Israel

Israel: Thousands Of People Hold Anti-Govt Protests

Tens of thousands of people held anti-government protests in several parts of Israel on Saturday night, calling for new elections and the return of hostages held in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.

On Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, David Grossman, one of Israel’s best-known authors, urged the people of Israel to fill the streets with demonstrations and fight for their country in a poem he read to protesters.

He read, “There’s someone and something to fight for. For such a gift, from life, we will nevermore receive… Now’s the time to rise, to live. To be a people or not to be. To be people or not to be… All hangs by a thread.”

Former Shin Bet chief, Yuval Diskin called Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the worst and most failed prime minister in the history of the state.” Diskin, who served as Shin Bet intelligence agency chief from 2005 to 2011, demanded elections at the earliest possible opportunity.

“For many weeks, I rejected requests to join the protests. Something deep inside me told me that it wasn’t time yet, that maybe it wasn’t right to change governments during a war, and that unity was the most important thing,” The Times of Israel quoted Diskin as saying.

“But I find myself amazed, every day, by the government’s uselessness, the failed management of the war, the lie of ‘total victory,’ the total evasion of responsibility, the destruction of our strategic relations with the United States, and perhaps most of all, missing every opportunity to return our kidnapped brothers and sisters, who continue to languish in Hamas captivity in Gaza,” he added.

People staged a protest on King George Street, outside Beit Jabotinsky, home to the ruling Likud party’s headquarters. Some protesters held signs demanding early elections, and others held banners calling for an end to the fighting in Gaza.

After the main rally ended, several protesters stayed and blocked the road, burning tyres. Mounted police personnel moved in to disperse the crowd, clearing the road and arresting three protesters, The Times of Israel reported.

In video footage, police could be seen riding into the crowds, moving protesters aside with their horses. Several people seemed to be pushed around by police, while other protesters attempted to stop police from hurting those being pushed.

The protesters included Labor lawmaker Gilad Kariv, who shouted that mounted police to move aside from the sidewalks and warned that their deployment was illegal.

Meanwhile, thousands of people held a protest outside Israel PM Netanyahu’s residence on Azza Street in what organisers termed the largest Saturday night protest there since October 7, The Times of Israel report.

Protesters led by family members of hostages held by Hamas marched down King George Street, demanding an immediate deal and early polls. The protesters accused Netanyahu’s government of abandoning Israel’s embattled northern communities, some 60,000 of whose residents have been displaced for more than eight months due to Hezbollah fire.

After the marchers reached their destination outside Netanyahu’s residence, they participated in a joint rally organized by the local branch of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the city’s anti-government movement, Safeguarding our Shared Home.

In addition, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum held rallies across the country, including addresses by hostages whom Hamas released from captivity in November. It is believed that 116 people held hostage by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, not all of them are alive.

Hamas has repeatedly said that it will only release hostages within a framework that permanently ends the war. The demand has been rejected by Israel.

Meanwhile, thousands of people held rally in Tel Aviv to mark the 20th birthday of hostage Naama Levy. The protesters released balloons and chanted to the beat of drums. They shared bite-sized cupcakes decorated with birthday candles while demanding the release of all hostages.

Naama Levy’s father, Yoni Levy said, “She needs to be here with her family, with her friends.” After Naama was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz military base, a Hamas video appeared on Telegram, showing Levy being pulled by her hair from the back of a black pickup truck and then pushed into the back seat, The Times of Israel reported. In the video, her hands were tied, her feet were bare, and her pants was covered in blood and dirt.

Protesters have been holding protests every Saturday night for months against the government’s handling of the war, which began on October 7, after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. (ANI)

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NEET-PG By Centre

Candidates Express Anguish Over Postponement Of NEET-PG By Centre

After the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the postponement of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) Examination, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, students have expressed their sorrow, criticising the Centre’s decision.

The examination scheduled to be held on June 23 will now be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon.

A statement released by the ministry said that the decision to postpone the examination was taken in view of the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations.

“Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of the processes of the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students,” the ministry statement read.

