Month: August 2024

The second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable was held on Monday in Singapore, where leaders from both countries discussed and emphasised ways of further enhancing cooperation in emerging and futuristic areas.

Ministry of Finance said in a post on X that both sides deliberated upon six pillars identified under the Roundtable, which include digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare and medicine, and advanced manufacturing and connectivity.

The leaders also discussed plans for commemorating the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore, alongside regional and global cooperation, including ASEAN and G20 developments.

The leaders noted that the discussions in the 1st round of the Roundtable have resulted in the successful conclusion of MoUs on healthcare, education and skill development, digital cooperation, and semiconductor ecosystem cooperation.

From India, the Finance Minister participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The delegation from Singapore was led by Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, along with Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugan, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat and Minister for Digital Development and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo.

During their visit, the Indian ministers interacted with their counterparts and also called on Singaporean leadership.

India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable is a unique mechanism established to set a new agenda for India-Singapore bilateral relations. Its inaugural meeting was held in New Delhi in September 2022. This meeting will enable both sides to review various aspects of their Strategic Partnership and identify new avenues to further elevate and broaden it.

Singapore has been a major source of FDI for India. In the year 2023-24, Singapore was the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India, with an estimated USD 11.77 billion in inflows. The cumulative inflow of FDI from Singapore from April 2000 to March 2024 is around USD 159.94 billion.

In bilateral trade, Singapore was the sixth largest global trade partner of India in 2023-24 with a total trade of USD 35.61 billion which accounts for approximately 29 per cent of India’s total trade with ASEAN. (ANI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) highlighted that the “deep depression” over East Rajasthan and adjoining West Madhya Pradesh is likely to move westward to reach the Saurashtra region and the adjoining areas of Pakistan, North East Arabian Sea by August 29.

The IMD also mentioned the likelihood of ‘high flash flood risk’ over a few watersheds and neighbourhoods in the Met Sub-divisions of East Rajasthan, West Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in the next 24 hours. According to IMD, surface runoff and inundation may occur in some fully saturated soils and low-lying areas due to the rainfall.

Various low-lying areas have been inundated due to heavy rains in Gujarat for the last two days, with multiple regions experiencing extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Recognising the gravity of the situation Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to State Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi through a telephone conversation

During their conversation, Shah expressed his concern and assured them that the central government would provide all necessary support to address the crisis. Shah’s prompt response aimed to ensure that the affected areas received help on time.

“Due to the heavy rains causing flood-like conditions in some areas of Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Gujarat and assured them of any assistance needed from the central government,” an official source told ANI.

Gujarat Chief Minister directed officials on Sunday to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safer locations. The chief minister’s office said that Valsad, Tapi, Navsari, Surat, Narmada, and Panchmahal districts in South Gujarat have been the most impacted by the downpour.

The IMD has also issued an orange warning for the northeastern districts of Odisha, including Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar, as well as Dhenkanal, Angul, Jajapur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur. (ANI)

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Assam CM and BJP Jharkhand in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that Former Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren must join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He emphasised that the biggest problem that the state of Jharkhand has been facing is the influx of intruders and that the BJP is ready to talk to Hemant Soren about that.

“I want Champai Soren to join BJP and give us strength but he is a big leader, I don’t think it is right to comment on him…I want Hemant Soren to also join the BJP. BJP means patriotism…We are also ready to talk to Hemant Soren ji to stop intruders in Jharkhand. We have to save Jharkhand…For us, the country comes first…Today the biggest problem facing Jharkhand is the intruders…Our party’s only aim is that you fulfil the promises you made during the elections and free Jharkhand from intruders…We have only these 2 demands…” said the Assam CM.

“Champai Soren has 3 options, he is in Delhi right now, the way for talks with him is open, let’s see what happens in future… If he (Hemant Soren) gives 5 lakh jobs before September, we are with him. If he stands against the infiltrators, we are with him. If he stands against the treatment meted out to Hindus during Muharram, we are with him. For us, the nation comes first… JMM should support us, we also support JMM, we have to throw the infiltrators out of Jharkhand,” he added further.

Lashing out at the Congress party for not releasing the caste census in Karnataka, the Assam CM said, “BJP conducted caste census in Bihar. You (Congress) also conducted a caste census in Karnataka, you should release their data. Do not have double standards. Yesterday Janata Dal said that when the meeting for the caste census was held, Congress did not come. BJP supported caste census in Bihar. Opposition to caste census is not an issue for BJP. We stand wherever SC, ST and OBC get justice.” (ANI)

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir elections, which will be held in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1.

