Category: News

Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Cuts Cake To Celebrate His 26th Birthday

By LokMarg

India’s Olympic gold medalist and World Champion javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, celebrated his 26th birthday by cutting cake on Sunday.

India’s ‘Golden Boy’ Neeraj turned 26 on Sunday.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a picture of Neeraj celebrating his birthday with a cake. The governing body of athletics in India also extended their wishes to Neeraj.

“Happy birthday champion @Neeraj_chopra1 #Paris2024 #Olympics #javelin@Adille1,” tweeted AFI.

Over the last five years or so, this young boy from Haryana, blessed with a strong arm and hunger to succeed, has touched the biggest peaks in athletics. About to enter his late 20s, he is already possibly the greatest Indian athlete ever.

Following a World Junior Championship gold and Asian Championship silver in 2016, Neeraj graduated to the senior level and celebrated it in style with a gold medal in the Asian Championships in 2017.

The athlete had a great 2018 as well, making an impact at the continental and Commonwealth levels. He won gold in the javelin throw at the Asian Games in Jakarta. With a throw of 88.06 m, he made a mark at continental level, giving signs of a fine future. He also secured a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games 2018 with a throw of 86.47 m.

But the year 2021 was when everything changed for Neeraj and suddenly, he had become India’s ‘golden boy’. He captured an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo with the best throw of 87.58 m. With this, he became the first-ever Indian to win an athletics gold. This victory made him a sensation in the country. Love and support from fans, cricketers, politicians, and Bollywood celebrities made his victory even grander. Suddenly, Neeraj was the talking point all over India, being featured on social media campaigns, advertisements, shows etc. People wondered what he would do next.

In the next few months, Neeraj showed that though he had attained the top prize in athletics, there was still plenty for him to prove and win.

2022 was an amazing year for Neeraj, though he missed out on the Commonwealth Games 2022 due to an injury.

In June, he set a new national record and finished with a silver medal with a throw of 89.30 metres at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, bettering his own previous national record of 88.07 metres, which he had set in Patiala in March last year.

In June again, he gave another sterling performance as he clinched gold in the 2022 Kuortane Games in Finland. Neeraj threw 86.69 m to clinch the top prize in tricky and wet conditions.

He also held the male javelin national record thanks to a throw in the Stockholm Diamond League that measured 89.94 metres, with which he broke his own record. He clinched a silver medal at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Stockholm and broke his own previous record.

At the World Athletics Championships in July, Neeraj Chopra made history by becoming only the second Indian and the first male track and field athlete to take home a medal. He finished second and won the silver medal, realising his aim of winning a world medal with a throw of 88.13 metres. Anju Bobby George won a bronze medal for India in the long jump competition before Neeraj.

In September, Chopra made history by becoming the first-ever Indian to win the prestigious Diamond League trophy, a top-tier athletics competition, achieving the best throw of 88.44 m to clinch one of the biggest wins of his career.

More accomplishments awaited Neeraj next year.

Neeraj clinched India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest back in August. Neeraj recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and managed to keep his lead intact till the very end to win gold at Budapest.

Neeraj lived up to expectations to win gold at the Asian Games, and his compatriot Kishore Kumar Jena took home a silver medal as Indian athletes put up a power-packed performance at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium on October 4. Neeraj defended his title and scripted history at the continental event. The event was watched eagerly on TV screens across the country as the two Indians stole the limelight.

There was a neck-to-neck competition between two Indian athletes, and Neeraj prevailed with his season’s best throw of 88.88 metres.

With a gold medal in the Asian Games, Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and World Athletics Championships and a Diamond League title, Chopra has won every top prize in the sport. He has set an unprecedented example with his consistency and hunger for gold. (ANI)

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Christmas historic Roman Catholic Church

UP: Historic Roman Catholic Church In Meerut’s Decked Up Ahead Of Christmas

By LokMarg

The historic Roman Catholic Church of Sardhana town in Meerut City has been decorated ahead of the Christmas festival in Uttar Pradesh.

The historic church is known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Grace and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The church is the largest in North India and has been preserving its grandeur as an unmatched example of art for the past two hundred years.

The church was built by Begum Samru, a Muslim Nautch girl of 14 who married a European mercenary soldier, Walter Reinhardt Sombre.

