Ansh Mavani

JP Nadda, the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), convened a late-night meeting with party leaders at his residence on Monday to assess the voter turnout in the initial phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
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The meeting also delved into strategies aimed at enhancing voter participation and engaging party leaders effectively in the upcoming phases of the polls.
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During the meeting, Nadda scrutinised the turnout data from the first phase of voting and sought to identify the factors contributing to the subdued enthusiasm among key party leaders.
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Emphasising the importance of increased voter participation, he urged party leaders to intensify efforts in mobilising voters. They were tasked with galvanising local leaders and grassroots workers, known as Panna Pramukhs, and maintaining regular communication with them.
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Furthermore, party leaders were directed to disseminate information about the accomplishments of the Modi government to the public, amplifying awareness about the administration's achievements.
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The meeting witnessed the presence of prominent figures such as Home Minister Amit Shah, the party's General Secretary, BL Santosh, as well as ministers Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde, Charun Chugh, and Dushyant Gautam.
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In a separate political engagement, JP Nadda addressed a rally in Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh, as part of the BJP's ongoing election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. In his address, he lauded the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the paradigm shift in Indian politics under his stewardship.
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Nadda remarked that Modi's leadership has ushered in a new era in Indian politics, redefining its culture and ethos. He reminisced about the prevalent sense of despair a decade ago and contrasted it with the prevailing optimism and dynamism witnessed today.
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Nadda underscored the significance of the public's decision in the 2019 elections, which led to the formation of a stable government, enabling landmark decisions such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The rally served as a platform for Nadda to reiterate the BJP's commitment to governance and development under Modi's leadership, emphasising the transformative journey embarked upon by the nation under the BJP-led government.

New Delhi

Late-Night meeting: J P Nadda analyses voter turnout in Lok Sabha polls

Manan Tandon

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Live Updates
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April 19, 18:23
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">62% voter turnout by 5 pm as Phase 1 of the Elections reach completion.</h2>
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April 19, 15:40
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Polls boycotted in Nagaland</h2>
Almost zero voting has been recorded across six districts in Nagaland so far today after the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation - which is demanding a separate administration with more financial autonomy - declared a 'public emergency' and called on locals to boycott this election.
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April 19, 15:36
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Violence in Manipur, EVMs destroyed</h2>
Manipur: Violence reported at Iroisemba polling station in Imphal West. EVMs destroyed. More details are awaited. Gunshots were fired near a polling booth in Manipur this morning. A 25-second video circulating online shows commotion and people shouting before two shots are heard in quick succession.
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April 19, 15:33
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Clashes in Manipur, Polling stopped in some polling stations</h2>
Manipur: Polling stopped at 5 Thongju, 31 Khongman Zone in Imphal after some women alleged irregularities and created a ruckus. Meanwhile, Northeast states record high voter turnout, Tripura leads with 53 per cent turnout at 1 pm.
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April 19, 15:33
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">West Bengal</h2>
Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the three parliamentary constituencies in Bengal, as Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party workers clashed with each other in various parts of violence-prone Cooch Behar seat. Both the TMC and the BJP lodged 80 and 39 complaints, respectively, related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the first few hours of polling, sources from both parties said. Most of the complaints were from Cooch Behar and Alipurduars constituencies.
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April 19, 14:18
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Western UP sees moderate voter turnout of 37% in First Phase of Lok Sabha Elections</h2>
According to the Election Commission, polling commenced at 7 a.m., with Saharanpur recording 42.32% turnout, Moradabad 35.25%, Kairana 37.92%, Nagina 38.28%, Pilibhit 38.51%, Bijnor 36.08%, Rampur 32.86%, and Muzaffarnagar 34.51%.
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April 19, 12:15
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Union Minister Anurag Thakur urges young voters to participate</h2>
We also have the youngest population in the world and the youth today can decide their fate. For the first-time voters, I want to say please come out in large numbers and vote. I am sure you all want continuity, positivity and stability in the country.
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April 19, 11:28
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">PM Modi takes dig at Congress in UP's Amroha</h2>
"Congress shehzada mocked my Dwarka pooja for vote bank politics": PM Modi takes dig at Rahul Gandhi
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April 19, 10:55
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">PM says INDIA bloc made villages and rural areas backwards</h2>
PM Modi in UP's Amroha alleged that the &ldquo;INDI alliance spent time in making the villages and rural areas backwards.&rdquo;
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April 19, 10:04
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">101% sure that I will win by a good margin', says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari</h2>
Nagpur has consistently supported the saffron party in the past two Lok Sabha elections. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is seeking a hat-trick from the same seat.
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April 19, 9:48
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Peaceful polling in West Bengal's 3 seats</h2>
An election official said that voting was underway peacefully in Coochbehar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal on Friday morning.
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April 19, 9:25
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Open "Mohabbat ki Dukaan" , says Rahul Gandhi</h2>
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged voters to strengthen democracy and open 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating 'hatred.', in a post on X.
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April 19, 9:00
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">First timers, newly-weds among voting in J&amp;K's Udhampur.</h2>
Scores of first-time voters along with newly-weds were seen casting their vote in J&amp;K's Udhampur constituency.
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April 19, 8:30
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Pehle Matdaan fir Jalpaan, says UK CM Dhami</h2>
'Today is the mega festival of democracy' Uttarakhand CM from BJP, Pushkar Singh Dhami "'Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan', (Vote first, Eat later), he added.
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April 19, 8:10
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">'Have full faith in people of Chhindwara', says Congress leader Kamal Nath</h2>
As voting in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections began across the country, Congress leader &amp; former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath said, "I have full faith in the people of Chhindwara. I have full hope that they will stand by the truth." Nath's son Nakul Nath is the candidate from Chhindwara.
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April 19, 7:54
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">PM Modi urges people to vote in record numbers as Phase 1 polling begins</h2>
PM calls upon young and first-time voters to come out in large numbers.
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April 19, 7:30
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Google unveils a special doodle for Lok Sabha Elections 2024</h2>
On Friday, April 19th, Google unveiled a special doodle to commemorate beginning of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in India. The doodle shows an index finger bearing the voting mark.
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April 19, 7:04
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<h2 class="timeline-heading">Polling begins on 102 seats in Phase 1</h2>
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Live

LS Polls Phase 1 locked and loaded: 62% Voter turnout by 5 pm

Jyoti Amge, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's shortest woman, exercised her right to vote at a polling booth in Nagpur.
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Amid the fervor of the ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Amge made her mark not just as a record-holder but as a conscientious citizen.
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The polling day witnessed enthusiastic participation across five constituencies in Maharashtra, with voters queuing up since the early hours. Among them was Amge, whose presence at the polling booth garnered attention and admiration.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
VIDEO | &ldquo;I have voted today with my entire family. I want to appeal to every voter to cast vote as well as it&rsquo;s our duty,&rdquo; says Jyoti Amge, the world's shortest woman, after casting her vote in Nagpur, Maharashtra.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSPolls2024WithPTI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LSPolls2024WithPTI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabhaElections2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabhaElections2024</a> (Full video&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/NFBr5rpR0h">pic.twitter.com/NFBr5rpR0h</a>
&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1781164446078918744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Following her vote, Amge took a moment to urge fellow citizens to fulfill their democratic duty. In a statement, she emphasized, "I voted today with my entire family. I want to appeal to every voter to cast their vote as well, as it's our duty."
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Nagpur