A candidate who went to Jaipur for the exam told ANI, “The NEET-UG exam’s paper got leaked, NEET-PG was postponed 12 hours before, and the NEET-SSC exam date has not been announced yet. This shows how much the government is concerned about the health sector. The Union Health Minister and Union Education Minister must apologise for what they have done. Students and doctors have travelled a long way for the exam and come here; they have incurred a lot of expenses. On average, Rs 10,000 was the expenditure. The government must reimburse these expenditures.”

Jyoth Chouhan, another candidate, said that the Centre informing them at the last moment about the exam caused great inconvenience.

“NTA (National Testing Agency) informed at the last moment, 10 hours before that the exam has been postponed. If they had to reschedule, they should have announced that at least a few days ago. They didn’t distribute exam centres properly, candidates got very faraway places at exam centres. Students from Vadodara had exam centres in Nashik and Madhya Pradesh. And then when they reached there, they were informed that the exam had been postponed. All are having great difficulties,” he said.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) was fully prepared to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Rakesh Sharma, OSD to President and Member, Governing Body, NBEMS said, “All eyes of the nation are on NBEMS for the conduct of NEET PG 2024 and we will not let down the hope of the nation. We will conduct the test through a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country.”

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.

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. (ANI)

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Gandhi Is Fevicol For Congress Party

‘Gandhi’ Is Still The Fevicol Of The Congress Party

A few days after the Lok Sabha election results came out and Rahul Gandhi, who had fought them from two constituencies–Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala–and got elected from both, addressed the question of which constituency he would give up and which one he would represent in Parliament. At a public meeting in Wayanad, Gandhi, 54, told the people of the rural district that had elected him to Parliament in 2019 and again this year that he hoped what he would decide would make both, Wayanad and Rae Bareli, happy.

As it happened, Gandhi chose to keep Rae Bareli as his constituency and give up Wayanad. Then, shortly afterwards, his Congress party announced that Gandhi’s sister, Priyanka, a general secretary of the party, would contest the bye-elections from the Wayanad seat that he had vacated. That is what Gandhi had alluded to when he said his decision would make the people of both constituencies happy. 

Indeed, Wayanad will likely be happy to elect Priyanka, 52, to replace her brother and it is highly likely that she will win. In Kerala, where of the 20 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 18, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to pose a challenge for her. 

More significant is the fact that if Priyanka is elected to the Lok Sabha, Parliament will have three Gandhis sitting as members: former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, 77, is a member of the upper House, Rajya Sabha, and her two children, Rahul and Priyanka would be Lok Sabha members.

The biggest criticism that the Congress party faces from its main rivals, notably the BJP, which formed the coalition government that Narendra Modi heads in his third term as Prime Minister, is that it is a political party with a dynastic leadership. That is not inaccurate. For decades, Congress’ leadership has been controlled by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s father, grandmother, and great grandfather, have all been Prime Ministers of India. Their mother, Sonia, was the longest serving president of the Congress party, taking over in 1998 and continuing till 2017 after which she returned as head of the party in 2019 for another three years. Rahul Gandhi himself has served as the party president for two years from 2017 to 2019.

Congress and the ‘Gandhi’ Factor

Yet, for the Congress, the Gandhi factor is what has kept the party going through the years. ‘Gandhi’ seems to be the glue that binds that party together, through thick and thin. In the past decade, the party has suffered huge setbacks. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when Modi led the BJP and its allies to a decisive victory by winning 336 of the 543 seats, the Congress managed to win only 44, a historic low for the party. In the following elections, in 2019, when BJP and its allies won 353 seats, the Congress won just 52. 

In this year’s elections, the Congress has clawed back. While the BJP and its allies have a smaller majority of 293 seats, the Congress-led Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a potpourri of mainly regional parties, won 234 seats. Significantly, 99 of those seats were won by the Congress.

At least in part, the better performance by the Congress and its allies in this year’s elections can be attributed to the Congress’ leadership. Rahul Gandhi, who has been criticised, often justifiably, for his lack of consistency in leading the party–for the record, he holds no official post in the Congress but is perceived to be its most empowered leader (an enviable position to have!)–demonstrated a sort of grassroots commitment to voters that was in sharp contrast with his main rival, Modi and the BJP.

