Month: August 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Indian sprinter Preeti Pal for winning the bronze medal in the 100m T35 event at the Paris Paralympics.

Preeti secured third place and won the bronze medal after clocking 14.21 seconds, which is also her personal best.

PM Modi took to his official X handle and said that Preeti’s success will motivate budding athletes in the nation.

“More glory for India as Preeti Pal wins a Bronze medal in the 100m T35 event at the #Paralympics2024. Congratulations to her. This success will certainly motivate budding athletes,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Union Minister of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandviya also hailed Preeti for her “stunning performance” at the marquee event.

“Preeti Pal delivers a stunning performance with a Bronze medal in the 100m T35 event at the #Paralympics2024! Your hard work & spirit shine brightly. The entire nation beams with pride! Congratulations,” Mandviya wrote on X.

China’s Xia Zhou and Qianqian Guo bagged first and second place, respectively. Zhou won the gold medal with her season-best time of 13.58 seconds. While Guo bagged the silver with her personal best time of 13.74 seconds.

In the World Para Athletics Championship, Preeti won bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events in 2024 and received her quota for the Paris Paralympics.

Earlier in the day, Avani Lekhara struck gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics. Shooter Mona Agarwal bagged the bronze medal at the same event.

India started off the Paris Paralympics on a marvellous note after bagging two medals in the women’s 10m air rifle event. From the start of the final, the two Indians were in the top three places, eying for the gold. However, it was Avani who secured the top spot in the women’s 10m air rifle final event.

As the Paris Paralympics continue, India’s athletes remain focused and determined, with more events lined up in the coming days.

This year, India has sent its largest Paralympics contingent ever, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, a testament to the country’s expanding para-sports ecosystem. India’s participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics marks not only an increase in numbers but also in medal hopes, as the nation aims to surpass its previous achievements in Tokyo.

Tokyo 2020 was India’s most successful Paralympic Games, with the country winning 19 medals, including five golds, eight silver and six bronzes. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he bow his head and apologise to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg.

While addressing a gathering at Malvan in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, the Prime Minister also criticised the opposition for not being apologetic as he extended his apologies for the incident.

“Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and have been deeply hurt, I bow my head and apologise to them. Our values are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity,” PM Modi said.

A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the state’s Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26.

The Prime Minister further targeted the opposition for “insulting and abusing the son of the land” Veer Savarkar while adding that his “values” are different.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name for us. Today I bow my head and apologise to my God Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Our values are different, we are not those people who keep abusing and insulting the great son of Mother India, the son of this land, Veer Savarkar. They are not ready to apologize, they are ready to go to the courts and fight,” he added.

PM Modi earlier laid the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port in Palghar, Maharashtra. The total cost of this project is around Rs 76,000 crores. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crores during the event.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state government is taking decisions on a war-footing for the reconstruction of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and two committees have been formed including that to investigate the collapse of the statue in Malvan area of the state. (ANI)

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Reigning Paralympic champion, Avani Lekhara maintained her streak and struck gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics on Friday. Shooter Mona Agarwal bagged the bronze medal at the same event.

India started off the Paris Paralympics on a marvellous note after bagging two medals in the women’s 10m air rifle event. From the start of the final, the two Indians were in the top three places, eying for the gold. However, it was Avani who secured the top spot in the women’s 10m air rifle final event.

Lekhra dominated the final of the women’s 10m air rifle and secured the top place with 249.7 points, which is also her personal best.

South Korea’s Yunri Lee won the silver medal after finishing in second place with a points of 246.8.

Meanwhile, India’s Mona bagged the bronze medal with a total points of 228.7 and ended in third place.

Earlier in the day, while Mona finished the qualification round with a score of 623.1 and took the fifth spot, Avani took the second spot and finished with a score of 625.8.

Ukraine shooter Iryna Shchetnik, who holds the qualification world record, broke the Paralympic qualification record finishing with a score of 627.5. He bettered the previous mark of 626.0 set by China’s Zhang Cuiping in Tokyo.

As the Paris Paralympics continue, India’s athletes remain focused and determined, with more events lined up in the coming days.

This year, India has sent its largest Paralympics contingent ever, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, a testament to the country’s expanding para-sports ecosystem. India’s participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics marks not only an increase in numbers but also in medal hopes, as the nation aims to surpass its previous achievements in Tokyo.

Tokyo 2020 was India’s most successful Paralympic Games, with the country winning 19 medals, including five golds, eight silver and six bronzes. (ANI)

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Actor Varun Dhawan attended the trailer launch of his niece Anjini Dhawan’s debut film ‘Binny and Family’ on Friday.

The event was also attended by the film’s star cast, including Rajesh Kumar and Pankaj Kapur, among others. Producer Ektaa R Kapoor and Subhash Gai were also at the event.

On being asked about the film, Ektaa expressed her happiness in presenting a story that shows the important role grandparents play in families.

