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Arvind Kejriwal Winter Action Delhi Planning Department

Kejriwal To Announce Winter Action Plan To Tackle Air Pollution

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

The Delhi Government is tightening its grip on air pollution by intensifying its efforts towards implementing a comprehensive plan to combat winter pollution. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will announce the Winter Action Plan on 29 September, according to an official statement of the state government.

Providing further information, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said in a statement, “We are preparing a Winter Action Plan to curb winter pollution in Delhi on the basis of reports given by the departments. A joint meeting regarding the Winter Action Plan of all the 28 concerned departments was held on September 14 in the Delhi Secretariat and different responsibilities were assigned to the departments. Instructions have been issued to all construction agencies to strictly follow the norms related to dust pollution.”

In the meeting, officers from Environment Department, DPCC, Development Department, Delhi Cantonment Board, CPWD, DDA, Delhi Police, DTC, Revenue Department, DSIIDC, Education Department, DMRC, PWD, Transport Department, NHAI, Delhi Jal Board, DUSIB, NDMC were present. All departments were instructed to submit detailed action plans under the Winter Action Plan to the Environment Department by September 25.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “Keeping in mind the phenomenon of rising pollution in Delhi during winters, the Delhi Government is preparing a ‘Winter Action Plan’. We conducted a high-level meeting of 28 government departments on September 14th in this respect. In that meeting, all the departments were given a unique goal, to be included in the Winter Action Plan.”

He continued, “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will present this Winter Action Plan in front of the citizens of Delhi on September 29th, 2023. All the government departments will act in unison in the implementation of the Winter Action Plan to curb the rise of pollution in ensuing winters.”

He also said, “Last year, we worked together with all the agencies involved in the construction business in Delhi to keep a noose on pollution. Today, I am appealing to them to follow the norms related to dust pollution. Action would be taken against all those agencies who violate the law. A separate action plan will be made for 13 hotspots to reduce pollution. This time special monitoring will be done on hotspots to reduce pollution.” (ANI)

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Diplomats From East, SA Visit All India Institute Of Ayurveda In Delhi

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

The 15-member delegation of diplomats and representatives from East and Southern African countries visited the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi on Tuesday and explored the cutting-edge science and interventions of AIIA in the field of Ayurveda and integrative health care.

After joining the G20 bloc under India’s 2023 presidency, the African nations are all set to explore the power of Indian Systems of Traditional Medicine and Integrative health care.

The diplomats from Namibia Ethiopia, Uganda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda visited the Ayurvedic institution premises.

Prof (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, Pramod Kumar Pathak, Consultant, Ministry of Ayush, Puneet R. Kundal, Joint Secretary, (East & Southern Africa Division), Ministry of External Affairs and staff of the institute welcomed diplomats & explained to them about various achievements of India in Traditional Medicine.

In his video message, Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the African delegation and said that this visit will help in achieving the objective of Universal Health Coverage in African nations through the potential of traditional medicine systems of India.

Taking to X, the Ministry of Ayush shared about the delegation visit saying, Diplomats and representatives of East and Southern African Countries today visited @AIIA_NDelhi. They were apprised of how AIIA is working towards providing high standards of education, research, and patient care through Ayurveda. (ANI)

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Modi Congratulates Dressage Team For Historic Asian Games Gold

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian equestrian team of Anush Agarwalla, Hriday Vipul, Divyakriti and Sudipti Hajela who created history by clinching a historic gold medal in Team Dressage in the ongoing Asian Games.

This medal marked India’s first-ever gold in this event at the Asian Games and their first gold medal in Equestrian after 41 years.

In a post on X the Prime Minister said ” It is a matter of extreme pride that after several decades, our Equestrian Dressage Team has won Gold in Asian Games! Hriday Chheda, Anush Agarwalla, Sudipti Hajela and Divyakriit Singh have displayed unparalleled skill, teamwork and brought honour to our nation on the international stage. I extend my heartiest congratulations to the Team for this historic achievement.”

After a competition that lasted for nearly 10 hours, with a host of athletes participating from all across Asia, it was the Indian Quartet of Anush Agarwalla, Hriday Chheda, Divyakriti Singh and Sudipti Hajela who delivered when it mattered the most.

Anush Agarwalla and his horse ETRO scored the maximum score at 71.088 while Hriday Chheda-Emerald scored 69.941. Divyakriti Singh-Adrenalin Firdod scored 68.176. Sudipti Hajela-Chinski scored 66.706.

India finished with a score of 209.205 which was significantly higher than second-placed China’s 204.882. Anush Agarwalla stole the show with a score of 71.088 while Hriday scored 69.941 and Divyakriti scored 68.176. Together, they have ensured that no team even comes close to their combined score.

They defeated the likes of China and Japan, who were absolute favourites to win this.

Earlier Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah also congratulated the team for its historic Gold at the Asian Games.

Shah took to X, formerly known as Twitter to laud the history-making team and wrote, “Congratulations to #SudiptiHajela, #DivyakritiSingh, #HridayChheda, and #AnushAgarwalla for scripting history and bringing home India’s first gold medal in the Equestrian Dressage Team Event in 41 years! This is a markable achievement, and we’re proud of your excellence.”

