Month: June 2024

Indian Ambassador to Lao PDR Prashant Agrawal highlighted the “very positive impact” of India’s Act East Policy on strengthening bilateral ties with Laos, underscoring their shared cultural heritage and strategic developmental collaborations which according to him predicated on three key pillars – “capacity building, training and skilling”.

India and Lao PDR share long-standing religious, cultural, and people-to-people linkages going back long into history.

“Our relations with Lao PDR are civilisational. We have very historically close ties, which are underpinned by the exchanges of Buddhism and also prevalence of Ramayana in Laos’ popular culture,” Ambassador Agrawal told ANI.

Speaking on the developmental partnerships, Ambassador Agrawal emphasised, “Our development partnership with Laos is predicated on three key pillars, capacity building, training and skilling. Our grant projects, also include the Quick Impact projects, and the Center for Entrepreneurship Development, the Centre of Excellence for software training.”

Highlighting specific outcomes, he noted, “Our lines of credit programs have resulted in specific infrastructure projects for electricity transmission, distribution, agriculture, and irrigation. So it’s a multidimensional partnership, which is getting stronger and progressing very well, also as part of our Act East Policy.”

The Act East Policy focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN as its core.

Ambassador Agrawal also discussed the cultural ties strengthened by projects such as the restoration of the Vat Phou temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“The restoration and conservation of Vat Phou is a very special project because it represents our shared cultural heritage between India and Lao PDR,” he explained. “It is gradually coming back to its former glory and creating enormous goodwill for India and Lao DPR relations.”

Regarding Laos’ role as ASEAN chair in 2024, Ambassador Agrawal highlighted India’s collaborative efforts, stating, “India’s path-breaking progress for creating digital public infrastructure and achieving financial inclusion is widely admired across this region.” He further added, “Our collaboration to create digital infrastructure is our shared high priority on which we are working bilaterally as well as regionally with ASEAN member countries, including Laos.”

Speaking on security and stability, Ambassador Agrawal reiterated, “Lao PDR sees India as a net provider of stability and security, welcomed widely by ASEAN member countries, including Lao PDR.” (ANI)

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Amid the ongoing row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shazia Ilmi on Sunday said that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has taken moral responsibility for the issue, adding that an investigation into the matter is being carried out.

“Investigation is being carried out in this matter and we need to hold serious deliberations instead of political stunts or playing a blame game. This is a serious issue and we see that the student community and their parents are affected because of this,” Ilmi said.

She further said that the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has taken moral responsibility for the issue.

“Dharmendra Pradhan has taken moral responsibility for the issue. Neither BJP nor anyone in the Central government is backing off from holding discussions on this issue. We are ready to talk about it and find a solution together,” she added.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government is not “silent”, adding that the action has been taken against the accused and people are being arrested.

“We are not silent. We are taking action and the people are being arrested. Congress only talks, however, we do the work. They haven’t apologised even after 50 years of emergency imposed in India,” a BJP MP told ANI.

Earlier, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan asserted that new dates for the NEET-PG, which was cancelled as a “precautionary measure”, would be announced by Monday or Tuesday next week.

“New dates for NEET-PG will be announced by Monday-Tuesday”, Dharmendra Pradhan said.

Congress leader and party general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts all tests through private companies, adding that they will put forward their demands in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Congress leader demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, stating that this issue is not just about NEET but concerns all the institutions run by the Ministry of Education.

“In the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, we will put forward our demands regarding what this NTA (National Testing Agency) does. It conducts all tests through private companies. Where have the scams occurred? Bihar, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are BJP-ruled states. There will be a discussion on this. Our Education Minister first says there is nothing, it is a minor matter. Later, they talk of a CBI investigation and form a high-level committee,” he told ANI.

