Nanakmatta Gurudwara Kar Sewa Pramukh Shot Dead

Uttarakhand Police Headquarters has formed a Special investigation team (SIT) comprising officials of Special Task Force and local police hours after killing of Nanakmatta Gurdwara Kar Seva Pramukh, Baba Tarsem Singh, on Thursday morning.

Additional police force has also been deployed in Nanakmatta area of Udham Singh Nagar district to maintain peace and police have appealed to the Sikh community to maintain peace.

Kar Seva Pramukh was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants around 6:30 am on Thursday.

According to the police, Baba Tarsem Singh was rushed to the hospital in Khatima after being shot but declared brought dead by doctors.

Police officials have also contacted central agencies to share useful input, and a massive search operation is underway to nab the culprits.

Police officials said they have also contacted the central agencies to share useful input related to this matter with them. The state police is confident of solving the murder.

Uttarakhand, Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, said, “We received information around 7 am today that between 6:15-6:30 am, two masked assailants entered Nanakmatta Gurdwara and shot Kar Seva Pramukh Baba Tarsem Singh. He was rushed to the hospital in Khatima. But I have received inputs that he succumbed to his injuries.

“This is a very serious matter…Senior officials have reached the spot. SSP is already there. DIG Kumaon is also reaching there, he will inspect the scene of the crime and speak to the locals. He will try to assess the situation there. For investigation of the incident, Police Headquarters has formed an SIT – this will comprise officials of STF and local Police,” he added.

DGP Abhinav Kumar also said that the case is being investigated on top priority and minutely.

“The STF has been told to keep this as their top priority and probe all angles minutely. We have to not only identify the assailants but also the bigger conspiracy behind this murder, if any. We have also contacted the central agencies to share useful inputs related to this matter with us. I assure you that we will solve this matter soon and take strict action,” said DGP.

Meanwhile, SDM Khatima Ravindra Singh Bisht said that Law and order situation is normal in the area.

“An unidentified person shot at Baba Tarsem Singh. He was declared brought dead at the hospital. Law and order situation is normal,” said SDM. (ANI)

India-Italy Rajnath Singh

Govt Open To Change In Agniveer Scheme If Needed: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that his government is “open to change” in the Agniveer recruitment scheme if necessary.

Speaking at the Times Now Summit, the Union Minister also said that the government has ensured that the future of the Agniveers is secure.

Asserting that youthfulness is necessary in the defence forces, Singh also defended the scheme, and said, “Sena mein youthfulness honi chahiye. The youth, I feel, are more enthusiastic. They are more tech-savvy. We have taken proper care that their future is also secure. We will also make changes if there is a need.”

The recruits named Agniveers serve for a tenure of four years that includes training for six months followed by 3.5 years of deployment. After retirement from the service, they will have the opportunity to apply to continue in the armed forces.

As announced, the ‘Agnipath’ or ‘Agniveer’ scheme is a process for recruiting soldiers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to be hired for a term of four years on contract.

Further, in a massive push to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the union minister said that the central government eyes wants to make India an exporter country for engines.

“I have asked DRDO to explore what kind of engines can be made in India and what countries are ready to transfer the technology, as we want to make engines in India now. We want to make India an exporter country for engines. Engines will be built in India and by the Indians,” he added.

On the opposition’s claim that China has occupied India’s land, Singh said that the borders of the country are completely safe.

“We should have complete faith in our army. I want to assure countrymen that our country and its borders are completely safe,” the Defence Minister added. (ANI)

Gram Parikrama Yatra

About 80,000 Leaders, Workers From Different Parties Join BJP

In pursuit of its Mission 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is touted as one of the biggest political parties in the country, has formulated various strategies, including the establishment of joining committee.

According to party sources, this committee has successfully brought in approximately 80,000 leaders and workers from different parties across the country into the BJP.

Induction into the party includes leaders not only at the national level but also at the district level. Sources informed that the party aims to incorporate around one lakh leaders and workers from other parties before the upcoming general elections.

