Month: June 2024

On the big day of Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, their family members and industry friends are arriving at the wedding venue to shower their blessings on the couple. Heeramandi co-star Aditi Rao Hydari with her fiance Siddharth, Aayush Sharma with wife Arpita and others were snapped at the bride’s residence.

Bibbojaan a.k.a Aditi Rao Hydari was snapped with Siddharth outside Sonakshi’s home.

Sonakshi’s close friend and actor Huma Qureshi looked stunning in ethnic wear as she was seen leaving in her car.

Salman Khan’s sister Arpita and her husband-actor Aayush Sharma were also spotted at the wedding ceremony of Sonakshi.

A few hours ago, Sonakshi’s father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha was snapped at Bandra in Mumbai.

In the video, he can be seen responding to the paparazzi with a smile as they congratulated him and his wife Poonam Sinha on their daughter’s marriage.

As the media surrounded his car and congratulated him, Shatrughan Sinha replied with a smile, “Thank you”. He looked graceful in a black kurta and a blue embroidered stole.

Poonam Sinha also thanked the media people after receiving congratulatory wishes from them.

A few days ago, Shatrughan Sinha was seen posing with Zaheer. Both, Zaheer and Shatrughan Sinha were seen smiling as they posed for the camera.

Sonakshi was also seen in a white coloured outfit.

Just a couple of days ago, the actors enjoyed bachelor and bachelorette parties with their close friends.

Sonakshi had shared glimpses from a party hosted by her friends.

One of the images shows Sonakshi posing with Huma Qureshi.

On Thursday night, groom-to-be Zaheer was photographed with Sonakshi’s father and film veteran Shatrughan Sinha in Bandra, Mumbai. The veteran actor and Zaheer happily posed together for the paparazzi stationed at the venue.

Earlier, an audio invite of Sonakshi and Zaheer went viral. In the leaked invite, the duo reportedly confirmed the news of their marriage by saying that they are ready to arrive at ‘the moment’ that would turn them into each other’s ‘definite and official husband and wife.

‘The digital invitation is styled like a magazine cover with a headline.

The invitation featured a photo of Zaheer and Sonakshi in a snow-covered setting, with Zaheer planting a kiss on Sonakshi’s cheek.

However, Sonakshi and Zaheer have been tight-lipped about their relationship since their dating rumours surfaced.

Sonakshi and Zaheer starred in the 2022 film Double XL. While they have not publicly opened up about their love story, they have been seen sharing adorable photos with each other on social media. (ANI)

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Amid allegations of irregularities in the conduct of entrance examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) claimed on Sunday that its website and all its web portals are fully secure.

The NTA further dismissed the allegations of the portals being compromised, calling them “wrong and misleading.”

“NTA website and all its web portals are fully secure. Any information that has been compromised and hacked is wrong and misleading,” the NTA said in a post on X.

The NTA is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the conduct of National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance-Test (NEET) (UG) Examination 2024. This has led to an uproar across the country, with the opposition demanding to scrap the testing agency. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns.

Amid the NEET irregularities allegations, the Centre postponed the NEET-PG exam a day ahead of its postponed date and cancelled the UGC-NET exam conducted on June 18.

Following protests, the Centre, earlier in the day, removed the Director General of the NTA and the formed a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparency in the examinations.

The government shunted out National Testing Agency (NTA) DG Subodh Kumar Singh and placed him on ‘compulsory wait’ in DoPT. Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new DG of the NTA.

The high-level committee of experts led by Dr K Radhakrishnan, former chairman of ISRO, IIT Kanpur include Dr Randeep Guleria, former Director, AIIMS and academicians like Aditya Mittal and Prof Ramamurthy K from the IIT system who have spearheaded reforms to ensure the integrity of the IIT examinations.

The Committee will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA.

Also, earlier in the day, the Central Bureau of Investigation registered a criminal case based on a written complaint from the Director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education over the NEET irregularities.

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, 2024. Special teams have been formed by the CBI to investigate the matter. (ANI)

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In a major boost to enhancing indigenous unmanned surveillance capabilities of defence forces, the Indian Air Force has made a proposal to the central government to buy 10 Tapas drones, officials said on Sunday.

