Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances

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Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances

Amaravati, May 19 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday flagged off 175 veterinary ambulances.

The ambulances, costing Rs 143 crore, were flagged off from the Chief Minister’s camp office here.

These vehicles have been launched under the first phase of Dr. YSR Mobile Veterinary Ambulatory Clinical Services.

The state government has already announced that a total of 340 veterinary ambulances will be rolled up across the state at a cost of Rs 278 crore in two phases.

Meanwhile, a group of students studying at Bendapudi Zilla Parishad High School in Thondangi Mandal of East Godavari district met Jagan Mohan Reddy at his camp office here on Thursday.

They interacted with the Chief Minister and expressed their views in English with fluency.

They said programs like ‘Nadu Nedu’ in Government schools, and the introduction of English as the medium of instruction were really great and the Chief Minister is their ideal for implementing such programs. Jagan Mohan Reddy was impressed and congratulated the students.

Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances Andhra Pradesh CM flags off 175 veterinary ambulances

As Rahul arrives in Telangana, Kavitha poses questions

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As Rahul arrives in Telangana, Kavitha poses questions

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader K. Kavitha on Friday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi how many times he raised the issues of Telangana in Parliament.

With Rahul Gandhi set to arrive in Hyderabad later in the day on a two-day visit to the state, Kavitha took to Twitter to pose some questions to him.

“As Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji arrives in Telangana today, I sincerely request him to introspect on the following. How many times have you raised the issues of Telangana in Parliament,” she asked.

Kavitha, who is the daughter of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, also wanted to know why was the Congress party silent while the TRS party was fighting with the Union government over the uniform paddy procurement policy, national status for irrigation projects, discrimination in establishing educational institutions, releasing of pending GSTs and grants, etc.

Kavitha, a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, also told Rahul that Telangana has shown the path of comprehensive development to the nation, by introducing various schemes like Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bheema, Kalyan Lakshmi, Aarogya Lakshmi, Aasara and many more that ‘continue to benefit our people every day.’

“As many as 11 states are emulating KCR schemes, you are welcome to learn and understand from our state as well,” she added.

Mamata Banerjee has not rectified herself even in her 3rd term as CM: Amit Shah

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Mamata Banerjee has not rectified herself even in her 3rd term as CM: Amit Shah

In his first visit to West Bengal after the 2021 Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a scathing attack against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that the latter has not rectified herself even after becoming the CM for the third consecutive term.

“Mamata Banerjee has become the Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third consecutive term. But even after that, she has not rectified herself. The people of West Bengal are yet to get relief from corruption, violence, and attacks on women.

“The Chief Minister has pushed West Bengal into a debt trap… I am telling the Chief Minister to rectify herself. Other people know how to rectify the moods of powerful persons,” Shah said while addressing a public rally at the Railway Institute Ground in Siliguri in North Bengal.

He also ridiculed the Trinamool Congress leadership for sending fact-finding teams to Jahangirpuri in Delhi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

“Mamata Banerjee is sending delegations everywhere in the country. But so many people were charred to death at Bogtui in Birbhum district. At Hanskhali in Nadia district, a minor was gang-raped. Why didn’t she send delegations there,” Shah asked?

The Home Minister also attacked Banerjee for the latter’s comment that she would never allow the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in West Bengal.

“Some people are saying that CAA will never be implemented in West Bengal. But I want to assure you that CAA will be implemented for sure once the Covid-19 situation is totally under control. CAA still has relevance and the Chief Minister cannot do anything to stop it from getting implemented,” Shah said.

Reacting to Shah’s comments, Banerjee asked how fresh citizenship can be given to those people who are already citizens of the country.

“These are all ploys to create division among the people on the basis of religion,” she said.

Addressing the rally in Siliguri, Shah also accused the Chief Minister of neglecting North Bengal.

“The current state government has done nothing for North Bengal, which is the gateway to Northeast India,” Shah said.

Reacting to that, Banerjee said that it has always been the ploy of the BJP to separate North Bengal from West Bengal.

“They always speak of separation instead of unity. The Home Minister better concentrates on what is happening in the BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh,” Banerjee said.

Modi to attend 2nd India-Nordic Summit

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Modi to attend 2nd India-Nordic Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will participate in the second India -Nordic Summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

At the Summit, Modi will talk to the Nordic nations to strengthen the areas of climate change, renewable energy, and innovation and technology.

He will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Ministers of — Iceland Katrin Jacobsdottir, Norway Jonas Gahr Store, Finland Sanna Marin, and Sweden Magdalena Andersson.

On Tuesday, he arrived in Copenhagen on the second day of his visit to the European Nations. Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and discussed a wide range of issues, including regional and global matters.