World's shortest woman Jyoti Amge cast her vote in Nagpur

Google is marking the biggest celebration of democracy on the planet with a doodle of the inked finger, visible across the country on April 19, when phase-1 of the Lok Sabha elections begins.
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Click on the icon and you will be taken to all the top international and Indian websites covering election news, interactive maps and more.
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In this phase17 states and four Union Territories will go to polls covering 102 constituencies.&nbsp; About 16.63 crore voters will exercise their franchise In 1.87 lakh polling stations. Among them, 8.4 crore are men, 8.23 crore are women and 11,371 are third gender electors.&nbsp;
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Over the next six phases, the election process will continue until June 1 with 97 crore voters expected to exercise their democratic right.
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The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
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Over 18 lakh polling officials will be on duty to ensure a smooth voting process.
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It's voting day today: Google has the doodle for you

Are you voting in Phase-1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 today? Here are some important things you should know.
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Time: Voting for Phase-1 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will begin at 7 am and continue until 6 pm (Closure of Poll timings may differ PC wise).
 Eligibility: Hope you have checked your name in the Election Commission Website and got in touch with the electoral registration officer in your locality if your name is missing.
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Keep your ID proof handy: The ID proof you should carry are your Voter ID card, PAN card, Aadhaar card, &nbsp;driving license, passport, bank/post office passbook with a photo, pension document with photograph, MNREGA job card, Smart card issued by RGI under NPR, Service identity cards with photographs issued to employees by Central/state govt./PSU/public limited company, Health insurance smart cards issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour, and official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs, etc.
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Where&rsquo;s your polling booth? The Election Commission website will have a section where you have to enter the EPIC number on your voter&rsquo;s card to find out where your polling booth is. &nbsp;&nbsp;
 What happens at the polling booth? Once you reach the polling booth, an official will verify your name on the voter list and check your ID proof. Inking and documentation: &nbsp;Your index finger will be marked with ink. You will receive an acknowledgement slip. Then you will sign on a register.
 Where do you go next? Hand over the slip to the polling officer in the office were the booth is, show your inked finger, and enter the polling booth.
 You can vote now: You will see the Electronic Voting Machine. Press the button next to the symbol of your preferred candidate. A beep will confirm your selection. Not impressed with any candidate? Press the &lsquo;none of the above&rsquo; or NOTA option.
 VVPAT slip: &nbsp;Collect your slip from the VVPAT machine displaying the serial number, name, and election symbol of the candidate you've chosen.
 Voila! You have voted and done your bit for democracy.

Post

It's voting day today: Here's what every voter should know

A day before the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday highlighted the importance of voting, while reminding the people to use their vote, saying there have been instances when one vote has mattered in a critical contest.
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Elections are the most beautiful expression of India's democracy and there is "nothing like voting", CEC said in a video message.&nbsp;
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In view of the heatwave, Kumar said people must take all precautions. "But I know the spirit of the Indian voter will beat the summer heat," he said.&nbsp;
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"In our great democracy, elections belong to you, the choice belongs to you... you are deciding the government. You are doing it for your sake, for your family and children, for your village or town and, of course, for the country," he said.&nbsp;
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Mark your calendars! 🗓 Save the date: Polling in Phase-I of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elections2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elections2024</a> is Tomorrow i.e. April 19th Make your voice heard✨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChunavKaParv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChunavKaParv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeshKaGarv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeshKaGarv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IVote4Sure?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IVote4Sure</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ECI</a> <a href="https://t.co/lolt0LAFKc">pic.twitter.com/lolt0LAFKc</a>
&mdash; Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP/status/1780926909091856413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
"I call upon the youth to lead a revolution in electoral participation," the chief election commissioner said as he urged people to cast their ballot.
He reminded people that they should never underestimate the power of "your one vote". There are many instances when one vote has mattered in a critical contest, Kumar said.
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The 2024 Lok Sabha polls will kick off on Friday with polling for the first phase scheduled in 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union territories Simultaneously, assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats) will also be held.
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More than 16.63 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase.
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Voters include 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women, and 11,371 from the third gender. There are as many as 35.67 lakh first-time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
मुख्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त राजीव कुमार ने <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B52024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#आमचुनाव2024</a> के पहले चरण के मतदान दिवस की पूर्व संध्या पर देश के ~97 करोड़ मतदाताओं को दिया संदेश। अपना वोट डालें और <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#चुनावकापर्व</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#देशकागर्व</a> के उत्सव में शामिल हों। पूरा वीडियो यहां देखें 👉 <a href="https://t.co/K2MLr829mD">https://t.co/K2MLr829mD</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IVote4Sure?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IVote4Sure</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ECI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ECI</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gr1hphqNSS">pic.twitter.com/Gr1hphqNSS</a>
&mdash; Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP/status/1780921285041639904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Elections belong to you, you're deciding govt: CEC highlights importance of vote

Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is set to take place on Friday in which more than 1,600 candidates, including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers and an ex-governor will test their electoral fate.
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As many as 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states and Union territories will go to polls in the first phase which is also the largest of the seven phases of the elections.
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Separately, voting will also be held for 92 assembly seats in the state elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on Friday.
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Of the 102 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP had won 39 in 2019, with the ruling alliance NDA bagging 12, five and three of them in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, respectively. The BJP's existing allies hold seven of them.
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<img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/whatsapp-image-20240418-at-62138-pmjpeg_1713444843356.jpeg" width="699" height="674">
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Voting will begin at 7 am and end at 6 pm, though the closure of poll timings differs in some seats.
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The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations where over 16.63 crore voters will exercise their franchise.
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Read: <a title="LS polls 2024: A list of key constituencies, notable candidates" href="https://newsarenaindia.com/election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-a-list-of-key-constituencies-notable-candidates/8668">LS polls 2024: A list of key constituencies, notable candidates</a>
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Voters include 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women and 11,371 third gender. There are as many as 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.
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A total of 41 helicopters, 84 special trains and nearly one lakh vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel, the poll panel pointed out.
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Webcasting will be done in more than 50 per cent of the polling stations along with deployment of micro observers in all polling stations.
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Additionally, 361 observers -- 127 general, 67 police and 167 expenditure observers -- have already reached their constituencies days before the polls. They will serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission. Special observers have also been deployed in certain states.
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Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been leading the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections for the past two years. He had led a conference of state chief electoral officers at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
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Amongst the prominent leaders trying their electoral luck in phase one are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari from Nagpur, Kiren Rijiju from Arunachal Pradesh (West), Arjun Ram Meghwal from Bikaner, Sarbanada Sonowal from Dibrugarh in Assam, Sanjeev Baliyan from Muzaffarnagar in western UP, Jitendra Singh from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir and Bhupendra Yadav from Alwar in Rajasthan.
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Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana and Lt Governor of Puducherry to return to active politics, is contesting from Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency.
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Nakul Nath, son of Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath, is seeking reelection from Chhindwara.
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Of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Tripura, the seat of West Tripura that votes in the first phase will see a high-voltage clash between former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha.
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Aiming to enhance voter turnout, ahead of the polling, the poll panel had also organised a conference on low voter turnout with focus on parliamentary constituencies with a history of low poll participation in previous elections.
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Polling for the 543 seats for electing the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases. The votes will be counted on June 4.&nbsp;

