Month: July 2024

On 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, members of Indian film industry and sports fraternity paid tribute to the brave army men who fought valiantly in extremely harsh conditions to defend the nation’s territory during the 1999 Kargil war.

Taking to X, actor Akshay Kumar wrote, “On Kargil Vijay Diwas, salute to the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers. Stories of their valour will be repeated year after year.”

Veteran actor Anupam Kher also took to X and celebrated the 25th anniversary of Kargil War victory.

He wrote, “Bharatiya Sena ki jai ho. #25YearsOfKargilVijay #IndianArmy@adgpi.”

Newly-appointed Indian coach Gautam Gambhir wrote, “We owe our soldiers everything!”

Actor Suniel Shetty paid tribute to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the country’s honour.

In a post on X, Shetty wrote, “Saluting the indomitable spirit of our heroes this #KargilVijayDiwas. Our freedom and safety today are the results of their unparalleled bravery and sacrifice.”

He also recalled working in JP Dutta’s war drama ‘LOC: Kargil’, in which he played the role of a soldier.

“Honoured to have been a part of the film LOC Kargil by the legendary J P Dutta, that immortalizes their stories. Let’s honour their legacy by never forgetting their sacrifice. Jai Hind,” Shetty added, dropping a BTS picture from the sets of ‘LOC’, which was released in 2003.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the soldiers and laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial. The Prime Minister later carried out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel Project virtually.

President Droupadi Murmu offered tribute to soldiers as she hailed the “courage and extraordinary valour” of the country’s armed forces.

In a post on X, President Murmu urged all countrymen to “draw inspiration from the sacrifice and valour” of the soldiers.”Kargil Vijay Diwas is an occasion for a grateful nation to pay tribute to the indomitable courage and extraordinary valour of our armed forces. I pay tribute to each soldier who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting Mother India on the peaks of Kargil in the year 1999 and bow in reverence to their sacred memory,” the President mentioned in her post.

“I am confident that all countrymen will draw inspiration from their sacrifice and valour. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!,” she added. (ANI)

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Filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan and director Sajid Khan’s mother, Menaka Irani, has passed away in Mumbai.

T-Series head Bhushan Kumar visited Farah Khan’s residence to pay his last respects to her mother.

She was recently seen on Farah’s YouTube channel.

Recently, the ‘Om Shanti Om’ director extended her birthday wishes to her mother. She wrote a birthday post in which she expressed her love for her mother. She also called her the “strongest, bravest person” she has ever seen in her life.

“We all take our mothers for granted..especially me! This last month has been a revelation on how much i lov my mom Menka.. she s been the strongest, bravest person iv ever seen.. sense of humour intact even after multiple surgeries.

Happy birthday mom! Today’s a good day to come back home..can’t wait for you to get strong enough to start fighting with me again.. i Lov u,” she wrote in her sweet birthday wish for her mom.

After her post, actors Abhishek Bachchan, Kajol, Ananya Panday, Farhan Akhtar, Sonu Sood, Aditi Rao Hydari also shared their birthday wishes.

Menaka Irani was the sister of former actors Honey Irani and Daisy Irani. (ANI)

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Renuka Singh’s pace and blazing knock from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana allowed India to punch their ticket for the final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 following a resounding 10-wicket win over Bangladesh on Friday.

India has entered the final for the ninth time in the tournament by outplaying Bangladesh in all facets of the game at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

The 2018 champions tottered to find any sort of momentum on their side, but all of their efforts eventually went in vain.

While chasing a paltry target of 81, the Indian opening duo went all guns blazing right from the first over. Mandhana played it through the line to find the fence with ease and pick up India’s first boundary on the fourth ball of the first over.

Shafali joined the party and put her destructive stroke play on display by finding boundaries without breaking a sweat.

In the fourth over, Mandhana smoked the ball into the stand over the deep backward square leg to prove her intentions of taking India home early.

While Bangladesh suffered on the batting surface, Indian players thrived on the same pitch, making it feel like a different venue for batters.

Mandhana continued to assert her dominance by dealing with boundaries. Shafali rotated the strike and allowed her partner to spread carnage in Dambulla.

Fortune was on the side of both batters. Mandhana was caught at the backward point on 35, but Jahanara Alam overstepped the line in the 8th over.

Shafali survived a scare in the next when she attempted to go for a slog sweep but saw her catch dropped by the fielder.

Mandhana struck back-to-back fours off Nahida Akter and raised her bat for her 25th half-century in the T20I format. India capped off their impressive display by chasing the target with nine overs to spare. Mandhana and Shafali went unbeaten with scores of 55* and 26* respectively.

Earlier in the innings, Bangladesh’s decision to bat after winning the toss backfired completely, as its batters struggled to counter India’s bowling display in the powerplay.

