Month: September 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday and exchanged ideas for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Former Singapore PM Lee Hsein Loong hosted lunch in honour of PM Modi. The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release.

PM Modi appreciated Lee Hsien Loong’s contributions to the development of the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership and expressed hope that Lee Hsien Loong will continue to give attention and guidance to Singapore’s relations with India in his new role as Senior Minister.

In a press release, MEA stated, “Recalling their earlier meetings, Prime Minister and Senior Minister Lee expressed satisfaction at the progress of India – Singapore relations into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

“They agreed that there exists substantial potential to do more, particularly under the pillars of cooperation identified during the two meetings of India – Singapore Ministerial Roundtable. They exchanged ideas for further strengthening bilateral cooperation and on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” it added.

PM Modi called Lee Hsein Loong a “strong votary” of close ties between India and Singapore, according to MEA press release. He stated that they had discussion on how two nations can work together in futuristic sectors, like green energy and FinTech.

Sharing details regarding his meeting with Singapore’s senior minister, PM Modi on X posted, “It is always gladdening to meet my friend and former PM of Singapore, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong. He has always been a strong votary of close India-Singapore ties. His insights on various matters are also very enriching. We had a great discussion on how our nations can work together in futuristic areas such as green energy, FinTech, etc.”

India and Singapore elevated their bilateral relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, on Thursday, during the visit of PM Modi.

PM Modi and Singapore PM Lawrence Wong met at the Parliament House in Singapore on Thursday. The two leaders, along with their delegations, held the bilateral meeting. Following this, the two sides exchanged four MoUs in the areas of digital technology, semiconductors, skill development and healthcare.

During the talks, both leaders reviewed the progress of India – Singapore bilateral relations. The leaders called for expanding trade and investment flows between India and Singapore.

“Given the breadth and depth of bilateral ties and immense potential, they decided to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This would also give a major boost to India’s Act East Policy,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

PM Modi and PM Wong also discussed the outcome of the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in Singapore in August 2024. The discussion also covered the celebration of 60th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025.

“Noting that the Ministerial Roundtable is a unique mechanism, the leaders appreciated the work done by senior ministers from both sides in deliberating and identifying a new agenda for bilateral cooperation. The leaders called for accelerated action under the pillars of cooperation identified during the Ministerial Roundtables – Advanced Manufacturing, Connectivity, Digitalisation, Healthcare & Medicine, Skills Development and Sustainability,” the MEA said.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Singapore, visited the semiconductor facility of AEM Holdings Ltd. Singapore’s PM Lawrence Wong accompanied PM Modi during his visit to the semiconductor facility.

At the facility, PM Modi and Lawrence Wong also interacted with Indian interns from Odisha’s World Skill Centre undergoing training in Singapore, as well as Singaporean interns who had visited India under the CII-Enterprise Singapore India Ready Talent Programme and Indian engineers working at AEM, according to MEA press release.

PM Modi arrived in Singapore on Wednesday after concluding his two-day visit to Brunei. Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugham received PM Modi at the Changi Airport. He also received a warm welcome from the Indian community. (ANI)

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Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday reached Nanded and met the bereaved family of the late Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan at his residence.

Both the leaders offered their condolences to the family. Nanded MP Vasantrao Chavan passed away on the morning of August 26 in KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad.

The MP was airlifted to Hyderabad from Nanded and was diagnosed with multiple health issues, including Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, a type of brain dysfunction that occurs when the brain experiences a decrease in oxygen or blood flow.

The hospital said that the MP was also diagnosed also suffered cardiac arrest due to respiratory failure and end-stage renal disease. A multidisciplinary team of doctors provided comprehensive treatment to the MP and he was on ventilator support too.

The press release from the KIMS Hospital added that his condition worsened, leading to a complete heart block and subsequent cardiac arrest.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and constituents. His passing leaves a void in our lives and the lives of those he served. May his soul rest in peace,” the press release adds.

The Congress veteran leader had been elected from the Nanded constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Several party leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and President of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Nana Patole also paid their condolences to the late MP.

