Month: December 2024

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu slammed he Bharatiya Janata Party over the issue of allocation of space for a memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and accused the ruling party of “playing politics.”

Attacking BJP further, Sidhu asked how had the party felt if Atal Bihari Vajpayee had not got a memorial at Rajghat. He further said that this issue is not of one party but of entire country’s history.

Speaking to reporters, Sidhu said, “When a person dies, all enmity vanishes with him… but politics is being played here. I ask a small question if Atal Ji’s last rites were to be performed and someone had said that the memorial would not be built at Raj Ghat, it would be built somewhere else, how would you feel?… This issue is not of any party but of the country’s history…”

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh slammed the BJP-led central government on the issue of allocation of space for a memorial for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that it is unfortunate that leaders even have to talk about this issue.

Singh asked the government to tell the name of any former PM whose last rites were performed at Nigambodh Ghat and not in the Rajghat premises.

Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Singh said, “It is unfortunate that we even have to talk about this. This shows how obnoxious the government’s thinking is… I want to ask PM Narendra Modi, why are you not ready to give space for PM Manmohan Singh’s last rites in the Rajghat premises? This party calls itself the most cultured? Tell me the name of one former PM whose last rites were performed in Nigambodh… How disrespected the Sikh community must feel…”

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said, “This is not an issue at all, PM Modi’s government should have thought about it beforehand. The whole country wants that his last rites should be performed at the same place where his memorial is to be built. This demand is not just of Congress, not just of Punjab and Sikh community, this is a worldwide demand of all Indians. There is no need to think about it, the government should have thought about it beforehand…”

Earlier today, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi launched a scathing attack on Congress for indulging in “politics” over the demise of Dr Manmohan Singh. He said that Congress never respected the former PM.

Trivedi said it was Congress’ history that they never respected any leader outside the Gandhi family. “At least today, in this hour of grief, politics should be avoided,” he said, adding that the Modi government has respected all leaders irrespective of the party affiliation by giving Bharat Ratna to former Prime Ministers PV Narsimha Rao, Madan Mohan Malviya and former President Pranab Mukherjee.

On Friday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and requested to have the funeral of Manmohan Singh at a place where his memorial can be built, according to a post by the Indian National Congress on X.

“I am writing this in the context of the sad demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. Apropos our telephonic conversation this morning, wherein I requested to hold Dr Manmohan Singh’s last rites, which will take place tomorrow i.e. 28th December 2024, at his final resting place that would be a sacrosanct venue for the memorial of the great son of India. This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers at the very place of their funerals,” Kharge wrote in his letter.

Immediately after the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Congress President Kharge and the family of Late Manmohan Singh that the Government will allocate space for the memorial. In the meanwhile, cremation and other formalities can happen because a trust has to be formed and space has to be allocated to it.

Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the hospital. (ANI)

Mauritius flag will be flown at half mast on all government buildings until sunset on Saturday as a mark of respect to India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office announced in a statement.

In a statement, Mauritius Prime Minister’s Office said, “Following the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of the Republic of India, the public is hereby informed that the Mauritius Flag will be flown at half-mast on all Government buildings until sunset today Saturday 28 December 2024, the day of his funeral.

mast.”

“An appeal is also made to the private sector for all flags to be flown at half-mast,” it added.

Mauritius Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, Dhananjay Ramful, arrived in Delhi to attend the funeral of Manmohan Singh, according to sources.

On Friday, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam visited India’s High Commission in Port Louis and signed the Condolence Book opened in memory of Manmohan Singh.

In a post on X, Indian High Commission in Mauritius stated, “Hon’ble Dr. @PmRamgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, visited the @HCI_PortLouis and signed the Condolence Book opened in memory of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India.”

Navin Ramgoolam recalled his first meeting with Manmohan Singh. Calling former PM “gentleman politician and eminent economist,” Ramgoolam said Manmohan Singh’s humility, integrity and calmness will be remembered forever.

In a post on Facebook, Ramgoolam stated, “It is with profound sadness that I have just learnt of the passing away of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. I first met him when I was Leader of the opposition and he came to Mauritius on an official visit, prior to the 2005 election.”

