Tag: India

Modi Congress Rajasthan

Congress Gets Zero Marks For Governance in Rajasthan: Modi

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked the ruling Congress in Rajasthan and said people have made up their minds to oust it in the assembly polls later this year.  

Addressing ‘Parivartan Sankalp Mahasabha’ here, PM Modi referred to the  Parliament passing the Women’s Reservation Bill and said it was done because of the support of people to the BJP exercised through voting.   

“The people of Rajasthan have sounded the bugle against the bad governance of Congress. Congress deserves to get zero marks for the way they ran the government here. The people of Rajasthan have decided to remove the Gehlot government and bring back BJP,” he said.  

“For many years, women had been waiting for 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. I have not done this but the power of your vote achieved it,” he added.

The Prime Minister greeted people gathered near the venue of the ‘Parivartan Sankalp’ rally in Jaipur in Rajasthan.

The Prime Minister reached Jaipur after addressing a rally in Bhopal. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are among five states which will go to the polls later this year.   

Before addressing the gathering in Jaipur, PM Modi paid floral tributes to BJP ideologue  Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary.

In 2018 the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. The Congress led by Ashok Gehlot formed the government with the support of independents and the BSP. (ANI)

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Why Is Modi Scared Of Caste Census?: Rahul

By LokMarg

Repeating what he said in the Lok Sabha during his intervention on the Women’s Reservation Bill that there are only three OBC bureaucrats working for the government of India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why is he scared of the caste census. 

“The Government of India is being run by secretaries and cabinet secretaries. Only 3 out of 90 secretaries in the government of India are OBCs. The caste census will be an x-ray of India. With it, we will be able to find how many people belong to SC, ST, Dalit, and general categories,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur

Asking why PM Modi is scared of the caste census, he said that I asked PM Modi to publically share the data from the Census conducted by Congress. 

“Why is PM Modi scared of caste census? Why did they not release the caste census report conducted by Congress? Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh,” he said. 

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Adani issue, he said that the PM has a remote control, but he presses it ‘secretly’. 

“When we press the remote (during launching events of schemes), the poor get the benefit of the schemes while when the BJP does it, Adani gets ports, airports, railways contracts, and infrastructure projects, and the public sector gets privatised. There are two remotes we press the remote in front of you but when BJP presses the public sector becomes secretly,” he added. 

He further said that in previous elections, we made promises regarding strengthening the foundation of Chhattisgarh which were fulfilled by us. 

“We fulfilled all our promises including farmers’ loan waiver, half of the electricity bill on which PM Modi said Congress party cannot fulfil these promises and we have witnessed that we fulfilled all those promises,” he added. 

The 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held later this year to elect all 90 members of the House. Congress managed to win 68 seats while BJP was able to ensure victory on 15 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day speaking at a rally in Bhopal, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress and former President Rahul Gandhi by taking a jibe at Rahul’s interactions with selective groups. 

“There is no value for the life of the poor for the Congress leaders born with silver spoons in their mouth. For them, the poor’s life is adventure tourism. For them, the houses and colonies of poor people have become the locations for video shootings. They have done this in the past too. BJP government is showing the developed and grand face of the country to the world” the Prime Minister said. 

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will go to the polls along with Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram later this year. In both central Indian states there is a clear fight between the Congress and the BJP. (ANI)

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Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Thanks Believers After Match-Winning Knock Against Australia

By LokMarg

India middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer thanked everyone “who stood by him” following a match-winning century against Australia in the second ODI. 

India outplayed Australia with both bat and ball to clinch the three-match ODI series 2-0 after winning the second match by 99 runs. The target or Australia was revised through Duckworth-Lew–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Sunday as rain interrupted the match. 

Iyer thanked all his supporters and believers for standing by him when he was facing an injury and while he was initially struggling to score big on his return from injury. 

“For everyone who stood by me,” Iyer said in a post. 

Shreyas had made his return during the Asia Cup after battling injury woes since December last year. Shreyas played some ODI and Test cricket early this year but the recurrence of his injury ruled him out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final.

He played the Asia Cup campaign opener against Pakistan but could score just 14 runs. Following that, he did not feature in the tournament due to a back spasm. The form of KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan also raised questions about his spot in the team despite him being there in the ICC Cricket World Cup squad. 

On his return to cricket against Australia in the first ODI, he could score just three and was run out. In the second ODI, Iyer stormed into form and proved his utility in the middle order with his third ODI century, which saw him showcase strike rotation and attacking intent against spin and pace alike. 