The first list includes 15 candidates and the party has sought to give representation to various communities and castes. It has candidates from both the Jammu and Kashmir regions.

The party subsequently declared its candidate from Konkernag seat also.

Sources said the BJP has sought to reflect the region’s diverse demographic composition and strengthen its outreach among different communities.

The party has fielded Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi from Pampore, Arshid Bhat from Rajpora, Javed Ahmad Qadri from Shopian, Mohd. Rafiq Wani from Anantnag West, Syed Wazahat from Anantnag while Veer Saraf is in the fray from Shangus-Anantnag East

The party has fielded Sofi Yousuf from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Tariq Keen from Inderwal and Salim Bhat from Banihal. Shagun Parihar, the only woman in the list, will contest from Kishtwar.

BJP has fielded Sunil Sharma from Padder-Nagseni, Daleep Singh Parihar from Bhadarwah and Gajay Singh Rana from Doda, Shakti Raj Parihar from Doda West and Rakesh Thakur from Ramban constituency.

Choudhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar will contest from Kokernag.

The Election Commission has issued notification for the first phase of elections in which 24 seats will go to the polls.

Jammu and Kasmhmir is expected to witness multi-cornered contests on most seats. It is the first assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370.

In the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the BJP won both the seats in Jammu, again demonstrating its strong support in the region. The National Conference also won two seats.

The votes will be counted on October 4. (ANI)

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi in the wake of heavy rainfall in the state and assured them of any assistance needed from the Central government.

Due to the heavy rains causing flood-like conditions in some areas of Gujarat, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Gujarat and assured them of any assistance needed from the central government.

Meanwhile, keeping in view the forecast of heavy to very heavy rains made by the Meteorological Department in Gujarat, a review meeting was held at the State Emergency Operation Center under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rajkumar on August 25.

In this meeting, the Gujarat Chief Secretary advised the Nodal Officers of various departments, Survey District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners who were connected through video conference to remain alert against possible danger.

In the meeting, an official of the India Meteorological Department gave detailed information about the forecast of heavy to very heavy rains in Gujarat during the next week.

Based on this, the Chief Secretary instructed the various district administrations to make all necessary preparations. Also, he instructed the officers and employees of the district and taluka administrative system to be present on duty at the headquarters, considering the prevailing rain situation.

The Chief Secretary said that special vigilance should be taken in the places where people are likely to gather in large numbers because of the holy month of Shravan festivals in the state so that there is no accident or mishap due to heavy rain.

Further, all the in-charge secretaries were also notified to be present in their respective districts, keeping in view the situation and providing necessary guidance to the administration.

Earlier, according to a statement from the CMO, Valsad, Tapi, Navsari, Surat, Narmada, and Panchmahal districts of South Gujarat have been most affected by the heavy rainfall. (ANI)

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India’s first civilian space tourist Gopichand Thotakura received a warm welcome on his arrival in Delhi on Monday. He travelled to space as part of the crew for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin’s New Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission.

Gopichand Thotakura said, “The feeling has been awaited for a long time. I am very happy to be back home. It is a very proud moment for India as well. I am honoured to be representing the country and very excited for everyone else to go and do something in the space with Origin or any other organisation. I am leaving to meet my parents and grandparents at home. People around me are more excited.”

Gopichand Thotakura created history by becoming the second Indian citizen to travel to space.

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was the first Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984.

Earlier, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Thotakura spoke about his dream and passion for flying and how the mission is working towards protecting Mother Earth. He further talked about space tourism and how it can open avenues and make it affordable and accessible for civilians.

Elucidating his feelings, he said, “I can’t express my feelings right now because it is something that is not in the urban dictionary. It is something I take with me. I always tell people that right from when you are born till the time you leave, you wake up and want to see the sky, want to take a breath, but I want to have this opportunity to do the reverse, to go up there and see down here. Movies do a fantastic job but (to see) what the naked eye can see, you have to do that yourself. The whole excitement is about to look back and see what’s going on, without being documented or without someone else’s eye.”

He further emphasised Blue Origin’s tagline, ‘For the benefit of Earth’ and added that he also feels that protecting Mother Earth is important. “It is for them to protect Mother Earth that they are seeking life and adventure outside the planet,” he said.

When asked about space tourism, he said, “The mission for Blue Origin or any other company is to make it affordable. What the affordable number is, we still don’t know but to make it affordable, it has to start somewhere.”