“Dr. Manmohan Singh was a gentleman politician and an eminent economist, who transformed India’s economic landscape. His humility, integrity & calmness will always be remembered. On behalf of the people of Mauritius & that of my Government, I present our sincere condolences to his family & close ones,” he added.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away at AIIMS at the age of 92 due to age-related ailments on Thursday, was cremated today with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and government dignitaries.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid their last respects to the former PM by placing a wreath near his mortal remains earlier today.

The last rites were carried out at the VIP Ghat as per the Sikh rituals. Singh’s mortal remains were placed on a pyre of sandalwood sticks. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge along with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also present for the cremation ceremony after they paid tribute to the former Prime Minister.

The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were brought to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi from his residence on early Saturday morning for party workers to pay their respects. Several people also gathered outside the residence of the former Prime Minister in Delhi to pay their tributes.

Manmohan Singh’s political career spanned several decades, with notable positions including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, during which he spearheaded economic reforms that transformed India’s economy. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, succeeding Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

His tenure is particularly remembered for his steady leadership during economic crises and his contributions to modernising India’s economy.After his second term, Dr Singh retired from public life, having led India through a period of unprecedented growth and international recognition. He was succeeded by Narendra Modi in 2014 after the Congress-led UPA lost the general elections. (ANI)

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has initiated inquiry into the allegation that “non-government” people are collecting personal details of residents of Delhi in the name of registration for Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) proposed welfare scheme ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’. 

The letter further stated that the Commissioner of Police may direct the field officers to take action as per law against the person who are breaching the privacy of citizens by collecting their personal data in the name of registration for AAP’s poll promise of giving Rs 2,100 to women.  

The letter dated December 27, reads, “Lieutenant Governor has desired that Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non- government people. Further, Commissioner of Police may direct the field officers to take action as per law against the person who are breaching the privacy of gullible citizens by collecting their personal details in garb of giving benefits. DCP’s may be advised to take action against private individuals organizing camps for fraudulent enrolment of Government Schemes.” 

The directive was issued by the Delhi LG after receiving complaints from the Congress’ New Delhi assembly constituency candidate Sandeep Dikshit, following Delhi Women and Child Development (WCD) department public notice that Mahila Samman Yojana had not been notified by the government and “no such scheme is in existence.”

The letter further stated that Congress’ candidate Dikshit has alleged that a “fraud” is being perpetrated by the AAP and he has requested to institute a high level inquiry in the matter.

The letter reads, “This has reference to representation dated 25.12.2024 received from Sandeep Dikshit, former Member of Parliament and proposed candidate of Indian National Congress for the Delhi Vidhan Sabha Elections, 2025 wherein he has alleged that the Chief Minister of Delhi and Arvind Kejriwal have been announcing that Delhi Government is going to give every female in Delhi ( above the age of 18 years) an amount of Rs 1000 per month. They have further announced that if AAP is elected back in 2025 Vidhan Sabha elections, they will raise the amount to Rs 2100/- pm. Further, Dikshit has informed that they are going door to door making women sign some forms.”

“Dikshit has requested that in view of the clarification submitted by the Women and Child development department, GNCTD, it is clear that this is a fraud being perpetrated by the AAP and has requested to institute a high level inquiry in the matter,” it added.

As per the letter, the Chief Secretary may also bring this matter to the knowledge of Election Commission of India through Chief Electoral office, Delhi. 

On December 22, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in February, announced the launch of registrations for the ‘Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana’ and the ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’. 

“You don’t have to queue anywhere. We will come to you for the registration process. Teams have been formed across Delhi to assist women with registration and to provide them with cards,” Kejriwal said at a press conference. 

“Our team will go door to door to register beneficiaries for the Sanjeevani Yojana and the Mahila Samman Yojana. It is mandatory to have a Delhi voter ID card for registration. You can check on the website whether your vote has been cancelled,” Kejriwal added.

