Month: December 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the courage of the Sahibzades during the ‘Veer Baal Diwas,’ saying that their courage and sacrifice are the pillars behind India’s strong democracy.

PM Modi was addressing an event at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital on ‘Veer Baal Diwas.’

“Sahibzades’ courage and sacrifice are the pillars behind India’s strong democracy that India is proud of today,” he said.

“Today, we are participating in the program of the third Veer Baal Diwas. Our government started celebrating this day to commemorate the valour and sacrifices of the Sahibzades,” PM Modi added.

On this occasion, he congratulated the recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar during his address.

“Today, 17 children of our nation are receiving the award in sectors like bravery, innovation, science and technology, sports and art. They have shown how capable the youth and children of India are. I congratulate them and their families. Today, I will remember when Sahibzades sacrificed their lives,” PM Modi said.

He sheds light on the lives of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, remembering their courage against the Mughal Empire.

“Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh were young, but their courage was higher. Sahibzaade neglected the Mughal Empire and tolerated their torture…This day of Veer Baal Diwas teaches us that no matter how difficult the times are, nothing is bigger than the country and its interests, PM Modi added.

“Every work done for the country is bravery; every child and young man living for his country is ‘Veer Balak.'” This year the day is more special as it is the 75th year of the formation of our constitution. The energy of the youth has played a big role in the growth of India. India’s youths have participated in every revolution,” he stated.

While highlighting the achievements of the country’s youths, he said, “From startups to science and from sports to entrepreneurship, our youths in the country are bringing revolution in every field.”

Earlier, PM Modi also met and interacted with 2024 recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 17 children, in seven categories, for their exceptional achievements at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

PM Modi on January 9, 2022, announced that December 26 would be marked as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ as a tribute to the courage of Sahibzades (Guru Gobind Singh’s sons) and their quest for justice. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 children, in seven categories, for their exceptional achievements in various fields.

The program was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

The award honours extraordinary accomplishments in seven categories: art and culture, bravery, innovation, science and technology, social service and the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated all award winners and said that the entire country and the society are proud of them. She told children that they have done extraordinary work, achieved amazing accomplishments, have limitless capabilities, and possess incomparable qualities. They have set an example for the children of the country.

The President said that providing opportunities and recognising children’s talents has been a part of our tradition. She emphasised that this tradition should be strengthened further. She said that in the year 2047, when we will celebrate the centenary of India’s independence, these award winners will be enlightened citizens of the country. Such talented boys and girls will become the builders of a developed India.

The president said that examples of patriotism among award-winning children reinforce our faith in the promising future of our country. Patriotism leads the young and the old on the path of complete dedication to the welfare of the nation.

“… The spirit of patriotism leads children on the path of devotion to the cause of national interest… I believe that the achievements of children like now will take India to the pinnacle of progress…. It has been a part of our tradition to give opportunities to the talent of children and to respect it. This tradition should be strengthened, ” she added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the courage of the Sahibzades during the ‘Veer Baal Diwas,’ saying that their courage and sacrifice are the pillars behind India’s strong democracy.

“Sahibzades’ courage and sacrifice are the pillars behind India’s strong democracy that India is proud of today,” he said. Today, we are participating in the program of the third Veer Baal Diwas. Our government started celebrating this day to commemorate the valour and sacrifices of the Sahibzades,” PM Modi said.

He was addressing an event at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital on ‘Veer Baal Diwas. (ANI)

Allu Aravind, film producer and father of ‘Pushpa 2’ actor Allu Arjun, has announced financial support of Rs 2 crores for Sri Tej, the victim of the Sandhya Theatre tragedy and the son of Revathi, who lost her life in the incident and the victim’s family.

After meeting the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premier show of ‘Pushpa 2’, Allu Aravind told the media, “…After speaking to the doctors, we are very happy to know that the boy is recovering… and all the days he has been on ventilator and ventilator has been removed and he is breathing himself and doctors are very positive about his recovery…”

He added, “To support the family and the boy after coming out… for his future, all this we thought we should support him with an amount of Rs 2 crores-Rs one crore has been given by Allu Arjun and Rs 50 lakhs given by the producers and 50 lakhs by the director. This amount is being handed over to Dil Raju, Chairman of Telangana Film Development Corporation…”

Dil Raju visited KIMS Hospital in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, to meet Sri Tej’s family. Speaking to ANI, he revealed that he had earlier met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss providing support to Sri Tej’s family, ensuring that both the film industry and government would extend all necessary assistance.

“He (the child injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere show of Pushpa 2) is responding and recovering… He was taken off the ventilator two days ago,” said Dil Raju.

Earlier, the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, handed over a Rs 50 lakh cheque to the victim’s family at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad, in the presence of Telangana Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The cheque was received by Revathi’s husband, the father of Sri Tej, who is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

On Tuesday, actor Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic incident during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4.

Meanwhile, the boy injured in the Sandhya Theatre incident during the premiere of Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad, Telangana, has responded after 20 days, his father said. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Bhaskar, the father of the injured child, expressed gratitude for the support they are receiving. “The child responded after 20 days. He is responding today. Allu Arjun and the Telangana government are supporting us,” he said.

On December 4, when Allu Arjun attended the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre, a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor, and chaos ensued when he waved to fans from the sunroof of his car. This led to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi and injuries to her child.

Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after furnishing a Rs 50,000 bond. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday wished her Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog on the occasion of Hanukkah.

Murmu also extended her wishes to all the people worldwide.

In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, “I extend my warmest greetings to President Isaac Herzog and people worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Hanukkah.”

