Nepal PM Deuba to visit India in April

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Nepal PM Deuba to visit India in April

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is set to embark on a three-day official visit to India starting from April 1.

According to local media reports, Deuba’s trip comes on the heels of an invitation by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, which the Nepali leader has accepted.

The visit will take place shortly after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concludes his three-day Nepal visit on March 27.

As per the existing plan, Deuba will travel to Delhi on April 1, hold talks with Modi and other Indian politicians the next day and return home on April 3, the local media reports said.

This will be Deuba’s first official trip since his appointment as Prime Minister in July last year.

Earlier in January, Deuba was scheduled to travel to India to participate in a business summit in Gujarat. But the trip was cancelled after the summit was postponed in the wake of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deuba and Modi, however, met in Glasgow in November last year on the sidelines of the UN climate conference.

Officials said some agreements between Nepal and India, including on cross-border railway, which has been on the table for a while, are likely.

The Kurtha-Jayanagar railway is on a dry run since the second week of February for the lack of a law to guide the operations. The government, however, on Tuesday reissued the railway ordinance for the operation of the cross-border shuttle.

Officials who are preparing the agenda for Deuba’s visit said the two Prime Ministers are likely to inaugurate the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway which was reconstructed with Indian assistance.

A Memorandum of Understanding on rebuilding around 137 health posts with Indian financial assistance that New Delhi had announced in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake is also likely, they added.

Nepal-India relations had hit a new low during Oli’s tenure after some of his statements.

Rapprochement efforts were made starting with Indian foreign intelligence chief Samant Goel’s visit to Kathmandu, which was followed by the visit of Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali to Delhi.

External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar also visited Kathmandu in August 2019 to take part in the fifth Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting.

In November 2020, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla also arrived in Kathmandu as an introductory visit.

But a political crisis was triggered by an infighting in the then ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by Oli, who unsuccessfully dissolved Parliament twice and was ultimately ousted from the government in July 2021.

Deuba returned to power with the backing of all anti-Oli forces.

As far as Nepal-India ties are concerned, some irritants continue to remain which Deuba and Modi are likely to discuss during their one-on-one meeting, the officials said.

The former Oli government’s decision to issue a new map of Nepal depicting Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura within the Nepali territory has not gone down well with New Delhi.

India has also built a road via Lipulekh to Mansorvar in Tibet, to which Nepal has taken exception as it is a tri-junction between the three countries.

Nepal has sent a slew of diplomatic notes to India in order to resolve the boundary row but no progress has been made.

All outstanding issues between Nepal and India will be discussed during Deuba’s visit, said Nepali officials.

BJP MP pushes for ‘One nation, One election’ in Rajya Sabha

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BJP MP pushes for ‘One nation, One election’ in Rajya Sabha

Pitching for ‘One nation, One election, BJP MP Dr. D.P Vats on Thursday demanded that all the elections be held at the same time to prevent the national resources from draining.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the BJP lawmaker batted for simultaneous elections. He said that in 1967, the then government had dismissed many state governments and held fresh Assembly polls. “From then only, the nation got into an election mode with polls being held in different intervals throughout the year,” he added.

Continuous holding of elections, Vats said, also drains the administrative and national resources.

Referring to a media report, the BJP leader said that when the Covid pandemic broke out in China, many international manufacturing companies shifted their base to Indonesia and nearby countries. But India was left out as, according to the report, it is always in election or agitation mode.

He requested that the government, on the basis of consensus among all political parties, hold all elections at the same time.

Other Members are also associated with Dr. Vats on this issue.

Experts urge dialogue among South Sudan parties

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Experts urge dialogue among South Sudan parties

Experts have urged the belligerent parties to the 2018 revitalized peace deal in South Sudan to immediately resume dialogue after the main opposition party led by First Vice President Riek Machar withdrew from participating in the security mechanisms.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO) on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from the vital security mechanisms key to salvaging the fragile peace deal, citing “unprovoked attacks” from troops loyal to President Salva Kiir, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Wednesday, Abraham Kuol Nyuon, professor of political science at the University of Juba, urged the regional body Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), together with the Revitalized Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), to immediately convene a stakeholders’ meeting to break the current stalemate.