Among the prominent figures who have recently joined BJP are former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, Ritesh Pandey and Sangita Azad from Bahujan Samaj Party, Parneet Kaur, Lalchand Kataria, Kiran Kumar Reddy, (former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), Suresh Pachouri, Jyoti Mirdha, Arjun Modhwadia and Ravneet Singh Bittu from Congress, Arjun Singh from All India Trinmool Congress, V. Varaprasada Rao from YSRCP, Sushil Kumar Rinku and Sheetal Angural from Aam Aadmi Party among other leaders.

According to the structure of the joining committee of BJP, Vinod Tawde has been appointed as the coordinator of with responsibilities extending to Western India.

Ravishankar Prasad has been assigned responsibility for Eastern India, Rajiv Chandrasekhar for Southern India, Anurag Thakur for Northern India and Bhupendra Yadav for Central India within the committee’s framework. (ANI)

Arvind Kejriwal

Kejriwal Produced Before Rouse Avenue Court

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, has been brought before the Rouse Avenue Court on the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand on Thursday. The agency is seeking additional remand of the Delhi CM.

As he entered the courtroom Kejriwal said “This is a political conspiracy and the people will answer it.”

The Delhi Chief Minister’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, and son are at the Rouse Avenue court to attend the proceedings. Delhi cabinet ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai, and several MLAs are also present in the Rouse Avenue Courtroom.

Earlier on Wednesday, the wife of jailed Delhi CM Kejriwal, Sunita said that her husband, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged excise scam, will reveal the truth regarding the case in court on March 28.

“In the so-called liquor scam, ED has conducted more than 250 raids. They are searching for the money of this so-called scam. They have found nothing yet. Arvind Kejriwal has said that he will reveal everything in court on March 28. He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is. He will also provide proof…” she had said.

The probe agency had arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with an alleged excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The case relates to alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy in 2022.

In its initial prosecution complaint filed in November 2021, the ED stated that the policy was intentionally designed with loopholes, facilitating the formation of cartels clandestinely to favor AAP leaders.

Additionally, the ED accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from a group of individuals referred to as the “South Group.”

The case originated from a report presented by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, highlighting purported procedural deficiencies in the development of the policy.

The report said “arbitrary and unilateral decisions” taken by Sisodia in his capacity as Excise Minister had resulted in “financial losses to the exchequer” estimated at more than Rs 580 crore. This report was referred to the CBI, and led to Sisodia’s arrest.

While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. (ANI)

Abhishek Sharma IPL

IPL’24: Abhishek’s Blistering Knocks Help SRH Register Highest Score In IPL

Fifties from Heinrich Klassen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head tore the Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling attack apart, as SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) registered the highest score in the history of IPL which is 277/3 in their 20 overs on Wednesday.

MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and asked the hosts, SRH, to bat first at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Openers Mayank Aggarwal and Travis Head came out to bat. Both the batters played attacking shots from the start of the innings. They built a partnership of 45 runs in just 4 overs before Mayank was dismissed on the first ball of the innings by Hardik. He was able to score 11 runs.

SRH completed their fifty in the 4.4 overs Head slammed a boundary on the bowling of Pandya.

After Mayank’s dismissal, Abhishek Sharma came out to bat. He along with Head built a partnership of 68 runs from just 23 balls. Head was sent back to the pavilion after playing an outstanding knock of 62 runs in 24 balls which was laced with nine fours and three sixes in the innings.

The hosts touched the 100-run nark on the last ball of the seventh over as Abhishek smashed a six to leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

After Head’s wicket, former SRH skipper Aiden Markram came to support Abhishek. Both the batters played brilliantly and put on a partnership of 48 runs in just 19 balls before Abhishek was dismissed after playing a marvellous innings of 63 runs in just 23 balls with the help of seven maximums and three boundaries.

