The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday successfully launched the INSAT-3DS satellite.
The lift-off took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. With the launch, India marked a new chapter in its space exploration journey.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: ISRO launches INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14), from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The satellite was pushed into orbit aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F14).
The second stage performance is normal and the payload bearing has also been separated as ISRO launched INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: The second stage performance is Normal and the payload bearing has also been separated as ISRO launched INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14).
The satellite has been designed to enhance meteorological observations. It will also monitor land and ocean surfaces to facilitate weather forecasting and disaster warnings.
The data provided by INSAT-3DS will be used by several departments of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to improve weather predictions and other meteorological services.
INSAT-3DS will be primarily used to monitor the Earth’s surface and carry out oceanic observations.
The 51.7-meter tall rocket carries imager payloads, sounder payloads, data relay transponders, and satellite-aided search and rescue transponders that will be used to study cloud properties, fog, rainfall etc.
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It has been a challenging week for the Indian government. Farmers are back on the street, continuing their march to Delhi. There have been three rounds of talks between farmer leaders and Union ministers but they have not reached a consensus. With elections coming, a protest in the national capital could be worrisome.
Farmers are not the only concern. In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court struck down electoral bonds, calling them unconstitutional. This is likely to impact political parties, which have received donations worth Rs 16,518 crore since the scheme was introduced. So what happens next? We have been tracking the story closely.
The good news for the week was the return of the Indian Navy veterans from Qatar, who were on a death sentence on espionage charges. It was a diplomatic win for New Delhi.
All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers on the big news stories that grabbed headlines in the country.
1. “Delhi Chalo”. That is the call farmer leaders are giving to their counterparts. The stir has entered its sixth day on Saturday. Security personnel are doing everything they can to disperse farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambu border – using teargas shells, drones, barricades and more. However, the farmers are not in the mood to back down. There have been three rounds of negotiations with Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai with scant progress. But why are the farmers back on the streets again? What are their key demands? We explain.
2. The farmers’ protests come just months ahead of the 2024 general elections. It is not good optics. The farmers come from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh – three important states in the Hindi heartland. The stir poses a big challenge for Narendra Modi, who is eyeing a third straight term. But will this benefit the Opposition INDIA bloc? It is unlikely. In this piece, we explain how the agitation could impact the elections.
Protesting farmers run away from tear gas shells used by the police near the Shambhu border that divides Punjab and Haryana states, almost 200 kilometres from New Delhi. AP
3. This week, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict. It struck down the Centre’s electoral bond scheme, stating it is unconstitutional and arbitrary. But what are electoral bonds and why are they so contentious? We explain.
In another article, we help you understand the apex court’s big ruling. The decision was taken by a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The court stated that electoral bonds violate the Right to Information.
It remains to be seen how this verdict will affect political parties. However, since being introduced in 2018, political parties have received donations worth Rs 16,518 crore from electoral bonds. Of this, how much did the BJP earn? What about the Congress and other political parties? We take a look.
4. There have been some setbacks, but a big win for New Delhi was the release of Indian Navy veterans from Qatar. They were sentenced to death on espionage charges.
Arrested in the middle of the night on 30 August 2022, they spent more than a year and a half in prison. The Ministry of External Affairs was attempting to secure their release through diplomatic channels and the death sentence on 26 October 2023 came as a shock.
However, New Delhi did not give up. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was on top of things. It is said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with the Qatar ruler last December helped make further progress in the case. We take a look at how India pulled off this move.
Retired Indian Navy captain Saurabh Vashishtha, who returned to India on Monday after being released from a Qatar jail, was welcomed by his family members upon his arrival at his home, in Dehradun, on 13 February. Vashishtha along with seven other Navy veterans was handed down a death sentence in a case of suspected espionage in Qatar. PTI
5. The Indian Navy has been on a path to shed its colonial past. In December, it unveiled new epaulettes, reflecting the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Now it has unveiled kurta-pajamas for its personnel. Officers and sailors will be able to wear ethnic clothing in naval messes with some caveats.
6. Our last story comes from Maharashtra and it’s the one that is expected to break hearts. Earlier in the week, a video of two staffers at a pet clinic in Thane punching and kicking a dog went viral. It sparked outrage and rightly so. Even Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took notice.
A shocking video has gone viral on social media platforms showing a man thrashing a pet dog mercilessly in #Thane district of #Maharashtra. The incident reportedly took place at a pet clinic on #GBRoad in the city. Two people have been arrested in connection with the case.
Cruelty against animals is not that uncommon. The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) in a 2023 report wrote that there have been 20,000 intentional and brutal crimes against animals in the last 10 years in the country.
That’s all from India this week. Hope our explainers give you some food for thought. If you want to understand the news better, you can come back for more.
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Inclement weather claimed the life of an Indian national in Queensland, Australia. His body was found in the floodwaters near Mount Isa, the Indian High Commission in Canberra posted on X Friday.
“Heart breaking tragedy”, the Indian mission said, expressing condolence. The Indian mission in Canberra is in touch with the family of the deceased to render necessary assistance.
“Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: an Indian national lost her life in a flooding incident near Mount Isa, Queensland. Deepest condolence to the family of the deceased. Mission team is in touch for all necessary assistance,” the Indian High Commission posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Heart breaking tragedy in Australia: an Indian national lost her life in a flooding incident near Mount Isa, Queensland. Deepest condolence to the family of the deceased. Mission team is in touch for all necessary assistance.@MEAIndia@DrSJaishankar
The situation in Queensland remains precarious amid alerts for severe rain and thunderstorms.
"Severe Thunderstorm warning for people in parts of Sunshine Coast Council Area. The BOM warns that a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Maroochydore and waters off Maroochydore," the Queensland police said in a statement.
In another incident, the police informed that a woman was found dead in her car which was found submerged in floodwaters near Mount Isa.
Queensland police said that the matter is being investigated and urged people to come up with any information that can assist in the investigation.
"Due to recent weather events, flooding is continuing to impact extensive road networks across the Mount Isa district. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution, and to never enter flood waters," the police stated.
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The instability in Manipur continues. Every few weeks, tensions escalate in the Northeastern state. At the centre of the latest violence is the Kuki-Zo tribes-dominated Churachandpur district and a policeman who took a selfie.
The protests started against the suspension of a head constable, who belongs to the Kuki tribe. The action was taken against him after a selfie of him with “armed miscreants” went viral, according to reports in the media.
A mob clashed with security forces as it stormed the district Superintendent of Police’s office. At least two people died and several others were injured as security personnel opened fire to disperse the crowds.
Violence erupted in the Churachandpur town on Thursday evening. A “mob numbering approximately 300-400 attempted to storm” the SP’s office and pelted stones, according to the police. They demanded the reinstatement of the head constable, Siamlalpaul, who took the selfie in a bunker of “armed miscreants” and “village defence volunteers” atop a hill, reports NDTV.
