Month: July 2024

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday here in the national capital and criticized the AAP Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that he had requested the former to work towards the welfare of Dalits, however, he denied his requests.

He was welcomed into the party by BJP’s Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva and national general secretary Arun Singh.

“I am grateful to the BJP for giving me the opportunity to join the party. I am committed to working for the welfare of all, particularly the Dalit community, to which I belong”, Anand said while addressing the media.

Attacking the AAP Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Anand said that he had requested the former to work towards the welfare of Dalits, however, he denied his requests.

“It is my responsibility to give back to society. I had requested Mr Kejriwal to work towards Dalit welfare, but he consistently denied my requests, which led to my resignation from the ministerial post. Despite the allocation of funds for Dalit welfare through the SC/ST fund, crores of rupees have not been utilized for the benefit of Dalits in Delhi over the past nine years”, he said.

The former AAP leader further added that the Dalit community is questioning the whereabouts of their welfare funds.

“The Dalit community is questioning the whereabouts of their welfare funds. Unfortunately, Mr Kejriwal ignored the Dalit community during the Trith Yatra Yojana. I am determined to work for the upliftment of Dalits and ensure that their rights are protected”, he said.

Veena Anand, Raaj Kumar Anand’s wife, also joined the BJP among other leaders. Earlier in April, Anand resigned from AAP and as minister of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s cabinet, alleging corruption in the party. Later, he joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to contest the Lok Sabha polls.

Anand faced raids by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) earlier in November last year in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Reportedly, around nine premises linked to Anand, including his official residence, were raided by the ED.

Anand was elected to the Delhi assembly in 2020 and he represented the Patel Nagar assembly constituency. He held multiple portfolios in the Kejriwal cabinet, including Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurudwara elections, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

Before joining AAP, Anand was a businessman and was pictured beside Kejriwal in the Anna-Hazare-led movement against corruption in 2011. (ANI)

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned popular YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav to appear before its Lucknow-based unit in Uttar Pradesh on July 23 in connection with a money laundering case linked to a snake venom rave party incident.

Earlier in May, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on the FIR and charge sheet filed by the Noida police against Elvish Yadav and others involved in the snake venom case.

In November last year, the People for Animals (PFA) organization filed an FIR against six people including Elvish.

The FIR was registered against the six people in Noida Sector 49 police station for allegedly supplying snake venom suspected to be used as a recreational drug at a rave party in Noida.

The case was transferred from Noida’s Sector 49 police station to Sector 20 police station on the orders of Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh.

He was arrested on March 17 by the police along with five others and all were charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and Section 120A (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Elvish was granted bail by Gautam Buddha Nagar District Court five days after his arrest.

Later, police arrested two more suspects in the case who were identified as Ishwar and Vinay, both residents of Haryana and said to be known to Elvish.

On April 6, the Noida police filed a chargesheet against the YouTuber and seven others in connection with allegations ranging from snake smuggling to organizing rave parties.

The 1200-page chargesheet stated that Elvish was in touch with snake charmers and that a poisonous snake and 20 millilitres of venom from the Krait species were also recovered from the location. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna on Wednesday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and other officials were present in the meeting.

Earlier, PM Modi signed the Guestbook at the Federal Chancellery in Austria’s Vienna. He also received a Ceremonial Reception at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. Karl Nehammer accompanied PM Modi.

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Scripting a new chapter in bilateral relations. PM @narendramodi was warmly received by Austrian Chancellor @karlnehammer at the Federal Chancery and accorded a ceremonial welcome. This landmark visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria is taking place after 4 decades.”

Upon arrival in Vienna, the Indian Prime Minister was welcomed by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Indian Ambassador to Austria, Shambhu Kumaran was also present at the airport.

Taking to X, PM Modi stated, “Landed in Vienna. This visit to Austria is a special one. Our nations are connected by shared values and a commitment to a better planet. Looking forward to the various programmes in Austria including talks with Chancellor @karlnehammer, interactions with the Indian community and more.”

