France To Back Any Bid For Olympics By India: Macron

France To Back Any Bid For Olympics By India: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday assured India that the hosts of the 2024 Olympics will back them to organize the multi-sport event in the country in the near future.

At the outset of his address during a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, Macron expressed that he is looking forward to building stronger cooperation on sports with India.

“We will be delighted to build a stronger cooperation on sports with you. We will definitely support your intention to organize the Olympic Games in India for the future…,” Macron said.

The French President was the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday. Macron’s state visit marks France’s sixth participation, the highest of any other nation, as chief guest on India’s Republic Day.

Meanwhile, France is the host of the 2024 Olympics which will take place from July 26 and will conclude on August 11. Soon after the end of the Olympics, the Paralympics will start from August 28 till September 8 in Paris.

Earlier on January 19 while inaugurating the Khelo India games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the government was working towards hosting host the 2036 Olympic Games. The PM also underlined efforts by his government in the last 10 years to provide international exposure to athletes and provide an ecosystem for them to flourish.

In the 2020-21 Tokyo Olympics India achieved its best performance while it continued its superlative performance in the Asian Games and the Para Asian Games. (ANI)

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Modi, Macron Hold Roadshow In Jaipur

Modi, Macron Hold Roadshow In Jaipur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a mega roadshow in Rajasthan’s Jaipur on Thursday.

The French leader is in India on a two-day state visit at the invitation of PM Modi.

People in large numbers welcomed PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their roadshow in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Macron waved at the people who gathered there, acknowledging the warm welcome.

As PM Modi and French President Macron held the mega road show, a floral shower for the leaders also took place.

Following the roadshow, PM Modi and French President visited Hawa Mahal. Hawa Mahal, also known as “Palace of Breeze”, was built in 1799 as an extension to the Royal City Palace of Jaipur.

Prior to the road show, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at Jantar Mantar in Pink City, Jaipur.

Prime Minister Modi was pictured extending him a warm welcome at Jantar Mantar. The two leaders warmly greeted each other and posed for the cameras. They then headed to see Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is a famous solar observatory established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010.

Earlier, Macron arrived at Amber Fort in Rajasthan’s Jaipur. He also met school students who gathered there to welcome him.

On his visit to the fort, the French President was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari. At the fort, Macron also posed for a picture with Jaishankar and Diya Kumari.

As the French President walked around the Royal fort and took in the unique architecture, he was also given an overview of the history the fort carries. Macron appreciated Rajasthani painting and art and also interacted with artists at Amber Fort.

The French President will be the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi tomorrow.

Macron’s state visit marks France’s sixth participation, the highest of any other nation, as chief guest on India’s Republic Day.

Furthermore, it comes months after PM Modi’s Paris trip on France’s Bastille Day on July 14, last year. The French President arrived in Jaipur earlier today as part of his two-day state visit to India.

His visit caps the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership. (ANI)

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Madhavan pics with modi and macro

Madhavan Shares Pics With Modi, Macro

Actor R Madhavan was in “awe” after attending the banquet dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Louvre Museum in Paris.

The actor in his long post on his Instagram handle expressed his gratitude to PM Modi and President Macron for sharing their vision on “grace and humility”.
He shared several pictures and the video from the dinner in a post that read, “The passion and dedication to do good for the Indo French relationship, as well as for the people of both countries was palpable and intense during the Bastille day celebration in Paris on the 14th of July 2023. I was in complete awe at the dinner hosted by the President Emmanuel Macron in honor of our Honorable, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the Louvre, of both these world leaders, as they passionately described their vision for the future of these two great friendly nations. “

‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ actor also shared about the French President taking selfie and how PM Modi “very graciously and sweetly stood up to be part of it”.

“The positivity and mutual respect in the air was like a loving embrace. I sincerely pray that their vison and dreams bear fruit for all of us at the desired and appropriate time. President Macron eagerly took a selfie for us while our Honorable Prime Minister very graciously and sweetly stood up to be part of it.. a moment that will be forever etched in my mind for both the uniqueness and impact of that picture,” he added.

Conveying his gratitude to PM Modi and the French President for their valuable lessons, he stated, “Thank you President Macron and Modi Ji for the incredible lesson on grace and humility. May France and India forever prosper together.”

Talking about the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 in his post, the actor wrote, “14th July 2023 also marked yet another fantastic and successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 with the unfailing Vikas engine built with the help of SEP France by Shri Nambi Narayanan. Praying also for the succes of their important and incredible mission. @narendramodi @emmanuelmacron #bastilleday2023 #rocketrythenambieffect.”

https://www.instagram.com/actormaddy/

Actor Shilpa Shetty commented on his post, “Sooo proud of all your accomplishments, well deserved @actormaddy”

Anupam Kher commentd, “Jai ho and jai hind!”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron shared a video on his Twitter handle showing glimpses of the two-day visit of PM Modi. In the video, Madhavan was also spotted shaking hands with the French President.

The French President tweeted, “To the people of India, trust and friendship.”