Chandigarh

Over 16.63 crore to vote in first phase for 102 constituencies on April 19

News Arena Network

Shweta Sengar

The year began with Ayodhya preparing for the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. Nearly four months later, the initial excitement has subsided, and some voters attribute the BJP to fulfilling its promise, while others believe that development should be widespread across the district.
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Prajjwal Singh, a resident of Arhgarha Chauraha, shared with PTI that Ayodhya's transformation commenced on January 22 with the Ram temple consecration ceremony.
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"On January 22, 2024, the promise that was made to us by various BJP leaders was fulfilled in a grand manner. From that day, Ayodhya set out on the path of development," he said.
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"The hospitality sector has seen visible growth. A number of eateries and food joints have come up. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath deserve a round of applause for such a positive transformation of Ayodhya," Prajjwal Singh told PTI.
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He said there are some traffic woes in the area, but they are temporary and will be resolved.
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Tulsinagar resident Amit Pathak said that growing up, he witnessed Ayodhya's political and physical transformation.
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"No prime minister or chief minister has visited Ayodhya as often as Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. Electric buses, railway station beautification and airport inauguration are some examples of this transformation," he said, adding that today, it is easier to reach Ayodhya from any other part of the country.
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Himanshu Varma, a resident of Nirmochan Chauraha, stated that Ayodhya has experienced development, but it will take time to reach the entire district.
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Yashvendra Pratap Singh, a resident of the Khajurhat area of Ayodhya, mentioned that the Ram temple has undoubtedly had a positive impact on people's minds, giving the BJP an edge over its rivals.
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"However, infrastructure development should also occur in the outskirts of Ayodhya," he said.
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"Holistic development of the entire district should take place. For example, the pilgrims who come to visit the Ram temple have to walk a few kilometres in scorching heat. There should be arrangements to provide water to them," he added.
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Homepathy doctor Indroneel Banerjee said issues like parking and sewerage systems need attention.
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"These elections will definitely be fought by the ruling party in the name of Lord Ram. A number of positive things have happened. The service sector has benefited in the last four months thanks to the Ram temple," he said.
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"But some problems like lack of parking space remain. Having parking lots is essential for a city that wants to take the next step in road traffic management. The sewerage system could be a challenge in the days to come. We will learn what steps have been taken to tackle waterlogging," he said.
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Shailesh Singh, a resident of the Balapakauli area, suggested building rest houses for pilgrims and taking steps to minimise traffic jams.
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Adarsh Prakash believes that inflation and income tax relief, not the construction of the Ram temple, are the primary issues in this election.
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The polling for the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency will take place in the fifth round of the seven-phase elections on May 20. The constituency comprises five assembly segments -- Dariyabad, Rudauli, Mikipur (SC), Bikapur, and Ayodhya. Dariyabad is located in the neighbouring Barabanki district, while the remaining four assembly segments are in the Ayodhya district.
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The Faizabad constituency has 1,927,459 eligible voters.
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Thirteen candidates are in the fray, including the incumbent BJP MP Lallu Singh and Samajwadi Party's sitting Milkipur MLA Awadhesh Prasad.
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Lallu Singh is aiming for a hat-trick from the seat.

Ayodhya

In Ayodhya, voters wait for development amid a fulfilled promise

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the BJP cadre in J&amp;K to prepare for the upcoming elections, which will take place after the ongoing Lok Sabha elections are over.
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Expressing disappointment over not contesting Lok Sabha elections in Kashmir, the minister advised the BJP unit in J&amp;K to prepare to fight all seats in the forthcoming Assembly elections in September.
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Shah made this statement at Srinagar&rsquo;s Lalit Palace while addressing a party delegation. He arrived in Srinagar under tight security measures.
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According to sources, he met with several delegations, including Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, and Sikhs.
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Finally, he met with the BJP team, which included Sunil Sharma, the BJP's General Secretary and J&amp;K Affairs in charge, as well as senior leaders Darakshan Andrabi, Hina Bhat, Sofi Yousuf, Altaf Thakur, Dr GM Mir, Ali Muhammad, and Bilal Parray.
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Tarun Chug, the BJP's national general secretary, was also present during the meeting.
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Shah said, "He has worked tirelessly to develop the BJP at the grassroots level nationwide. During his address, he expressed disappointment about not contesting the election for three crucial Lok Sabha seats.
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He added that some battles are not fought to defeat the enemy but to check, strengthen, and reinforce the cadre," said a source familiar with the meeting.
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Meanwhile, political observers in the UT believe the BJP shied away from contesting polls primarily for two reasons: the party was not confident enough to win the elections in Kashmir despite its claims of making Kashmir a prosperous region.
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The other is a deficient ground base and a lack of cadre, which have hindered the prospects of the ruling party in Kashmir.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) cited security concerns and the J&amp;K administration's 'NO' to not hold Lok Sabha and Assembly elections concurrently.
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Shah's Kashmir visit comes only a day after Jamaat-e-Islami indicated its desire to return to electoral politics after 1987, on the condition that the Centre lift the ban imposed on it in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities and Prevention Act (UAPA).
&nbsp;
A JeI group was also expected to meet with the Home Minister, but no confirmation was received until late Thursday evening.
&nbsp;
Notably, following delimitation, the total number of seats in the Assembly&nbsp;increased to 114, with 24 reserved for territories within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Of the remaining 90 seats, 43 are in the Jammu division and 47 in the Kashmir division.
&nbsp;
According to sources familiar with Shah's itinerary, the Home Minister will fly back to New Delhi at 10 a.m. today

Srinagar

Amit Shah in Kashmir tells BJP cadre to gear up for assembly elections

Amarpreet Kaur

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal won the election and was elected as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday, May 16.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Besides Sibal, senior advocates Adish C Aggarwala, Pradeep Kumar Rai, Priya Hingorani, and advocates Tripurari Ray and Neeraj Srivastava were contestants for the post, where Sibal secured 1,066 votes while Rai got over 650 votes, as per the sources.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A Harvard Law School graduate, Sibal was the additional solicitor general of India during 1989-90. He&nbsp;was designated&nbsp;as a senior advocate in 1983.
&nbsp;
Between 1995 and 2002, the former minister in the Congress-led UPA government served three times as SCBA president.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The apex court had earlier directed that some posts in the executive committee of the SCBA&nbsp;be reserved&nbsp;for women members.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A bench of justices Surya Kant and K V Vishwanathan had said it was of the view that the SCBA is a premier institution and is an integral part of the highest judicial forum of the country.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It had directed that there shall be reservations for women members of the Bar.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The bench had said in the upcoming 2024-2025 SCBA polls, the post of treasurer of the executive committee&nbsp;be&nbsp;reserved&nbsp;for women.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Kapil Sibal elected President of Supreme Court Bar Association

The United Nations revised India's economic growth projection for 2024 to 6.9 per cent. This economic growth projection for India in the mid-year update is an upward revision from the 6.2% GDP forecast made by the UN in January this year.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The World Economic Situation and Prospects as of mid-2024, released on Thursday, said, "India&rsquo;s economy&nbsp;is forecast&nbsp;to expand by 6.9 per cent in 2024 and 6.6 per cent in 2025, mainly driven by strong public investment and resilient private consumption. Although subdued external demand will continue to weigh on merchandise export growth, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals exports are expected to expand strongly."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
WESP January report:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2024 report&nbsp;that&nbsp;was&nbsp;launched&nbsp;in January said that growth in India&nbsp;was projected&nbsp;to reach 6.2 per cent in 2024,&nbsp;amid robust domestic demand and strong growth in the manufacturing and services sectors. The&nbsp;projection in January for India&rsquo;s GDP growth&nbsp;for&nbsp;2025 remains unchanged at 6.6 per cent in the latest assessment of the economic situation.
&nbsp;
The update said that consumer price inflation in India&nbsp;is projected&nbsp;to decelerate from 5.6&nbsp;per cent in 2023 to 4.5 per cent in 2024, staying within the&nbsp;central bank&rsquo;s two to six per cent medium-term target range.
&nbsp;
Similarly, inflation rates in other South Asian countries declined in 2023 and&nbsp;are expected&nbsp;to decelerate further in 2024, ranging from 2.2 per cent in the Maldives to 33.6 per cent in Iran. Despite some moderation, food prices remained elevated in the first quarter of 2024, especially in Bangladesh and India.
&nbsp;
In&nbsp;India, labour market indicators have also improved amid robust growth and higher labour force participation, it said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
World economy:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The world economy&nbsp;is now forecast&nbsp;to grow&nbsp;by 2.7 per cent in 2024 (an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the forecast in January) and 2.8 per cent in 2025 (an increase of 0.1 percentage points).
&nbsp;
The upward revisions mainly reflect a better outlook in the United States, where the latest forecast points to 2.3 per cent growth in 2024 (an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points since January), and several large emerging economies, notably Brazil, India, and Russia.
&nbsp;
It noted that several large developing economies &ndash;&nbsp;Indonesia, India, and Mexico&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;are benefiting&nbsp;from strong domestic and external demand. In comparison, many economies in&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;Latin America, and the Caribbean are on a low-growth trajectory, facing high inflation, elevated borrowing costs, persistent exchange rate pressures, and lingering political instability.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The possible intensification and spreading of conflicts in Gaza and the Red Sea add further uncertainties to the near-term outlook for the Middle East, the mid-year update said.
&nbsp;
Global trade&nbsp;is expected&nbsp;to recover in 2024.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Higher-for-longer interest rates, debt sustainability challenges, continuing geopolitical tensions, and ever-worsening climate risks continue to&nbsp;pose challenges to growth, threatening decades of development gains, especially for least developed countries and small island developing states.

