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23-year-old killed in wrong-way crash, family demands justice

September 19, 2024, 3:27 am

In a dreadful accident, a 23-year-old man named Akshat Garg was killed after his motorcycle was badly hit by a car driving in the wrong direction on Golf Course Road, DLF Phase II, and early Sunday morning.

The deceased died within minutes due to internal bleeding and injuries in the groin area.
The accident happened in the early morning between 5.45-6 AM. The deceased’s friend and colleague, Pradyuman Kumar, aged 22, was following him on another motorcycle from behind.

Talking to The Daily Guardian, his friend Pradyuman Kumar said that, “This horrific incident, which could only be described as murder due to the driver’s intentional wrong-side driving on a national highway, cost Akshat his life. Despite the gravity of the crime, the driver has been released on bail, with authorities deeming this fatal act a bailable offense.”

According to Gurgaon police, after crossing the Sikanderpur-Cyberhub flyover, the deceased along with Kumar (the complainant) and other bikers approached a turn when a Mahindra XUV 300 car suddenly appeared, coming from the wrong direction.
The car had a political sticker on its bonet and collided head-on with Garg’s bike.
Kumar also alleged that initially the police was not even taking the copy of his Gopro camera’s footage which had the entire recording of the accident.

Naresh Kumar, Assistant PRO Gurugram police said that the driver was arrested from the spot. “He was later identified as Kuldeep Kumar Thakur, 25, of Madhubani, Bihar. As far as his profession is concerned, he handles social media campaigns for elections and had a BJP’s sticker on the car’s bonet. There is no political connection in this case.”
On Kumar’s complaint, an FIR was registered against Thakur under several sections, including Section 116 (compensation after a motor vehicle accident), 281 (rash driving) and 106 (causing death by negligence).

Talking to TDG, the deceased elder brother Mayank Garg who is 24 years old said that “When we went to the Police Station, the accused was not even put behind the bars. He was sitting in a room alongside the IO. I just met him for 2 minutes and the police officials were consoling us that such accidents do occur. Surprisingly, he was given a bail on the very same day despite the fact that the accident happened on Sunday and Monday was a holiday (Eid).”

He further said that “It seemed that the police were not even ready to proceed with the case and we don’t know if there’s any political connection to it. Our family will be filing a case against Thakur (accused) for criminal negligence and for compensation. We are in a deep stress as I’ve lost my brother. We both were the bread winners for our family and we have a small sister who is just 6 years old. We have some debts on us too. Now, it’s all on me and I’ll have to take care of family on my own.”He also alleged that as far as Thakur is concerned, we have recieved some information that he is track recorder as he keeps changing his location every two three months but we have found out his native place.

Mamata blames Centre for ‘man-made flood’ in Bengal

September 19, 2024, 3:18 am

Several areas in south Bengal face a massive flood risk as the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 3 lakh cusecs of water from its Panchet and Maithon dams within seven hours on the night of September 16 amid incessant low-pressure rains.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Pursurah in Hooghly district to take stock of the situation and said it is a “man-made” flood, caused by the Centre as DVC had never released so much water earlier.

“This is a man-made flood. They planned to drown Bengal. I personally spoke to the DVC authorities. I spoke to Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand at least thrice. The last time DVC released so much water was in 2009,” Banerjee told reporters.
“It was done to drown West Bengal. The Centre doesn’t undertake dredging. If dredging is done DVC can hold more water. Why do they not release water gradually when the dam is 70% – 80% full? In a bid to save Jharkhand, they release the water to Bengal. How much deprivation we shall take?” Banerjee complained.

“Even the water level in the Adi Ganga has shot up. I have never seen so much water in Adi Ganga. DVC released a huge amount of water. People have been requested to move to flood shelters. A few people got trapped at Khanakul in Hooghly district,” she told reporters earlier.

The Chief Minister’s residence at Kalighat in south Kolkata is located on the banks of the Adi Ganga, the original channel of River Ganga passing through Kolkata.
According to data shared by DVC, around 2.5 lakh cusec water was released for around six hours on Tuesday. The last time such a huge amount of water was released was in September 2009. DVC had then released 3,03,046 cusecs from its Panchet and Maithon dams.

“We released 2.5 lakh cusecs for around six hours on Tuesday. West Bengal was informed. The flow of release was reduced to 1.2 lakh cusecs later during the day,” said a DVC official.
Mamata also asked District Magistrates to remain alert and Nabanna, the State secretariat, has instructed officials to be prepared to deal with the situation.

Two people have already died because of this flood-like situation. While one person died due to wall collapse following rain in Purba Bardhaman district, another died of electrocution in Hooghly district. In Murshidabad district, floodwaters swept away a seven-year-old girl.

Star Cong campaigners yet to hit campaign trail

September 19, 2024, 3:10 am

With only two weeks left before the curtains fall on the election campaign for the Haryana Assembly polls, the Congress is facing a surprising setback as its top stars have yet to hit the campaign trail.

Despite announcing a robust list of 40 stars campaigners, including heavyweights like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, none of the senior leaders have made an appearance in the state. As the October 5 elections inch closer, and campaign is set to conclude on October 3, the absence of the party’s central leadership has raised concerns within Congress circles.

So far, none of the national leaders from the Congress’ central leadership have arrived to address rallies or energise the party carder, worrying the contenders who are facing a tough challenge in this multi-cornered contest.

The Congress had released an extensive list of its star campaigners, including prominent names like Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. However, no official announcements have been made regarding their schedule for rallies or roadshows in Haryana. Party loyalists, eager to see a boost in momentum, are left waiting for these big names to take Centre stage. “Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will not only address rallies but will also lead roadshows to support party candidates. A detailed schedule will be released soon. This is all part of our strategy,” said a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity, attempting to assuage concerns about the slow start.

But with the BJP’s campaign in full throttle, the absence of Congress leaders has left many questioning whether the party is losing valuable time in the race to win voters. The ruling BJP on the other hand has wasted no time in ramping up its efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held a rally in Kurukshetra, jumpstarting the BJP’s election campaign in the state. Modi’s presence in Haryana is set to grow stronger with three more rallies on the horizon, two in Sonipat and Hisar on September 26 and a final one in Palwal on October 2. Adding to the BJP’s aggressive campaigning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already addressed two rallies, and the party’s national president JP Nadda is scheduled to visit Haryana on Thursday.

Union ministers Manohar Lal, Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur are also actively campaigning, further cementing the BJP’s dominant presence on the ground. In the absence of the heavyweights, the Congress has been relying heavily on its state leaders to spearhead the campaign.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, have been working tirelessly to keep the party’s momentum going. However, their efforts are largely seen as insufficient to counter the BJP’s full-force offensive.

The party’s star campaigners, including wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, have also been active, particularly in Julana, where Phogat is locked in a fierce battle against the BJP and AAP candidates.
Still, their regional influence does little to compensate for the absence of Congress’ national heavyweights.

Political observers believe that the Congress is on a very strong footing in Haryana but the delay in the arrival of senior leaders in the election trail could prove costly.
While party insiders maintain that a last-minute surge led by the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will provide a significant boost, the question remains whether it will be too little, too late.

Congress woos Haryana voters with ‘7 promises’

September 19, 2024, 2:50 am

Promises MSP guarantee, Rs 2,000 for women, free 300 unit electricity, Rs 6000 pension to elderly, disabled and widows, caste survey, raising creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh
The Congress party has released its election manifesto with seven-guarantees, including promises of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and a caste survey, along with construction of a memorial in the memory of farmers who died during the 2020-21 farmers agitation.

Attempting to reach out to all voters, the Congress manifesto named as “Saat Vaade-Pakke Irade” (Seven Promises, Firm Intentions) was launched in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and AICC senior observers for the Haryana polls Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken, and Partap Singh Bajwa.

Speaking on the occasion, Kharge outlined that the manifesto will focus on providing benefits to families, empowering women, supporting the youth, strengthening social security, and improving lives of backward classes, farmers, and the poor. “We are committed to building a grand memorial for the farmers who laid down their lives fighting against the anti-farmer laws. Alongside that, we pledge to provide jobs to the next of kin of these martyrs,” said Kharge.

Briefing about the guarantees, Congress Haryana chief Udai Bhan said that the Congress’ seven guarantees includes Rs 2000 per month to every woman above 18 years, LPG gas cylinders at Rs 500, free electricity up to 300 units on the lines of Chiranjeevi scheme, Rs 25 lakh free treatment benefit. It also promises voters Rs 6000 pension per month for widows, disabled person, and senior citizens, return of the Old Pension Scheme, two lakh government positions to be filled to tackle unemployment and to make Haryana drug-free for youth upliftment. The manifesto also promises to ensure legal MSP guarantee, immediate crop compensation, 100 yard plot and two-room houses at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakhs to poor families, and a caste survey to fair distribution of resources and jobs and raising the creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh from current Rs 8 lakh.

