Author: LokMarg

The last rites of veteran actor Shiv Subrahmanyam will be conducted at Mokshdham Hindu Shamshanbhoomi, Andheri, Mumbai on Monday morning.

Taking to Instagram, filmmaker Hansal Mehta mourned the demise of Subrahmanyam and shared the details of his funeral. According to his post, Subrahmanyam’s cremation ceremony will take place from 11 am onwards.
“The funeral will leave from Shishira, Yamuna Nagar, Lokhandwala Back road, Andheri West at 10 am, 11.04.2022. The cremation will be at 11 am at Mokshdham Hindu Shamshanbhoomi, Ceasar Rd, Amboli, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400058,” Hansal wrote.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to Subrahmanyam’s family members.

“With profound and heartfelt grief, we wish to inform you of the passing of one of the most dignified and noble souls to inhabit human form – our dearest Shiv Subrahmanyam. Incredibly talented, he was much loved and revered personally as well as professionally. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Diyya, her mum, dad, Rohan, Rinki, and family; Bhanu chitti and all of Shiv’s family; and his huge legion of friends and fans,” Hansal grieved.

The cause of death is knot known at the moment.

Subrahmanyam, best known for writing the screenplay for ‘Parinda’, was last featured in ‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on April 11 to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will meet virtually with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on Monday, April 11 to further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and our people,” the White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

The leaders will discuss ending the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the global economy and bolstering “security, democracy and prosperity” in the Indo-Pacific.

“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Psaki added.

According to the White House, Biden will continue close consultations on the consequences of “Russia’s war against Ukraine” and mitigate its impact on global food supply and commodity markets.

PM Modi and Biden last spoke during the Quad Leaders meet in March.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a separate statement, informed that the two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest.

“The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the MEA said.

The virtual meeting is scheduled to precede the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. (ANI)

Nomination papers of Pakistan joint opposition candidate Shehbaz Sharif and PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been approved for the Prime Minister’s election slated to take place on April 11.

Earlier, Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif submitted the nomination papers for the top seat. The nomination papers have been approved for the PM’s election.

Shehbaz Sharif is most likely to become the next Prime Minister of the country. According to sources, PML-N has collected more than one nomination paper for the election from the NA secretariat. The nomination papers will go under scrutiny at 3.00 pm and a list of the candidates will be displayed after scrutiny.

The National Assembly session to elect the new premier will now be held at 2.00 pm on Monday (tomorrow), contrary to a previous schedule of 11.00 am.

Security measures ahead of the Prime Minister’s election are set in place. Strict security is in place around the D-chowk. Furthermore, roads leading to Parliament will be opened after the election of the new premier, as per the news channel.

The voting on the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government began in the country’s National Assembly late on Saturday night where 174 members have recorded their votes in favour of the resolution that ousted the Imran Khan. (ANI)

On the occasion of Ram Navami, a clash broke out between students backed by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Left-backed students on the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in the national capital on Sunday.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Sunday protested at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, demanding that non-vegetarian food should not be prepared in the mess on the occasion of Ram Navami.

The ABVP also accused the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Left-backed students of preventing them from worshipping on Ram Navami. “Left and NSUI workers created a ruckus during pooja in the university on the occasion of Ram Navami. There is no angle of non-veg. They have a problem with programs on the occasion of Ram Navami,” said Rohit Kumar, ABVP’s JNU wing president

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police officials have reached the spot to ascertain details about the situation. “Presently the situation is peaceful. Both the student parties are protesting peacefully. Appropriate legal action will be taken on receipt of the complaint. The situation is peaceful”, said DCP South West Manoj C.

A JNU student, Sarika told ANI, “I was the former vice-president of JNUSU. In the afternoon today, a message went viral on social media that ABVP members are not allowing non-veg food inside the campus. The mess usually prepares non-veg food items on weekends. However, ABVP members did not let this food to be prepared.”

“Following this, a clash broke out between student unions inside the campus. Many hostel students did not get food on time as food was not prepared in adequate quantity,” she said.