“We are demanding the resignation of the Education Minister. This is not just about NEET; it is also about NET, UGC, and NCERT. It concerns all the institutions run by the Ministry of Education. NTA is also an institution under the Ministry of Education, yet it gets all the work done through private companies,” Jairam Ramesh added.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed several adjournments on Friday, with Congress and other opposition parties insisting on a debate on the NEET-UG row and the government keen to take up the motion of thanks on the President’s address.

On June 28, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two more accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case.

“The duo, Dr Ehsaan Ul Haq and Imtiaz Alam were working as the principal and vice principal of the Oasis School in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh,” CBI sources said.

Notably, Haq was appointed the city coordinator by National Testing Agency for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG 2024).’

Earlier, the CBI arrested two people from Bihar’s Patna in connection with the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

The official said that while the accused, Ashutosh, was arranging safe house premises for the students, the other accused, Manish, used to take the candidates to a school to ‘prepare’ them for the exam.

“Manish Prakash transported the students in his car. While the students were accommodated in Ashutosh’s house,” the CBI officer pointed out.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 23 registered a criminal case over the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams by the NTA and formed special teams to probe the matter.

As per the agency’s FIR, certain “isolated incidents” occurred in a few states during the conduct of the NEET (UG) 2024 examination, which was held on May 5.

The NEET (UG) 2024 Examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, 2024, at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination.

An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which led to widespread protests in the country. (ANI)

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Delhi Minister Atishi on Sunday announced a Rs 10 lakh compensation amount to the kin of people who lost their lives due to drowning amid waterlogging due to heavy rainfall in the national capital.

In an order to the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Revenue, Atishi said, “It has been reported that there have been several deaths due to drowning on June 28, after the extreme rainfall of 228mm. It is hereby directed that the families of all those who lost their lives shall be provided a compensation of Rs 10 Lakhs.”

“ACS Revenue is hereby directed to identify those who lost their lives with the support of area hospitals and Delhi Police and to immediately provide them aforementioned compensation on behalf of GNCTD,” she added.

On June 28, two children who had left their homes to play in rainwater drowned after falling in a deep rainwater ditch in the New Usmanpur area of Delhi.

The deceased were aged 8 and 10 years old and were residents of Som Bazaar, Gamri, in the New Usmanpur area.

Sharing information about the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North East Joy Tirkey, said, “Two children died after drowning in a deep ditch that was filled with rainwater in the New Usmanpur area today. The incident took place around 5:00 pm in the New Usmanpur area.”

“Rainwater had collected in a ditch in the Khadar area at a water depth of about 5 feet near 5th Pushta, New Usmanpur. Both boys were playing and went for a swim in the pool but drowned as the water was deep,” said the official.

In another case, two boys died allegedly due to drowning near the rainwater-flooded Siraspur underpass in northwest Delhi’s Samaypur Badli area on Saturday.

“The fire brigade conducted a search operation and recovered the bodies of 2 boys. Prime facie, this appears to be a case of suspected drowning while the boys were taking a bath,” police said. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated cricketer Ravindra Jadeja for his enthralling performances, after the star all-rounder announced curtains on his illustrious T20I career after India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Wishing him good luck for his future endeavours, PM Modi said cricket lovers admire his stylish stroke play, spin and superb fielding.

“Dear @imjadeja, You have performed exceptionally as an all-rounder. Cricket lovers admire your stylish stroke play, spin and superb fielding. Thank you for the enthralling T20 performances over the years. My best wishes for your endeavours ahead,” PM Modi poster on X.

Jadeja took to his official social media handle and announced his retirement from the T20 Internationals after clinching the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title on Saturday.

“With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to T20 internationals. Like a steadfast horse galloping with pride, I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so in other formats. Winning the T20 World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 International career. Thank you for the memories, the cheers, and the unwavering support,” Jadeja posted on Instagram.

Jadeja made his T20I debut in February 2009 against Sri Lanka. The all-rounder played a total of 74 matches where he managed to snap 54 wickets at an average of 29.85 and went on to score a total of 515 runs at a strike rate of 127.16 in the shortest format of the game.