The Mahila Samman Yojana is aimed at providing women residing in Delhi with Rs 2,100 per month. (ANI)

The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were brought to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi from his residence on Saturday.

The mortal remains will be kept there for the party workers to pay their last respects.

Several politicians including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rajesh Thakur and others have reached the AICC HQ in Delhi to pay their final respects to the former PM.

Meanwhile, the preparations for the funeral march are underway at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate in honour of Dr Manmohan Singh. The last rites of Dr Manmohan Singh are to be performed today.

Several people also gathered outside the residence of the former Prime Minister in Delhi to pay their last respects. Jasmeet, a resident of East Delhi, said that she has come with her husband Hatendra Pal to pay tributes to Manmohan Singh who she credits for making India famous, globally.

Delhi Traffic Police had issued an advisory earlier, ahead of the funeral of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The traffic advisory outlines restrictions and diversions on major routes in New Delhi, urging the public to avoid certain roads and use public transport to help ease congestion.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and requested to have the funeral of Dr Manmohan Singh at a place where his memorial can be built, according to a post by the Indian National Congress on X.

“I am writing this in the context of the sad demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India. Apropos our telephonic conversation this morning, wherein I requested to hold Dr Manmohan Singh’s last rites, which will take place tomorrow i.e. 28th December 2024, at his final resting place that would be a sacrosanct venue for the memorial of the great son of India. This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers at the very place of their funerals,” Kharge wrote in his letter.

Kharge further said that a memorial would be a fitting tribute to a leader who rose from humble beginnings to become a statesman of immense stature.

Immediately after the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Congress President Kharge and the family of Late Dr Manmohan Singh that the Government will allocate space for the memorial.

The last rites of Dr Manmohan Singh are to be performed at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi today at 11:45 PM, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Dr Singh’s political career spanned several decades, with notable positions including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, during which he spearheaded economic reforms that transformed India’s economy. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, succeeding Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His tenure is particularly remembered for his steady leadership during economic crises and his contributions to modernizing India’s economy.

After his second term, Dr Singh retired from public life, having led India through a period of unprecedented growth and international recognition. He was succeeded by Narendra Modi in 2014 after the Congress-led UPA lost the general elections. (ANI)

The sequel to ‘The Batman’ will no longer now arrive in 2026 as earlier it was expected.

As per Deadline, Matt Reeves’ The Batman sequel is heading from October 2, 2026 to October 1, 2027. Production isn’t scheduled to get started until late summer and with a VFX heavy sequel such as this one, a fall 2026 theatrical release is within reach.

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Tom Cruise are flying into the fall 2026 movie season.

The Legendary production which also stars Sandra Huller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde and Riz Ahmed follows the most powerful man in the world who embarks on a frantic mission to prove.

Robert Pattinson will be seen reprising his role in ‘The Batman Part II’.

The sequel to Matt Reeves’ The Batman first came to light at CinemaCon in April 2022. Mattson Tomlin joined the project in August of that year to co-write with Reeves, and in late January 2023, DC Studios executives James Gunn and Peter Safran announced the film’s title. (ANI)

Due to incessant rain, Delhi’s air quality improved significantly. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 179 at 7am on Saturday.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.

On Friday, Delhi’s air quality has shifted from the ‘severe’ category to the ‘poor’ range. Today it has further improved to” moderate” category.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded a temperature of 13.8 degrees C at 5.30 am on Saturday, according to the IMD.

Today, the minimum temperature is expected to dip to 12 °C, while the maximum temperature will reach 20.98 °C. The relative humidity is at 74%, accompanied by a windy day with gusts of up to 74 km/h. The sky is overcast with rain, making for a pleasant day. Sunrise occurred at 07:12 am, and the sun will set at 05:32 pm.

People were seen taking the help of a bonfire to keep themselves warm as mercury dips in the National Capital.

Incessant rains continued to lash parts of Delhi in the early hours of Saturday.

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds led to the uprooting of trees in several areas of the national capital.

In Sector-9, RK Puram, a portion of a road caved in, causing a motorcycle and a car to fall into the affected area.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms at several locations across Delhi and NCR, with more rainfall expected in the day.

