Category: News

Sara Ali Khan

Sara Extends Bhai Dooj Greetings To Ibrahim

By LokMarg

Actor Sara Ali Khan on Wednesday extended Bhai Dooj wishes to brother Ibrahim Ali Khan.

Sara shared a collage picture with Ibrahim on her Instagram Story and wrote, “Happy Bhai Dooj @iak“

Sara and Ibrahim are among the most popular siblings in Bollywood and often share pictures on social media.

Recently, Sara shared a picture with her brother in which they both are seen in traditional looks. She posted two photographs, one solo of herself and another with her brother.

Ibrahim opted for a maroon-shaded silk kurta with a matching Nehru jacket and white pyjamas. He looked dapper in his outfit with a beard and an unkempt hairstyle. Sara, on the other hand, looked stunning in a red-hued suit with gold zari borders. She paired it with a dual-toned dupatta in red and purple.

The actor wrote a witty caption along with the picture. She mentioned, “Ek Tha Raja..Ek Thi Rani..Dono ke hue hamshakal bacche..That’s it Khatam Kahaani”

Bhai Dooj is a festival symbolizing the love of brother-sister, which traditionally marks the bond between the siblings. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by applying ‘Tika’ on the latter’s forehead. Both brothers and sisters exchange gifts and sweets on occasion.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sara will be seen in Anurag Basu’s ‘Metro…In Dino’. Billed as an anthology, the film also features Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta in lead roles.

‘Metro…In Dino’, a film that apparently draws its title from the famous song ‘In Dino’ from ‘Life in a… Metro’, will showcase bittersweet tales of human relationships based on contemporary times. She also has ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’ in her kitty.

A thriller-drama inspired by true events, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, follows the intrepid journey of a college girl in Bombay who goes on to become a freedom fighter.

This fictional tale is set against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement in 1942. It is a story about the courage, patriotism, sacrifice and resourcefulness of the youth of the nation.

Directed by Kannan Iyer and written jointly by Darab Farooqui and Kannan Iyer, the film will be available on Amazon Prime Video. (ANI)

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Birsa Munda Murmu

Birsa Munda Jayanti: Murmu Joins Tribal Dancers, Dhankar Tries Hands-On Drums

By LokMarg

President of India Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday joined the folk artists as they performed tribal dance on the occasion of the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi also joined the group at the Parliament House Complex.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla tried their hands on the drum and danced along with the tribals.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi said “Tribal community has a major contribution in India’s freedom struggle… The work done by the Tribal community during the freedom struggle is a matter of pride for everyone… Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is being celebrated to let people know about the works done by the Tribal community… Several programmes and schemes have also been initiated for the development of the community…”

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Park and Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi and paid floral tributes to Indian tribal activist Birsa Munda.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda and Governor of Jharkhand CP Radhakrishnan.

In his message on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda the Prime Minister said in his post on X “Respectful tribute to Lord Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. Many best wishes to my family members across the country on this special occasion of Tribal Pride Day.”

The Prime Minister also visited Ulihatu Village, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

President Murmu also took to her social media handle and greeted the people of Jharkhand on the state’s formation day and wished the state would always remain progressive with its natural resources.

“My heartiest greetings to all the residents of Jharkhand on the occasion of State Formation Day. The birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda is celebrated as ‘Tribal Pride Day’. I wish that the entire Jharkhand state always remains progressive with its natural resources and that the blessings of Lord Birsa remain on the people here,” posted the president on X. (ANI)

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Jammu and Kashmir's Doda

J-K: 36 Passengers Dead, As Bus Plunges Into Gorge In Doda

By LokMarg

Thirty-six people died and 19 others were injured after a bus fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda on Wednesday

Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed in a post on X about the 36 deaths and said that out those injured six people were said to be in a critical condition.

Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences and in a statement on ‘X’ said that the local administration is actively engaged in the rescue operation at the site of the accident.

The mishap took place as the bus carrying 55 passengers and on its way from Kishtwar to Jammu veered off the road and rolled down the steep slope near Trungal in the Assar area on the highway.

“Saddened to share the update from DC Doda Harvinder Singh from the spot of the accident. Unfortunately, 36 persons have died and 19 injured, out of whom 6 injured are serious,” Minister Singh posted on X.

The Union Minister said that he had spoken to the Doda District Commissioner, Harvinder Singh and that the injured are being shifted to Government Medical College Doda.

