Author: LokMarg

With the aim to expand its political influence in other states including Gujarat where elections are slated to be held later this year, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that if voted to power in Gujarat, he will make sure that it lasts for 5 years.

“People of BJP-Congress bring manifestoes, resolution letters which are false. But I am giving you a guarantee, not an election promise. When you buy a Television set, you get a guarantee of 2 years. But, if you chose the Kejriwal government, you get a guarantee of 5 years,” Kejriwal said.
Notably, on February 14, 2014, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister after failing to table the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly. He recommended the dissolution of the Assembly. Later, Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party had won 67 of the 70 constituencies in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, leaving the BJP with three seats and the INC with none. In those elections, he was again elected from the New Delhi constituency, defeating Nupur Sharma by 31,583 votes. He took oath on February 14, 2015, as Delhi’s chief minister for a second time at Ramlila Maidan. Since then his party has passed the Jan Lokpal Bill though with some differences.

Speaking further at the rally today, Kejriwal said, “Change the politics of Gujarat. This (I Love You) ILU-ILU politics of BJP and Congress will stop. Voting for Congress means voting for BJP. Congress leaders will switch to BJP before or after elections. This election is directly between AAP and BJP.”

In July this year, Prime Minister had said, “This Rewari culture is dangerous for the development of the country. Those with Rewari culture will never build new expressways, new airports or defence corridors for you. Together we have to defeat this mentality, remove Revdi culture from the politics of the country.”

Responding to this, Kejriwal said, “These people abuse me saying that ‘Kejriwal is looting money, distributing free revri’. Kejriwal is not going to SWISS Bank with money, he is wasting public money on the public.”

In a sharp attack against its opponents, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that Gujarat Congress will soon merge with the Gujarat BJP unit as they have “love brewing” between them.

“The election of Gujarat will be between AAP and BJP. Gujarat Congress is going to merge with Gujarat BJP. (I love you) ILU-ILU of BJP-Congress will end. On one hand, there is “27 years of misrule” of the BJP and on the other hand, there is “new politics” of AAP,” Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference today.

Keeping the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections in mind, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday made a bunch of promises ranging from providing a free electricity supply to improving the healthcare services in the state.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader claimed that about 25 lakh households in Punjab have just recently got electricity bills of zero rupees and many of the people residing in Delhi are also privileged for the same. Notably, AAP is in power both in Punjab and Delhi.

Addressing a press conference here today, Kejriwal said, “Our first promise is regarding power supply. People in Gujarat are in misery. The bills are too high. We have made power supply free in Delhi. About 25 lakh households in Punjab have just recently got zero electricity bills.”

“Soon, a total of Punjab 51 lakh households would get just zero bills. We would also ensure a round-the-clock power supply here in Gujarat. We would also waive off the bills from the previous year,” he said.

Kejriwal also assured to provide employment to the unemployed youth in Gujarat. “The youths here rue the lack of livelihoods. In just a few years, we have provided employment to 12 lakh youths in Delhi. We had also provided employment to the unemployed here. And until that happens, the unemployed would be on the dole of Rs 3,000 rupees per month,” he said.

Kejriwal further alleged that BJP has waived off loans worth Rs 10-lakh-crores of its “friends”. “It should be investigated as to why did BJP take this step and how much money did they give to BJP for charity,” he added.

“AAP’s popularity is growing in Gujarat! I asked the people whether we should provide free education, health, and electricity here. 99 per cent of the people said that there should be free education, 97 per cent of the people said that there should be free treatment in healthcare, 91 per cent said there should be free electricity,” he said.

Arvind Kejriwal is on a two-day visit to Gujarat from Saturday as part of his campaign ahead of the Assembly polls likely to be held in December this year. (ANI)

Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday flayed Rajasthan Chief Minister for making “controversial statements to hide failures”.

The remarks came as a reaction to the CM’s statement on Friday in Delhi during the demonstration by Congress against the Central government over price rise and unemployment.
He had said that “after the Nirbhaya case, the demand to hang the accused gained momentum and after that, the law came into force. Since then, there has been an increase in the cases of murder of women after rape.”

