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TN: Bull Training Begins For Jallikatu Ahead Of Pongal

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Ahead of the festival of Pongal, bull trainers in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai are gearing up for the famous ‘Jallikattu’.

More than 20 youths from Podumbu village of Madurai district have started training more than ten bulls for the competition. Bulls are being given training in walking and swimming.
Jallikattu, also known as ‘Eru Thazhuvuthal’ and ‘Mancuvirattu’, the intense sport will be held in a couple of weeks.

The process called ‘Mann Kuthal’ also takes place in which bulls are trained to develop their skills by digging their horns in the wet earth. Bulls are prepared to attack when someone tries to catch their hump.

Kottai Swami, a bull owner, said, “We have trained bulls in Jallikattu since 2017 and we have more than 10 bulls. Together with 20 of my friends we are training ten bulls for the Jallikattu competition. We are feeding the bulls with food like cotton seeds and Tamarind. We are training the bulls for walking, swimming, and Mann Kuthal.”

Further, he said that “We hope that the Supreme Court will give a verdict in favor of Jallikattu and CM Stalin and PM Modi should help us to hold the Jallikattu competition.”

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that the Jallikattu competition, the heroic sport of the Tamils, will be held as planned on the coming Pongal so Youngsters have ventured into training bulls for Jallikattu.

“I have been participating in Jallikattu since 2014. In the morning my friends get together and give walking training to bulls. We also provide training in swimming and Mann Kuthal, ” Saravana Kumar, another bull owner said. (ANI)

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SRK Complimented 5 Celebs In #AskSRK Session

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Bollywood’s ‘Badshah’ was all praises for some celebrities, during his #AskSRK session on Twitter.

The ‘Pathaan’ actor replied to a number of questions tweeted to him on the microblogging site yesterday. The questions ranged anywhere from asking for his fitness regime, his favorite shayari, and even his WhatsApp number. However, ‘King Khan’ humbly answered questions asking his opinion on personalities in the film industry, showering praises on some and revealing his willingness to work in films with others.
Here’s how the ‘Swades’ actor reacted to questions about 5 celebs during his series of questions and answers on Twitter.

1. Ram Charan

On being asked to say ‘one word’ about ‘RRR’ actor Ram Charan, the ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ actor replied, “He is an old friend and very loving to my kids”.

2. Arijit Singh

Another user asked the Bollywood superstar about his opinion on playback singer Arijit Singh. Shah Rukh didn’t hold back on complimenting the ‘Tera Yaar Hoon Main’ actor.

“Arijit is a gem,” the actor wrote. He further revealed that the next song from his film ‘Pathaan’ would feature his voice, hoping that everyone would ‘like it’.

3. Ayushmann Khurrana

“He’s a sweetheart,” Shah Rukh wrote in response to a user who asked the ‘Devdas’ actor for one word related to ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ actor Ayushmann Khurrana.

4. Yash

Shah Rukh’s response to giving ‘one word about Yash’, the actor from the Kannada film ‘KGF’ expressed all his wonderment and appreciation for the actor in a few words.

“Yash is wow!!” he wrote.

5. Rajnikanth

The ‘King Khan’ of Bollywood gave a humble response upon being asked if he would like to do films with ‘Thalaivaar’ Rajnikanth.

“Will be an honor,” Shah Rukh wrote, leading to fans rejoicing about the hype the film featuring both stars would have among fans. (ANI)

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Kiara Joins Ganesh For Dance-Off

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Actor Kiara Advani shared an electrifying moment from the sets of her upcoming film.

The ‘ Kabir Singh ‘ actor was seen shaking a leg to the song ‘Bijli’ from her film ‘Govinda Naam Mera’ along with Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya.

“With The Legend! I was so excited to be choreographed by Masterji for #Bijli,” she wrote.

The 30-year-old actor teased another collaboration with the National Award-winning choreographer in her upcoming film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’.

“Just us adding some Bijli on the sets of SatyaPremKiKatha as we shoot for the next song together,” she added to her story’s caption.

Kiara was last seen in the Bollywood film ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’. Helmed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Bhushan Kumar it was a blockbuster hit and collected over Rs 200 crores at the box office.

Kiara gathered a lot of appreciation for her performance in the film.

She was also seen in ‘Govinda Naam Mera’ alongside Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar. Helmed by Shashank Khaitan, the film was released exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on December 16, 2022.

In ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’, a romantic musical drama film, Kiara would be seen opposite ‘Freddy’ actor Kartik Aaryan. The film is all set to hit the theatres on June 29, 2023. (ANI)

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BJP Accuses Rahul Of Demoralising Army

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Bharatiya Janta Party on Saturday lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chinese soldiers beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh’ remark and said he should tell the country when will he leave behaving like ‘Jaichand’, a king seen as a traitor in many historical accounts.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said at a press conference that when the soldiers were displaying bravery and courage along the LAC with China, Rahul Gandhi was denting their morale.
“As Indians and as Bharatiya Janata Party, we are proud of the Indian Army. The soldiers who are beating the Chinese Army, showing them courage, why at that time India’s ‘Jaichand’ Rahul Gandhi is trying to break the morale of the Army,” Bhatia said.

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that “Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh” has drawn widespread and sharp criticism from several BJP leaders.

Rahul Gandhi had accused the Centre of “sleeping” while China makes “offensive preparations” across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) days after the Chinese Army’s attempt to change the status quo was thwarted by the Indian Army in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh

Bhatia said India has the bravest army in the world and the country is diplomatically capable.

“Let me tell Rahul Gandhi that this is not the India of 1962. Not a single inch of India’s land is under anyone’s control and no one has the courage to take it. We have the bravest army in the world, we are diplomatically capable. In such a situation, it is not possible that anyone can occupy even an inch of our land,” he said.

“Rahul Gandhi should tell the nation when will he leave his character or ‘Jaichand’. Replying to a question in Parliament in 2007, the then Congress-led government had said that 43,180 sq km of land came under illegal occupation of China during Congress rule,” he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had told Parliament earlier this week that Chinese troops had attempted to transgress the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in a bid to “unilaterally change the status quo”, but were given a firm and resolute response forcing the Chinese side to retreat.

He said the face-off led to a physical scuffle causing injuries to a few personnel on both sides but “there were no fatalities or serious casualties” to Indian soldiers.

“Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it,” he said. (ANI)

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Rajasthan HC Issues Notice To Ashok Gehlot

No Anti-Incumbency In State, Biggest Achievement: Gehlot

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that there is no anti-incumbency in the state and there cannot be a bigger achievement than this.

“Even after four years, the people of Rajasthan are not against the state government, usually, such a situation happens everywhere and people start finding faults but in Rajasthan, the situation is different. There can be no bigger achievement than this for the state government,” CM Ashok Gehlot said during his address on the completion of four years of Congress government in Rajasthan on December 17.
He then reiterated a demand from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement social security across the country.

To mark the occasion, many government programs were organized in Jaipur, including a development exhibition at the Jawahar Kala Kendra.

Talking about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), CM Gehlot said: “It is very important that the one who has served the government for 35 years gets security because it is high time for being concerned about social security. There should be a common policy for nationwide social security for which the finances should be managed by both the Centre and the states.”

Adding further, he said that Rajasthan implemented the OPS but the Centre interfered with it which is against the Constitution.

“The state government has the right to decide the pension. Pension is a state subject, so OPS shall continue. The Center cannot interfere in this. There is a provision in the constitution itself that the Right To Pension rests with the state governments,” Gehlot said.

Gehlot also slammed Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and accused him of “misleading and cheating” the people of Rajasthan.

“PM Modi himself promised the national project to Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project in the public meetings during the last elections here, but now the Center is stalling this scheme. Whatever scuffle is going on between former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Gajendra Singh is their personal but why should the public suffer for the personal clashes between them?” he said.

Meanwhile, he also said that it was only the Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) that helped the people during the Coronavirus pandemic and the state has also come up with the Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme in Rajasthan. (ANI)

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Delhi AQI ‘Very Poor’ Measuring At 322

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Delhi air stood at ‘very poor’ category on Sunday with Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 322. The Air Quality of the national capital, which was at a moderate level for the last few days, stooped to a new low, over the weekend.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s air quality was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday.
The air quality in the Delhi University area was recorded as ‘very poor’, with PM 2.5 at 333, whereas the AQI in Noida measured at 348. At Pusa, the AQI measured at 315.

Meanwhile, Lodhi Road and Mathura Road also experienced ‘very poor’ air quality with AQI at 306 and 390, respectively.

With AQI of most areas around the Delhi-NCR region measuring above 300, the AQI of Gurugram came in the ‘poor’ category at 266.

The Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered as good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 to 500 or above it is considered as severe.

Earlier, the air quality in Delhi was in the ‘moderate’ category, it deteriorated and reached the ‘very poor’ category.

