Month: April 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a meeting to review preparedness for the ensuing heat wave season.

Prime Minister was briefed about the temperature outlook for the period from April to June 2024 including the forecasts for the upcoming hot weather season (April to June), the likelihood of above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country, especially with high probability over Central India and western peninsular India.

Preparedness in the health sector was reviewed in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS and drinking water, the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

The timely dissemination of essential IEC/awareness material especially in regional languages through all platforms such as television, radio and social media was stressed upon.

Since a hotter-than-normal summer is expected in 2024, which coincides with the General Elections, it was felt that the Advisories issued by MoHFW and NDMA be translated into regional languages and disseminated widely, it stated.

Prime Minister stressed upon the whole of government approach. He said that all arms of the government at the Central, State and District levels and various Ministries need to work on this in synergy.

Prime Minister also stressed upon awareness creation along with adequate preparation in hospitals. He also highlighted the need for quick detection and putting out forest fires.

The Principal Secretary to the PM, the Home Secretary, officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and the National Disaster Management Authority participated in the meeting.

The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases starting on April 19. The counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)

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In a heartwarming display of tradition and affection, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan continued his annual ritual of greeting fans on the auspicious occasion of Eid, marking yet another memorable moment at his residence, Mannat.

Dressed impeccably in a white pathani kurta salwar, King Khan stepped out onto the balcony of Mannat, radiating elegance and charm despite the scorching Mumbai heat.

Accompanied by his son Abram, who donned a matching white kurta-pyjama ensemble, the father-son duo captured the hearts of onlookers as they waved and blew kisses to the throngs of adoring fans gathered outside.

Last year’s Eid saw a similar spectacle as Khan graciously emerged onto the balcony of Mannat, delighting fans with his presence and heartfelt greetings.

Taking to X to extend his wishes, SRK expressed gratitude to his fans, writing, “Eid Mubarak everyone… and thank you for making my day so special. May Allah bless us all with love, happiness and prosperity.”

The actor’s endearing gesture on Eid has become a beloved tradition eagerly anticipated by fans, who flock to Mannat to catch a glimpse of their favourite star.

Social media platforms buzzed with excitement as videos of Shah Rukh Khan and Abram from Mannat circulated widely, eliciting an outpouring of love and well-wishes from fans across the globe.

Beyond Eid celebrations, Shah Rukh Khan’s bond with his fans extends to other occasions, notably his birthday, when thousands gather outside Mannat to express their affection and admiration for the iconic actor.

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Shah Rukh was recently seen in the movie ‘Dunki’.’Dunki’ features an ensemble cast, with colourful characters portrayed by actors like Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, along with Shah Rukh Khan. The film received mixed reviews from the audience and critics.

‘Dunki’ focuses on the issue of immigration. Its title is taken from the term “donkey journey”, which refers to the long, winding, and often dangerous routes that people across the world take to reach the places they want to immigrate to. He has still not announced his next project. (ANI)

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Actor Soha Ali Khan shared beautiful pictures featuring her daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu on the auspicious occasion of Eid.

Taking to Instagram, Soha treated fans with a glimpse of her celebration and wished everyone “Eid Mubarak.”

Twinning in printed red and golden suits, the mother-daughter duo posed happily for the camera.

The album included some candid snaps of the mother-daughter duo.

Soha also posted her solo pictures in her ethnic attire.

She looked ethereal in an A-line kurta set with a floral print and heavy embroidery work on it.

For glam, Soha opted for dewy makeup and golden jewellery to compliment her Eid look.

Soha, daughter of former cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and actor Sharmila Tagore, got married to Kunal on January 25, 2015. The couple had their first child, daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, on September 29, 2017.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is of great significance due to the moon sighting, which has been part of Islamic culture for a long time. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad used to wait for news of sightings of the crescent moon, as it indicated the beginning of a new month.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kunal recently made his directorial debut with the film ‘Madgaon Express’. The film is headlined by Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwari, Nora Fatehi and Divyendu. The film is said to be a comedy-drama. The film hit theatres on March 22.