Out of the 10, six Made-in-India drones would be for the Indian Air Force, while the remaining four would be for the Indian Navy, defence officials told ANI.

The Indian Air Force will be the lead agency for the induction and acquisition of the Tapas drones into the defence forces, they said.

The proposal by the IAF is expected to be soon taken up for discussion by the Defence Ministry.

These two forces are only buying the drones at the moment, the officials said.

Tapas drones are medium-altitude long, endurance-category drones that have been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and have to be manufactured by a consortium of Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

The drones have not been able to meet the requirements of the defence forces but the limited inductions by the services are going to help them be upgraded and refined in the near future to meet larger requirements, the officials said.

The IAF has a fleet of Israeli-origin Searcher, Heron Mark-1 and Mark-2 drones and is looking to induct the American Predator MQ-9B drones in the future as part of a tri-services acquisition.

The six indigenous Tapas drones would help it improve unmanned surveillance on both the northern and western fronts, they said.

In recent times, the Indian Air Force has emerged as one of the staunchest supporters of Make in India in Defence, with orders for 180 LCA Mark 1A and 156 LCH attack choppers worth around Rs 1.6 lakh crore getting placed or are about to be placed by it.

The Indian Navy intends to use the Tapas for surveillance activities over the maritime zone.

The deliveries would be made faster by the consortium as the first bird would be ready for delivery within 24 months of signing the contract, they said.

DRDO is continuing with the Tapas project to further develop the system. The Tapas drones being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment Laboratory have not been able to fully meet the Joint Services Qualitative Requirements of flying at 30,000 feet for over 24 hours at a stretch and have been excluded from the category of mission mode projects.

The Tapas drones have been tested by the defence forces and during the trials, they managed to reach 28,000 feet altitude and could fly for over 18 hours. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra on Sunday defended the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu and said that the decision was made according to established convention rather than law.

BJP leader Sambit Patra’s remark came in response to Congress’s objections, which he argues are disrupting a long-standing process.

Speaking on the subject on Sunday, Patra said, “The President of India recommends the pro-tem speaker through Article 95 of the Constitution of India. It is a long convention that has been going on in this beautiful democracy of India since independence. Now, Congress is trying to disturb this process.”

“Bhartruhari Mahtab is serving as an MP consecutively for the seventh time. The convention says that the MP with the longest period of unbroken service can be appointed as pro-tem Speaker. So, in this 18th Lok Sabha, Bhartruhari Mahtab qualifies to become the pro-tem Speaker,” he said.

Adding further, he said, “As far as Congress MP, K Suresh is concerned, he has served as an MP 8 times non-consecutively. It is the 4th consecutive term of K Suresh. However, it is the 7th consecutive term of Bhartruhari Mahtab. So, there has been no breach of convention.”

Earlier on Friday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the appointment of BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, has been done as per the “rules,” adding that Congress should not politicise the issue.

Congress reacted sharply to the central government’s decision to appoint seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha over senior-most Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh of Congress, saying that the appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member.

The pro-tem Speaker administers the oath to newly elected members and oversees the proceedings of the House until the permanent Speaker is elected.

“We all want the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha to run peacefully. This is also the wish of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a special session. There is no business transaction in this special session,” Rijiju said.

Earlier on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that President Droupadi Murmu had appointed BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.

President Murmu also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist the Speaker Protem in the oath-taking of the newly-elected members.

After the announcement, the Congress objected to the government’s decision, saying that the longest-serving MP is made pro tem Speaker, but as per convention party MP Kodikunnil Suresh should have been given the role as he is entering his eighth term as parliamentarian.

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the government should explain why it overlooked K Suresh.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore also reacted sharply to the central government’s decision to appoint seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Protem Speaker of Lok Sabha over senior-most Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh of Congress and said that the decision was a mistake on the part of the government.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari targeted the BJP, arguing that it amounts to insulting the entire House and democracy.

As per Article 94 of the Constitution, the office of the Speaker becomes vacant immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. In that case, the duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed for this purpose by the President as Speaker pro tem.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will start on June 24. The Rajya Sabha session will begin on June 27. (ANI)

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BSP chief Mayawati has announced nephew Akash Anand as the national coordinator and her successor, a party leader said.