The 35-year-old’s best bowling performance came against Scotland in the 2021’s ICC T20 World Cup where he took three wickets and conceded just 15 runs in his spell of four overs at the Dubai International Stadium. On the other hand, with the bat, his best knock came against England in 2022 where he smashed 46 runs off 29 balls which helped the Men in Blue to a victory by 49 runs.

A fine exhibition of death bowling by trio of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya and stupendous knocks by Virat Kohli and Axar Patel helped India end their ICC trophy drought, securing their second ICC T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Barbados on Saturday.

Proteas were once again left heartbroken, yet to win an ICC title. Meanwhile, India has ended its 11-year-long ICC trophy drought, winning their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. India is the first team to have captured the title undefeated.

Summarising the final match of the tournament, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India’s position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.

Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.

In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2 and then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the game.

A quick fire fifty by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from Indi, as the equation just asked Proteas to score 30 runs off the last 30 balls. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik (3/20) made a splendid turnaround in death overs, restricting SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs.

Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance.

After securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India ended its ICC trophy drought. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign launched on World Environment Day, appealing to the citizens and people worldwide to join the tree plantation initiative with their mother to celebrate both motherhood and the environment.

While addressing the nation in his 111th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Sunday PM Modi said that with the thought of doing something for our Mother, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign was launched across the country on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5 which is progressing rapidly.

“If I ask you which is the most precious relationship in the world, you will definitely say – ‘Mother’. In all our lives, the status of ‘mother’ is the highest. A mother nurtures her child despite facing every pain. Every mother shows affection for her child. This love of the mother who gave birth to us is like a debt on all of us which no one can repay. We cannot give anything to Mother, but can we do anything else? With this thought in mind, a special campaign has been started on World Environment Day this year, the name of this campaign is – ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’. I have also planted a tree in the name of my mother,” he said.

“I have appealed to all my countrymen, people of all the countries of the world to plant a tree along with their mother or in her name. I am very happy to see that the campaign of planting trees in the memory or honour of Mother is progressing rapidly,” the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi further mentioned a special kind of umbrella in his radio programme which is made in Kerela. These are called ‘Karthumbhi Umbrella’ which are prepared by the tribal women of the state.

“Today in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ I want to tell you about a special kind of umbrella. These umbrellas are made in our Kerala. Although umbrellas have a special significance in Kerala culture. Umbrellas are an important part of many traditions and rituals there. But the umbrella I am talking about is ‘Karthumbhi Umbrella’ and these are made in Attappady, Kerala,” he said.

“These colourful umbrellas are prepared by our tribal sisters of Kerala. Today the demand for these umbrellas is increasing across the country. They are also being sold online. These umbrellas are made under the supervision of ‘Vattalakki Cooperative Agricultural Society’. This society is led by our Nari Shakti,” he added.

PM Modi said that the aim of these women is not only to sell their umbrellas but also to introduce their traditions and culture to the world.

“Led by women, the tribal community of Attappadi has set up a wonderful example of entrepreneurship. This group has also established a bamboo handicraft unit. Now they are preparing to open a retail outlet and a traditional cafe. Their aim is not only to sell their umbrellas and other products but they are also to introduce the world to their tradition and culture,” he said.

“Today, ‘Karthumbhi Umbrella’ is completing the journey from a small village in Kerala to multinational companies. What can be a better example of being ‘vocal for local’?” PM Modi added.

He also discussed the celebration of International Yoga Day, Indian films excelling on the global stage, and achievements in afforestation among other topics.

“This month the whole world celebrated the 10th Yoga Day with great enthusiasm and zeal. I too participated in the yoga program organized in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir, along with the youth, sisters and daughters also participated enthusiastically in Yoga Day. As the Yoga Day celebrations are progressing, new records are being made. (ANI)

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In his 111th episode of the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the global presence of local Indian products, and mentioned Araku coffee produced in Andhra Pradesh.

