the BJP, dispelling any concern about ‘sidelining’ party stalwarts.

The PM’s resonance with the electorate, along with the “Modi ki guarantee” slogan, won over Congress’s manifesto.

By messaging and strategy, the BJP effectively communicates the mantra of ‘sabka saath, sabka vishwas, and sabka prayaas’, emphasising Modi’s inclusive governance approach.

The ruling party is going all out to capture the hearts of people for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On December 22, the party headquarters hosted a meeting of BJP leaders from across the nation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has set a target of achieving a 50 per cent vote share. Along with this, the party will start cluster meetings after January 15 and Yuva Morcha will hold 5000 conferences across the country.

The two-day meeting of BJP national office-bearers concluded on Saturday. In this meeting, BJP has set a target of achieving a 50 per cent vote share in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Along with this, the party will run a campaign across the country to connect with new voters. The BJP will organise programmes at booth level to connect with new voters.

According to sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked all the officials in the meeting to ensure a bumper victory margin in the Lok Sabha elections.

Cluster meetings will be organized by dividing Lok Sabhas across the country into clusters. In these clusters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President JP Nadda will address public meetings.

Yuva Morcha will start new voter conferences on January 24. The BJP Yuva Morcha will organise 5,000 conferences across the country. Along with this, social conferences will also be organised across the country.

It was said in the meeting that party leaders should not wait for the announcement of the list of candidates. Every BJP leader must now gear up to ensure victory by a record margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

It is expected that the BJP will begin an extensive campaign for the elections that are not even six months away.

As the BJP government aims to transform India into a developed nation by the year 2047, the BJP has begun the Viksit Bharat campaign, named Viksit Bharat@2047

The outcomes have strengthened Modi’s role as the triumphant figurehead for the party. Despite Congress’s efforts to buck the anti-incumbency trend, Modi’s guarantees and the BJP’s persistent emphasis on highlighting Congress’s shortcomings thwarted their endeavours.

The safety-first stance of the opposition parties stems from the BJP’s assembly wins, which it plans to build upon with the upcoming inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, raising concerns that the insertion of the Jammu and Kashmir issue into the debate will further help the BJP paint the opposition as pandering to the “vote-bank”.

It is expected that the BJP, in its campaign, will highlight the Ram Temple that will be inaugurated in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, just a few months ahead of the national elections.

Along with this, BJP has decided to run a campaign for Ram Mandir celebrations starting January 1, in which BJP workers will go door to door in all the villages across the country and encourage ten crore families to participate in Diya Lightning programs for Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The BJP is likely to highlight its success stories over its two terms at the Centre, including, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Pardhan Mantri Awas Yojna, Digital India, the success of Chandrayaan 3 and various other schemes that have benefited the citizens.

With these victories in the three states, the BJP, along with its allies, now controls 17 states.

The evolving political narrative in India will play a crucial role in influencing the upcoming elections, necessitating careful scrutiny.

Earlier in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won 353 seats, the UPA stood at 91, and Others won 98. The voting was staggered in seven phases between April 11 and May 19, in which around 67 per cent of the nearly 900 million eligible people exercised their franchise to elect 542 members of the Lok Sabha.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held next year that is likely to be between the Modi government’s NDA alliance and the INDIA bloc. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Kapil Sibal Judge Population Ratio

My Facebook Account Has Been Hacked: Sibal

By LokMarg

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said on Sunday that his Facebook account has been hacked for the last 10 days.

“My Facebook account has been hacked for the last 10 days,” Sibal said in a post on ‘X’.

Earlier in November, the Rajya Sabha MP hit out at the central government after Opposition party leaders received an ‘Apple warning message’ claiming a privacy breach attempt on their devices.

“The government itself has people who are compulsive wrongdoers. Why talk of the opposition? Everything that this government has done since it came to power has been contrary to the Constitution. Actually, they have subverted every provision of the Constitution. People belonging to the BJP, against whom serious cases are pending, are out on bail. This is a complete misuse of the system,” Kapil Sibal told ANI.

