Category: News

Gulmarg

Gulmarg Receives Fresh Snowfall

By LokMarg

Gulmarg, a winter wonderland in Jammu and Kashmir has been drawing attention from foreign skiers and adventure lovers following a recent snowfall in the higher reaches of the valley.

The snow-donned Gulmarg reflects the pristine beauty of nature as its meadows serve as a paradise for those seeking adventure and the thrill of downhill descents.

With its world-renowned highest altitudes, Gulmarg attracts adventurers from across the globe as the landscape lays a majestic backdrop for national and international skiers to navigate the slopes.

While speaking to ANI, Chief Executive Officer Waseem Raja speaks about why national and international skiers are captivated by the presence of the highest snow-led altitudes of Gulmarg.

“Gulmarg is one of the best skiing resorts in the whole world. Skiers are reaching here from within the country and the world. All adventure activities including the snowfall have resumed after the snowfall. The snowfall is forecasted to continue for a few days,” the Chief Executive Officer told ANI.

Sharing her experience, a skier from Australia opens up about her time in the winter wonderland, Gulmarg and says, “They have a range. Once phase two is open, more experienced skis can go up there. Sort of suits everyone as well, which is great. I would suggest if you have the opportunity to come here, do. It’s amazing.”

“This is my first time here. It is a gorgeous place and the people are very, very friendly. It’s lovely,” adds the Australian skier.

Another skier from Scotland told ANI, “I feel blessed to be here. I’m just so lucky that in this turbulent time in the world and there’s so much war, we get opportunities to come to Kashmir. The slopes of Gulmarg are so good for skiing and cater for every skier, from beginner to advanced. Stay safe and come to Kashmir.”

The picturesque destination of Gulmarg has become a hotspot for those seeking winter sports and the thrill of fresh snow.

Snow skiing is a winter sport that involves using skis to move over snow.

Winter sports require skis — long, narrow, flat, curved strips of metal, wood, or plastic that are attached to shoes or boots and are used by skiers to glide over snow.

Skiing can be a fun recreational activity or a competitive sport. The two main types of skiing are downhill and cross-country.

The best time to go skiing is between December and April, which is the main ‘ski season’ in most resorts. (ANI)

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Arvind Kejriwal

Senior Civil Servants Receiving Threats If They Implement Scheme: Kejriwal

By LokMarg

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that senior civil servants of the Delhi government are not cooperating with the state government in implementing a scheme related to one-time settlement of unpaid water bills, saying that they are being threatened by “higher office,” indicating at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“This scheme was passed by June 13, 2023. But it has not been implemented yet. For that it needs to be brought to the cabinet. The Finance Secretary is saying that he will not give his comments, and the UD (Urban Development) Secretary is saying that he will not bring the bill to the cabinet without comments. Officers have stated in writing that they will not implement this. Officers are saying that they are being threatened of suspension, expulsion, or raids by the ED and CBI. They are ready to resign. This is a constitutional crisis. We have asked the LG to intervene,” Kejriwal said speaking in a press conference after his address in the Assembly on Monday.

Speaking in the Assembly, Kejriwal said that since Delhi is not a full-fledged state, it has fallen prey to “dirty” and “low-level politics” by the central government.

“Delhi has a problem. Though Delhi is half a state, I don’t think it has five per cent of statehood. If it had been a full fledged state, no officer would have dared not to follow the directive of Ministers and Chief Minister. He would have been immediately suspended. Delhi is under the threat of dirty and low-level politics. Since Delhi is not a full fledged state, the real power is with the central government. They central government is run by a different party who do not want the elected government to function in Delhi properly,” the Chief Minister said.

On the crisis of people not paying their water bills, Kejriwal said, “There are around 27 lakh consumers. 40 per cent do not pay their bills because they think their bill is frivolous.”

The Chief Minister said that such bills may have been generated because during the pandemic, meter readings could not be taken properly.

On the one-time settlement scheme that the government wants to bring, Kejriwal said, “If in the recent two years, if you think that two or more readings are proper, the water bill for the entire unpaid period will be generated by multiplying the months with the meter reading for that month.”