To increase his party’s electoral engagement, Gandhi undertook two marches across the length and breadth of India, addressing citizens and interacting with them. His party also changed its way of dealing with allies and smaller regional parties. In the past, the Congress, partly because of the hubris of having been a dominant player in India’s political landscape, has treated its smaller allies with condescension. This time, it depended more on their support in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra where regional parties outdid the BJP and its allies.

Although Congress’ president is not Gandhi but a veteran party leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, 81, he is perceived as the de facto leader of the opposition alliance, INDIA, and it has been the Gandhi factor that has helped in keeping the alliance together and enable it to score electoral wins that kept the BJP and its allies in check.

ALSO READ: Rahul Told Me Bharat Jodo Yatra Is His Tapasya

The most important outcome of the election for the Congress has been that after 10 years, it has been able to win 99 seats, which is higher than 10% or 55 of the total Lok Sabha seats needed for it to be able to appoint a Leader of Opposition (LOP) in Lok Sabha, a post that will in all likelihood go to Rahul Gandhi. 

While Gandhi can leverage the legitimacy of that position to coordinate with more authority the Opposition’s strategy in Lok Sabha when it convenes on 24 June, the induction of Priyanka Gandhi in the party’s electoral politics is yet another factor that could bolster Congress’ Lok Sabha presence.

Priyanka’s role in Congress’ politics has thus far been as a backroom, behind-the-scenes worker. In this year’s elections, she campaigned across India but concentrated her efforts in Rae Bareli where her mother stepped aside to let her brother contest, and in Amethi, the other UP constituency from where her brother had lost to the BJP’s firebrand leader Smriti Irani in 2019. In Amethi, Priyanka campaigned aggressively this time for the Congress candidate, Kishori Lal Sharma, a longtime loyalist of the Gandhi family, who defeated Irani. 

Congress’ Priyanka Strategy

Priyanka’s entry into electoral politics can have a strategic impact on the future of Congress. If Priyanka wins from Wayanad, the two disparate regions of India, the north and the south, will both have a ‘Gandhi’ as a parliamentarian. This is significant, particularly because the BJP and its allies are weakest in the southern states. 

Moreover, if she becomes a member of the Lok Sabha, the Congress will have strengthened its presence in Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, the Congress already has Sonia Gandhi, a respected veteran as the Congress Parliamentary Party chief, Kharge, who is the party’s president, and Jairam Ramesh, the party’s chief spokesperson. Consider them as part of Congress’ seniors. If Priyanka wins from Wayanad, she and her brother would be in the Lok Sabha, representing the party’s younger generation of leaders.

In the run-up to this year’s election, campaigning by both sides was marked by acrimony, accusations, and ugly confrontations. Modi, who was the star campaigner for the BJP and its allies, dominated the scene with dozens of TV interviews, rallies, and a social media blitz. 

Yet, for those who tracked Priyanka’s public meetings and media interactions, a few things stood out. Temperamentally, she came across as a mature politician with a balanced and objective approach to issues–whether they were focused on what the average Indian seeks from those who they want to elect to govern the country or against personal attacks made against her party and family by the ruling regime’s campaigners. 

Compared to the often mercurial and sometimes inconsistent public stance of her brother–attributes that many political analysts have frequently critiqued–Priyanka’s approach has usually been a more considered one. In public speeches, she seemed unflappable yet firm and powerful when she took on her opponents, and, in media interviews, she came across as sharp, sincere, and committed. 

Sonia Gandhi, who has been keeping indifferent health, has been gradually ceding much of her active role in Congress’ politics. She has withdrawn from electoral politics of the lower house. She has given up her role as the party’s formal boss, and she was far less visible during this year’s campaigning than she has been in the past. 

Gradually, her role is likely to diminish further while the two younger Gandhis take up the leadership of the party. Yes, Priyanka’s entry into electoral politics will further consolidate the dynastic domination of the Congress’ leadership but then the ‘Gandhi’ glue more than anything else is what keeps that party together. India’s best-known adhesive brand is Fevicol. And one of its most iconic taglines is “Fevicol Ka Mazboot Jod Hai Tootega Nahi!” For the Congress, like it or not, the Gandhis are the Fevicol that keeps the party together.