“The news of the demise of senior Congress leader, Nanded Lok Sabha MP Shri Vasantrao Chavan ji is extremely sad. While paying my heartfelt tribute to him, I express my deep condolences to the bereaved family. A popular grassroots leader, Shri Chavan supported and expanded the ideology of Congress throughout his life. His demise is an irreparable loss for the Congress family.”, said Rahul Gandhi in a post on X. (ANI)

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Sushmita Sen, renowned for her Miss Universe title in 1994, marked a special milestone as her elder daughter, Renee Sen, turned 25 on Wednesday.

Sushmita Sen, who became a single mother at the age of 24, adopted Renee in 2000 and has since celebrated numerous milestones with her.

In a touching Instagram post, Sushmita Sen shared a video compilation featuring both throwback and recent photos of Renee.

The video included cherished moments of Renee with her mother and younger sister, Alisah Sen.

Among the highlights were images of a young Renee on a magazine cover with Sushmita, and more recent photos of the sisters in coordinated outfits.

Accompanying the video, Sushmita penned a heartfelt message: “#beautiful. Happyyyyy Birthday my first love @reneesen47. And my love at first sight!!! This song will forever play in my heart…carrying you…humming along…waiting ever so impatiently, for you to call me ‘Maa’. I thank God, for gifted me YOU!!! Beyond precious you remain!!!”

She added, “Sooooo sooooo proud of you & all your accomplishments…and it’s only just begun!!! I love you Shona!!! #duggadugga #Maa @alisahsen47 #partytime #birthdaygirl.”

Renee responded with gratitude, writing, “You are God’s greatest blessing Maa… Thank you for this magical life. Happy 25th birthday to you too Maa.”

Sushmita Sen adopted her second daughter Alisah in 2010, who turned 15 last week.

On the work front, Sushmita was last seen in the critically acclaimed series ‘Aarya,’ which has garnered significant praise and an International Emmy nomination.

The first part of the third season of ‘Aarya’ premiered in 2023, and the second half aired in February 2024. (ANI)

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Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 4 (ANI): Filmstars Chiranjeevi and Mahesh Babu have extended their support to flood-affected victims of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by donating Rs 1 crore each to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

On Wednesday, Chiranjeevi took to X and expressed concern over the loss of lives and the hardships caused to people due to floods in the Telugu states.

Announcing his financial support to the two states amid the floods, he wrote, “We all need to be involved in relief efforts in some way. As part of this, I am announcing my contribution of one crore rupees (50 lakhs each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana CM Relief Fund) to help in providing relief to the people in both the states.”

తెలుగు రాష్ట్రాల్లో వరద ప్రభావం వల్ల ప్రజలకు కలిగిన, కలుగుతున్న కష్టాలు నన్ను కలిచివేస్తున్నాయి. పదుల సంఖ్యలో అమాయక ప్రాణాలు కోల్పోవడం ఎంతో విషాదకరం. తెలుగు రాష్ట్రాల ముఖ్యమంత్రుల నిర్దేశంలో రెండు ప్రభుత్వాలు శాయశక్తులా పరిస్థితిని మెరుగు పరచడానికి కృషి చేస్తున్నాయి.
మనందరం ఏదో…

— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) September 4, 2024

Mahesh Babu also shared a post on X, urging everyone to do their bit to help the victims.

“In light of the floods impacting both the Telugu states, I am pledging a donation of 50 lakhs each to the CM Relief Fund for both AP and Telangana. Let’s collectively support the measures being undertaken by the respective governments to provide immediate aid and facilitate the recovery process for the flood-affected regions. I urge everyone to contribute to this cause. May we rise above this crisis and emerge stronger,” Mahesh Babu wrote.

Actor Allu Arjun also extended financial aid to the victims.

In a post on X, he shared that he donated “Rs 1 crore in total to the CM Relief Funds of both states to support the relief efforts. Praying for everyone’s safety.”

“I’m saddened by the loss and suffering caused by the devastating rains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In these challenging times, I humbly donate Rs1 crore in total to the CM Relief Funds of both states to support the relief efforts. Praying for everyone’s safety,” Allu Arjun wrote on X on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, NTR Jr also donated Rs 1 crore to the Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund.

He took to X to express his concern for those affected by the floods and said he is “deeply moved” by the recent floods in two Telugu states and is announcing a donation of Rs 50 lakh for each of the two affected states.