Visuals show protesters going on a rampage, committing arson. They set ablaze some police vehicles and parts of the district collector’s office.
Security forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), responded to the mob by firing teargas shells to control the escalating situation.
“Mob numbering approx. 300-400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stones, etc. The SF [security forces] including the RAF [Rapid Action Force], is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch,” the Manipur Police posted on X.
Mob numbering approx. 300–400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stones, etc. The SF, including the RAF, is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch..
Internet services have been suspended in Churachandpur following the incident.
The situation in the district remained tense on Friday morning after the offices of the superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner were vandalised, vehicles used by CAPF [Central Armed Police Force] were torched by a mob and the national flag at the SP office complex was pulled down, an official told PTI.
“There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, posts and video messages inciting the public, which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation…,” a notification said.
“There is imminent danger for loss of lives/ damage to public or private property and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours,” it added.
The Kuki policeman was suspended after a video and a selfie with “armed men” at what appears to be firing positions in the hills.
Siamlalpaul was kept “under suspension with immediate effect until further orders” by Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve.
“This tantamount to very grave misconduct being a member of the disciplined police force,” a police order said. “A departmental inquiry is being contemplated against Siamlalpaul of Churachandpur district police, as a clip has gone viral on social media showing him making a video with armed men on February 14.”
The constable has been asked not to “leave the station without prior permission” and “his pay and allowances have been restricted to subsistence allowance admissible as per the rules”, it said, according to a report by CNN-News18.
Security personnel stand guard during a protest rally in Imphal West district. Manipur has remained on the edge since the unrest started last May. File photo/PTI
The suspension angered locals who alleged the role of Meitei police personnel in the conflict has not seen similar action. After Thursday’s unrest, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo organisation based in Churachandpur, issued an ultimatum for Surve to “leave the district” within 24 hours, threatening that, if not, “he will bear sole responsibility for any future incident”, according to a report in The Indian Express.
ITLF spoke about the looting of arms from the 5th Indian Reserve Battalion in Imphal East on Tuesday, alleging that police allowed the weapons to be taken “without any resistance”.
“No one was hauled up for the incident. There are numerous personal accounts of Meitei police personnel leading mobs in attacking tribal villages. No action has been taken against them… If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal area. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours,” it said in a statement, The Indian Express report said.
Members of the Kuki tribe hold Indian flags during a sit-in protest against the killing of tribals in their northeastern home state of Manipur, in May 2023. File photo/AP
The conflict in Manipur
Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May 2023 between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribals.
More than 180 people have been killed and over 70,000 people of different communities have been displaced since then.
With inputs from agencies
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The Supreme Court Thursday struck down the electoral bonds scheme and ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to issue details of the political parties that have received contributions through electoral bonds from the interim order on 12 April 2019, to date to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
But there has been a pertinent question among people about how much money has been collected so far via the Electoral Bonds scheme.
Total collection through electoral bonds
According to government data, with the latest tranche issued in January 2024, as many as 30 tranches of electoral bonds issued have collected over Rs 16,500 crore.
The Election Bonds Scheme was introduced by the government on 2 January 2018, with the aim “to ensure clean tax-paid money is coming into the system of political funding through proper banking channels.”
As per the data presented in Lok Sabha during the Budget 2024 session, Minister of State in the Finance Ministry Pankaj Chaudhry, in a written reply stated: “The total value of Electoral Bonds purchased (Phase-I to Phase –XXX) from SBI is about Rs 16,518 crores.”
The commission paid to the SBI by the Government of India for the issuance and redemption of Electoral Bonds from Phase I to Phase XXV is about Rs 8.57 crore. Also, the amount paid by the government to Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) to date is about Rs 1.90 crore.
Supreme Court Electoral Bonds Scheme verdict
The top court Thursday asked the SBI to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by the political parties, which shall include the date of encashment and the denomination of the electoral bond.
The bank has been asked to submit the details to the ECI within three weeks, till 6 March 2024, after which the poll body has been directed to publish them on its official website by 13 March.
Once the details are published by the ECI, political parties have been directed to refund the Electoral bonds amount to the purchaser’s account.
The court said Electoral Bonds which are within the validity period of 15 days but have not been encashed by the political parties yet shall be returned by them to the purchaser. The issuing bank shall then refund the amount to the purchaser’s account.
Who could purchase electoral bonds?
A person who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India was eligible to purchase the electoral bonds. An individual could buy electoral bonds singly or jointly with others.
Which political parties were eligible to receive Electoral Bonds?
Only the political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha polls or the Legislative Assembly of the State, were eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.
Parties were only eligible to encash these bonds through a bank account with the authorized bank.
With inputs from agencies
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Today (15 February) is an important day in India’s politics. The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict on the Centre’s electoral bond scheme and its validity.
A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had on 2 November 2023 reserved its judgment after a three-day hearing.
The matter in the apex court stems from a plea filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Dr Jaya Thakur, who challenged the amendments introduced by the Finance Act 2017 which paved the way for the electoral bonds scheme.
But for those who are confused about what electoral bonds are and why they are being questioned, we have you covered.
What are electoral bonds?
Similar to a promissory note, electoral bonds are an instrument through which donors can fund political parties anonymously. They were introduced by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2017 with the Finance Bill (2017). On 29 January, 2018 the Narendra Modi-led NDA government notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018.
Electoral bonds, sold in denominations ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore, can be bought from authorised State Bank of India branches through accounts complying with KYC norms. Political parties are entitled to encash these bonds within 15 days of receiving them to fund their electoral expenses.
It is important to note here that electoral bonds are not available through the year and only for 10 days in the beginning of every quarter. The first 10 days of January, April, July and October has been specified by the government for purchase of electoral bonds. An additional period of 30 days shall be specified by the government in the year of Lok Sabha elections.
There is no limit on the number of bonds an individual or company can purchase.
Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than one per cent of votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
When introduced, the government had defended electoral bonds, saying that electoral bonds would keep a tab on the use of black money for funding elections. In the absence of electoral bonds, donors would have no option but to donate by cash after siphoning off money from their businesses, the government said.
How much have parties received through electoral bonds?
According to an ADR report, between the years of 2016 and 2022 a whopping Rs 16,437.635 crore was donated to 31 recognised political parties. Out of this, 55.9 per cent or Rs. 9,188 crore were received through Electoral Bonds, while the remaining amount of Rs 4,614.53 crore (28.07 per cent) came from the corporate sector and Rs 2,634.74 crore (16.03 per cent) from other sources.
The report further revealed that during this six-year period, more than 52 per cent of BJP’s total donations came from electoral bonds worth Rs 5,271.97 crore. The Congress had the second-highest donations from bonds – Rs 952.29 crore – accounting for 60 per cent of its total donations.