“Due to the law on the hanging of culprits after the Nirbhaya case, the incidents of murder after rape have increased. This is a dangerous trend being seen in the country,” said Rajasthan CM.

Soon after the CM’s remarks, the BJP has been targetting the state for the unstable law and order.

He sought an apology from Gehlot and also asked for clarification from Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stating, “On one hand, the party gives slogans like ‘I am a girl, I can fight (Ladki hu, lad Sakti hu)’ and on the other hand, their Chief Ministers give such comments on the laws taken out for the safety of the girls.”

“He (Gehlot) should justify the statements he has made for hiding the failures of their government,” he said adding that it is the demand of the Bharatiya Janata Party to receive an explanation on the matter from the party’s (Congress) end.

“A cognizance of the National Commission of Women should also be considered in the matter,” he added.

“The way Rajasthan government’s only priority is to protect the seat, it is ignorant of the atrocities that have happened in the state for last 3-3.5 years,” Shekhawat said. It is more unfortunate that the government is making such controversial remarks to cover up its failures and indolence, he added. (ANI)

Indian boxer Nitu Ghangas clinched a gold medal after defeating England’s Demie-Jade Resztan in the final of the women’s 48 kg category at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday.

She won on basis of points by 5-0 over her English opponent.
Ghangas was a notch above Resztan throughout the match. The English boxer was fighting well, but fell short in all three rounds as all five judges voted in favour of Ghangas.

Indian boxer Nitu Ghangas assured the nation of another medal after reaching the final of the Minimum weight (over 45 kg- 48 kg) category by defeating Priyanka Dhillion of Canada in the semifinal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Saturday.

The match lasted for only one minute and thirty seconds. Nitu’s boxing prowess was such that the match could not go beyond the second round and Ghangas won it via referee stoppage.

Ghangas was superb in these two rounds and gained approval from all judges though Dhillon competed well.

22-year-old Nitu is one of the quickest boxers in her category. Dynamic and instrumental inside the ring, the Haryana pugilist won the gold in Golden Glove Boxing tournament held in Serbia. She also finished at the pole position in the World Youth Boxing Championship in 2017.

In 2022, she won the gold medal at Strandja Memorial tournament before finishing in the quarter-finals of World Championships.

There is some more exciting action in store for boxing fans later today. Here are the matches set to take place tonight.

-07:00 PM: Nikhat Zareen vs Carly McNaul (Nothern Ireland) – Women’s 48-50 KG Gold Medal Match.

Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen made it into the final of the women’s 50kg light flyweight category at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Saturday.

The Indian outclassed Savannah Stubley of England 5-0 in the semi-finals by unanimous decision.

The Commonwealth Games 2022 started in Birmingham from July 28 and will go on till August 8. (ANI)

As the festival of Rakshabandhan is approaching, a shop from Surat has some really good collections of Rakhis. Starting from thread rakhis to rakhis made up of gold, silver, platinum to Diamond-studded rakhis, people are admiring the rakhis in awe.

To add a feather to the hat, the most expensive and the centre of attraction is a rakhi worth Rs 5 lakh.
The festival of Rakshabandhan is an important festival showing the relationship between brother and sister. On the day of Rakshabandhan, a sister ties a rakhi on her brother’s wrist and takes a promise of protection from her brother, and then in return, the brother gives some gift by giving a promise. Keeping in mind the festival of Rakshabandhan, the country’s most expensive Rakhi has been prepared in Surat, Gujarat.

A jewellery shop owner Deepak Bhai Choksi told ANI, “The rakhis prepared by us can also be worn as ornaments after Rakshabandhan. We try to celebrate this holy festival in a new way every year”

You must have been shocked to hear the cost of a Rakhi, but it is true that on the festival of Rakshabandhan, only sisters used to tie Rakhi made of silk thread on the wrists of their brothers, although this trend is still not over in rural areas. But the changing times in urban areas have changed the definition of rakhis.