Samru converted to Roman Catholicism in 1781 and adopted the name Joanna Nobilis. She is regarded as the only Catholic ruler in India and ruled the Principality of Sardhana in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Meanwhile, the festive spirit is in the air as churches in Srinagar gear up for Christmas celebrations. The city is adorned with twinkling lights, and colourful decorations and the sweet melodies of Christmas carols can be heard echoing through churches.

As part of the preparations for the impending festivities, churches are being decorated with Christmas trees and vivid floral arrangements.

The Christmas season offers joy and happiness to the Srinagar community. Families gather in churches to plan for the event. Srinagar’s churches are ready to invite everyone to share in the celebrations of this unique time of year.

With the festive fervour in the air, the Khan market in Delhi is also lined up with stalls selling Santa caps, trees, reindeer, wreaths, candles and other items of decor while the stores are decorated with baubles and fir trees, marking the arrival of Christmas.

Revellers could be seen rummaging through the stores to purchase decorative items such as pine trees, Santa replicas and garlands for the festival.

Tourists have started flocking to the hill towns of Himachal Pradesh with family and friends ahead of the festival.

Several tourists are coming to Shimla and Manali to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families and friends.

Many parts of India come alive with the festive spirit of Christmas. With this, several streets in Aizawl, Mizoram, were also decorated and lit up ahead of the festival.

Christmas is an annual festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed by billions of people worldwide on December 25 as a religious and cultural event.

Many, but not all, countries observe Christmas as a holiday. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, many homes have Christmas trees and other decorations.

Some workplaces host Christmas parties before December 25. Exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and attending parties are all festive activities.

Christmas cards are also presented or mailed out before the festival. (ANI)

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Sanjay Singh

Sanjay Is Not My Relative: Brij Bhushan

By LokMarg

BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh stated that he has “retired” from the sport and has “nothing to do with it” following the Union Sports Ministry’s decision to suspend the newly elected sport’s premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers on Sunday.

The decision of the Sports Ministry came close on the heels of the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announcing the hosting of the U-15 and U-20 nationals at Nandini Nagar in the Gond district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.

After the Union Sports Ministry suspended the newly elected body of WFI, former chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gave his first reaction to the verdict and said, “The elections were held in a democratic way on the direction of the Supreme Court and the body was formed. Now it’s their (federation members) decision if they wish to talk to the government or take the legal course of action. I have nothing to do with this.”

“Sanjay Singh is not my relative. The announcement to hold U-15 and U-20 nationals in Nandini Nagar was to ensure sports events should resume. It was held in Nandini Nagar because all federations stated that they wouldn’t be able to make preparations for the tournament in four to five days. I have worked 12 years for the wrestlers. Time will tell if I have done justice. I have broken my ties with wrestling. Now decisions and talks with the government will be done by the elected people of the federation. I have retired from wrestling,” Brij Bhushan added.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Singh skirted comments on the Centre’s decision, telling reporters, “I was on a flight. I don’t know the details and have not received any letter yet. I will make a public statement only after going through the letter. I have heard that some decisions have been reversed.”

The Sports Ministry released a press release to label WFI’s decision to host the competition as “complete disregard to the sports code.”

“The decisions made by the newly elected executive body of the WFI demonstrate a blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms, violating both the WFI’s constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code. The newly elected body appeared to be in complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code. The business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers,” the ministry added.

On Thursday, when the much-awaited WFI elections were finally concluded, Sanjay Singh was appointed as the new chief, an aide of the former WFT President Brih Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Soon after victory of Sanjay Singh in the WFI elections, Brij Bhushan said, “This is not my personal victory, this is the victory of the wrestlers of the country. All wrestling activities were stopped for 11 months. I hope that after the formation of the new federation, wrestling events will resume which were paused for the past 11 months.”

“A message has been given. Every akhaada in the country is bursting firecrackers. Dabdabaa tha, dabdabaa rahega!. I want to give the credit of victory to the wrestlers of the country and the electors.I want to thank the government as well. The elections were done on instructions of the Supreme Court and the Centre had submitted the PIL for this. Elections were held by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Centre went ahead to make sure elections happened and a non-partisan person was chosen as president. This ‘grahan’ of 11 months on wrestling is over. Within 10 days, the landscape of wrestling will change again and we will perform in the Olympics the way people want us to,” Brij Bhushan added.