UN revises India's 2024 economic growth forecast to 6.9%

Deepan

A glimmer of hope has emerged for around 150 Hindu migrant families residing in Ellenabad, Sirsa district of Haryana. These families, originally from Pakistan, have been awaiting Indian citizenship for over 30 years.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Their wait might finally be nearing its end with the upcoming meeting of the Empowered Committee constituted under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.
&nbsp;
The committee, scheduled to convene on May 20th, will decide on the citizenship applications of these families.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This development comes on the heels of the Union Government granting citizenship certificates to over 300 applicants under the CAA provisions earlier this week.
&nbsp;
The families in question arrived in India between 1990 and 1998 on visitor visas, primarily from&nbsp;Bahawalpur&nbsp;and Rahim Yar Khan districts of Pakistan.
&nbsp;
While their visas were extended on multiple occasions, their passports expired in 2003, rendering them undocumented.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This situation has caused immense hardship for these families, who have essentially lived in limbo for decades.
&nbsp;
However, the implementation of the CAA has rekindled their aspirations for citizenship.
&nbsp;
"We are hopeful after the CAA came into effect. We will be reapplying online to secure citizenship at the earliest," said Surta Ram, a resident of Ellenabad.
&nbsp;
The CAA offers a pathway to citizenship for undocumented migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, provided they entered India before December 31st, 2014.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
While the Act has been a source of controversy, for these families in Ellenabad, it represents a potential solution to their long-standing predicament.
&nbsp;
Lalit Jain, the state Director of Census Operations and Citizen Registration, who also chairs the Empowered Committee, confirmed the May 20th meeting to expedite the citizenship process.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He added that a majority of online applications received so far are from districts like Rohtak, Fatehabad, Sirsa, and Gurugram.
&nbsp;
Despite the CAA's provisions, online registrations for citizenship among eligible migrants in Haryana have been slow. Additionally, the Congress party has consistently opposed the CAA, terming it discriminatory.
&nbsp;
District-level committees have already been established to verify the applicants' documents.
&nbsp;
If the Empowered Committee approves their applications, these families will finally be able to obtain official registration certificates.

Nearly 150 families in Haryana's Sirsa eye citizenship after 30 years

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Punjab and Haryana and a yellow alert for Chandigarh after the temperature surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, warning the residents about the possibility of further temperature increases, particularly on May 18 and 19.
&nbsp;
The Meteorological Department in Chandigarh has released an orange alert for the southern regions of Punjab and Haryana, indicating a "severe heat wave," and a yellow alert for Chandigarh, forecasting "heatwave conditions."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
An orange alert advises people to "be prepared," while a yellow alert suggests they should "stay updated."
&nbsp;
This heat wave alert comes as Tricity, Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Temperatures are expected to surpass 44 degrees Celsius over the weekend.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Punjab's Pathankot recorded the highest maximum temperature at 42.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Bathinda at 42.6 degrees Celsius and Patiala at 42.4 degrees Celsius.
&nbsp;
In Haryana, Nuh saw a maximum temperature of 43.8 degrees Celsius, while Sirsa recorded 43.7 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

IMD issues heatwave alerts for Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh

Football's world governing body FIFA led the outpouring of tributes that came in from different quarters following talismanic Indian captain Sunil Chhetri's decision to retire from international football.
&nbsp;
Chhetri, the long-serving national team captain announced his decision to call it a day after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.
&nbsp;
Chhetri, the long-serving national team captain announced his decision to call it a day after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Retiring as a legend. ❤️
&mdash; FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1791009280490938402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
Ronaldo (128 goals) is seen on the top of the podium, while Messi (106) and Chhetri (94)&nbsp;take&nbsp;the next two spots.
&nbsp;
FIFA had earlier in 2022 released a documentary on the long-serving Indian captain, titled 'Captain Fantastic'; it had three parts --&nbsp;kick-off, mid-game and extra time.
&nbsp;
Batting maestro Virat Kohli, 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh and former star footballer Bhaichung Bhutia were among the leading sports personalities who lauded Chhetri's achievements.
&nbsp;
Commenting on Chhetri's video post on Instagram, Kohli wrote for his good friend: "My brother. Proud." Yuvraj called him a legend, saying the legacy of the 39-year-old veteran of 150 national appearances will remain for a very long time.
&nbsp;
"A real legend of the game who took Indian football onto the global stage. Your passion has inspired a generation to take up the game... your legacy in Indian sports will be remembered forever...you can look back with pride as you get set for your final game, thank you legend," wrote Yuvraj in an Instagram story.
&nbsp;
Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.
&nbsp;
Legendary India forward Bhutia, who Chhetri succeeded as captain maintained that it was a great loss for Indian football.
&nbsp;
"Sunil, no doubt, will go down as one of the greatest players India&nbsp;had&nbsp;ever produced. His contribution to Indian football is immense. It's a great loss for Indian football," said Bhutia, the former India captain.
&nbsp;
"I am fortunate to have played with him as&nbsp;senior&nbsp;player. When I came in (I M) Vijayan was senior to me, after that Sunil (Chhetri) came. I am fortunate to have served Indian football in between two stalwarts of Indian football," added Bhutia.
&nbsp;
Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, member of the India squad for the T20 World Cup, wished Chhetri a "happy retirement".
&nbsp;
"What a run you have had! Congratulations on an amazing career," wrote Chahal on 'X', while Chhetri's Bengaluru FC and India team-mate, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, wished he could change his compatriot's mind.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What a run you have had! 👏 Congratulations on an amazing career <a href="https://twitter.com/chetrisunil11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chetrisunil11</a> ✨ Happy Retirement, legend 🫡 <a href="https://t.co/eWnEm1W616">pic.twitter.com/eWnEm1W616</a>
&mdash; Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) <a href="https://twitter.com/yuzi_chahal/status/1790983387303617017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
"Never wanted to see this happen, I wish I could do something to change your mind but I also understand why it is happening bhai. The whole country needs to celebrate your international career on the 6th of June&nbsp;the&nbsp;way you deserve. My Captain," Sandhu wrote on 'X'.
&nbsp;
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Chhetri will continue to motivate the coming generations.
&nbsp;
"Your legacy on and&nbsp;off-the-field will always be remembered! You have always been and will continue to inspire us. Thank you." BCCI termed Chhetri a "phenomenal icon", saying his "career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports," while India spinner Kuldeep Yadav congratulated the legend on a "fantastic career".
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Your career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports. Go well, Captain! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/g2a0yXRv5i">https://t.co/g2a0yXRv5i</a>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1790969762408812834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Congratulations on a fantastic career Legend👏🏻 Wishing the best for you🤗&hearts;️ <a href="https://t.co/xf0hHztcwS">https://t.co/xf0hHztcwS</a>
&mdash; Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) <a href="https://twitter.com/imkuldeep18/status/1790985165008691393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru saluted the No. 11 jersey, saying, "What a ride this has been, skipper! 94 international goals, so many laurels,&nbsp;an unbroken conviction and you've inspired so many young Indians to dream big. Happy farewell to the No.11 (No.9) but India's 1," wrote RCB on 'X'. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
India Football captain Sunil Chhetri to retire on June 6. 🥺 What a ride this has been, skipper! 94 international goals, so many laurels, an unbroken conviction and you&rsquo;ve inspired so many young Indians to dream big. ⚽️🫡 Happy farewell to the No.11 but India&rsquo;s #1,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/s3hEuXFjq3">pic.twitter.com/s3hEuXFjq3</a>
&mdash; Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/RCBTweets/status/1790972646085349641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>