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it was the first bilateral visit of Prime Minister Modi to Austria.

“PM @narendramodi arrives in the historic city of Vienna on his first bilateral visit to Austria. Welcomed by FM @a_schallenberg at the airport. As the two countries are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, this momentous visit will add renewed momentum to India-Austria ties,” Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

On Tuesday, PM Modi joined a dinner hosted by Austria Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austrian Chancellor extended a warm welcome to PM Modi.

In a post on X, Nehammar stated, “Welcome to Vienna, PM @narendramodi! It is a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit!”

PM Modi thanked Nehammer for extending a warm welcome and said that he looked forward to holding discussions.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “Thank you, Chancellor @karlnehammer, for the warm welcome. I look forward to our discussions tomorrow as well. Our nations will continue working together to further global good.”

Notably, this is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited Austria in 41 years. Indira Gandhi was the last PM to visit Austria in 1983. PM Modi’s visit to Austria comes after his two-day official visit to Russia, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin. (ANI)

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Following Rohit Sharma’s announcement to retire from T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to lead the Men in Blue in the shortest format of the game. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will lead the team in ODIs, as per the sources.

“Hardik Pandya is all set to lead the Indian team in the T20, Rohit Sharma’s announced his retirement. Hardik is also unlikely to be rested for the upcoming series vs Sri Lanka,” BCCI Sources told ANI.

In the T20 WC, Pandya scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a half-century and best score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with the best figures of 3/20.

This tournament marked a redemption tale for Hardik, who was booed out in every stadium across India during the IPL 2024 after taking over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians (MI) from five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma. The all-rounder, who was just making a comeback into the game after suffering an injury to his ankle in the 50-over World Cup last year, became a victim of online trolling and fan wars as he was accused of betraying the MI franchise, Rohit and his former franchise Gujarat Titans (GT), which he led to IPL title in 2022.

On the other hand, KL Rahul was omitted from the Men in Blue T20 WC squad despite performing brilliantly in the ODI World Cup 2023 which was held in India.

Rahul has 386 runs in nine innings, an average of 77.20 and a strike rate of 98.72. Coming in at number five, Rahul has kept the Indian innings together on multiple occasions this World Cup.

He scored a match-winning knock against Australia in India’s first encounter when the hosts were 2 for 3. He had a 165-run partnership with Kohli and hit an unbeaten 97 to lead India to a historic victory in Chennai.

“KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma as the board believes he makes runs in the longer format,” the sources added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday announced that former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the Indian men’s cricket team’s new head coach.

Gambhir was a left-handed opener for the India team and served as Kolkata Knight Riders’ team mentor in the Indian Premier League 2024. KKR lifted their third IPL trophy this season under Gambhir’s guidance.

Jay Shah took to his official X account and announced Gambhir’s appointment as Team India’s new Head Coach.

The BCCI secretary added that he has his full confidence in Gambhir and that he will be the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward.

“It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward. His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The @BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” Shah wrote on X.

Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of Team India came to an end after the conclusion of the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024, where India beat South Africa by seven runs to win the prestigious trophy after 17 years. (ANI)

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As many as 159 wild animals, including nine rhinos, have died so far at Kaziranga National Park due to floods in Assam, according to the park authority on Wednesday.

The Field Director of Kaziranga National Park, Sonali Ghosh, said that so far, 159 wild animals have died in Kaziranga National Park due to flooding.

“Out of 159 wild animals, 128 hog deer, 9 rhinos, 2 swamp deer and 2 sambar died after drowning in flood waters. On the other hand, 12 hog deer, one swamp deer, rhesus macaque, and otter-pup died under care. Two hog deer died due to a vehicle hit and an otter (pup) died for other reasons,” Sonali Ghosh said.

The park authority and the forest department have also managed to rescue 133 animals during flood time and 111 animals were released after treatment.

“Seven rescued animals, including two rhino calves, and two elephant calves, are now under treatment,” Sonali Ghosh said.