Renuka Singh dismantled Bangladesh’s opening order with her sheer pace. She bowled three overs in the powerplay and removed Bangladesh’s top three batters, including Dilara Akter (6), Murshida Khatun (4) and Ishma Tanjim (8).

Skipper Nigar Sultana tried to script an unprecedented comeback with her cautious approach against the high-flying Indian bowlers.

However, wickets kept falling on the other end after the introduction of spin duo Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav.

With her magical left-arm spin, Radha dismantled Bangladesh’s middle order. Deepti, on the other hand, chipped in with a wicket and kept things tight in her four-over spell.

Radha claimed three wickets to completely derail Bangladesh’s innings. After she dismissed the Bangladesh captain, Nigar, on 32(51), Shorna Akter came in at the end and produced a couple of boundaries towards the end. Her unbeaten 19 propelled Bangladesh to a score of 80/8.

Brief Score: Bangladesh 80/8 (Nigar Sulatana 32; Renuka Singh 3-10, Radha Yadav 3-14) vs India 80/0 (Smriti Mandhana 55, Shafali Verma 26). (ANI)

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Amid a political uproar over his expulsion from the Legislative Council for mimicking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Sunil Singh termed it as a “black day in democracy”.

Addressing the media, Sunil Singh said, “This day will be known as a black day in our democracy. It has never been seen before today when the Ethics Committee expelled a member of the Legislative Council by making a fake case. Nitish Kumar wanted to expel me for raising voices against the corrupt and for the poor and farmers. There is no provision that a member can be expelled like this.”

In defence of the expulsion, JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar stated, “He was declared guilty by the Ethics Committee. Now, the final decision lies with the Chairman of the Legislative Council.”

Adding to this, JD(U) leader Ashok Chaudhary emphasized that the decision was taken by the Chairman and the Legislative Council Secretariat and the Government has nothing to do with it.

“It is the decision of the Chairman and the Legislative Council Secretariat, and no one has the right to comment on it. The ethics committe works independently and it has nothing to do with the Government. Before this, an RJD member Rambali Singh was expelled from the Legislative Council.”

Sunil Singh, RJD leader and a close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav was expelled from the Legislative Council as he was charged for mimicking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

A complaint was made to the Ethics Committee of the Legislative Council, Bihar, regarding RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh reportedly mimicking CM Nitish Kumar in the Legislative Council.

The committee has submitted the investigation report to the Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh on Thursday.

RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh, while speaking to ANI, on Thursday said, ” “This is a black chapter in the history of this House. Nothing like this has happened ever before. Many conspirators were framing this report. The report has been presented, and tomorrow, we will have a detailed discussion on it, and whatever decision will be, I’ll share all the details” (ANI)

The Rouse Avenue court on Friday deferred the recording of evidence in a sexual harassment case against ex-MP and former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh due to a mobile phone seized during the investigation lying in the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) in Rohini, Delhi.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Priyanka Rajpoot deferred the chief examination of Constable Mukesh Kumar.

Constable Mukesh Kumar was associated with the case investigation and went to the village of the ex-MP in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. The police team seized two mobile phones from Deepak Singh and Subedar Yadav, which are currently at the FSL.

Meanwhile, the court summoned one victim and another witness, Rashmi, to record their evidence.

The court said that the victim’s statement would be recorded in vulnerable witness room if she would not be comfortable to depose in the court room.

The court has scheduled the matter for August 6.

On July 11, the court directed the trial and recording of the statements of prosecution witnesses in the alleged sexual harassment case against former MP and ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar to begin.

Meanwhile, advocate Rajiv Mohan, counsel for Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, withdrew the application seeking direction for certain documents related to foreign travel and hotel stays by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, CDR, etc., with the liberty to file a fresh application with details of authorities.

The court formally framed the charges against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on May 21. They denied all the allegations and demanded a trial. The court had directed the framing of charges against them on May 10.

On May 10, the court ordered the framing of charges on sexual harassment allegations levelled by several women wrestlers against former WFI chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh and Tomar.

While passing the order, the court said there was sufficient material against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to proceed with the sexual harassment of five women wrestlers and the offence of outraging the modesty of women.

“The court found sufficient material to proceed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh under sections 354 and 354A of the IPC. Charges have also been framed against him under section 506 (part 1) on the allegations of two women. However, the court discharged Brij Bhushan from the allegations made by the sixth wrestler,” the court said.

The court also framed charges against the second accused, Vinod Tomar, under Section 506 (part 1) of the IPC on the allegation of one woman and discharged him from the rest of the allegations made against him. The court has now listed the matter for the official framing of charges on May 21.

The Delhi Police chargesheet filed against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar stated that both accused are charge-sheeted for trial ‘without arrest’ as they complied with the directions under Section 41A of the CrPC by joining the investigation.

