Month: December 2024

The Centre’s air quality monitoring panel on Friday revoked Stage III measures of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a marked improvement in Delhi’s air quality.

Favourable weather conditions, including continuous rainfall, have brought the Air Quality Index (AQI) down to 334 as of 7 PM on December 27.

“Delhi’s air quality has shifted from the ‘severe’ category to the ‘poor’ range. As a result, measures under Stage III, implemented earlier, are now being withdrawn,” the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas said in a statement.

However, the CAQM confirmed that actions under Stages I and II of GRAP would remain in force to prevent a reversal in air quality gains. “We are taking every precaution to ensure AQI levels do not deteriorate. Vigilance and strict implementation of Stage I and II measures will continue,” Agrawal added.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi-NCR to tackle air pollution based on the severity of the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The Supreme Court had earlier directed that GRAP’s Stage III measures must be implemented if the AQI exceeds 350 and Stage IV measures reintroduced if it surpasses 400. Stage III and Stage IV were activated on December 16 after AQI levels hit 401.

Stage IV measures were later revoked on December 24 as conditions began to improve.

“Thanks to continuous rain and favorable weather, the AQI is expected to stay within the ‘poor’ category (200-300) over the next few days,” noted the Sub-Committee.

Despite the rollback of Stage III measures, the CAQM has clarified that construction and industrial activities previously halted for violations will remain suspended unless specifically permitted.

Citizens have also been urged to follow GRAP’s Citizen Charter to sustain the improvement.

The panel reiterated its commitment to monitoring the situation closely. “We are keeping a watchful eye on air quality and will take additional measures if necessary,” the CAQM assured. (ANI)

The demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday has led to an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, celebrities, and citizens across the nation.

Actor Rajinikanth also shared his condolences while speaking to the media and described Dr Singh as “a great financial reformer and statesman.”

Dr Singh, who passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical conditions, was hailed for his significant role in shaping the Indian economy.

His tenure as Prime Minister, from 2004 to 2014, saw crucial reforms, including economic liberalization and the introduction of landmark legislation such as the Right to Information Act (RTI) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, describing Dr Singh as one of India’s “most distinguished leaders.”

On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives.”

PM Modi also reflected on his personal interactions with the late leader, saying, “Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the family of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, his friends and countless admirers. Om Shanti”

Dr Manmohan Singh’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics. Known for his calm demeanour and economic acumen, Dr Singh served two consecutive terms as Prime Minister after Congress won the 2004 general elections, defeating the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA.

He was succeeded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, following the Congress party’s defeat in the general elections.

Dr Singh’s leadership, especially in the aftermath of the 1991 economic crisis, earned him recognition as one of India’s foremost economists.

As Finance Minister under then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Dr Singh was instrumental in the economic reforms that liberalized the Indian economy and integrated it into the global market. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan turned 59 on Friday, and both the film industry and his fans have been showering him with heartfelt birthday wishes.

From his co-stars to close friends, everyone from the film fraternity has come forward to celebrate the actor’s special day.

Varun Dhawan, who recently shared screen space with Khan in the film ‘Baby John,’ took to social media to extend his warm wishes.

Sharing behind-the-scenes pictures from the set, Dhawan wrote a fun caption, “Baby john and Bhai jaan. Happy birthday to the youngest and naughtiest.”

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The post delighted fans and highlighted the camaraderie shared between the two actors both on and off-screen.

Ajay Devgn, another close friend and co-star of Khan, shared a playful picture with the birthday boy.

His caption read, “Best birthday wishes from Singham to Chulbul,” a nod to their iconic roles in Singham and Dabangg.

Shera, Salman Khan’s long-time bodyguard, also marked the occasion by posting a photo with the superstar on Instagram. He expressed his deep respect for his ‘maalik’ (master) with the caption, “Mere MAALIK ka birthday hai. Love MAALIK.”

Shilpa Shetty too sent her best wishes for the actor on her Instagram account, writing, “Happy birthdayyy Rockstar! Wishing you happiness, success, and great health always. Loads of love.”

Salman Khan’s journey in Bollywood has been nothing short of spectacular. From portraying a charming lover to larger-than-life action heroes, his versatile career has spanned over three decades.

With hits like ‘Sultan’ (2016), ‘Race 3’ (2018), and the ‘Tiger’ franchise, Khan has proven to be one of the most consistent box-office performers in Indian cinema.

The actor is all set to continue his reign at the box office with his upcoming action film ‘Sikandar’, directed by A.R. Murugadoss and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.

The movie, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna opposite Khan, is scheduled for release during Eid 2025.

Beyond films, Salman Khan has carved out a massive presence on television with his hosting role on ‘Bigg Boss’.