Kuol said there is a need for the two bodies to push for cooperation among the parties in order to have them accomplish such critical tasks as the graduation of the 83,000 unified forces.

He told Xinhua that the protest by SPLA-IO is sending a very strong signal to other signatories of the peace agreement.

“If SPLM/A-IO is dropping out when the peace agreement is coming to an end, it is going be difficult for the people to get consensus on either the extension of the peace agreement or accomplishing the milestones that are left.”

The protest by SPLA-IO came in the aftermath of intermittent fighting since August last year with its splinter faction led by Simon Gatwech Dual in Unity and Upper Nile states.

The SPLM/A-IO accuses the South Sudan army (SSPDF) of sowing seeds of discontent within its rank and file in order to weaken it.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the withdrawal of the SPLM/A-IO from the security mechanisms puts the critical security arrangements in jeopardy.

The ongoing transitional period is expected to end in April 2023, and national elections are supposed to be held after that.

Yakani said the latest development could also be due to a lack of trust and confidence among the parties, which are vital pillars for the successful implementation of the peace deal.

Ter Manyang, executive director for the Centre for Peace and Advocacy, said the move by SPLM/A-IO goes against Article 1.4.2 of the revitalized peace deal that calls for collective responsibility among its signatories.

Manyang said the parties have an obligation to avoid any actions and provocations that could return the country back to war.

The RJMEC said now is a critical time in the implementation of the peace agreement as much needs to be done in less than 11 months of the transitional period.

It said security mechanisms, which are composed of representatives from across the different parties to the agreement, are an integral component of implementing the Transitional Security Arrangements of the agreement.

In a statement, the RJMEC reminded all parties that full engagement and inclusive dialogue within the framework of the peace deal is the only way of resolving disagreements.

PM Modi meets BJP MPs from Gujarat

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PM Modi meets BJP MPs from Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met the BJP MPs from Gujarat at his official residence here.

Sources said that all the BJP MPs from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were present in the meeting with Prime Minister Modi. It is learned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is a Lok Sabha member from Gujarat, was also present in the meeting.

The meeting lasted for around half an hour, sources said. A BJP MP from Gujarat said that Prime Minister Modi interacted with the BJP MPs from the state and asked about their work in the parliamentary constituency.

“It was a routine meeting which the Prime Minister holds during a Parliament session with MPs of different states. Today, he invited the MPs from Gujarat and discussed issues related to the state, and asked about the work we are doing in our area. He advised us to work for the people,” he said.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi had met the BJP MPs from Jharkhand and Bihar and discussed issues concerning both the states.

Prime Minister Modi regularly meets BJP MPs during the Parliament sessions. Sometimes, he meets the BJP MPs on a region-wise or state-wise basis.

“In these meetings, the Prime Minister listens to the concerns of the MPs and addresses them. He also guides them to improve their functioning,” a BJP leader said.

No obstacles to screening of ‘James’: K’taka CM

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No obstacles to screening of ‘James’: K’taka CM

Countering the allegations leveled by a section of Congress leaders, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday that there are no hurdles to the screening of the Kannada movie ‘James’ starring late superstar Puneet Rajkumar.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Bommai said that he has discussed the matter with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

“I have spoken to the Film Chamber in this regard. If there is any trouble with the screening of ‘James’, the concerned producers and theaters have the power to sort it out. I have spoken to actor Shivarajkumar too. I have requested him to bring it to my notice or to the notice of the Film Chamber if they face any problem. They too have agreed.”

The controversy was triggered on Tuesday after Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that ‘James’, which released on March 17, was being nudged off theatre screens in the state to make way for ‘The Kashmir Files’ at the behest of some BJP leaders.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Assembly session, Siddaramaiah had alleged that the producer of ‘James’ had confided in him about the issue.

“Since the producers of ‘James’ has booked theatres by paying advance amounts, forcing the theatres to screen ‘The Kashmir Files’ is nothing but harassment,” Siddaramaiah had told mediapersons.