Several political leaders also reported receiving alerts from Apple in November. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and party’s General Secretary organisation KC Venugopal, Congress’ Pawan Khera, Shashi Tharoor, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, BRS working president KT Rama Rao and AAP MP Raghav Chaddha are among others who reported receiving alert messages from Apple.

The leaders of the opposition parties have alleged that the government was behind the attempt to breach their devices. The leaders also shared screenshots of the warning received on their devices.

After a major controversy erupted between the ruling party and the opposition leaders over the alleged hacking of their phones, Apple officially announced that it does not attribute the threat notifications to any specific state-sponsored attacker.

“State-sponsored attackers are very well-funded and sophisticated, and their attacks evolve over time. Detecting such attacks relies on threat intelligence signals that are often imperfect and incomplete. It’s possible that some Apple threat notifications may be false alarms or that some attacks are not detected,” Apple said in a statement. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

AR Rahman

Rahman Reaches Nagore Dargah In Auto To Attend Kanduri Festival

By LokMarg

Music maestro AR Rahman visited the Nagore Dargah in Nagapattinam to attend the Kanduri festival.

The ace musician arrived in an auto-rickshaw to participate in the festival yesterday. In the visuals, the Oscar award winner was seen wearing a maroon kurta.

The 14-day Kandhuri Festival, also known as the Nagore Dargah Festival, is celebrated from the first to the fourteenth day of saint Shahul Hamid’s death anniversary during the Islamic month of Jamathul Aagir.

Saint Hazrath Syed Shahul Hamid was the revered 13th-generation descendent of Saint Sufi. He achieved wider recognition for treating the physical illness of Thanjavur’s 16th-century Hindu king Achuthappa Nayak. This historic significance allures the peculiar participation of Hindu devotees during the Kandhuri Festival.

The festival’s opening day is commemorated by the hoisting of a sacred flag, which is then carried by chariots to the Nagore Dargah. From the second to the seventh day, holy saints read the Quran along with various prayers. The devotees flock to the Dargah to witness the Light of Allah which is displayed in the Dargah.

On the eighth day, the Kandhuri Festival’s fireworks display is one of its many attractions. The fireworks have two purposes- first, to enhance the festive atmosphere, and second, to represent how truth drives away falsehood.

On the ninth day of Jamaidul Akhir, the Fakirs visit the site of Hazarath Mohsin meditation site called the “Peer Mandapam”. On this occasion, the devotees start a holy fast for the next three days.

On the tenth day, a parade-like chariot ride carrying sandalwood paste is organised. The Rawla Shariff and the Great Saint’s tomb will then be anointed with the auspicious paste as it is brought inside the premises.

The fast that was initiated on the ninth day of the festival is ended by the devotees on the eleventh day. The Al Quran’s message is recited throughout the 14 days, and its blessings are given to the Great Soul.

The flags and lights are taken down after the conclusion of the Kandhuri Festival, leaving only the spiritual light of the Nagore Dargah.

Talking about music legend AR Rahman, he attended the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi and unveiled a ‘song of hope’.

On the special occasion, AR Rahman and a 52-member all-female Firdaus Orchestra paid a special tribute to UAE’s founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.At the event, which brought together patients, healthcare professionals, and esteemed dignitaries, Rahman announced his forthcoming song born from a collaborative effort with Indian entrepreneur Dr Shamsheer Vayalil and Abu Dhabi-based Burjeel Holdings.

Speaking at the event, Rahman said, “The idea is to create a song of hope. This is a song to honor everyone who is selflessly working. The world needs hope today. I hope the song brings peace, understanding, and joy. My prayers to all the people who need to get healed in this hospital.”

A groundbreaking ensemble comprising the Firdaus Orchestra and 50 others echoed through the corridors of the hospital during an event titled ‘Singing for the Children of Zayed’. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Mumbai Police annual event Umang

Umang 2023: Alia, Ranbir To Kartik Aaryan, B’wood Celebs Grace The Event

By LokMarg

Several Bollywood celebs on Saturday evening attended the Mumbai Police annual event Umang in Mumbai.

Actor Alia Bhatt exuded boss-lady vibes as she donned a floral suit at the star-studded event. She kept her hair open and was seen flaunting her cute smile.