The flood situation in the park has been marginally improving, but 62 forest camps in the park are still underwater and 4 camps have been vacated. There are 233 forest camps inside the park.

The core area of Kaziranga National Park is 430 sq km and the area of the park has increased following the addition of a few editions. Kaziranga is the home of more than 2600 one-horned rhinoceros.

Recently, the Assam floods have worsened, with seven lives lost in the past 24 hours in the state, taking the total death toll to 79 this year.

According to the report released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday, two people from Cachar and one each from Dhubri, South Salmara, Dhemaj, Nagaon and Sivasagar lost their lives in the floods.

Over 17.17 lakh people in 26 districts are still being affected by the flood in the state.

Rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, and local administration are all engaged in the rescue efforts in flood-hit areas. (ANI)

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condoled the demise of veteran singer Usha Uthup’s husband, Jani Chacko Uthup.

“Sad at the passing away of Jani Chacko Uthup, a distinguished fellow citizen of ours, and husband of the iconic music artist Usha Uthup. My condolences to Ushaji and their entire extended family,” Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X.

His passing away has left family members in great shock and pain.

Usha Uthup’s daughter Anjali penned a heartfelt note remembering her father and paid her tributes. “Appa…gone too soon…but as stylishly as you lived…most handsome man in the world…we love you a true gentleman and Lawrencian to the core and the finest Tea Taster”

Usha Uthup has enthralled audiences with several hit songs such as ‘Ramba Ho Ho’, ‘Hari Om Hari’, ‘Koi Yahan Aha’, ‘One Two Cha Cha Cha’ and ‘Darling’. Her unique and powerful voice has helped her create a niche for herself in the music industry. Usha has also acted in a few films.

She was conferred Padma Bhushan earlier this year.

She has also sung in multiple South films including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. Usha Uthup recently dropped her own rendition of the song ‘Tilasmi Bahein’ from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.’ (ANI)

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After a controversy erupted over alcohol distribution on BJP MP K Sudhakar’s win in the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday expelled Jagadish Chaudhary and Mandal President Nelamangala from the party for six years in the case.

People queued up to receive their bottle of alcohol at the party office allegedly organised by Chikkaballapur BJP MP K Sudhakar in celebration of his Lok Sabha win from the constituency on July 8.

However, the police said that the excise department gave permission to conduct the Thanksgiving ceremony.

Bengaluru Rural SP, CK Baba said, “The excise department gave permission and the police were instructed to take care of the arrangements. There is no fault of the police department in this, it is the responsibility of the excise department for providing the permission.”

Reacting to the ceremony, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar said that it is the culture of the BJP.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, he said, “Liquor has been distributed to BJP party workers at a public event in Nelamangala. To register a case in this regard is another matter, but before that BJP National President JP Nadda must answer how his party allowed its MP to distribute liquor to its party workers at a public event.”

“Rather than the local BJP leaders, it is important that national leaders of BJP tell people how the BJP is upholding the culture of land by distributing liquor in public meetings,” he demanded. (ANI)

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday announced that former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the Indian men’s cricket team’s new head coach.

Gambhir was a left-handed opener for the India team and served as Kolkata Knight Riders’ team mentor in the Indian Premier League 2024. KKR lifted their third IPL trophy this season under Gambhir’s guidance.

Jay Shah took to his official X account and announced Gambhir’s appointment as Team India’s new Head Coach.

The BCCI secretary added that he has his full confidence in Gambhir and that he will be the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward.

“It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward. His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The @BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” Shah wrote on X.

Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of Team India came to an end after the conclusion of the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024, where India beat South Africa by seven runs to win the prestigious trophy after 17 years.

Recapping the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel’s attacking partnership took India closer to their dream by propelling them to a competitive total of 176/7. Despite a nervy defence, the Men in Blue managed to defend the total and clinch a 7-run win to lift their second T20 World Cup title. (ANI)

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The haldi ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant was a star-studded affair. Several Bollywood celebs attended the event including Salman Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, among others.