This includes areas like Palam, Safdarjung, Lodi Road, IGI Airport, Mehrauli, Chhattarpur, Ayanagar, Deramandi, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Manesar. Noida and Manesar are also likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall and lightning.

The IMD further forecasted light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms in parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. This includes Yamunanagar, Jhajjar, Farukhnagar, and Hodal in Haryana; Saharanpur, Gangoh, Deoband, Muzaffarnagar, Sakoti Tanda, Baraut, Daurala, Baghpat, Meerut, Modinagar, Kithor, and Nandgaon in Uttar Pradesh; and Tizara and Alwar in Rajasthan. (ANI)

Vicky Kaushal’s latest post on Instagram is all about “love” and “sukoon.”

The ‘Uri’ star on Friday took to social media and shared a mesmerising image with his wife Katrina Kaif from their vacation to a scenic location.

In the image, the couple can be seen lost in the beauty of nature as they are seated next to each other beside the seaside.

“Pause,” Vicky captioned the post.

As soon as Vicky dropped the picture, fans in no time chimed in the comment section and showered love on the couple.

“Haye sukoon,” a social media user wrote.

“Wow!!!! So so serene,” another netizen commented.

“Peaceful,” another fan wrote.

Vicky and Katrina tied the knot on December 9, 2021, at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan. On ‘Koffee With Karan’, Katrina revealed that she met Vicky at Zoya Akhtar’s party and that’s when romance started brewing between them.

Sharing the details of her relationship with Vicky, Katrina shared how Vicky was never on her ‘radar’. She said, “I did not even know much about him. He was just a name I had heard of but had never associated with. But then, when I met him, I was won over!”

Calling her relationship ‘unexpected and out of the blue’, Katrina added, “It was my destiny and it was really meant to be. There were so many coincidences that at one point all of it just felt so unreal.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Sam Bahadur’ actor recently made a surprise entry at Karan Ajula’s ongoing ‘It Was All A Dream’ India tour concert in Mumbai.

While grooving with Karan, the duo delighted fans with a sensational live performance on the song ‘Tauba Tauba’ from their film ‘Bad Newz.’

The performance of the duo left the crowd ecstatic, with fans even chanting Katrina Kaif’s name, making Vicky blush in response.

On the work front, Vicky will be next seen in magnum opus ‘Mahavatar’. In the film, he will essay the legendary warrior sage Parashurama.The film, which draws inspiration from Indian mythology, is slated for release in cinemas on Christmas 2026.

The announcement of ‘Mahavatar’ comes on the heels of Vicky Kaushal’s success in films like ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke,’ and his upcoming project ‘Chhaava’, based on the life of Maratha King Shivaji’s son, Sambhaji Maharaj. (ANI)

Calling former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh her “friend, philosopher and guide,” Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday mourned the death of former PM and said that he was the “epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility.”

“In Dr Manmohan Singh’s passing, we have lost a leader who was the epitome of wisdom, nobility and humility, who served our country with all his heart and mind. A luminous and beloved guiding light for the Congress party, his compassion and vision transformed and empowered the lives of millions of Indians,” Sonia Gandhi stated.

She said Manmohan Singh was loved by the people of India because of his “pure heart and mind.”

“His advice, wise counsel and views were eagerly sought and deeply valued across the political spectrum in our country. Respected and admired by leaders and scholars all over the world, he was hailed as a statesman of immense wisdom and stature. Dr Manmohan Singh brought brilliance and distinction to every high office that he held. And he brought pride and honour to India,” she added.

Sonia Gandhi said Manmohan Singh’s death was a “deeply personal loss” for her.

“He was my friend, philosopher and guide. He was so gentle in his manner but so resolute in his deeply held convictions. His commitment to social justice, secularism and democratic values was deep and unwavering. To spend any time with him, was to come away enlightened by his knowledge and sagacity, moved by his honesty and integrity, and awed by his genuine humility. He leaves a void in our national life that can never be filled,” she said.