An hour later, Sakshi, distraught and emotional, broke down as she left the venue announcing her retirement from wrestling while addressing a press conference in the national capital. (ANI)

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Catholic Church Nicaragua Second Bishop

Nicaragua: Second Bishop Arrested In Escalating Crackdown On Catholic Church

By LokMarg

Nicaraguan authorities apprehended a second bishop on Thursday (local time) in an extensive crackdown on opposition figures and the Catholic Church led by President Daniel Ortega’s government, CNN reported, citing sources.

Bishop Isidoro Mora, from the Siuna church on the Caribbean coast, was arrested after participating in a mass commemorating the anniversary of the Matagalpa church, the sources added.

CNN has sought further details on Mora’s legal situation and arrest from the Nicaraguan government.

A source, requesting anonymity due to potential backlash, witnessed the moments leading up to the arrest and mentioned that Mora had briefly discussed detained bishop and government critic Rolando Alvarez during a homily. Mora was quoted as saying, “We are here praying for Matagalpa church, praying for Bishop Rolando,” adding, “Unfortunately, (Mora) was arrested the next day.”

Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, is serving a 26-year prison sentence for charges including conspiracy and treason. He refused to leave the country with 200 others opposing the government.

The condition of Mora since the arrest remains unknown, as per one source.

The other source told CNN the “persecution against the church in Nicaragua is very strong. We shut up because if we say something we face threats. We know the world knows, but we suffer the pain.”

Since 2018, tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have fled the country to escape persecution when Ortega’s government suppressed widespread anti-regime protests, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and arbitrary detentions, according to Human Rights Watch.

Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo view the Catholic Church as opposition forces, labelling the protests as an “attempted coup.”

Mora’s arrest follows the expulsion of two Costa Rican nuns from Nicaragua in April after praying for Alvarez.

Yader Morazan, an expert in Nicaragua’s judiciary system, highlighted a “repressive pattern” against the Catholic Church, with dozens of priests and laymen jailed, and over 200 people, including priests and nuns, expelled or blocked from returning.

A news release from state-owned website El19digital on Monday reported the arrest of 11 people linked to Christian organisations accused of money laundering.

Ortega secured a fifth term as president in 2021. His government, citing a vague national security law, began detaining opposition figures, journalists, and activists ahead of the elections in June of that year, CNN reported. (ANI)

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Coast Guard ship Vikram in the Arabian Sea

Distressed Merchant Ship Being Escorted To Indian Shores By ICGS Vikram

By LokMarg

The India-bound merchant vessel, ‘which came under attack by a drone’, is being escorted back to native shores by Coast Guard ship Vikram in the Arabian Sea, officials said on Sunday.

According to officials, the merchant ship, hit by a suspected drone on Sunday, requested to be escorted by the ICGS Vikram. Both are expected to reach off the Mumbai coast on Monday.

Indian Coast Guard Dorniers are also airborne to keep an eye on the merchant vessels and carry out surveillance in the area, officials added.

A Pentagon spokesperson told Reuters earlier that the motor vessel, CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker, was struck at approximately 10 am local time (6 am GMT) today in the Indian Ocean, 200 nautical miles from the coast of India, by a one-way attack drone fired from Iran.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy said earlier it has opened an investigation into whether the drone used to attack the vessel was launched from long-range or a nearby vessel.

The incident comes as the latest illustration of the growing regional tensions after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

The Pentagon said this was the “seventh Iranian attack on commercial shipping since 2021”.

MV Chem Pluto, with 20 Indian and one Vietnamese crew member on Saturday caught fire after it was attacked by a suspected drone. It was later secured by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the ICG said in an official statement.

The merchant vessel reportedly commenced its voyage from the UAE on December 19 and was bound for New Mangalore port with an arrival date of December 25.

According to the official statement, on December 23, the Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai received information regarding a fire onboard MV Chem Pluto, reportedly attacked by a suspected drone strike or aerial platform.

The Indian Coast Guard Maritime Coordination Centre (MRCC), which established real-time communication with the vessel’s agent, ascertained no loss of life and assured all assistance.