Explaining in detail the settlement scheme in the press conference, the Chief Minister said, “The Delhi government has come up with a one-time settlement scheme. Under this, in the last 2-4 years of which you have not paid the bill, if two of the bills are logical, as determined by you and the Jal Board, will be set as an average and multiplied by the number of months of the unpaid time, and a water bill will be generated.”

Speaking in the Assembly about the administrative hurdles being faced by his government, Kejriwal said, “We want the scheme to come to the Cabinet. For that, we need the comments of Finance Secretary. But the Finance Secretary wrote on the file that he would not be giving comments…The UD secreatary said that he will not let the scheme be tabled in the cabinet till the Finance secretary gives his comments…Senior IAS officers started crying saying that they are being threatened by the higher office.”

In a scathing attack at the BJP, Kejriwal said, “BJP hates Delhites. They want to destroy Delhi. They did not pay the rent for mohalla clinics for three months, did not pay bills, stopped yoga classes…Till I am alive, I will stand like a wall against the BJP.”

“The LG said that he does not have any information about the matter. Even if you call these officers, the scheme will be passed by evening. If they do not approve this, the LG can suspend them,” he added.

The Chief Minister also assured Delhi residents not to pay their bills till the time the one-time settlement scheme is implemented.

On skipping summons by the Enforcement Directorate for the sixth time, Kejriwal said, “The ED should wait for the court to decide before issuing a fresh summon.”

On Chandigarh Mayor Manoj Sonkar resigning ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process, the Aam Aadmi Party chief said, “Their Mayor resigned yesterday. This shows that they were wrong. They had won the election through malpractice. If they do not win elections, they buy people.” (ANI)

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Congress' tribal leader Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya

Rajasthan Congress’ Tribal Leader Malviya Joins BJP

By LokMarg

In a big blow to the Congress, former Rajasthan Cabinet Minister and Congress’ tribal leader Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya joined the Bhartiya Janata party on Monday ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a press conference, Rajasthan BJP President CP Joshi said, “Today, prominent leader from the tribal region, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, is joining the BJP. Influenced by the policies and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has chosen to become a member of the BJP.”

Joshi highlighted that Malviya himself has stated that significant developmental work has taken place in the tribal areas under the leadership of PM Modi. He also noted the historic achievement of an Adivasi woman becoming the President of the country, citing it as an impact of PM Modi’s policies that has influenced Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya.

Criticizing the grand old party before joining the BJP, Malviya said, “You can see the plight of Congress across the country. The party is being hounded and rendered hollow from within by a select few people. Somewhere, it has drifted from the vision it had for the country and the people. It is not there anymore”.

According to sources, Malviya was not ‘happy’ with the Congress leadership.

Malviya currently represents the Bagidora Assembly seat in the Banswara district.

As a tribal leader from southern Rajasthan where the BJP is considered to have a stronger footing than the Congress, his inclusion can assume significance before the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Malviya first became an MLA in 2008, defeating the Janata Dal (United)’s Jeetmal Khant by 45,000 votes. Despite strong anti-incumbency in 2013, which saw the Congress reduced to just 21 seats, Malviya retained his seat by defeating the BJP’s Khemraj Garasiya. He prevailed over Garasiya again in 2018.

In the 2023 Assembly elections, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya defeated BADVP’s Jaikrishn Patel from the Bagidora Assembly constituency. (ANI)

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Modi UP

UP Has Transitioned From Red-Tapism To Red-Carpet Culture: Modi

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the BJP government has laid emphasis on both ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh and has worked towards saturation of welfare schemes which is “true justice and true secularism”.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for investment proposals received during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023 (UPGIS 2023) held in February last year, the Prime Minister said the state has transitioned from red-tapism to red-carpet culture in the past seven years of double-engine government.

He said the state is taking rapid strides in development and has seen a significant drop in crime.