Reacting over the election manifesto, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, “We have given a guarantee for the women, youth, farmers (in the Congress manifesto for Haryana Assembly elections) Congress will be coming (in the state) and BJP will go.”
On Congress manifesto, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says, “The government which is there in the politics for the past 60 years, if they have to give guarantee for getting the vote, then do not trust those guarantee…Congress revdi batne ka kaam karti hai, but never fulfil those promises…”

Similarly, BJP National Secretary Om Prakash Dhankar Criticizes Congress’ “Saat-Waade, Pakke-Irade slogan, saying “people don’t trust Congress, which is why they’ve resorted to using the slogan ‘Seven Promises, Firm Intentions”. Dhankhar also took a jibe at Congress’ promise to provide 2 lakh jobs to the youth. “The same people who were part of the ‘Bharati Roko Gang’ are now talking about giving jobs to the youth. Jobs were given to the youth without any favoritism or bribes, but Congress created hurdles in those jobs.
That’s why the youth protested in front of Congress leaders’ homes.”

However, Congress’ senior leaders from Haryana Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala were not present on the occasion when the manifesto was released as former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Udai Bhanwere present along with the central leadership of the party. But both the leaders have shared a picture of the seven guarantees of the election manifesto on their X accounts.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has delayed the release of the election manifesto by a day as the party’s national president will now release the Haryana Sankalap Patra on Thursday. Voting for the 90-member assembly will take place on October 5 while the counting of votes will be done on October 8.

Delhi CM Kejriwal to Step Down, Says He Won’t Resume Until People Decide – WATCH

September 15, 2024, 12:40 pm

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced, “I will resign from my position in two days. I will not sit in the CM chair until I receive a verdict from the people. I plan to visit every house and street to seek their judgment before resuming office.”

Watch:

#WATCH | Delhi: CM Arvind Kejriwal says, “… I am going to resign from the CM position after two days. I will not sit on the CM chair until the people give their verdict… I will go to every house and street and not sit on the CM chair till I get a verdict from the people…” pic.twitter.com/6f7eI7NVcN

— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2024

Arvind Kejriwal also called for elections to be held in November 2024 instead of February 2025. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court, stating, “Some people say that we will not be able to work because of restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court. Even they did not leave any stone unturned in imposing restrictions on us.” He vowed to return to the Chief Minister’s office only after being re-elected, emphasizing, “If you think I am honest, vote for me in large numbers.” He further announced that until elections are held, another party member would serve as Chief Minister, and a meeting of the MLAs would soon elect the next CM.

Addressing AAP workers, Kejriwal accused the BJP of attempting to undermine the party and his morale. He asserted, “They wanted to break the party, break Kejriwal’s courage and morale… they have made a formula– break parties, break MLAs, send leaders to jail.” He claimed the BJP aimed to form a government in Delhi by incarcerating him but failed to dismantle his party or its support base.

Kejriwal also explained his decision not to resign as Chief Minister, stating, “I didn’t resign because I wanted to protect the country’s democracy… They have made a new formula — wherever they lose, they send the CM to jail and form their government.” He urged other opposition chief ministers to resist resigning if faced with false charges.

BJP’s Response

In response, the BJP dismissed Kejriwal’s actions as a public relations stunt. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticized Kejriwal, stating, “This is a PR stunt of Arvind Kejriwal. He has understood that his image among the people of Delhi is not of an honest leader but of a corrupt leader. Today Aam Aadmi Party is known across the country as a corrupt party. Under his PR stunt, he wants to restore his image.” Bhandari further suggested that Kejriwal is attempting to use a tactic similar to Sonia Gandhi’s, where she made Manmohan Singh a figurehead while controlling the government from behind the scenes. He concluded, “They have understood today that the Aam Aadmi Party is losing the Delhi elections and the people of Delhi cannot vote in their name, so they want to make someone else a scapegoat.”

Kejriwal Granted Bail On Friday

The Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, ruling that the CBI’s arrest was unjustified. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan declared that continued detention by the CBI on the same charges was no longer warranted. He emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, stating that bail should be the standard and imprisonment an exception. He further noted that the pre-trial process should not serve as a form of punishment.

He further announced that Arvind Kejriwal’s criminal appeal had been granted, overturning the High Court’s decision. As a result, the Delhi Chief Minister was released on bail.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 11 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and was released on bail last week. The Supreme Court, while granting bail, prohibited him from entering the Chief Minister’s office or signing any official documents.

Jaishankar Delivers PM Modi’s Personal Greetings During Meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

September 12, 2024, 3:54 am

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Berlin recently and met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, delivering personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, Jaishankar expressed his honor at meeting Scholz and conveyed PM Modi’s regards, while also looking forward to Scholz’s upcoming visit to India for the 7th Inter-Governmental Consultations.

Jaishankar’s visit to Germany from September 10-11 marked his third bilateral trip to Berlin since becoming External Affairs Minister and his second trip to Germany this year. His previous visit was to Munich in February 2024 for the Munich Security Conference.

During his Berlin visit, Jaishankar also met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations in preparation for the 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) scheduled for October 2024 in New Delhi. They noted that the 18th Asia Pacific Conference (APK) of German Businesses will be held in New Delhi next month, which is expected to enhance the business ties between the two countries.

In addition to discussions on regional and global issues such as Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, and West Asia, Jaishankar met with Jens Ploetner, the Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to the German Chancellor, and Boris Pistorius, the Federal Minister of Defence. These meetings reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening strategic, defense, and security cooperation between India and Germany.

Jaishankar also held discussions with Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group; Michael Roth, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee; and other German Parliamentarians. The conversations focused on deepening bilateral engagement, including parliamentary cooperation and addressing key regional and global developments.

Furthermore, Jaishankar was invited as a Guest of Honour to speak at the Annual Conference of German Ambassadors, addressing German Ambassadors and key business leaders.

India and Germany have enjoyed a strategic partnership since 2000, and next year will mark the 25th anniversary of this collaboration. The partnership spans various sectors including trade, investment, defense, science, technology, innovation, sustainability, renewable energy, emerging technologies, development cooperation, culture, education, mobility, and people-to-people connections.

Cabinet Sanctions ₹5 Lakh Health Insurance for Seniors Aged 70 and Over

September 12, 2024, 3:41 am

On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a significant expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to include all citizens aged 70 and above. This move will provide health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year to seniors, regardless of their financial status.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during a briefing on the Cabinet’s decisions, highlighted that this extension of benefits is a major step in ensuring comprehensive health coverage for the elderly. Previously, the Ayushman Bharat scheme was designed to assist those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, based on the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC). The scheme originally provided up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for cashless hospitalization for secondary and tertiary care.

Vaishnaw emphasized that this decision reflects a humanitarian approach and fulfills a commitment made by the Prime Minister. The new policy is expected to impact around 4.5 crore families, equating to approximately 6 crore senior citizens, based on government estimates. Currently, the scheme covers 12.3 crore families.

For families already covered by the scheme with senior members, there will be an additional top-up coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year specifically for these elderly beneficiaries. For those families not previously covered due to their socioeconomic status, they will now receive a shared coverage of ₹5 lakh per year for senior citizens.

“The additional top-up coverage of up to ₹5 lakh will be specifically allocated for senior citizens within the families already covered by the scheme. This shared cover will be distributed among the senior members,” Vaishnaw explained.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare for every Indian. He stated, “We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable, and top-quality healthcare for every Indian. Today’s decision to expand the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme to include all citizens over 70 years old is a testament to that commitment.” Modi added that this scheme would bring dignity, care, and security to 60 million citizens.

Vaishnaw also noted that this expansion is timely given the increasing trend of families shifting from joint to nuclear structures. “This decision is highly relevant in today’s context, providing much-needed health coverage and social security to our senior citizens,” he said.

The implementation of these changes will begin soon. Seniors will need to apply to benefit from the new provisions. Those already covered under other health insurance schemes, whether central or state-based, such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or defense schemes, will have the option to either remain with their current scheme or switch to Ayushman Bharat.

Vaishnaw clarified that seniors with private insurance will also be eligible to join the Ayushman Bharat scheme if they choose. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a new, distinct card under the upgraded scheme. The initial investment for this expansion is ₹3,437 crore, with provisions for future increases in coverage as needed.

Congress hits back at BJP for targeting Rahul, asks why PM Modi gave clean chit to China

September 12, 2024, 2:54 am

Congress on Wednesday hit back at the BJP for targeting Leader of Opposotion in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his comments and asked the ruling party to clear its stand on reservation, and also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving clean chit to China.
Responding to the charges of BJP, Congress publicity and media department chairman Pawan Khera said, “China entered into our territory and captured it. The Prime Minister gave clean chit to China.”

He said, it is Congress which spoke against the Chinese intrusion and condemned the clean chit that was given to China.

