March 2024 - Page 30 of 38 - Lokmarg

KaJo Set To Host 71st Miss World

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

The upcoming 71st Miss World pageant is all set to unfold in India after a 28-year hiatus. Filmmaker Karan Johar will host the prestigious event.

Miss World’s official Instagram handle announced this news on Tuesday and captioned the post, “We are honored to announce that Karan Johar @karanjohar, a renowned Indian filmmaker, will host the 71st Miss World Festival. He has been the recipient of a lot of film awards, including two National Film Awards. He has also been honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. The 71st Miss World will be crowned on March 9th, at the @jioworldconventioncentre.”

Karan will be hosting the event with former Miss World Megan Young.

Another post introducing Megan Young, read, “Megan Young @meganbata returns to the Miss World stage co-hosting this year’s event! The talented and charismatic actress, model, and tv hosted who won the Miss World title in 2013, has been recently featured on the Philippine television drama crime “Royal Blood”. Welcome back, Megan.”

Alongside their captivating hosting prowess, the evening promises to be an unforgettable spectacle with sensational performances lined up by artists Shaan, Neha Kakkar, and Tony Kakkar.

After a hiatus of 28 years, the Miss World finale returns to India, marking a historic moment in the pageant’s legacy. The event will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on March 9, drawing attention from around the globe.

For viewers in India, the Miss World Finale will be streamed live on Sony LIV.

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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Shatrughan To Make OTT Debut With ‘Gangs Of Ghaziabad’

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha is all set to make his OTT debut soon.

Titled ‘Gangs of Ghaziabad’, on Thursday, the ‘Kalicharan’ actor shared shared first poster of his web show on Instagram.

He captioned the post, “It was a memorable experience to work with the dedicated and experienced director @nagender.choudhary.1 , talented and hardworking actors @itspradeepnagar , @thejatinsarna , great artists #Ashutoshrana, Abhimanyu singh,Mukesh Tiwari, the bright and promising @mahirasharma , and all the cast and crew of Suman Talkies . Sharing the first look of my debut on OTT GANGS OF GHAZIABAD an epic tale of crime, friendship and redemption produced by Vinay Kumar & Pradeep Nagar and written & Directed by Nagender choudhary joined by an ensemble cast. A journey back to the gritty underworld of the 90s awaits.”

The show also stars Ashutosh Rana, Pradeep Nagar, Jatin Sarna, Abhimanyu Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Mahira Sharma, Sunny Leone and Durgesh Kumar in pivotal roles.

The makers have now wrapped up the shooting of the show.

The series is written and directed by Nagender Choudhary, who has previously worked as assistant director on projects like ‘LOC Kargil’ and also co-directed ‘Paltan’.

‘Gangs of Ghaziabad’ is an epic tale of crime, friendship and redemption.

The official streaming date of the series is still awaited.

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

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

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Will Win All 80 Seats UP: Anurag

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday exuded confidence over BJP’s victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and asserted that this time the party will win all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh and set a new record.

Thakur emphasized the BJP’s historical success in Uttar Pradesh and asserted that the BJP would not only sweep all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh but also secure over 400 seats nationwide, thereby reinstating PM Modi as the Prime Minister of India.

“Earlier too, the BJP has won from Uttar Pradesh and I have full confidence that the party will emerge victorious this time too. This time BJP will win all 80 seats from Uttar Pradesh, and the party will secure 400 plus (char sau paar) seats all over the country and PM Modi will be the Prime Minister once again,” Anurag Thakur said.

Highlighting the fading influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh, Thakur said, “The big state like UP had given votes to four generations of Nehru-Gandhi family, and today no one is listening to them in UP. Nehru-Gandhi family has bid farewell to UP, so it’s natural to be frustrated and disappointed”.

In a veiled jibe at the INDIA bloc, Anurag Thakur said, “Overall the alliance is a ‘Thugbandhan’. Congress and its allies are habitual of criticising religious places. Sometimes insulting Lord Rama, sometimes talking about crushing Sanatana Dharma and sometimes talking about dividing North and South. What kind of thinking does Congress and its allies have?, he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an attack on the Congress party’s dynastic politics and said that unlike the opposition alliance, which believes in putting “family first,” he puts the country first and everything that he does is for the welfare of the nation.

Addressing a public gathering in Sangareddy in Telangana, the Prime Minister said, “they (dynastic family) say that they have ideological differences with me. They believe in ‘Family First’, and I believe in ‘Nation First’. For them, their family is everything; for me, my country is everything. They sacrifice the Nation for the welfare of their family; I have sacrificed myself for the welfare of the Nation,” PM Modi had said. (ANI)

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Important That Japan Today Appreciates Pace Of Change In India: Jaishankar

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

Hailing India’s growth story, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that it is important that Japan today appreciate the pace of change in India.