Singh said, “Helicopter service to be arranged for shifting the more injured ones. All possible help, as required being provided. I am in constant touch”.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.

“Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Assar, Doda. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families & wishing for a speedy recovery of those injured in the accident. Directed Div Com & Dist Admin to provide all necessary assistance to affected persons,” Sinha tweeted.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condoled the loss of lives in a post on X.

“Deeply shocked & saddened about the tragic road accident at Assar in Doda. Deepest condolences to the families of those feared dead & hope the administration expedites rescue operations,” Muft posted on X. (ANI)

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US UK

US, UK Imposes 3rd Round Of Sanctions On Hamas-Affiliated Individuals, Entities

By LokMarg

Taking coordinated action along with the United Kingdom against the Hamas entities following their October 7 attack on Israel, the United States Department of Treasury has imposed a third round of sanctions targeting Hamas-affiliated individuals.

This action identifies important Hamas figures as well as the channels by which Iran backs Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas.

The UK is also coordinating today’s designations in an effort to safeguard the global financial system from potential misuse by Hamas and others who support them.

“The United States will continue to work with our partners, including the UK, to deny Hamas the ability to raise and use funds to carry out its atrocities,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, according to an official press release of US Department of Treasury.

“Hamas’s actions have caused immense suffering and shown that terrorism does not occur in isolation. Together with our partners, we are decisively moving to degrade Hamas’s financial infrastructure, cut them off from outside funding, and block the new funding channels they seek to finance their heinous acts,” she added.

According to US Treasury release, Hamas has been empowered primarily through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“Iranian support, primarily through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has enabled Hamas’s and PIJ’s terrorist activities to include the transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars in financial assistance and the furnishing of both weapons and operational training,” the release read.

“Nasser Abu Sharif serves as the PIJ representative to Iran, the group’s primary financier. Iran’s IRGC has trained PIJ fighters to build and develop missiles in Gaza,” it added.

The key Hamas officials that the US release mentions include senior member and co-founder of Hamas, Mahmoud Khaled Zahhar (Zahhar). He has worked closely with Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the organisation, and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).

“Additionally, Mu’ad Ibrahim Muhammed Rashid al-Atili is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamas,” the release read.

All of the above-described designated individuals’ property and interests in property that are in the country or under the custody or control of Americans are blocked as a result of today’s decision and need to be reported to OFAC.

Any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.

“In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person,” the US Treasury release stated.

Treasury will not stop providing funds to terrorists and other bad actors, but it will continue to facilitate the flow of legal humanitarian aid that meets the fundamental needs of disadvantaged communities. (ANI)

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China-US summit

Xi Jinping Arrives In San Francisco For Talks With Biden

By LokMarg

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in San Francisco for a China-US summit meeting and the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, China’s official state news agency, Xinhua, reported.

US President Joe Biden is set to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, CNN reported, citing senior US administration officials.

The meeting will test whether the two leaders can slow a downward spiral in relations at a moment of heavy global turbulence.

However, reportedly, the talks are not likely to soften the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship. Instead, the fact that the meeting is happening at all is viewed by White House aides as a positive sign after months of friction.

Moreover, US officials stressed that the leaders hoped to develop a “framework” for managing successful competitive relations between the two powers, with the goal of clearing up misperceptions and avoiding surprises, according to CNN.

Additionally, the US officials said that Biden’s aides were entering the summit with realistic expectations and did not anticipate a long list of outcomes later on.

As the conflict continues in West Asia and there is a war in Ukraine, Biden is eager to prevent another world crisis from exploding on his watch.

Moreover, one of his top foreign policy priorities stands for restoring stability to the Washington-Beijing relationship, even as global tensions rise, CNN reported.

The two leaders are expected to discuss various issues, including restoring military-to-military communication between the two countries, a chief objective for Biden, who plans to press Xi on the issue.

Moreover, it also includes the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, areas of potential cooperation like climate change and countering narcotics trafficking, deep disagreements over human rights issues and military escalation in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

According to US officials, the talks would be expansive and spread out over multiple working sessions, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, the US has pressured China to play a more constructive role in both the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine war and encouraged the country to step up its role on the world stage. (ANI)

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Ashok Gehlot

Gehlot Will Be Out Of Work After Dec 3: Sekhawat

By LokMarg

Taking a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday said the senior Congress leader will be out of work once the results of the November 25 Assembly elections are declared on December 3.