Coming to the match, India were put to bat first by Australia. A 200-run partnership for the second wicket between Shubman Gill (104 in 97 balls, six fours and four sixes) and Shreyas Iyer (105 in 90 balls, 11 fours and three sixes) laid a solid foundation.  Later, half-centuries from skipper KL Rahul (52 in 38 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Suryakumar Yadav (72* in 37 balls with six fours and six sixes) and a cameo from Ishan Kishan (31 in 18 balls with two fours and two sixes) pushed India to 399/5 in 50 overs.

Cameron Green took two wickets for Australia but gave away 103 runs. Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa took a wicket each.

Chasing 400 for victory, Australia were reduced to 9/2 and rain interrupted the action. The target was later revised to 317 in 33 overs.

An 80-run stand between David Warner (53 in 39 balls, seven fours and a six) and Marnus Labuschagne (27) stabilised the innings a bit. But after this, wickets kept falling and the Aussies sunk to 140/8.

A 77-run explosive partnership between Abbott (54 in 36 balls with four boundaries and five sixes) and Josh Hazlewood (23) entertained the audience, but the Aussies were bundled out for 217 in 28.2 overs, losing by 99 runs.

Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India with 3/41, with his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja getting 3/42. Prasidh Krishna got two wickets while Mohammed Shami got one.

India have won the series 2-0 with one match to go.

Shreyas Iyer was given the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his century. (ANI)

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BKI NIA

BKI Trying To Settle Key Aides Across The World: NIA

By LokMarg

Pro-Khalistani banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is trying to settle its important members and executors abroad in the countries of their wish, with the help of Pro-Khalistan Elements (PKEs) who are well settled in various countries across the world.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) charge-sheet filed in March this year reveals that the BKI’s move has created a symbiotic terrorist-gangster network, between gangster and Pro-Khalistan elements which fulfil their requirement of the shooters to carry out targeted killings.

In return the gangsters get access to sophisticated weapons from across the border.

In the charge-sheet, the NIA said it was the BKI that targeted and attacked important security installations which was manifested in the form of RPG terror attacks on intelligence headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali, RPG attack on Sarhali Police Station in Tarn Taran and an IED blast on Crime Investigating Agency (CIA), Ropar.

“All the executioners-accused are from outside states including Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Only harbourers and logistic supporters are from state. They are directly supervised by their gang handlers from abroad who further work on directions of BKI,” the charge-sheet mentions.

As per the NIA, the BKI militants have their presence outside of India in Pakistan, North America, Europe and Scandinavia.

“The BKI at present is active in the US, Canada, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Pakistan. The terror group continues its operations from Pakistan with the support of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It has been officially banned and designated as an international terrorist organisation by several countries India, Canada, European Union, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the USA.”

Currently, the agency said, Wadhwa Singh Babbar, who is hiding in Pakistan, heads the outfit. “Mehal Singh is the deputy chief of BKI. Both, Mehal Singh and Wadhwa Singh are amongst the 20 terrorists whom India wants Pakistan to extradite” the chargesheet says.

“Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, a gangster tured terrorist has been involved in murders, attempt to murder, contract killing, robberies and extortions and is presently based in Pakistan, has been actively operating for BKI since 2020” the chargesheet adds. 

Wadhwa Singh Babbar has personally supervised the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh on August 31, 1995, the agency said.

“Wadhwa Singh is also believed to have masterminded the January 2004 escape of the assassinationaccused, Jagtar Singh Hawara, from the Burail jail in Chandigarh.”

The BKI has also established relations with Dawood Ibrahim, who heads the D Company, a terror gangster syndicate based and operating in Mumbai and surrounding areas, points the charge-sheet.

The NIA filed the charge-sheet in a special court in Delhi on March 24 this year in a case being probed by the agency after registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on August 26, 2022. Earlier, the Special Cell of Delhi Police had registered a case in this matter on August 4, 2022.

A total of 16 gangsters were named in the charge-sheet which further revealed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate formed alliance with the Pro-Khalistan cause, to satisfy its quest for sophisticated weapons and to further invest the proceeds of terrorism generated through their existing extortion rackets.

“The requirement of sophisticated weapons that includes assault weapons, hand grenades, IEDs, explosives etc. could not be met within the country. Therefore, they aligned themselves with Harwinder Singh alias Rinda through his old association with Lawrence Bishnoi which was further strengthened by close association of Lakhbir Singh alias Landa with Goldy Brar,” it reads.

Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Harwinder Singh alias Rinda are presently the most important associates of Wadhawa Singh Babbar lead BKI.