It was also learned that the vessel fire had been doused by the crew. To augment the vessel’s safety, MRCC Mumbai has activated ISN and immediately diverted other merchant vessels in the vicinity of Chem Pluto for assistance.

“The Indian Coast Guard also pressed Offshore Patrol vessel Vikram and Coast Guard Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft into action for rendering assistance to Chem Pluto. The Coast Guard Dornier aircraft has sanitised the area and established communication with Chem Pluto. The vessel has started making its way towards Mumbai after undertaking damage assessment and repairs on its power generation systems,” the statement further read. (ANI)

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Putin Critic Alexei Navalny

Ex Russia Minister Says Its ‘No Coincidence’ Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Is Missing

By LokMarg

Former Russian deputy energy minister Vladimir Milov said the timing of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s disappearance was ‘no coincidence’, as he pointed to President Vladimir Putin’s announcement to run again in the elections scheduled in 2024, CNN reported.

Russian Opposition leader Navalny, who has been missing for 17 days now, was absent from two scheduled court hearings conducted via video link on Friday, according to a statement from his team.

Navalny was imprisoned in a penal colony east of Moscow and was sentenced to 19 years in prison in August after he was found guilty of creating an “extremist community, financing extremist activities” and numerous other crimes.

“I think it is a deliberate tactic. It is no coincidence that Navalny disappeared exactly the moment when the so-called sham presidential elections were announced and that Putin announced that he was going to be running again,” Milov said.

“Putin is really willing to show that he is going to enter the Kremlin for another term through intimidation, through repression, through pressure on society, and that is clearly a blackmail on all the opposition forces,” Milov added.

Navalny’s team said the prominent politician has now been missing for 17 days, with his current whereabouts unknown.

“Today Alexey was supposed to have two trials. He was again not brought to the meetings. Navalny has never been hidden for so long,” Navalny’s team said in a Telegram post.

The unprecedented duration of Navalny’s absence from public view has also sparked concerns about his well-being and safety, according to CNN.

With Navalny missing for days now, his aides have restated a plea for information, offering a cryptocurrency reward for complete and reliable details about his current location or status.

Asked repeatedly last week about Navalny’s absence, the Kremlin reported, “neither the intention nor the ability to monitor the fate of prisoners and the process of their stay in the relevant institutions.”

According to CNN, Navalny posed one of the most serious threats to Putin’s legitimacy during his rule, which has spanned more than two decades.

The dissident was taken from Russia to Germany in 2020 after he was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent. Navalny had to be airlifted from the Siberian city of Omsk and arrived comatose at a hospital in Berlin.

Navalny was immediately incarcerated upon his return to Russia in January 2021, on charges of violating the terms of his probation related to a fraud case brought against him in 2013, which he also dismissed as politically motivated, CNN reported.

He has also campaigned from prison against Russia’s war against Ukraine and has even attempted to mobilize public opposition to the war. (ANI)

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Bhupesh Baghel Congress

Will Hold Discussions With Party Chiefs Where Alliances Could Be Formed: Baghel

By LokMarg

A day after the Congress rang in key organisational changes, close on the heels of the party setting up a panel to iron out all thorny issues with partners in the INDIA bloc going into next year’s Lok Sabha polls, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday said the high command will hold discussions with leaders of other leaders and explore seat-sharing possibilities before carrying forward talks with the Bloc partners.

Speaking to ANI after attending the inaugural meeting of the Congress’s National Alliance Committee, of which he is a member, Baghel said, “I attended the inaugural meeting of our National Alliance Committee today alongside Ashok Gehlot, Mukul Wasnik and Mohan Prakash. We will hold discussions with the presidents of those states where we could reach an understanding (on allocation of seats) with like-minded partners. The high command will be briefed about these meetings ahead of further discussions within the INDIA bloc.”

The inaugural meeting of the National Alliance Committee was held in the national capital on Saturday.

Congress formed the five-member NAC earlier this week, with Wasnik as convenor and veteran leaders including former Rajasthan CM Gehlot, Baghel, former Union minister Salman Khurshid, and Mohan Prakash as members.

The panel is mandated to hold discussions on potential state-based alliances and seat-sharing deals with other political parties for the Lok Sabha elections next year.