A BJP audit report revealed that in the year 2022-2023, the ruling party received nearly Rs 1,300 crore through electoral bonds, seven times more than what the Congress has received. The BJP’s total funds in the year were Rs 2,120 crore of which 61 per cent came through the electoral bond route.
Between the years of 2016 and 2022, a whopping Rs 16,437.635 crore was donated to 31 recognised political parties. Out of this, 55.9 per cent or Rs. 9,188 crore were received through Electoral Bonds. Image used for representational purposes/PTI
Electoral bonds sound good, so what’s the problem?
After its introduction, there were some civil groups who opposed them, arguing that since neither the purchaser of the bond nor the political party receiving the donation is required to disclose the donor’s identity, the shareholders of a corporation will remain unaware of the company’s contribution. Voters, too, will have no idea of how, and through whom, a political party has been funded.
Moreover, since the identity of the donor is kept unknown, it could lead to an influx of black money. Some activists and politicians also argue that the scheme has been introduced to enable big corporate houses to donate money without their identity being revealed.
They further stated that the concept of donor ‘anonymity’ threatens the very spirit of democracy.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (centre) and other party leaders protest outside Parliament House on Friday against the electoral bonds scheme. File image/@shashitharoor/X
In an earlier hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner NGO ADR, said that amendments made via the Finance Acts of 2016 and 2017, both passed as Money Bills, have “opened the floodgates to unlimited political donations” through electoral bonds scheme.
“The amendments have removed the caps on campaign donations by companies and have legalised anonymous donations. The Finance Act of 2017 has introduced the use of electoral bonds which are exempt from disclosure under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, opening doors to unchecked, unknown funding to political parties,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
And it’s not only civil activists who have opposed the electoral bond scheme. The Congress has protested against electoral bonds, stating that they were an exercise in “perpetuating opacity and electoral malpractice”.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also has voiced opposition to the scheme and even approached the apex court on the same in 2018. According to the CPI(M), electoral bonds “undermine democracy” and will “lead to greater political corruption”.
On its introduction, the Election Commission of India had said they would “compromise” electoral transparency. However, a year later, they did a U-turn and supported the bonds.
Milan Vaishnav of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank even went as far as saying, “With electoral bonds, the government has essentially legislated opacity.”
A BBC report quoted him as saying, “Donors can make gifts of any size to recipients and neither side must publicly disclose the details of the transactions. If this is being advertised as ‘transparency’, it is truly a novel definition of the word.”
The government has been firm in its stance that the electoral bond scheme does, in fact, help in electoral transparency.
Baijayant Jay Panda, a national vice-president of the BJP, has opined that electoral bonds represent a “solid progress” towards cleaner political funding. The bonds, he told BBC, were “legitimate and achieve many of the objectives for transparency”.
“While an argument can be made there should be further reforms and even more transparency, it is simply ludicrous to claim that the bonds don’t represent progress and are somehow worse than what existed earlier,” he added.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal addresses a press conference, defending the issue of electoral bonds. File image/PTI
In an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Centre has also argued that citizens have no general right to know about the source of electoral bonds. Attorney General R Venkataramani told the top court, that citizens have no general right to know anything and everything without being subjected to reasonable restrictions as the “right to know” can be for specific ends or purposes and not otherwise.
“There cannot be a general right to know anything and everything for undefined ends… Right to know for the general health of democracy will be too over-broad,” the Centre said in the affidavit. It is axiomatic that political parties receive support including financial support and contributions, the AG said.
With inputs from agencies
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Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s upcoming wedding is instrumental in celebrating traditional Indian art forms.
The wedding festivities go beyond mere celebration; they serve as a tribute to the diverse tapestry of traditional Indian art. Adding a unique significance to the festivities, visually impaired artisans from Mahabaleshwar will skillfully craft candles as special gifts for the guests.
This meaningful collaboration with Swadesh not only enriches the beauty of the occasion but also uplifts communities and preserves the invaluable legacy of ancient craftsmanship. For those unfamiliar, Swadesh pays homage to India’s traditional arts and artisans, embodying a sincere effort to protect and showcase the rich heritage of our country’s timeless arts and crafts.
Swadesh is empowering communities and preserving age-old craftsmanship.
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Farmers are ready to have a dialogue with the government over their demands, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said on Wednesday as groups tried to make their way into the national capital on day two of the protests.
Dallewal, the president of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur), said that Union Minister Anurag Thakur in a statement said that the Central government is ready to hold talks with the protesting farmers and is also ready to resolve their issues.
“We do not want to give any room to the Centre for saying that it was inviting us, but they did not accept it. That we have accepted and we are ready for talks,” he told reporters at the Shambhu border.
The farmer leader added that farmers have agreed to hold talks with the government.
How many meetings have been there so far?
So far, farmer groups have held two meetings with the central government.
The first meeting was attended by Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda and Nityanand Rai and the second one was held between Goyal and Munda in Chandigarh.
Both the meetings, however, were inconclusive.
What are farmers demanding?
The key demands put forward by the farmers are:
Farmers’ groups have demanded the enactment of a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
They also want the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations and pension for farmers.
Farmers are also calling for “justice” for the victims of Lakhimpur Kheli.
Farm groups want the central government to repeal the Electricity Act of 2020.
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On Tuesday (13 February), disturbing scenes emerged at the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana when authorities fired tear gas at the farmers, who were participating in the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Visuals from the scene showed thick clouds of tear gas, as police sought to disperse the protesting farmers near Ambala and Jind in the Haryana region. Following the release of the tear gas smoke, farmers were seen carrying wet jute bags to shield themselves from the effect of the smoke.
The use of force and tear gas against the farmers were condemned by many with Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Pankhuri Pathak terming it a “shameful act” towards citizens in a democracy. “These tear gas shells are being fired at the food providers of the country. Their demand is that they should get the right price for their crops. Is this demand such that the government should use such force on Indian citizens? Such atrocities on citizens in a democracy are shameful!” Pathak said in a post in Hindi on X.
Notably, the tear gas shells launched at the protesting farmers on Tuesday were deployed from drones — the first time that the police force in India has used drones to launch tear gas devices.
Here’s what we know about them and how they were used during the farmers’ protest.
Drones dropping teargas shells
The Haryana Police on Tuesday deployed drones made by Drone Imaging and Information Service of Haryana Limited (DRIISHYA), a public limited company incorporated in 2021. These drones, according the government, are designed for “surveying infrastructure projects, monitoring of agriculture and horticulture crops, and surveillance of sensitive areas for security purposes.”
According to reports, the drone-based tear smoke launcher was developed by the Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) of the Border Security Force (BSF) in 2022 and was introduced during the 42nd Governing Body meeting. At that time, authorities had displayed how the project could be used as potential force multiplier to enforce law and order.