Even after the terrorist-secessionist movement for Khalistan was comprehensively defeated in 1995, there remain a handful of terrorist outfits chiefly supported by Pakistan and some non-resident Indian Sikh radical groups who continue to propagate the ideology of Khalistan. One of the most prominent among them is the Babbar Khalsa International. It is among the oldest and most organised Khalistan terrorist groups.

The BKI traces its origin to the Babbar Akali Movement of 1920 and is believed to have assumed its present form after the Baisakhi 1978-clashes between the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Nirankaris and more particularly when some followers of Bibi Amarjit Kaur brought out some leaflets styling themselves as Babbar Khalsa after the killing of Nirankari chief Gurbachan Singh, on April 24, 1980. Subsequently, the outfit started targeting all those who sympathised with the Nirankaris.

Sukhdev Singh Babbar and Talwinder Singh Parmar were the founding members of this organisation. The first unit of the BKI was founded in Canada in 1981 under the leadership of late Talwinder Singh Parmar. (ANI)

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Jaishankar

Jaishankar Armenian Counterpart Mirzoyan Affirm Strong Bilateral Partnership

By LokMarg

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The two leaders affirmed a “strong bilateral relationship.” 

After the meeting, Jaishankar in a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “On the sidelines of #UNGA78, met with @AraratMirzoyan FM of Armenia. Appreciate his sharing assessment of the current situation in the Caucasus. Affirmed our strong bilateral relationship.”

Notably, India recognized Armenia in 1991 and India’s Ambassador in Moscow was concurrently accredited to Armenia, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations was signed on 31 August 1992 in Moscow.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar also met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konakovic. The two leaders discussed growing bilateral ties with a focus on trade and economy.

Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Good meeting with FM Elmedin Konakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on #UNGA78 sidelines. Discussed growing our bilateral ties with a focus on trade and economy.”

He also met Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Barcena and discussed taking forward the partnership between the two nations with a focus on business, science & technology, education, economy and traditional medicine. 

After the meeting, Jaishankar in a post on X, stated, “A real pleasure to meet with Secretary of Foreign Affairs @aliciabarcena of Mexico this morning in New York. Discussed taking forward our Privileged Partnership focusing on business, science & technology, education, economy and traditional medicine. Also exchanged views on the reforming multilateralism and our work together in G20.” 

Notably, EAM Jaishankar is in New York to lead the Indian delegation for the UNGA session where he will address the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. After concluding his visit to New York, he will travel to Washington, DC.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar along with United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis and foreign ministers of other nations attended the India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development event in New York. 

He called India’s G20 Presidency challenging due to a “very sharp East-West polarization and a very deep North-South divide.” He said that India was very determined to ensure that India’s G20 Presidency was able to get back to its core agenda.

In his address at India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development event in New York, Jaishankar began his speech by speaking about India’s G20 Presidency and recently held the G20 Summit.  

“Your presence means a lot to us. It also expresses the sentiments that you feel for India and underlines the import of South-South cooperation. We meet just a few weeks after the New Delhi G20 Summit, a summit which took place on the theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future,” Jaishankar said.

“Now, it was a challenging summit. It was actually a challenging presidency, and it was challenging because we were confronting a very sharp East-West polarization as well as a very deep North-South divide. But we were very determined as the Presidency of the G20 to make sure that this organization on which the world really had put so much hope was able to get back to its core agenda,” he added. (ANI)

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Indian Canada

Resolve Issue Through Dialogue: Indian Community In Canada

By LokMarg

The Indian Community in Canada is concerned over the recent strain in relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’ allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Senior Canadian Journalist Harleem Sadia said that the Indian community has concerns which are very genuine.

She said common people are now finding it difficult to travel to India and Canada. It is difficult for people who lead normal lives, have regular jobs.

Canadian citizen of Indian origin Gurjant Singh said that being a Sikh, both India and Canada are extremely important to him and the recent tensions deeply concern him.

Gurjant Singh feels the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

“I am very concerned about the matter and I think everything should be resolved through dialogue. Anything, any issue can be discussed, solved at the table. Both the Indian and Canadian governments should put up their point of views while remaining within their lines, boundaries.” he said.

Last week, Justin Trudeau claimed that his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government were behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Nijjar. 

“Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau had said.

On Trudeau’s claims, Gurjant said: “Being a Prime Minister, you cannot claim anything that you cannot later prove. Whatever the Canadian PM said was wrong. Now that he has said it, he should be able to support his statement.”

Gurjant further said that his parents were supposed to come to Canada in January. “But for now, for this reason, they won’t be coming. But my problem is small when looked at from a larger scale,” he said.