“BSP chief Mayawati has announced Akash Anand, (Mayawati’s nephew) as her successor. Akash Anand will take charge as the national coordinator,” Lal Ji Medhankar told ANI.

The decision came days after the setback in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier in May, Mayawati announced the removal of her nephew from the position of national coordinator and her ‘political successor’ “until he attained full maturity”.

Mayawati on Sunday chaired a meeting to review the party’s defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. All the district-level officials, senior party leaders, and workers of the state attended the key meeting.

This was the first major national-level meeting of the party after the recent general elections to the 18th Lok Sabha in the country, the party said in a press release.

Earlier on Saturday, the BSP released a list of 13 star campaigners for the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly by-elections. Party chief Mayawati and her nephew Akash Anand are on the list. (ANI)

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Soon after being entrusted with the probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance-Test (NEET) (UG) Examination 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR in the case, sources said on Sunday.

In the early hours of Sunday, the central government entrusted the matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.

“National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET(UG) Examination on May 5, 2024, in OMR (Pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/impersonation/malpractices have been reported. For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation. Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto,” the government said.

“The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/ organization found to be involved will face strictest action,” it added.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.

An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns.

The Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols and the functioning of the NTA.

The 7-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months.

“In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of National Testing Agency,” the ministry said. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with top BJP leaders, paid tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his death anniversary on Sunday.

PM called Mookerjee a great son of the country, an eminent thinker and educationist.

Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the ideological parent organisation of the BJP.

In a post on X, PM wrote, “Respectful tributes to the great son of the country, eminent thinker and educationist Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his martyrdom day. He dedicated his life in the service of Mother India. His dynamic personality will continue to inspire every generation of the country.”

Home Minister Amit Shah also remembered Mookerjee on his martyrdom day and said, “Tribute to Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his martyrdom day, who fought all his life for the unity, integrity and self-respect of the country.”

“Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee gave the supreme sacrifice in the struggle to make Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of the country by giving the slogan of ‘Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan’. He played an important role in the ideological and practical fight to keep West Bengal a part of India. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he gave transformative suggestions regarding language and culture. He gave alternative ideas to the people of the country by establishing the Jana Sangh. This star of Indian culture will always remain bright and will guide the future generations on the path of nation first,” said Shah.

BJP president JP Nadda also paid floral tributes to Mookerjee at BJP headquarters in Delhi and distributed plant saplings among party workers.

“I pay my heartfelt tributes to the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, architect of cultural nationalism and national unity, eminent thinker and educationist, revered Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his martyrdom day, said Nadda in a post on X.

“He dedicated his entire life to the progress and glory of the nation. His work for protecting India’s sovereignty and for the world of education is unforgettable. Dr Syama Prasad ji’s sacrifice and dedication will continue to inspire every Indian to put the nation first and to sacrifice everything,” he added.

Mookerjee was the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He also served as the Minister for Industry and Supply in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet.

According to the BJP’s official website, on the issue of the Delhi pact with Likayat Ali Khan, Mookerjee resigned from the Cabinet on April 6, 1950. Later on October 21, 1951, Mookerjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Delhi and became its first president.

Mookerjee went to visit Kashmir in 1953 and was arrested on May 11. He died under detention on June 23, 1953. (ANI)

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Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party and alleged that the purported letter written by Aam Aadmi Party General Secretary Pankaj Gupta to Delhi LG over Delhi water crisi was not delivered to LG Secretariat and an “eyewash was carried out” to orchestrate another “media-oriented drama.”

Aam Aadmi Party General Secretary Pankaj Gupta wrote a letter to Delhi LG and sought an appointment with the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi to discuss the matter along with AAP senior leaders, including its MPs and MLAs.

“A letter purportedly written by Pankaj Gupta, seeking time from Hon’ble LG for a meeting with AAP MPs, MLAs and Councillors has been doing rounds in the media since evening and the media has been asking LG Sectt if such letter has been received. A few people carrying the said letter, however, came to LG Secretariat at 9:45 PM, to submit it. When the staff went to receive it, they had left. The exercise obviously, is once again NOT for solving the ‘water issue’, but to orchestrate another media-oriented drama,” Raj Niwas Delhi posted on X.