On Wednesday, state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar too repeated the charges.

Dismissing the allegations, Bommai said, “Congress leaders have stooped to the level of politicking even on screening of cinemas.”

‘James’ is Puneeth Rajkumar’s last film as an actor. The highly-popular actor and the youngest son of thespian Rajkumar died of cardiac arrest in October last year.

PM congratulates Dhami on taking oath as Uttarakhand CM

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PM congratulates Dhami on taking oath as Uttarakhand CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Pushkar Singh Dhami on taking oath as Chief Minister of Uttrakhand.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, “Many congratulations to Pushkar Singh Dhami for taking oath as Chief Minister. In the last five years, ‘Devbhoomi’ has progressed rapidly in all parameters. I am sure that you and your ministers will further give impetus to it and the new government will establish a new paradigm of development in line with people’s aspirations.”

Congratulating Dhami and his cabinet, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “The journey of public welfare and development going on in Uttarakhand under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi will be continued by this government with full commitment, dedication, and energy.”

BJP chief J.P. Nadda tweeted, “I am confident that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Dhami will set a new paradigm of development of ‘Devbhoomi’.”

TRS protest at BJP office in Hyderabad triggers tension

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TRS protest at BJP office in Hyderabad triggers tension

Supporters of Telangana’s ruling party TRS on Wednesday staged a protest in front of the state BJP office in Hyderabad triggering tension as the saffron party workers also came out to counter them.

Leaders and workers of various frontal organizations of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) staged a sit-in in front of the BJP office in Nampally to protest against the Centre for misleading the Parliament on reservation for Scheduled Tribes.

Demanding the sacking of Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Er. Bishweswar Tudu, the protesters raised slogans against the BJP government at the Centre.

The BJP workers also came out of the office and tried to counter the TRS men. The two groups almost came to blows but the police intervened to control the situation.

Police detained the TRS men and shifted them to different police stations in the city.

Those detained include TRS student wing president G. Srinivas Yadav, youth wing leader P. Praveen Reddy and tribal leader Rambabu Nayak.

They alleged that the central minister misled the Parliament by stating that no proposal was received from Telangana for increasing the quantum of reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

They said the minister has uttered a lie as the State Legislature passed a Bill in 2017 for increasing the reservations to STs from 6.8 percent to 10 and sent it to the Centre.

The TRS leaders alleged that the Centre’s stand amount to insulting the tribals.

The TRS and ST groups also organized protests at Suryapet and other places on Wednesday. At Suryapet, the protestors, including women, set afire the effigy of the Central government.

The leaders said the Centre’s statement was shocking as the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had written back to the state government that it has no objection to raising the quantum of ST reservation.

They said instead of giving its nod to increase the ST reservation, the Centre misled the Parliament.

The TRS on Wednesday gave a notice for moving a privilege motion in Lok Sabha against Bishweswar Tudu for misleading Lok Sabha while answering a question.

Will make efforts for martyr status to Bhagat Singh: Punjab CM

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Will make efforts for martyr status to Bhagat Singh: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the state government would make strenuous efforts for getting martyr status for Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, and Shaheed Sukhdev.

Interacting with family members of martyr Bhagat Singh, including Teji Sandhu, the wife of his nephew, Abhay Sandhu, the Chief Minister assured them that all efforts would be made to get status of the martyr for the legendary hero of Indian freedom struggle, who laid his life at a tender age.

He bemoaned that it was unfortunate that even after more than 70 years of Independence this status has not been bestowed to him. Mann said the entire nation would ever remain indebted to this great martyr for steering the country out of the clutches of British imperialism.

Seeking fulsome support of people to realize the dreams of Shaheed-e-Aazam Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is committed to cherishing the aspirations of Bhagat Singh and carving out a harmonious and egalitarian society.

PM Modi lauds goods export worth $400 bn ahead of schedule

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PM Modi lauds goods export worth $400 bn ahead of schedule

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the farmers, weavers, MSMEs, manufacturers, exporters as India has achieved the ambitious target of $400 billion of goods exports nine days ahead of schedule.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said, “India set an ambitious target of $400 Billion of goods exports & achieves this target for the first time ever. I congratulate our farmers, weavers, MSMEs, manufacturers, exporters for this success. This is a key milestone in our Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey. #LocalGoesGlobal.”