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Mirzapur 3

I Don’t Want The Throne, I Want To Break It: Vijay On ‘Mirzapur’3

As the much-awaited third season of ‘Mirzapur’ approaches its release date, excitement among fans is reaching a fever pitch.

The series, starring Ali Fazal and Vijay Varma, has garnered a dedicated following for its intense storyline and complex characters.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Vijay shared insights into what fans can expect in the upcoming season.

Speaking about his character Vijay revealed, “I had nothing to do with the thrown, or with Mirzapur. I was running a good business in Siwan, stealing and selling cars. All this happened because of a woman. Now, I don’t want the thrown; I want to break it.”

When asked about the absence of Munna’s character this season, Vijay said, “Munna is a very popular character in the show. I think that’s just the format of the show. In the first season, they killed off a popular character. In the next season, they killed off an even more popular character. That’s the unique feature and strength of the series.”

Earlier this week, makers released the trailer of the highly anticipated series.

In the action-packed trailer, Guddu Pandit (played by Ali Fazal) could be seen trying his best to establish his hold over Purvanchal. It seems like he can go to any extent to get the throne. Actors like Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal and Vijay Varma also left a mark with their presence in the trailer.

At the end of the trailer, actor Pankaj Tripathi emerges from the shadows and promises to reclaim the empire.

Created by Excel Media and Entertainment, the fan-favourite crime thriller is directed by Gurmmeet Singh and Anand Iyer. The series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal, Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Harshita Shekhar Gaur, Rajesh Tailang, Sheeba Chadha, Meghna Malik, and Manu Rishi Chadha.

The first season of the crime drama premiered in 2018 and season second came in 2020.

The new season will be out on Prime Video on July 5. (ANI)

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Vijay Tamil Actor

Fan Gets Injured While Celebrating Actor Vijay’s Birthday

Actor Vijay turned a year older on Saturday. However, the day of much celebration for one of his fans in Tamil Nadu ended on a tragic note.

Marking Vijay’s 50th birthday, his fans across the country have organised several events. Unfortunately, at one of the events organised in ECR Chennai, a young boy got injured while performing a stunt that involved fire.

The boy’s hand got lit by fire when he performed the stunt using kerosene. He was immediately taken to a hospital as he sustained injuries.

A video of the particular incident has been doing the rounds on the internet, leaving netizens concerned.”I hope the young boy is fine,” a social media user commented.

Many have called out the organisers over such incident.

“This is not a way to celebrate someone’s birthday,” another user wrote.

“Horrible…this is too risky,” a social media user wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, the makers of actor Vijay-starrer ‘The GOAT- Greatest of All Time’, released a small glimpse from the film.

The 50-second glimpse, titled The GOAT Bday Shots, begins with a chase scene happening somewhere in abroad, as we see a group of people chasing a duo on bike.

The GOAT is helmed by Venkat Prabhu and gearing up for release on September 5. (ANI)

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Delhi LG VK Saxena delhi water crisis

Same Blame-Game Repeated: LG Saxena Attacks Delhi Govt On Water Crisis

Delhi LG VK Saxena on Saturday launched an attack on the AAP-led Delhi government over the Delhi water crisis, saying that the same blame-game story is repeated by the government year after year.

“Heart-rending scenes of people running after tankers and incidents of water shortage 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 didn’t agree to supply the required quantity of water.

“This is the second day of my fast. There is an acute shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi receives water from its neighbouring states. Delhi receives a total of 1005 MGD of water that is supplied to the houses in Delhi. Of this, 613 MGD of water comes from Haryana but for the past several weeks, it has been releasing only 513 MGD. Due to this, more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are not receiving water. I tried everything but when the Haryana government didn’t agree to supply water, I was left with no choice but to sit on a fast,” Atishi said in a video posted on her X handle.

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

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, read a message from the Chief Minister, who is under judicial custody, and said Arvind Kejriwal is ‘hurt’ to see Delhi’s public suffering from water scarcity.

“Kejriwal says that when I see on TV, the way Delhi people are suffering due to water scarcity, it hurts me. I hope Atishi’s ‘tapasya’ will succeed and residents of Delhi will get relief. I wish all the best to Atishi, may God protect her,” she stated. (ANI)

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Teesta River Bangladesh

Conservation Of Teesta River In Bangladesh Will Be Undertaken With Suitable Indian Assistance: Kwatra

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Saturday that a joint technical committee will initiate discussions for renewal of the Ganges water sharing treaty, and added that “conservation and management of the Teesta River” will also be undertaken in Bangladesh with suitable Indian assistance.

