Month: April 2024

Actor Parineeti Chopra got emotional as she has been receiving appreciation for her role as Amarjot in ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’. The actor penned a heartwarming note for her fans expressing her feelings.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Parineeti shared stills from the sets along with a thank you note.

The note read, “Curled up in my blanket. Overwhelmed with your words, calls, and movie reviews. (tears are not stopping)”PARINEETI IS BACK.” These words are ringing loud. Hadn’t thought of this. Yes I am back, and not going anywhere!#Chamkila.”

As soon as the post was shared, fans chimed in the comment section.

One of the users wrote, “Parineeti Era is Back!!!!!”

Another user commented, “You did an outstanding job in this movie.”

“This is how you get into the skin of a character @parineetichopra #amarjotkaur,” another comment read.

Earlier today, overwhelmed with the response, Parineeti posted her singing video and attached a clip of real Amarjot and Chamkila.

Parineeti sings the film’s hit song ‘Pehle Lalkare Naal’ in form of gratitude.

Sharing the video, she wrote, “Amarjot ko itna pasand karne ke liye Shukriya #Chamkila.”

Overwhelmed with all the love that’s been pouring in… thank you… #Grateful.”

Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ presents the untold true story of Punjab’s original rockstar of the masses, who emerged from the shadows of poverty and rose to the heights of popularity in the 80s due to the sheer power of his music, angering many along the way, which led to his assassination at the young age of 27.

Diljit Dosanjh portrays ‘Chamkila,’ the top-selling artist of his era, who rose from poverty to immense fame in the 1980s through his powerful music. Parineeti essays the role of Amar Singh Chamkila’s wife Amarjot Kaur.

‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ is streaming on Netflix from April 12. (ANI)

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Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, US military said on Monday that they have destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran and Yemen, Al Jazeera reported.

In an official post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Monday, “On April 13 and the morning of April 14, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by US European Command destroyers, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.”

“Iran’s continued unprecedented, malign, and reckless behaviour endangers regional stability and the safety of US and coalition forces,” CENTCOM said in a post on X

“CENTCOM remains postured to support Israel’s defense against these dangerous actions by Iran. We will continue to work with all our regional partners to increase regional security.”

CENTCOM made the announcement after Iran came out in defence of its retaliatory attack on Israel on Saturday in response to an attack on its consulate in Syria

According to Al Jazeera, the attack involving more than 300 drones and missiles caused only modest damage, as most were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system or the US and its partners.

US President Joe Biden earlier praised US forces for their “extraordinary skill” in helping Israel take down “nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”

Biden described US support for Israel’s self-defence as “ironclad” but warned that Washington would not join any retaliatory action taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government against Tehran, as per Al Jazeera.

Further on Sunday, the national security spokesman at the White House, John Kirby, said the ability to prevent widespread damage was a demonstration of Israel’s ‘military superiority’ and proof that Iran was not the “military power that they claim to be.”

“This was an incredible success, really proving Israel’s military superiority and, just as critically, their diplomatic superiority, that they have friends in the region, that they have around the world that are willing to help them,” Kirby told CNN.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, according to US official.”

Additionally, Austin said US forces “remain postured to protect US troops and partners in the region, provide further support for Israel’s defence, and enhance regional stability.”

The threat of all-out war between Israel and Iran has put the region on tenterhooks, prompting calls for restraint from Middle Eastern neighbours and major powers.

Following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel, War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz said that Israel will “exact a price from Iran in a way and time that suits us,” CNN reported on Sunday.

He said that Iran “met the strength of the Israeli security system,” a reference to the minimal damage caused by the assault involving hundreds of projectiles.

Gantz stated that the attack showed that “the world clearly stood together with Israel in the face of the danger.”

He further said, “this event is not over” and mentioned the need to “build a regional coalition and extract a price from Iran, in a way and at a time that suits us.” (ANI)

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The online registration for the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ started on Monday on the tourism department’s portal, according to the Uttarakhand tourism department.

The pilgrims can register themselves on the official website from April 15 to visit the revered shrines.

The Char-Dham yatra in Uttarakhand consists of visiting four temples, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

This year, Char Dham Yatra will begin on May 10, with the opening of three of the four shrines, including Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath. The doors of Badrinath shrine will open on May 12.

The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April/May to October/November.

Last week, Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana visited the Badrinath Dham and inspected the preparations for the Chardham Yatra.