Soha was last seen in the web series ‘Hush Hush’ alongside Juhi Chawla, Kritika Kamra and Karishma Tanna. (ANI)

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asserted that Pakistan should end terrorism emanating from its soil and if the country feels it is not capable of doing so, it can take India’s help.

In an interview with ANI, Rajnath Singh stressed that if Pakistan tries to destabilise India using terrorism, it will have to bear the consequences.

India has repeatedly emphasised that it will not tolerate cross-border terrorism and it cannot keep aside terrorism to improve ties with Islamabad. New Delhi has also said the onus is on Islamabad to create a conducive atmosphere in which there is no terror, hostility or violence.

Rajnath Singh said if Pakistan’s intention is clear, it should act decisively against cross-border terrorism.  

“If Pakistan attempts to destabilize India through terrorism, it will have to face the consequences. Pakistan needs to control terrorism. If Pakistan thinks that it is not capable of controlling it, if they feel they are not capable, then India is a neighbour, if they want to take India’s help, they should. India is ready to provide all assistance to combat terrorism,” he said.

“They are our neighbours, and if their intention is clear that terrorism should end, they should do that themselves or take help from India…we both can end terrorism. But this is their call, I am just giving a suggestion,” he added. 

Asked about his ‘Ghus Ke Maarenge’ remarks made in a recent TV interview, Rajnath Singh said that India will do everything to combat terrorism.

“We won’t allow terrorists to operate within Indian borders. We will do everything to stop it,” he said.  Asked if such action can be taken across the border, he said, “we will see what happens”.

India had carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across Line of Control in September 2016 days after the terror attack in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. India had carried out aerial strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan in February 2019 following the Pulwama terror attack.      

Asked about muscular policy and if statements of BJP leaders were getting aggressive during the campaign for Lok Sabha elections, he said the BJP-led NDA government’s role has never been aggressive.

“We have a balanced approach on every issue,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on April 7 said that the country was capable and equipped to deal with all internal and external security threats while ensuring the safety of all citizens.

“We don’t know how credible The Guardian report is, but the new India knows how to protect its citizens and international borders. In 1952, the Congress inflicted a deep wound on the country’s heart by extending certain constitutional privileges to (the erstwhile state of) Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah corrected the historic blunder by abrogating Article 370, as it put an end to terrorism in J-K forever,” Yogi Adityanath had said in a rally in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur. (ANI)

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday highlighted the promises made by the Congress party in its poll manifesto and said that they would remove the poverty from the country by transferring Rs 1 lakh into the account of one female from a poverty-stricken household, which comes out to Rs 8,500 per month.

“The Congress Government will transfer Rs 1 lakh (in a year) to the bank account of one woman of every poor household in the country…If you are below the poverty line then every year, Rs 1 lakh (Rs 8,500 per month) khatakhat khatakhat aata rahega aur ek jhatke se hum Hindustan se gareebi ko mita denge,” Rahul Gandhi said addressing a poll rally in Rajasthan.

The Congress leader also attacked the BJP and said that farmers are asking for a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops, youngsters are seeking employment, and women want relief from inflation, but no one is listening.

“The 22 persons are more wealthy than the 70 crore people of India. Farmers are demanding MSP, youths are in grave need of employment, and women are asking for relief from price rises. PM Modi straightaway declines to give MSP calling farmers terrorists. Farmers are giving tax for the first time in the history of India.”

He further said that it is an election of the backwards, Dalits, tribals and poor people in the general category.

“Two biggest issues in the country right now are unemployment and inflation. They (BJP) don’t talk about unemployment or inflation. Their work is to divert your attention. They don’t want the issues of backward classes, farmers and the poor to be shown on national and regional media. You will see Narendra Modi’s face in the media 24 hours a day. The job of the media is to raise the voice of the public, but their billionaire owners will not let them do so,” he alleged.