“In terms of bilateral partnership on reverse management, common rivers and their suitable management are of utmost importance before India and Bangladesh. A joint technical committee to initiate discussions for renewal of the Ganges water sharing treaty of 1996 has been formed. The technical discussions on this will soon begin. We will also be undertaking conservation and management of the Teesta River inside Bangladesh with suitable Indian assistance,” Kwatra said during a special press briefing today.

Notably, Teesta river has a network of small channels with islands in between created by the large amounts of sediment carried down from the Himalayas accumulating on the river bed. This causes frequent floods and severe erosion of the river bank during the monsoon, and in the dry season the river basin faces a shortage of water.

He added that both PM Modi, and Sheikh Hasina who is on a state visit to India, also agreed to intensify engagement on counterterrorism.

Kwatra stated, “The two leaders also agreed to intensify engagement on counterterrorism, counter-radicalization, and peaceful management of our long land border.”

“The conversations between the two prime ministers covered a full range of our bilateral engagement and also issues of regional and global importance. There was agreement by both leaders to give a new direction, and impetus, and provide substance in strengthening our bilateral and sub-regional cooperation,” he added.

In a joint address to the media after meeting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at Hyderabad House earlier today, PM Modi said that the two countries have decided to start talks at the technical level for the renewal of the Ganga River treaty.

A technical team will also travel to Bangladesh to review the protection and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh, he had said.

Meanwhile, on bilateral talks between PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, “To turn this relationship into a transformational partnership… both leaders jointly agreed to the India-Bangladesh shared vision for future enhanced connectivity, commerce, and collaboration for shared prospects…”

“This vision document seeks to realize our respective national development visions of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Smart Bangladesh’s vision of 2041…” the Foreign Secretary said.

PM Modi in his joint address, mentioned that the two nations have developed a futuristic vision for our cooperation in new sectors, adding that the agreements on green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy, and space will benefit the youths of both countries.

Emphasizing the focus on ‘Connectivity, Commerce, Collaboration’, he said the two sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to bolster economic ties between the two countries.

He said the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to India-Bangladesh relationship.

“Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to our relationship. Connectivity, Commerce, and Collaboration have been our focus. In the last 10 years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965. We will now focus on digital and energy connectivity even more. This will speed up the economies of both countries,” the Prime Minister said.

The two leaders held bilateral meeting earlier today.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is on a two-day state visit in India. (ANI)

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National Testing Agency (NTA) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Transparent, Tamper-Free, Zero-Error Examinations Are A Commitment: Pradhan

Soon after the announcement of the formation of a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and functioning of National Testing Agency (NTA), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday asserted that transparent, tamper-free, and zero-error examinations are a commitment.

This comes amid the allegations of irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate examinations, which saw several protests held by candidates across the country.

“Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations is a commitment”, Pradhan said in a post on ‘X’.

“Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of steps to improve efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA. Student interests and their bright future will always be our govt’s top priority”, he added.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Education said it has constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and functioning of the National Testing Agency (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 National Testing Agency (NTA), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of National Testing Agency,” the ministry said.

As per the ministry, the committee will look into reforming in mechanism of the examination process by analysing the end-to-end examination process and suggesting measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach.

The committee will also conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every level.

The committee will also suggest measures to improve data security protocols by evaluating the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement.

They will also examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system, the Ministry of Education said in the statement.

They will also look into the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency by making recommendations on the organizational structure and functioning of the agency (NTA) for implementation of recommendations given under points (i) and (ii) and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level.

The committee will also assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency.

“The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order. The Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them,” the ministry said.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. An unprecedented 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. (ANI)

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'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign

India To Start E-Medical Visa Facility For Bangladesh Nationals

India will start an e-medical visa facility for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after the meeting between the two delegations here in the national capital on Saturday.

India will also open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh to facilitate services for people in the north-west region of the country.

The two Prime Ministers addressed the media after meeting at Hyderabad House on Saturday.