Farmers move away after police fired teargas shell to disperse them during their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, near Patiala. The Haryana Police is the first force to use drones for tear gas. PTI
Officials also said that unlike guns that need to manually loaded with smoke gas shells, these drones can drop multiple grenades. “The drones are capable of firing several munitions at one go and the launch is controlled by a remote,” an official was quoted as telling Indian Express.
Moreover, the teargas firing gun has a limited range. But the drones can cover 400-500 metres and even beyond.
And how do they work? Tear smoke shells are placed tightly in a metal cage fixed under a hexacopter drone. The drone system, operated remotely, then drops the tear shell from the air at the designated spot.
Importantly, these drones, until now, have been used to blind terrorists at the borders during specific operations.
#WATCH | Police use tear gas drones at the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border to disperse protesting farmers. pic.twitter.com/LcyGpDuFbv
Thousands of farmers were making their way towards the National Capital when the personnel from the Haryana Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters at the Punjab-Haryana border. The farmers’ unions said around 100 farmers were injured during the day in the violence that broke out.
Initially, the Punjab Police allowed the farmers to cross the Rajpura bypass as they headed towards Haryana’s Ambala en route to Delhi. However, tensions rose at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border as protesting farmers attempted to break cement barricades with their tractors.
Tensions rose at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border as protesting farmers attempted to break cement barricades with their tractors. PTI
As farmers attempted to breach the tight security measures, the authorities brought in the drones firing tear gas shells. Later, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told news agency PTI, “In the history of India, today is a black day. It is shameful the way the Modi government attacked farmers and farm labourers.”
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, another farmer leader, also claimed that around 60 young farmers were injured in the police action. “Today, farmers wanted to go to the national capital and carrying out such an attack on them... around 60 youths got injured,” claimed Dallewal, who represents Samyukta Kisan Mocha (Non-Political). He also accused the Centre of not showing any seriousness towards their demands.
What comes next
After calling for a ‘ceasefire’ on their march on Tuesday night, farmers are poised to resume their march toward Delhi on Wednesday morning. As news agency PTI reported that the protesting farmers from Punjab will make a fresh attempt to break past the multiple layers of barricades at the border with Haryana in attempt to march to Delhi to press for various demands.
An injured farmer after police used tear gas shells to disperse them during their 'Delhi Chalo' march at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border. PTI
And in scenes reminding us of the 2020-21 protests, farmers say they are prepared for the long haul and are carrying rations worth six months — a sign that they are determined that their demands be met, no matter how long it takes.
Meanwhile, the Centre on Tuesday called for more talks. But farmers alleged that they are just wasting their time and have no intention of meeting their demands. Union Minister Anurag Thakur speaking on the same, said: “The Opposition parties are misguiding farmers on multiple issues against the NDA government but the farmers and issues pertaining to them are the top priority of the Modi government.”
He also farmers urged not to indulge in violence as it causes a “loss to the nation”, and also pointed out that thousands of common people were having to endure long traffic jams. He further reiterated the call for dialogue.
With inputs from agencies
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"It is a matter of happiness that a senior Maharashtra leader - who has been elected to the Maharashtra Assembly and the Lok Sabha and has worked as twice as CM - has joined the BJP," Fadnavis said.
VIDEO | Here's what Maharashtra Deputy CM @Dev_Fadnavis said at a press conference after ex-Congress leader Ashok Chavan joined the BJP.
"It is a matter of happiness that a senior Maharashtra leader - who has been elected to the Maharashtra Assembly and the Lok Sabha and has… pic.twitter.com/D2OgxqHzQU
Talking to reporters earlier in the day, Chavan said he is going to start a "new journey" in his political career as he announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"I am joining the BJP today at its office in Mumbai. Today is the beginning of my new political career," Chavan said on Monday morning.
Chavan had quit the grand old party on Monday and even resigned as MLA. There were speculations yesterday that he would join the BJP, but the politician said he had not taken any decision yet.
Son of former chief minister SB Chavan, Ashok Chavan (65), Monday said his choice to leave the Congress was independent and refrained from attributing specific reasons for his exit.
His quitting from the Maharashtra Congress is the third big exit in less than a month after senior Maharashtra Congress leader Baba Siddique, last week, joined NCP led by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and former Union Minister Milind Deora quit the party in January to join Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Reporters asked Chavan if he received any calls from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but he evaded a reply.
Chavan, however, said he has not contacted any Congress worker or his supporters to join him during his induction into the BJP.
Congress calls for urgent meeting
The defection of leaders has forced Congress to convene a meeting. AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Congress, Ramesh Chennithala, has called an urgent discussion with all senior party leaders in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon.
As per reports, Congress fears that a few more MLAs will join Chavan.
Why Ashok Chavan quit Congress to join BJP?
Reacting to the move, senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam claimed that Chavan was upset with the "working style" of a party leader from Maharashtra and ultimately had resigned from the party.
“Ashok Chavan was definitely an asset for the party. Some are calling him a liability, some are holding ED responsible, all this is a hasty reaction. He was basically very upset with the working style of a leader from Maharashtra," Nirupam had said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Nirupam also lamented the loss of Chavan, describing him as a resourceful and skilled organiser with a strong grassroots connection, whose absence would be irreplaceable for the party.
A report by The Indian Express cited sources in Congress saying Chavan wanted to become the state unit president and had expressed this to the party leadership. “However, the party leadership wanted to stick with an OBC face ahead of general elections,” said a senior party leader.
With inputs from agencies
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The United Arab Emirates and Qatar wait for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit that begins on Tuesday. PM Modi will be travelling to the UAE on an Official Visit from 13-14 February and to Qatar from 14-15 February.
Ahead of leaving New Delhi, PM Modi in his departure statement said this will be his seventh visit to the UAE and second visit to Qatar since 2014.
Wheels up!
PM @narendramodi embarks on a two-country visit to the UAE & Qatar.
"Over the last nine years, our cooperation with UAE in diverse sectors such as trade and investment, defence and security, food and energy security and education has grown manifold. Our cultural and people-to-people connect is stronger than ever," the Prime Minister said.
'Look forward to meet UAE President'
Prime Minister Modi said he is looking forward to meeting the President of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Over the next two days, I will be visiting UAE and Qatar to attend various programmes, which will deepen India's bilateral relations with these nations.
My visit to UAE will be my seventh since assuming office, indicating the priority we attach to strong India-UAE friendship. I…
"I had the privilege of hosting His Highness recently in Gujarat, where he was the Chief Guest at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024," PM Modi said.
PM Modi to attend World Government Summit
The Prime Minister further said at the invitation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, PM and Defence Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he would be addressing the gathering of world leaders at the World Government Summit in Dubai on 14 February.
"My discussions with Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on the margins of Summit will focus on strengthening our multifaceted ties with Dubai," PM Modi said.
