Month: February 2024

AAP

Threatened Or Bought: Chandigarh AAP Prez As AAP Councillors Join BJP

By LokMarg

After Three Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillors joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the national capital on Sunday evening Chandigarh AAP President Sunny Singh Ahluwalia alleged that they had been threatened or brought by the BJP.

“They launched ‘Operation Lotus’. The councillors who were protesting against them just three days ago, fighting for democracy, were either threatened or brought by the BJP and the same is going on inside the country,” Sunny Singh Ahluwalia said.

The three Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillors who joined BJP are Punam Devi, Neha Musawat, and Gurcharan Kala in the presence of party National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, in Delhi.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manoj Sonkar resigned from the post of Chandigarh Mayor on Sunday.

Reacting on BJP’s resignation from the Mayor post, party President of Chandigarh Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, “The mayor resigned on Sunday afternoon. Aam Aadmi Party and Congress propaganda is out in the open. They are abusing each other in the rest of the country and they are making an alliance in Chandigarh.”

“The Congress workers did not want a Congress Mayor, which is why they cross-voted… To stop AAP’s propaganda, we have resigned… More workers and the councillors of the AAP and Congress will join the BJP soon, he added.

The mayoral elections case is listed before the Supreme Court on February 19.

Earlier on February 5, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Returning Officer who held the Chandigarh Mayor elections, saying he was “murdering democracy” and ordered the preservation of the entire record of the election process, including ballot papers, videography and other material, through the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it is obvious that the returning officer had defaced the ballot papers.

“Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is a mockery of democracy. This is the murder of democracy. We are appalled. We will not allow democracy to be murdered this way. The man defaces ballots the moment he sees a cross at the bottom. This man should be prosecuted. Is this the behaviour of the returning officer?,” said the court. (ANI)

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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Resumes From Pratapgarh

By LokMarg

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters the 37th day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday resumed the Yatra from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Pratapgarh, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, “Amethi is the home of Rahul Gandhi. He has been a member of parliament from here. He is the son of Amethi. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is going to have a huge impact on Uttar Pradesh and the country…”

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj.

“Today is the 37th day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj. We will stay in Amethi tonight and reach Raebareli tomorrow morning. We will stay in Lucknow tomorrow and in Kanpur the day after. Then, we will take 2 days’ rest on 22nd and 23rd February…” said Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh.

When asked about Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh joining Bharat Jodo Naya Yatra, Jairam Ramesh said, “I expect that he will join the Yatra tomorrow. Earlier, Apna Dal leader Pallavi Patel also joined the yatra.”

Earlier the Samajwadi Party Chief had accepted the invitation from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to join the Yatra saying that he would participate in the Yatra in Amethi or Rae Bareli. However, with no headway being made in the seat-sharing talks between the two parties there have been reports that the SP Chief will stay away from the Yatra as it makes its way through Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called upon the youth of the country to rise and stand up for their rights.

He asserted that the youth should have the primary claim over the country’s wealth and resources, rather than “people like Adani and Ambani”.

Addressing a large gathering of people, which consisted predominantly of youth, on the thirty-sixth day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in this holy city of ‘Sangam’, Rahul Gandhi agreed with and shared the concerns of, the youth, particularly about their future, career and employment opportunities which were shrinking.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fired a fresh salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre over the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, claiming that the OBCs, Dalits, and Backward Class people, who represent 73per cent of the total population of the country, were nowhere seen during the mega event.

Gandhi was addressing a public gathering during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, succeeded by the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner. (ANI)

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Indian Army Chief

Lt Gen Upendra Takes Over As New Army Vice Chief

By LokMarg

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday took over as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff.

After assuming the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff, the General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Lt Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP) and was commissioned into the 18 JAK RIF on December 15, 1984, which he later commanded in the Kashmir valley and the deserts of Rajasthan. He has had the unique distinction of having balanced exposure of both Northern and Western theatre.

He has also held the important appointments of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) and Sector Commander Assam Rifles in intense counter terrorist operations and held various other staff and command appointments in the North East.

After commanding the Rising Star Corps, the General was given the command of the most prestigious Northern Army from 2022-2024 in an extremely challenging operational environment.

During his command, he provided guidance and operational oversight for the planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern borders with China and the Western Front with Pakistan, besides orchestrating the dynamic counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was also involved in the modernization and equipping of the largest Army Command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He has also worked towards creating sysnergy with the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for convergent nation-building outcomes and infrastructure development.