The Hyderabad franchise completed the 150-run mark on the second ball of the 11th over as the left-hand batter took a single on the bowling of Chawla.

After Abhishek’s wicket, Klassen came into the middle to bat along with Markram. Both of them built an unbeaten partnership of 116 runs off just 55 balls. Klassen remained unbeaten on 80 from 34 with seven maximums and four boundaries.

The SRH team completed their 200 runs on the fourth ball of the 15th over as Klassen slammed a maximum on the bowling of right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah and completed the 250-run mark in the 19th over.

For MI, one wicket each was taken by Pandya, Gerald Coetzee, and Chawla in their spells where they conceded 46, 57, and 34 runs respectively.

Brief score: Sunrisers Hyderabad 277/3 (Heinrich Klaasen 80*, Abhishek Sharma 63, Travis Head 62; Hardik Pandya 1/46) vs Mumbai Indians. (ANI)

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global recognition of Garba UNESCO

Modi Hails UNESCO Recognition For Garba, Shares Certificate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his joy over the global recognition of Garba, a traditional dance form from India.

The PM added that Garba found a place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. I am glad that the Certificate of Inscription was presented a few days ago in Paris.

“Garba is a celebration of life, culture and devotion. It also brings people together. It is gladdening to note that Garba’s global popularity on the rise! Sometime ago, Garba found a place in the @UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. I am glad that the Certificate of Inscription was presented a few days back in Paris. At the same time, a memorable Garba Night was also held in Paris, which was attended the Indian community in large numbers,” he said in a tweet on X.

PM Modi also shared some photographs of people enjoying the Garba dance and a copy of the UNESCO certificate.

“Garba of Gujarat was inscribed in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO, under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from December 5-9, 2023, in Kasane, Botswana,” as per the Ministry of Culture.

As per the Ministry of Culture, Garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH element from India to join this list.

Garba is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the of Navaratri festival. The dance takes place around a perforated earthenware pot lit with an oil lamp, or an image of the mother goddess Amba.

Participating dancers move around the centre in a counter-clockwise circle, using simple movements while singing and clapping their hands in unison.

The Gujarati dance starts with slow circular movements and the tempo slowly builds up to a frenzied whirling. (ANI)

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Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi HC To Hear Tomorrow, PIL Seeking Removal Of Kejriwal As CM

The Delhi High Court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) praying for the removal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of chief minister of the government of NCT of Delhi on Thursday.

The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.

Recently, a plea stated that Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, in the money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam. Prior to the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate, the High Court of Delhi had also refused to pass orders granting interim protection from coercive action to him in the said case.

The plea stated that after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, Minister of Govt of NCT of Delhi Atishi gave interviews to various channels on March 21, stating and affirming that Arvind Kejriwal will not resign from his post and, if needed, will run the government from jail. She further said, “Arvind Kejriwal was the Delhi CM, is the CM and will continue to remain the CM, he will not resign, the plea read.

The plea filed by one Surjit Singh Yadav through lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh stated that the continuance of Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam has degraded the credibility and image of the Government of NCT of Delhi in the eyes of the general public.

The continuation of Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Government of the NCT of Delhi will not only lead to the obstruction of due process of law and disrupt the course of justice but will also lead to the breakdown or the constitutional machinery in the state, the plea stated.

The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case linked to a money laundering case and remanded the next day to the ED till March 28.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped. (ANI)

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Israel-Palestine Jaishankar

Palestinians Have Been Denied Their Homeland: Jaishankar

In a strong statement on the Israel-Palestine issue, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that whatever the rights and wrongs in the whole conflict between Israel and Palestine, the underlying fact is that the Palestinians have been denied their rights and homeland.

He stated that what transpired on October 7 was a ‘terrorist attack’ but also acknowledged, in reference to the Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza, that every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law.

Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Malaysia, was interacting with the Indian community during an event.