The Indian Prime Minister will be participating in the World Government Summit as the Guest of Honour.
PM Modi to inaugurate first Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister Modi said during his visit, he will be inaugurating the first Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. "The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share," he said.
"I will address the members of the Indian Community from all the Emirates of the UAE at a special event in Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said.
PM Modi on Qatar
PM Modi said he is looking forward to meeting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir in Qatar, under whose leadership the country continues to witness tremendous growth and transformation.
"I am also looking forward to meeting other high dignitaries in Qatar," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister concluded his departure statement by saying India and Qatar enjoy historically close and friendly relations.
"In recent years, our multifaceted ties have continued to deepen in all spheres including high level political exchanges, growing trade and investment between two countries, strengthening of our energy partnership, and cooperation in culture and education. The presence of over 800,000 strong Indian community in Doha is a testament to our strong people-to-people ties," PM Modi added.
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A look at roads leading to the Capital and it gives you a sense of déjà vu from 2020. The year when farmers thronged Delhi to protest against the now-repealed farm laws. This time, the farmers are gearing up to march to Delhi as part of their ‘Delhi Chalo’ campaign.
And keeping the farmers’ march in mind, scheduled for today (13 February), authorities have deployed police, paramilitary personnel in large numbers and also carried out multi-layered barricading at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur in order to prevent the protesting farmers from entering Delhi.
We take a closer look at the various security measures undertaken as well as the traffic restrictions imposed as thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh gear up for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
All roads lead to Delhi
Over 200 farmers’ unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, will take part in the march today after talks with Union ministers — Piyush Goyal and Arjun Munda — were inconclusive.
The ministers had met with the farmers on Monday (12 February) for over five hours but their talks yielded no positive results. As a result, Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher on Tuesday early morning said: “The central government has not been able to make a strong decision on anything. The government is asking for time from us to pause the agitation. But they asked us for time two years ago too, when the farmers’ agitation ended. We thought that giving time is not suitable now. If there is a strong proposal, then we can think of giving time, but they don’t have anything.”
#WATCH | Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab: Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher says, “The meeting with the ministers went on for around 5 hours yesterday. We presented an agenda in front of them. The central government has not been able to make… pic.twitter.com/B7SZTLTN6R
He further announced that the farmers will begin their march towards Delhi at 10 am. The protesting farmers have three main demands — enactment of a law to guarantee a Minimum Support Price for all crops, farmer loan waiver and the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel stand guard at Singhu Border ahead of the scheduled 'Delhi Chalo' march by the protesting farmers, in New Delhi. PTI
Security’s up, barriers at Delhi borders
In preparation for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, authorities have intensified security in the Capital with multi-layer barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails and walls of containers at border points to stop the throng of farmers atop tractors and trolleys from entering the city.
Moreover, police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in massive numbers at three points — Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur. According to an official, makeshift jails have also been set up at “specific locations” in view of the march.
The police are also using drones to keep a tight vigil at border points, an official said, adding that they are fully prepared to deal with any law and order situation.
In addition to this, the Delhi Police has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC for a month — until 12 March. The order essentially bans the collection of people for processions and rallies. Furthermore, it bans the entry of tractors into the city as well as bars people from collecting or carrying any form or explosives, boulders, acid, petrol, soda water bottles or any item that can be used to cause danger to anyone.
Workers fix road blocks at Singhu Border ahead of the scheduled march by the protesting farmers, in New Delhi. PTI
The Delhi Police has also started carrying out detailed security checks at the borders, said an official.
The prohibitory orders have also been imposed by the Haryana authorities for 15 of its districts. Furthermore, the Haryana government has suspended mobile internet services and bulk SMS in seven districts — Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa — from 11 to 13 February.
In and around Delhi, traffic restrictions have also been imposed, which could cause inconvenience to commuters. Interstate buses intending to go towards Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal etc via NH-44 will take ISBT to Majnu Ka Tilla to Signature Bridge to Khajuri Chowk to Loni Border to KMP via Khekra.
Traffic from Delhi going to Ghaziabad through Ghazipur border will have to take Pushta Road in front of Akshardham temple or, Patparganj Road/Mother Dairy road or, Chaudhary Charan Singh Marg ISBT Anand Vihar and exit from Maharajpur or Apsara border in UP Ghaziabad.
Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) issues traffic advisory in view of the proposed farmers' protest at various borders of Delhi from tomorrow (February 13). pic.twitter.com/d6v3ZRXZ3V
And despite the massive preparations, farmers seem intent on their ‘Delhi Chalo’ campaign. Farmers have packed essential items, including dry ration, mattresses and utensils, among others on to their tractors, as they head out towards the Capital.
An excavator is also among the convoy of tractor trolleys, with a farmer in Amritsar saying it would be used to break barricades.
Farmers in a trolley ahead of their scheduled march towards Delhi, in Fatehgarh Sahib. Thousands of farmers are expected to make their way to Delhi today as part of the 'Delhi Chalo' campaign. PTI
Earlier, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha also slammed the Centre’s handling of the protest alleging that an atmosphere of terror is being created to frighten people. “The administration is imposing Section 144 in and around Delhi and Haryana and diverting the traffic without any prior advisory to the public. It is creating an atmosphere of terror to frighten off the people. The Modi government is treating the protesters as if they are enemies of the country,” they said.
Meanwhile, other Opposition leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav and Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Centre for its handling of the issue. Thackeray was quoted as saying, “If the Central government is working for farmers then why did it put thorns and nails in their path and dug trenches, besides deploying thousands of policemen.”
With inputs from agencies
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In a strategic move to foster growth and innovation in the AI sector, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced plans to intensify its engagement with the developer community in India, according to a statement made by Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, at the Economic Times Now Global Business Summit held in New Delhi.
The company is also set to host multiple developer summits across the country throughout the year, said Kwon.
Recognizing India’s potential as a global leader in AI, Kwon emphasized the country’s vast developer community and exceptional talent pool.
He underscored India’s track record in nurturing technological innovation and its determination to compete on the international stage. OpenAI aims to forge partnerships with Indian developers and collaborate with its product leaders to tackle complex challenges in AI development.
He also revealed that India has the second-highest number of ChatGPT users. Recent statistics reveal that ChatGPT boasts over 180 million users globally, with India emerging as the second-largest market, accounting for 9.08 per cent of total users. With India’s substantial contribution to the OpenAI market, the company is poised to strengthen its foothold in the country’s burgeoning AI ecosystem.
Recently, on January 5, Srinivas Narayanan, Vice President of Engineering at OpenAI, engaged with developers in Bengaluru, marking the beginning of the company’s concerted efforts in India.
Kwon also stressed the significance of prioritizing safety in AI research and development. OpenAI is actively investing in technologies and forging partnerships to enhance the safety of its AI tools, while also collaborating with governments on regulatory frameworks.