The two leaders held talks in a one-on-one format, followed by delegation-level talks.

Both Prime Ministers reviewed the progress of the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered cooperation in renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy and green hydrogen, as well as skill development, health, shipping, water, and the Arctic, among others.

After that Modi addressed the business delegation as well as the Indian community.

Later in the day, the Indian Prime Minister met Denmark Queen Margrethe II at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

“Queen Margrethe II of Denmark received Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at the historic Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Prime Minister felicitated the Queen on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of her accession to the throne of Denmark.

The first India-Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in April 2018.

Regional languages will revolutionalise education: Amit Shah

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Regional languages will revolutionalise education: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that regional languages will play a crucial role in revolutionizing the education system guided by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

In his inaugural address at the Nrupatunga University on the auspicious day of Basava Jayanti, Akshaya Tritiya, and Eid, he said that the Narendra Modi-led government has vowed to realize the dream of making India a knowledge-based superpower.

The Centre, he said, aspires to inculcate the culture of patriotism among students during the celebration of 75 years of Independence (Azad ka Amrit Mahotsav). In the past eight years, a total of 410 higher education institutions, including six central universities, seven IIMs, and 15 AIIMS, have been established in the country, he added.

North East region which was earlier neglected has also been given prominence in all developmental works, including education and Sindhu Central University has been established in Ladakh, the minister mentioned.

Further, he said that the union government has been focusing on developing India as a global manufacturing hub. He also lauded that Karnataka has become an example for other states in the implementation of NEP-2020.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Basavarja Bommai, stated that the government is emphasising three Es- Education, Employment, and Empowerment. He also said a new employment policy has been framed with stress on promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Stating that the union government has granted Rs 55 crore for Nrupatunga University, Chief Minister commended the efforts of the Higher Education Minister for the instrumental role he has been playing for two years to implement NEP-2020.

In his opening remarks, C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Minister for Higher Education, said that human resource is the greatest asset of the country and the bottom-to-top approach of NEP will pave the way to convert future citizens into productive.

Narendra Modi had mentioned about new educational policy even before he became the Prime Minister and introduced it after he took over the helm of affairs. This will make students industry-ready by enabling them to acquire relevant skills, he opined.

In the last two years, the state government has established six Universities and is in the process of establishing seven more. In the near future every district will have at least a university, Naryan added.

State Home Minister Araga Jnanenra said: “The Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Ballary, which has been newly set up would serve the people of neighboring districts to provide speedy justice.

He informed that 50 acres of land have been identified to facilitate the opening of a regional campus of the National Forensic Science University (Gujarat). He also appealed to the union home minister to facilitate setting up its campus in the state at the earliest.

On the occasion, the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Ballary, and Smart e-Beat police system were virtually launched. Foundation stone was laid for the Academic Complex of the Nrupatunga University and the logo of the University was also launched.

Now Smriti Irani to trail Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad

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Now Smriti Irani to trail Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad

After bringing down Rahul Gandhi at Amethi, Smriti Irani is all set to land in Wayanad next week, the constituency that the Congress leader had won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

According to sources in the know of things, Irani, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, is coming with a mission to take on Rahul Gandhi, especially with the Wayanad district having the largest population of tribals in the state and their condition continues to rot, despite the numerous schemes that the Centre has for their upliftment.

According to the 2011 Census, the Scheduled Tribe population in Kerala is 4,84,839 (1.5 percent of the total population). And Wayanad district has the highest number of tribals at 1,51,443.

Incidentally, it was actor-politician Suresh Gopi, a nominated member of the Upper House whose term ended this month, who in his last few speeches in the Parliament raised the issue of how centrally sponsored schemes for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden and for the SC/ST communities in Kerala are not getting due attention, giving the impetus to Irani to make a visit to Wayanad.

Irani is expected to go around the tribal colonies and is likely to be in Wayanad for one or two days. She is likely to use most of her time to take on Rahul Gandhi and his absence from the constituency.

Priortise cases of 3.5 L poor undertrials on humanitarian sensibility, PM to CMs, HCs

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Priortise cases of 3.5 L poor undertrials on humanitarian sensibility, PM to CMs, HCs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said there are nearly 3.5 lakh undertrials in jail – mostly from poor or ordinary families – and appealed to all chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to prioritize their cases on the bases of humanitarian sensibility and law.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the Joint Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts, which was also attended by Chief Justice N. V. Ramana, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Law, and Justice S.P. Singh Baghel, and Supreme Court judges.

The Prime Minister insisted that judicial reform is not merely a policy matter and human sensitivities are involved and they should be kept at the center of all the deliberations.

He pointed out there are about 3.5 lakh prisoners in the country who are under trial and are in jail, most of whom are from poor or ordinary families.