Alia’s husband and actor Ranbir Kapoor also marked his presence at the event. The ‘Barfi’ actor looked handsome in a white suit, which he paired with black pants.

Ranbir shared a happy moment with his ‘Animal’ co-star Bobby Deol at the event as the duo were seen hugging each other.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, who recently marked his acting debut with ‘The Archies’ arrived at the event donning a formal black suit which he paired with a white shirt.

Kartik Aaryan looked handsome as he wore a dark blue suit over a green sweater. He was seen in a short hair look.

Actor Kiara Advani raised the glam quotient with her studding attire at the grand event. The ‘Shershaah’ actor wore a black saree with a high-neck blouse. She kept her makeup heavy and tied her hair into a bun.

‘Yaariyan 2’ actor Meezaan Jafri kept it casual as he donned a brown jacket over a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Actor Manushi Chillar graced the event in a bright red saree. She tied her hair into a bun and completed her look with a gajra around her hair bun.

Actor Huma Qureshi wore a green suit and was seen posing in front of the shutterbugs.

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh looked handsome as he wore an all-black suit.

Singer and actor Guru Randhawa kept it casual. He donned a black hoodie paired with matching pants. He completed his look with black shades.

Director Rohit Shetty also marked his presence at the gala event. He wore a black shirt which he paired with matching black pants.

‘Gadar 2’ actor Ameesha Patel was also among the attendees. She was seen wearing a black hoodie paired with black shorts.

Actor Mrunal Thakur looked beautiful as she graced the event donning a beige Anarkali suit.

Actor Vijay Varma looked dapper as he wore a white a blue striped suit. He accessorized his look with white sneakers and black glasses.

Actor Jackie Shroff also attended the star-studded event. He was seen posing with actor Neha Dhupia.

Apart from them, producer Jacky Bhagnani along with his girlfriend Rakul Preet Singh, Kriti Sanon, Sidharth Malhotra, Tiger Shroff, Mika Singh, Dasiy Shah, Janhvi Kapoor, Avneet Kaur and Raveena Tandon among others also graced the event in their stylish outfits. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Anil Kapoor

Anil Turns 67, Daughters Sonam, Rhea Shower Love

By LokMarg

Veteran actor Anil Kapoor on Sunday turned 67.

Marking his birthday, his family members including daughters Sonam, Rhea and nephew Arjun Kapoor flooded social media with heartfelt wishes.

“Happy Birthday Dad! the world knows you as the evergreen Super star who never ages, our industry knows you as the most consistent, hardworking and talented actor of the last four generations , but for your family you’re the best husband, father and grandfather, who leads by example of openness, hardwork, gratitude and love. No one like you @anilskapoor you literally are the best in the world,” Sonam wrote on Instagram.

She also shared Anil’s cute pictures with her son Vaayu.

Rhea took to Instagram and wrote, “What a year, what a guy. Yet you are at your best when you lift everyone around you up, never let us down and always encourage us to dream bigger and bigger. I am fearless because I have you. I love you so much dad, you make me a better everything.”

Arjun Kapoor took a stroll down memory lane and shared one of his interviews with Anil Kapoor.

“Love being next to you, love you chachu !! Happy birthday @anilskapoor,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Anil was last seen in Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Bobby Deol. In the film, Anil portrayed the role of Ranbir’s father. Directed by Sandeep Vanga Reddy, the film hit the theatres on December 1.

Earlier this year, he also wowed fans with his role in ‘The Night Manager’. In January 2024, he will be seen sharing screen space with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in ‘Fighter’. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Shah Rukh Khan

Amid ‘Dunki’ Success, SRK Greets Fans Outside Mannat

By LokMarg

Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s success continues to grow, with his third release of the year ‘Dunki’ all set to enter the Rs 100 crore club.

And surprisingly, on Sunday, SRK celebrated the film’s success with his fans. In the evening, the King Khan brought traffic to a standstill in Bandra after he came out of his residence Mannat and greeted fans who were standing outside waiting to catch one glimpse of him.

Several visuals surfaced online in which SRK is seen expressing gratitude to his well-wishers with folded hands and he also blew kisses at them.

SRK looked uber cool in a blue sweater and blue jeans. He kept his long hair back with the help of a hairband.

