Front (AIUDF) Chief Badruddin Ajmal

We Cannot Form Govt With BJP-NDA: AIUDF Chief

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) Chief Badruddin Ajmal made it clear on Thursday that his party will not join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA alliance if they return to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls.

However, the AIDUF leader asserted that they will win all three seats on which they are contesting.

“AIUDF will win all three seats. We cannot form a government with the BJP-NDA; hence, we will remain with secular parties only,” he said.

Disappointed by the infighting within the INDIA Bloc with regard to seat sharing, Badruddin said that if the parties remained intact, then some hope could be expected, but they are all fighting unilaterally benefitting BJP.

“If the INDIA bloc had been together, then there could have been some hope but all of them are fighting separately. The Aam Aadmi Party and Trinamool Congress are two big parties that are fighting completely separately. BJP will benefit from this,” he added.

He also predicted that the BJP would suffer huge losses in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

“I would not like to say anything else; they will put ED and CBI behind us, but the atmosphere is going against the BJP. People were expecting Rs 15 lakh but it did not happen. Two crore jobs were not found. The youth are unemployed. The same youth who brought the BJP to power is angry with them today. We have knowledge of the ground. The BJP will suffer huge losses in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,” Ajmal said.

“They are thinking of changing the Constitution for which they need 400 plus seats, their dream will never be fulfilled,” he added.

There are a total of 14 parliamentary constituencies in Assam. Elections for the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will take place in three phases on April 19, April 26 and May 7.

Meanwhile, the election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 7 of the 14 seats in Assam. Both the Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) claimed three seats each. During the 2019 elections, the BJP increased its seat count to 9, while the Congress maintained its three seats, and the AIUDF won a single seat. (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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United States State Department kejriwal

India Objects To Remarks Of US State Department On Kejriwal

India has taken “strong objection” to remarks of the United States State Department Spokesperson about certain legal proceedings in India.

“In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement today.

The MEA defended India’s legal system, emphasizing its independence and dedication to impartial and expedient judgments.

“India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” the foreign ministry statement read.

Earlier today, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena was seen leaving the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters. The meeting lasted for approximately 40 minutes.

The MEA’s remarks come in the backdrop of a US State Department spokesperson telling Reuters this week, that the US is closely following reports of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. “We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal,” the US spokesperson said in response to an emailed query about the case.

Earlier this month, the US had expressed concern over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

In his daily briefing on March 15, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had said, “We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11.” External Affairs Ministry rejected the remarks as “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted”.

Moreover, on March 25, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) raised the alarm on the government’s notification of the Citizenship Amendment Rules (CAR) in a move to begin implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). In a statement, the USCIRF said that last week, USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck testified at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on this matter. (ANI)

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Amul US

Amul, Milk Products Go International With Launch In US

Popular dairy brand Amul, whose tagline is ‘Taste of India’, has now launched fresh milk products on the international stage for the first time and is now ready to cater to the people in the United States.

“I am pleased to inform that Amul shall be launching its fresh milk products in the United States of America. Happy to inform that we have tied up with a 108-year-old dairy cooperative in the US – Michigan Milk Producers Association, and this announcement was done at their annual meeting on March 20 at Detroit,” said Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which operates Amul.

“This is for the first time Amul fresh products range will be launched anywhere outside India and in a market like the United States, which has a very strong Indian and Asian diaspora,” Mehta told ANI.

Further, he said Amul hopes to expand the brand and become the largest dairy company in line with the vision given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attended its golden jubilee celebrations recently.

Amul’s entrepreneurial spirit has made it one of the strongest dairy brands in the world.

Addressing the gathering during the golden jubilee celebration, the Prime Minister asserted that a sapling that was planted 50 years ago by the farmers of Gujarat has become a giant tree.

Amul products are exported to more than 50 countries around the world. It has under it 18,000 milk cooperative committees, a network of 36,000 farmers, processing more than 3.5 crore litres of milk per day.

The evolution of the dairy sector in India and the stellar role played by dairy cooperatives since the launch of Operation Flood form an integral part of the country’s growth story as the country now is the largest producer of milk.

India contributes about 21 per cent to global milk production.

It is important to note that during the 1950s and 1960s the situation of India’s dairy sector was radically different as it was a milk-deficit nation and depended more on imports.

Following a visit of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to the Anand district of Gujarat in 1964, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was created in 1965 with a mandate to support the creation of the ‘Anand pattern’ of dairy cooperatives across the country through the Operation Flood (OF) programme which was to be implemented in phases.

Verghese Kurien, widely renowned as the “Father of White Revolution” in India, was the first chairman of NDDB. Along with his team, Kurien commenced work on the launch of the project which envisaged the organisation of Anand-pattern cooperatives in milk sheds across the country from where liquid milk produced and procured by milk cooperatives would be transported to cities. (ANI)

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Holy Buddha Relics

Holy Relics Of Lord Buddha To Return To India Today

The most sacred Holy Buddha Relics and those of his two main disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, that travelled for a month from India to Thailand, will return to India today amidst full State honours. The exposition of the Holy relics drew over four million devotees to Thailand informed the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

The relics will arrive at Air Force Station Palam, Technical Area (at Palam) on March 19. Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi will receive the relics in a humble ceremony marking their return home, the IBC release said.