“In the past seven years since Uttar Pradesh got the ‘double-engine government’, the state has transitioned from red-tapism to ‘red-carpet’ culture. During this period, Uttar Pradesh has not only experienced a significant decrease in crime rates but also a substantial increase in trading and business opportunities,” he said.

“We have given equal importance to ease of living and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of double engine government is that no beneficiary is not left out of any government scheme,” he added.

The Prime Minister referred to the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and said the vehicle with “Modi’s guarantee” reached various parts of Uttar Pradesh so that there is a saturation of government welfare schemes.

“This is true justice, this is true secularism,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that Uttar Pradesh is receiving investment across sectors.

“We are gathered here with the resolve to build ‘Viksit Uttar Pradesh’ for ‘Viksit Bharat’. I have been told that through technology, lakhs of people from more than 400 Vidhan Sabha seats of UP are connected to this event…7-8 years back, we couldn’t even think that there could be such an atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh regarding investment and employment,” he said.

“There used to be news of crime, riots and snatching. At that time, if someone said that UP would be developed, perhaps nobody would have been ready to even hear that…Today, lakhs and crores of rupees of investment are coming into Uttar Pradesh,” he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath also addressed the gathering. (ANI)

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AAP

Threatened Or Bought: Chandigarh AAP Prez As AAP Councillors Join BJP

By LokMarg

After Three Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillors joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the national capital on Sunday evening Chandigarh AAP President Sunny Singh Ahluwalia alleged that they had been threatened or brought by the BJP.

“They launched ‘Operation Lotus’. The councillors who were protesting against them just three days ago, fighting for democracy, were either threatened or brought by the BJP and the same is going on inside the country,” Sunny Singh Ahluwalia said.

The three Aam Aadmi Party Chandigarh councillors who joined BJP are Punam Devi, Neha Musawat, and Gurcharan Kala in the presence of party National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, in Delhi.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on allegations of irregularities in the vote-counting process, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Manoj Sonkar resigned from the post of Chandigarh Mayor on Sunday.

Reacting on BJP’s resignation from the Mayor post, party President of Chandigarh Jatinder Pal Malhotra said, “The mayor resigned on Sunday afternoon. Aam Aadmi Party and Congress propaganda is out in the open. They are abusing each other in the rest of the country and they are making an alliance in Chandigarh.”

“The Congress workers did not want a Congress Mayor, which is why they cross-voted… To stop AAP’s propaganda, we have resigned… More workers and the councillors of the AAP and Congress will join the BJP soon, he added.

The mayoral elections case is listed before the Supreme Court on February 19.

Earlier on February 5, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Returning Officer who held the Chandigarh Mayor elections, saying he was “murdering democracy” and ordered the preservation of the entire record of the election process, including ballot papers, videography and other material, through the Registrar General of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it is obvious that the returning officer had defaced the ballot papers.

“Is this the way he conducts the elections? This is a mockery of democracy. This is the murder of democracy. We are appalled. We will not allow democracy to be murdered this way. The man defaces ballots the moment he sees a cross at the bottom. This man should be prosecuted. Is this the behaviour of the returning officer?,” said the court. (ANI)

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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra Resumes From Pratapgarh

By LokMarg

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters the 37th day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday resumed the Yatra from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Pratapgarh, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, “Amethi is the home of Rahul Gandhi. He has been a member of parliament from here. He is the son of Amethi. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is going to have a huge impact on Uttar Pradesh and the country…”

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj.

“Today is the 37th day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj. We will stay in Amethi tonight and reach Raebareli tomorrow morning. We will stay in Lucknow tomorrow and in Kanpur the day after. Then, we will take 2 days’ rest on 22nd and 23rd February…” said Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh.

When asked about Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh joining Bharat Jodo Naya Yatra, Jairam Ramesh said, “I expect that he will join the Yatra tomorrow. Earlier, Apna Dal leader Pallavi Patel also joined the yatra.”

Earlier the Samajwadi Party Chief had accepted the invitation from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to join the Yatra saying that he would participate in the Yatra in Amethi or Rae Bareli. However, with no headway being made in the seat-sharing talks between the two parties there have been reports that the SP Chief will stay away from the Yatra as it makes its way through Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called upon the youth of the country to rise and stand up for their rights.