Jaishankar, who is in Japan on a three-day visit from March 6-8, participated in the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo today.

Addressing the event there, the EAM said, “I think it is important that Japan today appreciates the pace of change in India. This is a country today which is building 28 kms of highway everyday, which is creating 8 new airports every year, which is establishing one and half- to two metros every year, which has for the last 10 years built two new colleges everyday…”

Emphasising India’s flourishing growth, Jaishankar said that “This transformation of India makes us a more effective and credible partner, whether it is ease of doing business, ease of living, digital delivery, startup and innovation culture or shaping the international agenda, India is clearly a very different country today.”

He said India is working on major corridors today, both to its east and west.

“They include the IMAC (India Middle East-Europe Corridor) initiative through the Arabian peninsula and the international north-south transport corridor and towards east the trilateral highway…these corridors when completed will connect the Atlantic to the Pacific through Asia. Two nations (India and Japan) have converging views about the need for transparent and collaborative connectivity,” Jaishankar said at the Raisina Roundtable organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Tokyo.

The External Affairs Minister also spoke at length on Global South and underlined that India is conscious of the responsibility.

“As the voice of the global south, India is conscious of the responsibility, our development efforts today spans 78 nations across different continents, can India and Japan coordinate in regards to their developmental systems?…maritime safety and security have become particularly pressing concerns.”

“We can see that at the Red Sea, we had first casualties…it is also necessary to strengthen our defence capabilities for the benefit of the larger region…” Jaishankar asserted.

The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military shipping in Red Sea since November, halting global trade route. The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US.

Jaishankar is notably on a visit to Japan from March 6-8. Before this, he visited South Korea, where he met the top leaders during his stay.

He is in Japan for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister’s Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa.

The two ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to MEA. (ANI)

Earlier today, Jaishankar said the overall balance should remain in favour of freedom, openness, and rules-based order.

“As to powers that are so central to multipolarity in Asia, it is also in our common interest that the overall balance remains in favour of the freedom, openness, transparency, and rules-based order,” he said.

“The world will watch how we will support each other in the shared goal through various relationships and initiatives…” the EAM noted.

He also asserted how “new balances are being sorted and occasionally achieved.”

“This session is about how India and Japan, who enjoy special a special strategic and global partnership, intent to meet the challenges facing the global order. There are many aspects to this subject…,” Jaishankar said. (ANI)

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Hundreds Throng Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium To Attend Modi’s Rally

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

Hundreds of people have gathered outside the Bakshi stadium in Srinagar-where the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally during his visit to the Kashmir, his first since the abrogation of article 370.

Strict security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the visit at Bakshi Stadium, the venue of the rally.

Welcoming their leader, BJP workers draped in party flags were seen chanting ‘Baar Baar Modi Sarkar’.

People expecting PM Modi to announce a development package for the valley, were seen heading to the venue early in the morning.

During his address, PM Modi is expected to announce a slew of projects related to tourism and agriculture.

BJP President Jammu & Kashmir Ravinder Raina said “There is a great deal of enthusiasm here in Kashmir to recieved the PM, this will be a historic rally and the world will see the love that people of Kashmir has for the PM. The PM has done a lot of development in Kashmir and the people appreciate it. We are expecting at least 2 lakh people at this rally. PM is speaking about Sabka Saath and Sabka Vishwas and today we see complete peace in Kashmir.”

However, the opposition parties claim that the Prime Minister is yet to fulfill his promises to the people.

National Conference leader, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad told ANI, “It is good that Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi) wil address a rally in Kashmir. This is the second rally in 15 days. He addressed a rally in Jammu. But i think people are being fooled,” he told ANI ahead of PM Modi’s visit.

“The BJP secured a huge mandate in 2014 and 2019, promising to cool down the inflation, end unemployment,” he said.

In Jammu, Congress leader, Ravinder Sharma told ANI, “PM Modi is welcome in any part of the Country. It is a pre-election rally. He will speak about a lot of things. During his Jammu visit, he inaugurated some projects, which are still incomplete”.

“He (PM Modi) is saying that they have pushed development in the Jammu and Kashmir. But the situation is quite opposite,” the Congress leader alleged.

This is PM Modi’s second visit to the Jammu and Kashmir in more than two weeks. In February 20, PM Modi during his visit addressed rally in Jammu.