PM Modi emphasised the two leaders have met several times in last one year, adding that this visit is special because PM Sheikh Hasina is India’s first state guest in the third tenure of the NDA government.

“In the last one year, we have met 10 times, but today’s meeting is special because PM Hasina is the first state guest of our third government. Bangladesh is crucial for our Neighbourhood First policy, Act East Policy, Vision SAGAR, and Indo-Pacific vision. We have completed several developmental programmes together in the last year,” PM Modi said at the press statement.

“India will start e-medical visas for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment. India has decided to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur to benefit the people in the northwest part of Bangladesh,” he further said.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash between India and Bangladesh today, PM Modi also gave best wishes to both teams.

“I also give my best wishes to both India and Bangladesh cricket teams for today’s match,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi further said that India and Bangladesh have started trading in Indian Rupees. He also highlighted the electricity export from Nepal to Bangladesh using the Indian grid.

He added the two countries have decided to start talks at the technical level for the renewal of the Ganga River treaty. A technical team will also travel to Bangladesh to review the protection and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh.

“The sixth rail link between India and Bangladesh has started between Jakhoda and Agartala has started. Cargo services have been started for our north-eastern states with the Khulna-Mongla Port… Trade in Indian Rupees has started between the two countries. The world’s longest river cruise on the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed,” PM Modi said.

He added, “The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed. The electricity export from Nepal to Bangladesh using the Indian grid has become an example of regional cooperation.”

PM Modi further said that the two nations have developed a futuristic vision for our cooperation in new sectors, adding that the agreements on green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy, and space will benefit the youths of both countries.

Emphasizing the focus on ‘Connectivity, Commerce, Collaboration’, he said the two sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to bolster economic ties between the two countries.

He said the Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to India-Bangladesh relationship.

“Bharat-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to our relationship. Connectivity, Commerce, and Collaboration have been our focus. In the last 10 years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965. We will now focus on digital and energy connectivity even more. This will speed up the economies of both countries,” the Prime Minister said.

He added, “Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights…54 rivers connect India and Bangladesh – we have cooperated over flood management, early warning, and drinking water projects.”

The two leaders held bilateral meeting earlier today.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is on a two-day state visit in India. (ANI)

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The NBEMS National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024.

NEET-PG 2024: NBEMS Has Robust SOPs, Will Not Let Nation Down

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) is scheduled to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Rakesh Sharma, OSD to President and Member, Governing Body, NBEMS said, “All eyes of the nation are on NBEMS for the conduct of NEET PG 2024 and we will not let down the hope of the nation. We will conduct the test through a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country.”

On Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for successfully delivering and maintaining transparency, he said, “NBEMS has robust SOPs for conducting exams because of which NBEMS has been successfully delivering the exams year after year. These SOPs are stringently followed. NBEMS has worked very hard on maintaining the secrecy of the question paper and there is no chance that there will be any leakage of the question paper.”

He further said that NBEMS is supported by medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW, Flying Squads, Deans and Principals, Vice-chancellor and other agencies, “NBEMS has support from various medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW and other agencies. NBEMS has already briefed the chief secretaries and DGP of all states for safe and secure conduct of the exam.”

The NEET-PG 2024 will be conducted in 292 cities, the participating candidates are 2,28,757 including 1,05,791 female and 1,22,961Male candidates, five transgender, Overseas Citizens of India 223, Non-OCI 195 and 119 NRI.

NBEMS has also introduced the concept of the flying squad which enhances the surveillance of examination centres over and above the routine protocols.

Flying squads include chancellors of Universities, current and former members of the Governing Body – NBEMS, Vice Chancellors, Member – NMC, Principals, Dean’s HODs of Medical Colleges, and Faculty of NBEMS accredited Institutes.

The Flying Squad members will be visiting all the test centres and submit their report focusing on exam security and the use of unfair means.

The command centre will also be set up at NBEMS Headquarters, 10 regional command centres and other monitoring centres will work in close coordination with continuation supervision of test Centres.

The Candidates are advised to arrive at the test hall at least an hour before the scheduled time.

Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in this year’s National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exams and NET exam. This resulted in several protests across the country with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA. (ANI)

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