“Anti-national work was done by the person who gave the clean chit to China. Anti-national work was not done by us which condemned the clean chit,” the Congress leader said. Rahul Gandhi during his interaction in Washington DC on being asked that what he thinks if Prime Minister Modi has managed the US-China competition and said, “Well, if you call having Chinese troops in 4,000 square kilometres of our territory handling something well, then maybe we’ve got Chinese troops occupying land the size of Delhi in Ladakh. I think that’s a disaster… “How would America react if a neighbour occupied 4000 square kilometres of your territory? Would any president be able to get away with saying that he’s handled that well? So I don’t think PM Modi handled China well at all. I think there’s no reason Chinese troops should be sitting in our territory…” the LoP said.

While commenting on the Sikhs issue on which Rahul Gandhi spoke in US and triggered a controversy in India, Khera said, “There should be freedom in wearing turban. We want that only.”

Targeting the Prime Minister and the BJP, he said, “This is the same BJP where the Prime Minister says that he can recognize with their clothes. This is the same BJP which first beats people just because they are Muslim and they have and their beard.”
Citing examples, Khera said that a youth was killed in Haryana thinking he was a Muslim and then they apologised and will the country stay in such atmosphere.
“We are talking about Constitution, which gives freedom to everyone,” Khera said.

Rahul Gandhi had said: “The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban…whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the Gurudwara. That’s what the fight is about, and it’s not just for Sikhs, but for all religions.”
His comments triggered strong reactions from the BJP. Even Banned terror organisation Gurwantpant Singh Pannun also endorsed Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and dubbed it as “bold and pioneering” and also justified the demand for a separate Khalistani state.

On Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets alleging anti reservation stand of Rahul Gandhi, Khera said: “I want to challenge Amit Shah that we are ready to increase reservation to more than 50 per cent as of now. Will they clear there stand on reservation.
Ge also commented on Pannun and said, “Give us Pegasus then we will tell who is behind him. His statements come when it suits the BJP.”

On Rahul Gandhi’s meeting Ilhan Omar, he said, “Have they ever heard about Ilham Omar before. She is a lawmaker and she met in a group with Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi met in a group and not secretly. If the BJP has any issue, then it should summon US Ambassador, Home Minister should write a letter to US State department.”

Omar was part of a group of 10 US lawmakers who met Gandhi in the US on Tuesday.
The first African refugee elected to Congress, Omar, in her earlier term as a Democrat Congresswomen in 2022, had moved an anti-India resolution, saying India was guilty of violating religious freedom. This was shortly after she went to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a visit that India had condemned.

Khera while commenting on the fresh violence in Manipur, and said: “ The Prime Minister shouldn’t do cheap politics, he wasted 10 years. He should work, he should go to Manipur and try to wipe the tears of the people and heal there wounds.”

Many people have been injured in Manipur in the fresh violence. Even rocket launchers and drones were used in Manipur for the fresh attack.
Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year and since then hundreds have died while many had to take refuge in the shelter camps.

Rahul’s comments in US: Opportunity for BJP, challenges for I.N.D.I. bloc

September 12, 2024, 2:49 am

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the United States has posed some significant challenges for the I.N.D.I.A. Alliance and Congress party. Additionally, it has given BJP a big chance to take aim at the Congress. The BJP has seized on Rahul Gandhi’s controversial comments and has now become aggressive on Rahul’s statement about ending reservation and is trying to make it a big issue in the elections.

In addition to this Rahul Gandhi’s recent controversial remarks during his US visit have further complicated Congress’s position, especially with elections approaching in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. Although Congress is defending its leader Rahul, it is also worried about reservation, praise of China, meeting with US MP Omar Ilhan who made anti-India statements and the statements made about Sikhs.

Experts are of the opinion Rahul Gandhi’s comments about ending reservation have weakened the opposition’s position. The BJP is using this to attack Congress, and the BSP is also opposing Gandhi. If Dalits and backward classes in Haryana shift their support away from Congress, it could help the BJP. Other parties are also making this an issue. Although Gandhi has clarified that his comments were misunderstood, the BJP is focusing on reservation and backward class politics to challenge Congress. Congress is struggling to address concerns over Gandhi’s remarks, his praise for China, meetings with US MP Ilhan Omar, and comments about Sikhs.

The BJP is aggressively targeting Congress over the issue of ending reservation. Rahul Gandhi’s comments about the Sikh community, including his statement that Sikhs cannot wear turbans and kada in India, have fueled nationwide protests from the Sikh community. Gandhi also praised China and questioned India’s unemployment situation. On the last day of his visit, he met with a US MP who has made anti-India statements, giving the BJP more issues to leverage. The BJP is now focusing on reservation issues in election states, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah leading the charge. Shah has declared that as long as the BJP is in power, reservation will remain protected. Having been criticized over reservation issues during the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is now using these same issues to attack Congress.

Moreover, The BJP is now launching scathing attacks on Congress by challenging it to choose a backward class candidate for Chief Minister. Haryana’s in-charge General Secretary, Satish Poonia, has specifically challenged Congress to declare a backward class or Dalit leader as its Chief Ministerial candidate if it truly supports these communities. Following Rahul Gandhi’s recent controversial statements, the BJP is now arguing that Congress has never genuinely supported backward classes.

During the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of trying to undermine the Constitution and end reservation, claims that were strongly denied by BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. They assured that reservation would remain protected. Despite this, Congress continued to attack the BJP over reservation issues. Even after the NDA government, led by Modi, took office, Rahul Gandhi and the India Alliance kept criticizing the NDA on reservation. Congress had planned to focus on reservation and backward class issues in upcoming elections. However, there is a significant faction within the party that is not fully supportive of backward class politics, fearing it could alienate upper-caste voters.

Kishan Reddy challenges Rahul Gandhi’s statements on J&K power supply

September 12, 2024, 2:44 am

Union Minister for Coal and Mines and BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir in-charge, G Kishan Reddy criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing him of having no knowledge of the power situation in Jammu & Kashmir while labelling him as a “political tourist” who misleads the public with baseless accusations during elections.

The remarks came in response to Gandhi’s claim that Jammu & Kashmir supplies electricity to the rest of India while its residents pay higher electricity bills.
Terming Gandhi’s statement as false, Reddy claimed that it also ignored the efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in addressing the region’s energy challenges.

“Jammu & Kashmir has an immense hydropower potential of 18,000 megawatts, this capacity was grossly underutilized under previous Congress-led governments. Over the past 70 years, only 3,400 megawatts have been tapped, with the state itself contributing a mere 1,197 megawatts since independence. In contrast, the Modi administration has set a goal to add 3,014 megawatts of hydropower capacity by 2025-26. This will be achieved through four major hydroelectric projects currently under construction—Pakal Dul (1,000 MW, costing Rs8,112 crore), Ratle (850 MW, Rs5,282 crore), Kiru (624 MW, Rs4,287 crore), and Kwar (540 MW, Rs4,526 crore). These projects are expected to be completed between March and November 2026, collectively generating an estimated 10,614 million units of electricity annually,” he told the Daily Guardian.

The union territory will witness a three phase assembly election, which is happening after ten years, that starts next week.

Reddy claimed that there has been a drastic reduction in Jammu & Kashmir’s power deficit under the Modi government. The deficit, which stood at 17.8% in 2018-19, has fallen to 7.5% in the fiscal year 2023-24. According to him, the Jammu & Kashmir government spent approximately ₹9,500 crore on power purchases during the 2023-24 fiscal year, through the Jammu & Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL). This significant expenditure has helped meet the energy demands of the region’s consumers, commercial entities, and industries.

Pointing towards the infrastructure improvements made to the state’s power transmission system, Reddy said that between 2019 and 2024, the government has increased transmission capacity by 4,520 MVA through the construction and enhancement of 38 grid substations. A further investment of Rs 4,950 crore is planned for the next three years to continue upgrading the transmission network, ensuring a more stable and efficient supply of electricity.

Let’s have an Indian-made chip in every device in the world: PM

September 12, 2024, 2:39 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said resilience of supply chains is critical for the economy as he made a pitch to boost investments in domestic manufacturing of semiconductors which is the foundation of everything from smartphone to EV and AI.
Speaking at the SEMICON 2024 conference on the outskirts of the national capital, the Prime Minister said the Covid pandemic showed the importance of the supply chain and underscored the need to act to ward off any disruption.

“Resilience of the supply chain is very important,” he said. “India is working to create the same in different sectors of the economy.”
The world witnessed supply shocks during Covid-19, as stringent measures to control the spread of pandemic in China affected the industries and sectors dependent on imports from that country. One of the sectors impacted was chips that form a critical part of every electronic device.

Prime Minister showcased India’s reformist regime, stable policies and a market that has tasted technology to make a strong pitch for investments in semiconductor manufacturing.
“It is our dream to have an Indian-made chip in every device in the world,” he said and added that “We will do everything that is needed to make India a semiconductor powerhouse.”

