Month: April 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday pledged to eliminate poverty in the state within the next three years and make it the country’s number one.

While addressing the gathering during his visit to Maharajganj, the UP CM emphasised the government’s commitment to eradicating poverty and improving infrastructure.

The UP CM said, “We will eliminate poverty from UP in 3 years and make the state number one.”

He highlighted the recent passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament, which aims to prevent illegal land occupation and ensure government properties are used for public welfare projects such as schools, hospitals, and housing.

The UP CM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 629 development projects worth Rs 654 crore, including the inauguration of the Rohin Barrage.

On the inauguration of the Rohin Barrage, which is expected to benefit 16,000 farmers and provide irrigation for more than 5,400 hectares of land, Yogi stated that the barrage, located in the Nautanwa assembly constituency, will be named Maa Banaila Devi and will help in flood prevention and irrigation.

CM Yogi outlined the state’s achievements under his government, noting that Uttar Pradesh had become the second-largest economy in India, up from the seventh-largest in 2017. He also pointed to improvements in infrastructure, including road networks and irrigation projects, which have benefitted millions of farmers.

The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of education, health, and poverty eradication, mentioning initiatives such as the Atal Residential Schools for the children of workers and the Chief Minister’s Composite Schools in every development block. He noted that the state had successfully curbed criminal activities, ensuring a safer environment during festivals, turning the state from ‘one district, one mafia’ to ‘one district, one medical college.’

In addition, Yogi Adityanath highlighted that Maharajganj had become the top district in Uttar Pradesh under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Yojana, where 1,000 youths are receiving interest-free loans and noted the development was being carried out without discrimination and that the state was on a path of significant progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also distributed cheques, tablets, Ayushman cards, and appointment letters to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, provided a loan to entrepreneurs under the Yuva Udyami Yojana, and distributed financial assistance to the families of individuals who had contributed to public welfare.

The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, State Water Power Minister Swatantradev Singh, and other local representatives. (ANI)

India and other Quad nations stand with the people of Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of the earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. The Quad nations – India, the US, Australia, and Japan – have joined hands to contribute more than 20 million in humanitarian aid and are coordinating with other partners, including ASEAN, to provide life-saving assistance.

These efforts of India come in addition to the bilateral aid sent by New Delhi to Naypyidaw.

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India, along with Quad partners, stands with the people of Myanmar & Thailand in the wake of the March 28 earthquake. For Myanmar, alongside our bilateral aid, we’ve joined hands with our Quad partners to contribute over USD 20M in humanitarian aid & are coordinating with other partners, including ASEAN, to deliver life-saving assistance.”

India launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance, following the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok on Friday and conveyed India’s support to Myanmar in its hour of need following a devastating earthquake that killed thousands, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Friday.

Addressing a special briefing on PM Modi’s visit to Thailand, Misri stated, “The PM conveyed to the Senior General that as the first responder, India stands with Myanmar in the hour of need and is ready to deploy more material assistance as needed.”

“The PM also underlined the importance of early restoration of the democratic process in Myanmar through credible elections,” he said.

Myanmar is currently recovering from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the nation on March 28, following which India, being the first responder in times of crisis in the neighbourhood, had been providing vital assistance to the country.

India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is actively leading the efforts as part of Operation Bharma, with rescue and relief operations underway in Myanmar.NDRF

Deputy Commander Kunal Tiwari, who is overseeing the search and rescue operations, shared insights into the ongoing efforts on Wednesday.

Tiwari mentioned that the NDRF team consists of 80 personnel, supported by four specially trained canines and advanced equipment for rigging, lifting, cutting, and bridging. As part of Operation Brahma, India has already delivered 625 metric tons of humanitarian aid and disaster relief materials to Myanmar as of Tuesday. (ANI)

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to India’s security and regional stability, stating, “I reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s stand that it will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.”

He was speaking in Colombo following delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a State visit to the island nation.

The President also sought Prime Minister Modi’s support on a key maritime issue. “I requested Prime Minister Modi’s intervention in convening early bilateral technical discussions pertaining to Sri Lanka’s claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for the Establishment of the Outer limits of the Continental Shelf beyond Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.

Dissanayake highlighted the potential for cooperation in technology and governance, adding, “Sri Lanka recognises the importance of developing a digital economy to drive growth, innovation and efficiency. Furthering this policy initiative, Prime Minister Modi and I discussed possible collaboration in digitalisation in multiple domains.”