These celebs brought their fashion A-game to the celebrations. Sara, Ananya and Janhvi stunned everyone with their gorgeous looks.

Sara Ali Khan chose a colourful lehenga set for the Haldi ceremony. She completed her look with a matching dupatta draped on the shoulder. Sara accessorised the outfit with an embroidered potli bag, a choker necklace, kadhas, and rings. She took to her Instagram handle to share the picture.

While Ananya Panday opted for a pink anarkali suit for the grand occasion. Along with her stunning attire she chose to wear embellished juttis, gold bracelets, statement rings, maang tika, and jhumkas. Ananya shared glimpses of the ceremony in which she can be seen posing with Orry, Shanaya Kapoor, and Khushi Kapoor.

Janhvi wore a traditional yellow sari at the haldi function.

The Ambani family hosted a vibrant ‘haldi’ ceremony at their iconic residence, Antilia, in Mumbai. The lavish affair was attended by close family members and Bollywood personalities. Among the guests were Anant’s uncle and well-known businessman Anil Ambani, accompanied by his wife, the former actor Tina Ambani.

Salman Khan, dressed in a radiant yellow kurta and black pajamas, also arrived in style to extend his blessings to the soon-to-be-wed couple. His presence added to the star-studded list of attendees, which included Ranveer Singh, Ananya Panday, and Sara Ali Khan, among others.

Earlier, Anant and Radhika took part in a Grah Shanti Puja ceremony.

Singer Nikita Waghela took to Instagram to share glimpses from the event, including the serene moments of the Grah Shanti and Mandap Muhurat Puja.

Radhika looked stunning in a cream and golden saree decorated with exquisite jewellery, while Anant sported a red kurta paired with a golden jacket.

As part of the wedding celebrations, Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani recently organised a mass wedding for the underprivileged on July 2 at Swami Vivekanand Vidyamandir in Palghar.

On July 3, Ambanis organised a spectacular Mameru ceremony- a Gujarati wedding tradition where the bride’s maternal uncle (mama) visits her with sweets and gifts.

The wedding festivities are meticulously planned, adhering to traditional Hindu Vedic customs. The main ceremonies will commence on Friday, July 12, with the auspicious Shubh Vivah, or wedding function and according to sources, guests are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the occasion by dressing in traditional Indian attire.

The celebrations will continue on Saturday, July 13, with Shubh Aashirwad. The final event, Mangal Utsav or the wedding reception, is scheduled for Sunday, July 14.

On July 5, the Ambani family also hosted a Sangeet Ceremony which saw participation by a constellation of celebrities. Global pop sensation Justin Bieber also performed at the sangeet ceremony.

Earlier this year, the couple hosted a series of pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, which saw a star-studded guest list from around the globe. (ANI)

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that the state has reported 7,362 positive cases to date in Karnataka and instructed the officials to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

He further instructed the officials to allocate 10 beds in a ward at every hospital separately for dengue cases.

“Dengue usually shows up when there’s rain. 7,362 positive cases have been registered to date in the state this year of which 7 have succumbed to the disease. I have given instructions that the mosquito breeding sites must be eliminated. 10 beds in a ward must be allotted at every hospital separately for dengue cases, a task force must be formed in every district and mosquito net to be given to all slum residents for free,” Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah further said that the officials have to work in coordination if the government program is to reach the beneficiaries.

“We had two meetings yesterday and today. Our intention is to have a meeting at least once in 3 months. A meeting was held on September 12-13, 2023, then the election was held and the meeting was not held. They have to work in coordination if the government program is to reach the beneficiaries. Everyone should be taken along,” he added.

Earlier on July 8, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that they are strictly monitoring and taking proper steps on how to reduce the proliferation of dengue mosquitoes amid the rise of dengue cases in the state.

“We are keeping a strict visual on that…monitoring it. The important part of this is source reduction. How we can reduce the proliferation of the dengue mosquito. And especially with the rainfall in a lot of places, that is also contributing to water stagnation,” Rao said. (ANI)

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