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A local customer, Simran Singh said, “Different types of rakhis have been made from gold, silver and platinum in a jeweller’s showroom in Surat. In this showroom, rakhis ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 5 lakh have been prepared for the festival of Rakshabandhan.” (ANI)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath on Sunday said that both Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D1) carrying Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-02) were injected but the “orbit achieved was less than expected which makes it unstable.”

“All stages performed normal. Both satellites were injected. But the orbit achieved was less than expected which makes it unstable,” ISRO chief said.
He further said that the SSLV-D1 suffered data loss at the terminal phase of the mission.

“In the terminal phase of the mission, some data loss is occurring. We are analysing the data to conclude the final outcome of the mission with respect to achieving a stable orbit,” Somanath added.

Earlier in the day, ISRO launched its first new rocket the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D1) carrying Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-02) and a student-made satellite-AzaadiSAT from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota.

To mark the country’s celebrations of “Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, the SSLV, co-passenger satellite called “AzaadiSAT” comprising 75 payloads built by 750 students from 75 rural government schools across India was launched.

Girls who designed Satelite also witnessed the SSLV-D1 launch.

The general public also witnessed the launch from the viewing gallery of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

Speaking to ANI, Shreya a student from St Francis Girls High School, Telangana said, “Three groups from our school have participated in this SSLV launch. I am very glad that we got this opportunity. We really worked hard on it and today we will witness the launch of the AzaadiSAT satellite.”

Founder and CEO, science and tech incubator Space Kidz India, Dr Srimathy Kesan said this launch is to mark the 75th year of independence and to bring the focus that girls should be encouraged.

The ground testing of the newly developed solid booster stage (SS1) for the new launch vehicle of ISRO i.e. Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) was carried out on March 14 2022 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota at 1205 hrs.

All the propulsion parameters during the test are found satisfactory and closely matching with the predictions.

SS1 motor is a three-segmented solid propulsion stage incorporating many new technologies and innovative processes which include a bond-free joint between the segments, high power electromechanical actuator with digital control electronics, optimized ignitor and simultaneous propellant casting of all segments, which have been successfully validated in the ground test.

The successful test of the solid booster stage has given sufficient confidence to proceed with the first developmental flight of SSLV (SSLV-D1) which is scheduled for May 2022. The remaining stages of SSLV i.e. SS2 & SS3 stages have successfully undergone necessary ground tests and are ready for integration. (ANI)

Indian ace shuttler and Olympic medalist PV Sindhu confirmed another medal for her country by defeating Singapore’s Yeo Jin Min in the semifinal of the women’s singles competition at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday.

Now, a silver or gold medal is confirmed for India. She won the match by 21-19, 21-17.
PV Sindhu did not have a very good start as she conceded five straight points to Yeo in the first game. Though she later improved to gain a lead of 11-9, her Singapore opponent was giving her good competition. Sindhu kept going and held her nerves to win the first game by 21-19.

The Indian Olympic medalist carried this momentum in the second game though Yeo was always pretty much in contention. Sindhu was leading the second game by 11-9 halfway into it. Sindhu kept getting points from then on and left behind her opponent in the second game by 21-17. With a win in this game, she sealed the match and reached the final of the women’s singles category.

Sindhu reached the semifinal by defeating Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei by 19-21, 21-14, 21-18 in the quarterfinal.

The double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu defeated her opponent from Uganda, Husina Kobugabe, without much trouble as she won the match in straight games with a score of 21-10, 21-9 to book her place in the last eight of the women’s singles.

To enter the round of 16, Sindhu defeated Fathimath Nabaaha of Maldives in her round of 32 match on Thursday.

Sindhu was on fire as she swung her racquet on her way to victory within just two games. She captured the match 21-4, 21-11.

Commonwealth Games 2022 started in Birmingham from July 28 and will go on till August 8. (ANI)

Ahead of the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Pakistani sister Qamar Mohsin Shaikh sent the sacred thread–Rakhi and wished him for the 2024 general election.

Speaking to ANI, Qamar said she has made all preparations and expected to meet PM Modi this time.
“I hope he (PM Modi) will call me Delhi this time. I have done all the preparations. I made this rakhi by myself by using a Reshmi ribbon with embroidery design,” she added.