Earlier, Madhavan had dropped two pictures on his Instagram handle sharing his look for the dinner. In the pictures, he was seen wearing grey-toned blazer and trousers and completed his look with a pair of glasses.

He wrote in the caption, “Thank you soooo much for making me feel so right for the occasion . For all the relentless styling options and the love .. @radhikamehra . I feel so comfortable and myself..#bastilleday 🇫🇷 at the #louvre #presidentsdinner2023”

On the work front, R Madhavan is all set for his next project, a supernatural thriller also starring Ajay Devgn and Jyotika. (ANI))

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Macron gifts to modi at dinner

Here’s The List Of Gifts Modi Received From Prez Macron

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to France, was presented with several gifts — with historical and cultural linkages — by French President Emmanuel Macron during a private dinner on Thursday.

Here’s the list of gifts presented to PM Modi:

1.
A framed facsimile of the photograph “A Parisian presenting flowers to a Sikh”, July 14, 1916

PM Modi was presented with the photo which pays tribute to the Indian soldiers who fought in Europe alongside France during World War-I (1914-1918). It also evokes India and France’s long-standing shared battle to defend universal values. Notably, several Indian battalions are partaking in the Bastille Day parade today.

The photo depicts a passer-by giving flowers to a Sikh officer from the Indian Expeditionary Force (IEF) deployed in France. At the time this snapshot was taken, the Battle of the Somme, in which the IEF were fighting, had already begun.

This photo was taken on the Champs-Elysees during the military parade of July 14, 1916, by a photo reporter from the Meurisse news agency. The original copy of the photo is still located at the National Library of France.

In World War I, some 1.3 million Indians volunteered to fight for Britain, including 877,000 combatants.  Over 70,000 of them lost their lives, including about 9,000 in France and Belgium. Most of these combatants were from “warrior peoples” in the north of the Indian subcontinent, like the Sikh soldiers marching on the Champs-Elysees.

2.
Reproduction of the Charlemagne chessmen (11th century)

PM Modi was also presented with the reproduced version of ‘Charlemagne’ chessmen, which represents Indian origins of the game of chess and the long history of trade between India and Europe.

This unique item represents both the long history of trade between India and Europe, with the elephant piece recalling the Indian origins of the game of chess, and the expertise of French companies in terms of innovation and new technologies.

‘Chaturanga’, the common ancestor of European and Chinese chess, appeared in India from the 7th century CE.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi is himself a chess enthusiast. During his term as Chief Minister of Gujarat, he attended the world record event for the most games of chess played simultaneously in one location, in Ahmedabad in December 2010.

The “Charlemagne” chessmen are stored at the Cabinet des Medailles at the National Library of France, and were formerly at the Treasury of the Basilica of Saint-Denis. They take their name from the legend stating that they were given as a gift to the Frankish Emperor by the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid.

Actually, they were made at the end of the 11th century, probably in Southern Italy, given the equipment used by the characters and the presence of elephants as bishops.

3.
Marcel Proust, Le temps retrouve (Time Regained), Pleiade and English edition of A la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time)

Prime Minister Modi was also presented with some famous and historic works of French literature.

A la recherche du temps perdu (In Search of Lost Time) is a series of novels by Marcel Proust (1871-1922) published between 1913 and 1927 and recognized as one of the most important works of French literature of the early 20th century.

Le temps retrouve (Time Regained) is its seventh and final volume, which was published posthumously.

The Bibliotheque de la Pleiade collection represents academic excellence and the most outstanding contributions of French authors to world culture. As Prime Minister Modi does not speak French, this edition comes with its English translation.

This volume IV of A la recherche du temps perdu from the Bibliotheque de la Pleiade includes the final two volumes of the original work, Albertine disparue (The Fugitive) and Le temps retrouvé (Time Regained), a number of drafts and outlines by the author and much academic commentary. It was published in 1989.

The English edition, Everyman’s Library, also includes the final two volumes of A la recherché du temps perdu. The translation is by CK Scott Moncrieff (1889-1930), a contemporary of Proust and the original translator of Proust into English, as revised by Terence Kilmartin (1922-1991). This version is considered to be one of the best English translations of Proust.

Meanwhile, during the private dinner, Prime Minister Modi was also presented with ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’, the highest French honour in military or civilian orders.

With this, PM Modi became the first Indian PM to receive this honour. This award comes in recognition of the Prime Minister’s role in the excellent relationship of friendship and trust between France and India.

PM Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday to a ceremonial welcome. He was recieved by his France counterpart Elisabeth Borne and later addressed the Indian diaspora in the France capital.

He will also join French President Emmanuel Macron for the French National Day celebration today in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force as part of the military contingent, are also set to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris.

Indian Army’s Punjab Regiment, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force have all started gearing up for the parade.

Indian Navy officer Ranveer told ANI, “The contingent is full of enthusiasm. You will be able to see during the parade that what preparations we did. We have been preparing for the last one month. Today is the final day…We are very proud that PM is here and our contingent is participating here”.