“In every district, there is a committee headed by the District Judge, so that these cases can be reviewed and wherever possible, such prisoners may be released on bail. I would appeal to all Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts to give priority to these matters on the basis of humanitarian sensibility and law”, he added.

He said that 75 years of Independence have continuously clarified the roles and responsibilities of both the judiciary and the executive.

The Prime Minister also talked about the complexities and obsolescence of in-laws.

He said in 2015, the government identified 1,800 laws that had become irrelevant and 1,450 laws have already been repealed.

Noting that only 75 such laws have been removed by the states, Prime Minister Modi said: “I would urge all the Chief Ministers that for the rights of the citizens of their state and for their ease of living, definitely steps should be taken in this direction.”

The Prime Minister said it is important to promote local languages in the courts so that people of the country feel connected with the judicial process and their faith in the same increases.

He said that people’s right to judicial process will strengthen by this and local languages are being promoted in technical education also.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is working hard to reduce delays in justice delivery and efforts are being made to increase the judicial strength and improve the judicial infrastructure.

The Prime Minister said “in our country, while the role of the judiciary is that of the guardian of the constitution, the legislature represents the aspirations of the citizens. I believe that this confluence and balance of these two branches of the Constitution will prepare the roadmap for an effective and time-bound judicial system in the country”.

He said the government considers the possibilities of technology in the judicial system as an essential part of the Digital India mission and appealed to the chief ministers and chief justices of high courts to take it forward.

The Prime Minister cited the success of digital transactions in small towns and even in villages and added that out of all the digital transactions that took place in the world last year, 40 percent of the digital transactions were in India.

The Prime Minister said “In 2047, when the country will complete 100 years of its Independence, then what kind of judicial system would we like to see in the country? How do we make our judicial system so capable that it can fulfill the aspirations of India of 2047, these questions should be our priority today”.

Srinagar-Sharjah direct flights to resume soon

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Srinagar-Sharjah direct flights to resume soon

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved the restoration of Srinagar-Sharjah direct flights to the extent of 5 flights per week, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha said.

Sinha wrote on his Twitter page, “Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved Srinagar-Sharjah flights to the extent of 5 flights per week on a regular basis. My deepest gratitude to PM Narendra Modi.”

“UT administration, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GoI & Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia taking necessary steps on priority to strengthen air connectivity to cater to growing tourism & industry sectors,” he added.

The direct air link between the Kashmir Valley and the UAE was revived after 11 years on October 23, 2021, when Union Home Minister, Amit Shah inaugurated a direct flight from Srinagar International Airport to Sharjah.

‘Go First’ airlines had stopped operating Srinagar-Sharjah flights from March 27, 2022, saying that it did not have the requisite bilateral rights.

Airlines need bilateral rights, which are granted under air services agreements signed between two countries, to operate scheduled international passenger flights.

Direct flights between Kashmir and the UAE will help export J&K’s agricultural, horticultural produce and handicrafts to Gulf markets.

Digitisation of health services for quick medical treatment underway, says PM

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Digitisation of health services for quick medical treatment underway, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that digitization of the health services is underway in India to provide the best, quick, and trouble-free medical treatment and various health services to the people.

Addressing a big rally in Assam’s Dibrugarh, Modi said that 16 new AIIMS and one medical college in each district of the country will be set up to provide the best medical treatment to the people.

“Policy has been changed so that students can be taught in the medical colleges in their local languages and mother tongue,” Modi said after inaugurating the Dibrugarh Cancer Centre at the Assam Medical College and Hospital.

From Dibrugarh, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated seven cancer hospitals and laid the foundation stone for seven more across Assam.

The seven cancer hospitals that were inaugurated by the Prime Minister are Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Tezpur, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, and Darrang while the foundation stones were laid at Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Nalbari, Nagaon and Tinsukia districts.

Cancer is a major problem in the northeastern region, Modi said adding that with the setting up of seven more cancer hospitals and laying of the foundation stones of seven more such hospitals, the patients would get the best treatment in their district itself.

Modi said that with the government’s efforts, over 900 medicines are now available at a very cheap rate. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that with the opening and laying of foundation stones of these cancer hospitals with world call facilities and services, not only the people of Assam and other northeastern states would be benefited, but the people of the South-East Asian countries would also be benefited.

Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata, central minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Health Minister Keshab Mahanta among others also spoke to the gathering. Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi, central Minister Rameshwar Teli, and former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi among others were also present at the event. Tata Trust has contributed a lot to setting up these cancer hospitals in Assam.

Earlier in the day, addressing the first public rally at Loringthepi in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, the Prime Minister said that with the restoration of peace, resolving the insurgency problems and ethnic issues, development has accelerated in the northeastern region of India.