Acknowledging India’s role in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, he stated, “I thank the Government of India for the financial grant of Indian Rupees 300 crores to implement Sri Lanka’s unique Digital Identity Project.”

President Dissanayake also announced that Sri Lanka will honour Prime Minister Modi with its highest civilian award. “I am pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to confer upon him the highest Sri Lanka honour – Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana… Prime Minister Modi highly deserves this honour; that is what we firmly believe.”

Underscoring the long-standing bond between the two neighbours, the President said, “The friendship between India and Sri Lanka is very close… We are neighbours with deep historical, religious and cultural ties that go back over a long period of time and our time-tested relationship is built on shared values, mutual respect and common interests.”

The two leaders met for formal delegation-level talks earlier in the day. They warmly greeted each other before the discussions began. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other senior officials. During the meeting, India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE also signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of both heads of state.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of President Dissanayake. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is focused on reviewing progress in priority areas identified under the Joint Vision for “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future,” which was adopted during the Sri Lankan President’s visit to India.

Earlier on Saturday, Sri Lanka accorded PM Modi a ceremonial welcome at Independence Square–the first time a visiting leader has received such an honour. Modi’s arrival on Friday marked his first visit to the country since 2019 and follows his participation in the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.

Despite heavy rain, six Sri Lankan ministers received PM Modi at the airport. “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka,” he posted on X. Later, the Prime Minister interacted with the Indian diaspora and witnessed a traditional puppet performance. He is also scheduled to visit Anuradhapura to inaugurate India-funded development projects. (ANI)

The mortal remains of legendary actor and director Manoj Kumar were brought to his residence in Mumbai for family members and close friends to pay their last respects.

The ambulance carrying the actor’s body from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai was adorned with garlands and flowers as a tribute to the superstar, who left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Manoj Kumar, affectionately known as “Bharat Kumar” for his portrayal of patriotic roles, passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87. His passing marks the end of an era in the Indian film industry.

The actor’s last rites will be performed today, April 5, 2025, at around 11:30 am at Pawan Hans in Vile Parle, Mumbai, as confirmed by his son, Kunal Goswami.

Born as Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Manoj Kumar became a household name for his roles in patriotic films.

His iconic performances in movies like ‘Upkar’ (1967), ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ (1970), ‘Kranti’ (1981) and ‘Shaheed’ (1965) earned him the title of “Bharat Kumar.”

His work not only entertained audiences but also instilled a sense of national pride.

Apart from acting, Kumar was also a successful director and producer. His directorial debut, ‘Upkar’, won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.

His other major successes as a director include ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ and ‘Roti Kapda Aur Makaan’ (1974), both of which were critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Kumar also earned prestigious awards, such as the Padma Shri (1992) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015).

Manoj Kumar’s death has shocked the nation, with tributes pouring in from political leaders and prominent figures in the film industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects, calling Kumar an “icon of Indian cinema,” acknowledging his ability to inspire national pride through his films.

President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and several other political figures also expressed their grief, praising the actor’s significant contributions to Indian cinema and his unwavering dedication to patriotic storytelling. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that his administration had been working on a deal to “save TikTok” and said that he would be signing an executive order to keep the app operational for an additional 75 days.

Sharing a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, “My administration has been working very hard on a deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress. The deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days.”

Trump further expressed hope that discussions with China would continue in “good faith,” acknowledging that China was displeased with the US reciprocal tariffs. He defended these tariffs as essential for ensuring fair and balanced trade between the two countries. Trump emphasised that the goal was to prevent TikTok from “going dark.”

“We hope to continue working in good faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our reciprocal tariffs (Necessary for fair and balanced trade between China and the USA!). This proves that tariffs are the most powerful economic tool and very important to our national security! We do not want TikTok to “go dark.” We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the post added.

Notably, the announcement comes just one day before the ban was set to go into effect, after Trump delayed by an initial 75 days when he took office in January, according to CNN.

Last year, former President Joe Biden enacted a law that mandated TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, based in China, to sell off the app or face a ban in the United States due to national security concerns. While the law was initially scheduled to take effect in January, Trump announced he would postpone its enforcement in an effort to negotiate an agreement that would keep the app “alive.”

A ByteDance spokesperson said the TikTok parent company “has been in discussion with the US government regarding a potential solution for TikTok US.”

“An agreement has not been executed. There are key matters to be resolved. Any agreement will be subject to approval under Chinese law,” the ByteDance spokesperson said in a statement, CNN reported. (ANI)

J.P. Morgan has predicted that the United States economy will likely fall into a recession this year, largely due to the impact of new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.