Since 2010, his wit, emotional connections with contestants, and authoritative hosting style have made the show a constant favourite among TV audiences.

Currently, he is hosting ‘Bigg Boss 18’. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday paid her last respects to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence in Delhi. During her visit, she offered condolences to his family members.

In her condolence message, President Murmu said, “Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers.”

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and his wife, the second lady of India, Sudesh Dhankar on Friday paid their final respects to the former Prime Minister. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi also paid their final respects to the former PM who died on Thursday night in AIIMS, Delhi.

In his condolence message the Vice President said, “Deeply pained to learn about the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji, former Prime Minister and a distinguished economist who transformed India’s economic landscape. A Padma Vibhushan awardee and architect of India’s economic liberalisation in 1991, he boldly steered our nation through a critical transition, opening new pathways for growth and prosperity. As the Vice-President of India, I had the privilege to engage in meaningful, insightful interactions with Dr. Singh at his residence. His profound understanding of economy, gentle demeanor and unwavering commitment to India’s progress will forever be etched in my memory.”

Singh, renowned for introducing the 1991 economic liberalisation reforms as the Finance Minister of India, will be cremated near Rajghat, at the location where the last rites of Prime Ministers are performed.

Several politicians and personalities from all walks of life have been expressing their sorrow over the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night said that condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.

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 and was the longest-serving PM after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Serving as the finance minister of India in PV Narasimha Rao’s government, Singh has been given credit for economic liberalisation in the country in 1991. The reforms made the Indian economy more accessible to foreign investors, which increased FDI and reduced government control. It greatly contributed to the country’s economic growth.

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)

The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Punjab government and said medical aid has to be given to farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death since November 26.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Sudhanshu Dhulia expressed concern over the life and safety of Dallewal and said the impression it is getting that he was not getting medical aid.

Take all measures to ensure that farmers’ leader was given medical aid, said the bench.

“If there is a law and order situation, you have to deal with it with iron hands. Somebody’s life is at stake. You need to take it seriously. Medical aid has to be given and the impression is that you are not following it,” it said.

The apex court also issued a notice to the Punjab government on a contempt petition against its Chief Secretary of Punjab for non-compliance with the December 20 top court order regarding medical aid to Dallewal and to convince him to go to hospital.

It directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to file a compliance report by Saturday when it would again hear the matter.

Dallewal, the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanouri border to press the Centre to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

During the special hearing today, the bench expressed strong reservations about protesting farmers objecting to and obstructing attempts by the Punjab government to provide medical aid to Dallewal.

The bench said, “We have serious doubts about the farmers who are creating obstacles to provide him aid”.

The top court has been asking the Punjab government to ensure Dallewal gets proper medical aid during fast unto death. (ANI)

The Ministry of Defence has said that India and China have developed a broad consensus on achieving a broad consensus on the Line of Actual Control.

The statement by MoD, as part of its year end review, said that India and China are on the road to restore the ground situation in some areas along the LAC.

“India and China achieved a broad consensus to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC. Both countries have been holding talks at diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security,” the statement read.

“Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue on October 24, 2024, described the consensus as proof that continuous dialogue brings solutions,” the statement added.

The statement said that the Indian Army had a “high state” of operational preparedness to ensure stability along the borders.

“The Indian Army (IA) maintained a high state of operational preparedness to ensure stability & dominance along all the frontiers including Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LC). Relentless counter terrorist operations were also carried out while constantly reviewing emerging and future threats to National security. Infrastructure development in border areas being one of the key imperatives of operational preparedness was given impetus in consonance with the ‘Viksit Bharat Vision’ of the Government,” the statement read.

The statement said that although the situation along the LAC is stable, it is sensitive. The consensus involved agreement of disengagement and relocation of troops from Depsang and Demchok.

“Overall situation along the LAC is stable but sensitive. Post prolonged negotiations at Diplomatic and Military levels, on October 21, broad consensus has been achieved to restore ground situation based on principles of Equal and Mutual Security. Consensus achieved includes disengagement and relocation of troops from the friction areas of Depsang and Demchok followed by joint verification. Currently, blocking positions have been removed by both sides and joint verification has been completed. Patrolling activity has commenced to traditional patrolling areas in Depsang and Demchok,” the statement said.

The Line of Control is peaceful, as per the statement, while the condition of Jammu and Kashmir is also improving despite reports of violence.

“Situation along the LC remains peaceful post the Director General Military Operations (DGsMO) Understandings of February 2021. However, Indian Army is monitoring the situation closely and remains prepared to respond to any escalation along the LC. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to witness steadfast improvement despite intermittent spikes in violence,” the statement said.