“I am deeply moved by the recent floods in two Telugu states due to heavy rains. I pray to God that Telugu people recover from this calamity soon. On my part, I am announcing a donation of 50 lakhs each to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments to help the measures taken by the Governments of the two Telugu States for relief from the flood disaster,” the English translation of his post in Telugu read.

Earlier, the Telangana government released an assessment report on the damages caused by heavy rains and floods in the state recently.

Based on initial estimates, the total loss is Rs 5,438 crore, as per the report released by the Telangana CMO on Monday.The losses have been estimated as — Roads and Building Department -Rs 2,362 crore. Energy Department (damage to electrical installation) Rs 175 crore, crop loss (in 415000 acres) – Rs 415 crore, irrigation (repair to minor tanks) – Rs 629 crore.

Further, the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development suffered a loss of Rs 170 crore, the Medical and Health Department- of Rs 12 crore, the Animal Husbandry Department suffered a loss of Rs 25 crore, the Municipal Administration suffered a loss of Rs 1150 crore and damages of public properties estimated up to Rs 500 crore, as per the report.110 relief camps were organized and more than 4000 people were shifted to these camps safely, the government report said. (ANI)

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The Rajasthan Government led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma held a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday and made several important decisions, including 33 per cent reservation for women in the police department.

Deputy CM Premchand Bairwa and Minister Jogaram Patel addressed the media after the meeting.

Speaking on the decision to approve 33 per cent reservation to women in the police department, Minister Patel said, “The Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989, have been amended for this purpose.

Further, emphasising the use of solar energy, the minister said that the land has been allocated for the development of solar energy, ensuring that farmers receive the electricity they need.

A decision has also been made to provide additional reservations for athletes who perform well in the Paralympics and other sports.

“In the case of the death of a government employee with disabilities, close relatives of the deceased will also be entitled to pension benefits,” Minister Patel added.

On August 29, the Rajasthan Government took major decisions in the interest of employees in the cabinet meeting, including an increase in state employees’ gratuity and death gratuity from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

The cabinet also decided that the employees will get the benefit of a family pension at an increased rate for 10 years on the lines of central employees.

CM Bhajanlal Sharma invited industrialists on Friday to invest in the state of Rajasthan and set up industries there.

“I wish you all the best for the upcoming Ganesh festival. I have come to invite you and I assure you that I will not let any shortcomings come in the way,” said the Chief Minister.

“Before this, I spoke to my officers and industrialists who have set up their industries in Rajasthan before. Not a single industrialist has gone back. Their industries have grown. I assure you that the commitment will be fulfilled. Today, Rajasthan is ready to take a big leap”, added Sharma.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also held a roadshow in Mumbai to raise awareness of the “Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit 2024,” which is scheduled to be held in December. (ANI)

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After Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi advocated for Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, former Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday that they are making efforts for the same and the alliance between Congress and National Conference is not a compulsion but a necessity.

Farooq also asserted that this alliance is a slap on the face of those who used to say that they are Pakistanis and Khalistanis.

He said, “I am going to meet him. We will succeed in the alliance that has been formed between Congress and National Conference. This is a big voice for our entire country, a slap on the face of those who used to say that we are Pakistanis, Khalistanis, I hope the people of India will understand that we want the state to progress and come out of this problem. I have seen the state becoming a Union Territory for the first time, we have to bring back the status of statehood and we are making efforts for this. This (Congress-National Conference alliance) is not a compulsion but a necessity, we have to take everyone along.”

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday advocated for the restoration of the region’s statehood, asserting that the withdrawal of its autonomous status has not only snatched the state of its identity but also eroded the rights and resources of its people.

While addressing an election rally in Ramban ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election, the Congress leader said, “For the first time in the history of India, statehood has been snatched away. Union Territory was first made a state… A state has been abolished and the rights of the people have been snatched away. First of all, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be returned because not only your state has been snatched away, your rights, your wealth, everything is being snatched away from you.”

Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI)

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Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad said on Wednesday that a new team of experts specialising in catching animals has been called to catch wolves in Bahraich and have set a target of 10 days to catch the wolves.

Addressing a press conference here today, Nishad appealed to the people to not sleep outdoors for their safety.

“A new team of experts specialising in catching man-eater animals has been called in. The number of members of the shooting team has been doubled. We have set a target of 10 days to catch the wolves. Three wolves were seen in drone cameras but there could be more in number. The CM is monitoring this issue. It takes time to capture a clever animal like a wolf,” he said.