Talking of steps taken by his government to boost semiconductor manufacturing, he said a reformist government, a growing manufacturing base and an aspirational market that has tasted technology provide a ‘Three-D Power’ for chip making in the country.
“Today’s India inspires confidence in the world. When the chips are down, you can bet on India,” he said.
He said investment of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore has already been committed in semiconductor manufacturing and many projects are in pipeline.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that this is the ideal time to invest in India. He remarked, “Many projects are in the pipeline, and India today assures the world that when the chips are down, you can bet on India.” Describing India’s semiconductor industry as having “special diodes,” he said, “You invest and create value, while the government ensures stable policies and ease of doing business.”
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s focus on developing semiconductor-related infrastructure, mentioning the creation of a Rs 1 trillion research fund. He noted that initiatives like these will significantly boost innovation in the semiconductor and science sectors.

He further added, “India offers a unique three-dimensional advantage: a reform-orientated government, a growing manufacturing base, and a large, aspirational market. As a major consumer of chips, India has built world-class digital public infrastructure on this very foundation.” He also emphasised that the Indian government is providing 50% support for setting up semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the country.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised India’s significant contributions to the global semiconductor design ecosystem while also stressing the country’s commitment to education and skill development in this field.

He noted, “India accounts for 20% of the talent in semiconductor design worldwide. We are training a workforce of 85,000 technicians, engineers, and R&D specialists, with a focus on preparing students and professionals for the semiconductor industry.” Modi also mentioned that beyond talent development, India is prioritising the creation of semiconductor infrastructure.

The three-day SEMICON India 2024 conference highlights India’s semiconductor strategy and policies, aiming to establish the country as a global hub for semiconductors. The event brings together top executives of global semiconductor giants, as well as industry leaders, companies, and experts. Over 250 exhibitors and 150 speakers are participating in the conference.

No breakthrough in stand-off between doctors, Bengal govt

September 12, 2024, 2:35 am

Agitating junior doctors continued to spar with the State Government over conditions to engage in talks with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which the Government rejected, insisting on talks “without preconditions”. The junior doctors are pressing for justice for a young medical student who was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

State minister Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged that the fact that the agitating doctors had sent an email to the Chief Minister’s Office at 3:50 am laying down their pre-conditions pointed to the “political nature” of the protests. The doctors’ rejected the charge.
The protesting junior doctors had shared their list of five demands in an email sent to the state government. “Those creating trouble in justice should be asked to resign. Elections should be conducted, college counsel should be given recognition, and elected representatives should be part of it and not ‘selected’ representatives”.

The junior doctors maintained their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan, the State Health Department’s headquarters, for a second day, demanding the removal of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior Health Department officials from their positions.
Earlier in the day, the West Bengal Government had invited 12-15 representatives of junior doctors for talks at State secretariat Nabanna by 6 pm. Protesting doctors claimed that the Chief Secretary’s invite sent in the afternoon inviting them for talks did not mention about Mamata Banerjee’s presence during the proposed meeting. The doctors continued to insist on holding a face-to-face discussion with the Chief Minister which would have to be telecast live “in the interests of transparency”.

“Once again, as another opportunity, we invite your delegation preferably consisting of 12-15 colleagues to join us for a discussion at 6 pm today, i.e. 11.09.2024, at Nabanna. A list of the members of your delegation may please be intimated by email,” said a communication from the State Government sent by the Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Wednesday afternoon.

Responding to the Chief Secretary’s invite for a meeting, the protesting junior doctors demanded at least a 30-member delegation to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “There are 26 State Government colleges in West Bengal. We want at least one representative from each college to be present,” said Kinjal Nanda, one of the striking doctors.

Other demands of the doctors include a discussion on their five-point demand in presence of the Chief Minister and live streaming of their meeting for the sake of “transparency”.
After declining the Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam’s invite on Tuesday, the agitating junior doctors had sought a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss their demands and resolve the impasse. They declined yesterday’s invite for a meeting from the Health Secretary claiming the email invite felt “insulting”.

On Monday, at a press conference, Mamata Banerjee had invited the junior doctors for a meeting at the State secretariat to address the issue. State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the Chief Minister was waiting, but a protesting doctor called the email an “insult,” citing their demand for Nigam’s resignation and the limit on representation.
Despite the Supreme Court’s directive to resume duties by 5 pm on September 10, protesting junior doctors in Kolkata continued their strike for the 33rd day on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court on Monday had directed doctors on strike to resume work today at 5 pm, assuring them that they would not face any adverse actions, including punitive transfers. However, they also warned that if doctors did not return to work, they could not be held responsible for any actions taken against them. The Trinamool Congress also hailed the court’s judgement

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has called a review meeting on September 12 with principals, directors and medical superintendents from all State-run medical colleges and hospitals. All police commissioners and district magistrates have also been invited.
The agitating doctors also slammed senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal Government, for presenting “false and concocted information” before a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

On Monday, Sibal had presented a status report prepared by the State Health Department. “A status report has been filed. The State Health Department has filed a report. Twenty-three people have died as doctors are on strike,” Sibal told the bench
Reacting to the stand-off between agitating junior doctors and the State Government, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary termed the protest as “historic”. “We are supporting them and are fighting for them. This is historic, the world will remember it”, he said.

The ruling Trinamool Congress claimed the ongoing junior doctors protest has affected patients access to critical care across hospitals. “A month after the R G Kar tragedy, confusion clouds the minds of countless patients. The cease-work by junior doctors has left vulnerable people unsure about access to critical care. Those already battling illness are now being turned away by hospitals meant to be their last hope”, the party posted on X.
Another Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir threatened that “people would soon hit the streets protesting against the doctors’ stir and therefore, he would not be able to guarantee the safety of doctors.”

AAP pits WWE wrestler Kavita against Vinesh

September 12, 2024, 2:31 am

The political battlefield of Haryana has taken on the intensity of a wrestling arena, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielding a WWE wrestler Kavita Dalal against Congress’ Olympian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Julana constituency of Jind district.

The high-stake election in Julana, located in Jind district, now pits two celebrated athletes of the Jat community against each other, turning the political contest into an electrifying showdown. Kavita Dalal, a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling, is being labelled as the first Indian woman to compete in the WWE, and she’s no stranger to gold herself—having secured the top spot in weight-lifting at the 2016 South Asian Games.
On the other side of the ring is Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final, making this contest a gripping match of willpower, popularity, and public support.

Adding further intrigue to the race, the BJP has nominated Captain Yogesh Bairagi for the Julana seat, turning the contest into a three-way battle of wits between a wrestler, an Olympian, and a military captain. With all three contenders boasting impressive résumés, the Julana seat is set to be one of the most fiercely contested in the Haryana Assembly elections.

Kavita Dalal, born in Malvi village, Jind, comes from a humble background, being one of five siblings. Despite nearly quitting sports after her first child’s birth in 2010, her husband’s encouragement helped her make a powerful comeback, culminating in her gold medal victory in weight-lifting six years later. Her journey from the wrestling ring to the political battleground has been nothing short of inspirational.
With the entry of the sportspersons the Haryana Assembly elections take a new shape making the electoral battle more intense. Accompanied by Deepender Hooda, Vinesh filed her nomination papers on Wednesday as she claimed that she was confident of winning her first election.

With nominations closing on September 12 and voting scheduled for October 5, both AAP and the BJP are pulling out all the stops to woo voters.
In its latest list, the AAP announced 21 more candidates for the elections, bringing the total to 61. Among the key names are Raj Kaur Gill from Ambala Cantonment, Sunil Bindal from Karnal, and Nishant Anand from Gurugram.

Meanwhile, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party (ASP) alliance released their third list of candidates, fielding 18 more contenders for the October polls. In a significant move, the alliance has thrown its support behind former minister Ranjit Singh Chautala, who recently resigned from the BJP after being denied a ticket. Chautala, who was an Independent MLA from Rania, is now poised to contest as an Independent once again, backed by the JJP-ASP coalition.

Among the ASP candidates are Mandeep Topra from Radaur, Moti Yadav from Rewari, and Nisha Balmiki from Faridabad.

BJP rebels bring Mahendragarh, Ladwa to spotlight

September 12, 2024, 2:26 am

The Haryana Assembly elections have taken an unexpected turn as both the BJP and Congress are struggling to contain growing rebellion within their ranks over ticket allotment. Several senior leaders from both parties have filed their nominations as independents, going against the party line, creating a tumultuous atmosphere ahead of the polls.

In the BJP camp, the spotlight is on Mahendergarh, where senior leader and five-time MLA Ram Bilas Sharma has submitted his nomination papers after fearing exclusion from the official candidate list. Sharma, a former minister and state BJP president, made the move following intense deliberations with his supporters. Despite his long-standing service to the party, the delay in officially naming him as the candidate has sparked controversy, fuelled by RSS worker Kailash Chand filing his nomination as the BJP candidate, challenging Sharma’s stronghold.