Earlier on December 20, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to explore a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for the settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005 in the 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China. The meeting was held in Beijing on December 18, with discussions focussed on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border.

From April-May in 2020, there was an enhanced deployment of troops and armaments by the Chinese side in the border areas and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector. Since mid-May the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in several areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border area. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from India, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. (ANI)

The Ministry of Defence has said that India and China have developed a broad consensus on achieving a broad consensus on the Line of Actual Control.

The statement by MoD, as part of its year end review, said that India and China are on the road to restore the ground situation in some areas along the LAC.

“India and China achieved a broad consensus to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC. Both countries have been holding talks at diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security,” the statement read.

“Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue on October 24, 2024, described the consensus as proof that continuous dialogue brings solutions,” the statement added.

The statement said that the Indian Army had a “high state” of operational preparedness to ensure stability along the borders.

“The Indian Army (IA) maintained a high state of operational preparedness to ensure stability & dominance along all the frontiers including Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LC). Relentless counter terrorist operations were also carried out while constantly reviewing emerging and future threats to National security. Infrastructure development in border areas being one of the key imperatives of operational preparedness was given impetus in consonance with the ‘Viksit Bharat Vision’ of the Government,” the statement read.

The statement said that although the situation along the LAC is stable, it is sensitive. The consensus involved agreement of disengagement and relocation of troops from Depsang and Demchok.

“Overall situation along the LAC is stable but sensitive. Post prolonged negotiations at Diplomatic and Military levels, on October 21, broad consensus has been achieved to restore ground situation based on principles of Equal and Mutual Security. Consensus achieved includes disengagement and relocation of troops from the friction areas of Depsang and Demchok followed by joint verification. Currently, blocking positions have been removed by both sides and joint verification has been completed. Patrolling activity has commenced to traditional patrolling areas in Depsang and Demchok,” the statement said.

The Line of Control is peaceful, as per the statement, while the condition of Jammu and Kashmir is also improving despite reports of violence.

“Situation along the LC remains peaceful post the Director General Military Operations (DGsMO) Understandings of February 2021. However, Indian Army is monitoring the situation closely and remains prepared to respond to any escalation along the LC. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to witness steadfast improvement despite intermittent spikes in violence,” the statement said.

Earlier on December 20, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to explore a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for the settlement of the boundary question in accordance with the political parameters and guiding principles agreed in 2005 in the 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China. The meeting was held in Beijing on December 18, with discussions focussed on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border.

From April-May in 2020, there was an enhanced deployment of troops and armaments by the Chinese side in the border areas and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector. Since mid-May the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC in several areas of the Western Sector of the India-China border area. These attempts were invariably met with an appropriate response from India, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. (ANI)

Indian players began the second day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away in Delhi on Thursday.

“The Indian Cricket Team is wearing black armbands as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh who passed away on Thursday,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a post on X.

Manmohan Singh, aged 92, died due to age-related medical conditions, as confirmed by AIIMS. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home and was rushed to AIIMS Delhi, where he was declared dead.

“With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM,” AIIMS said in a statement.

Following his passing, several former cricketers, including Yuvraj Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Gautam Gambhir, and VVS Laxman, took to social media to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister, praising his leadership and significant contributions to the Indian economy.

Former cricketers Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan also expressed their condolences following the death of Dr Manmohan Singh.

Manmohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served two terms as Prime Minister of India- from 2004 to 2014. He took the oath of office for the first time in 2004, after Congress’ win in the 2004 Lok Sabha election against Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA.

He served his second term from 2009 to 2014. He was then succeeded by PM Narendra Modi in 2014. He retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years in the house. (ANI)

The Central government has declared a seven-day period of state mourning across India, starting December 26 following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

As a mark of respect, a Union Home Ministry message reads, the mourning period will be observed from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025 both days inclusive.

“During this period the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning. It has also been decided that the state funeral will be accorded to late Dr. Manmohan Singh,” the message mentions.

It further pointed that the “national flag shall also fly half-mast on the day of funeral in all Indian missions and High Commissions of India abroad.”

The message also mentions that the Government of India has announced with profound sorrow the death of Manmohan Singh on December 26 at AIIMS hospital, New Delhi.

Singh passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 92. He served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and is remembered for his pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic reforms and global diplomacy. His leadership and contributions to the nation have left an indelible mark, making his loss a moment of profound grief for the entire country.

Singh is survived by his wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters.

A globally renowned economist, Singh began his political journey during the 1991 economic crisis when then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao appointed him as Finance Minister. Known for spearheading transformative economic reforms in the 1990s, he leaves behind a distinguished legacy of political and economic contributions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also condoled the demise of former Prime Minister on Thursday. (ANI)