To a question, if he would catch up with Gehlot over tea after the polls are done and dusted, the Union Minister said he would consider meeting the former once the people have dislodged him and the Congress from power.

Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, Sekhawat, who is one of the BJP’s heavyweight campaigners for the November 25 polls, said, “The people of Rajasthan have made up their minds to bring back the BJP. This Congress government is useless, incompetent and corrupt. The people are not just upset but also angry with this government.”

“They have failed to deliver on the promises they made to every section of the society. People across faiths and communities in the state feel defrauded and cheated by this government. The ruling party (Congress) has also sinned in making Rajasthan the country’s rape capital. They have also betrayed farmers, youth and women. They have played with the future of the state’s youth, as their broken promises have served to crush their dreams. The state is also topping the country in terms of exam paper leaks. The people are angry over these issues and are waiting at the chance to dislodge and dump this government,” Sekhawat added.

In a further takedown of CM Gehlot, the Union Minister said, “As for meeting the CM over tea, I am eagerly awaiting the day. He is very busy these days with campaigning et all. However, after 20 days, when the election results are declared, the people will have put him out of work and I will have enough opportunities to catch up with him over tea. And, since he betrayed the high command of his own party, he won’t have any fallback job in Delhi as well. From 1993 till now, whenever the people of Rahasthan freed him from his CM duties, he would go to Delhi and find some role for himself in the Congress high command. Now that his hopes for bagging a fresh role in the high command are all but over, he will have plenty of time after December 3. I am sure that he will invite me to tea someday.”

“The BJP will re-establish the rule of law in Rajasthan and deliver on their promise of good governance. We will liberate the people from the clutches of the mafia and ensure the security of our mothers and sisters. We also provide jobs to the youth and restore social harmony in Rajasthan. This isn’t just a promise but a commitment. Our aim is to form a double-engine government in Rajasthan,” Shekhawat added.

“I strongly believe that we are on course to forming the government here. We will also win Phalodi and other assembly segments in western Rajasthan by huge margins. I am confident that the people of Phalodi will once again bless us with an opportunity to serve Pabbaram Bishnoi-ji,” Shekhawat added.

Earlier, on Tuesday, CM asserted that there was no anti-incumbency in the state and the Congress will be voted back in the November 25 elections.

“There is no anti-incumbency here. Our government has done well to deliver on the promises and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people. Sensing the public pulse, I can say with confidence that the Congress is on course for a return in Rajasthan. We delivered on the promise of good governance and have provided water, electricity, education, health and better road connectivity to the people. The law and order situation in Rajasthan is also better than in previous years,” the CM told ANI on the sidelines of the Congress’s Guarantee Yatra here.

The counting of votes for the Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled for December 3. (ANI)

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Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)

India Urges US For Evidence In Attack On San Francisco Consulate

By LokMarg

India has requested evidence from the US authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in connection with an attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in July this year, sources informed.

New Delhi has sent a request amid an ongoing probe into the incident by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

A total of 45 people were identified in connection with the attack through crowd-sourcing, the sources added.

Notably, MLAT is an agreement between two or more countries for the purpose of gathering and exchanging information and evidence in criminal matters.

Earlier, in July, a group of Khalistan extremists tried to set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire.

The Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities were notified and they launched a probe into the July incident thereafter.

The incident was strongly condemned by the US, which called it a “criminal offence”.

“The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller posted from his official X handle.

Earlier, in March, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco came under attack from suspected Khalistani elements.

A video surfaced on social media in which suspected pro-Khalistani protestors were seen gathering outside the Indian consulate in San Francisco, shouting slogans in support of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and heckling staff as they abandoned the diplomatic mission. (ANI)

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Nirbhay class Missiles

Nirbhay Missiles To Be Part In All Three Defence Forces’ Arsenal

By LokMarg

In a significant boost to the firepower of the defence forces, all three defence forces will now have long-range cruise missiles of the Nirbhay class in their arsenal to strike targets at ranges of over 1,000 Km range.

The Nirbhay class long-range cruise missiles are being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) indigenously and are sub-sonic in speed.

“The government is considering a proposal of a service to induct Nirbhay class cruise missiles. The consideration is at an advanced stage and once cleared, it will mean that all three forces will have the capability to use subsonic cruise missiles to strike targets,” defence sources told ANI.

The government had given clearance to induct the missile in the inventory of the other two services about two years ago.

The subsonic Nirbhay class cruise missiles along with the supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles will be a deadly combination in the forces’ arsenal and will give options to the commanders in times of conflict.