“With the decline of violent activities by 75 percent over the years, the AFSPA (Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958) has recently been withdrawn from large parts of Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur,” Modi said.

Kejriwal senses early polls in Himachal, Gujarat

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Kejriwal senses early polls in Himachal, Gujarat

Sensing early assembly polls, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said the BJP will hold early elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, adding if voted to power, his party would implement the Delhi model of governance in Himachal Pradesh.

“I have heard that they (BJP) will hold early Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat,” said Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, at a rally in Kangra town near Dharamsala.

“The BJP is scared of the Aam Aadmi Party in Himachal and Gujarat. Actually, they are scared of the public, not the AAP. The BJP has decided to hold early elections in Himachal and Gujarat. It does not matter whenever BJP conducts elections, power should come in the hands of the common man,” he said.

In both the states, the elections are due by year-end.

Kejriwal urged good leaders in the ruling BJP and the Congress to leave their parties and join AAP. “It is time to make ‘naya’ (new) Himachal Pradesh. I urge all the good people in BJP and Congress to leave their parties and join AAP. I request the people of this state to give AAP a chance.”

Saying that Himachal Pradesh is the most beautiful place on earth, Kejriwal said: “Both the Congress and the BJP looted the god-gifted beautiful land. The Congress-ruled for 30 years and the BJP for 17 years. Both parties are now abusing me.”

The Delhi Chief Minister said BJP chief Jagat Prakash Nadda abused him in a rally.

“Jai Ram Thakur said there is a two-party system in the state. I ask what is the third alternative. They are saying the situation in Himachal is different, but I say your intentions are wrong.”

About the Delhi citizen-centric models, Kejriwal said private schools have not been allowed to increase fees for the past four years, while treatment is free for all citizens.

Amid multi-layered security for Modi’s visit, Jammu’s Palli village waits eagerly to welcome him

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Amid multi-layered security for Modi’s visit, Jammu’s Palli village waits eagerly to welcome him

A multi-layered security set-up is in place on Saturday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu’s Samba district on Sunday.

The security set-up was beefed up with traffic restrictions after Friday’s terror attack in Jammu city in which two terrorists and a CISF officer were killed.

Despite the attack, residents of Palli village remain unfazed and jubilant about Modi’s visit.

The otherwise sleepy village has come to life in a big way as the locals are enthusiastically waiting for the VVIP visit.

Village elders are unable to recall the last time they witnessed such an outburst of joy and activity.

More than 100 hotels, including the luxury ones, have been booked in Jammu, Bari Brahmana and Samba for the lodging of delegates, who will attend the two-day Panchayat Raj Diwas on Sunday.

The delegates include officials from the government, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Block Development Councils, District Development Councils, as well as senior politicians.

To make the area under the Palli panchayat as “the country’s first carbon-free area”, a solar power project of 500 KVA capacity has been installed to provide electricity to 340 households.

It is estimated that the function will be attended by more than one lakh people.

A high alert has been sounded all along the International Border, while strict security arrangements have been made in the cities of Srinagar and Jammu as well.

The venue of Modi’s function in Palli panchayat has been declared out of bounding for the people after a three-tier anti-sabotage exercise was carried out at the venue.

Security around vital installations across Jammu and Kashmir has been further beefed up while security drills like the landing of helicopters and high speed movement of vehicles were carried out at the venue.

Traffic advisory in this regard said: “In view of the VVIP visit at Palli Bari Brahmana (venue of function) Samba district on April 24, 2022, the public, PRIs attending the function are advised to adopt the designated routes.”

The security checkpoints connecting Jammu and Kashmir with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab have been strengthened with the additional deployment of security forces and no one is allowed to enter without checking.

West Bengal has got investment proposals worth Rs 3.42L cr: CM

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West Bengal has got investment proposals worth Rs 3.42L cr: CM

The Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS)– 2022 has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 3.42 lakh crore, according to the state Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.

“The BGBS — 2022 has attracted a total investment proposal worth Rs 3,42,375 crore, which is the highest among all the six editions of BGBS. In the past five editions of BGBS combined, our state received investment proposals worth Rs 12.5 lakh crore,” Banerjee said on Thursday at the closing program of the BGBS, an annual event to showcase the state as an ideal investment destination.

She added that these investment proposals will create employment for 40 lakh people.

However, the Chief Minister made it clear that this Rs 3.42 lakh crore of investment proposals are currently in the form of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU).

“We have signed a total of 137 MoUs or letters of intent. These are related to various sectors like infrastructure development, logistics, and capacity building,” she said.

At the end of the meet there was no official release on the part of the West Bengal government or the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation on the detailed breakup of the investment proposals received or the MoUs signed.