The visit comes at a time when regional parties like Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have been pressing for holding simultaneous polls in the Union Territory. (ANI)

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India, US Call For Perpetrators Of 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot Terrorist Attacks To Be Brought To Justice

By LokMarg 7th March 2024

In a statement after the Counterterrorism Joint Working Group (CTJWG) and 6th Designations Dialogue, India and the United States have strongly called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot terrorist attacks to be brought to justice.

The two countries, as they held the dialogue, also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) 1267 Sanctions Committee– al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release.

Notably, the 20th meeting of the US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and 6th Designations Dialogue took place on March 5 in Washington D.C.

Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Department of State, and Ambassador K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs, led their respective inter-agency delegations.

“The United States and India emphasized the extraordinary value and durability of the US-India comprehensive global and strategic partnership and renewed their commitments to countering terrorism and promoting regional security as an integral part of their broader bilateral cooperation,” the release said.

Both sides reiterated that terrorism remains a serious threat to international peace and security.

“The participation of delegates from a wide array of departments and agencies from both countries illustrated that the United States and India recognize that countering terrorism requires an inclusive and holistic approach. This approach depends on bilateral coordination between our agencies to ensure productive information sharing and facilitate security, stability, and growth in both countries and throughout the region,” the release read.

Both sides “reviewed emerging threats and tactics in terrorism, including the use of the internet and new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, international movement of terrorists, terrorist recruitment, the financing of terrorist activities, and radicalization to violence and violent extremism,” it said.

The two sides committed to information sharing, capacity building and continued bilateral and multilateral efforts to address these threats, according to MEA.

“The two sides committed to strengthening law enforcement and judicial partnerships in support of the rule of law, including through information sharing and enhanced cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests, and also exchanged information regarding priorities and procedures for designating various terrorist entities/ groups and individuals,” the MEA added.

US, and India reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in the Quad Counterterrorism Working Group and other multilateral fora and processes such as the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for advancing shared security interests within the region while supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. (ANI)

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CBI Takes Shahjahan To Joka ESI Hospital For Examination

By LokMarg 6th March 2024

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took the suspended Trinamool Congress strongman and Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh Shahjahan to Joka ESI Hospital for his medical examination after getting his handover from the Crime Investigation Department (CID).

Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of extortion, land grabs, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, was handed over to the CBI on Wednesday, following the Calcutta High Court’s directive.

Issuing a contempt notice to the West Bengal CID, the Calcutta High Court observed on Wednesday that an investigation into the attack on ED officials should be handed over to the CBI and the custody of accused Sheikh Shahjahan be done today.

The CBI team arrived at Bhabani Bhaban Police Headquarters in Kolkata to take custody of Sheikh Shahjahan earlier in the day.

Calcutta High Court also observed that state police have played hide and seek in the matter.

The Bengal government earlier refused to hand over custody of Shahjahan to the CBI despite a Calcutta High Court order Tuesday to the police’s criminal investigation department, or CID.

The state government on Wednesday sought an urgent hearing of its plea in the Supreme Court challenging a Calcutta High Court order that directed a CBI probe into the Sandeshkhali matter pertaining to an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials in Sandeshkhali on January 5 this year.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the women victims of sexual assault in Sandeshkhali village, West Bengal, on Wednesday.

The sources said, “They put forward their ordeal and the Prime Minister heard them patiently like a father figure. The victims were very emotional with the fact that the PM understood their pain”.

Calling the women of Sandeshkhali, his parivar (family), PM Modi on Wednesday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of shielding the accused in the Sandeshkhali case and said that it is a “matter of shame.”

“Under TMC’s rule, the women of this land have been tortured. Whatever happened in Sandeshkhali will put anyone to shame but the TMC government does not care about your issues. TMC government is hell-bent on saving the perpetrator. Their acts were first condemned by the High Court and then the Supreme Court as well. TMC leaders have committed atrocities on the women of the state. Leaders of TMC are torturing the women from poor, Dalit, and Adivasis groups. TMC government trusts its leaders more than it trusts the women of Bengal. TMC has full confidence in their leader but not in the women of West Bengal,” the Prime Minister said.

After weeks of no action, on February 29, Sheikh was arrested by West Bengal police, after which West Bengal’s Basirhat Court remanded him to 10-day police custody. (ANI)

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Asha Sings ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’ As She Meets Shah

By LokMarg 6th March 2024

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle sang the evergreen ‘Abhi na jao chhod kar’ song during her meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Amit Shah released the book ‘Best of Asha’, a photobiography of the legendary singer in Mumbai.

The book was released at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai in the presence of the acclaimed singer.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra took to X and shared the video of Amit Shah and Asha Bhosle.