“I just want to say this much. It’s a beautiful film. When I was shown the film, I was very, very happy and I told him i’d love to present the film because grandparents are that part of a family that cinema has not given enough importance to…,” she said.

“As people get older we start thinking they’re irrelevant and we start forgetting them. Now when I see my father with my son and I can come out and go out and do things because my parents take care of my child which in so many homes grandparents do. So they develop an even better relationship with the children than you can have because you are living life and they see their youth in your child and then they connect with your child. And yet this one relationship no one has captured in films. So I’m so proud,” she added.

Shortly after the event, the ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, actor took to his Instagram Stories to welcome his niece to the film industry.

The proud uncle shared the trailer of ‘Binny and Family’ and wrote, “@anjinidhawan this is so good, welcome to the Movies,” followed by a hug emoji.

The trailer, which runs for 2 minutes and 39 seconds, gives a glimpse into the life of Binny, a young girl who likes to live on her own terms. The story takes an interesting turn when her grandparents move in with her parents, leading to conflicts due to the generational gap. The film promises to be an entertaining watch.

Written and directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy, Binny and Family is set to release on September 20. (ANI)

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday took a potshot at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the rape-murder incident of a doctor in Kolkata stating that while the Centre has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction.

Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Singh said, “Our government has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women, but many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. The recent heart-wrenching incident in Kolkata is very tragic and disgraceful…We have amended the law to provide for the capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape. This law should be implemented with strictness”.

The alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has sparked a wave of protests and nationwide unrest.

The Union Minister also spoke about how the BJP-led governmnet at the Centre had put an end to the practice of triple talaq which he said was a “big issue” for Muslim women.

“The practice of triple talaq was a big issue for our Muslim sisters and daughters. In our country, ending a sacred institution like marriage by simply saying talaq three times could not be justified in any way,” Singh said.

“But this was practised unabated and unchallenged. Our government showed the will and determination to end this evil practice. This came as a big relief to Muslim women,” said the Union minister.

Speaking further on women’s empowerment, the minister also highlighted the various developments in removing the obstacles women faced to serve in the armed forces. “After Independence, women were denied agency and opportunity to be active contributors to the development of this country. But the situation is now rapidly changing. For example, you can see that the share of women is increasing in the armed forces of the country”, the minister said.

“Many obstacles to the entry of women into the Armed Forces have been removed. In all three wings of the armed forces, we have ensured increased participation of women.”, he said.

The Defence Minister recalled in his speech that when he held the portfolio of the Home Affairs ministry, he issued an advisory to all states to fill one-third of vacancies in the security forces with women.

“Today, the participation of women has increased in all police forces and paramilitary forces,” Singh said. (ANI)

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook his tour of Maharashtra the state Congress unit launched a protest against the state and central governments over the destruction of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg.

Youth Congress leaders and other party workers were detained by Mumbai police on Friday while protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city, demanding a public apology from him over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue.

Several posters demanding an apology from the Prime Minister were put up in various locations by the Congress. These posters depicted the PM inaugurating the statue alongside another image showing the collapsed structure.

Mumbai Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaekwad reached the Shivaji Park in Dadar with a miniature statue of Shivaji Maharaj as a mark of protest.

Stepping up her attack on PM Narendra Modi, Varsha Gaikwad on Friday demanded an apology from the Prime Minister over the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Malvan, Mahrashtra.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is worshipped in the whole of Maharashtra and India, to whom we call “public’s king”, his statue was made in Malvan’s Rajkot Fort, which was inaugurated by PM Modi. First, of all, I want to ask PM Modi Ji about the bhumi-pujan he did for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in the Arabian Sea. Before that statue could be completed, his statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan collapsed in just 8 months. It is clear that there is corruption in it. Modi Ji, when will you apologise (Modi Ji Aap Kab Maafi Mangenge)?” Varsha Gaekwad said.

Earlier in the day, Chetan Patil, the structural consultant of the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed in the Malvan area of Sindhudurg, has been arrested from Kolhapur, said senior officials of Kolhapur Police. A team from the local crime branch of Kolhapur Police had launched an operation to trace Patil and subsequently, he was arrested by the officials at around 12.30 am on Friday from Kolhapur.

The officials have conveyed that he has been handed over to the Sindhudurg Police and will be brought to Sindhudurg today. The Sindhudurg Police has also arrested a contractor in the case.

The 35-foot Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapsed on August 26. The Statue was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy. (ANI)

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The Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the sexual assault on two four-year-olds inside their school in Maharashtra’s Badlapur has declared two trustees of the school absconding on Friday, police said.

The crime branch and cyber police team have been searching for both the Trustees after the SIT registered a case of negligence against the duo and called them to record their statements.

Police officials said that the duo are not cooperating with the police in the investigation. Also, when a police team went to the house of both the trustee’s they were not found at their homes.