“There are so many products from India that are in great demand across the world and when we see a local product from India going global, it is natural to feel proud. One such product is Araku coffee. Araku coffee is grown in large quantities in Alluri Sita Rama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its rich flavour and aroma,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the 111th episode of Mann Ki Baat.

Highlighting the socio-economic impact of Araku coffee, he noted, “About 1.5 lakh tribal families are associated with the cultivation of Araku coffee. Girijan cooperative has played a very important role in taking Araku coffee to new heights. It brought together the farmer brothers and sisters here and encouraged them to cultivate Araku coffee. This has also increased the income of these farmers a lot.”

“I remember, once I got a chance to taste this coffee in Visakhapatnam with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Garu. Araku Coffee has received many global awards. Coffee was also popular at the G-20 summit held in Delhi,” PM Modi remarked.

Continuing his appreciation of local products gaining international recognition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the snow peas from Jammu and Kashmir.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir are also not behind in making local products global. What Jammu and Kashmir has achieved last month is an example for the people of the entire country. The first consignment of snow peas was sent to London from Pulwama here,” PM Modi said.

“Some people got the idea that why not bring the exotic vegetables grown in Kashmir on the world map. Then Abdul Rashid Mir of Chakura village was the first to come forward for this. He started growing snow peas by combining the lands of other farmers of the village and soon snow peas started reaching from Kashmir to London,” he added. (ANI)

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It is a proud moment for every Indian as Team India won the T20 World Cup 2024 by 7 runs. There is a celebration mood all around. Fans and celebs took to social media and congratulated the Men in Blue for this victory. Actor Anushka Sharma wrote a heartwarming note for her husband and star batter Virat Kohli.

Calling him her “home”, she wrote a sweet note for Virat on her Instagram handle along with his picture holding the trophy. “AND ….. I love this man..@virat.kohli . So grateful to call you my home..- now go have a glass of sparkling water for me to celebrate this !”

Anushka expressed her excitement and celebrated the victory by sharing several pictures of Team India lifting the trophy and the emotional moments of the players. She congratulated Team India and also shared that their daughter Vamika was concerned about the players when she watched them crying on TV.

She mentioned, “Our daughter’s biggest concern was if all the players had someone to hug them after she saw them cry on tv….. Yes, My darling, they were hugged by 1.5 billion people.. What a phenomenal victory and what a legendary achievement!! CHAMPIONS – CONGRATULATIONS!!”

Talking about the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India’s position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.

Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.

In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2 and then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the game. A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/20), Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) and Hardik (3/20) made a fine comeback in death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs.

Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought. (ANI)

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi resumed his popular radio show – ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, he highlighted the significant role of Sanskrit in ancient Indian knowledge and science.

Addressing the milestone of Akashvani’s Sanskrit Bulletin completing 50 years of broadcast on June 30, the Prime Minister commended All India Radio for its enduring efforts in promoting Sanskrit and connecting people to the language, which he claimed is the need of the hour.

“Sanskrit has played a big role in the progress of ancient Indian knowledge and science. Today the need of the hour is also that we respect Sanskrit and connect it with our daily lives. Today on June 30, Akashvani’s Sanskrit Bulletin is completing 50 years of its broadcast. For 50 years, this bulletin has kept so many people connected to Sanskrit. I congratulate the All India Radio family.”

PM Modi also highlighted grassroots initiative in Bangalore’s Cubbon Park known as ‘Sanskrit Weekend’.

Initiated by Samashthi Gubbi via a website, this initiative encourages people of all ages to converse and participate in debates in Sanskrit every Sunday.

The Prime Minister praised the growing popularity of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to foster deeper engagement with ancient scientific knowledge among the public.