FIFA honours Chhetri's retirement, sports world joins in salute

Actress Banita Sandhu, who made her Bollywood debut with Shoojit Sircar's film "October," has joined the cast of the popular Netflix series "Bridgerton" for its third season.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The new season, which was released on the streaming platform today, features Banita in the role of Miss Malhotra.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sharing her joy with her fans and followers, Banita on Thursday shared a bunch of behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets of Bridgerton and wrote, "So grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Bridgerton universe, being able to dress up and join the world of @juliaquinnauthor's incredible characters. Thank you @netflix and @shondaland for a wonderful experience that I will forever cherish. Wish I could keep the costumes though."
&nbsp;
In October last year, actor Banita Sandhu made her relationship with singer AP Dhillon official on Instagram. She shared the news on her feed, and fans flooded her comment section with praise.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The actor posted a series of pictures with AP Dhillon on her Instagram profile. In the first photo, we can see AP Dhillon sitting on the ground while Banita leans over his face from a bed.

Mumbai

Banita Sandhu to star as 'Miss Malhotra' in Bridgerton season 3

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrived at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera in 2024.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This marks her 21st appearance at the prestigious event. Fashion enthusiasts eagerly awaited Aishwarya's arrival at the red carpet event, which began on June 14, and she certainly didn't disappoint.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
ladies and gentlemen aishwarya rai bacchan at cannes film festival <a href="https://t.co/cxAnmbocmZ">pic.twitter.com/cxAnmbocmZ</a>
&mdash; 𓅪 (@alfiyastic) <a href="https://twitter.com/alfiyastic/status/1791159201554919495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
The actress stunned on the red carpet in a dramatic floor-sweeping gown for the premiere of Megalopolis.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Aishwarya looked ethereal in a custom Falguni Shane Peacock couture, leaving onlookers swooning with admiration.&nbsp;

Cannes

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stuns on Cannes red carpet in a dramatic gown

"These are 'new birth certificates'," Dayal Singh, a refugee from Pakistan, described the citizenship certificates issued to him, his son, and his daughter. Singh, 47, migrated from Pakistan with his family in 2013 and has lived in a shanty in North Delhi's Majnu-ka-Tilla since then.
&nbsp;
On Wednesday, he was among the 14 people to be given the certificate under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The law grants Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
&nbsp;
Singh's wife, Mira, is 40, and his other five children have yet to get their certificates, but she is happy that a part of the family is now 'Bharatiya Nagriks' (Indian citizens)."
&nbsp;
"Our journey was filled with challenges due to the identity we carried with us. But now we are 'Bharatiya Nagriks'," said Mira while talking to PTI in the shanty that is part of a camp for refugees, some of whom stay in tents.
&nbsp;
Many people are involved in odd jobs such as selling chips, other packaged food items, water bottles, and mobile phone covers on the roadside to make ends meet. "My father-in-law always used to say, 'One day we will be called Bharatiyas, and that will be the biggest day of our lives.' He died waiting for that day," Mira said. She added that he would be happy today.
&nbsp;
She mentioned that every migrant family at the camp has endured years of hardship.
&nbsp;
"Here, two or three families with 15-20 people live together in cramped conditions with minimal resources. We started getting our children married off quickly to secure their future," she said.
&nbsp;
The Union home secretary handed over the citizenship certificates to Singh, his son Bharat Kumar, daughter Yashoda, and 11 others after their applications were processed online through a designated portal.
&nbsp;
"It was a day of celebration," said Jhula Ram, who migrated from Pakistan's Sindh province.
&nbsp;
A 58-year-old camp resident who did not want to be identified said, "We came here in 2015, and as per the CAA, only those who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, will get the CAA's benefits." Shantaram said, "Our people are being accepted and will no longer be called refugees. People call us Pakistani refugees, but now we will be called Indians. However, my family and I came in 2015."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"I run a shop here and am just making a living. I have 50 members in my family, and we are all in the same situation, not knowing what we will do," he said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed in December 2019 to provide Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.
&nbsp;
After the act was passed, it received the president's assent. However, the rules outlining the process for granting Indian citizenship were issued on March 11 this year, following a delay of over four years.

Long-awaited citizenship granted: Refugees share stories of struggle and joy

In a historic move aligning federal policy with public sentiment, President Joe Biden&rsquo;s administration formally proposed reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a shift that could significantly alter the landscape of cannabis regulation in the United States.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;No one should be in jail merely for using or possessing marijuana. Period,&rdquo; Biden declared in a video statement on Thursday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He highlighted the importance of rectifying the injustices caused by the longstanding punitive approach to marijuana.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I&rsquo;m committed to righting those wrongs,&rdquo; he added.
&nbsp;
Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), placing it in the same category as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. This classification indicates that it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
However, under the new proposal, marijuana would be reclassified as a Schedule III drug, akin to ketamine and painkillers containing codeine, which are viewed as having a moderate to low likelihood of dependence.
&nbsp;
While the reclassification would not legalise marijuana, it could reduce the number of federal arrests related to the drug.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Biden administration&rsquo;s proposal to reclassify cannabis was unveiled at the end of April, and the Justice Department officially initiated the process on Thursday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Marijuana will remain a controlled substance until the completion of this process, which includes a public comment period and the possibility of a hearing before a judge.
&nbsp;
President Biden made history in 2022 as the first sitting president to initiate a federal review of marijuana policy.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The issue is seen as a potential vote-winner for Biden as he prepares for a tough re-election battle against Republican Donald Trump this November, particularly among younger voters whom the Democratic incumbent has struggled to attract.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to a Pew Research Center survey, 88&nbsp;percent&nbsp;of Americans believe marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use, while only 11&nbsp;percent&nbsp;think it should remain illegal.
&nbsp;
The cannabis industry has welcomed Biden&rsquo;s proposal. Marijuana was first outlawed at the federal level in 1937, a decision critics argue was rooted in racist ideologies, associating the drug with jazz music, the Black community, and Mexican immigrants.
&nbsp;
The 1970s saw the advent of the &ldquo;War on Drugs,&rdquo; which disproportionately affected minorities. However, the medical marijuana movement gained traction in the 1990s, and by 2012, some U.S. states began legalizing recreational cannabis for adults.
&nbsp;
Today, cannabis is a multibillion-dollar industry in the United States, with more than half of all states having legalized recreational and medicinal cannabis use, including major states like California and New York.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Despite this, racial minorities, particularly Black Americans, are disproportionately represented in marijuana-related arrests.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;This decision is monumental,&rdquo; the NAACP civil rights organization stated on X. &ldquo;Far too many Black Americans have fallen victim to a system designed for their demise.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug complicates various aspects of the cannabis industry.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It hinders businesses from accessing banking services, limits federal funding for medical marijuana research, and prevents interstate commerce and federal regulation of best practices anSince 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), placing it in the same category as heroin, ecstasy, and LSD. Thisd protocols for marijuana.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The reclassification to Schedule III would enable companies to deduct their operating expenses from their taxes, which is currently prohibited.
&nbsp;
Curaleaf CEO Matt Darin hailed Thursday&rsquo;s decision, stating, &ldquo;This will unlock important research on the medical efficacy of cannabis and bring about real change for legal operators.&rdquo;

Washington D.C.