The party’s internal conflict took a sharper turn when Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh came out strongly in defense of Sharma, praising him as a towering figure in the BJP’s Haryana unit. “When Ram Bilas Sharma’s name is mentioned at any BJP gathering, even the most prominent leaders seem to pale in comparison. In Haryana, no other name has flown the BJP flag higher than Ram Bilas Sharma’s,” Singh said.

“Whether the party grants him a ticket or not, no one has the right to insult him. If a case had to be filed, it should have been done earlier. Using a last-minute case as an excuse and claiming they’re still considering his candidacy is nothing short of rubbing salt in the wounds,” he added.

The discontent isn’t isolated. In Ladwa, BJP leader Sandeep Garg, frustrated by being overlooked for a ticket, has entered the fray as an independent candidate against Chief Minister Nayab Saini. Garg, a well-known businessman and social worker with significant influence among the Baniya community, could pose a serious threat to Saini’s chances, particularly if he rallies significant community support.

In Uklana, BJP candidate Anoop Dhanak is facing local backlash for allegedly ignoring farmers’ grievances during his tenure as a minister and JJP MLA. His candidacy, by overlooking local BJP leaders, has sparked protests. In Hisar, Minister Kamal Gupta is facing internal revolt as former MLA Savitri Jindal has announced her candidacy as an independent. Adding to the chaos, industrialist Subhash Chandra has refused to back Gupta, signaling further fractures. within the party’s base in this key constituency.

Moreover, in Gannaur is witnessing discontent as senior BJP leader Devender Kadyan has announced his departure from the party after being denied a ticket. The BJP has instead chosen to field Devender Kaushik, the brother of former MP Ramesh Kaushik, fueling further frustration among Kadyan’s supporters.

Meanwhile, the Congress is faring no better, with growing rebellion from its own leaders. Even as the party has yet to finalize candidates for 49 assembly constituencies, numerous leaders have already filed nominations, defying party discipline.

In Kalayat, a fierce battle is shaping up between two contenders. Vikas Saharan, son of Congress MP Jai Prakash, has already filed his nomination, while social activist-turned-politician Shweta Dhull, backed by senior leader Randeep Surjewala, is poised to submit hers soon. This internal power struggle is likely to intensify as both candidates vie for the party’s official endorsement.

Former MLA Lalit Nagar from Tigaon has also thrown his hat in the ring, declaring his intention to contest as a Congress candidate, despite the party not officially announcing him. His defiance signals deeper divisions within Congress, which is struggling to maintain unity as the election approaches.

Adding to the Congress’s woes, Ajit Phogat, a long-time party loyalist and former chairman, has rebelled by filing his nomination as an independent from Dadri. Phogat, who has served the Congress for over 20 years and held several key positions in the Youth Congress, decided to take matters into his own hands, showcasing the party’s ongoing struggle to maintain cohesion.

Russian army releases 5 persons from Punjab, one from Haryana

September 12, 2024, 2:22 am

Six Indian nationals, who were recently released from the Russian army, are en route to India and will reunite with their families in Punjab and Haryana. Officials said they are expected to land in Delhi on Wednesday.

The group includes five individuals from Punjab—Sajanpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Karan Bhandari, Avinash, and Sehyad Singh—and Rajat Gupta from Haryana.
A total of 15 Indians have been discharged from the Russian army so far. An additional 10, including eight from Punjab, are expected to return soon.

The Indian Embassy in Russia arranged air tickets for the returning nationals. This development follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2024 visit to Russia, where he stressed the urgent need for the release of all Indian nationals from the Russian forces.
Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sawhney, who has been advocating for the return of these youths, expressed gratitude to the Indian Mission in Moscow for their efforts. India has been pressing Russian authorities for the early release of its citizens and ensuring their safety.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently informed the Parliament that 89 Indians are employed in the Russian army, with 66 seeking early discharge.

Pune Porsche Hit-and-Run Case: Police Verify Interrogation of NCP MLA Sunil Tingre

September 7, 2024, 4:27 am

On Friday, Pune city police confirmed that they have questioned National Congress Party (NCP) MLA Sunil Tingre in connection with the Porsche car accident case.

Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated, “Yes, we have inquired about everyone directly or indirectly involved in the Porsche car case, including MLA Sunil Tingre.”

The incident occurred on May 19, when a 17-year-old driving a luxury Porsche crashed into a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of two young riders in Kalyaninagar. Following the accident, there were allegations that MLA Tingre attempted to intervene at the police station to protect the juvenile driver and used his political influence to sway the investigation.

MLA Tingre has denied these allegations.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar recently mentioned in a public speech that Tingre was questioned by the police for three to four hours. Pawar asserted that Tingre had clarified his lack of involvement in the case and criticized those attempting to implicate him unfairly.

JP Nadda: “Bihar is Advancing on the Path of Development”

September 7, 2024, 4:13 am

On Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President and Union Minister JP Nadda emphasized the importance of maintaining the current government in Bihar to drive the state’s development. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda highlighted that under his leadership, Bihar is progressing on the development path.

Nadda stated, “To truly transform Bihar, it’s crucial to support the existing government. Under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance and the current administration’s efforts, Bihar is making significant strides in development.” He further noted, “Previously considered ‘bimaru rajya’ or backward states, Bihar, along with Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and others, are now evolving into developing regions under the leadership of PM Modi and the respective Chief Ministers.”

Earlier in the day, Nadda inaugurated the new eye care building at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS) hospital in Patna, alongside other medical facilities in Bihar. Reflecting on the event, he remarked, “In 2019, the last foundation stone I laid was for the ophthalmology department here, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar present. Now, as a minister again, my first inauguration is also at IGIMS.”

Nadda also highlighted the achievements of the Modi government in the health sector over the past decade, mentioning the expansion from 6 to 22 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) institutions. He expressed gratitude to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for facilitating the land for an AIIMS in Darbhanga.

Addressing the impact of the Ayushman Bharat health coverage scheme, Nadda pointed out that India now boasts the world’s largest health coverage program, supporting 55 crore individuals with up to 5 lakh rupees each. He concluded by emphasizing that India leads globally in universal health coverage.

Watch: Haryana BJP MLA Breaks Down After Being Dropped

September 6, 2024, 12:51 pm

On Friday, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA broke down in tears during an interview after being denied a party ticket from Haryana. Shashi Ranjan Parmar, who was seeking BJP candidature from Bhiwani and Tosham for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, was visibly emotional when asked about his name being excluded from the candidate list.

“I had thought that my name would be on the list…,” Parmar began, but he quickly choked up, broke down, and started weeping. Despite the interviewer’s attempts to comfort him, saying the party and his constituency would recognize his value, the former MLA continued to cry. “I had assured people that my name was being considered. What do I do now? I am helpless,” he lamented.

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The interviewer urged Parmar to stay strong for his party workers and supporters, saying in Hindi, “Netaji, aap honsla rakhein (Sir, please stay strong).” Struggling to speak, Parmar expressed his distress, saying, “What is happening to me… the way that I have been treated… I am in so much pain. What kind of decisions are being taken?”

Haryana is set to go to the polls on October 5, with votes being counted on October 8. The deadline for filing nominations is September 12, with scrutiny on September 13. Nominations can be withdrawn until September 16.

US Deputy NSA: Resolving Debt Crisis in Developing Nations a Key G20 Priority

September 5, 2024, 5:44 am

The United States has highlighted resolving the debt crisis in low-income countries as its foremost priority for the upcoming G20 summit, where over half of these nations are facing significant debt distress, according to Daleep Singh, the US G20 Sherpa and Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA). The next G20 meeting is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024.

At an event titled ‘India-US Economic Partnership,’ hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Singh underscored the urgency of addressing the debt crisis, noting that more than 50 percent of low-income countries are either in or on the brink of debt distress. Many of these countries are spending more on servicing their debt than on essential areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Singh pointed out that a substantial portion of these debts is owed to wealthier nations, notably China, which has become a major source of development finance in recent years. He stressed the need for a collective solution to this issue.

Reflecting on last year’s G20 summit in India, Singh praised New Delhi’s ability to achieve consensus among nations with diverse values and interests. He emphasized that the upcoming summit in Rio will be crucial, especially considering it will occur just two weeks after the US elections. Singh commended the previous summit in Delhi as a notable achievement in multilateral diplomacy but acknowledged that reaching consensus might be more challenging this time.

Singh also addressed the role of American capital and technology in building alliances, suggesting that economic and technological cooperation is more effective than sanctions. He pointed out that many countries, which have not participated in the US-led sanctions, represent a significant portion of the global population. Therefore, fostering alliances through economic and technological means is essential.

Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, commended New Delhi’s G20 agenda, particularly its focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), green development, and technological transformation. However, he also highlighted major global challenges, including ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East crisis, which have caused significant humanitarian issues. Kant stressed that climate action is another critical issue, noting that 2023 was the hottest year on record and that 2024 is expected to be even warmer. He also mentioned the need for regulation of emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing, which have the potential to greatly impact global productivity and innovation.