Another JNU student said, “A clash occurred around 4-5 pm today. ABVP alleged that their religious sentiments will be hurt if non-veg food will be served on the occasion of Ram Navami.”

Reportedly, a number of protestors have been injured and have been shifted to the nearby hospitals. A few students are still protesting in the vicinity of the campus.

A week ago, on April 5, South Delhi Mayor Mukesh Suryan said there was “no need to open meat shops” during Navratri claiming that “most people do not consume non-vegetarian food” during this period. Notably, the JNU campus falls under the jurisdiction of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. (ANI)

Uttarakhand will soon begin the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Sunday.

Days after Dhami took oath as the Chief Minister of the state, he said that he will try to fulfill all the promises made by the party.

Addressing a public gathering today in the capital city, Dhami said, “We will fulfill all the promises. We’ll implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state. We have also launched ‘1064 Anti-Corruption Mobile App’ where you can lodge complaints and I assure you that strict action will be taken.”

In March, the Uttarakhand government announced that it will form a “high-powered” expert panel to prepare a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state. The decision was taken at the first state cabinet committee meeting headed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a day after the new government was sworn in.

With this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in March this year said that Uttarakhand would be the first state to implement the UCC.

The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply to all citizens equally regardless of their religion, sex, gender and sexual orientation. Currently, the personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.

The code comes under Article 44 of the Constitution which lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India. Notably, in BJP’s 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, BJP promised the implementation of UCC if it comes to power. (ANI)

Several people, including police personnel, were injured in a Ram Navami procession after two groups of people were pelted with stones from both sides, said Madhya Pradesh police in Khargone on Sunday.

The stone-pelting started at the very beginning of the procession leaving around four people injured including a police inspector.

After four houses were set on fire, a curfew had been imposed in the area and people have been advised to stay indoors.

“Curfew has been imposed in Talab Chowk, Gaushala Marg, Motipura, areas. A large number of police forces have been deployed,” informed Additional District Magistrate, SS Mujalda.

Collector Anugrah P, Superintendent of Police (SP) P Siddharth Chaudhary, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Milind Dhoke took charge of the situation.

Further investigations are underway. (ANI)

Sitaram Yechury has been re-elected as the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday in the 23rd Party Congress held in the Kannur district of Kerala.

He was chosen to lead the party by an 85-member new Central Committee that was elected at the Party Congress.

He was first elected to the post on April 9, 2015 in the 21st Party Congress held in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. In the 22nd Party Congress held in Hyderabad in 2018, Yechury bagged the second term for the highest post in the left party.

He succeeded Prakash Karat who had held the top post in the party for three consecutive terms from 2005 to 2015.

Yechury’s responsibility is to revive the party, at present CPI (M) has only been restricted to three states i.e. Kerala, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.

During the ongoing event (Congress) he had declared party is giving priority to regional alliances with an aim to weaken Bharatiya Janata Party.

“CPI(M) was ready for electoral alliances with secular parties. He said the party was giving priority to regional alliances with the aim of weakening the BJP in all states,” Yechury.

The 85-member new Central Committee is consisted of 15 women and 17 new cadres, while the 17-member Politburo has three new entrants.

The 17 elected members of the politburo are Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat, Pinarayi Vijayan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Brinda Karat, Manik Sarkar, Md Salim, Surjya Kanta Mishra, BV Raghavulu, Tapan Sen, Nilotpal Basu, M A Baby, G Ramakrishnan, Subhashini Ali, Ramchandra Dome, Dr Ashok Dhawale and A Vijayaraghavan.

The CPI (M) 23rd Congress was held in Kannur, Kerala from 6 to 10 April. (ANI)

In a bid to find a solution to the current economic, political and social crisis in the country, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be holding a crucial meeting with 41 MPs who recently quit the ruling dispensation.

The meeting between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and President Rajapaksa is scheduled to be held at 7.00 pm this evening, reported Daily Mirror.