Rahul Gandhi said the bank accounts of the Congress have been frozen, while also accusing the BJP of taking money from big industrialists through electoral bonds.

“Corruption has increased tremendously in the last 5 years of Modi government. According to the survey, 55 per cent of people believe that corruption has increased rapidly in the last 5 years. 25 per cent of people believe that the Modi government is responsible for increasing corruption. The public is not saying this without any reason. Modi government has committed big scams like the Electoral Bond, PMCares Fund, Adani mega scam. Besides, corrupt people across the country are getting a clean chit from ‘Modi’s washing machine’. Modi government is a corrupt government. This corruption is happening under the supervision of PM Modi,” claims Rahul Gandhi.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre has taken money from big industrialists through electoral bonds adding that the upcoming election is a battle between the country’s poor people and billionaires.

“This is an election to save democracy and the Constitution. This is the election of backward, Dalits, tribals and the poor general category. On one hand, the BJP took money from big industrialists through electoral bonds. On the other hand, it froze the bank accounts of Congress. The upcoming election is a battle between the country’s poor people and billionaires,” he said.

Highlighting the promises made by the Congress in its Lok Sabha poll manifesto, Wayanad MP added that all of those will be honoured as soon as the party comes to power.

“We are giving a guarantee of apprenticeship to the youths of the country. 1 year of apprenticeship and 1 lakh rupees will be given. If they work well, they will get the jobs also,” he said.

The Congress party released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections in Delhi on April 5. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi were also present at the event.

Notably, Rajasthan will go to the polls in two phases, on April 19 and April 26. Polling for 12 Lok Sabha seats will be held in the first phase on April 19, while the remaining 13 seats will be polled in the second phase on April 26.

The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of the votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

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After NCP leader Praful Patel’s remark that Sharad Pawar was earlier ready to go with the BJP but hesitated at the last moment, the NCP-SCP chief said that though he had been saying this for a long time, he had not gone with anyone.

Praful Patel had claimed that the former Maharashtra Chief Minister was “50 per cent ready” to go with the BJP, but hesitated at the last minute.

In response, Pawar said at a press conference on Thursday, “Who went there and who stayed? From the day he is referring till today, what is the situation? Did I go anywhere? No.”

Praful Patel also claimed that if Sharad Pawar had not hesitated he could have become the Prime Minister in 1996.

On Wednesday, Praful Patel told ANI, “On 2nd July 2023, when Ajit Pawar and our ministers took oath with Maharashtra govt. On July 15-16, we met Sharad Pawar and requested him to join us. Later, Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar met in Pune. He was also 50 per cent ready…Sharad Pawar always hesitates at the last minute.”

“In 1996, if Pawar Saheb had agreed to the suggestions of HD Devegowda, then he could have been the PM. Sharad Pawar could have been PM in 1996 itself if he was not hesitant,” he added.

Speaking further, Sharad Pawar took a jibe at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently gave ‘unconditional’ support to BJP-led ‘Mahayuti’ alliance in Maharashtra.

“In the last 10-15 years he has changed his stand multiple times…he had also criticised BJP in strong words…I think more pictures will be clear in the next 2-3 days …the way he has changed his stands in the last 10-15 years, common people are failing to understand him,” the former CM said.

In a major upheaval in Maharashtra politics last year, Ajit Pawar-led faction of NCP broke out from the party and entered into a coalition with Bharatiya Janata Party and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena).

Following much contention, the Election Commission of India allotted the NCP symbol of ‘clock’ to Ajit Pawar’s faction, which was recognised as the ‘real NCP’. Sharad Pawar’s faction was given the name of NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and was allotted the symbol of a ‘Man blowing turha’ (trumpet).

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena.

Elections to the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. the counting of votes will be done on June 4. (ANI)

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iPhone maker Apple has issued a series of fresh notifications to users in 91 other countries, including India, cautioning them of ‘mercenary spyware’ including Pegasus malware that has stirred up significant controversy in recent times.