The District Magistrate instructed the officials that before the start of the Yatra, works related to sewer line repair, improvement of internal routes, water, electricity, street lights and vehicle parking should be completed and signage should be installed for passenger convenience.

The high-altitude shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in the summer (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November).

It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath.

The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a ‘Do Dham Yatra’ or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath. (ANI)

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A Delhi Court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 23 in the money laundering case connected to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on the night of March 21, was produced virtually before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts on the expiry of his judicial custody.

The Court said it is extending custody until April 23, when judicial custody of the co-accused (BRS leader K Kavitha) is also ending.

Earlier, AAP leader Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court judgement that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

On April 9, the High Court dismissed his plea for release from jail and rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the looming Lok Sabha elections.

The High Court had said that Kejriwal’s absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister, suggesting his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.

Filing the appeal against the High Court judgement, Kejriwal said that there is no material in the possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which an inference of guilt can be made under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The arrest was made solely based on the subsequent, contradictory, and highly belated statements of co-accused who have now turned approvers, the appeal stated.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22. (ANI)

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After a Lancet report that asserted that the Indian government spends just 1.2 per cent of GDP on healthcare and noted that it was among the lowest among G20 countries, sources in the government said that spending is at an all-time high and out-of-pocket expenditure as a per cent of the total health expenditure has decreased.

“As per the National Health Policy, 2017, public investment in health is envisioned to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2025. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has taken up with States to prioritize allocation to the health sector and enhance their health budgets by at least 10 per cent every year to reach the goal as envisaged,” one of the sources said.

The budget estimates of the Department of Health and Family Welfare have reached from Rs 86,175 crore in 2023-24 from Rs 36,948 crore in 2014-15, thereby showing an overall increase of 133.23 per cent during the period, they said.

According to the report by medical journal Lancet, the government spending on health has fallen and now hovers around an “abysmal” 1.2 per cent of gross domestic product, out-of-pocket expenditure on health care remains extremely high, and flagship initiatives on primary health care and universal health coverage have so far “failed” to deliver services to people most in need.

In response, the sources in the government said the Health Ministry is making continuous efforts to increase allocation in health budget.

Further, the 15th Finance Commission has provided Rs 70,051 crore as grants for health through the local governments, the sources added.

As per National Health Accounts estimates for 2019-20, the key achievements in the health sector, that the total health expenditure was Rs 4,83,259 crore in 2014-15, which in 2019-20 has risen to Rs 6,55,822 crore.

However, government health expenditure as a per cent of GDP has increased from 1.13 per cent in 2014-15 to 1.35 per cent in 2019-20, indicating the commitment of the government to increase investments in the health sector.

On out-of-pocket expenditure, they said it has been decreasing.

“Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a per cent of total health expenditure has decreased to 47.1 per cent in 2019-20 from 62.6 per cent in 2014-15.

As the Lancet in its report has mentioned about the failure of flagship initiatives on primary health care and universal health coverage to deliver services to people most in need , the source in the government rubbished these charges and said that, “Government has launched four mission mode projects, namely PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Ayushman Arogya Mandir (erstwhile AB-HWCs), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Recently, Government has launched the Ayushman Bhav campaign.”

Further explaining about the ‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign, one of the sources said, “It’s a comprehensive nationwide healthcare initiative that aims to provide saturation coverage of healthcare services, reaching every village and town in the country. This groundbreaking initiative builds upon the success of the Ayushman Bharat program and signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare services.”

Other notable initiatives are to provide financial and technical support to States/UTs under National Health Mission (NHM), setting up of new AIIMS, upgrading of Government medical colleges under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY), support to States/UTs for setting up of new medical colleges as well as for increasing UG and PG medical seats, provision of free drugs and free diagnostic facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHC)/ Community Health Centres (CHC) and district hospital level, substantial increase in availability of government ambulances, implementation of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, Mobile Medical Units etc, they said

On providing affordable generic medicines under PMBJP, telemedicine and e Sanjeevani they said, “Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions and under National Telemedicine Service , eSanjeevani provides access to specialized medical healthcare across the country by providing facility for doctor-to- doctor consultation and patient-to-doctor consultation.” (ANI)

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The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the medical bail plea of Prabir Purkayastha, Newsclick founder and Editor-in-Chief, lodged in Tihar jail under anti-terror law, for April 22.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta adjourned to next Monday the plea of Purkayashta, seeking bail on medical ground, as senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing him was unavailable.