In a significant move to navigate India’s evolving AI policy landscape, OpenAI appointed Rishi Jaitly, former Vice President at X back when it was still known as Twitter as a senior advisor last year.
Jaitly’s extensive executive experience equips him to provide invaluable guidance to OpenAI as it navigates India’s regulatory environment.
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Sri Lanka and Mauritius, on Monday, will add to the list of countries to have launched India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI). The move is seen as New Delhi’s efforts to ramp up the expansion of its digital infrastructure to more nations.
The “historic launch” of India’s UPI in Sri Lanka and Mauritius will be witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
RuPay card services will also be launched in Mauritius on Monday.
The launch event is scheduled for Monday, 12 February, at 1 pm (IST). It will be held via video conferencing.
Benefit of India’s UPI service in Sri Lanka & Mauritius
According to MEA, the launch will enable the availability of UPI settlement for Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka and Mauritius as well as for Mauritian nationals travelling to India.
The extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius will allow Mauritian banks to issue cards based on the RuPay mechanism in Mauritius and facilitate usage of RuPay Card for settlements both in India and Mauritius.
“Given India’s robust cultural and people-to-people linkages with Sri Lanka and Mauritius, the launch will benefit a wide cross-section of people through a faster and seamless digital transaction experience and enhance digital connectivity between the countries,” the MEA said.
The ministry further added that India has emerged as a leader in Fintech innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure. Prime Minister has placed a strong emphasis on sharing our development experiences and innovation with partner countries.
Countries accepting India’s UPI
Bhutan
Bhutan became the first international country to enable UPI transactions through the BHIM app.
The UPI digital payment app was virtually launched on 13 July 2021, by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Namgay Tshering.
France
Earlier this month, France started accepting UPI in the iconic Eiffel Tower. The official announcement was made in Paris at an event organised by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate India’s Republic Day.
The move holds significance as Indian tourists rank as the second largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower. It will help visitors make secure online transactions by using their UPI apps to scan QR code generated on the merchant website and initiate a payment.
UAE
In April 2022, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) partnered with Mashreq Bank’s payments subsidiary NEOPAY in the UAE to empower millions of Indians travelling in the country safely and conveniently to make payments using BHIM UPI.
Oman
The Central Bank of Oman got into a formal agreement with NIPL in November 2022 to enable UPI for digital transactions on all platforms.
The talks between the two nations were finalised in October 2022.
Singapore
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Monetary Authority Singapore (MAS) announced the linking of UPI and PayNow to facilitate fast cross-border transactions between the two nations.
Countries that may soon start using UPI
Nepal may soon join the list of countries using India’s UPI. Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava in December 2023 said the digital payment gateway between India and Nepal is expected to start in the first phase from the end of February 2024.
The agreement for this was signed between NPCI and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) during the visit of Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India last year.
In January last year, NPCI announced the extension of access to the UPI to non-resident Indians using international mobile phone numbers from 10 select countries.
These countries are Singapore (+65), Australia (+61), Canada (+1), Hong Kong (+852), Oman (+968), Qatar (+974), USA (+1), Saudi Arabia (+966), United Arab Emirates (+971) and United Kingdom (+44).
What is UPI & how does it work?
UPI is a mobile-based, real-time payment system that enables users to instantly transfer funds between two bank accounts anytime during the day.
Launched in 2016, the UPI system allows multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application.
The concept was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India and is governed by the RBI and IBA (Indian Bank Association). It gained massive popularity in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With more than 380 million users, UPI, in 2022, recorded up to 74 billion transactions amounting to $1.53 trillion.
In January 2024 alone, UPI recorded over 12.2 billion transactions.
With inputs from agencies
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In a significant diplomatic victory for India, Doha freed eight Indian Navy veterans convicted to death in Qatar on Monday.
Following diplomatic intervention by New Delhi, the death penalty was previously modified to a prolonged jail sentence.
In response to frantic pleadings from the Navy veterans’ family for their release and safe passage back to their homeland, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) promised to deploy all diplomatic channels and offer legal help to bring them back.
In an official statement on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that seven of the eight former Navy officers had already returned to India.
Setting foot in their nation after many excruciating months of detention in Qatar, the seven Indian naval veterans showered appreciation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming they would not have been liberated if he had not made relentless diplomatic efforts to obtain their release.
Upon landing at the Delhi airport early on Monday, the seven ex-Navy officers began chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
The Union government released an official statement welcoming the decision to set the veteran officers free, saying, “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals.”
The eight Indian nationals were detained in October 2022 and held in a jail in Qatar on charges that they were spying on a submarine development. A Qatari court condemned the former navy officers to death on allegations that have not yet been formally made public.
Earlier, the newly appointed spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaiswal, emphasised the temporal significance of this period, stating, “As far as the issue is concerned, there is a time of 60 days when this issue can be appealed in the Court of Cassation, which is the highest court in Qatar.”
The MEA’s legal team possesses the confidential court order detailing the commutation of the death sentences to imprisonment terms, a move revealed in a press release following the court of appeal’s judgement on December 28.
“We issued a press release in which we informed you that the death sentence, which was originally a death penalty, has been changed to imprisonment sentences. Now our legal team has that court order, and I can confirm that all of them have received sentences of different durations, and the death penalty has been abolished,” Jaiswal said.
Furthermore, the Qatari Court of First Instance ruled against them, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The MEA spokesman also emphasised the recent meeting that transpired between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, stating that they had a positive discussion on the bilateral relationship in general.
Speaking to ANI, a Navy veteran praised Prime Minister Modi for discussing their sentence with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and credited him for their release via persistent diplomatic efforts.
“I feel relieved and delighted to finally be back home safe and sound. I wish to thank Prime Minister Modi as this wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for his personal intervention to secure our release. I also wish to express my gratitude to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar,” he said.
Wearing a relieving smile and a calm demeanour, another released former naval officer told ANI, “Without the intervention of PM Modi, we would not have walked free. We wouldn’t be standing before you today had it not been for his untiring efforts and interventions at the highest levels to get us freedom.”
Another freed navy veteran also came out in praise of the Centre’s intervention in securing their release, saying, “We, as well as our anxious family members back home, had been waiting for this day for a long time. It all worked out because of PM Modi and his personal intervention in the matter. He took up our case with the highest levels of the Qatari government and eventually secured our release. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude to him and the Emir of Qatar.”
“We are very happy to be back and it wouldn’t have been possible had the honourable Prime Minister not taken personal interest in the matter. I also thank the Qatar Emir for his personal involvement in the matter,” another former Navy officer told ANI.
“We waited almost 18 months to be back home to our loved ones in India. We are extremely grateful to PM Modi for getting us back. We wouldn’t have seen this day without the joint efforts of PM Modi and the Emir of Qatar. The personal equations that the two leaders share also helped in our release,” another Navy veteran told ANI after landing in Delhi.