‘Dunki’ marks SRK’s first-ever collaboration with director Rajkumar Hirani, who has previously given hits like ‘PK’, ‘Sanju’, ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘Munna Bhai’.

‘Dunki’ hit the theatres on December 21 and since then it has been the talk of the town. The film received mixed reviews from the audience and critics and so far it has collected over Rs Rs 157.22 crores worldwide.

‘Dunki’ also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Anil Grover, Boman Irani and Vikram Kochhar.

At one of the events in Dubai, SRK described ‘Dunki’ as his best film.”So when I made Jawan, I thought I made a film for boys and girls but I didn’t make anything for myself, then I made Dunki. So this is my film. This film is very close to my heart. When I was doing Pathaan, many people who write about films, those who know about films more than the filmmakers, were saying what kind of roles I was doing, so I felt that I should do films that come from my heart and this includes all the films that I did this year. I started the year with Pathaan, which was always ladies first, and I want to end the year with a film for myself. So, please watch Dunki on December 21. Everyone will find something in the film that will touch their heart. The film will make you laugh also,” he said.

‘Dunki’ focuses on the issue of immigration. Its title is taken from the term “donkey journey”, which refers to the long-winding, often dangerous routes that people across the world take to reach the places they want to immigrate to.

With Dunki’s success, SRK has got three back-to-back hits in his kitty. In January, he came up with ‘Pathaan’, which smased several records at the box office, and in September, he enthralled fans with ‘Jawan’, which was directed by Atlee. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Afghanistan's humanitarian aid

EU Contributes 3 MN Euros To Afghanistan Humanitarian Aid

By LokMarg

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) said the European Union has contributed 3 million euros to Afghanistan’s humanitarian aid, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

According to OCHA, the funds provided by the EU will enable aid agencies to give necessary assistance and protection to millions in need across Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

Throughout the year, the European Union has been supporting Afghanistan by providing several aid packages to address the ongoing crisis. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with more than half of the population in need of assistance, according to a Khaama Press report.

OCHA has stated that USD 3 billion will be required for adequate aid in Afghanistan in the coming year. Initially, OCHA for the year 2023 requested USD 4.6 billion for Afghanistan’s aid efforts. However, it has not received all the funds, resulting in a significant funding shortfall for aid needs in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

Due to the funding gap, an estimated 10 million people in Afghanistan lost access to vital food aid from May to November, according to OCHA. The funding shortfall comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. The situation in Afghanistan is critical as Afghan migrants face forced deportation from Pakistan, further adding to the already dire circumstances.

The financial shortfall hampers the delivery of essential aid and services, affecting the vulnerable people in need. The convergence of the harsh winter, the humanitarian crisis and the influx of returning migrants causes an escalating need for increased support and resources.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that over one million children in Afghanistan are facing severe malnutrition, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Afghanistan needs USD 185 million to fight against malnutrition. In a post on X, he said that 30 per cent of the total Afghanistan population faces acute food insecurity.

He said: “Close to 1 million children are severely malnourished and 2.3 million are suffering from moderate acute malnutrition. WHO needs USD 185 million to continue providing medicine and supporting hospitals to prevent more Afghan children and women from dying of malnutrition and the consequences of food insecurity.”

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Ministry of Public Health said that the number of malnourished mothers and children in the country has slightly increased compared to past years.

According to the doctors of Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital, the number of malnourished children in Afghanistan has increased compared to past years, and in the winter 20 to 25 malnourished children visited the hospital.

A nurse, Fatima Azimi, said: “Compared to the past year, especially in winter, our patients increased and nowadays 15 to 20 patients are referred daily.”

“For children not to face malnutrition, respectable families should increase the distance between births and observe health guidelines, and our society should be saved from poverty and improved,” said a doctor Abdul Gafoor Rasooli, according to TOLO News. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Neeraj Chopra India's Paris Olympics 2024

Neeraj Cuts Cake To Celebrate His 26th Birthday

By LokMarg

India’s Olympic gold medalist and World Champion javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, celebrated his 26th birthday by cutting cake on Sunday.