Understanding that the recent incidents of law and order problems in the state can raise doubts among the potential investors, the Chief Minister, while speaking on the occasion, tried to assure the business delegates on this count.

“West Bengal has stability. West Bengal is safe, so please invest in the state without any fear,” Banerjee said.

The BGBS started in 2015. However, in the last two years, the event could not take place because of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. This year it is taking place after a gap of two years.

The Chief Minister said when she wanted to restart the annual business summit this year, many in her own government were skeptical about its success.

“But I said that let us do it. Now, West Bengal has shown the way for other Indian states to start similar business summits,” she said.

The BGBS-2023 will be held from February 1 to 3.

On the opening day of BGBS-2022 on Wednesday, Adani Group Chairman and founder Gautam Adani announced a proposed investment of Rs 10,000 crore in West Bengal during the next few years.

We will effectively introduce FTA between India & UK: Modi

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We will effectively introduce FTA between India & UK: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India and the UK are working on closing the negotiations for a free trade agreement by the end of the year.

Addressing the joint media address after the bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held at Hyderabad House, Modi said, “Recently we have concluded FTA talks with UAE and Australia. We wish to go for FTA with the UK with the same spirit and commitment.

“Last year, we established the strategic partnership and we have added the important Roadmap-2030 and during our talks, we reviewed the progress made in this direction and also set some goals,” Modi said.

He further said both countries have decided to enhance cooperation in the defense sector. “We welcome the UK as support in manufacturing, technology, design and development, and other sectors for Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Modi said.

Referring to the recent reforms initiated by India in the infrastructure modernization plan and National Infrastructure Pipeline, Modi said that India welcomes the increasing investments here by the UK companies and “we have seen such an example in Halol in Gujarat on Thursday.

“Around 1.6 million UK nationals of Indian origin have been making a positive contribution in the Indian economy and society as well. We are proud of those people of Indian origin, we want to further strengthen this bridge and in this direction, Prime Minister Johnson has personally helped a lot, I greet him for this,” the Indian Prime Minister said.

He also said that India has shown its commitment to fulfil the commitments made in COP-26 in Glasgow and decided to further enhance the partnership for climate and energy. “I invite the UK to join India’s National Hydrogen Mission and express my gratitude for setting up Strategic Tech Dialogue between the two countries,” Modi said.

“The conclusion of the implementation arrangements of the Global Innovation Partnership will prove to be a very important initiative between us today. This will further strengthen our partnership with other countries. Under this, India and the UK will co-finance up to $100 million for the transfer and scaling-up of “Made in India” innovations to third countries.

“These will also help in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and efforts to tackle climate change. This will prove to be very useful for our startups and MSME sector to explore new markets, and to globalize their innovations,” Modi said.

“We also discussed the many developments taking place at the regional and global level. We emphasized maintaining the Indo-Pacific region based on free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order. India welcomes the UK’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” the Indian Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan was also discussed during the meeting.

“During our talks,” Modi said, “We stressed dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem. We also reiterated the importance of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries.

“We reiterated our support for a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan and for an inclusive and representative government,” Prime Minister Modi said, adding, “It is necessary that Afghan land should not be used to spread terrorism in other countries.”

Earlier, while addressing the media, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “I felt like Sachin Tendulkar upon my arrival and also felt like Amitabh Bachchan when I saw hoardings everywhere.”

The British Prime Minister had arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Yogi govt to set up stadiums, open gyms in 100 gram panchayats

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Yogi govt to set up stadiums, open gyms in 100 gram panchayats

Uttar Pradesh is soon going to become a dreamland for the aspiring sportspersons in the country as the Yogi Adityanath government has started preparations for setting up sports grounds and gymnasiums in 100 Gram Panchayats across the state.

In order to promote sports talent and hone the skills of players coming out from the small villages and districts, the Yogi Government, in its second innings, has prioritized providing sports facilities to all the players.

According to the government spokesman, the focus of the state government, which is engaged in realizing the mission ‘Khoob-Khelo-Khoob-Badho’, is mainly on the players coming out of the villages.

The government is ensuring that the players, who have the potential to bring laurels to the country, should not be deprived of any facilities.

The Youth Welfare Department is engaged in arranging sports fields and open gyms from village to village at the gram panchayat level under the MGNREGA scheme.

The state government is also making efforts to nurture sports talent and intensify sports competition within the state. The aim of the government is to establish Uttar Pradesh as a leading state within the country in sports.

Specialist coaches have been appointed to impart training. Along with increasing the convenience of the players in the hostels, construction of new stadiums is also being done at a rapid pace.

It is worth mentioning that during the previous tenure, the Yogi government has built more than 44 hostels for the training of 16 sports in 19 districts.