While the INDIA partners came together for their fourth meeting in Delhi on Tuesday, the prickly seat-sharing issue was left unaddressed.

However, fresh from being routed in the key heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, a convergence among all INDIA partners on seat-sharing has become all the more important ahead of the next general elections.

At its fourth meeting on December 19, the Bloc passed a resolution against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Lok Sabha polls and on the bulk suspension of Opposition MPs from Parliament during the just-concluded Winter Session.

Addressing a joint media briefing after the meeting on Tuesday, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge said all partners agreed that the suspension of MPs is undemocratic.

The meeting took place in the backdrop of the escalating war of words between the Centre and the Opposition over the suspension row and ruckus in Parliament over the demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the December 13 security breach incident.

The fourth meeting of the alliance saw the attendance of 28 parties. (ANI)

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WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan

Sports Ministry Suspends Wrestling Federation Over ‘Hasty’ Announcements

By LokMarg

In a major decision, coming in light of fresh protests by star wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia over the election of an aide of deposed WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as the new president of the wrestling federation, the Union Sports Ministry on Sunday suspended the sport’s premier governing body in the country along with all its office-bearers.

The decision came close on the heels of the newly elected WFI president Sanjay Singh announcing the hosting of the U-15 and U-20 nationals at Nandini Nagar in the Gond district of Uttar Pradesh by the end of the year.

Earlier, Olympian Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from wrestling at an emotional press briefing, claiming that the Centre went back on its word to not install an aide of Brij Bhushan as an office-bearer of the wrestling federation.

Later, voicing his misgivings over the election of Sanjay Singh as the new WFI chief, fellow Olympian Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri in protest.

The star wrestlers earlier led a protest by wrestlers, who came out against Brij Bhushan, accusing him of sexual harassment.

“This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI. As per clause 3 (e) of the preamble of the constitution of WFI, the object of the WFI, among others, is to arrange the holding of Senior, Junior and Sub Junior National Championships as per UWW Rules at places selected by the Executive Committee,” the Sports Ministry stated in a release on Sunday.

“Such decisions are to be taken by the Executive Committee, before which agendas are required to be placed for consideration. As per Article XI of the WFI constitution under the Heading ‘Notices and Quorum for Meetings’, the minimum notice period for EC meetings is 15 clear days and the quorum is of 1/3rd of representatives. Even for Emergency EC meetings, the minimum notice period is 7 clear days with a quorum requirement of 1/3rd of representatives,” the ministry added.

“Further, in terms of Article X (d) of the Constitution of WFI, it is the Secretary General of WFI, who has been made responsible for carrying out the general business of the Federation, keeping the minutes of the meetings, maintaining all the records of the Federation, calling the meetings of the General Council and the Executive Committee. It seems the Secretary-General has not been involved in the said meeting of EC, which was held without any notice or quorum,” it stated further.

“The decisions made by the newly elected executive body of the WFI demonstrate a blatant disregard for the established legal and procedural norms, violating both the WFI’s constitutional provisions and the National Sports Development Code. The newly elected body appeared to be in complete control of former office bearers in complete disregard to the Sports Code. The business of the Federation is being run from the premises controlled by former office bearers,” the ministry added.

On Friday, Bajrang Punia wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he was returning his Padma Shri as a mark of protest over the results of the recent Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections.

Sanjay Singh, an aide and confidante of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan, was elected president of the wrestling body. (ANI)

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Two warships India-flagged US

Houthis Targeted 2 Warships, Including India-Flagged Tanker In Red Sea: US

By LokMarg

Two warships, including an India-flagged, Gabon-owned tanker, came under Houthi fire in the Red Sea, according to official statements from the US Central Command.

The incident marks the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17.

“On December 23 two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi-controlled areas of Houthi militants. No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles,” US Central Command posted on X.

At the same time, between 3 and 8 pm (Sanaa time), the USS LABOON (DDG 58) was patrolling the Southern Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG).

The USS LABOON successfully intercepted and “shot down unmanned aerial drones originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that were inbound to the USS LABOON. There were no injuries or damage in this incident”, CENTCOM added in its post.