“The purported letter to HLG has not been written by any MP, Water Minister, Chairman DJB, MLA, Mayor or Councillor. It seeks a meeting of HLG with all AAP, MPs, MLAs and Councillors. Notably, it was NOT delivered at the LG Secretariat and an eyewash was carried out. The intentions are obvious,” it added.

The LG Delhi Secretariat said that LG Saxena is looking forward to meeting 10 representatives to explore any measure that can help the people of Delhi on Sunday.

“However, HLG will be looking forward to meeting 10 representatives to explore any measure that can help the people of Delhi, at 12:15 PM tomorrow, Sunday, 23.06.24 at the LG Secretariat. The same has been conveyed to Pankaj Gupta,” it said.

Earlier, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena launched an attack on the AAP-led Delhi government over the water crisis, saying that the same blame game story is played by the government year after year.

“Heart-rending scenes of people running after tankers and incidents of water shortages are not new in Delhi. This has been happening year after year and every year, the same blame-game story is repeated by the Government on social media and in press conferences,” Saxena said in an official statement.

VK Saxena also expressed his anguish at the AAP government’s approach to governance and service delivery in Delhi. “The AAP Government will do well to go to the drawing board and revisit its model of governance rather than abusing, accusing and scooting through social media and press conferences. The absence of seriousness in governance is disturbing. As the Constitutional Head of Delhi, I feel anguished at the approach of the AAP government, on almost every subject concerning governance and delivery of services to the people of Delhi,” Delhi LG said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi, who is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against the water crisis, said on Saturday that she tried “everything” but was left with no choice but to sit on a fast when the Haryana government did not agree to supply the required quantity of water.

The AAP leader, who is also the Water Minister in the Delhi government, began her strike on Friday at Bhogal, near Jangpura. She was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and other party leaders.

The Aam Aadmi Party, meanwhile, has written a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena regarding the shortage of water in the national capital.

A delegation of AAP MPs, MLAs, and leaders is scheduled to meet the Lieutenant Governor at 11 am tomorrow to discuss the issue.

The people of Delhi have been counting on water tankers to avail their daily requirements of water. (ANI)

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A case has been registered against Janata Dal (Secular) MLC and the son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna over the alleged sexual assault case.

A man filed the case against Suraj Revanna at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district on Saturday, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by him at his farmhouse on June 16.

The complaint was filed by a party worker under sections 377, 342, and 506 of IPC.

Suraj Revanna was booked for voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature with an individual, wrongful confinement of an individual, and criminal intimidation, the FIR read.

“The FIR read that Suraj Revanna after noticing the work of him ((the complainant) in Lok Sabha polls had sought his number and had asked him to meet him whenever he’s free. Suraj Revanna allegedly asked him to come to his farm at Gannikada village in Hassan. After he (the complainant) reaches the farm, Suraj asks him to enter his room and lock it from the inside, when he does so, Suraj allegedly sexually harasses him and later promises him to help him move up in politics. When he resists, Suraj threatens him with dire consequences and tells him to come to the farm whenever he calls him,” the FIR read.

He said in the complaint that on June 17 the complainant sent a text to Suraj Revanna’s close aide Shivu about the incident and told him that Suraj had ruined his life.

“But Shivu allegedly threatened him not to make the issue public and said that they would offer him 2 crore for it and a job. Scared for his life, he left for Bengaluru on 19th June (Wednesday) and met the DG and gave a written complaint. Following this, the Holenarasipura Rural police station has called him today to register the complaint. The complaint was registered this evening,” it read.

Suraj Revanna is the son of JD (S) MLA HD Revanna and the elder brother of former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is currently in police custody over separate allegations of sexually assaulting multiple women which shook the state during Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

This development comes just days after former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was remanded to judicial custody by a special court in Bengaluru.

Prajwal Revanna, who is accused in the obscene video case, was arrested from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after his return to the country.

The court on May 31 remanded him to SIT custody till June 6 and later extended it till June 10. (ANI)

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