The amount for sports kits has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500. Many gifts have also been given to the players who bring medals at the Olympics.

Venkaiah Naidu voices concern over rising nexus between politicians and civil servants

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Venkaiah Naidu voices concern over rising nexus between politicians and civil servants

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday voiced concern over the perceived rising nexus between the political executive and civil servants and its consequences for the people and the country. He urged the civil servants to be frank and honest and stand for what is right and to speak the truth to the political executive.

Naidu said, “Politicians being wise and receptive to good suggestions would not like the risk of being punished for any bad decision and wrongdoing and hence, the officials should present the truth and various scenarios in a convincing manner.”

“When you (civil servants) are instructed to present a particular issue in a particular manner that suits the political executive, all you need is to speak for the right and if required, to do so in writing. If you are overruled, the concerned authority would be taken to task. Political and permanent executives should work in tandem and in the right manner. Political executives should definitely change,” he said.

Naidu has noted with concern that all is not well with the civil services in the country and called for reforms to enable the promotion of meritocracy in the bureaucracy to meet the emerging challenges and complexities in the changing times. The Vice President spoke at length on a range of issues impacting the civil services while addressing Trainee Officers at Dr. Marri Chenna Reddy Human Resource Development Institute, Hyderabad on the occasion of Civil Services Day on Thursday.

Tracing India’s developmental journey since Independence, Naidu said there is still work to be done in eliminating poverty, illiteracy, gender, and social discrimination, among other issues. Calling upon the civil servants to strive harder in addressing these issues, he said the Civil Services Day offers an opportunity to introspect and understand the opportunities and challenges for the services.

“The civil services have played an important role in this journey of ours (since Independence) but all is not well with the services and they are in need of revamping, reawakening and reorientation to meet the challenges of the time,” Naidu said.

Referring to the recent reports of the bad state of finances in several states by incurring huge expenditure on ‘freebies’ in the name of welfare, Naidu stressed the need to harmonize the welfare concerns and development needs. He urged the senior civil servants in particular, to shoulder the responsibility of enabling such reconciliation by being frank and honest with the political executive about the consequences of such an approach.

While urging the civil servants to be politically neutral, the Vice President asked them to be driven by the idealism of being with the poor and the needy sections, who need their support the most. He reminded the officials that in every ‘File’, there is a ‘Life’ and the progress and life of the nation depend on effective processing of the files through proper and effective decision making.

Sasikala to be grilled in Kodanad murder and heist case

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Sasikala to be grilled in Kodanad murder and heist case

A special team of the Tamil Nadu Police will be questioning AIADMK’s former interim General Secretary, V.K. Sasikala in the Kodanad murder and heist case on Thursday, officials said.

The 906-acre estate was jointly owned by late Chief Minister and AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa and her aide Sasikala, and the murder and heist case took place on April 24, 2017, four months after the passing away of J. Jayalalithaa and the arrest of Sasikala.

According to the charge sheet, C. Kanagaraj, who was once the driver of Jayalalithaa, hatched a conspiracy to break open the Kodanad estate as he believed that huge money was stashed in the estate bungalow. On April 23, 2017, a gang of ten people, led by him, broke into the estate and killed guard, Om Bahadhur while another guard Krishna Thapa was beaten and tied.

Police sources said that Kanagaraj had convinced another accused Stayan that an amount of Rs 200 crore was stashed in the estate bungalow but the burglars could get only ten watches and a crystal replica of rhinoceros worth Rs 42,000.

Five days after the Kodanad estate heist, Kanagaraj was killed in a road accident on the Salem-Chennai highway in Attur. Another accused Sayan from Kerala also met with an accident on the same day but he escaped with injuries while his wife and daughter got killed.

In July 3, 2017, Dinesh Kumar, a computer operator at the estate, was found dead in his home leading to five deaths altogether.

Police filed a 300-page charge sheet in September 2017 against 11 people out of which only Kanagaraj was from Tamil Nadu, and the rest were from Kerala.

Sayan and another accused Manoj had given an interview to a journalist stating that the then Chief Minister, K. Palaniswami had ordered the break-in at the Kodanad estate to search for some important documents.

Three of the accused also moved to court seeking the interrogation of Palaniswami, Sasikala, the then Nilgiris Collector, and then district police chief.

AIADMK and Palaniswami had reacted strongly, accusing the DMK government of using police to settle scores.

With Sasikala’s interrogation slated for Thursday, the AIADMK camp is in jitters and the possibility of Palaniswami being called for quizzing by the sleuths is on high.

‘It was during AIADMK rule…’: Stalin’s fierce attack on oppn party

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‘It was during AIADMK rule…’: Stalin’s fierce attack on oppn party

In a no-holds-barred attack on the opposition AIADMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Wednesday said it was during the party’s rule that the Governor was attacked by a group led by four lawmakers and narrowly escaped.