India’s ‘Golden Boy’ Neeraj turned 26 on Sunday.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a picture of Neeraj celebrating his birthday with a cake. The governing body of athletics in India also extended their wishes to Neeraj.

“Happy birthday champion @Neeraj_chopra1 #Paris2024 #Olympics #javelin@Adille1,” tweeted AFI.

Over the last five years or so, this young boy from Haryana, blessed with a strong arm and hunger to succeed, has touched the biggest peaks in athletics. About to enter his late 20s, he is already possibly the greatest Indian athlete ever.

Following a World Junior Championship gold and Asian Championship silver in 2016, Neeraj graduated to the senior level and celebrated it in style with a gold medal in the Asian Championships in 2017.

The athlete had a great 2018 as well, making an impact at the continental and Commonwealth levels. He won gold in the javelin throw at the Asian Games in Jakarta. With a throw of 88.06 m, he made a mark at continental level, giving signs of a fine future. He also secured a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games 2018 with a throw of 86.47 m.

But the year 2021 was when everything changed for Neeraj and suddenly, he had become India’s ‘golden boy’. He captured an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo with the best throw of 87.58 m. With this, he became the first-ever Indian to win an athletics gold. This victory made him a sensation in the country. Love and support from fans, cricketers, politicians, and Bollywood celebrities made his victory even grander. Suddenly, Neeraj was the talking point all over India, being featured on social media campaigns, advertisements, shows etc. People wondered what he would do next.

In the next few months, Neeraj showed that though he had attained the top prize in athletics, there was still plenty for him to prove and win.

2022 was an amazing year for Neeraj, though he missed out on the Commonwealth Games 2022 due to an injury.

In June, he set a new national record and finished with a silver medal with a throw of 89.30 metres at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, bettering his own previous national record of 88.07 metres, which he had set in Patiala in March last year.

In June again, he gave another sterling performance as he clinched gold in the 2022 Kuortane Games in Finland. Neeraj threw 86.69 m to clinch the top prize in tricky and wet conditions.

He also held the male javelin national record thanks to a throw in the Stockholm Diamond League that measured 89.94 metres, with which he broke his own record. He clinched a silver medal at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Stockholm and broke his own previous record.

At the World Athletics Championships in July, Neeraj Chopra made history by becoming only the second Indian and the first male track and field athlete to take home a medal. He finished second and won the silver medal, realising his aim of winning a world medal with a throw of 88.13 metres. Anju Bobby George won a bronze medal for India in the long jump competition before Neeraj.

In September, Chopra made history by becoming the first-ever Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League trophy, a top-tier athletics competition, achieving the best throw of 88.44 m to clinch one of the biggest wins of his career.

More accomplishments awaited Neeraj next year.

Neeraj clinched India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest back in August. Neeraj 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.

Neeraj lived up to expectations to win gold at the Asian Games, and his compatriot Kishore Kumar Jena took home a silver medal as Indian athletes put up a power-packed performance at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium on October 4. Neeraj defended his title and scripted history at the continental event. The event was watched eagerly on TV screens across the country as the two Indians stole the limelight.

There was a neck-to-neck competition between two Indian athletes, and Neeraj prevailed with his season’s best throw of 88.88 metres.

With a gold medal in the Asian Games, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and World Athletics Championships and a Diamond League title, Chopra has won every top prize in the sport. He has set an unprecedented example with his consistency and hunger for gold. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Christmas historic Roman Catholic Church

UP: Historic Roman Catholic Church In Meerut’s Decked Up Ahead Of Christmas

By LokMarg

The historic Roman Catholic Church of Sardhana town in Meerut City has been decorated ahead of the Christmas festival in Uttar Pradesh.

The historic church is known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The church is the largest in North India and has been preserving its grandeur as an unmatched example of art for the past two hundred years.

The church was built by Begum Samru, a Muslim Nautch girl of 14 who married a European mercenary soldier, Walter Reinhardt Sombre.

Samru converted to Roman Catholicism in 1781 and adopted the name Joanna Nobilis. She is regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India and ruled the Principality of Sardhana in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Meanwhile, the festive spirit is in the air as churches in Srinagar gear up for Christmas celebrations. The city is adorned with twinkling lights, and colourful decorations and the sweet melodies of Christmas carols can be heard echoing through churches.