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On the occasion of Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings on Sunday, saying that the latter’s path is instilling hope in lakhs of Amritkal residents.
PM Modi addressed the crowd via video conference, saying that it is an honour for him to be a part of the programme commemorating Swami Dayanand’s 200th birth anniversary.
“It is my honour that I was born in Gujarat the birthplace of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. The country is celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati today. Today, I wanted to be present in the Tankara the birthplace of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, but due to some reasons this was not possible, however, I am among you all from my heart and mind,” the Prime Minister said.
“The path shown by Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji is infusing hope among crores of people in Amritkal. It is a privilege for me to be a part of the program related to his 200th birth anniversary,” he added.
Highlighting the Women’s Reservation Bill, PM Modi said that through new policies, the women of the country are progressing.
“Swami Dayanand Saraswati during his time talked about the role and importance of women. Through new policies, the women of this country are progressing. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha and ensured women’s reservation. Connecting people of the country with these efforts will be a true tribute to Maharishi today,” he said.
PM Modi stressed the need for education based on Indian values.
“Today, Arya Samaj has more than 2500 schools in India and abroad. You are educating and skilling students in more than 400 Gurukuls. I would like Arya Samaj, with new vigour in this 21st century, to take responsibility for building the nation. DAV institutions are a living memory of Swami ji, and we will constantly strengthen them,” he said.
Requesting the students of DAV Educational Network to join My Bharat, PM Modi said, “For all the social works you also have the power of the newly formed youth organization of the Government of India. The name of this largest and youngest organization in the country is MYBHARAT. I request all the followers of Dayanand Saraswati Ji to encourage all the students of DAV Educational Network to join My Bharat.”
“Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji was not only a Vedic sage, he was also a sage with national consciousness. This milestone of 200 years of the birth of Swami Dayanand ji has come at a time when India is in the initial years of its Amritkal. Swami Dayanand ji was a saint who dreamed of a bright future for India. With the faith that Swami ji had in India, we will have to convert that faith into our confidence in Amritkal,” he added.
He said that when the British government tried to humiliate the people of the country, during that time, the arrival of Swami Dayanand Saraswati gave a deep blow to all these conspiracies.
“The British government tried to humiliate us by using our social evils as a pawn. The British rule was then justified by some people by citing social changes. In such a period, the arrival of Swami Dayanand Saraswati ji gave a deep blow to all these conspiracies,” PM Modi said.
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Pointing towards the fast-paced growth in the trade and investment relationship between India and Australia as reflected in the increased presence of the Indian community in this country, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that both the country provide great support to each other.
Jaishankar, who is here to attend the two-day Indian Ocean Conference, also reiterated his comment made on Friday as to how Australia is the “most consequential relationship we have in the Indian Ocean.”
Addressing the Indian community here, Jaishankar started by highlighting how it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a “new energy, this new interest, which has come into our foreign policy,” compared it with how it used to be in earlier years and said, “It took us 20 years after independence to have the first Prime Ministerial visit to Australia” and how every Prime Minister of Australia, since 2014, has met with Modi.
“So, the first message I bring to you today is that the relationship is doing great. There’s an enormous commitment from India starting with the Prime Minister to build on this partnership. And it is something that we regard today. Yesterday when I addressed the Indian Ocean conference, I said I regard this as the most consequential relationship we have in the Indian Ocean,” he said.
After talking about the increased political exchanges and the leadership level, the External Affairs Minister said, “Look at the trade today, our trade with Australia is upwards of USD 20 million and growing steadily.”
“If one looks at the trade and investment side today again, there is that sense that this is a relationship which is very much on look at the community or the community itself,” the Minster told a packed Indian Community Centre hall.
He highlighted the growth of the community with “so many more of you in so many different professions,” and said: “It is manifesting itself in different ways. I mean, we have just recently when the Prime Minister was here we announced a new consulate in Brisbane, Australia has opened one in Bengaluru and I expect more of this to unfold as the community grows.”
The sentiment was reflected in his post on X after the event. “Addressed the Indian community in Perth today. Grateful for their contribution in strengthening the India-Australia Dosti,” he said and posted photos from the event.
During his speech, Jaishankar also said India and the Australian Defence Forces work very closely as partners, allow deployments in each other’s countries, and provide great support to each other “So this is today very much a relationship that is growing that is deepening that is getting new content, new substance and a higher profile.”
India’s global footprint has brought it much deeper into “this broader region,” he pointed out and said, “If one looks at Fiji or you look at Papa New Guinea, in fact, look at all the Pacific Islands, which are close to Australia. There is again today an Indian presence and Indian project and Indian contribution and Indian collaboration in some form.”
He also underscored how India would do much more in key areas like health, education, and space because “when we do more in this larger region that also contributes … that is part of our partnership with Australia as well.”
The Indian minister also met Roger Cook, the premier of Western Australia at the venue with a sea view. “Nice to meet Premier @RogerCookMLA of Western Australia. Appreciate his hosting the 7th Indian Ocean Conference. His support for building strong India-Australia ties was manifest,” Jaishankar said in another post on X along with photos of the two leaders.
Jaishankar also met the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP). “Good to meet members of OFBJP in Perth today. Appreciate their work which promotes better understanding and cooperation between our two countries,” he posted on X along with photos from the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar had a fireside chat with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong at the Indian Ocean Conference and had bilateral meetings with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Minister of Mauritius Maneesh Gobin and Foreign Minister of Madagascar Rasata Rafaravavitafika on the sidelines.
Jaishankar also met three Indian-origin Western Australian Parliamentarians Zaneta Mascarenhas, Varun Ghosh, and Dr Jagadish Krishnan, and also visited the city’s Sailani Avenue, which is named after Indian-origin soldier Nain Singh Sailani, who sacrificed his life during World War I while serving the Australian Imperial Force.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Tuesday. During his visit, he will hold comprehensive discussions with President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and also inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday announced the trip, saying that it would be the prime minister’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015. Modi and Al Nahyan will discuss ways to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, it said.
“The prime minister will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister and defence minister of the UAE,” the MEA said.”At his invitation, the prime minister will participate in the World Government Summit 2024 to be held in Dubai as the guest of honour and deliver a special keynote address at the summit,” the MEA said in a statement.
It said Modi will also inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, adding he will also be addressing the Indian community in the UAE at an event in Zayed Sports City.”India and UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by strong political, cultural and economic linkages,” the MEA said.
Following the landmark visit of Modi to UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both countries signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023 to promote the use of Indian Rupee and AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) for cross-border transactions.
The two countries are among each other’s top trading partners with a bilateral trade of about USD 85 billion in 2022-23, according to official data. The UAE is also among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments in 2022-23.