He further said that any demands should be made within the line, by keeping control on “our language, emotions.”

Meanwhile, Canadian citizen Ajaib Singh has said relations between the two countries should get better for the sake of Indian students studying in Canada.

“Students come to Canada for a better future. They study here, get good jobs and also become residents here. Parents also want their children to have a better future in Canada. Some also go back to India after their studies. They also go back for a better future,” Ajaib said.

“For the sake of these students, I pray that relations between India, Canada get better,” he said.

He added that India, Canada should resolve their issues at the table and that visa ban is not the solution, innocent people should not be punished. “I urge the leaders of both countries to sit at the table, resolve the issue amicably,” he said.

India on Thursday said that security threats being faced by the country’s High Commission and Consulates in Canada have disrupted their normal functioning and they are temporarily unable to process visa applications.

Answering queries during the weekly press conference,  Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that “disrupts the functioning of our consulates”.

The remarks came hours after visa services provider BLS International said that it has with immediate effect suspended Indian visa services in Canada.

Ajaib said “The future in unclear right now, we don’t know which statement will come which day. The faster the issues get resolved, the better.” 

Senior Canadian journalist Tahir Gora said he wants the Indian community’s opinion to be brought forward on the India-Canada diplomatic standoff.

“Right now, there is a strain in India, Canada relations. We want that the Indian community’s opinion should be brought forward. The people understand that this issue will stretch for a long time We want to know what the current situation is and if it will deteriorate in the coming days,” he said.

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair has urged India, Canada to start talking to find a common ground in view of the recent strain in relations, CBC News reported.

“I really want [the two countries I love] to start talking. I know once they start talking, once they really want to help their citizens, I’m pretty sure they’ll find common ground to make friends,” Blair said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live on CBC News which aired on Sunday. (ANI)

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Owaisi to Rahul

Owaisi Challenges Rahul To Contest Elections From Hyderabad

By LokMarg

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday challenged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to contest elections from Hyderabad and not Wayanad in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. 

The AIMIM MP was addressing a public gathering in his parliamentary constituency, Hyderabad. 

Owaisi said that the Babri Masjid, in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, was demolished under the regime of the grand old party. 

“I am challenging your leader (Rahul Gandhi) to contest elections from Hyderabad and not Wayanad. You keep giving big statements, come to the ground, and fight against me. People from Congress will say a lot of things, but I am ready…Babri Masjid and Secretariat’s mosque were demolished under the Congress regime…” he said. 

The Congress and AIMIM are at loggerheads in Telangana as both parties are slugging it out to reach the helm in the upcoming state’s Assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held later this year.  

Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi while speaking at Vijayabheri Sabha in Telangana’s Tukkuguda, said that the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and AIMIM are working in unison in Telangana and that his party fighting against this troika. 

“In Telangana, the Congress party is not fighting against BRS but with BRS, BJP and AIMIM combined. They call themselves different parties but they are working together unitedly,” Rahul Gandhi had said. 

The Wayanad MP had also claimed that there are no CBI-ED cases against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers them his “own people”.

All political parties in the fray are leaving no stone unturned to emerge victorious in the Telangana Assembly polls. The ruling BRS has already announced its list of candidates, while the Congress has announced its “six guarantees” which the party says will be fulfilled if they are voted to power. (ANI)

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Vande Bharat Trains

Modi To Launch Nine Vande Bharat Trains On Sunday

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains on September 24, at 12:30 PM via video conferencing.

These new additions to the Vande Bharat fleet represent a significant stride towards enhancing connectivity across the nation and offering world-class amenities to rail passengers, read the press release by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Tomorrow PM Modi will be inaugurating the Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Train here”.

The nine Vande Bharat Express trains scheduled for the inauguration are Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express, Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express, Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express, Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express, Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express, Ranchi – Howrah Vande Bharat Express, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express, read the press release.

The introduction of these nine trains aims to enhance connectivity across eleven states, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.

These Vande Bharat trains will be the fastest along their respective routes, significantly reducing travel time for passengers.

For instance, the Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express and Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express will be approximately 3 hours faster than the current fastest trains on their routes, read the release.

Similarly, the Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will save more than 2.5 hours, and the Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will reduce travel time by over 2 hours.

In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision to improve connectivity to important religious destinations, the Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express and Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will connect the significant pilgrimage towns of Puri and Madurai, read the release.

Additionally, the Vijayawada – Chennai Vande Bharat Express, operating via the Renigunta route, will provide connectivity to the revered Tirupati Pilgrimage Centre.