Additionally, Kant emphasized the importance of India’s participation in global value chains and its potential for economic growth through exports. He drew parallels to the successful export-driven economic strategies of countries like Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, suggesting that India could achieve similar growth by enhancing its export performance.

Overall, the discussions at the event highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing the global community as it prepares for the next G20 summit, with a focus on economic stability, technological advancement, and international cooperation.

What made IC-814 filmmaker distort facts?

September 5, 2024, 3:56 am

In the absence of proper scholarship on relatively recent events of national importance, there often exists an information void which needs to be filled, primarily to inform or remind the people of the prices this country has paid to preserve its sovereignty and integrity, as well as to put on record the mistakes made, to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 on its way from Kathmandu to New Delhi was one such incident. It was hijacked on 24 December 1999, at the turn of the century, when the world was busy getting ready to usher in a new millennium.

Amid all the excitement of a new era dawning, broke the news of the hijacking, and it was as if the country went into a state of mourning for the next few days as the hijackers took the plane to Kandahar, killed a hostage in cold blood, even while seeking the release of dreaded terrorists—almost all of them Pakistanis—locked in Indian prisons. The hijacking was one of the worst intelligence and security failures that India saw a quarter of a century ago. It was a wake-up call for the government of the time and our security apparatus, which seemed ill-equipped to handle the sudden emergency emanating from what was essentially international terrorism. Remember that the hijacking took place around 21 months before the 9/11 attacks. Islamist terrorism was still a relatively new phenomenon and was not yet deemed as one of the world’s biggest security threats. India’s anti-terror mechanism was still in its nascent stages and the devious Pakistani ISI, which had started emerging as the font of international terrorism, used civilians to make India bend to its will.

Apart from the security angle, there is a lot to learn from the hijacking, including lessons in human behaviour and about the politics that plays out in situations like this, among other things. Hence, anyone trying to fill the information void by recording the story for posterity, has the responsibility to portray the events correctly, so that the wrong message does not go out. While taking creative liberties is an accepted practice of storytellers or film directors, the problem starts when such artistic licences push the boundaries of veracity to such an extent that the story becomes a caricature of what the original incident was all about.

The controversy surrounding film director Anubhav Sinha’s web series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” is not about politics. There is complete consensus on the poor handling of the IC-814 hijacking by the then NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The controversy is about the white-washing of the terrorists and their masters by the filmmaker. It’s problematic that Sinha humanises the terrorists to the extent that they are shown as going out of their way to help the passengers, making things comfortable for them, constantly telling them that they have no intention of harming them. The problem is with the portrayal of the terrorists as young men gone astray and not dreaded killers nurtured by the terror factories of Pakistan. The problem is with the attempt to hide the religious identity of the terrorists, as well as the whitewashing of Pakistani ISI’s role in the hijacking. IC-814 was an out and out Pakistani ISI operation.

If the Taliban got involved in “protecting” the aircraft in Kandahar, it was on ISI’s instruction—it is believed that this was because the ISI was worried that Indians would storm the aircraft in Kandahar and rescue the hostages. Osama bin Laden—who, it is implied by the series, was the brain behind the hijacking—had nothing against India. In fact, India was never on his crosshairs, even when he was hiding in Pakistan after 9/11. So whose script is the director following when blaming Osama for the hijack? To absolve Pakistan of any responsibility, to show RAW as involved in torture, to mention only the Hindu code names of the terrorists, without disclosing their original Muslim names even once—all this suits the ISI so well. In fact, in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, if Ajmal Kasab was not caught and confessed to his crime, the canard would have been spread that the attacks were carried out by Hindus as Kasab and Co had worn the Hindu sacred red thread to pass themselves off as Hindus. Even then, some Indian commentators at the time tried to spin the narrative that the attacks were carried out by Hindus, so allergic they were about mentioning the religious identities of the terrorists.

It seems Anubhav Sinha suffers from the same affliction, and would rather peddle agenda by allowing his left-liberal views to mar facts, even if that plays straight into the hands of the nation’s enemies. The extreme dishonesty on display in the web series is bound to be misused by Pakistani propagandists to paint an alternate reality of the IC-814 incident. Is this what the filmmaker wants? While filling the information void is important, when it is done at the cost of a nation’s history or one’s integrity, questions are bound to rise about the motivation behind the distortion.

India is a nation of cultural consciousness

September 5, 2024, 3:51 am

History, derived from “Iti,” “Ha,” and “As,” signifies “It certainly happened.” The subject of history involves the documented portrayal of humanity’s past. We possess the world’s most extensive literature, which forms our cultural heritage. As Kashmiri writer Kalhan also noted, the truly praiseworthy poet-historian is one who, rising above bias, employs language solely for the purpose of truth. The ancient Indians were aware of history and had a keen interest in it, viewing it within a broad context.

P.L. Gautam from Kota has undertaken the exemplary task of writing about our cultural heritage’s historical material, blending new explorations and modern research-based facts. This makes it useful for civil service and state service exams’ general studies, as well as for university students and discerning readers, addressing their curiosity and helping to enhance their general knowledge. It provides interesting information about art, literature, cultural heritage, civilization, and rulers, incorporating aspects related to traditional politics, society, economy, art, and religion. It also includes the gradual development of language, the Bhakti movement in the South, the development of science and technology, Indian philosophy and traditions, and the early form of the art of coin minting. The authenticity of these new explorations and modern research-based facts is maintained, making this book an encyclopedic work on ancient Indian history, thereby naturally increasing its credibility.
In writing this book, the author has utilized primary texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Jain-Buddhist scriptures, and the Arthashastra.

The accounts of the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, who visited India in the 7th century, reflect that the ancient Indians were conscious of and interested in history. For the study of ancient India, archaeology is of utmost importance, with archaeological sources considered more reliable. The material obtained from the discovery and excavation of archaeological sites can be categorized into relics, inscriptions, seals, and monuments. Ancient literary material, in its broadest definition, sheds ample light on the subject of history, with the Vedas being the most significant part of this literary treasure. The Vedas serve as both religious and poetic literature. For the correct pronunciation of Vedic verses, the Shiksha Shastra was created, which provides guidelines and regulations, known as Kalpasutra. The Upanishads, also from this period, are the primary source of Aryan philosophical ideas, addressing questions like who created the universe, what is the soul, what happens after death, and what is the nature of God. Their purpose is to establish the concept of one Brahman instead of polytheism. During this period, legal literature or Smriti texts were also composed, with the most important being the five Smritis: Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narada, Brihaspati, and Katyayana, with Manu being the oldest. It is said that no other text has written as extensively on social and religious conditions as the Smritis. Among the great epics, Valmiki’s Ramayana and Vedavyasa’s Mahabharata existed by the end of the 2nd century BCE, with the Mahabharata being dated to around 400 BCE. The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata. There are 18 Puranas, with subjects ranging from history, religion, narratives, and science. This is followed by a discussion on Buddhism and Jainism.

The earliest Buddhist texts are in Pali, with later ones in Sanskrit, mixed Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese. Buddhist literature primarily consists of the Tripitakas: Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka, and Abhidhamma Pitaka. Due to the spread of Buddhism in China, many Chinese travelers came to India, and some of them documented their travels. Jain literature is known as Agama or Siddhanta, and the Jain texts provide the most insight into the history of the rise of the Magadha Empire. Among foreign writers, Tibetan author Taranath’s works also shed light on Indian history, with his contributions to the history of the Shaka and Kushana periods being significant. Arab and Central Asian writers are an important source of information on early medieval India, with Arab writers beginning to write about India following Muhammad bin Qasim’s invasion. In this series, Al-Biruni, who discussed the conditions in post-Harsha India, remains memorable. His book, “Tahqiq-i-Hind,” is a critical account of Indian society and beliefs, which was widely used by later historians. Al-Biruni’s interest in Indian philosophy, art, and literature is noteworthy. Other Arab writers include Suleiman, Al-Masudi, Al-Biladhuri, Hasan Nizam, Firishta, and Abuzayd. Information about Sindh province’s history can be found in Amir Muhammad Masum’s “Tarikh-i-Hind,” and Sheikh Abdul Hasan’s works provide insights into Muhammad Ghori’s invasions. They described Indian society and culture. Minhaj-i-Siraj’s “Tabaqat-i-Nasiri” details Ghori’s victories. Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited Pandya country, providing insights into South Indian society and Pandya history. The abundant literary material clearly indicates that Indians were historically conscious. The literary journey from Vedic literature to Rajatarangini illustrates the developmental process of India’s history. During the Mauryan period, archives began to be established. According to Kautilya, these state archives recorded important events and legal transactions. This practice continued to develop during the Ashoka and Gupta empires.