He asserted that the youth should have the primary claim over the country’s wealth and resources, rather than “people like Adani and Ambani”.

Addressing a large gathering of people, which consisted predominantly of youth, on the thirty-sixth day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in this holy city of ‘Sangam’, Rahul Gandhi agreed with and shared the concerns of, the youth, particularly about their future, career and employment opportunities which were shrinking.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fired a fresh salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Centre over the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, claiming that the OBCs, Dalits, and Backward Class people, who represent 73per cent of the total population of the country, were nowhere seen during the mega event.

Gandhi was addressing a public gathering during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, succeeded by the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner. (ANI)

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Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi

Lt Gen Upendra Takes Over As New Army Vice Chief

By LokMarg

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday took over as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff.

After assuming the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff, the General laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Lt Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP) and was commissioned into the 18 JAK RIF on December 15, 1984, which he later commanded in the Kashmir valley and the deserts of Rajasthan. He has had the unique distinction of having balanced exposure of both Northern and Western theatre.

He has also held the important appointments of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) and Sector Commander Assam Rifles in intense counter terrorist operations and held various other staff and command appointments in the North East.

After commanding the Rising Star Corps, the General was given the command of the most prestigious Northern Army from 2022-2024 in an extremely challenging operational environment.

During his command, he provided guidance and operational oversight for the planning and execution of sustained operations along the northern borders with China and the Western Front with Pakistan, besides orchestrating the dynamic counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was also involved in the modernization and equipping of the largest Army Command of the Indian Army, where he steered the induction of indigenous equipment as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He has also worked towards creating sysnergy with the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh for convergent nation-building outcomes and infrastructure development.

The General officer, during his illustrious career spanning across 39 years, has held various staff appointments in the headquarters of the Armoured Brigade, Mountain Division, Strike Corps and Integrated HQ (Army). As an instructor at the Indian Military Academy and the Army War College (Higher Command), he shaped the future generations of tri-services and Friendly Foreign Countries. The appointment of DG Infantry empowered him to steer and fast-track capital procurement cases of weapons for all three services, leading to significant and visible capability enhancement for our Armed Forces.

As Dy Chief (IS&C), the officer gave impetus towards automation and the absorption of niche tech in the Indian Army. Being a tech enthusiast, he worked towards enhancing the tech threshold of all ranks in Northern Command and pushed for Critical and Emerging Techs like Big Data Analytics, AI, Quantum and blockchain-based solutions.

The Genral officer’s two overseas tenures include Somalia, as pw1art of HQ United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) II and Seychelles, as Military Advisor to the Government of Seychelles.

Besides attending Staff College, Wellington and the Higher Command Course at Army War College (AWC), Mhow, the officer was conferred ‘Distinguished Fellow’ in the coveted NDC equivalent course at USAWC, Carlisle, USA. Complementing his illustrious military career, are an M Phil in Defence & Management Studies, in addition to two Master’s degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science, including one from USAWC, USA. The officer has also authored / presented articles in various professional forums / Journals. He has pioneered the first ever compendium on Indo – Myanmar Border Management. The General officer is a skilled Yoga practitioner. (ANI)

He is married to Sunita Dwivedi, a science graduate, who is a homemaker. Sunita Dwivedi has been associated with Aarushi, an institute for special-ability children at Bhopal. The couple is blessed with two daughters. (ANI)

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French Senate

French Senate Chairman Visits India To Boost Bilateral Relations

By LokMarg

Gerard Larcher, Chairman of the French Senate, is on an official visit to India on February 19 and 20, 2024, accompanied by a delegation of five senators, the French Embassy in India said.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation between France and India.

“Larcher is accompanied by a delegation of five other senators who are members of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee or the France-India Friendship Group. This will mark the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France’s Parliament,” according to the official press release.

‘Larcher and his delegation will meet with Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha,’ the release added.