As part of the preparations for the impending festivities, churches are being decorated with Christmas trees and vivid floral arrangements.

The Christmas season offers joy and happiness to the Srinagar community. Families gather in churches to plan for the event. Srinagar’s churches are ready to invite everyone to share in the celebrations of this unique time of year.

With the festive fervour in the air, the Khan market in Delhi is also lined up with stalls selling Santa caps, trees, reindeer, wreaths, candles and other items of decor while the stores are decorated with baubles and fir trees, marking the arrival of Christmas.

Revellers could be seen rummaging through the stores to purchase decorative items such as pine trees, Santa replicas and garlands for the festival.

Tourists have started flocking to the hill towns of Himachal Pradesh with family and friends ahead of the festival.

Several tourists are coming to Shimla and Manali to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families and friends.

Many parts of India come alive with the festive spirit of Christmas. With this, several streets in Aizawl, Mizoram, were also decorated and lit up ahead of the festival.

Christmas is an annual festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed by billions of people worldwide on December 25 as a religious and cultural event.

Many, but not all, countries observe Christmas as a holiday. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, many homes have Christmas trees and other decorations.

Some workplaces host Christmas parties before December 25. Exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and attending parties are all festive activities.

Christmas cards are also presented or mailed out before the festival. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Sanjay Singh

Sanjay Is Not My Relative: Brij Bhushan

By LokMarg

BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stated that he has “retired” from the sport and has “nothing to do with it” following the Union Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the newly elected sport’s premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers on Sunday.

The decision of the Sports Ministry came close on the heels of the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announcing the hosting of the U-15 and U-20 nationals at Nandini Nagar in the Gond district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.

After the Union Sports Ministry suspended the newly elected body of WFI, former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gave his first reaction to the verdict and said, “The elections were held in a democratic way on the direction of the Supreme Court and the body was formed. Now it’s their (federation members) decision if they wish to talk to the government or take the legal course of action. I have nothing to do with this.”

“Sanjay Singh is not my relative. The announcement to hold U-15 and U-20 nationals in Nandini Nagar was to ensure sports events should resume. It was held in Nandini Nagar because all federations stated that they wouldn’t be able to make preparations for the tournament in four to five days. I have worked 12 years for the wrestlers. Time will tell if I have done justice. I have broken my ties with wrestling. Now decisions and talks with the government will be done by the elected people of the federation. I have retired from wrestling,” Brij Bhushan added.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh skirted comments on the Centre’s decision, telling reporters, “I was on a flight. I don’t know the details and have not received any letter yet. I will make a public statement only after going through the letter. I have heard that some decisions have been reversed.”

The Sports Ministry released a press release to label WFI’s decision to host the competition as “complete disregard to the sports code.”

“The decisions made by the newly elected executive body of the WFI demonstrate a blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms, violating both the WFI’s constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code. The newly elected body appeared to be in complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code. The business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers,” the ministry added.

On Thursday, when the much-awaited WFI elections were finally concluded, Sanjay Singh was appointed as the new chief, an aide of the former WFT President Brih Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Soon after victory of Sanjay Singh in the WFI elections, Brij Bhushan said, “This is not my personal victory, this is the victory of the wrestlers of the country. All wrestling activities were stopped for 11 months. I hope that after the formation of the new federation, wrestling events will resume which were paused for the past 11 months.”

“A message has been given. Every akhaada in the country is bursting firecrackers. Dabdabaa tha, dabdabaa rahega!. I want to give the credit of victory to the wrestlers of the country and the electors.I want to thank the government as well. The elections were done on instructions of the Supreme Court and the Centre had submitted the PIL for this. Elections were held by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Centre went ahead to make sure elections happened and a non-partisan person was chosen as president. This ‘grahan’ of 11 months on wrestling is over. Within 10 days, the landscape of wrestling will change again and we will perform in the Olympics the way people want us to,” Brij Bhushan added.

An hour later, Sakshi, distraught and emotional, broke down as she left the venue announcing her retirement from wrestling while addressing a press conference in the national capital. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/