India have won 14 medals at Hangzhou 2023, three gold, four silver, and seven bronze. (ANI)

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Lara Hails Passage Of Women’s Reservation Bill

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Actor and former beauty queen, Lara Dutta, on Monday hailed the passage of the women’s reservation Bill in Parliament.

The draft legislation, which was passed by an overwhelming majority in both Houses, provides for a 33 per cent reservation for women not just in the Parliament but also in state legislative bodies.

At the success party of her recent release ‘Ishq-e-Nadaan’ in Mumbai on Monday, Lara shared her excitement with ANI, saying, “It’s brilliant. I was so excited to see this entire (legislative) process that went into the tabling and passage of this Bill in Parliament. I think the future can only get brighter from here and it’s about time.”

Actor Patralekhaa, too, shared her thoughts on the Bill.

“It marks a great leap for our country, and especially for the women. We are thankful to our honourable members of Parliament for passing this Bill,” she told ANI.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill in the first sitting of the Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building, during the Special Session that was convened recently. The Bill was named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Introducing the Bill in the House, the minister said, “This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People.”

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was the first Bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.

On September 21 (Thursday), the Parliament passed the historic draft legislation, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it unanimously.

A total of 214 members in the Upper House, voted in support of the Bill and none voted against it. The members welcomed the passing of the Bill by thumping their desks.

BJP members raised slogans hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and greeted him after the legislation was passed.

Marking a giant leap in the empowerment of one-half of the country’s population, chants of ‘Modi Modi’ were raised by women MPs as they took turns to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the passage of the draft legislation.

Women members from both Houses of Parliament, including PT Usha, and Union Ministers Meenakashi Lekhi and Smriti Irani, were all smiles as they presented a bouquet to Prime Minister Modi on the historic passage of the Bill in Parliament.

Lok Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday in the Parliament’s Special Session with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it.

Earlier Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha.

The new Women’s Reservation Bill was passed during the Special Session of Parliament which began on Monday. The two Houses were later adjourned sine die. (ANI)

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India Has Demonstrated Most Successful G20 Ever: US Ambassador Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever.

“India’s marvellous growth, its rapid rise, its leadership in the world today has demonstrated the most successful G20 we have ever seen,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti was addressing the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit “Sharing ideas & Potential for sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years” organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

Garcetti while speaking on India-US ties, said: “The goal that we should be establishing, I think, together, is, how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for, as we’ve done just in the last few months, bringing down the retaliatory tariffs and the trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like even more than we would imagine today. “

The US Ambassador congratulated India on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

He said: “Congratulations on a marvellous space year here in India. Landing on the dark side of the moon, doing something that only four nations have done before and doing it so beautifully, so reasonably and so successfully. But now we’re looking at commercial space together.”

The US Ambassador on Tuesday reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada.

His comments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind the killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said. (ANI)

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We Care About Both India And Canada, Says US Envoy Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti has reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada. Garcetti’s comments on Tuesday come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

Garcetti’s comments shortly after US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US was concerned made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India.

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners, as the Secretary said on Friday” the State Department spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the US envoy to India who was attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) highlighted that India will again probably be the number one source of students from across the world and the US is very close to adjudicated one million visa applications in India.

Garcetti said, “A record number of student visas were processed this summer. Now, India, again, will probably be the number one source of students from across the world.”

He further said that the US is anticipating 25 per cent of foreign students just from India.

“25 per cent we anticipate of foreign students in the United States will come just from India. And then, second, we also are very close to our 1 million visa application in India being adjudicated, which will be a brand new record as well,” Garcetti said.

He further noted that the US is not doing this with more people.

“We’re not doing this with more people. We’re just working harder, working smarter, and making sure more Indians can come to America,” he added.

Speaking about the IPACC, Garcetti said that it highlights how close the US and India have become to co-host all the heads of armies from around the Indo-Pacific region.

“It’s not just the closeness of the two nations. It’s the integration of all nations, both of us speaking for a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific. It’s our values that guide this. And I’m so excited to see and to demonstrate the strength not only of a bilateral relationship but what happens when India and the United States are together,” he said.

Earlier today, the US Army’s Chief of Staff General Randy George on Tuesday said the partnership between the US and Indian Army is vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific and the relationship between the armies is strong and growing stronger.

The armies of India and the United States will host the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. (ANI)

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Canadian Army Deputy Chief In India For ‘Army-To-Army Relations’

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

Canada’s Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar does not impact the Canadian Army contingents presence here at the Indo-Pacific Conference and they are here to build relationships from army to army and let both governments deal with it.

“I am fully aware of, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement. The government’s stance and the government’s request for India to participate in, and cooperate in the investigation. But, really, that has no impact on us here at the Indo-Pacific conference. We’re really here to build relationships from army to army, and we’ll let our governments deal with that issue, themselves,” Major General Scott said.

Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott is currently attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC).

Expressing his delight, Scott said that Canada is looking forward to participating in training or exercises with the partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

He further said that this conference provides a forum where they can meet with other leaders of other nations of similar interests.