Stalin also said it was during AIADMK rule only that the then Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan was chased from the airport to Taj Coromandel Hotel and the property was attacked.

Replying to the debate on the security provided to Governor R.N. Ravi, he said that there is no truth in the allegation that Ravi’s convoy was attacked with stones and sticks on Tuesday in Mayiladuthurai while on his way to the Dharmapuram Adheenam mutt.

Hitting out at the opposition party, he said it was during the AIADMK rule that then-Governor M.Channa Reddy’s car was stopped on the road in Dindigul on April 10, 1995, and a group led by four AIADMK lawmakers threw stones, eggs, and tomatoes.

Stalin said newspapers had reported that Channa Reddy escaped an attempt on his life.

He added that on April 26, 1995, a resolution was passed in the Assembly to recall the Reddy who was earlier attacked.

Stalin also recalled the attempts to attack BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on the Madras High Court premises and also the acid attack on IAS officer V.S. Chandralekha during the earlier AIADMK regime.

On Tuesday’s incident, he said that Ravi’s convoy had safely passed the spot where the protestors were assembled. The protestors threw their party flags at the police vehicles that were used to transport them after their arrest.

He also pointed out the letter by Ravi’s ADC saying that the Governor’s convoy passed unharmed.

According to Stalin, the police have filed a case against the protestors and given proper security to the Governor.

Naidu turns 72, gears up for another poll battle

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Naidu turns 72, gears up for another poll battle

As he turned 72 on Wednesday, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is gearing up for another electoral battle in his long chequered career.

Nearly three years after suffering his worst-ever electoral defeat, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief appears to be down but not out as he looks to infuse new energy into the party for the 2024 poll battle.

Leading the charge against Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, the veteran leader aims to make another comeback to power.

Though facing perhaps the toughest challenge of his four-decade-long political career, Naidu continues to be the tallest opposition figure who can take on Jagan Mohan Reddy, a leader 22 years younger than him.

As the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, he is leading from the front the fight against the ‘misrule’ of YSRCP. Backed by a strong cadre at the grassroots level, he is helming the TDP’s fight against the YSRCP government’s ‘corruption’, ‘anti-people policies’, and ‘atrocities’.

With two years to go for the polls and Jana Sena led by actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and BJP yet to have a strong presence on the ground, Naidu seems to be the only one who can give Jagan Mohan Reddy a run for his money.

On his 72nd birthday, Naidu said that he is working to restore the glory of the Telugu people. He visited Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada, seeking blessings and strength to carry on what he calls the fight on behalf of the people.

Thanking people for celebrating his birthday, Naidu assured them that he would carry forward the party by working as per their expectations. Determined to be steadfast in this fight, he is confident of a victory.

Political observers say 2024 could be a do-or-die battle for him. If he makes a comeback as the chief minister, he can groom his son Nara Lokesh as his political successor but if he fails, it could well be the end of the road for him.

Naidu’s four-decade-long career saw his political pendulum swinging wildly from left to right. In 2019, he exercised even his last option — aligning with the Congress but this gamble could not save him.

He not only lost power in the state but became irrelevant in national politics as his friend-turned-rival Narendra Modi retained power at the Centre with a huge majority.

Desperate to stop Modi, Naidu was holding extensive deliberations with regional parties across the country to forge an anti-BJP alliance. He wanted to achieve what he did in 1996 when as the convenor of the United Front (UF) he brought together regional parties to prop up the government of the third alternative. In 1999, he donned a similar role for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

A shrewd politician, Naidu was also seen as a rank opportunist as he aligned with the BJP, apparently to ride on the Vajpayee wave. He succeeded in retaining power, which he got in 1995 after leading a revolt against his father-in-law and TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao.

Then known as the poster boy of new economic reforms, a reformist, and a tech-savvy leader, Naidu mastered the skills of doing business with any formation at the Centre, irrespective of its ideology.

After losing power to his bete noire Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) in 2004 following a record 9-year stint as Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Naidu admitted his priorities were lop-sided which led to the neglect of agriculture in the state.

So he promised a slew of freebies in the 2009 elections, but the people remained unconvinced and gave YSR a fresh mandate.

The emergence of Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate in 2014 offered Naidu a chance to revive his political fortunes.

He not only joined the NDA once again but by campaigning with Modi, he succeeded in storming to power in the truncated state of Andhra Pradesh, as people preferred him, apparently for his experience in developing Hyderabad as a tech hub.

As a leader who always enjoyed the role of a kingmaker and extracted his pound of flesh from the government at the Centre, Naidu was uncomfortable in the new dispensation where Modi had an absolute majority.