According to the official release, ‘the French Senate chairman and his senators will discuss ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India’s Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement. Larcher will also be given a guided tour of the new Parliament building.’

The Chairman of the French Senate will call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.

Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter’s visit to Paris on July 14, 2023, when the Prime Minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups.

The chairman of the French Senate will also meet the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India’s growing geopolitical role.

During his visit, Larcher will meet with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French companies making key contributions to “Make in India” and “Skill India.”

The Senate is the Upper House of the Parliament of the French Republic. Its 358 members – or Senators – are elected through indirect universal suffrage for a term of six years. As a legislative assembly, the Senate votes the laws stemming from government or parliamentary initiative.

The Chairman of the Senate ensures the stability of France’s institutions as he is called upon to replace the President of the Republic in the event of death or resignation. The Chairman is elected for a three-year term after each renewal of the Senate membership. Gerard Larcher has been the Chairman of the Senate since October 2014, a post he also earlier held from 2008 to 2011. (ANI)

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Priyanka Chopra Malti Marie Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Shares Glimpse Of Maltie’s Fearless Avatar

By LokMarg

Global icon Priyanka Chopra In the picture, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas shared an adorable picture of her daughter Maltie Marie On Sunday.

Priyanka penned a long note on Instagram, characterizing Malti as ‘fearless, spontaneous, grateful, and curious.’

She wrote, “R u kidding me?! @maltimarie is such a champ. She surprises me everyday. Fearless and spontaneous. Grateful and curious. In this moment she climbed up this slide all by herself and launched herself off on her TUMMY, down the slide landing into the ball pit in a fit of laughter and unbridled joy.”

She added, “I think this will be a picture I will always remember to look at on a day I’m feeling blue. To remind myself of this moment. Do u have any such memories that you just want to pause in time? Thank you Rowe and Grey. Happy birthday. We had the most fun! @morganstewart @jordanmcgraw.”

In the picture, the toddler can be seen lying on a bed of black and white balls when she closes her eyes and giggles. Malti wore a light green outfit for a friend’s birthday party.

Priyanka and Nick Jonas got married in a Christian and a Hindu ceremony in Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace on December 1 and 2 2018. Later, the couple also hosted two receptions in Delhi and Mumbai. In January 2022, the two announced that they welcomed daughter Malti Marie via surrogacy.

Meanwhile, on the work front, in the coming months, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in ‘Heads of State’, alongside John Cena and Idris Elba. She will also be seen in Farhan Akhtar’s next directorial ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ alongside Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt.

On the other hand, Nick recently performed in India with his brothers Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas for the first time. He received a warm welcome from the desi fans as he crooned at Lollapalooza 2024. (ANI)

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Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal

Varun, Natasha Expecting Their First Child

By LokMarg

After three years of marriage, the cutest couple of Bollywood Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal are all set to embrace parenthood.

On Sunday, Varun took to Instagram and shared the good news with their fans and followers.

The image captured Varun planting a kiss on Natasha’s baby bump and at the back their pet dog Joey posing for a camera.

Sharing the picture, he wrote, “We are pregnant, Need all your blessings and love #myfamilymystrenght.”

As soon as this exciting news was shared, fans and industry members flooded the comment section.

Karan Johar wrote, “Love you both!!!!!!! So so happy for you and the family!!!! welcome to best feeling in the world.”

Bhumi Pednekar commented, “Congratulations.”

Vaani Kapoor wrote, “Congratulations.”

Janhvi Kapoor dropped heart emojis.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu commented, “Omg. Best news.”

Varun tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Natasha on January 24 in 2021. The wedding was a close-knit affair with very few guests in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Varun and Natasha, a fashion designer, have known each other since sixth grade. However, the duo fell head-over-heels in love with each other after a couple of years.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Varun Dhawan will be seen in upcoming action thriller film ‘Baby John’.

‘Baby John’ is directed by A. Kaleeswaran. Atlee is presenting the film in association with Jio Studios and Cine1 Studios.

In the coming months, Varun will be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series ‘Citadel’ opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers’ series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (ANI)

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