“We’re very happy to be here and very gracious for India to be hosting this,” he added.

Scott highlighted that between the India-Canada armies, areas of interest can be found and perhaps areas to continue to train, to exchange officers, to look for education opportunities, and exercises, “where we continue to participate as two different armies where we can both learn from each other and pass on great lessons to each nation.”

Major General Peter Scott also highlighted his meeting with the Indian army commander general Manoj Pande on Monday.

“Last night, I had the honour of meeting personally your army commander. We chatted for a few minutes. He’s very grateful for Canada to be here, and I mentioned him,” he said.

The armies of India and the United States are hosting the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.

Speaking at the conference Army Chief General Manoj Pande stressed on the fact that the security of one nation in the region was linked to its neighbour.

“The challenges we face transcend across borders, and our response to them must factor this. The Indo-Pacific region is not merely a collection of nations – it is a web of interdependencies. We are bound by geography, and our destinies are intertwined. The security and prosperity of one nation is intrinsically linked to the security and prosperity of its neighbours, and much beyond” General Pande said.

This year’s conference’s theme is “Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.”There will be both larger plenary sessions and more intimate break-out sessions at the conference. Participants will take part in vibrant conversations on subjects including peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid/disaster relief, leadership development, and women’s emancipation as well as hear from eminent guest speakers.

Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. (ANI)

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India Permits Export of 75,000 Tonnes Non-Basmati Rice to UAE

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

India has allowed the export of non-basmati white rice to the tune of 75,000 tonnes to the UAE. Notably, the export of non-basmati white rice was prohibited from July 20 to check the domestic prices and ensure domestic food security.

The exports to UAE are permitted through National Cooperative Exports Limited, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in its notification on late Monday evening.

While amending the export policy, DGFT maintained that the export will be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries to meet their food security needs and based on the request of their government.

Last month, India had decided to allow the export of rice to “meet the food security requirements” of Singapore.

West African country Benin is one of the major importers of non-basmati rice from India. Other destination countries are UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Cote D’ Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Vietnam, Djibouti, Madagascar, Cameroon Somalia, Malaysia, and Liberia.

India in September 2022 banned the exports of broken rice and imposed a 20 per cent duty on exports of non-Basmati rice, except for parboiled rice amid concerns about low production due to a fall in area under the paddy crop. It later lifted the ban in November. (ANI)

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MP Polls: BJP Releases 2nd List of 39 Candidates, Fields 3 Union Ministers

By LokMarg 25th September 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its second list of 39 candidates for the forthcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh including Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Singh Patel.

Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Singh Patel have been fielded from the Dimani and Narsingpur constituencies.

Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste will be contesting from the Niwas constituency.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and BJP MP Rakesh Singh have been fielded from Indore-1 and Jabalpur Paschim constituencies.

Other notable candidates in the list included MPs Ganesh Mantri, Rakesh Singh and Reeti Pathak.

On September 13, the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) held a meeting to discuss Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh elections at the party’s headquarters in the national capital.

The meeting was attended by PM Modi including BJP President JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah, along with other members of the election committee and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The BJP released its first list of candidates for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on August 17, revealing the names of 39 candidates.

The state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. (ANI)

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Kartik Aaryan Gets A Desi Haircut For ‘Chandu Champion’

By LokMarg 25th September 2023

Actor Kartik Aaryan is all set for his next film ‘Chandu Champion’. The actor got a stylish makeover in desi style.

Taking to Instagram, Kartik shared a video of himself getting a haircut for his role.

In the video, Kartik can be seen sitting on a chair under the tree and getting a haircut. There is a board also with a price list of the haircuts.

Sharing the video, he wrote, “Chandu Champion haircut #PedKeNeechein.”

As soon as the actor posted the video, fans and followers flooded the comment section with hilarious comments

One of the users wrote, “Millu barber 😁 halka me le rha hai chandu ko 😉”

Another user commented, “Missing Your Long hair yaar But really proud to see your Dedication Towards this Role Koki.”

“3rs me kat gaya Free hi kat dete,” another comment read.

Earlier today, Kartik captured a beautiful scenic view on his way to the shooting location.

‘Chandu Champion’ is based on the extraordinary real-life story of a sportsman and his spirit of never giving up.

Helmed by Kabir Khan. With the film, the audience will see Kartik doing a film based on a real-life story in which he will portray the character of lead Chandu.

The film is all set to hit the theatres on June 14, 2024.

‘Chandu Champion’ marks Kartik’s first collaboration with director Kabir Khan.

Meanwhile, Kartik is currently basking in the success of ‘Satya Prem Ki Katha’, which received a positive response from the audience. The film stars Kartik alongside Kiara Advani.

Helmed by Sameer Vidhwans, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, ‘Satya Prem Ki Katha’ revolved around Kartik and Kiara’s love story. The film marks the actor’s second collaboration after the blockbuster ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, which was released in 2022.

He will also be seen in director Hansal Mehta’s upcoming film ‘Captain India’ and in director Anurag Basu’s next ‘Aashiqui 3’. (ANI)

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