Prime Minister Modi also shared infographics that stated that every month goods worth $33 billion are exported and goods worth $46 million are exported every hour. “In 2020-21, India exported goods worth $292 billion and reported 37 per cent growth in 2021-22,” it said.

Quoting Prime Minister Modi’s tweet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The nation’s forward march towards #AtmanirbharBharat continues as India achieves the target of $400 billion of goods exports. It is a landmark achievement for the country. Under the astute leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi, the Nation has scripted history.”

Lauding the achievement, union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “New India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji is known for scripting history. Extremely proud that India has achieved its highest ever goods exports target of $400Bn. This reflects the boost in the Indian economy post-Covid due to PM Modi’s resolve of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted, “Under the dynamic leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, we have achieved the target of a record $400 billion merchandise exports in one fiscal year.”

Unification of municipal bodies will restore importance of Mayor in Delhi

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Unification of municipal bodies will restore importance of Mayor in Delhi

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the Unification Bill, which paves the way for the merger of Delhi’s three municipal corporations — north, south, and east — into one. The Bill is likely to be tabled in the Parliament soon.

The move will once again make the office of ‘Mayor’ an important one like it used to be before the trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in 2012, a profile that could be compared to that of the Chief Minister, sources said.

Former Councillor Subhash Ayra, who was the leader of the house in the unified MCD from 2007-12, told in an interview that the decision of trifurcating the MCD by the then Sheila Dikshit government was wrong, which was an attempt to cut the stature of the Mayor.

“With the unification and the proposed ‘One Mayor’ for Delhi, the office will regain its lost glory and the person occupying it will once again receive the stature of ‘first citizen’ of the national capital. Earlier, the Mayor of Delhi used to receive foreign dignitaries at the airport as the first citizen of the city. After trifurcation, the office of Mayor lost its importance,” Arya said.

Old-timers said that before the trifurcation, the Mayor of Delhi was seen at par with the Chief Minister of the national capital.

“When the MCD was unified, the post of Mayor was considered as a powerful one. But after the trifurcation, it lost all its gravity and significance,” said a former member of the unified corporation.

Kanwar Sain, who was the Mayor of Delhi in 2009-10, told in an interview that the trifurcation of MCD was a political decision taken by the Sheila Dikshit government without any reasonable logic.

“Being the first citizen of Delhi, the Mayor used to challenge the authority of then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. To cut the Mayor’s office down to size, the MCD was trifurcated without giving any logical reason.

“The Mayor’s position was and will remain powerful with authority. Senior officials with experience will be appointed as municipal commissioners, and the expenditure will also decrease,” Sain said.

Arya added that after the unification, the Mayor will have more power.

“More responsibilities which were earlier taken back from the corporation are likely to be given back to MCD after the unification,” Arya said.

The unified MCD had 272 wards distributed among 12 administrative zones, with 22 departments and a single municipal commissioner.

After the trifurcation, it had three commissioners, 66 heads of departments, and three Mayors.

“Expenditure incurred in running three offices will come down, saving the taxpayers’ money,” Sain added.

TN milking Cauvery issue for political reasons: Bommai

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TN milking Cauvery issue for political reasons: Bommai

Tamil Nadu is regularly raking up the issue of the Cauvery river with political reasons Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused on Tuesday.

Karnataka CM has reacted to the neighboring state’s moves for the proposed Mekedatu project in Karnataka.

Talking to the media Bommai said “To get political profits Tamil Nadu is taking Cauvery issue since India won independence ”

Stating out that the Cauvery Tribunal has given its judgment on the river water share for the states, Bommai said that Mekedatu has been envisioned to cater to the state’s drinking water requirements.

“While all this happening, Tamil Nadu was creating issues and addressing the court”, Bommai said.

Bommai said that the state government can pick up detailed project reports, and take neccessary steps to execute the project.