“There is a park in Bangalore – Cubbon Park. The people here have started a new tradition in this park. Here, once a week, every Sunday, children, youngsters and elders talk to each other in Sanskrit. Not only this, many debate sessions are also organised in Sanskrit. The name of this initiative is Sanskrit Weekend. This was started by Samashthi Gubbi ji via a website. This initiative started a few days back has gained popularity among the people of Bengaluru. If we all connect with initiatives like this then we can learn a lot from the world’s ancient and scientific knowledge”. (ANI)

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In a surprising turn of events, after Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma also bid farewell to the T20 format after lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

India’s victory in the 2007 World Cup marked the beginning of Rohit’s remarkable T20I career. In 2024, it appears that he has come full circle with this event. With the retirement from the T20 format, Rohit also said the final goodbye to the captaincy spot that he held for more than two years.

Rohit announced that he was retiring from the shortest format but that he would still play for India in Test and ODI formats.

Shortly after teammate Virat Kohli declared his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket, Rohit made his declaration.

“This was my last game as well,” the captain said in his post-match press conference, referring to Virat Kohli’s earlier announcement that he will be retiring from T20Is.

“I’ve enjoyed it since the time I started playing this format. No better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. This is what I wanted – I wanted to win the cup,” and he saluted the room, to applause from the media.

He already expressed his gratitude to coach Rahul Dravid for his contributions to the sport by dedicating the T20 World Cup victory to him.

“What he has done for Indian cricket for the past 20, 25 years, this was the only thing left. I am very happy on behalf of the entire team that we could do this for him,” Rohit said.

He also spoke highly of his teammates, praising bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah in particular as well as the retiring Virat Kohli.

“I am very lucky to have players like this in my squad, players who are playing for me and Team India – really, really grateful and thankful as well,” he added.

When asked if it was the pinnacle of his career, Rohit acknowledged that it was undoubtedly among the top moments to date.

“This has to be the greatest time. I can say that. It’s only because of how desperately I wanted to win this. All the runs that I’ve scored in all these years, it does matter but I’m not big on stats and all of that. Winning games for India, winning trophies for India – that is what I look forward to all the time,” Rohit said.

It was all smiles and a feeling of jubilation when Rohit came close to lift the trophy he desired most. The youngster who struck 30 in the inaugural edition of the competition to help India lift the trophy stood at the centerstage after 17 years. In a single moment, the heartbreak of seven months ago felt like a story of a different lifetime.

His life came full circle after he joined his long compatriot Virat Kohli to bid adieu to the format in which he thrived and gave the opposition bowlers a run for their money.

With 4231 runs in 159 games, Rohit is the format’s best scorer going out. He also owns the record for most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals. He has won two T20 World Cups: the first in 2007 while competing and the current one in 2024 as captain. (ANI)

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As India lifted the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy for the second time, Rahul Dravid opened up on his role as the head coach of the Men in Blue and said that it was a great journey.

India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados.

The final match of the marquee event was Dravid’s last game for the Men in Blue as their head coach.

Speaking to the reporters after the end of the match, Dravid thanked the Men in Blue for making him win the T20 World Cup 2024. He added that it is a nice feeling to win the prestigious trophy. The departing head coach further added that he did not do some redemption.

“As a player, I was not lucky enough to win a trophy but I tried my best whenever I played. I was lucky to get the opportunity to coach the team, I was lucky that this bunch of boys made it possible for me to be able to win this trophy. It’s a great nice feeling but it doesn’t feel like I have done some redemption it was just the job that I was doing. I love working with Rohit and his team, it was a great journey and I really enjoyed it…,” Dravid said.

Dravid opened up on Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is and said that the skipper impressed him for being the kind of person he is. The former cricketer added that he was impressed to see Rohit Sharma’s ‘commitment’.

“…I will miss him as a person… what impresses me is the kind of person he is, the respect he has shown me, the kind of care and commitment he had for the team, the kind of energy he had to spend and he never backed down. For me, it will be the person I will miss the most…,” he added.

With 4231 runs in 159 games, Rohit is the format’s best scorer going out. He also owns the record for most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals. He has won two T20 World Cups: the first in 2007 while competing and the current one in 2024 as captain. (ANI)

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