Earlier, SIT announced that it would conduct the identification parade of the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case. The identification parade will be conducted in the presence of the Executive Magistrate, where the victims will be identifying the accused.

After the identification of the accused, SIT will prepare a psychological profile of the accused, which would help in further investigation of the case.

Earlier, Bombay High Court said on August 27, that boys need to be educated about gender equality from a young age and there is a need to bring change in their mindset.

The court made the remarks during a hearing on the Badlapur sexual assault case. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged sexual assault of two girls at a school in Badlapur.

A bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan said male dominance and chauvinism continue in society and there is a need to teach boys about right and wrong behaviour from a young age.

The Court suggested constituting a committee to study the issue and recommend rules and guidelines to be followed in schools to prevent such incidents.

On August 23, the special investigation team (SIT) for Badlapur sexual assault against minors registered an FIR against the school authorities, for not complying with the provisions of Section 19 of the POCSO Act, which mandates that every authority, when they come to know about any such kind of sexual assault against minors, are obligated to report this to police authorities for further action.

Under the leadership of the deputy director of the Mumbai region, the investigation team has been probing the Badlapur incident. People from various departments are involved in the investigation. (ANI)

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Vinesh Phogat paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Friday and prayed to Waheguru to give her strength.

After offering prayers at the Golden Temple, Vinesh said while speaking to reporters, “I am feeling very good after coming here. I am feeling a positive energy. I prayed to Waheguru to give me strength.”

It has been a topsy-turvy month for Vinesh after she reached the final of the women’s 50kg event but still returned to India empty-handed. On August 7, Sarah Ann Hildebrandt of the United States stood between Vinesh and the gold medal.

However, things went downhill after she was disqualified before the final after breaching the 50kg weight limit. A day after her heartbreaking disqualification, Vinesh announced her decision to retire from wrestling. She also made a plea to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to award her a joint silver medal.

The CAS deferred the verdict a couple of times and eventually dismissed the application filed by Vinesh for a silver medal in the women’s 50kg event at the Paris Olympics.

Despite not receiving a medal for her efforts and landmark wins at the Olympics, an excited crowd of thousands welcomed the wrestler like they would have welcomed with a medal around her neck on August 17.

People thronged in thousands to get a glimpse of one of the country’s most celebrated athletes of recent times, waiting to exchange a few words and get a selfie with her. She was welcomed with garlands and flowers in her hometown, Bhiwani.

Since announcing her retirement, Vinesh has also hinted towards a possible change in heart and reversing her decision.

In a statement that she posted on her social media account, Vinesh said, “Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032 because the fight in me and wrestling in me will always be there.” (ANI)

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A Nepali lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has demanded an amendment in the constitution to make Nepal a “Hindu State.”

Lawmaker Kirankumar Sah made this demand in the lower house of federal parliament on Thursday. It is a rare instance when a lawmaker from the communist party has demanded a Hindu state.

Sah further claimed that the secularism adopted by the newly promulgated Constitution of Nepal 2072 has failed to give Nepal a respectful position in the world arena. He also claimed that secularism in terms of religion was also a reason for Nepal’s loss in the election for the World Health Organization’s (South Asia) Regional Director’s Election.

“When Nepal was a Hindu state, in 1969 and 1988 it became the (elected non-permanent) member of the UN Security Council; it shows the position of Nepal in the international arena. But we made the nation a secular state, today when we file candidacy for the World Health Organization we lose. Did we make Nepal a secular state to see these days? We ruined the identity of the nation by claiming more stake for the food, shelter and clothes but we still are not able to fulfil those demands,” Lawmaker Sah, said.

“Nepali youths are forcefully going abroad to fulfil the basic requirements of their family. Shortfall of students is closing colleges, industries are shutting down, fields are left barren, businesses are closing, and villages now only host the elderlies. The question arises in front of us, we had thought that we wrote the Constitution of Nepal through the constituent assembly, and all the leaders claimed it to be the finest constitution in the world but this constitution is neither able to yield progress nor identity to the nation. Therefore, the constitution needs to be amended and should be given the identity of Sanatana Hindu State,” Sah laid the ways forward.

Nepal in the year 2006 had abolished a centuries-old constitutional monarchy after then King Gyanendra seized power and imposed an emergency sending all the leaders under house arrest. The movement also referred to as “People’s Movement II” witnessed bloodshed with dozens killed in a crackdown against protestors by the government.

After weeks of violent protest and increasing international pressure, Gyanendra gave up and reinstated the dissolved parliament, the dawn of a new democracy is highlighted as Lokantantra (People’s Rule).

Right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has been advocating and lobbying for the reinstatement of the Hindu State as well as the constitutional monarchy. While a faction within the Nepali Congress, a largest political party in Nepal’s federal parliament also has been raising demands to make the Himalayan Nation a Hindu state. (ANI)

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