The General officer, during his illustrious career spanning across 39 years, has held various staff appointments in the headquarters of the Armoured Brigade, Mountain Division, Strike Corps and Integrated HQ (Army). As an instructor at the Indian Military Academy and the Army War College (Higher Command), he shaped the future generations of tri-services and Friendly Foreign Countries. The appointment of DG Infantry empowered him to steer and fast-track capital procurement cases of weapons for all three services, leading to significant and visible capability enhancement for our Armed Forces.

As Dy Chief (IS&C), the officer gave impetus towards automation and the absorption of niche tech in the Indian Army. Being a tech enthusiast, he worked towards enhancing the tech threshold of all ranks in Northern Command and pushed for Critical and Emerging Techs like Big Data Analytics, AI, Quantum and blockchain-based solutions.

The Genral officer’s two overseas tenures include Somalia, as pw1art of HQ United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) II and Seychelles, as Military Advisor to the Government of Seychelles.

Besides attending Staff College, Wellington and the Higher Command Course at Army War College (AWC), Mhow, the officer was conferred ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the coveted NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. Complementing his illustrious military career, are an M Phil in Defence & Management Studies, in addition to two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, including one from USAWC, USA. The officer has also authored / presented articles in various professional forums / Journals. He has pioneered the first ever compendium on Indo – Myanmar Border Management. The General officer is a skilled Yoga practitioner. (ANI)

He is married to Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate, who is a homemaker. Sunita Dwivedi has been associated with Aarushi, an institute for special-ability children at Bhopal. The couple is blessed with two daughters. (ANI)

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French Senate

French Senate Chairman Visits India To Boost Bilateral Relations

By LokMarg

Gerard Larcher, Chairman of the French Senate, is on an official visit to India on February 19 and 20, 2024, accompanied by a delegation of five senators, the French Embassy in India said.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation between France and India.

“Larcher is accompanied by a delegation of five other senators who are members of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee or the France-India Friendship Group. This will mark the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France’s Parliament,” according to the official press release.

‘Larcher and his delegation will meet with Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha,’ the release added.

According to the official release, ‘the French Senate chairman and his senators will discuss ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India’s Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement. Larcher will also be given a guided tour of the new Parliament building.’

The Chairman of the French Senate will call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter’s visit to Paris on July 14, 2023, when the Prime Minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups.

The chairman of the French Senate will also meet the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India’s growing geopolitical role.

During his visit, Larcher will meet with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French companies making key contributions to “Make in India” and “Skill India.”

The Senate is the Upper House of the Parliament of the French Republic. Its 358 members – or Senators – are elected through indirect universal suffrage for a term of six years. As a legislative assembly, the Senate votes the laws stemming from government or parliamentary initiative.

The Chairman of the Senate ensures the stability of France’s institutions as he is called upon to replace the President of the Republic in the event of death or resignation. The Chairman is elected for a three-year term after each renewal of the Senate membership. Gerard Larcher has been the Chairman of the Senate since October 2014, a post he also earlier held from 2008 to 2011. (ANI)

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Priyanka Chopra Malti Marie Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Shares Glimpse Of Maltie’s Fearless Avatar

By LokMarg

Global icon Priyanka Chopra In the picture, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas shared an adorable picture of her daughter Maltie Marie On Sunday.

Priyanka penned a long note on Instagram, characterizing Malti as ‘fearless, spontaneous, grateful, and curious.’

She wrote, “R u kidding me?! @maltimarie is such a champ. She surprises me everyday. Fearless and spontaneous. Grateful and curious. In this moment she climbed up this slide all by herself and launched herself off on her TUMMY, down the slide landing into the ball pit in a fit of laughter and unbridled joy.”

She added, “I think this will be a picture I will always remember to look at on a day I’m feeling blue. To remind myself of this moment. Do u have any such memories that you just want to pause in time? Thank you Rowe and Grey. Happy birthday. We had the most fun! @morganstewart @jordanmcgraw.”

In the picture, the toddler can be seen lying on a bed of black and white balls when she closes her eyes and giggles. Malti wore a light green outfit for a friend’s birthday party.

Priyanka and Nick Jonas got married in a Christian and a Hindu ceremony in Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace on December 1 and 2 2018. Later, the couple also hosted two receptions in Delhi and Mumbai. In January 2022, the two announced that they welcomed daughter Malti Marie via surrogacy.

Meanwhile, on the work front, in the coming months, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in ‘Heads of State’, alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. She will also be seen in Farhan Akhtar’s next directorial ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.

On the other hand, Nick recently performed in India with his brothers Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas for the first time. He received a warm welcome from the desi fans as he crooned at Lollapalooza 2024. (ANI)

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Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal

Varun, Natasha Expecting Their First Child

By LokMarg

After three years of marriage, the cutest couple of Bollywood Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal are all set to embrace parenthood.