Earlier, the apex court had directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to set up a medical board to examine the health condition of Purkayastha.

It had asked the AIIMS director to constitute the board and submit a report which shall also consider the jail records and complete medical history of the petitioner.

The direction of the apex court came after Sibal told the bench that the report filed by the prison authorities about his client’s medical condition was not correct.

Purkayastha had earlier also approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over alleged Chinese funding to promote anti-national propaganda.

He challenged the Delhi High Court’s October 13, 2023, order upholding the trial court order remanding him to police custody. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

Earlier, NewsClick’s human resources department head, Amit Chakravarty had withdrawn from the Supreme Court his petition against his arrest.

A Delhi court had allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver in the case lodged against the news portal.

Purkayastha and Chakraborty were arrested by the special cell of the Delhi police on October 3 after it searched 30 locations connected with the online news portal and its journalists in a case filed under the UAPA following allegations that it received money for pro-China propaganda.

Purkayastha and Chakravarty subsequently moved the High Court challenging the arrest as well as the seven-day police custody and sought immediate release as an interim relief.

The High Court had rejected their pleas and said it is of the view that “the fact that serious offences affecting stability, integrity, sovereignty and national security have been alleged against the petitioner, this Court is not inclined to pass any favorable orders.”

According to the FIR, a large amount of funding for the news portal allegedly came from China to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country.

The probe agency also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group, the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS), to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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India’s passenger vehicle sales grew 10 per cent YoY, but its electric vehicle (EV) sales nearly doubled to account for 2 per cent of the overall PV sales.

This EV surge in EV sales can be can be attributed to factors like, government incentive schemes like PLIs, infrastructure development like more EV charging points, increasing urban consumer interest, and government push to meet green target.

Now with reports of Tesla’s entry in the Indian market, and its CEO Elon Musk India visit this month, experts say Indian EV market will see immense growth in next few years.

Currently Tata Motors held over two-thirds of the country’s EV market, but Mahindra & Mahindra and BYD are emerging players in the Indian market.

Recording a 2476 per cent increase with just one model in its portfolio, Mahindra & Mahindra was the fastest-growing brand in 2023, followed by Build Your Dreams (BYD) and MG Motor.

Mahindra’s growth is attributed to the all-electric SUV XUV400 launched in 2023. BYD, with just two models in its India line-up, e6 MPV and Atto 3 SUV, grew over 1500 per cent in 2023.

BYD’s recent launch of the Seal model will further enhance its presence and competitiveness in the Indian EV market.

A recent research report by Counterpoint research, says India’s EV sales in expected to increase by 66 per cent in 2024, and EVs market share in passenger vehicle segment will double to 4 per cent from 2 per cent in 2023. The report also says by 2030, EVs are expected to constitute nearly one third of India’s total PV sales.

Maruti Suzuki’s too will enter the EV market with eVX in 2025. The Evx will be an SUV with a 60kWh battery pack and a range of up to 550 km.

The vehicle will be designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation Japan and will be made Maruti Suzuki’s plant in India.

Tesla and Maruti Suzuki’s entry into the Indian market, is expected to shake up Tata’s and Mahindra’s dominance in the domestic market.

Vietnam’s auto major, VinFast has also announced to build a factory in India’s Tamil Nadu with an investment of Rs 4000 crore.

All this will not only increase competition but also evolve the landscape of India’s automotive sector towards a sustainable and eco-friendly technology.

Government policy incentives have attracted many players like Reliance New Energy, Ola, ACC Energy Storage to start EV battery manufacturing in India.

Last week Exide has tied up with auto majors Kia and Hyundai to supply EV batteries for their vehicles. Domestic manufacturing of EV batteries will bring down electric vehicles cost and boost sales.

Government’s PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) and the recent policy change and reduction in import duties on EVs over to 15 per cent are game changers.

This has not only attracted Tesla but also signal’s that India is ready to welcome investments and also build a new ecosystem for EVs and their component suppliers.

The government initiatives are giving a clear sign that India is taking all required steps to become a major player in the global EV market.

An S&P global research says EVs will consume three times less energy than they use when compared to their ICE counterparts by 2050.

Experts say next few years will be critical for India’s energy space and increased use of EVs will be key to unlock end-use efficiency in India’s road transport. (ANI)

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Bollywood actors Priyanka Chopra, Triptii Dimri, and others are showing their appreciation for Imtiaz Ali’s latest film, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila.’