These newly introduced Vande Bharat trains will set a new standard for rail service in India.

Equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology, they represent a step towards providing modern, fast, and comfortable travel options for commuters, professionals, business travelers, students, and tourists alike. (ANI)

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Raghav Parineeti Wedding

Kejriwal, Mann Arrive in Udaipur To Attend Raghav-Parineeti Wedding

By LokMarg

It’s a joyous occasion as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra are all set to tie the knot in the presence of their close family members and friends.

According to sources, the couple will exchange nuptial vows on September 24.

Many guests arrived in Udaipur to participate in the wedding rituals.

On Saturday evening, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann arrived in Udaipur amid high security to attend Raghav –Parineeti’s wedding functions.

Both the CMs were snapped at the airport by the shutterbugs.

Kejriwal was seen donning a blue shirt paired with black pants, while Bhagwant Mann wore a white kurta pyjama paired with a grey Nehru jacket.

Apart from them, AAP’s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, and actor Bhagyashree also arrived to attend the grand wedding.

The wedding rituals and functions are scheduled to take place later on Saturday at the Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and carry over into Sunday, according to several reports.

The duo exchanged rings on May 13 at Kapurthala House in New Delhi in the presence of their loved ones. The star-studded engagement ceremony was attended by several politicians, including Delhi CM Kejriwal, Punjab CM Mann, former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray.

 Before their engagement, the couple had chosen to keep mum about their relationship.

Parineeti and Raghav reportedly knew each other for several years before they began dating. The couple was recently spotted scouting for locations for weddings in Udaipur, hinting that they will follow in her cousin Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ footsteps and tie the knot at a lavish wedding in Rajasthan.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Parineeti will share screen space with Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Chamkila’. Helmed by Imtiaz Ali, the film revolves around two famous Punjabi singers Amarjot Kaur and Amar Singh Chamkila.

She also has ‘Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue’ alongwith Akshay Kumar in her kitty. (ANI)

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Vande Bharat trains

PM To Flag Off 2 Vande Trains From Bengal As ‘Durga Pujo Gift’

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate a total of nine Vande Bharat express trains through video conferencing on September 24, of which two will be specifically for West Bengal– one, connecting Patna to Howrah and the other, connecting Ranchi to Howrah. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Eastern Railway, Kaushik Mitra has described this move as a “Durga Pujo gift” to Bengal.

“There are already three Vande Bharat trains in West Bengal- Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Junction, Puri-Howrah and New Jalpaiguri Junction-Guwahati. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has allotted another two Vande Bharats for West Bengal- Patna-Howrah and Ranch Howrah. People of West Bengal will be thrilled and take this as a Durgapuja gift from Narendra Modi,” the Eastern Railway CPRO said speaking to ANI on Friday.

The Vande Bharat Express trains will cover Bengal from the Chittaranjan area to Howrah, the CPRO said adding that both the trains will be inaugurated on the 24th and will reach Howrah station at around 10 pm. 

On the new-age facilities that will be provided on board the Vande Bharat trains, Mitra said, “The inclination of the chairs has been increased from 17 degrees to 19 degrees. The cushion seating has been improved. We have also changed the colours of the seats from blue to reddish. We have improved the basins and lighting facilities in the washrooms. We have also introduced wheelchair facilities for the specially-abled passengers from the compartment.”

Speaking on passenger feedback about the Vande Bharat trains, the Eastern Railway CPRO said, “Based on the experiences and feedback we have received from passengers, Vande Bharats are more user-friendly, more sophisticated and more comfortable.”

Mitra further said that the Vande Bharat trains will now be the fastest train travelling on this route and will even be faster than the present Rajdhani Express. While the Rajdhani Express takes 7 hours 45 minutes to reach Howrah from Patna, the Vande Bharat express will take only 6 and a half hours.

“Earlier from Patna to Howrah, the fastest train travelling on this route was Rajdhani Express which used to take 7 hours 45 minutes. With this Vande Bharat Express, it will take only 6 and a half hours,” the CPRO said.

The CPRO said that Asansol being an economic hub in West Bengal, the Vande Bharats will help passengers travelling from these regions to Howrah and to Patna in a short span.

“Asansol is an economic hub. Many steel plants are there, many cement factories are growing up there. People from Patna or Asansol can come to Kolkata or reach Patna in a short span,” he said.

Mitra said that several railway stations have been developed as Amrit Bharat stations with modern facilities. “Many stations have been identified as Amrit Bharat stations. A huge amount has been spent on stations like Asansol, Andal and Bardhaman,” he said. (ANI)

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