Biden administration proposes reclassifying Marijuana as low-risk drug

The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would require President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel in response to his delay in sending bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its conflict with Hamas.
&nbsp;
The Israel Security Assistance Support Act was approved 224 to 187, largely along party lines. Sixteen Democrats joined most Republicans in voting yes, and three Republicans joined most Democrats in opposing the measure.
&nbsp;
The act is not expected to become law, but its passage underscored the deep U.S. election-year divide over Israel policy as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government seeks to eliminate militants who attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
&nbsp;
Palestinian authorities claim that at least 35,272 civilians have been killed during Israel's campaign in Gaza. Malnutrition is widespread, and much of the population of the coastal enclave has been left homeless, with infrastructure destroyed.
&nbsp;
Republicans accused Biden of turning his back on Israel following widespread pro-Palestinian protests.
&nbsp;
"This is a catastrophic decision with global implications. It is being done as a political calculation, and we cannot let this stand," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told a news conference with other party leaders on Wednesday.
&nbsp;
Democrats also accused the other party of playing politics, saying Republicans are distorting Biden's position on Israel.
&nbsp;
"It is not a serious effort at legislation, which is why some of the most pro-Israel members of the House Democratic caucus will be voting no," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told a news conference before the vote.
&nbsp;
Israel, a long-standing recipient of US military aid, is still set to receive billions of dollars worth of US weaponry, despite a delay in one shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) and 500-pound bombs and a review of other weapons shipments by the Biden administration.

US House passes bill to send weapons to Israel amid Biden admin's delay

The Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Bibhav Kumar based on the statement of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The FIR, filed on Thursday, accuses Kumar of physically assaulting Maliwal, including slapping, kicking, and hitting her in the stomach.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The charges are under sections 354, 506, 509, and 323 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and criminal intimidation.
&nbsp;
Maliwal visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, for a medical examination following the alleged assault.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday in the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A two-member police team, led by Additional Commissioner P S Kushwaha, recorded Maliwal&rsquo;s statement at her home around 1:50 PM on Thursday.
&nbsp;
According to Maliwal, the assault took place in Kejriwal's drawing room when Bibhav Kumar barged in and attacked her.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
She stated that Kejriwal was present in the house during the incident. Following her statement, Maliwal took to social media platform X, describing the attack as "extremely bad" and assured that appropriate actions were being taken.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
She urged political parties, particularly the BJP, to refrain from politicising the issue.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Those who tried to indulge in character assassination said that I was doing it at the behest of the other party, God bless them too," she wrote. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
मेरे साथ जो हुआ वो बहुत बुरा था। मेरे साथ हुई घटना पर मैंने पुलिस को अपना स्टेटमेंट दिया है। मुझे आशा है कि उचित कार्यवाही होगी। पिछले दिन मेरे लिए बहुत कठिन रहे हैं। जिन लोगों ने प्रार्थना की उनका धन्यवाद करती हूँ। जिन लोगों ने Character Assassination करने की कोशिश की, ये बोला&hellip;
&mdash; Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) <a href="https://twitter.com/SwatiJaiHind/status/1791121296765395090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The police stated that Maliwal initially reported the assault at the Civil Lines police station but left without filing a formal complaint.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
AAP leader Sanjay Singh confirmed the incident occurred in Kejriwal's drawing room and that the Chief Minister had acknowledged the assault and promised appropriate action.
&nbsp;
During a press conference held by the INDIA bloc in Lucknow, Kejriwal avoided questions regarding Maliwal's allegations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that Kumar was seen with Kejriwal in Lucknow and referred to the Delhi Chief Minister as a "goon."
&nbsp;
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned Bibhav Kumar following the allegations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Reportedly, teams of the Delhi Police&rsquo;s Special Cell and Crime Branch have been deployed to arrest Kejriwal's aide.
&nbsp;

'Bibhav Kumar slapped, kicked, hit me on stomach,' says Swati Maliwal in FIR

Police have&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;Bhavesh Bhinde, the businessman responsible for the installation of the collapsed billboard in Mumbai&rsquo;s Ghatkopar,&nbsp;was&nbsp;from Udaipur, Rajasthan, today.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The catastrophic incident during a storm resulted in the deaths of 16 people and left over 70 injured.&nbsp; Bhinde, who had been evading arrest since the disaster, faces over 20 legal cases, including charges of rape.
&nbsp;
The towering 120x120-foot hoarding, which made it into the Limca Book of Records for its size, fell in Ghatkopar on Monday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This billboard far exceeded the legal size limit of 40x40 feet set by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The BMC confirmed that proper tender processes were not followed when granting permissions to Bhinde's company.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Allegations suggest Bhinde secured the permissions due to his connections with Sunil Raut, brother of prominent politician Sanjay Raut.
&nbsp;
Maharashtra&rsquo;s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the state&rsquo;s commitment to cover the medical expenses of the injured and provide ₹5 lakh in compensation to the families of the deceased.
&nbsp;
Kirit Somaiya, a BJP leader, has called for a thorough investigation into the permissions granted for the billboard.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Somaiya alleged significant financial irregularities, stating, "The revenue from the hoarding exceeded ₹100 crore, and the adjacent fuel station earned ₹25 crore, yet the Maharashtra government received nothing substantial. A couple of crores were transferred to the Maharashtra police welfare fund."
&nbsp;
In response to the tragedy, BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani announced an immediate ban on the erection of new billboards throughout Mumbai.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This prohibition applies universally, whether the billboards are on government or private properties.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The BMC has also ordered the Railway Administration to dismantle all illegally sized billboards in Ghatkopar to prevent similar incidents in the future.
&nbsp;
The collapse has sparked significant political controversy, with Somaiya alleging corruption and negligence.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"No tender process was followed while permitting Bhavesh Bhinde," he claimed, suggesting Bhinde&rsquo;s connections facilitated the approvals.
&nbsp;
Following the Ghatkopar hoarding incident, BMC announced that no new hoardings would be allowed in Mumbai at this time; irrespective of whether the advertisement board is in any government or private premises.&nbsp;

Jodhpur

Man behind fatal Mumbai billboard collapse arrested from Udaipur

Swati Maliwal arrived at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, late on Thursday night following the filing of an FIR by the police. The FIR was based on her formal complaint against a close aide of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
&nbsp;
There are indications that the AAP Rajya Sabha MP may undergo a medical checkup at AIIMS.
&nbsp;
The Delhi police took action by filing an FIR in connection with the alleged assault, naming the Delhi CM&rsquo;s Personal Assistant, Bibhav Kumar. The FIR was registered under various IPC sections, including assault, criminal intimidation, and acts intended to insult or outrage modesty.
&nbsp;
In her complaint, Maliwal alleged that she was physically assaulted by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal&rsquo;s PA, Bibhav Kumar, including being slapped, hit on the stomach, and kicked.
&nbsp;
During her statement to the police, Swati Maliwal reportedly became emotional and demanded strict action in the case.
&nbsp;
After lodging the complaint, Maliwal took to social media to request the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not to politicise the incident. She described the ordeal as "very bad" and expressed hope for appropriate action. She also thanked those who supported her and addressed those who attempted to discredit her, wishing them well.
&nbsp;
Efforts are underway by the Special Cell and Crime Branch teams of the Delhi Police to arrest the accused. Bibhav Kumar has been summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) to appear on May 17 in connection with the alleged assault.
&nbsp;
The BJP criticised the AAP for not taking action against Bibhav Kumar despite assurances from party MP Sanjay Singh. They shared a photo of Bibhav with Arvind Kejriwal at the Lucknow airport, questioning the AAP's inaction.