“How different pulls and pressures can be. On one hand, what happened on October 7 was terrorism. On the other hand, nobody would countenance the death of innocent civilians. Countries may be justified in their own minds in responding, but you cannot have a response that…every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law,” Jaishankar said.

“The fact is whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is underlying issue of the rights of the Palestinians and the fact that they have been denied their homeland,” he added.

Hamas launched a horrific terror attack in Israel on October 7 killing more than 1200 people and holding more than 250 people as hostages, out of which over 100 are still in captivity.

In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive in the Gaza Strip targeting the Hamas units. However, the operation has also resulted in civilian casualties. According to Gaza ministry, more than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza including women and children.

Notably, PM Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7.

However, India has also continued with its weight behind the ‘two-state solution’ to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar is on an official visit to Malaysia, followed by his visits to Singapore and the Philippines.

Earlier in the day, he called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and expressed admiration for his vision aimed at fostering stronger ties between India and Malaysia. He also emphasised that this vision will serve as a catalyst for crafting a more ambitious agenda to advance the relationship between the two nations.

He also held a round-table meeting with CEOs in Malaysia and appreciated their growing interest in partnering with Indian industries.

“A productive round-table meeting with CEOs in Malaysia. Glad to hear about growing interest in partnering with Indian industries. Encouraged them to join in India’s growth story. Discussed geopolitical developments that can provide more opportunities in business interactions,” the EAM posted on X. (ANI)

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Sonam Kapoor

UK’s Tate Modern Museum Inducts Sonam In Its South Asia Acquisition Committee

Actor Sonam Kapoor feels honoured as global art museum Tate Modern inducted her as a member of their South Asia Acquisition Committee.

In a statement shared by the actress’ team, Sonam said, “I’m deeply honoured to join the prestigious Tate Modern as a member of their South Asia Acquisition Committee. My fascination with Indian and South Asian art has been a lifelong journey, during which I have endeavoured to champion our artists at every opportunity.”

Sonam has been inducted to champion Indian and South Asian art.

“South Asia’s rich legacy of art is finally gaining the global recognition it deserves. As an Indian and a South Asian, it’s a privilege to witness our art taking centre stage. This role at Tate Modern allows me to actively endorse and advocate for our remarkable artworks and artists on a historic platform. It is a proud moment, not just for me, but for our entire art community, as we work together to elevate the presence of South Asian art, worldwide,” she added.

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Sonam was last seen in the film ‘Blind’ directed by Shome Makhija and also starring Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, and Lillete Dubey in prominent roles. The film marked Sonam’s return to acting after a maternity break.Sonam was blessed with son Vayu in August 2022.

She has signed two new projects as well.

Talking about them, Sonam said, “I took two years off as I was pregnant and then wanted to take some time off with my son. Two years are not done yet and I have signed onto two projects – one show and one film that I will start working on. It will release in another year, because that is how films work. Then my idea is to do two pieces of content every year, that’s it, not more because I want to spend time with my family as well.” (ANI)

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Nine Lok Sabha, 72 Assembly

BJD Announces First List Of Candidates For Nine Lok Sabha, 72 Assembly Seats

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday announced the first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Odisha.

Odisha CM and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the list of the nine Lok Sabha candidates, namely for Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Bhubaneswar, Kendrapara, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Aska and Koraput seats.

Naveen Patnaik will re-contest from the Hinjili Assembly constituency for a sixth term.

Back in 2000, Patnaik became the chief minister of Odisha for the first time.

BJD General Secretary Pranab Prakash Das has been pitted against Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of the BJP in Sambalpur.

Hours after joining BJD, the Biju Janata Dal announced Manmath Routray, son of Congress veteran leader Suresh Routraya, as the Lok Sabha candidate from Bhubaneswar.

Former Odisha Congress MLA Anshuman Mohanty, who joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on February 16, will contest the election from the Kendrapara Lok Saha seat.

Pradeep Kumar Majhi, who left Congress on October 22, 2021 and joined BJD later on, is a nominee from Nabarangpur.