Thus, with the help of archaeological evidence, we can understand ancient Indian history in a rational manner, demonstrating that ancient Indian history was culturally richer. The abundant multi-dimensional heritage shows that India established many significant benchmarks of progress during that period. The journey of temple establishment and sculpture development continues. Considering India’s vastness, it can be said that diversity is necessarily present not only naturally but also culturally. India is not only vast in size but has also been a leader in civilization’s development. The Indus-Saraswati civilization marked a new chapter in India’s development.

In this book, author P.L. Gautam states that India has always been a vast and prosperous country. Stretching 3,214 kilometers from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south, and 2,933 kilometers from Gujarat in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east, India spans between 8 degrees to 37 degrees north latitude and 68 degrees to 97 degrees east longitude. The Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees) almost passes through its center. The coastal line connecting the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea is 6,100 kilometers long. On the other hand, the landline stretching from Burma (now Myanmar) in the southwest to Gujarat in the northwest is 15,200 kilometers long. Covering an area of approximately 3,287,782 square kilometers, India holds 2.4% of the world’s land area. The Himalayas and the world’s highest mountain range, Everest, are in our country. Everest was named in 1856 after the first Surveyor General of India, George Everest. This mountain range played a guardian’s role, protecting the country from invasions from the north. Mount Kailash (Tibet), near Mansarovar in the Himalayas, also known as Hemkoot, is considered the abode of Lord Shiva in the Puranas. Poet Kalidas has described the beauty of Mount Kailash. The area around Kailash and Mansarovar is referred to as Gandharva or Hataka.

Vishnu Purana mentions seven Moksha-giving cities: Mathura, Ayodhya, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi (Varanasi), Kanchi, Avanti (Ujjain), and Dwarka. Adi Guru Shankaracharya established four Peeths in the four corners of the country: Badrikashram-Jyotirmath, Sringeri-Sringerimath, Puri-Govardhanmath, and Dwarikapuri-Shardamath. Hindus consider it essential to visit these Peeths as part of their religious duties. Shankaracharya’s intent was likely to increase people’s awareness of their country and foster emotional and cultural ties through mutual contact. Greek writer Strabo was familiar with India’s vast geographical structure. The cultures of Egypt, Sumeria, Babylon, Greece, and Rome are now only stories of the past, but the culture that emerged in India about 5,000 years ago still exists.

Despite the passage of centuries, the flow of Indian culture has not been interrupted, which is its unique feature. John Marshall mentioned that every village in India has a shrine for the goddess, known as Mataji. The worship and prayers of Indra, Surya, Chandra, and Vishnu mentioned in the Rigveda are still practiced today. Finally, in the words of sociologist R.C. Majumdar, we can say that India’s unity is not a modern phenomenon. India has been recognized as a great nation for thousands of years, and its descendants have always been recognized as Indian, which the entire world acknowledges.

BJP wins 7 out of 12 MCD ward committee seats

September 5, 2024, 3:46 am

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Delhi MCD Ward Committee elections held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The BJP secured victory in 7 out of 12 zones, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal, won 5 zones. As a result, the BJP now holds 9 seats on the standing committee, with AAP holding 8.

The BJP won the Keshavpuram MCD Zone unopposed and swept all three seats in the Shahdara North, Najafgarh, Shahdara South, Central, and Narela Zones. On the other hand, AAP secured two of the three zones—City SP, Karol Bagh, and West Zone—without opposition after the BJP failed to submit the necessary nominations due to insufficient elected councillors. AAP also won the Rohini Zone with 14 votes and claimed victory in the South Zone amid cross-voting.

In three zones—Karol Bagh, City SP, and Keshavpuram—elections were not held as neither the BJP nor AAP fielded candidates. In Karol Bagh, AAP’s Rakesh Joshi was elected unopposed as the chairman of the ward committee, with Jyoti Gautam and Ankush Narang securing the positions of deputy chairman and standing committee member, respectively.

Similarly, in the City SP Zone, AAP’s Mohd Sadiq, Kiran Bala, and Punardeep Singh Sawhney were elected unopposed to the roles of chairman, deputy chairman, and standing committee member due to the absence of BJP candidates. Councillors are voting to elect a chairman and deputy chairman for nine of the 12 zonal-level ward committees, as well as one member for the standing committee, which is the MCD’s highest decision-making body.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ward committee elections was held on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters, under heavy security.
These long-awaited elections are being held for the first time since the MCD was unified in 2022.

The polls had been delayed and were under judicial review due to a political deadlock between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rahul donates a month’s salary for Wayanad relief and rehabilitation

September 5, 2024, 3:39 am

Congress leader and newly appointed Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that he donated his entire month salary for the relief and rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide affected families.
The Congress leader shared the receipt of the donation of Rs 2.3 lakh for people of Wayanad.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Rahul Gandhi, who earlier represented Wayanad from 2019 to 2024 and said, “Our brothers and sisters in Wayanad have endured a devastating tragedy, and they need our support to recover from the unimaginable losses they have faced.”

“I have donated my entire month’s salary to aid in the relief and rehabilitation efforts for those affected. I sincerely urge all fellow Indians to contribute whatever they can—every little bit makes a difference,” he said.

He further said that Wayanad is a beautiful part of our country, and “together, we can help rebuild the lives of its people who have lost so much”.
He also shared the link of donstion and said, “You can safely contribute to the Kerala Congress fund through the Stand With Wayanad – INC app.”

Earlier Rahul Gandhi, along with his sister and party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had visited Wayanad for two days on Augist 1 and 2.
The Wayanad was hit after the landslide stuck the district on July 30 night. More than 350 people had died while over more than 400 homes were completely destroyed in the massive landslide.

Congress has announced the candidature of Priyanka Gandhi from the seat after Rahul Gandhi chose to retain the Rae Bareli seat in the Lok Sabha.
Earlier Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also urged the people of the country to donate for Wayanad.

Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Wayanad following the disaster in the southern state.

Army unveils two mega events to bolster drones and other capabilities

September 5, 2024, 3:35 am

With an aim to bolster its capabilities along with a keen focus on ‘Aatmanirbharta’, the Indian Army on Wednesday unveiled two landmark events; ‘HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2’ and ‘HIMTECH-2024’ designed to harness military technologies for operations in high altitude areas.

Envisaged as an opportunity to the Indian Drone Industry to showcase the capabilities of their drone solutions for high altitude areas, HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 will take place at Wari La, near Leh on 17-18 September 2024.

This will be followed by HIMTECH-2024 on 20-21 September 2024, an event conceptualised to discuss, demonstrate and discover new avenues for development, incorporation and cross pollination of technology, ideas and innovations with focus on harnessing military technologies for high attitude areas.

Notably, both of these mega events highlights the strong desire of the Indian Army to equip themselves with the latest technology along with a keen focus on ‘indigenousness’ as the deadlock between India and China at LAC continues since the deadly classes in Galwan back in 2020.

Speaking at the curtain raiser of the event at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Major General CS Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, highlighted that the Indian Army is deployed from icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the rugged Himalayas where its soldiers face unparalleled adversities daily. Talking about the tough conditions the armed personel have to face at mountainous peaks, Maj Gen Mann emphasised that “at such heights and due to strong winds, many a times drone usage results in reduced lift and degraded engine performance.” “These conditions are unique for Indian Army and demand systems that can adequately perform in these conditions.

Since such altitude battlefields are not prevalent anywhere else, tailormade, indigenous solutions are the way forward”, he said.
“If the indigenous industry succeeds here, it also opens vistas for them to international arena and establish India as a credible drone manufacturing hub”, he added.

HIM-DRONE-A-THON-2 is planned to be conducted under actual terrain and environmental conditions at altitude of 4000-5000 meters. The event is open to all indigenous drone manufactures and invites their participation for demonstration of Surveillance drones, Loitering munitions, Logistics Drones, Swarm Drones and drones with specific capabilities / role / payloads ie; Electronic Warfare, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Communication Intelligence and Electronic Intelligence.

As of now more than 25 Drone manufacturing firms have registered for participation in the event. All the firms will be competing in a multifaceted competition at super high-altitude area for proving their suitability and capabilities.

HIMTECH 2024 is being held for the first time in Leh, to highlight and focus on development of technology and system for meeting operational requirements along the Northern Borders and the event is being held in collaboration with FICCI.
On the use of Chinese technology and their spare parts in the Indian defence industry, Major General Bhatti said that there are concerns regarding the use of Chinese technology, especially in the domain of electronic warfare.

“We have seen it in the past how this Chinese technology can be a threat and we are evolving with time and taking bold steps in order to avoid the use of Chinese technology”, he added.

Rahul promises statehood to J&K, hits out at BJP, LG

September 5, 2024, 3:31 am

Aiming to sway voters ahead of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi combined political and emotional appeals while launching his party’s campaign on Wednesday. With elections set to begin in less than two weeks, Gandhi focused on the restoration of statehood and highlighted the deep-rooted ties his family has with the region, stretching back to his great-grandfather, India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its first election in nearly a decade—and its first since becoming a Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019—Gandhi emphasized the need to restore statehood. He also criticized J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, labeling him a ‘raja’ (king), and accused the BJP-led central government of mismanaging the region.