He further said that Blue Origin has tied up with NASA to open a private international space station to grow space tourism and get into that sector. “I believe that space tourism is where the future is,” he added.

Gopichand puts great emphasis on how one can fulfil his or her dreams and suggests to the upcoming generations… that if someone sticks to it and forms his or her path, it will happen.

The club’s mission is to inspire and mobilise future generations to pursue careers in STEAM for the benefit of Earth.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin announced the six-person crew for its NS-25 mission, which included Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L Hess, Carol Schaller, Gopi Thotakura, and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight. Notably, Ed Dwight was selected by President John F Kennedy in 1961 as the nation’s first black astronaut candidate. Unfortunately, he was never given the opportunity to fly to space. (ANI)

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The Centre on Monday decided to create five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The five districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.

Making the announcement on a social media post on X, Home Minister Amit Shah said the Modi government is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.

“In pursuit of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s vision to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh, the MHA has decided to create five new districts in the union territory. The new districts, namely Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang, will take the benefits meant for the people to their doorsteps by bolstering governance in every nook and cranny,” Amit Shah said.

He added, “The Modi government is committed to creating abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.”

In August 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Meanwhile, polling in Jammu and Kashmir will occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 4.

These will be the first elections held in the region since the abrogation of Article 370. Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014.

The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 when the latter withdrew support to the then-Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. In December of last year, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to conclude the election process by September 30, 2024. (ANI)

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Actors Amy Jackson and Ed Westwick have officially tied the knot, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

The couple delighted their fans by sharing the first official pictures from their picturesque wedding held in Italy, offering a glimpse into their magical day.

Amy Jackson looked absolutely radiant in a classic white gown that featured an ethereal veil cascading elegantly to the floor.

She carried a delicate bouquet of white roses, complementing the serene and sophisticated ambience of the ceremony.

Ed Westwick matched her grace in a white suit.

Their joint Instagram post included a pair of photos from the event, capturing both the splendid decor and their tender moments.

The first image showcased the wedding venue, adorned with an abundance of white flowers, creating a dreamy and romantic setting.

Ed was seen holding Amy close, their love palpable in the intimate shot. The second image presented the couple gazing directly at the camera, exuding joy and excitement.

The caption read, “The journey has just begun.”

The couple’s engagement in January was equally charming, with Ed’s surprise proposal leaving Amy overjoyed.

They also hosted an engagement dinner party in London, where Amy was seen arriving with her son Andreas, from her previous relationship with George Panayiotou.

Amy Jackson made her relationship with ‘Gossip Girl’ actor Ed Westwick Instagram official in 2022. (ANI)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the public at the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, stated that crimes against women are an “unforgivable sin.”

“Today, I want to once again tell every political party in the country and the state government that crimes against women are an unforgivable sin. The guilty must not be spared, and those who assist them in any way should also face consequences,” said PM Modi.

He emphasised that people should be held “accountable” for any negligence in ensuring women’s safety.

“Whether it’s in a hospital, school, office, or the police system, wherever negligence occurs, everyone must be held accountable,” PM Modi asserted.

PM Modi assured women that the government would strictly punish offenders. He also mentioned that the government has removed obstacles that delayed justice through the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

“Our government is continuously making laws stricter to impose the harshest punishment on those who commit atrocities against women. Today, with so many sisters and daughters of the country present here, I want to specifically inform you that earlier there were complaints about FIRs not being registered on time, cases not being heard, and delays in justice. We have removed many such obstacles in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.”

He further informed women about the e-FIR facility, which allows them to register a case from home.

“If the victim does not want to go to the police station, she can register an e-FIR from home. We have also ensured that no one can tamper with the e-FIR at the police station level,” PM Modi said.

In recent days, the nation has witnessed massive outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, leading to a strong demand for ensuring women’s safety.

PM Modi also facilitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis.

Lakhpati Didi is an initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development aimed at helping women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) earn a household income of at least one lakh rupees.

The Prime Minister also released a revolving fund of Rs 2,500 crore, which will benefit about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs. Additionally, he will disburse bank loans of Rs 5,000 crore, benefiting 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs. Since the inception of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, one crore women have already become Lakhpati Didis. The government has set a target to make 3 crore Lakhpati Didis. (ANI)

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Ahead of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Election Committee meeting was held on Sunday at the party headquarters in Delhi.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President and Union Minister JP Nadda, and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

In the 2014 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 seats, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15 seats, and the Congress secured 12 seats.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, according to the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes will take place on October 4.

These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)

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