Indian Navy Lt Commander Disha said, “We are all in full ‘josh’. The entire contingent is ready to give our best and represent India on a foreign land. It is a matter of pride for us to march past the PM”. (ANI)

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French Prez On India At G20

I trust Modi To Bring Us Together: French Prez On India At G20 Helm

As India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, French President Emmanuel Macron exuded confidence in India’s leadership.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Macron stressed that he trusts his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unite everyone to establish peace and a sustainable world.
Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “One Earth. One Family. One Future. India has taken over the presidency of #G20India! I trust my friend @NarendraModi to bring us together in order to build peace and a more sustainable world.”

Earlier on Friday, December 2, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi after India assumed the G20 Presidency. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tweeted, “Congratulations to PM Narendra Modi, the government, and the people of India on India assuming the Presidency of G20. I have every confidence in India’s leadership to promote diplomacy and dialogue to build consensus and find enduring solutions to pressing issues in global affairs.”

Earlier on December 1, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wished success to India on assuming the G20 presidency. Albanese tweeted, “Wishing every success to @narendramodi on India assuming the G20 presidency.”

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also congratulated PM Narendra Modi as India assumed the G20 Presidency. He looked forward to working with PM Modi in addressing various challenges faced by the international community.

“Congratulations, PM Modi @narendramodi, on assuming the G20 Presidency. Japan India As the G7 Presidency next year, I also look forward to working closely with you in addressing various challenges that the intentional community faces,” Fumio Kishida wrote on Twitter.

Notably, India formally assumed G20 Presidency from Indonesia on December 1. The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s 20 major developed and developing economies.

The theme of India’s G20 Presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth One Family One Future,” according to the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. During its presidency, India will host more than 200 meetings in over 50 cities across 32 different workstreams.

In addition, India will have the opportunity to offer G20 delegates and guests a glimpse of India’s rich cultural heritage and provide them with a unique Indian experience. In November, PM Narendra Modi launched the G20 website and India took over the social media handles, including the Twitter handle from the previous Presidency. (ANI)

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‘France Has Ridiculed, Provoked Muslims – Repeatedly’

Saif Ali Lawman, 23, a Law student from Lucknow, says freedom of speech is not absolute, it comes with certain caveats. Lawman believes France must learn secularism and co-existence from India

Depicting Prophet Muhammad’s image comes under blasphemy and it has been so right from the beginning. Western countries need to understand that you cannot challenge 1400 years of belief with provocation, repeatedly. As a law student, I seriously believe that neither is blasphemy right, nor is killing someone in the name of blasphemy.

British colonialism is talked about a lot but French colonialism rarely finds much mention. France has the largest Muslim population in Europe and a large part of that population has its roots in Tunisia and Algeria, former French colonies that struggled for independence. Many are also unaware of the Levant Crisis that took place in 1945, soon after World War II where many west Asian countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Syria were caught between the French and the British. In short, France has a history of fraught relations with the Levant countries.

Why I am mentioning all this is because I want that the French government should look inwards if it really wants to resolve the matter, so that everyone can live in peace. It should work towards understanding the problem of immigrants and those who have lived for many years in France and yet don’t feel accepted by society.

ALSO READ: ‘Neither French Beheading Justified, Nor Provocation’

France claims to be a secular country, but secularism doesn’t mean washing away or repressing identities; it stands for assimilating various identities in a harmonious blend.

Saif does not believe France is a secular country

I feel sad about the teacher Samuel Paty who was beheaded last month, but I would say the French authorities are as rigid about their points of view as those they believe to be Islamists are. I always marvel at the way our country has managed to assimilate diverse identities and walk together for so long. We respect each other’s boundaries here, barring a few exceptions of course. We understand that the right to extend one’s arm ends where the other person’s nose begins.

Before 2014, my Muslim identity was just a lens I chose to view life from. Even though post 2014, certain things have changed, yet I would say things aren’t as bad as they are in Western countries. Western countries have tried to use law to foster secularism, but haven’t given as much importance to social cohesion and emotional cohesion as India does. We have a much larger population than many western countries, yet we manage more or less to maintain harmony.

ALSO READ: Charlie Hebdo And Laxman Rekha

France needs to bring in strict laws to counter those who believe in violence but it also needs to make sure that it doesn’t play with religious sentiments of minority faiths. Ek bade pariwar me khat pat chalti rehti hai, par agar shuruat me hi uspe dhyan diya jaye to cheezein zyada bigadti nahi (A large family bears disagreements often. If the issues are nipped in the bud, it ensures peace at home).

I believe France isn’t a secular country at all, but an orthodox country and it needs to understand the true meaning of secularism from countries such as India.

Recently when a Muslim woman broke Ganesha idols in Bahrain, she was swiftly handed over to the police. Muslim countries have a bad reputation but if France truly understood the meaning of secularism, it would question the people at Charlie Hebdo too. Freedom of speech is not absolute, it comes with certain caveats.