On Sunday, Varun took to Instagram and shared the good news with their fans and followers.

The image captured Varun planting a kiss on Natasha’s baby bump and at the back their pet dog Joey posing for a camera.

Sharing the picture, he wrote, “We are pregnant, Need all your blessings and love #myfamilymystrenght.”

As soon as this exciting news was shared, fans and industry members flooded the comment section.

Karan Johar wrote, “Love you both!!!!!!! So so happy for you and the family!!!! welcome to best feeling in the world.”

Bhumi Pednekar commented, “Congratulations.”

Vaani Kapoor wrote, “Congratulations.”

Janhvi Kapoor dropped heart emojis.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu commented, “Omg. Best news.”

Varun tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Natasha on January 24 in 2021. The wedding was a close-knit affair with very few guests in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Varun and Natasha, a fashion designer, have known each other since sixth grade. However, the duo fell head-over-heels in love with each other after a couple of years.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Varun Dhawan will be seen in upcoming action thriller film ‘Baby John’.

‘Baby John’ is directed by A. Kaleeswaran. Atlee is presenting the film in association with Jio Studios and Cine1 Studios.

In the coming months, Varun will be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series ‘Citadel’ opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers’ series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (ANI)

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Looking back at 10 years of the government NDA

10 Yrs Of NDA Testimony To Courageous, Far-Reaching Decisions: Modi

By LokMarg

Looking back at 10 years of the government at the Centre under his leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the past decade at the helm bears testimony to courageous and far-reaching decisions.

Addressing party leaders and supporters on the closing day of the BJP’s National Convention at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi said, “The last 10 years of our government stands testimony to courageous and far-reaching decisions. We resolved tasks that had been pending for centuries. We fulfilled a dream and a wish going back five centurues by building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The country, in general, and Jammu and Kashmir in particular, were rid of Article 370 after nearly seven decades. Also, it took us six decadaes after independence to rename ‘Rajpath’ as ‘Kartavya Path’. The demand for ‘One Rank, One Pension’ was also fulfilled after four decades by our government,” PM Modi said.

Expanding on the signifcance of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, a legislation aimed at raising the representation of women in Parliament and state legislatures, Prime Minister Modi said, “We brought a law that guarantees more reservation for women in the Parliament as well as state legislative assemblies after three decades. We also showed the courage to implement a law that puts an end to the practice of Triple Talaq (among Muslims). The requirement for a new Parliament House had been felt by many for long. It was our government that fulfilled this long-pending requirement.”

PM Modi further said the BJP workers are fortunate to have witnessed ‘revolutionary changes’ across the country over the last 10 years.

“The BJP workers are fortunate to have witnessed revolutionary changes over the past 10 years of our government. Any country can progress and reach its promised place when the people come to appreciate and cherish its heritage and history. During our decade in governance, the country has not only come to cherish its heritage but also flaunt it with pride,” PM Modi said.

Earlier, on the inaugural day of the national convention on Saturday, the BJP passed a significant political resolution titled ‘Viksit Bharat’, highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre under Prime Minister Modi. It added that the BJP would return for a third term at the helm and carry forward its roadmap for holistic development and welfare.

With the Lok Sabha polls around the corner, the BJP National Convention was aimed at fleshing out the party’s strategy and charging up cadres ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)

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Japan

Japan’s Famed ‘Naked Man’ Festival Held One Last Time

By LokMarg

Amid growing concerns over an ageing population and declining childbirths, a weird Japanese festival that features almost-naked men fighting over a hemp bag filled with charms took place for one last time on February 17 in Iwate prefecture, according to Asahi Shimbun, one of the largest newspapers in Japan.

Every year, thousands of men dressed in loincloths brave the bitter cold of Tohoku winter to compete in the renowned ‘Somin-sai’ festival.

The Kokusekiji temple said since the participants are growing too old for the event, a decision was taken to end the festival that has a 1000-year long history in Japan.

Quoting the statement from the temple, Asahi Shimbun reported that there is also a shortage of successors to carry on the tradition.

Meanwhile, in the famed ‘Naked Man’ festival that was organised for the last time yesterday, the participants, who were just wearing loincloths called ‘fundoshi’, carried square lanterns and bathed in the Yamauchigawa River.

After praying for a bountiful harvest and other blessings in the Yakushido hall of the temple, they got into a brawl over a hemp sack known as a ‘somin-bukuro’ that held little talismans.

It is said the person who takes a talisman will subsequently be shielded from any kind of misfortune or disaster.