The chargesheet further stated that based on the investigation so far, Brij Bhushan Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking.

A 1,599-page chargesheet in the case, containing the statements of 44 witnesses and six statements recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC, was filed.

The Delhi Police chargesheet also submitted several pictures, including those clicked during events.

The chargesheet stated that based on the “investigation so far” of the complaints by six top wrestlers, Singh was “liable to be prosecuted and punished for offences” of sexual harassment, molestation, and stalking.

The chargesheet mentioned that witnesses in the matter saw the physically inappropriate gestures of the then WFI president.

The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on June 15, 2023.

This case was lodged based on a complaint by women wrestlers.

In the wrestlers’ matter, two FIRs were registered against Brij Bhushan Singh based on the wrestlers’ complaints.

One FIR was registered under the POCSO Act, and a cancellation report has been filed in the case of a minor wrestler. The second FIR was filed on the complaint of several wrestlers.

In both matters, Delhi Police officials stated that after the completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed for the offences under sections 354, 354A, and 354D of the IPC against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and for offences under sections 109, 354, 354A, and 506 of the IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the Rouse Avenue Court, according to Suman Nalwa, PRO, Delhi Police. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the Agnipath scheme during his address in Ladakh’s Kargil on Friday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Highlighting the scheme, PM Modi said that the goal of Agnipath was to make the Army young and keep the Army continuously fit for war. He said that the major reforms in the army have been a long-standing demand.

“The country has felt the need for major reforms in the defence sector for decades. The army has been demanding this for years, but unfortunately, it was not given enough importance earlier. The Agnipath scheme is also an example of the necessary reforms done in the Army. For decades, discussions have been going on in Parliament and many committees on making the army young,” PM Modi said during his address.

“Those who are misleading the youth of the country. Their history is proof that they don’t care about soldiers. These are the same people who lied on OROP by showing a meagre amount of Rs 500 crore. It is our government that implemented the charges. More than Rs 1.25 lakh crore was given to ex-servicemen,” the PM added.

PM Modi said that the average age of soldiers in India being higher than the global average was a concern raised over the years and Agnipath resolved the matter.

“The average age of Indian soldiers being more than the global average has been a cause of concern. That is why this issue has also been raised in many committees for years. However, the will to solve this challenge related to the security of the country was not shown earlier. The country has addressed this concern through the Agneepath scheme,” he said.

“Some people used to think that the Army means saluting politicians, doing parades but for us, the Army means the faith of 140 crore countrymen. The goal of Agneepath is to make the army young. The goal of Agneepath is to keep the army continuously fit for war,” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister also criticised the opposition parties opposing the scheme for “politicising” a “sensitive issue related to national security.”

“Unfortunately, some people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a subject of politics. Some people are doing politics of lies for their benefit, even on this reform of the army. These are the same people who weakened our army by committing scams worth thousands of crores in the army, who wanted the Air Force to never get modern fighter jets, who had made preparations to scrap the Tejas fighter plane,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi further emphasised the reforms made in the defence sector during the last 10 years and said, “In the last 10 years, we have made defence reforms a top priority in the defence sector. Due to these reforms, our armies are now more capable and becoming self-reliant!”

“Today, a significant share of defence procurement is being given to the Indian defence industry. Additionally, 25 per cent of the research and development budget in defence has been reserved for the private sector. As a result of these steps, India’s defence production has now exceeded Rs. 1.25 lakh crore,” he said.

Earlier, PM Modi virtually carried out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project in Ladakh’s Kargil.

The Shinkun La Tunnel Project consists of a 4.1-kilometre-long twin-tube tunnel that will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh, according to a PMO release. 

Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world. Shinkun La tunnel will not only ensure swift and efficient movement of our armed forces and equipment but also foster economic and social development in Ladakh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the 1999 Kargil War. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memoria in Drass, Ladakh, on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999.

During this operation, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warned Pakistan that its nefarious plans would not materialise, as our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply.

Speaking during Kargil Vijay Diwas Shradhanjali Samaroh in Drass, Ladakh, PM Modi said that Kargil Vijay Diwas tells us that the sacrifices made for the nation are immortal.

“Today, the majestic land of Ladakh marks a significant milestone – 25 years since the triumphant victory of Kargil. Kargil Vijay Diwas reminds us that the sacrifices made for our nation are eternal and forever remembered. As time passes, days turn into months, months into years, and years into centuries – the names of those who laid down their lives for the sake of national security remain etched in our collective memory, forever immortalised!” PM Modi said.

PM Modi said that he feels fortunate to have been among our soldiers during the Kargil War as a common citizen.

“Now, as I stand again on the sacred soil of Kargil, it’s natural for those memories to resurface. I remember how our forces successfully executed the operation despite the extreme and challenging battle conditions,” he added.