Conceptualized and initiated by Mumbai BJP president and the party MLA Ashish Shelar, ‘Best of Asha’ is a compilation of photographs of Asha Bhosle as captured by ace photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha.

Asha’s style of singing, her songs, and her entire life journey have been captured in the photographs that have been published in this book. It is nothing less than a beautifully crafted ‘treasure trove’ of 42 of her best melodies, along with memories associated with it.

Asha Bhosle is known as one of the most successful singers in Hindi cinema. In her career spanning over eight decades, she has recorded songs for films and albums in several Indian languages and received awards. She was also honoured with the Dadasahed Phalke Award. She was honoured with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour in the country in 2008.

The legendary singer’s career started in 1943 and spanned an illustrious and fruitful journey in the music industry of more than six decades.

In addition, she has recorded several private albums and songs. Bhosle has also participated in numerous solo concerts in India and abroad.

In 2011, she was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most-recorded artist in music history.

The singer has given several hit songs like ‘Parde Mein Rehne Do’, ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’, and ‘Dum Maro Dum’ among several others. (ANI)

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Navy Commissions INS Jatayu Base To Strengthen Ops

By LokMarg 6th March 2024

The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned its second naval base, INS Jatayu at Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep to strengthen its foothold in the region, the Indian Navy said in an official statement.

The INS Jatayu was commissioned in the presence of Adm. R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, Hon’ble Administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri Praful K Patel, V Adm V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.

According to the statement, “This milestone event strengthens the Indian Navy’s foothold in the Lakshadweep island while extending capacity building, operational reach and sustenance in the region. The establishment of Naval Base at Minicoy will augment connectivity with the mainland, focusing towards comprehensive development of the islands.”

The INS Jatayu will be functioning under the operational control of the Naval Officer in Charge (Lakshadweep), Southern Naval Command.

On the occasion, the chief of Naval Staff was presented with a 50-man Guard of Honour and Commander Vrat Baghel, the first commanding officer of the unit, recited the invocation in Sanskrit, followed by the reading of the commissioning warrant.

After the unveiling of the commissioning plaque, the Naval Ensign was hoisted to the tune of the National Anthem. With the last note of the National Anthem, the commissioning pennant was broken on the mast. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, senior Naval officers and distinguished guests.

On completion of the commissioning ceremony, the Maritime Operations Center at Minicoy was inaugurated and the Chief of the Naval Staff, interacted with the officers and men of the unit and commended them on this momentous occasion.

INS Jatayu will play a significant role in the Indian Navy’s operational surveillance while embracing the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).

Additionally, Spokesperson of the Indian Navy shared about the development saying, “#IndianNavy Commissions #INSJatayu at Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep. Another step towards Navy’s efforts to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important islands.” (ANI)

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ECI Advises Rahul To Be Cautious In Public Utterances

By LokMarg 6th March 2024

Amid preparations by various political parties for the Lok Sabha election, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued an advisory to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to be cautious in his public utterances, sources said.

They said ECI has advised the Congress leader to be “more careful and cautious” in his public utterances in future. The Delhi High Court had earlier asked the ECI to take appropriate action against the Congress MP for his speech in November last year in which he used the expression ‘pickpocket’ while attacking BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Election Commission had also issued notice to Rahul Gandhi over his ‘panauti and pickpocket’ jibes at PM Modi.

The sources said that ECI reiterated its advisory of March 1 this year and said it should be followed in right earnest during campaigning. Rahul Gandhi is a star campaigner of the Congress.

“After considering all facts in the matter related to certain remarks against Prime Minister as ‘jaibkatra’ (pickpocket) and ‘pannauti’ including High Court of Delhi order dated December 21, 2023, and Rahul Gandhi’s reply, the Election Commission of India has advised the Congress leader be more careful and cautious in future,” a source said.

The Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to take note of the advisory of the Commission to all parties, star campaigners and candidates while making public utterances.

Taking note of the various trends and cases of plummeting levels of political campaign discourse in recently-held elections, the Election Commission last week issued an advisory to all political parties to maintain decorum and utmost restraint in public campaigning and raise the level of election campaigning to “issue-based” debate.

The Election Commission will assess any indirect MCC violations as per advisory as a fair basis to rework the notices to be given in terms of time and content in the forthcoming elections, the sources said.

For the general election to the Lok Sabha and four state Legislative assemblies, all phases and geographical areas of the elections shall be the basis for determining “repeat” offences.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful political discourse that inspires rather than divides and promotes ideas instead of personal attacks.

The poll body has also put ‘star campaigners’ and candidates on ‘notice’ in case of violations that followed the previously known methodologies during elections to avoid breach of the Model Code of Conduct. (ANI)

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