Objecting to the Karnataka government, The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday had unanimously approved a resolution moved by Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan

The decision was moved against Karnataka’s decision to build a dam at Mekedatu.

Telangana seeks uniform procurement policy

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Telangana seeks uniform procurement policy

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday demanded that the Centre procure the entire paddy crop from Telangana like it is doing from Punjab and also announce a uniform procurement policy for the entire country.

A delegation of state ministers and MPs will leave for Delhi on Tuesday to meet the Food Minister to press for their demands.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislators presided over by KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known.

The TRS chief warned the Centre of a massive protest if it failed to procure the entire yield of 30 lakh tonnes of paddy during Rabi season.

He said during the last Rabi season, paddy production was 54-55 lakh tonnes and this time, it is likely to come down to 35 lakh tonnes due to the efforts of the state government to encourage farmers to go for crop diversification. Of this, 3 lakh tonnes of paddy will be used for seeds while 2 lakh tonnes will be kept by farmers for their own use.

KCR made it clear that the food security of the country is the Constitutional responsibility of the Central government. “It can’t run away from this responsibility citing surplus production. Even if there is surplus production, the government should keep it as buffer stock, process it, or even bear some losses,” he said.

Stating that paddy procurement is a matter of life and death of farmers, he said the Centre should not create hurdles as it did in the previous season.

“You take paddy and pay MSP as you are doing in Punjab. Nothing plus nothing minus,” he said.

KCR demanded a uniform procurement policy for the entire country. He said there should not be different policies for different states.

He made it clear that in case the Centre failed to respond positively to the state’s request, there will be ‘action-oriented’ protests.

He said gram panchayats, Mandal parishads, Zilla Parishad, and municipalities will pass resolutions and send them to the Prime Minister urging him to procure the entire paddy from Telangana.

KCR also demanded Constitutional protection for farmers. “Include farmers’ rights in the Constitution to save them. The MSP, procurement, production all should be covered by the Constitution,” he said.

He said the Modi government should bring a Constitutional amendment in this regard to show its love for farmers.

The TRS leader urged the government to bring the Constitutional amendment during the ongoing session of Parliament and said his party and the entire country would support it.

Jagan assures all help to Ukraine returnee students

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Jagan assures all help to Ukraine returnee students

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has assured all support for the students of the state who have returned from war-hit Ukraine.

A group of students who have returned from Ukraine called on Reddy here on Monday.

The Chief Minister interacted with the students and enquired about the alternatives to continue their studies.

Reddy also directed the state government officials to look for solutions to the problems being faced by the students currently and said he would write a letter to the Central government in this regard.

The students thanked the Chief Minister for the special efforts put in by the state government to bring back the students from Ukraine and said they were taken care of since they reached the neighboring countries of Ukraine and were provided food and accommodation and added that flight tickets to India and transportation to their native places were provided by the government.

In all, 918 students from Andhra Pradesh studying in Ukraine have made it back to their homes, officials said.

The chief minister complimented the state government officials who coordinated the students’ safe return from Ukraine safely. He said that it is the responsibility of the state government to help the students who were in crisis.

AP Ukraine Taskforce Committee Chairman MT Krishnababu, AP Bhavan Principal Resident Commissioner Praveen Prakash, APNRTS President Medapati Venkat, CEO K. Dinesh Kumar, Taskforce Committee Members Ahmed Babu, Andhra Pradesh Special Representative in North America Pandugayala Ratnakar, Special Representative in the UK, Ravi Reddy and other officials were present in the meeting.

World Cup not yet over, Modi tells Morrison after Aus women’s cricket team win

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World Cup not yet over, Modi tells Morrison after Aus women’s cricket team win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, for the excellent performance of the women’s cricket team in the world cup.

“Many congratulations to you for the excellent performance of the Australian women’s cricket team in the Cricket World Cup,” said Modi adding that in Saturday’s match, Australia won, but the tournament is not yet over.

“My best wishes to the teams of both the countries,” the Indian Prime Minister said during his address at the second India-Australia virtual summit.