On the return journey of the relics, a delegation led by Tashi Gyalson, Chairman LAHDC and a number of monks from the Theravada and Mahayana traditions are accompanying the relics.

The exposition in Thailand drew a phenomenal response. Scenes of winding queues of devotees waiting with offerings since the early hours of the day became a familiar sight as the Holy Relics procession arrived in one city after another, in Thailand, the release also said.

The revered relics’ exposition, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), travelled to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani and Krabi provinces, starting from New Delhi on February 22 and culminating on March 19.

The inauguration of the prayers took place at the central exhibition park of the city and was performed with full grandeur by Vajiralongkorn, the King of Thailand and his Queen, a release said.

The exposition, titled ‘Shared Heritage, Shared Values’, was also marking the commemoration with respect and honour of the 72nd birthday of the King that falls on July 28.

The relics arrived in Bangkok on February 22, accompanied by an official delegation led by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar.

Monks from India attended the relics at each of the four locations, along with academicians from different Indian universities who spoke on the relevance of the relics and issues connected with Buddhism, the IBC said in its release. (ANI)

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WB DGP

EC Orders Removal Of WB DGP

Ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued orders for the removal of West Bengal’s Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Iqbal Chahal along with some other senior officials from various states.

The ECI has also ordered the removal of certain key officials of six states in what it termed a decisive move towards upholding the principles of free, fair and transparent elections.

Home Secretaries in six states-namely Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been asked to step down. Additionally, the secretaries of the General Administrative Department in Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh have been removed.

The DGP had been in the spotlight after the BJP and other opposition parties criticised the Bengal police for alleged inaction in giving justice to the victims of Sandeshkhali.

The Sandeshkhali area had been witnessing unrest after women protestors sought justice against alleged atrocities committed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides.

Meanwhile, the Election commission also directed all the State governments to transfer officers connected with election-related work, who have completed three years or are in their home districts.

Maharashtra had not complied with the directions in respect of few Municipal Commissioners and some Additional / Deputy Municipal Commissioners.

While conveying displeasure to the Chief Secretary, the Commission directed the transfer of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner and the additional / Deputy commissioners with the direction to report by 6pm today.

The Chief Secretary was further directed to transfer all the similarly placed Municipal commissioners and Additional / Deputy Municipal Commissioners of other Corporations in Maharashtra.

This step comes as part of the Commission’s resolve and commitment to maintaining a level playing field and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, which has been emphasised by CEC Rajiv Kumar time and again and recently during the press conference for the announcement of Schedule for General Elections 2024.

The Commission meeting, chaired by Rajiv Kumar, comprising of Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was held today at noon.

The officials who have been removed in these seven states were found to be holding dual charges in the office of Chief Minister in respective states which may potentially compromise or be seen to be compromising the impartiality and neutrality required during the electoral process, especially in matters relating to law and order, deployment of forces, etc.

Through these measures, the Commission says it has ensured that all stakeholders uphold the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, thereby safeguarding the level playing field in the entire electoral process. (ANI)

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Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma

Virat Dons A Cool Dad T-Shirt

Star batter Virat Kohli is back in India after welcoming his son Akaay in London.

On Sunday night, he was spotted at the Mumbai airport as he had to catch a flight to Bangalore to join his team for the upcoming match of IPL 2024.

Mumbai-based paps who were stationed outside the airport captured Kohli and in no time, his images went viral. What caught everyone’s attention was Kohli’s cool outfit.

He was seen donning his cool white T-shirt, which featured a huge illustration of a cute cartoon character and had the word ‘Dad’ written on it.

After missing out on India’s 4-1 series win against England, Kohli will return to the field of cricket in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League featuring the Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB will play their first game against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

On the personal front, Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma became parents to their second child on February 15, 2024.

Announcing the arrival of the little one, Anushka and Kohli in a social media post wrote, “With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to inform everyone that on 15th February, we welcomed our baby boy Akaay/akaay & Vamika’s little brother into this world. We seek your blessings and good wishes in this beautiful time in our lives. We request you to kindly respect our privacy at this time. Love & Gratitude. Virat & Anushka.”

Kohli and Anushka tied the knot on December 11, 2017 in Italy. The duo was blessed with their first child Vamika on January 11, 2021. (ANI)

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Farooq Abdullah

How Is Security Alright For Parliamentary Polls And Not For State Elections?: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said that it is disheartening to see that the Election Commission of India has decided not to conduct Parliamentary and Assembly polls simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that on one hand, the poll body has also decided to conduct Assembly elections in four states which will be coinciding with the Lok Sabha polls but Jammu and Kashmir has been denied this opportunity.

Speaking to ANI, Farooq Abdullah said, “On one side the Govt of India wanted One Nation, One Election and on the other side, they are holding State elections and parliamentary elections in four states, why is this (J-K) being denied? When every party wanted elections (in J-K) then what is the reason it is not being done?”

Earlier in the day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar informed that polls in the Union Territory could not be held after taking inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir administration. He also said that additional forces are required to conduct simultaneous polls in J-K.