Swati Maliwal reaches AIIMS after filing complaint against Delhi CM's aide

Ayesha Banerjee

Twenty Indians and a Sri Lankan, all crew members, are still stranded miles away from home in the &nbsp;Singapore-flagged cargo ship Dali, which struck &nbsp;the Francis Scott Key Bridge in USA's Maryland, sending a part of it crashing into the Patapsco river.
&nbsp;
The crew cannot disembark because of visa restrictions. They also do not have shore passes as investigations by The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FBI into the crash are continuing.
&nbsp;
Among those who contacted the stranded crews were members of the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI).&nbsp; It took them time get clearance to board the ship, but once they did they found that though there seemed to be no lack of provisions most of the crew members were worried about the situation, the SCI said in a post on its website. &nbsp;&nbsp;
 As of now it is learnt that the stranded men have been provided mobile phones to get in touch with their families.
&nbsp;
Joshua Messick, executive director of a non-profit organisation working to protect mariners' rights was also quoted by news agencies as saying the crew could not communicate with their loved ones or the outside world as the FBI had confiscated their phones.
 Some of the crewmen are worried they will be implicated.
&nbsp;
The 948 feet Dali was on its way from Baltimore in the US to Sri Lanka when equipment on board stopped working after what the NTSB said were two electrical blackouts. Losing power twice in 10 hours before the crash the ship drifted directionless until it hit a pillar of the bridge.
&nbsp;
As mangled remains of the bridge were removed on Monday from the bow of The Dali, under which it had remained trapped for close to two months, crew members wondered when they would be freed.&nbsp;

New York

Baltimore Bridge: Indian crew still stranded aboard ship, desperate to come home

In the ongoing legal battle concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah case, the Hindu side presented its arguments before the Allahabad High Court on Thursday, emphasising the failure of the Sunny Central Waqf Board and the mosque committee to provide any documents regarding ownership of the disputed property.
&nbsp;
According to the counsel for the Hindu side, neither the Waqf Board nor the mosque committee has furnished any property documents to date.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, it was asserted that they do not have any electricity connection in their name, suggesting illegal usage of power. An FIR has also been lodged against them by the electricity department.
&nbsp;
These revelations were made during the hearing of a plea challenging the suit seeking the "removal" of the Shahi Idgah mosque, which is situated adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. The matter is being heard by Justice Mayank Kumar Jain, who has scheduled further hearings for May 20.
&nbsp;
In earlier proceedings, the Hindu side argued against the validity of a compromise allegedly made between the two parties in 1968, labelling it as a "fraud" perpetrated by the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the mosque committee.
&nbsp;
They contended that the property rightfully belongs to deity Katra Keshav Deo for over a millennium. Additionally, it was asserted that the birthplace of Lord Krishna was demolished in the 16th century, and an "Idgah" was constructed in its place.
&nbsp;
On the other hand, the Muslim side argued that the suit is barred by limitation, citing a compromise supposedly reached in 1968 and confirmed in a civil suit in 1974.
&nbsp;
According to them, the suit filed in 2020 exceeds the three-year limitation period for challenging such a compromise. They also highlighted the suit's prayer for possession after the removal of the Shahi Idgah structure and the restoration of a temple.
&nbsp;
The Hindu side countered these arguments, asserting the maintainability of the suit and contending that the question of non-maintainability can only be determined after presenting evidence.
&nbsp;
They opposed the Muslim side's application under Order 7 Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, which questions the suit's maintainability.
&nbsp;
It was also argued by the Hindu side that the deity was not involved in the compromise of 1968 or the court decree of 1974, emphasising that the Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, which allegedly made the compromise, lacked the authority to do so.
&nbsp;
These legal complexities underscore the intricate nature of the ongoing legal proceedings.
&nbsp;

Mathura

Property evidence void by the Waqf Board in Shahi Idgah dispute, says Hindu side

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently met with military leaders in Kharkiv, where he described the current military situation in the northeastern region as "extremely difficult." Despite the challenges, he assured that the situation was still "under control."
&nbsp;
Zelensky's statement followed his discussions with military chiefs near the front line. He conveyed on his official Telegram channel that although the situation in the Kharkiv region was generally under control, it remained incredibly challenging.
&nbsp;
However, he highlighted the resilience of Ukrainian soldiers who continue to inflict significant losses on the occupiers while reinforcing their units.
&nbsp;
Earlier reports from the Ukrainian military indicated that they had managed to halt Russia's advances in certain areas. Army spokesman Nazar Voloshin mentioned on state TV that the defence forces had partially stabilised the situation, effectively stopping the enemy's progress in some zones and localities.
&nbsp;
In their daily briefing, Ukraine's General Staff reported a significant reduction in the activity of Russian occupiers. Despite this, Voloshin cautioned that the enemy persisted in attempting to create conditions for further advances.
&nbsp;
Kyiv also accused the Russian army of causing civilian casualties in the territories they recently seized. Interior Minister Igor Klymenko stated on Telegram that Russian forces prevented local residents from evacuating and even abducted some individuals, forcing them into basements.
&nbsp;
He further noted disturbing reports of civilians being shot by Russian military personnel, prompting the opening of a war crimes investigation.
&nbsp;
One tragic incident involved a resident of Vovchans&rsquo;k who attempted to flee on foot but was fatally shot by Russian forces when he refused to comply with their commands.
&nbsp;
These developments underscore the gravity of the situation in Ukraine and the urgent need for international attention and intervention to safeguard civilian lives and uphold peace in the region.

Kyiv

Military Chiefs meet with Zelensky in Kharkiv

Bharatiya Janata Party's Lok Sabha face for Gurugram, Rao Inderjit, on Thursday, claimed that the proposal of a separate High Court for Haryana is at present under consideration. Rao aims to establish the High Court in Gurugram.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Rao Inderjit came to the Gurugram district court on Thursday and sought the support of the lawyers for his win.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
While interacting with them, he said Gurugram bar is the biggest in the state.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He said the parking problem the lawyers faced earlier has been solved, as has been, to some extent, the problem of lawyers' chambers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He said that after the completion of the construction of the Justice Tower, lawyers will be provided with chambers equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"To further strengthen the country, it is necessary to make Narendra Modi the prime minister for a third time. It is important to vote for the BJP to increase the pace at which the country has progressed in the last ten years. You all have seen the tenure of the previous governments," he told the lawyers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Rao Inderjit is the sitting MP from Gurugram.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He became an MP on a Congress ticket thrice before switching to the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

Gurugram

Demand for separate Haryana High court is under consideration: BJP

Shyna Gupta

Swati Maliwal, an AAP member of the Rajya Sabha, ended her silence on Thursday regarding the purported assault against her.
&nbsp;
She confirmed that she has provided her testimony to the Delhi Police and cautioned the BJP against politicizing the issue.
&nbsp;
Addressing the alleged altercation that took place at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence involving his aide Bibhav Kumar, Maliwal expressed the distress she endured in the aftermath.
&nbsp;
She emphasized the severity of the incident, stating that she expects appropriate action to be taken.
&nbsp;
Maliwal acknowledged the challenges she faced in recent days and expressed gratitude for the support she received. Despite facing attempts at character assassination, she maintained her stance, indicating that she is not swayed by partisan motives.
&nbsp;
Amid ongoing crucial elections, Maliwal highlighted the importance of national issues over individual concerns.
&nbsp;
She specifically appealed to members of the BJP to refrain from exploiting the incident for political gain.
&nbsp;
A two-person team from the Delhi Police visited Maliwal's residence in Central Delhi to record her statement.
&nbsp;
During the session, Maliwal recounted the events that transpired at the chief minister's residence on Monday. Authorities hinted at the possibility of initiating a formal investigation following the completion of Maliwal's statement.