The information of the decisive and crucial meeting was given by the former President and SLFP leader Maithripala Siriserna.

Addressing the media at the party office today morning, he said the main objective of the meeting was to coerce President Rajapaksa to form an interim administration under an all-party Cabinet sans Rajapaksas with the least number of portfolios, reported Daily Mirror.

“Before the interim administration is set up, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution must be re-introduced with added powers to curtail the executive powers of the executive presidency,” he added.

The entire country is demanding the removal of the Rajapaksa clan and President Rajapaksa from power in Sri Lanka.

It seems that the protests and agitations against the President and the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government will not subside as long as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains in power, reported Daily Mirror.

“But it is a long process and takes time. The people need immediate solutions to their current grievances such as the power outage, the skyrocketing price of essential commodities, food shortage, the ever-escalating Cost of Living and many more. If we are to find immediate solutions to these pressing issues, first and foremost action must be taken to form a stable government,” Sirisena said.

The SLFP is of the view that an all-party interim government with no involvement of the Rajapaksa clan will win public confidence as there will be no unnecessary directives or orders from the executive with the re-introduction of the Constitutional provisions of the 19th Amendment.

“To do this, the SLFP expects the support and blessings of all political parties represented in Parliament,” Sirisena stressed.

Sri Lanka is battling a severe economic crisis with food and fuel scarcity affecting a large number of the people in the island nation. The economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has, incidentally, affected its capacity to import food and fuel, leading to the power cuts in the country. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries. (ANI)

After Imran Khan was voted out of office by the Pakistani Parliament, renowned economist Atif Mian explained how the former Pakistan Prime Minister inherited a bad economy but left it in even worse shape.

Taking to Twitter, the economist said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government lacked understanding of the economic challenges and that there’s been zero increase in average income in the country.

In a series of tweets, he said Covid-19 gave temporary respite to the balance of payment (BOP) crisis as oil imports and domestic demand contracted due to the pandemic.

“PM (Imran Khan) voted out of office by parliament after 3.5 years. He inherited a bad economy, but leaves it in even worse shape,” Mian tweeted.

“There’s been zero increase in average income, and Pakistan never got out of the balance of payment (bop) crisis. Covid gave temporary respite to bop crisis as oil imports and domestic demand contracted due to pandemic, but with pandemic receding, is back in serious trouble,” he said in another tweet.

According to the Pakistani-American economist, the larger failure was an incapacity to understand Pak’s macro challenges.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) inherited a currency crisis that was already months in motion, Mian said. “Yet the new government had done no planning. Precious time and reserves were wasted with silly schemes,” he added.

The Pakistani parliament ousted Imran Khan in a vote of no confidence in the early hours of Sunday, media said.

As many as 174 lawmakers in the 342-strong lower house of parliament voted in favour of the no-confidence motion launched by opposition parties. (ANI)

SS Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ set another benchmark at the box office and entered the Rs 1000 crore club worldwide within 16 days of its release.

The only other films to have crossed 1000 crore globally are ‘Dangal’ and Rajamouli’s ‘Baahubali 2’. With this, the epic becomes the third highest-grossing Indian film ever, overtaking ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Secret Superstar’ and ‘PK’.

Interestingly, India’s biggest action drama, ‘RRR’ was also the first Indian film to release in Dolby Cinema.

‘RRR’ narrates a fictionalised tale of India’s freedom fighters Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) and Alluri Seetharama Raju (Ram Charan) in pre-independence India and has been unstoppable at the box office ever since its release, especially within the mass circuits.

The film included a star-studded lineup including Ram Charan, Jr NTR, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, and Alison.

Jayanti Lal Gada of PEN Studios bagged the theatrical distribution rights across North India and also bought worldwide electronic rights for all languages. Pen Marudhar distributed the film in the North Territory.

The Telugu-language period action drama film was produced by DVV Danayya of DVV Entertainments and released on 25th March 2022. (ANI)