Sonia Gandhi said that the Congress Party and the people of India will forever be “proud and grateful” that we had a leader like Dr Manmohan Singh whose contributions to “India’s progress and development are immeasurable.”

Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee convened to honour Manmohan Singh through a resolution acknowledging his significant influence on India’s political and economic spheres.

“The Congress Working Committee mourns the loss of a true statesman, Dr Manmohan Singh, whose life and work have profoundly shaped the destiny of India. Dr Singh was a towering figure in India’s political and economic landscape, whose contributions transformed the country and earned him respect worldwide,” the resolution read.

It further stated that as Finance Minister in the early 1990s, Singh was the “architect of India’s economic liberalization.”

“With unmatched foresight, he initiated a series of reforms that not only saved the nation from a balance-of-payments crisis but also opened the doors to global markets. Through his policies of deregulation, privatization, and the encouragement of foreign investment, he laid the foundation for India’s rapid economic growth. Under his stewardship, India emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, a testament to his brilliance and vision,” it added.

It further said that beyond his contributions as a politician Manmohan Singh was a respected academician, whose career as an economist helped “shape India’s policies and direction.”

“His scholarly work as an economist and his service at institutions like the United Nations and the Reserve Bank of India laid the groundwork for many of the economic reforms he later championed as a policymaker,” it said.

The resolution said that Manmohan Singh’s profound understanding of economics, combined with his dedication to education, inspired countless students, scholars, and policymakers.

“His academic rigour and intellectual contributions were pivotal in shaping India’s approach to development, and his mentorship has had a lasting impact on the country’s future economists,” it said.

“Dr Singh was a man of extraordinary personal qualities. His grace, humility, and dignity set him apart as a leader of rare character. Despite holding the highest offices in the land, he always remained grounded, treating everyone with respect and kindness. His demeanour was calm, composed, and always guided by a deep sense of integrity. He was not only admired for his intellect and accomplishments but also for his unassuming nature, which made him beloved to people across all walks of life,” it stated in a letter.

The resolution further stated that Manmohan Singh embodied the very best qualities of a true statesman-compassion, honesty, and a deep commitment to public service.

“His life was a living example of how grace and humility can coexist with great power. As we mourn the loss of this extraordinary leader, the Congress Working Committee pledges to honor Dr. Manmohan Singh’s memory and carry forward his enduring legacy. His vision of economic reform, social justice, and inclusive growth will continue to inspire and guide us. The ideals he stood for integrity, diligence, and compassion will remain a beacon for future generations. We commit to upholding his values as we work towards building a more prosperous and united India, just as he envisioned,” it read.

The resolution read that Singh’s legacy as a leader, an economist, and a humble human being will live on, inspiring all of us to contribute to the continued progress and betterment of our great nation.

Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi.

Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982-1985. He was the 13th PM of India with his tenure from 2004-2014.

He spent five years between 1991 and 1996 as India’s Finance Minister and his role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms is recognized worldwide. In the popular view of those years in India, that period is inextricably associated with the persona of Singh.

Manmohan Singh’s government also introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which later came to be known as MGNREGA.

The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under the Manmohan Singh government, which made the transparency of information between the government and the public better.

He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. (ANI)

Last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are to be performed at the Nigambodh Ghat in the national capital on Saturday afternoon.

“Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister passed away at 9.51 PM on December 26, 2024 at AllMS Hospital, New Delhi. It has been decided by the Government that State funeral will be accorded to Dr Manmohan Singh. The funeral will take place at 11:45 AM on December 28, 2024 at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi. The Ministry of Defence is requested to make arrangements for State funeral will full military honours,” the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.

Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi.

Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982-1985. He was the 13th PM of India with his tenure from 2004-2014.

He spent five years between 1991 and 1996 as India’s Finance Minister and his role in ushering in a comprehensive policy of economic reforms is recognized worldwide. In the popular view of those years in India, that period is inextricably associated with the persona of Singh.

Manmohan Singh’s government also introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which later came to be known as MGNREGA.

The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under the Manmohan Singh government, which made the transparency of information between the government and the public better.

He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. (ANI)