Speaking on the incident, Uttar Pradesh Forest Minister Arun Saxena informed that along with normal drones, thermal one are also being deployed in the region.

“CM Yogi Adityanath is worried about the situation here and keeps taking stock of the situation. We are advising people to sleep indoors, shut their doors and not venture out alone at night. Women and children need to be protected. The CM has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the family of the deceased in the wolf attack. Most people have received the financial assistance. Thermal drones also deployed along with normal drones,” he said.

Earlier today, the Forest Department, along with the Police, started awareness campaigns in about 25 to 30 villages of Mahsi Tehsil under the Bahraich Range of Bahraich Forest Division inform people of the ongoing situation and advise them on how to stay safe from further attacks.

According to an official statement by the Bahraich Forest Division on September 3, three teams have been formed for the awareness campaign, which will work to make the general public aware using various publicity mediums.

A massive search operation is currently underway in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district as wildlife authorities and forest officials scramble to capture a pack of wolves that have been wreaking havoc. With four wolves already successfully caught, the ‘Operation Bhediya’ is now focused on tracking down the remaining members of the pack.

The total number of people who have sustained injuries in the alleged wolf attacks in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh climbed to 34, a doctor at the Community Health Centre in Mahasi said on Tuesday. (ANI)

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The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) alliance on Wednesday issued a list of 19 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections and fielded Dushyant Chautala from Uchana and Digvijay Chautala from Dabwali.

The JJP has released the list of 15 candidates, while ASP named four candidates.

JJP leader Dushyant Chautala will contest the elections from Uchana, while Digvijay Chautala will fight from Dabwali.

JJP and Chandra Shekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) have allied for the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls.

The alliance will contest on all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana, with JJP competing on 70 seats and ASP on 20.

Earlier, former Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leaders Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana, and Devender Singh Babli joined the BJP and said that the BJP will be forming the government for a third term in the state.

The voting to the 90-member legislative assembly in Haryana will be held on October 5 and the last date for filing nominations is September 12. The counting of votes will be held on October 8.

Other political parties, including the BJP and Congress, are also finalising their candidates for the polls.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, JJP got only 0.87 per cent of the vote share, with none of its candidates winning any seat in the state.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP, with 40 seats in the 90-member assembly, formed a coalition government with the JJP, which had won 10 seats, while the Congress secured 31 seats. Earlier this year, the BJP-JJP alliance was dissolved.

In 2024, Haryana is likely to witness a four-way contest between the BJP, Congress, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), and AAP. (ANI)

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Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday, The Kyiv Independent reported, citing Ukraine’s parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Stefanchuk further added that Kuleba’s resignation will be “considered at one of the upcoming plenary meetings”; however, he did not provide a date.

“It is a big reshuffle. It was expected rather long ago,” lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko told the Kyiv Independent.

“Ahead of us are difficult times, difficult autumn and winter. Perhaps this reshuffle is somehow related to the new period of challenges for Ukraine,” he added.

Kuleba has been serving as Ukraine’s Foreign Minister since 2020. He was also at the forefront throughout Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, where he engaged with the international allies and secured new partnerships since the beginning of the conflict.

Meanwhile, a day before Kuleba submitted his resignation letter, the country’s online newspaper, Ukrainska Pravda, reported on September 3, citing sources that Kuleba would be dismissed and that his replacement was still under consideration. The most likely candidate to take the position would be Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the sources revealed, as per the report.

It is important to know that Kuleba’s resignation follows several other high-profile ministers submitting their letters of resignation as well. The names include Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin, Justice Minister Denys Maliuska, Ecology Minister Ruslan Strilets, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, and Deputy Prime Minister and Reintegration Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, according to The Kyiv Independent.

Moreover, the head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU), Vitalii Koval, also submitted his resignation nine months after being in office.

The cause of resignations in Ukraine is yet to be known. The announcement followed months of rumours that multiple Ukrainian ministries may be replaced.

Zelenskyy stated in March that after a reorganisation of his inner circle, Ukrainians should anticipate other cabinet reorganisations in the future. Then, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Infrastructure, Alexander Kubrakov, and Minister of Agriculture, Mykola Solskyi, were too dismissed in May. (ANI)

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