The residents of the city have urged the government to take steps to control the ongoing menace of air pollution in the city. Some have even urged the government to bring back the odd-even rule in the city. “Air pollution is slightly less as compared to last year. The cold has also increased and the odd-even should be brought as soon as possible to curb the remaining air pollution,” said a resident. (ANI)

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I Am Constantly Experiencing A Bharat Jodo Yatra Inside Me

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Sanjay Verma, an Indore-based businessman, says participating in Bharat Jodo Yatra gave him fresh insights to understand the country and its plurality better

I saw the mass frenzy that Bharat Jodo Yatra public meetings are generating from my own eyes in Bellary, Karnataka. Almost one lakh people were present at that meeting. The ground was muddy due to the rain some hours back, but the crowd stood undeterred.

I am from the Hindi Belt and could not understand what the people around me were talking in Kannada but I was reading their facial expressions. Those faces had a rush of adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, and all sorts of hormones that produce joy. This was a wonderful sight after a long time.

Initially, I thought that the crowd was there due to a charismatic effect of Rahul Gandhi but no! The people had come to see and hear Siddaramaiah, their leader. When his name was announced, the crowd suddenly came to life. People started whistling, shouting slogans and stood up on their chairs to catch a glimpse of the stage. Siddharamaiya had to request for silence but no one seemed ready to hold their excitement. Once he had delivered his speech, people left the site. Thus I see the contribution of regional leaders in making Bharat Jodo Yatra a memorable connect.

***Verma (inset) joined the yatra during its Karnataka leg***

I was compelled to think why this sort of mass hysteria is not found in the Hindi belt. Is this a sign that we are more of a mature constituency or it shows a lack of collective empathy on our part? Is it also a sign of intense love in the South Indian people as compared to ours? It has always been a mystery for psychologists why people behave in a specific manner in person and mobs. Why do they make a leader out of someone and a villain out of others?

ALSO READ: ‘Rahul Said This Yatra Is His Tapasya’

People’s sentiments have no mathematical explanation as such. It is a question of internal realization that I felt after attending the Bharat Jodo Yatra event. Like any other travel experience this Yatra gave me fresh insights which helped me understand myself and the world better.

Was that hysterical mass behavior genetic? Or something that has to do with the collective memory that may be different from ours? Can this be regarded as a failure of the leaders from North India?

My identity is a maze. By birth, I am a Sindhi but my Hindi is like a resident of Uttar Pradesh. My surname speaks of coming from a lower caste. My friends tell me I can pass off as a South Indian in looks. My hobbies and companionship are literary but by profession, I am an industrialist. My wife is a Punjabi Sardar and my daughter-in-law is a Marwadi. I am an atheist though I participate in all religious festivals with my family.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Slogans Raised In Support Of Sachin Pilot In Rajasthan

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

As the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra’s Rajasthan leg resumed from Kalakho in Dausa on Sunday, slogans in support of Rajasthan’s former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot were raised again in the Gujjar community’s leader’s citadel.

Dausa is an erstwhile Parliamentary constituency and bastion of Sachin Pilot, son of Congress Stalwart Rajesh Pilot, who himself was five times MP from Dausa constituency.
Rahl Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra started from Kalakho in Dausa at around 6:00 am today, the foot march is scheduled to take a break approach the Sikandra Police Station.

Resuming the Padyatra again from the Tollgate at 3:30 pm, the Yatra will reach Bandikui, Dausa.

Earlier on Friday also, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra’s 100th day in the Dausa district, the espousals of Congress leader Sachin Pilot raised slogans in his support.

Notably, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is also believed to soon be reaching Dausa and joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra on its 102nd Day.

Rajasthan is the only Congress-ruled state where the yatra will cover around 500 km over 17 days before entering Haryana on December 21. People in large numbers were seen joining the march holding banners and party flags.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra will cover 3,570 km by next year. It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress has claimed.

Rahul Gandhi aims to mobilize the party cadre and unite the general public against the alleged “divisive politics in the country”.

So far, the Bharat Jodo Yatra has covered parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, and is now in Rajasthan. It will end in Kashmir next year. (ANI)

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When Will India Have ‘China Pe Charcha’: Kharge

By LokMarg 17th December 2022

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday slammed the central government over the “Chinese build-up” on the borders and asked when will the nation have “China Pe Charcha?”

In a tweet, Kharge emphasised the Chinese build-up in Doklam and said that it was “threatening” India’s ‘Siliguri corridor’. He also said that the matter is of utmost concern now.

Kharge took to Twitter and said: Chinese build-up in Doklam up to “Jampheri Ridge” is threatening India’s strategic “Siliguri Corridor” — the gateway to the Northeastern States! This is of utmost concern for our National Security! @narendramodi ji, When will the nation have . . . “CHINA PE CHARCHA”?

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was among 17 Opposition leaders who raised the issue to hold a detailed discussion on the clash when the House assembled on Wednesday and Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed ‘Zero Hour’ so that parliamentarians could raise their issues.