The missiles would also be part of the rocket force that is being created by the Indian defence forces in a stepwise manner.

The forces are also looking at the option of inducting medium-range ballistic missiles for use in conventional roles.

The defence forces in recent times have been given clearance to induct the Pralay ballistic missiles in significant numbers for being used in conventional roles in the rocket force being created by them.

As per the sources, the different forces will have these ballistic missiles along with cruise missiles in their inventory and once that process is over, they might form an integrated force to create a separate wing.

The defence forces have also got a major boost in the form of the enhanced range of BrahMos cruise missiles as their ranges have been increased significantly. A long-range test of the cruise missiles is also due to be held in the near future. (ANI)

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Silkyara-Barkot tunnel Uttarkashi

Communication Established, All Trapped Labourers Safe: Uttarkashi Tunnel

By LokMarg

Amid the continuing rescue operation, all workers, who were trapped after a portion of an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi collapsed days back, are safe, an official informed on Tuesday.

Uttarkashi Chief Development Officer Gaurav Kumar said communication with the trapped workers was established at 10 am on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Kumar said, “I went inside the tunnel a short while back. We have established communication with the trapped workers and are in constant touch with them. Communication with them was established at 10 am today. We can confirm that all are safe and sound. We are ensuring a continuous supply of food, water and oxygen to the workers and the CMO (chief medical officer) has also arranged for some medicines. We are catering to their basic needs. The rescue operation is also progressing satisfactorily and we are in the process of inserting (steel) pipes (into the collapsed portion of the tunnel to rescue the trapped workers). We are making good progress and are hopeful of bringing them out safely soon.”

The 4,531-metre-long Silkyara Tunnel is being constructed at a cost of Rs 853.79 crore.

A portion of the under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed in the early hours of November 12, entrapping 40 labourers.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government constituted a six-member expert committee to probe the cause of the collapse.

Rescuers are in the process of inserting large-diameter steel pipes into the debris-filled tunnel using an auger drilling machine in a bid to create a passage through which the workers could be brought out safely. (ANI)

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Nitin Gadkari

Will Win At Least Three Out Of Five States: Gadkari

By LokMarg

Amid ongoing elections in five state assemblies, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of winning at least three out of five states.

“We are confident of winning at least three out of five states,” Gadkari said speaking to ANI on Tuesday.

The senior BJP leader added that in Mizoram, their “numbers” will increase and will also score well in the Telangana elections.

“Our numbers will increase to a good extent in Mizoram, and we will get a good victory in Telangana as well,” Gadkari said.

While elections in Mizoram took place on November 7, the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh was conducted on the same date.

Madhya Pradesh will vote on November 17. The second phase of polling in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 17 as well. Rajasthan will vote on November 25 and Telangana will vote on November 30.

The BJP is in power in Madhya Pradesh and seeks a second term. The party wants to overthrow the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The BJP won one seat in Telangana and Mizoram.

Gadkari was confident that the BJP will win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections since people believe that the BJP is the only party that has the capability to change the fate and future of the country.

“I believe that we will win the coming Lok Sabha elections also. We have brought development in the last ten years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Good work has been done. People have now come to believe that if any party has the capability to change the fate and future of the country, it is the BJP. Hence we will get support and we will win,” the Union Minister said.

Speaking about the elections in Madhya Pradesh which will vote on Friday, Gadkari said that the BJP has done good work under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Our party has done good work in the last 20 years under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan and under the leadership of Modi. The double engine of the combined government is doing good development work. That is why our victory in Madhya Pradesh is certain,” he said.

Choosing not to comment on Rahul Gandhi’s statement that there would be a ‘toofan’ (storm) of the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, Gadkari said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) has the right to speak whatever he wants to. I will not comment on what he said. I believe that we will win the elections by gaining the trust of the people and the positive work we have done.”

Speaking on the caste census, Gadkari said that it is Rahul Gandhi’s last option since he is losing.

“What does a losing man not do? I believe that no matter how negatively he (Rahul Gandhi) talks, people will vote for us positively and we will win the elections. This is my belief.”

Mocking the INDIA bloc, the Union Minister said that alliances are formed when the opposition party becomes weak.

“I believe that when the opposition party becomes weak, an alliance is formed. It is the result of our increasing strength,” he said.

The opposition parties have huddled together to form an alliance with the Congress party at the centre, to take on the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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