Meanwhile, in Saidaji Temple, located in Okayama prefecture, western Japan, the ‘naked festival’, also known as the ‘Eyo festival’ there, was celebrated. It included the tradition of semi-naked men scrambling to catch a pair of wooden sticks said to bring good luck, according to NHK World.

The tradition is one of Japan’s intangible folk cultural treasures.

The event, which had been postponed for the previous three years owing to the coronavirus pandemic, drew about 9,000 males to the Okayama temple festival.

Since the 1980s economic boom, Japan’s population has been steadily declining, with a fertility rate of 1.3, significantly lower than the 2.1 required to sustain a stable population in the absence of immigration, according to CNN.

The number of deaths in the country has exceeded the number of births for over ten years, causing increasing concern among the leaders of the fourth-largest economy globally.

The nation boasts one of the longest life expectancies globally, which also contributes to the rapidly growing senior population. (ANI)

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Demands Immediate Compensation To Family Of Victim Killed In Wild Elephant Attack

By LokMarg

After meeting the family members of the Forest Department watcher, who was trampled to death by wild in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi said that he has asked state’s Chief Minister in a letter that why it was taking “so long” to build a medical college in Wayanad, and sought immediate release of compensation to the family of the victim.

Compensation to the deceased’s family members should be given quickly and without any delay, said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a press conference.

“We’ve been facing these tragedies that are coming out of man-animal conflict for some time. And in the last few days, there have been a larger number of them. We’ve told the administration that they need to pay the compensation quickly and effectively and not delay the compensation that has been happening over the last couple of months,” Rahul Gandhi said, adding “We also suggested to look into setting up and testing an early warning system. There’s a question of interstate cooperation between Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. We mentioned to them that we will also play a role in trying to improve the coordination. But it’s important that the three states coordinate with each other as far as this issue is concerned,” he said.

“The medical college is a critical issue. I don’t understand why it is taking so long to develop and build a medical college here. I’ve written to the chief minister and I would request him again to please expedite this matter. It is almost becoming a joke now,” he added.

The Wayanad MP abruptly halted his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Uttar Pradesh and rushed to Wayanad after protests erupted over the killings of residents in wild elephant attacks.

On Saturday, a massive protest was witnessed in Pakkam near Pulpally in Wayanad district.

According to Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran, the victim was attacked when the elephant ventured into a residential area near Mananthavady.

However, the Kerala government announced Rs 10 lakh compensation and also assured a job to one of the family members of the deceased. (ANI)

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Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's wife

Anyone can contest polls in democracy: Supriya Sule

By LokMarg

Speaking on the speculations about Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra Pawar’s candidature against her in Baramati, the pocket borough of the Pawar clan, NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar leader Supriya Sule, said on Sunday that “anyone can contest elections in a democracy.”

The big battle for Baramati has intensified, with Lok Sabha polls ahead this year.

Sule told ANI, “How can this be a family fight? Anyone can contest elections in a democracy. I also said yesterday that if they have a strong candidate, then I am ready to talk to that candidate. Whatever topic, time, or place they decide, I am ready to sit down and discuss…”

On the issues she will be fighting, she said, “I am contesting for Parliament polls. Unemployment, inflation, a big Paytm issue, and the scam of the electoral bond… People who have been accused of corruption…all those corrupted… if they are convicted…they all are joining the BJP,” she said, adding, “whether corruption took place in the country or not. This is a big issue.”

Her remarks came in the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court verdict striking down as “unconstitutional” the electoral bond scheme.

“Should there not be an inquiry? ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga’ was a lie,'” Sule added, taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi.

Her latest remarks came a day after publicity campaign vehicles in Baramati showcased pictures of NCP Chief Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra, even as speculation continued on her being the candidate of the NCP (Ajit Pawar) for the constituency in the Lok Sabha. This constituency, which was repeatedly represented by Sharad Pawar, is currently represented by his daughter, Supriya Sule.

The campaign vehicle carried a banner with photographs of Sunetra Pawar and Ajit Pawar with the symbol of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The Baramati Lok Sabha segment has traditionally been a bastion of Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule.

Supriya Sule was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2006, followed by three consecutive terms in 2009, 2014 and 2019 as a Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha.

Sunetra Pawar is a social worker and hails from a political family. Her brother is senior politician and former minister, Padamsinh Patil.

Sunetra Pawar is the founder of the Environmental Forum of India, an NGO founded in 2010 and serves as a trustee for the indigenous and well-known educational institution Vidya Prathishthan. She has been a Think Tank member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum in France since 2011. (ANI)

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