He further attacked Pakistan and said that the neighbouring country has not learned anything from its history and is carrying out a proxy war.

“Pakistan has failed in all its nefarious attempts in the past. But Pakistan has not learned anything from its history. It is trying to keep itself relevant with the help of terrorism and proxy war. Today I am speaking from a place where the masters of terror can hear my voice directly, I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that falsehood and terror were defeated in the face of truth.

“I bow down with respect to all the brave warriors who brought victory to the country. I pay homage to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Kargil to protect the motherland. In Kargil, we not only won the war, we also gave a wonderful example of ‘truth, restraint and strength’. You know, India was trying for peace at that time, and in return, Pakistan once again showed its untrustworthy face. But falsehood and terror were defeated in the face of truth,” said PM Modi.

He further said that India will defeat every challenge that comes in the way of development.

“Be it Ladakh or Jammu and Kashmir, India will defeat every challenge that comes in the way of development. In a few days, on August 5, it will be 5 years since Article 370 was abolished. Jammu and Kashmir is talking about a new future, talking about big dreams… Along with infrastructure development, the tourism sector is also growing rapidly in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. After decades, a cinema hall has opened in Kashmir. After 3 and a half decades, the Tazia procession was taken out in Srinagar for the first time. Our heaven on earth is rapidly moving towards peace and harmony,” he said.

PM Modi paid tribute to bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the 1999 Kargil War. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists. (ANI)

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday that she will be protesting against the political discrimination meted out to Bengal at the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi on Saturday, July 27.

Before leaving for Delhi today, the All India Trinamool Congress Chairman said, “I will protest against the political discrimination being done with Bengal in the Niti Aayog meeting. In the budget, the way they have discriminated against Bengal and the other opposition states, we can’t agree to that.”

She further stated that the BJP ministers and leaders’ attitude is such that they want to divide Bengal while also imposing economic and geographical blockades on the state.

“The attitude of their ministers and BJP leaders is such that they want to divide Bengal. Along with the economic blockade, they also want to impose a geographical blockade. The Minister said this while Parliament was in process. Different leaders are giving different statements to divide Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, and Bengal. We strongly condemn this attitude,” she said.

She further said that dividing Bengal means dividing the nation and further mentioned that she will record her voice at the meeting and if they won’t let her, she will protest and leave the meeting.

“Divide Bengal means to divide our country, India. We want to record our voice in this situation, and I will be present there to do so. I will try to record my voice if they let me or else I will protest and come out,” she said.

This move by the West Bengal CM came as a surprise after most Chief Ministers of opposition-led states had said that they would boycott the NITI Aayog meeting, which will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Saturday.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that their government will boycott the NITI Aayog in protest against the central government’s alleged injustice to the state in the allocation of funds in the 2024 Union Budget. (ANI)

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The mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam Moidams was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category Cultural Property on Friday. The decision was taken during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), held in the national capital, Delhi.

UNESCO will examine the proposals of 27 sites for inscription on the World Heritage List, the state of conservation of 124 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, and the List of World Heritage in Danger. The World Heritage Committee is one of the two bodies governing the Convention for the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of the representatives of 21 states, elected from the 195 states parties to the Convention.

In the ongoing session, from July 23 to July 25, the Committee will examine the state of conservation of the 124 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, 57 of which are also on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Similarly, from July 26 to July 29, the Committee will examine the dossiers of 27 sites proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List. The sites will be examined according to three categories. The three categories are natural, mixed, and cultural.

Reacting to the news Assam Chief Minister Himmant Biswa Sharma said, “The Moidams make it to the UNESCO World Heritage list under the category Cultural Property. A great win for Assam Thank You Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and the people of Assam.”

“The Moidams of Charaideo embody the deep spiritual belief, rich civilisational heritage and architectural prowess of Assam’s Tai-Ahom community. Apart from the fact this announcement has been made from the soil of Bharat, its entry also stands out for 2 more reasons,” he added in a post on X.

“It is the first time a site from the North East has made it to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the Cultural Category. After Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, it is Assam’s 3rd World Heritage Site. I urge all of you to come and experience Awesome Assam,” he further said.

The Moidams are the burial mounds of the Ahom kings, Queens and Nobles. The word Moidam is derived from the Tai word Phrang-Mai-Dam or Mai-Tam. Phrang-Mai means to put into the grave or to bury and Dam means the spirit of the dead.

Though Moidams are found in all the districts of upper Assam, Charaideo, the first capital of the Ahoms was the necropolis of almost all the Ahom Royals. Charaideo is situated 28 km east of Sivasagar. The first king of the Ahoms Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha was buried at Charaideo after his death observing all the Tai-Ahom religious rites and rituals. (ANI)

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