She wrote a letter and prayed for his good health and long life. She also wished him for the 2024 election.

“I wrote a letter and prayed for a long and healthy life. Keep doing good work like you are doing,” she said.

In the 2024 election, she said, “There is no doubt, he will be the PM again. He deserves this because he has those capabilities and I wish him to be PM of India every time,” she added.

PM Modi’s sister, Shaikh sent a rakhi and a Raksha Bandhan card to him last year also.

Raksha Bandhan marks the bond of love between the siblings and will be celebrated on August 11.

Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon of the Savan month of the Hindu year. The month of Savan is considered an auspicious period among the Hindus and Lord Shiva is worshipped every Monday during this entire time. (ANI)

Protests have erupted across Bangladesh after the government has increased fuel prices by more than 50 per cent in the country.

Several student organizations including Bangladesh Students’ Federation staged rallies protesting against the sudden rise in fuel prices in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh on Saturday, Dhaka Tribune reported.
Meanwhile, the progressive student alliance held a separate protest rally.

“Common people are already in hardship to cope with the rise of living costs. Government’s looting of Public property and mismanagement led people toward this suffering,” one of the protesters said as quoted by Dhaka Tribune.

Moreover, several buses in Dhaka are reportedly overcharging passengers on Sunday.

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS), however, rejected the recent hike in bus fares due to the increased price of fuel and demanded that the new bus fare should be set after “proper cost analysis”.

During a meeting between Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and bus owners in view of the increase in fuel prices, BJKS said, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesi publication stated that the consumers in the areas under Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (Desco) will experience power cuts for three hours today.

On Friday night, the government raised prices of diesel by Tk34 per litre, octane by Tk46 per litre and petrol by Tk44 per litre.

The sharp rise came up as a shock to the people who thronged filling stations on Friday night. In numerous videos shared on social media platforms, thousands were seen crowding the filling stations and jostling to get their vehicle tanks filled.

Meanwhile, several filling stations in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, Agargaon, Malibagh, and other areas reportedly suspended their operations after the news broke, declaring their sales would resume after midnight when the new prices would come into effect, Dhaka Tribune had reported.(ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre in the national capital on Sunday.

The meeting is the first in-person meeting of the Governing Council since July 2019.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao will boycott the meeting as he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Modi on Saturday saying that his decision is a mark of protest against what he termed as the Centre’s alleged blatant discrimination against states including Telangana.

“I do not find it useful to attend the 7th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog scheduled to be held on August 7 and I am staying away from it as a mark of strong protest against the present trend of the Central Govt to discriminate against the states and not treating them as equal partners in our collective efforts to make India a strong and developed country,” the letter read.

The agenda of the Niti Aayog meeting includes crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses and agri-communities; implementation of the National Education Policy-school education; implementation of the National Education Policy-higher education; and urban governance.

In the drive toward building a steady, sustainable and inclusive India, the seventh governing council meeting of the government think tank Niti Aayog is expected to pave the way for synergies towards a new era of collaboration and cooperation between Centre and states and union territories.

As India commemorates 75 years of Independence, it is the need of the hour for the states to be agile, resilient and self-reliant and move towards ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ in a spirit of cooperative federalism, an official statement said.

As part of preparations for this meeting, the National Conference of Chief Secretaries was held in Dharamshala in June 2022 which was the culmination of the six-month-long rigorous exercise by the Centre and States.

The conference was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, along with senior officials of the Central and State Governments.

The governing council comprises the Prime Minister of India; Chief Ministers of all the states and union territories with the legislature; Lt Governors of other UTs; Ex-Officio Members; Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Full-Time Members, NITI Aayog; and Union Ministers as Special Invitees.

The statement said that the meeting is particularly important as the country enters Amrit Kaal against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of India hosting the G20 Presidency and summit next year. The meeting would also lay emphasis on the importance of the Presidency for India for the federal system and the role that states can play in highlighting their progress at the G-20 Platform. (ANI)