In a note to investors released on Friday evening, the firm’s chief U.S. economist, Michael Feroli, said that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to contract “under the weight of the tariffs.”

According to a report by news website The Hill, Feroli added that the recession is also forecasted to “push the unemployment rate up to 5.3 [percent].”

This gloomy outlook came shortly after President Trump announced, on April 2, the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on many countries. The move is part of his administration’s attempt to rebalance trade relationships with major U.S. trading partners.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell also expressed concern about the potential impact of these new tariffs.

Speaking on Friday at a business journalism conference, Powell said the new tariffs would cause much greater damage and possible economic damage than previously expected. He noted that this development could make the Federal Reserve’s efforts to control inflation more difficult.

“While uncertainty remains elevated, it is now becoming clear that the tariff increases will be significantly larger than expected. The same is likely to be true of the economic effects, which will include higher inflation and slower growth,” Powell said.

According to President Trump’s tariff plan, a 10 percent tariff will be applied to imports from all countries starting April 5. Additionally, from April 9 onwards, countries with the largest trade deficits with the U.S. will face higher, individualised tariffs. India is one of the countries affected, with a 26 percent tariff imposed on all its exports.

Despite this, global brokerage firm Jefferies offered a more positive view regarding the impact on India. The firm noted that key Indian export sectors–such as information technology (IT) services, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles–are not directly impacted by the new tariffs.

Jefferies described the 26 percent tariff as “reasonable” when compared to tariffs on other countries.

However, the firm also cautioned that the broader economic slowdown in the U.S. could still hurt Indian exports, especially in sectors like IT services.

“The 27 per cent (now corrected in a document to 26 per cent) tariff on India is looking reasonable from a relative perspective. Bigger worries are on weaker US economic outlook, which is a -ve for IT services and other exporters. However, it warned that a weakening US economy could hurt demand for Indian exports, especially in IT services,” Jefferies said. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu BJP chief BJP K Annamalai on Friday triggered speculations about him stepping down as the chief of Tamil Nadu BJP after he claimed that a “leader will be selected unanimously” and he is “not in the race.”

“There is no contest in Tamil Nadu BJP, we will select a leader unanimously. But I am not in the race. I am not in the BJP state leadership race,” Annamalai said while speaking to reporters here today.

His remarks today come days after a meeting of AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswamy wth Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi along with other party leaders. Assembly elections in the State are slated to be held in Tamil Nadu in 2026.

The meeting gave rise to speculations about the return of the BJP-AIADMK alliance ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. However, leaders from neither side confirmed the real objective of the meeting.

Edapaddi K Palaniswami had addressed the media on the issue on March 26 and stated that the decision on the alliance will be made once the elections nears.

Palaniswami had said, “On alliance, I have already spoken several times. Is any party firm on alliance? Are parties in DMK alliance firm? We can’t tell. This is politics, as per the political situation, changes will happen. How can we tell now itself? When did we form an alliance at the time of 2019 elections? It was February when we made the announcement. Similarly, we will have talks with like-minded parties and make a decision on alliance when elections come near. If you ask now, how can I tell you about it? We will let you know you know our alliance status.”

He further said that they gave a memorandum to the Home Minister on current issues in the state.

In the past two elections of the Lok Sabha and previous assembly polls, AIADMK has not been able to put up a strong show and has also faced factionalism. BJP is keen to improve its prospects in Tamil Nadu after a determined effort in the last Lok Sabha polls in which it could not win a seat in the southern state.

AIADMK had got into an alliance with the BJP after the demise of J Jayalalithaa’s in 2016.

The DMK won both the 2019 Lok Sabha and the 2021 Assembly elections the DMK also won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The AIADMK and BJP were in an alliance for the 2021 state elections, during which the BJP won four seats. It however broke off ties with the BJP in the year 2023. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented exquisite gifts showcasing the grandeur of Indian handicrafts to the Thai Prime Minister and her spouse during his visit to Bangkok.

PM Modi gifted a Dokra Brass Peacock Boat with a Tribal Rider to PM Shinawatra. The boat is a stunning example of traditional Indian metal craft, originating from the tribal communities of Chhattisgarh. It was made using the ancient lost-wax casting technique, with each piece handcrafted and unique.

Notably, the sculpture features a peacock-shaped boat, symbolizing grace and cultural imagination, with intricate patterns and colorful lacquer inlays. A tribal rider calmly rowing represents the harmony between humans and nature, a central theme in Dokra art.