As the Opposition’s demand to hold the discussion on the India-China border clash was not allowed by the Chair, the 17 parties staged a walkout.

The MPs demanded the suspension of ‘Zero Hour’ to have a discussion on the issue which needs immediate measures to combat such aggressions and protect India’s interests along the international border.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector occurred on December 9 amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Centre of “sleeping” while China makes “offensive preparations” across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Gandhi, during a press conference in Rajasthan, had flagged a “clear threat from China” and claimed that the neighbouring country is “preparing for war” and alleged that the Centre is “hiding and not accepting it”.

“There is a clear threat from China. The government is trying to hide it and ignore it. But that threat cannot be ignored or hidden. China is making offensive preparation on the side of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian government is in slumber. It doesn’t want to hear it. China is preparing for war, not for an incursion. If you see the pattern of their weapons, they are preparing for war. Our government is hiding it and is not accepting it,” Gandhi said.

However, Gandhi’s remarks invited huge backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party which strongly condemned the statement for “demoralising” the Indian Army.

The BJP today hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his remark and said Congress should immediately expel him from the party.

BJP National spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia addressing a press conference in New Delhi said, “Being an Indian Bharatiya Janata Party is proud of the Indian Army, we are proud of our Army.

The soldiers who are beating the Chinese army on the border, are showing their strength. Why is ‘Jaichand’ Rahul Gandhi doing the work of breaking the morale of our army?

BJP President JP Nadda also condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement works to demoralize our Army; no matter how much it is condemned, it is less. Indian army is a symbol of bravery and valour. We know that the Communist Party of China had signed MoU with the Congress party,” Nadda said. (ANI)

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Modi To Visit Meghalaya, Tripura On Sunday, Unveil Infra Projects

By LokMarg 17th December 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Meghalaya and Tripura on December 18 and unveil projects worth over Rs 6,800 crore.

The projects encompass a wide array of sectors including housing, road, agriculture, telecom, IT, tourism and hospitality.

In Shillong, Prime Minister will participate in the golden jubilee celebration of the North Eastern Council. The Council was formally inaugurated on November 7, 1972.

An official release said NEC has played a key role in the socio-economic development of the North Eastern region and has lent support to various infrastructure projects and other development initiatives across all states of the region.

It has helped create valuable capital and social infrastructure, especially in critical gap areas of sectors including education, health, sports, water resources, agriculture, tourism, industry, among others.

At around 10:30 am, the Prime Minister will attend the meeting of the North Eastern Council at the State Convention Centre, Shillong.

At a public function later, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects worth over Rs 2450 crore.

In a step that will further boost telecom connectivity in the region, Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation 4G mobile towers, of which more than 320 have been completed and around 890 are under construction.

PM Modi will inaugurate the new campus of IIM Shillong at Umsawli. He will inaugurate Shillong-Diengpasoh Road, which will provide better connectivity to the new Shillong satellite township and decongest Shillong. He will also inaugurate four other road projects across three states – Meghalaya, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.

PM Modi will inaugurate the Spawn Laboratory at Mushroom Development Center in Meghalaya to enhance mushroom spawn production and also provide skill training for farmers and entrepreneurs.

He will also inaugurate the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Meghalaya to improve the livelihood of beekeeping farmers through capacity building and technology upgradation.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate 21 Hindi libraries in Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and Assam.

The release said that Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of six road projects across the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. He will also lay the foundation stone of the Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre at Tura and Shillong Technology Park Phase -II.

The Technology Park Phase II will have a built-up area of about 1.5 lakh square feet.

It will provide new opportunities for professionals and is expected to create more than 3000 jobs. The Integrated Hospitality and Convention Centre will have a convention hub, guest rooms, food court and other facilities and will provide the necessary infrastructure for promoting tourism and showcasing cultural heritage in the region.

PM Modi will then travel to Agartala and in a public function at around 2:45 pm inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone of various key initiatives worth over Rs. 4350 crores.

A significant focus of the Prime Minister has been on ensuring that everyone has a house of their own. Prime Minister will launch the Grih Pravesh program for beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Rural. These houses, developed at a cost of over Rs 3400 crore will cover over 2 lakh beneficiaries.

With a focus on improving road connectivity, Prime Minister will inaugurate the project for widening of Agartala bypass (Khayerpur – Amtali) NH-08, which will help ease traffic congestion in Agartala city. He will also lay the foundation stones for 32 roads of more than 230 km in length under PMGSY III (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) and for the improvement of 112 roads covering a distance of over 540 km.

Prime Minister will also inaugurate the State Institute of Hotel Management at Anandnagar and Agartala Government Dental College. (ANI)

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