“About 3.5 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of their host country has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement,” the MEA said.
With inputs from PTI.
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India will get a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council but it won’t be easy as there are a lot of countries who want to “block us”, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday.
Jaishankar, who is here to attend the two-day Indian Ocean Conference, said that he was 100 per cent confident that India will get a permanent seat. “I see the change as to how differently the world looks at India now as he goes around the world,” he added.
“We will get there. I am 100 per cent certain we will get there. But I will also tell you that honestly, we will not get it easily because the world is full of competition,” he said in response to a question at an interaction with the Indian community here.
“Some will try to block us, will make that passage difficult or put some kind of obstacles, some kind of argument in the way,” he said, without naming any country. But I’m confident we will get there and I’m more confident today than I was five years ago or 10 years ago,” the external affairs minister said.
“As I go around the world, often I hear this from people that ‘look, you can say things we can’t say. We trust you to say this as we have our constraints,” he said, highlighting how India has already just naturally put across a position which is a collective position for all of them.
He said that there were many issues where the interests of many were involved but the global debate was dominated by a few.
“It could be about the energy crisis, a lot of countries have a debt situation today. It could be about culture and heritage as everybody doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by others’ cultures. In a sense, today India is trusted and well-regarded. there are a lot of countries who want to see us there,” Jaishankar said.
He said that in the many elections held in the different bodies of the United Nations, India constantly does well in these elections. “We often do better in those elections than the five who are already in the Security Council,” the minister said.
“We enjoy, in that sense, the trust and confidence of the world. But again, as I said, look, we have this period, this 25 years is a very vital period for us. We have laid the foundation for the take-off in these 25 years and that 25 years will of course be years of transformation in India, but it will also change India’s position in the world.
He said India will be a much bigger economy and will wield a much bigger influence in the world. “So our time is coming, you know, but we have to work for it,” the minister stressed.
He said India needed to make sure things were right at home. “The path we have followed, we have to ensure we get everything right. We now need to sort of accelerate that and go forward. And I’m sure that if it takes place, we will get there,” the minister added.
The minister had in December last year said the UN Security Council was like an old club with a set (of) members who did not want to let go of their grip and were not keen to have their practices questioned.
India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the Security Council, saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member at the UN high table, which in its current form does not represent the geo-political realities of the 21st Century.
Currently, the UNSC has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution.
With inputs from ANI.
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Adobe WordsCount’s event “WordsCount: The Festival of Words” is back. It is to be held on February 9 and 10, 2024, at the Mayo College in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
The festival is a celebration of the power of language and the exchange of ideas. It serves as a platform where ideas are the currency and wealth is shared through words.
This year’s event is dedicated to fostering civil and engaging conversations, bringing together thought leaders, writers, and activists across diverse fields.
With a carefully curated programme that promotes inclusivity, the festival champions the power of words to connect people and bridge ideological gaps.
In an era dominated by divisive social media, WordsCount stands out for its emphasis on meaningful dialogue, particularly with youth, offering a refreshing antidote to polarisation.
Founder and Curator of WordsCount, Advaita Kala, expresses her excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “In a polarised world, the festival highlights the essential nature of civil and engaging discourse. We are thrilled to welcome esteemed speakers who contribute significantly to public discourse, and we look forward to celebrating the profound impact of words with all our attendees.” Author Advaita Kala is an award-winning screenwriter for the film Kahaani.
The festival’s event itinerary promises an enriching experience for all participants. Highlights include sessions on topics ranging from creativity in the age of artificial intelligence to democracy’s megaphone—the changing face of media.
The festival will be inaugurated by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan. Renowned speakers such as Prasoon Joshi, Sandip Ghose (CEO, MP Birla Cement), Pawan Khera, and Vikas Bhale (Principal Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan) will share their insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The closing address of the festival will be delivered by the 28th Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj M. Naravane.
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It’s the weekend and after a week full of news-making events, it’s time to sit back and relax. However, for those who want a reminder of what happened, we have you covered.
The week started off with people still discussing model-actor Poonam Pandey’s ‘death’, but soon the news moved to the tabling of the Uniform Civil Code bill in Uttarakhand Assembly and later the White Paper tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
This week also saw the Modi government announcing three more Bharat Ratna awards — one to Chaudhary Charan Singh, another to PV Narasimha Rao and the third to MS Swaminathan. These three honours come after the Centre announced Bharat Ratnas for former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur and ex Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani.
There was also the horrific violence that broke out in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani that led to the imposition of curfew. We take a look at all of this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers from India.
1) The Government of India on Friday (9 February) made the announcement of awarding the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, on not one but three people — former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh as well as agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan.
With this, the Bharat Ratna count for 2024 has gone up to five, maximum in a year so far. Until now, the maximum Bharat Ratnas were awarded in 1999 when four recipients were given the coveted award.
Announcing the three awards on social media platform X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded their many contributions to the country.
But who exactly are these three personalities? What have their contributions been to the nation? In our essay, we explore their achievements and why they are deserving of the honour.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks during the Budget session of Parliament. PTI
2) Earlier this week, rumours of the White Paper being tabled caught speed when the Budget Session of Parliament was extended by a day to 10 February. And on 9 February, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the White Paper in the Lok Sabha, listing the United Progressive Alliance’s failures in managing the economy as well as how the Modi-led Sarkar has pushed the country’s finances to the right path.
3) The hill state of Uttarakhand made quite the news this week. First, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government tabled the Uniform Civil Code bill in the Assembly and it was passed on 7 February, becoming the first state in India to pass such a law.
The bill, drafted after several rounds of discussions and deliberations, has made provisions about marriage, divorce and other social aspects of life. In our essays, we focus on how this contentious law changes the rules on live-in relationships as well as succession for children across religions.
Charred remains of vehicles lie on a road after local residents on Thursday set vehicles and a police station on fire and hurled stones over the demolition of allegedly ‘illegally-built’ madrasa and an adjoining mosque, in Haldwani. PTI
4) And Uttarakhand remained in the news this week as its Haldwani district saw widespread violence on the night of Thursday (8 February). Four people died and another 250 people were injured after locals went on a rampage, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the area as well as issue shoot-on-sight orders.
But what went wrong? What led to this sort of violence in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura area? Read here to find out.
5) Many cities and towns in India have been renamed. And the topic became news once again this week, but with a twist. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the southern state’s code TS, which is most commonly seen on number plates, would be changed.
What’s going to be the new abbreviation for the state? And why the change in the code? Our explainer gives you the answers and more.
That’s it from us, this week. However, if you liked the way we explain the news and want to read more, here’s where you will find them.
PS: While we all aspire to be rich, this might serve as the inspiration we were looking for. Read up on Pearl Kapur, India’s youngest billionaire and his amazing road to riches.
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