Modi and Morrison interacted during the virtual summit on Monday.

Australia entered the semifinals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a six-wicket win over India at Eden Park in Auckland in New Zealand on Saturday. With two games to go – one with South Africa and another with Bangladesh, Australia have the luxury to rest their key players, if they choose to do so, ahead of the knockout stages.

India posted a competitive 277/7 in 50 overs but Australia chased down the total with three balls to spare. With the win, Australia also broke the record for the highest successful run-chase in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing the one they set against Sri Lanka in the 2017 edition of the tournament.

Currently, India stands fourth with two wins in five games. While India’s wins came against Pakistan and West Indies, the team lost to England, New Zealand, and Australia.

India now has to win the remaining two games and hope for a few results to go their way if they are to make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Afghan Finance Minister is now Uber driver in Washington

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Afghan Finance Minister is now Uber driver in Washington

Former Afghan Finance Minister Khalid Payenda, who fled the country just before the Taliban takeover in August last year, now drives an Uber in Washington, the Guardian reported.

“If I complete 50 trips in the next two days, I receive a $95 bonus,” the Guardian quoted Payenda as saying to The Washington Post, from behind the wheel of a Honda Accord.

The 40-year-old once oversaw a US-supported $6 billion budget. The Post reported that in one night earlier this week, he made “a little over $150 for six hours’ work, not counting his commute – a mediocre night”.

Payenda resigned as Finance Minister a week before the Taliban seized Kabul, as his relationship with former President Asraf Ghani deteriorated.

Fearing the President would have him arrested, he left for the US, where he joined his family.

“We had 20 years and the whole world’s support to build a system that would work for the people,” Payenda said in a text message to a World Bank official in Kabul on the day the capital fell, quoted by the Post.

“All we built was a house of cards that came down crashing this fast. A house of cards built on the foundation of corruption.”

The Post recorded Payenda telling one passenger his move from Kabul to Washington had been “quite an adjustment”.

He also said he was grateful for the opportunity to be able to support his family but, “right now, I don’t have any place. I don’t belong here and I don’t belong there. It’s a very empty feeling”.

“I saw a lot of ugliness, and we failed,” he said. “I was part of the failure. It’s difficult when you look at the misery of the people and you feel responsible.”

Payenda told the Post he believed Afghans “didn’t have the collective will to reform, to be serious”.

But he also said the US betrayed its commitment to democracy and human rights after making Afghanistan a centerpiece of post-9/11 policy.

Centre thinking seriously on the future of Ukraine students: K’taka CM

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Centre thinking seriously on the future of Ukraine students: K’taka CM

The union government is seriously considering alternative measures for medical students who have returned from war-torn Ukraine without completing their course, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said here on Monday.

Speaking to media persons in Davanagere before participating in the last rites of Karnataka student Naveen, Bommai said, the course in Ukraine is different from that of India. The union government is thinking about their future seriously as it involves the future of students from various states.

Though the government fee is low, medical education in the private sector is expensive. Even students who score 90-95 percent are not getting seats in NEET, he said.

As the cost of seats in the management quota and NRI quota is high, the students look out for other options, he said.

“We are considering a proposal to categorize the seats into A, B, and C categories to reduce the fee. The Medical Council of India decides the issues related to medical courses. A reconsideration is on in this regard,” Bommai said.

Amit Shah reviews security situation in J&K

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Amit Shah reviews security situation in J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other senior officials.

An official statement said, “The Home Minister appreciated the improvement in the security situation, reduction in terror incidents from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021 and decrease in a number of security personnel martyred from 91 in 2018 to 42 in 2021.

“Amit Shah emphasized proactive operations against terrorists and denying them safe haven or financial support. He directed the security forces and the police to ensure real-time coordination for effective counter-terrorism operations and monitoring activities of terrorists from jails. He ordered further strengthening of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Jammu and Kashmir to choke narco-terrorism.”