Though facing post-bifurcation challenges like lack of state capital and poor finances, he had no option, but to quietly accept whatever was doled out to the state.

However, it was when YSR’s son and the chief of the YSRCP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy started targetting him for his compromise over the Special Category Status (SCS) and Naidu realized how he was losing the ground to the opposition. In 2018, he pulled out of the NDA government accusing Modi of ‘betrayal’.

From a great admirer of Modi, Naidu soon turned into his worst critic and even joined hands with the Congress, his party’s sworn enemy of 35 years. This was Naidu’s biggest political misadventure.

His experiment ended in a disaster with the Congress-led United People’s Alliance (UPA) biting the dust.

Ironically, Naidu began his political career with the Congress party. At the age of 28, he was elected to Assembly from Chandragiri constituency in his native district Chittoor and became a minister in the state cabinet (1980-83)

When his father-in-law and popular actor N. T. Rama Rao floated TDP, Naidu was with the Congress and had even thrown a challenge at the former. The TDP wave in 1983 nearly wiped out Congress and Naidu too failed to be re-elected to the Assembly.

Later, NTR admitted Naidu into TDP and since then he never looked back. Making a modest beginning in NTR dominant TDP, he climbed to the position of party general secretary.

In 1995, a few months after NTR led TDP back to power with a landslide victory, Naidu staged a revolt against their father-in-law to become chief minister. NTR’s children backed Naidu as they were also unhappy over growing interference by his second wife Lakshmi Parvathi in administration and party affairs.

NTR, who accused Naidu of back-stabbing him, died of cardiac arrest in January 1996, dramatically changing the state’s political scene.

Since then Naidu has been heading TDP. He became the longest-serving chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh (1995-2004). A decade later when Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to carve out Telangana as a new state, he made a new beginning as the first chief minister of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

PM launches Ayush Visa for medical tourists

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PM launches Ayush Visa for medical tourists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced the launch of a special category of Ayush visa for tourists visiting India for medical tourism or treatment.

He also said that a special hallmark type of branding for Ayush products will be initiated by the Ministry of Ayush to identify and give recognition to the high-quality products.

Prime Minister Modi was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit 2022 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

“India is a very attractive destination for medical tourism. We have been witness to the rise in Kerala’s tourism due to its medical industry. This model can also be replicated across the nation, where Ayurveda, Yunani, and Siddha forms of traditional medicine and wellness centres can be very popular. Our government has decided to set up a special Visa category to ease the Visa process for foreign travelers wishing to avail medical treatment in India and are medical tourists,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi also announced that just like the BSI and ISI marks, a special Ayush mark will be created to mark the highest quality Ayush products. “This will give the global consumers a recognized and high quality assured Ayush products,” the PM said.

He also announced the setting up of an Ayush Park where its products will be manufactured. “The Park will give a new direction to Ayush products manufacturing in India,” he stated.

The Summit inauguration was attended by the Director-General Dr. Tedros Gebreyesus of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated various services and applications related to Ayush products and services. A number of agreements were also signed for its research and development.

PM unlikely to be present at Bengal biz summit; political mudslinging begins

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PM unlikely to be present at Bengal biz summit; political mudslinging begins

Of now it is almost certain that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will skip the inaugural session of the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2022 on Wednesday morning, political mudslinging has started between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress on this issue.

While on the one hand, the Trinamool leadership has alleged that the Prime Minister is ‘deliberately’ trying to ignore the attempts at industrialization in West Bengal, the BJP leadership on its part has claimed that no official invitation was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office from the state secretariat on this count.

In November last year, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had gone to New Delhi where she met the Prime Minister and invited him to attend the inaugural session of BGBS-2022. After the meeting, Banerjee had told mediapersons that the Prime Minister had agreed to be present at the event.

However, till Tuesday noon, the state secretariat has not received any communication from the Prime Minister’s Office on this count.

As per PIB’s official tour information of the Prime Minister, he is slated to be in his home state Gujarat from April 18 to April 20.

BJP MP and the party’s national Vice President, Dilip Ghosh, told mediapersons on Tuesday that since the invitation was just a verbal communication from the Chief Minister, there is no question of the Prime Minister being present at the summit.

“There is a protocol in everything. No official invitation was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office from the state government on this count. So there is no question of the Prime Minister coming to attend the summit,” said Ghosh.

However, Trinamool leader Jaiprakash Majumdar said that when the Chief Minister had personally gone to Delhi and invited the Prime Minister, the latter should have honored that gesture.

“Who is Dilip Ghosh to comment on this? Is he a spokesman for the PMO? The Prime Minister often speaks of developing the nation. In West Bengal not part of his dreams,” Majumdar questioned.

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