The BJP, gearing up to commence its campaign on Friday with rallies led by Home Minister Amit Shah, responded by accusing the Congress-National Conference alliance of receiving support from militants.

During a rally in Dooru for Congress candidate Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Gandhi, alongside National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, pointed to several central decisions that had been reversed as evidence of the opposition I.N.D.I.A alliance’s growing influence. He assured that a vote for the I.N.D.I.A alliance would lead to the restoration of statehood for J&K.

“In 1947, we removed the kings and established a democratic government. We gave the country a Constitution. Yet, today a ‘raja’ is ruling Jammu and Kashmir. His title is LG, but he acts as a king. Your resources are being misappropriated and your rights stripped away. Restoring statehood to J&K is crucial because it wasn’t just your state that was taken; your wealth and rights have been too,” Gandhi said. At another rally in Anantnag, Gandhi spoke of the personal connections he and his family have with the region.

BJP Leaders’ Ticket Requests for Descendants and Supporters Adding to Party’s Woes

September 4, 2024, 3:20 am

Rao Indrajit, Kiran Chaudhary, Dharamvir Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, Kuldeep Bishnoi, and Naveen Jindal are seeking tickets for their children, family members, and supporters.

With the Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, all political parties are busy preparing and deliberating on ticket distribution. The BJP, in particular, is facing challenges due to several senior leaders seeking tickets for their descendants, family members, and supporters. This dilemma puts the party in a difficult position: denying these tickets might upset influential leaders, while granting them could fuel accusations of dynastic politics.

Two Union Ministers of State, Krishna Pal Gurjar and Rao Indrajit Singh, have been lobbying for tickets for their children for the upcoming assembly elections. Gurjar is pushing for a ticket for his son, Devendra Chaudhary, while Singh is advocating for his daughter, Aarti Rao. Despite their efforts, the party had previously chosen other candidates, such as Rajesh Nagar and Sunil Musepur, over their children in the 2019 elections. The BJP’s reluctance to engage in nepotism is partly to avoid criticism from Congress, which the BJP has accused of similar practices.

Kiran Chaudhary, who recently joined the BJP from Congress, is also seeking a ticket for her daughter, Shruti, for the Tosham assembly seat. Despite the BJP’s unofficial policy of one ticket per family, Chaudhary’s influence and recent political achievements might support her daughter’s candidacy.

Naveen Jindal’s family is claiming a ticket for the Hisar assembly seat, either for his mother, Savitri Jindal, or his wife, Shalu Jindal. This claim is strengthened by the current political climate and ongoing disputes with the current MLA, Dr. Kamal Gupta. Jindal’s family has previously contested this seat, and the competition between them and Gupta continues.
In Tosham, a key constituency, BJP MP Dharamvir is pushing for a ticket for his son, Mohit. This seat is highly contested, with Kiran Chaudhary also seeking the ticket for her daughter. Dharamvir, who has won multiple Lok Sabha elections, has significant local influence but has been discontented with the party’s handling of his requests.

Kuldeep Bishnoi, dissatisfied after not receiving a ticket from Hisar in the last Lok Sabha elections, is now seeking tickets for his son Bhavya and two other candidates, Dudaram and Randhir Panihar, for Fatehabad and Nalwa. The potential replacement of Deputy Speaker Ranveer Ganga with Panihar is causing internal debate within the party.

Nomination process ready for both assembly constituencies in Haryana 2024 elections

September 4, 2024, 3:16 am

Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Yash Garg has announced that preparations for the nomination process in both assembly constituencies of the district for the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 have been completed. He informed that candidates can file their nominations for the Kalka Assembly constituency at the SDM Office in Kalka and for the Panchkula Assembly constituency at the SDM Court Room located in the Mini Secretariat, Panchkula.

Garg stated that officers and staff have been assigned duties for the nomination process in both the Kalka and Panchkula assembly constituencies by the Returning Officers. Rehearsals for the nomination process have also been conducted. He mentioned that the notification for the Haryana Assembly Elections 2024 will be issued on September 5. With the notification, the nomination process for the Kalka and Panchkula Assembly constituencies will begin. He further informed that candidates can file their nominations on any working day from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM until September 12.

The District Election Officer also provided details about the voters in both constituencies, stating that there are a total of 433,369 voters in the district, including 227,053 male voters, 206,290 female voters, and 26 third-gender voters. The Kalka Assembly constituency has 200,297 voters, comprising 104,426 male voters, 95,853 female voters, and 18 third-gender voters. The Panchkula Assembly constituency has 233,072 voters, including 122,627 male voters, 110,437 female voters, and 8 third-gender voters. He mentioned that the District Election Office received applications for new voters until September 2, and the process of including these new voters in the voter list is ongoing and will be completed soon.

Dr. Yash Garg urged all voters to ensure they cast their votes at the polling stations on October 5.

BJP Government offers highest MSP for crops in Haryana, says Anil Vij

September 4, 2024, 3:10 am

Former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana is a state where the BJP government has provided the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops for farmers. He mentioned that MSP has been given on 24 crops, making Haryana the first state in the country to do so. He further criticized Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying that even when Hooda was the Chief Minister, he did nothing for the farmers and questioned when Hooda provided MSP on more crops than the BJP in Haryana.

In response to a question about the Supreme Court›s impending decision regarding bulldozer operations, he said that the decision of the Honorable Supreme Court will be studied because it is our guiding authority, and further actions will be taken in accordance with their ruling.

In response to Dushyant Chautala›s remark that the Chief Minister is like a cut kite, Vij said that they do not need to answer Chautala. When the BJP releases its list, the Chief Minister›s name will also be included. He advised Chautala to focus on his party as their supporters are fleeing.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding mob lynching of Muslims under BJP›s rule, Vij said that the peace under Modi›s governance is unmatched, whereas during the Congress era, the entire country and states were engulfed in riots. However, under BJP›s rule, everything is under control.

When asked about Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding changing the Constitution, Vij said that it was actually Rahul Gandhi›s grandmother who attempted to change the Constitution, not the BJP. She used Article 356 to dissolve state assemblies, whereas Narendra Modi has not done so.When asked about AAP›s claim that they will provide the same facilities in Haryana as they do in Delhi and Punjab, whereas BJP has provided none, Vij said that the people of Delhi threw AAP out from all seven Lok Sabha seats, and similarly, AAP faced a severe setback in Punjab. AAP has lost its credibility and now has nothing left. When asked about the absence of candidate lists from any party for the Haryana Assembly elections, Vij said that nominations haven›t even started yet, but he hopes that all party lists will be released before the nominations.

INDIA’S FIRST UNMANNED COMBAT AIRCRAFT SOARS THROUGH SKY

September 4, 2024, 2:59 am

Following the criticism on social media in May over the launch of the Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) prototype, the company has announced the successful maiden flight of India’s first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B. The announcement was made during a press conference at Fortune Park JP Celestial in Bengaluru, where the first flight was showcased through a video screening.

Equipping India with modern defense capabilities, the UAV is classified as a Medium Altitude 15000 ft., Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) . The FWD 200B has optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing. It can also be utilized in natural disaster relief efforts.
FWD 200B’s first flight represents the fulfillment of India’s long-awaited dream of producing a combat UAV domestically is 90% indigenous.

Speaking at the event, Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder & CEO of FWDA, expressed, “India is the world’s largest importer of arms in the last five years, and has often paid up to ten times the cost for military technology from countries like the US and Israel. The successful flight of the FWD 200B is not just an achievement for our company, but a victory for the entire nation.”

“Making India self-reliant, this landmark achievement follows years of persistent efforts to develop a combat UAV indigenously, overcoming challenges that had previously hindered similar initiatives by leading defense agencies,” he added.

The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, control systems, and electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq. ft built on 1.5-acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru.
FWD 200B features a wingspan of 5 meters (16.4 feet) and a length of 3.5 meters (12.1 feet), making it compact yet powerful. Despite its size, the aircraft boasts an impressive Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 102 kg and can carry a payload capacity of 30 kg, making it capable of conducting significant missions with precision.

Operating at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet and reaching an absolute ceiling of 15,000 feet, the FWD 200B can fly at a cruise speed of 152 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Its operational versatility is further highlighted by its runway requirement of just 300 meters, allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips. With an endurance of 7 hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing.

Leaping India’s defense technologies, the unmanned bomber aircraft is said to be available at a tenth of the cost of imported US Predator drones. FWD 200B pegged to be the Nation’s eagle eye is a demonstration of India’s capability to produce world-class defence technology and marks the beginning of a new era of indigenous military technology where our country stands as a leader in unmanned aerial systems reducing reliance on expensive drone imports. The company also plans to launch a 12-meter wingspan aircraft soon.