Priyanka took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday to praise the film and its cast. She posted a film poster rating on her feed and congratulated Imtiaz Ali, Diljit, Parineeti (whom she affectionately calls Tisha), and the team, saying it looks impressive.

She wrote, “Congratulations Imtiaz sir, Diljit, Tisha and the team. Looks so good (sic).”

Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ presents the untold true story of Punjab’s original rockstar of the masses, who emerged from the shadows of poverty and rose to the heights of popularity in the 80s due to the sheer power of his music, angering many along the way, which led to his assassination at the young age of 27.

Diljit portrays ‘Chamkila,’ the top-selling artist of his era, who rose from poverty to immense fame in the 1980s through his powerful music. Parineeti essays the role of Amar Singh Chamkila’s wife Amarjot Kaur.

Ahead of the release, Parineeti shared a heartwarming video of herself grooving to their iconic track ‘Pehle Lalkare Naal.’

In the captivating video, Parineeti can be seen in her vanity van, preparing for her day, while being serenaded by the soulful melodies of

Amar Singh Chamkila and Amarjot.

Sharing the video with her fans, Parineeti expressed her reverence for the iconic duo, stating, “Whatta song! Chamkila and Amarjot are the legends the world will never get again.”

‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ is streaming on Netflix from April 12. (ANI)

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India wrestlers Anju and Harshita produced remarkable performances as they bagged a silver medal each in the Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Anju won silver in the women’s 53kg weight category, while Harshita finished second in the women’s 72kg category.

Manisha and Antim Panghal also secured bronze medals in the women’s 62kg and 65kg weight classes, respectively.

After winning her match against Aliah Gavalez of the Philippines 12-1, Anju got better of Sri Lanka’s grappler Nethmi Poruthotage 14-4 in the quarter-finals.

She went on to clinch a 9-6 victory over the People’s Republic of China’s Chun Lei in the semi-final, which left her just one win away from the gold medal.

However, Anju fell short in the final as she suffered a 10-0 defeat by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Ji Hyang Kim and ended up settling for a silver medal.

Harshita suffered a similar fate as she lost by 5-2 to Qian Jiang of China in the gold medal match of the women’s 72kg and secured the silver medal.

After suffering a 3-0 loss to Sakura Motoki of Japan in the semi-final, Manisha won the bronze in the women’s 62kg after securing a comfortable 5-0 triumph over Arian G. Carpo of the Philippines in the bronze medal match.

Antim secured the second bronze medal for India on Sunday in the women’s 65 kg weight class. She won her bronze medal bout as her opponent, Soobin Kim of South Korea, was injured.

With four medals on Sunday, India’s overall medal tally at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2024 is nine, which consists of four silver and five bronze medals.

Three medals came on the opening day, which included one silver and two bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling, while a silver and a bronze came in women’s wrestling on Saturday. (ANI)

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The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Monday sent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 23, 2024, in connection with the excise policy case.

The Special Judge Kaveri Baweja on Monday sent K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 23, 2024, after noting that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not want her custodial remand in the matter.

The CBI, while requesting that the court send her to judicial custody, stated that K Kavitha is not cooperating.

Kavitha was produced physically before the court at the end of her three-day remand granted by the court on the last date of the hearing.

The court, while sending K Kavitha to CBI remand, said that from the material collected so far by the investigating agency, it appears that there is a need for a detailed and sustained interrogation of the accused.

The investigating agency has been able to show from the records that custodial interrogation of the several accused on certain aspects is necessary for confronting her with the evidence collected so far and also that the witnesses to unearth the larger conspiracy in the matter, said the court.

BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last week. She was arrested by CBI while in judicial custody in the ED case.

Advocate Nitesh Rana, along with Deepak Nagar and Mohit Rao, appeared for the K Kavitha in the matter.

Earlier, the CBI remand application stated that “Kavitha Kalvakuntla was required to be arrested in the instant case to conduct her custodial interrogation for confronting her with the evidence and witnesses to unearth the larger conspiracy hatched among the accused, suspect persons regarding the formulation and implementation of the Excise Policy, as well as to establish the money trail of ill-gotten money generated and to establish the role of other accused/suspect persons, including public servants, as well as to unearth the facts which are in her exclusive knowledge.”

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the alleged liquor policy scam.

The CBI inquiry was recommended based on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials said.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval.

The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

As per the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules.

Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19, the probe agency said and there was an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer. (ANI)

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