Later, at approximately 8 pm (Sanaa time), US Naval Forces Central Command received distress reports from two ships in the Southern Red Sea indicating that they were under attack.

“The M/V BLAAMANEN, a Norwegian-flagged, owned, and operated chemical/oil tanker, reported a near miss of a Houthi one-way attack drone with no injuries or damage reported. A second vessel, the M/V SAIBABA, a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, reported that it was hit by a one-way attack drone with no injuries reported. The USS LABOON (DDG 58) responded to the distress calls from these attacks,” it stated.

The US Central Command underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasising that these attacks pose a threat to the safety and security of international maritime traffic.

“These attacks represent the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since October 17,” the post added.

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, the Iranian-backed Houthis, along with other militia groups across the Middle East, have targeted US positions and assets.

Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel, including seizing a boat last month in a raid.

India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.

Addressing a weekly presser last Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping so, that is something that we are interested in. We are, of course, monitoring the developments there.”

Bagchi noted that India is also part of international efforts to ensure free shipping.

“We are also part of international efforts to ensure free shipping, whether it be piracy or otherwise, India has been involved in it. So we will continue to monitor that,” he added.

Further highlighting the Operation Prosperity Guardian by the US, the MEA spokesperson said that India has been part of efforts to ensure the safe transit of ships in the Arabian Sea.

“There was some communication regarding this task force operation…We have been part of efforts to ensure the safe transit of ships in the Arabian Sea and we value the free movement of commercial shipping,” he added.

The US and other naval forces operate in the Red Sea region to defend commercial shipping, but the new task force is expected to ramp up security.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, with the two leaders sharing concerns over the safety of maritime traffic.

PM Modi reiterated the need for continued humanitarian aid for the affected people.

He further stressed an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict, including the release of all hostages, through dialogue and diplomacy.

In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi. The two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran.” (ANI)

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Christmas Kashmir

Christmas Bells Ring For Kashmir’s Paper Mache Artisans

By LokMarg

As Christmas is around the corner, celebrations all over the country are in full swing. The paper mache artisans of the valley are very busy with making special balls and other gift items ahead of Christmas.

The festival time always provides joy to the valley’s paper mache artisans, who receive large orders of special balls and other gift goods. So, during this time, a maximum number of paper mache artisans are very busy making various items such as special balls, Santa Claus, stars, crescents, bangles, and other gift items that people will be distributing and decorating their homes and churches on the occasion of Christmas.

They are receiving bulk orders from within the country as well as Europe, where people are celebrating the Christmas festival with zeal and using such beautiful paper mache products made by valley artisans on a large scale.

As a result, craftsmen are constantly striving to make their products more appealing to attract overseas buyers. Kashmiri papier-mache products are recognised all over the world for their refinement and durability, and Christian people can decorate their Christmas trees this year with paper-mache balls, stars, Santa Claus, and a variety of elegant items.

Tasaduq Hussain Mir, who is a paper mache artisan told ANI, “Christmas is the biggest festival in the world and we start getting orders 6 or 7 or 8 months before. We get big orders on Christmas including balls, bells, stars, Santa Claus and different articles that go to Europe and India even people in Kashmir like them.”

He further talked about craft safari, an initiative taken by the handicraft and handloom department for the revival of Kashmir’s cultural heritage. He also praised the director of handloom and handicrafts, in Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, for his initiative and for promoting the art and craft of Kashmir.

“Craft Safari has made us famous in the world. Luckily, Srinagar has been recognized by UNESCO as a creative city and it has led to an increase in the export of our items. This year about 20 to 25 lakh pieces are exported for Christmas. We have been getting more Christmas orders for the past two or three years and the credit for this goes to Mehmood Ahmad Shah, director of handicrafts and handlooms Sahab, he has done a lot of work for the artisans, and he has promoted their art craft. We have become famous in the world,” he added.

Syed Amjad Ali, a Dealer and paper Mache artisan also shared, “This is called paper mache as it is made using paper. We get a lot of orders during Christmas and thus for two months we just make products like balls, stars, Santa Claus, moons and all.”

Normally Kashmiri artisans make paper pache products for tourists and during the peak season of tourism, they do very good business. But on Christmas, they are also getting big orders from foreign countries where they are sending their products in huge quantities and doing satisfactory business. (ANI)

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