This year, Hanukkah coincided with Christmas.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to people and explained the significance of the Jewish festival.

Azar shared a video on X that explains the history of the Jewish festival.

In a post on X, the Israeli Embassy in India said, “This year, Hanukkah coincides with Christmas. But have you ever heard of Hanukkah? Come, listen to our Ambassador Reuven Azar as he shares the Jewish history of resilience and acceptance. The Embassy of Israel in India wishes everyone Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and joyful holiday season!”

Azar said, “In Hanukkah, we celebrate the victory of light over darkness. More than 2,300 years ago, the greatest empire of the time, the Seljuks, tried to completely erase our faith, the Jewish faith. But thanks to a small family in the middle of Israel called the Maccabees, we managed to re-inaugurate our temple in Jerusalem and keep our identity.”

Azar added that in the feast, they light the menorah, a symbol of respect to other faiths.

“In this feast, we light the menorah that shines over the world and we send a universal message of respect towards other faiths and respect to our identity,” he added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday extended Hanukkah greetings to Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa’ar and the global community celebrating the festival.

To this, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar thanked his “dear friend” Jaishankar for his wishes.

“Thank you, S Jaishankar, dear friend, for your warm Hanukkah wishes and your kind words,” Sa’ar wrote on X. (ANI)

Aspirants of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) continued their indefinite strike on Wednesday, demanding a re-examination of the 70th BPSC exam.

An aspirant said, “We just wanted to peacefully present our demands to the BPSC, but the police resorted to a lathi charge. We have been protesting for the last eight days.”

Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Purnia joined the protest on Wednesday and urged opposition MPs and MLAs to support the students’ cause.

Speaking to ANI, Yadav said, “We urge all opposition MPs and MLAs to join the protest. People should sit outside the residences of ruling party MPs and MLAs across Bihar. What is political about this? These students have been protesting for so many days, and their only demand is a re-examination.”

On Tuesday, YouTuber and educator Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, visited the students participating in the hunger strike.

After meeting the protesting students, Khan urged the Bihar Public Service Commission to consider the plight of the aspirants, many of whom have been on hunger strike for the past four to five days. He noted that 4-5 students are in critical condition and have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

“These students have been on a hunger strike for 4-5 days, and no one is paying attention to their situation. Their condition is now very serious. The Commission should consider the grievances of these students, who have taken this step after appearing for the exam. We have filed a PIL in the High Court, and we are ready to approach the Supreme Court if necessary. It is our responsibility to convince the Commission and the government. Currently, 4-5 students are in a critical condition and are in the ICU,” Khan said.

However, the BPSC Chairman, Parmar Ravi Manubhai denied the allegation, clarifying that the commission did not receive any complaints on irregularities.

“The exam was conducted smoothly in all the districts of Bihar, including Patna. At a centre in Patna, the commission received information about some students creating a ruckus. The commission immediately contacted the people waiting at the centre and deputed 2 officers of the commission,” BPSC Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai said during a press conference.

On December 21, BPSC aspirants met Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dilip Jaiswal at his residence to discuss alleged irregularities during the 70th BPSC exam.

Earlier, on December 18, protesters in Patna demonstrated against the Bihar Public Service Commission, demanding a re-examination.

BPSC aspirants have previously protested against changes in the exam pattern and the normalisation process, urging that exams be conducted in a single shift with one paper to eliminate the normalisation process. 

It should be noted here that the 70th BPSC Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination was held on December 13. (ANI)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday attacked the BJP over Parvesh Verma distributing cash in the New Delhi assembly constituency and said that all agencies like the Election Commission, ED, CBI, Police, and Income Tax have become “helpless.”

“If they (BJP) had done some work in the last 10 years, they would not have to resort to buying votes for Rs 1100 in Delhi. They did nothing in Delhi in the last 10 years. They just abused me. Now they have to resort to buying votes, which is very dangerous for democracy. All agencies like the Election Commission, ED, CBI, Police, and Income Tax have become helpless. No agency is taking any action,” Arvind Kejriwal told reporters.

Following notices issued by senior officials of the Delhi government disavowing the Aam Aadmi Party’s registration process for two schemes in the national capital, Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of distributing money to voters in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal contests elections.

Atishi claimed that BJP leader and former West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma was “caught distributing money” at his official residence.

“The BJP is distributing money to people by checking their voter cards in the New Delhi assembly constituency, from where Arvind Kejriwal contests elections. Today, Parvesh Verma was caught red-handed giving out money at his official residence, which he received as an MP. Women from various slums in the New Delhi constituency were called there and given Rs 1,100 in an envelope,” Atishi said at a press conference.

She alleged that crores of rupees were in Verma’s house and urged the Election Commission to instruct the ED and Delhi Police to raid Verma’s official residence and arrest him.

“I want to inform the ED and CBI that cash worth crores of rupees is still at Parvesh Verma’s house. I urge the Election Commission to have the ED and Delhi Police raid his official residence and arrest him immediately. The BJP is trying to win a lost election. We will officially lodge a complaint with the police and the Election Commission. The pamphlet used for distributing money also features pictures of PM Modi and JP Nadda,” she said.

This controversy follows public notices issued by the Department of Women and Child Development, which termed the Mahila Samman Yojana as “non-existent.” The department stated that no such scheme has been officially notified.

In the notice, the department confirmed that any private individual or political party collecting information through forms and registrations in the name of the Mahila Samman Yojana is “committing fraud.”

“It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Delhi Government,” the department stated, noting that people have been visiting government hospitals and offices to inquire about the nonexistent scheme.

Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. In the 2020 elections, AAP won 62 of the 70 seats, while the BJP secured eight. (ANI)