As per the statement, Shah said the security grid should be further strengthened to ensure zero cross-border infiltration and to eliminate terrorism completely in order to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

Telangana to step up pressure on Centre for paddy procurement

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Telangana to step up pressure on Centre for paddy procurement

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to intensify the protest demanding the Centre to procure entire paddy from the state during Yasangi (Rabi) season.

The Chief Minister said that the Union Government is procuring 100 percent of paddy from Punjab, and agitation programs will continue to demand the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to procure 100 percent of paddy from Telangana.

He said that it is a life and death issue for the farmers of Telangana and TRS is gearing up for intensive struggle this time over the procurement of paddy.

The Chief Minister has convened a meeting of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Legislature on March 21 to chalk out the strategy in this regard.

He has directed all MLAs, MLCs, Party State Executive Committee Members, District Presidents, ZP Chairpersons, Presidents of DCCBs, DCMS, and District Presidents of Raithu Bandhu Samithis to attend the meeting.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said that the meeting will chalk out a plan to hold dharnas, agitations, and protests demanding the Union Government to buy yasangi paddy in the state.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister and delegation of ministers will leave for Delhi on the same day to meet the Union Ministers and even the Prime Minister to demand to buy of paddy.

The TRS MPs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will stage protests in line with the agitation in Telangana.

K’taka CM Bommai bats for inclusion of Bhagavd Gita in syllabus

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K’taka CM Bommai bats for inclusion of Bhagavd Gita in syllabus

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said that the Bhagavad Gita should form a part of the school syllabus.

The matter has been discussed in Gujarat only on Friday. “Our education minister has been discussing the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus. After getting information from the education department in this regard, a decision will be taken on it,” he explained.

Asked whether Bhagavad Gita would teach moral lessons, he retorted that if not for Bhagavad Gita, which other scripture can teach morals to children.

In this competitive age, children need moral education said CM Bommai and asked not to create unnecessary confusion in this regard.

If Bhagavad Gita is made part of the syllabus, it will help children with intelligence, he maintained.

On Friday, Education Minister B.C. Nagesh stated that a decision on mandating the teachings of Bhagavad Gita to school children will be taken after consulting Chief Minister Bommai.

Minister Nagesh stated that the demand is growing for the inclusion of moral science into the syllabus of children as it has a good impact. In Gujarat, they are planning to implement it in three phases.

Former Union Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna used to say that he reads Bhagavad Gita every day for strength. In this country, all tall leaders, elders who have thought about the nation have talked highly about Bhagavad Gita, Minister Nagesh stated.

Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography has written that his mother’s teachings on Ramayana and Mahabharath during his childhood helped him evolve as a truthful person. He also said that Satya Harishchandra’s enactment also influenced him to be truthful, Minister Nagesh explained.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries Murugesh Nirani stated that Bhagavad Gita has human values and children need to learn about those values. The government of Gujarat has taken a decision to add Bhagavad Gita in the syllabus and a decision should be taken in Karnataka also to introduce Bhagavad Gita to children, he said.

However, D.K. Shivakumar, State Congress President has stated that there are lessons on Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita, and other religious holy books in the syllabus. There is no necessity to glorify anything now, he opined.

KTR-led Telangana delegation leaves for US to attract investment

TB Team
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KTR-led Telangana delegation leaves for US to attract investment

A delegation of Telangana government led by minister for information technology and industries K.T. Rama Rao had left for the United States to attract global firms for investments in the state.

The Telangana delegation left for the US on Saturday morning from Hyderabad. It will be visiting US cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Boston, and New York.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, has a packed agenda for this week-long trip and will be meeting the top management executives of several world-renowned companies in the US. He will explain to them the progressive policies of the state and the benefits of investing in industry-friendly Telangana.

“On my way to the United States for a work trip after 5 years. Lots of exciting meetings lined up on the west coast and east coast over the course of next week. Looking forward to some hectic activity & travel,” KTR tweeted.

Telangana IT and Industries Principal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Director Electronics Sujai Karampuri, Director Life Sciences Shakti Nagappan, Director Food Processing Akhil Gawar, Director Promotions Vijay Rangineni, Chief Relations Officer Amarnath Reddy were among the officials who were accompanying the minister.

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