BJD filed former Indian Hockey Captain and Padma Shri awardee, Dilip Tirkey as the party nominee from the Sundargarh seat.

Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management (Government of Odisha), a five-time MLA, has been named a BJD candidate from Mayurbhanj.

The party fielded Lambodhar Nial from Kalahandi, Ranjita Sahu from Aska and Kaushalya Hikaka from Koraput.

Further, the BJP declared 72 names out of 147 assembly seats.

BJD filed Jagannath Saraka as the party nominee from Bissamkatak, Raghunath Gamango from Gunpur, Anusaya Majhi from Rayagada, Debesh Acharya from Bargarh, Rita Sahoo from Bijepur, Snehangini Churia from Atabira, Susanta Singh from Bhatli, Ashiwni Patra from Jales war, Subhasini Jena- from Basta, Sanjib Mallick, from Bhandaripokari, Prafulla Samal from Bhadrak, Bishnubrata Routray from Basudevpur, Sanjay Das from Dhamnagar, Byomkesh Ray from Chandbali, Pramila Malik from Bijharpur, Pranab Balbantra from Dharmasala, Sujata Sahoo from Jajpur, Pritiranjan Ghadei from Sukinda, Sudhir Samal from Dhenkanal, Prafulla Mallick from Kamakshyanagar, Nursingha Sahoo from Parjang, Mukesh Pal from Pallahara, Sushant Kumar Behera from Chendipada, Niranjan Pujari from Sonepur, Nihar Behera from Loisingha, Saroj Meher from Patnagarh, Kalikesh Nayarayan Singh Deo from Bolangir, Tukuni Sahu from Titilagarh, Rajendra Dholakia from Nuapada, Nabina Nayak from Umerkote, Ramesh Majhi from Jharigaon, Kaushalya Pradhani from Nabarangpur, Manohar Randhari from Dabugaon, Pradip Dishari from Lanjigarh, Dibyashankar Mishra from Junagarh, Puspendra SinghDeo from Dharmagarh, Latika Nayak from Bhawanipatna, Saluga Pradhan from G Udaygiri, Mahidhar Rana from Kantamal, Pradip Amat from Boudh, Debi Prasad Mishra from Badamba, Debi Tripathy from Banki, Sauvik Biswal from Cuttack-Choudwar, Ranendra Pratap Swain from Athagarh, Pramod Mallick from Niali, Chandra Sarathi Behera from Cuttack-Sadar, Arvind Mohapatra from Patkura, Pratap Deb from Aul, Dhruba Sahu- from Rajnagar, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak from Mahakalpada, Sunil Mohanty from Puri, Uma Samantaray from Brahmagiri, Sanjay Dasburma from Satyabadi, Rudrapratap Maharathy from Pipili, Bibhuti Balbantray from Jatni, Satyanarayan Pradhan from Ranpur, Ramesh Behera from Daspalla, Arun Sahoo from Nayagarh, Bikram Keshari Arukh from Bhanjanagar, Srikant Sahoo from Polsara, Latika Pradhan from Kabisuryanagar, Subhash Behera from Chhatrapur, Sanghamitra Swain from Sorada, Naveen Patnaik from Hinjili, Bikram Panda from Gopalpur, Biplab Patra from Digapahandi, Chanmanya Nanda from Chikiti, Chandrasekhar Majhi from Kotpad, Raghuram from Koraput, Manas Madkami from Malkangiri and Badrinarayan Patra from Ghasipura.

The Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, which comprise 21 constituencies, are set to take place in four phases. The voting dates have been scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) emerged as the dominant party, securing 20 out of the 21 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a single seat.

However, the 2019 elections saw a shift in the political landscape. The BJD’s seat count was reduced to 12, while the BJP made significant gains, winning 8 seats. This change marked a notable increase in the BJP’s presence in the state. The Indian National Congress (INC) also managed to secure a seat in the 2019 elections. (ANI)

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