These new alerts, also received by users in India, are part of cautionary measures warning owners about potential risks to their privacy and data security.

In October 2023, Apple had sent a similar notification to political leaders across various parties in the country, including Congress’s Shashi Tharoor, Aam Aadmi Party’s Raghav Chadha, and Trinamool Congress’ Mahua Moitra. The alert warned of a “potential state-sponsored spyware attack” targeting their iPhones.

In 2021, the Supreme Court had formed a committee of technical experts to look into allegations of unauthorised surveillance using the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO Group.

In August 2022, the Supreme Court-appointed committee concluded that the spyware was not found in the 29 mobile phones examined by it, but malware was found in five mobile phones.

Apple noted that according to public reporting and research by civil society organisations, technology firms and journalists, individually targeted attacks of such exceptional cost and complexity have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies developing mercenary spyware on their behalf, such as Pegasus from the NSO Group.

It said, though deployed against a very small number of individuals – often journalists, activists, politicians and diplomats – mercenary spyware attacks are ongoing and global.

Since 2021, Apple said that it has sent out threat notifications multiple times a year as it has detected these attacks, and to date the company has notified users in over 150 countries in total.

“The extreme cost, sophistication and worldwide nature of mercenary spyware attacks makes them some of the most advanced digital threats in existence today. As a result, Apple does not attribute the attacks or resulting threat notifications to any specific attackers or geographical regions,” it said.

The phone maker in its notification provides additional steps that users can take to help protect their devices, including enabling Lockdown Mode.

Apple advised its users to update their devices with the latest security patches and exercise caution while interacting with suspicious links or messages. (ANI)

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Ahead of the clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opener Virat Kohli opened up about his biggest fear in a viral video.

Virat is currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, representing the Bangalore-based franchise. With the T20 World Cup starting from June 1 onwards, this tournament is his chance to prove that his slightly more conservative approach to T20 cricket, which mixes aggressive hitting with anchoring skills, is still a great model to follow these days when batters are going big from ball one.

The former RCB skipper asserted that whenever there is bad turbulence, he is the first one to hold the sides of the seat.

“I am very scared of turbulence. Oh my god, I look so stupid and like a fool. Whenever there is a bad turbulence, I am the first guy to hold the sides of the seat. So I feel like, I am the gone,” Kohli said in the RCB Podcast Trailer.

Kohli has been in remarkable form ongoing 17th edition of the IPL. The right-hand batter has already has a century to his name and has struck 316 runs in 5 matches at an average of 105.33.

Virat’s team RCB is off to a poor start in the IPL this year, having won only one out of their five matches so far. Their next challenge will be the contest against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

RCB squad for IPL 2024: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik(w), Saurav Chauhan, Reece Topley, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, Himanshu Sharma, Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph, Will Jacks, Anuj Rawat, Manoj Bhandage, Akash Deep, Rajan Kumar. (ANI)

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Five students were killed, and 15 others were injured after a private school bus they were travelling in overturned in Kanina town of Haryana’s Mahendragarh district on Thursday, officials said.

Dr Ravi Kaushik, a doctor at Nihal Hospital, said that four students were brought dead, whereas one succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

“Four students were brought dead, and one critical student who was put on a ventilator passed away at the hospital. 15 injured students have been referred to another hospital. SDM and administration are present,” the doctor said.

The police said that the preliminary investigation suggests that the driver was driving the bus under the influence of alcohol.

“Upon receiving the information of the incident, we reached the spot. The driver is suspected to be intoxicated. Further investigation into the matter is underway,” Mahendragarh Station House Officer (SHO) Uday Bhan said.

One of the students who got injured in the accident said that the bus was overspeeding and collided with a canal, leading to the accident.

“The driver was drunk, and the bus was overspeeding. As soon as the driver tried to take a turn, the bus collided with a canal and overturned. There were 50 students on the bus,” the student told police. Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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