Crafted in brass, the piece develops a rich patina over time, enhancing its antique charm. Beyond its decorative appeal, this artifact preserves India’s tribal heritage, embodying simplicity, creativity, and a deep connection to nature.

PM Modi’s gift to spouse of Thai PM were Gold-Plated Tiger Motif Cufflinks with Pearls blend tradition, artistry, and modern sophistication. Featuring a majestic tiger face, they symbolize courage, leadership, and royalty.

The cufflinks feature intricate Meenakari work, a heritage craft from Rajasthan and Gujarat, that adds vibrant enamel detailing, reflecting India’s rich jewellery traditions.

Notably, a pearl bead border softens the bold design, creating a balance of strength and elegance. Crafted in high-quality silver with gold plating, these cufflinks come with a bullet-back closure, ensuring durability and ease of wear. More than accessories, they are wearable pieces of heritage.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. He welcomed the adoption of the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030 and the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Agreement.

PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to boosting cooperation across diverse sectors in the BIMSTEC region on Friday. He expressed hope that the efforts would make a positive difference in the member states of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi held a meeting with several world leaders, including Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu will be on state visits to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7-10, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a special briefing on Friday.

President Murmu will visit Portugal from 7-8 April at the invitation of President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The visit is taking place after a gap of 27 years, as the last State Visit took place in 1998 when President K R Narayanan visited Portugal. While from 9-10 April, President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Slovakia at the invitation of the Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini. It will be the first visit by the President of India to Slovakia in 29 years.

Speaking to media during the special briefing, Tanmay Lal Secretary (West) MEA, called the visits “two important landmark visits”.

Sharing the details of the visit to Portugal, Secretary Lal said that the visit becomes historic as it comes when India and Portugal are marking 50 years of the diplomatic relations and this visit will “take forward the friendship and partnership.”

“It is also 27 years since the last visit by a President from India to Portugal. So it’s a very symbolic and landmark visit. The President will be traveling to Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal”, he said.

Secretary Lal highlighted that the last few years show the high level exchange of visits between India and Portugal and that shows the degree of high-level engagement that is ongoing between the two countries.

Noting the events in which President Murmu will engage in Portugal, he highlighted that she will hold delegation-level talks with her counterpart, President Sousa.

“The President (Sousa) will also host a banquet dinner in her honour. The President will meet Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. She will also meet the Speaker of the Parliament of Portugal, Jose Pedro Aguiar Branco. The Mayor of Lisbon will also host a special event in her honour. President will also meet members of the Indian community in Portugal and she is likely to meet some Indian researchers from various universities and academic institutions”, he said.

Elaborating the details of the visit to Slovak Republic, Secretary (West), Tanmay Lal said, “The state visit of President is a historic visit. It is nearly three decades, since the last President visit to Slovakia from India. This is only the second ever state visit from India to Slovakia. In recent years, there has been lot of political engagement at a very high level.”

He highlighted that the visit comes 30 years after the establishment of the Indian embassy in Bratislava, which was done in 1995.

“With Slovakia also, there is a strong political momentum; at the same time, business engagement is going… There is significant Indian investment in Slovakia in a range of sectors from automobiles to engineering to IT. Slovakian businesses are also investing in India, in very diverse fields- manufacturing steel, IT hardware, railways”.

Highlighting the elements of the state visit, he said, “There will be delegation-level talks and meeting with the counterpart between the President and the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini. There will also be a meeting with the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. The President will also meet the Speaker of the National Council, which is the Parliament of Slovakia, Richard Rasi. The President of Slovakia will host a state banquet in honor of our President, and she will also meet the Indian community.”

Highlighting the ties between the two countries, he said, “The relationship also has close cultural ties. There are strong connections and studies of the Sanskrit language in Slovakia. Mahatma Gandhi’s works have been translated into the Slovak language. In one of the recent episodes of Man Ki Baat, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the translation of Upanishads into the Slovak language. And I may mention that in 2022, during the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine, Slovakia extended very valuable help. India-Slovakia relations are also important in the context of India-EU partnership”.

He underscored that both these state visits are coming at an important time in the individual bilateral partnerships.

“These will provide a very strong push to our ties, both with Portugal and with Slovakia. They also reflect India’s increasing engagement with individual countries in Europe… so we are very much looking forward to these two state visits by the President to Portugal and Slovakia”, he said in his remarks. (ANI)