“During our recent visit to Srinagar and Jammu, the J&K Administration told us that two elections can’t be held at the same time due to more security requirements. Administration told us that there will be roughly 10 to 12 candidates for each assembly segment which means approximately, there will be 1,000 candidates in fray,” CEC Kumar said.

“This means each candidate needs to be given proper security cover and for that, there was more requirement of additional forces. The Commission is committed to holding Assembly polls in J-K soon after Lok Sabha polls when security forces will be available,” he added.

Questioning the observations made by CEC Kumar, Farooq Abdullah said, “If they say security is the reason, I do not think so. How is that security is alright for the parliamentary elections and not for the state elections?”

Earlier, the National Conference president Farooq Abdullah in December last year had questioned the delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding Assembly elections there, saying that people in the Union Territory want an elected government at the earliest.

“I hope that the government will understand the expectations and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hold the elections as soon as possible. The last elections were held way back in 2014 and people have been keenly awaiting another opportunity to get their fingers inked. The Elections Commission, itself, directed the central government to hold the elections by September next year,” Abdullah said.

Earlier, on December 11, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to take necessary steps for holding elections to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, next year.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre announced the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 and split the region into two UTs. (ANI)

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Myanmar

We Have Asked All Indians To Evacuate Myanmar: MEA

Amid the deteriorating security situation in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it has told all the Indians to evacuate and move away from there.

“We had issued an advisory for the Rakhine State, where the situation there is very delicate, the security situation has deteriorated. We told all Indian nationals to evacuate themselves and move away from there and we also told our nationals who are there or otherwise from anywhere else not to travel to that part,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a media briefing on Friday.

“The situation in Myanmar remains a cause of concern because of the deterioration in the security situation,” he said.

The MEA spokesperson said that there is a lot of fighting happening there, underscoring that the security situation is not conducive at all in Rakhine State.

Asserting that India wants peace and stability in Myanmar, Jaiswal asserted by saying, “There is a lot of fighting happening there, and the security situation is not conducive, but we call upon all sides.”

“We want peace and stability in the country, we want constructive dialogue in the country, and we want inclusive federal democracy to be established through dialogue and through constructive engagement…” he went on to say.

In February, India issued an advisory for Indian citizens, advising them not to travel to the Rakhine state of Myanmar amid a deteriorating security situation.

The Ministry of External Affairs cited the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities in Rakhine State.

“In view of the deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunications, including landlines, and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Indian citizens are advised not to travel to the Rakhine State of Myanmar,” the MEA advisory had stated.

It also advised the Indian citizens who are in Rakhine State to leave the state immediately.

Notably, a fresh uptick was noticed in incidents of violence in Myanmar recently. This came after three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive last October, capturing some towns and military posts. The experts called it the ‘biggest test’ for junta since taking power in 2021.

This also led to a huge influx of people from Myanmar into the state of Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border after the Myanmar army launched airstrikes in the bordering areas.

Myanmar marked the third anniversary of the military coup on February 1, where the military seized power in a coup three years ago. (ANI)

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MP Shashi Tharoor CAA

CAA Will Be Repealed If INDIA Alliance Assumes Power: Tharoor

Backing the opposition’s move to approach the Supreme Court over the enforcement of the CAA and denouncing the act as ‘unconstitutional,’ Congress MP Shashi Tharoor affirmed that it would be repealed if the INDIA alliance assumes power.

Presenting historical evidence to highlight the flaws in the legislation, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor argued that the CAA is both morally and constitutionally incorrect. He pointed out that “The basis on which partition occurred, was one country saying that religion was the basis of their country, and they went on and created Pakistan and Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, Dr Ambedkar, had said that religion won’t be the basis of our nationhood. Our struggle for freedom is for everyone, and the constitution and nation we create will be for everyone.”

“It is clearly timed, four years after the passage of the bill, for their benefit in these elections. I’m fully in support of the decision of the Indian Union Muslim League to go to the Supreme Court against this,” he said.

Tharoor declared that if the INDIA alliance and the Congress party assume power, they will unequivocally revoke this provision of the law, and will be a part of their manifesto.

“And I must say, if the INDIA alliance and the Congress party come to power, we will withdraw this provision of the law beyond any shadow of a doubt. It’s going to be in our manifesto. We will not support introducing religion into our citizenship and into our nation’s life,” Tharoor said.

However, Delhi Haj Committee Chairman Kausar Jahan welcomed the move and said that the act is meant to give citizenship and not take it away.

“I welcome this. This is an act to give citizenship and not take it away. The condition of Non-Muslims in our neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh is not good. If the govt wants to give them a respectful life, what is the problem with it? The Muslim community will not have any problem with this, there is no need to panic,” she said.

Meanwhile, UDF Chairman and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said that widespread agitation programs against the implementation of CAA will be conducted nationwide.

“The Congress and the UDF will resist the efforts of the Sangh Parivar forces to reap political gains by creating division and fear among the people. The law will not be allowed to be enforced under any circumstances”, he added.

Union Home Ministry announced the notification of rules for implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday, days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants–including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians–who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

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