MP Swati Maliwal speaks out on alleged assault, urges BJP to avoid politics

In a significant update, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to receive its first LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by July this year. Originally slated for delivery in February-March, the timeline was slightly delayed due to technical issues.
&nbsp;
According to defence officials, the recent review between the IAF and HAL indicates that the aircraft will be handed over to the IAF by July. The HAL recently conducted the maiden flight of the fighter, with several integration trials expected to conclude in the coming weeks before delivery.
&nbsp;
The induction of the indigenous fighter aircraft into the IAF marks a pivotal milestone towards achieving self-reliance in the military sector. Officials even suggest that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be invited to commemorate this significant occasion.
&nbsp;
The LCA Mark 1A project gained momentum under PM Modi's leadership. With an order worth Rs 48,000 crore for 83 planes already placed, another order for 97 planes, estimated at Rs 65,000 crore, is expected by the end of this fiscal year.
&nbsp;
This move aligns with the objective of modernising and replacing the IAF's ageing fleet of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s.
&nbsp;
The recent tender issued by the Defence Ministry to HAL for the purchase of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets represents the largest order for indigenous military hardware in India's history.
&nbsp;
This initiative is not only a strategic move to bolster India's defence capabilities but also a significant step towards promoting indigenous manufacturing and providing lucrative business opportunities for small and medium enterprises in the defence sector across the nation.
&nbsp;
Prime Minister Modi's proactive approach towards revitalising HAL underscores the government's commitment to indigenous defence production. His symbolic sortie in the trainer variant of the indigenous fighter further emphasises his support for indigenous aircraft manufacturing.
&nbsp;
The plan to acquire 97 additional LCA Mark 1A fighter jets was first announced by IAF Chief VR Chaudhari during his visit to Spain. This ambitious plan reflects India's steadfast commitment to bolstering its indigenous defence capabilities and reducing dependency on foreign imports.

IAF to receive first indigenous LCA Mark1A fighter by July

Neha Singh

A day after a miscreant threw an object at her during a public event in Quetta city, Pakistani star Mahira Khan on Thursday condemned the incident saying she felt scared to be caught in a &ldquo;mob-like&rdquo; situation.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The actor on Wednesday attended an event organised by Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi in Quetta when someone from the audience flung an object, reportedly a bottle, at her.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The video of the incident soon went viral on social media in which Mahira could be seen politely admonishing the unknown spectator in the crowd for the act.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Ye galat ho gaya&hellip;. Aap toh cheezein phenkne lagein hain (This was wrong. You have now started throwing things at me),&rdquo; she can be seen saying in the clip circulating online.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">On Thursday evening, Mahira shared a lengthy note on her official Instagram page addressing the incident.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;What happened at the event was uncalled for. No one should think it&rsquo;s ok to throw something on stage, even if it's a flower wrapped up in a paper plane. It sets the wrong precedent.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;It is unacceptable. There are times I get scared, not just for myself, but for others who may be trapped in a mob-like situation,&rdquo; she wrote, thanking fans and followers for their concern and love.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The Karachi-based actor, popular for TV dramas such as Humsafar and Sadqay Tumhare as well as films Maula Jatt and Bollywood movie Raees, said on their way back home someone said they won&rsquo;t organise an event ever again in Quetta.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">But, she said, she &ldquo;disagreed completely&rdquo; as that was not the solution.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Here was a crowd of 10,000 or more&hellip; who were showing their love and excitement&mdash; the way they know best because I could see them I could see they didn&rsquo;t know how to contain/express their excitement. Whoever the miscreant was, was 1 out of 10,000.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Maybe I should have gotten up and left, maybe the crowd could have been screened, maybe I should not have been put on the spot... lots of could haves and should haves,&rdquo; she added.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Mahira also said more literary events need to be organised in more cities of Pakistan.
<p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;

Karachi

Pakistani actor Mahira Khan addresses gracefully the incident of object thrown at her on stage

BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat, Rekha Patra on Thursday claimed women of Sandeshkhali who protested are being threatened with rape and murder by the goons of the ruling party in West Bengal.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;These Trinamool Congress goons are perpetrating violence everywhere in the village of Sandeshkhali. Women who protested are being threatened that they will be killed and raped. Why the police is not arresting them? It is because they have teamed up with TMC goons to orchestrate violence,&rdquo; she told the media.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Yesterday, one of our sisters was abducted from her house by tying her hands. She was raped and they even tried to kill her&hellip;. Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to support us and therefore made me the candidate,&rdquo; Patra added.
&nbsp;
Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district started to make headlines since February this year when villagers, mostly women, came out on the streets against the ruling party and TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, accusing them of atrocities on women and gobbling their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shahjahan and his aides of &ldquo;land-grab and sexual assault&rdquo; under coercion.
&nbsp;
Later on May 4, a video of a sting operation surfaced, stirring up fresh controversy in Sandeshkhali. The video was broadcast by a local television channel.
&nbsp;
In the alleged video, purportedly, a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal is heard saying that Sandeshkhali women, who weren&rsquo;t sexually assaulted, were projected as &lsquo;rape&rsquo; victims at the behest of the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
&nbsp;
Claiming that Suvendu &lsquo;helped&rsquo; him get this done, the person in the video said that the former told him that the TMC&rsquo;s strongmen in the area wouldn&rsquo;t be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a &lsquo;rape case.&rsquo; However, the news channel that broke the alleged sting operation did not check the veracity of the clip.
&nbsp;
Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam.
&nbsp;
BJP&rsquo;s Rekha Patra will be contesting against Trinamool Congress&rsquo; Haji Nurul Islam for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. Basirhat will go to the polls in the last phase on June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

Sandeshkhali

TMC is threatening women of Sandeshkhali: BJP Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra

Vats Ambardar

Incarcerated former Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Thursday appeared before the Supreme Court via a video link in a case about changes in the anti-corruption laws but did not get to speak as a petitioner in the matter.
&nbsp;
However, a leaked image of the 71-year-old founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party&rsquo;s image showing him attending the court hearing has prompted the Supreme Court administration to initiate a probe to find the source for the leak, The News International reported citing sources.
&nbsp;
Khan's appearance via the video link was possible after Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Tuesday while hearing an appeal by the government against the annulment of certain changes in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws by the previous government had ordered the authorities to present Khan virtually for his statement.
&nbsp;
Khan had challenged the tweaks in the NAB laws and the top court in September last year had accepted his plea which reopened dozens of cases of alleged corruption against some leading politicians, including Khan&rsquo;s arch-rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.
&nbsp;
A five-member Supreme Court larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi heard the case.
&nbsp;
During the hearing, senior counsel Khawaja Haris, who earlier represented Imran Khan in the first round of litigation, appeared before the court for legal assistance while Makhdoom Ali Khan was present on behalf of the federal government, Dawn.com reported.
&nbsp;
The SC, noting that the bench was unavailable next week, adjourned the hearing indefinitely, it said.
&nbsp;
Khan appeared as a petitioner through video link in the case, but the hearing was not live streamed unlike the current practice, which had been in vogue since the top judge started it last year after becoming the chief justice. Even the previous proceedings of the case were broadcast live by the SC but not Thursday&rsquo;s hearing.
&nbsp;
Consequently, Khan's followers could not see him live for the first time since he was arrested in August last year.
&nbsp;
According to Dawn.com, speaking with media persons outside the Supreme Court, PTI&rsquo;s senator Ali Zafar said, the case is in its &ldquo;very early stages&rdquo; and added, it was the Bench&rsquo;s jurisdiction whether or not Khan&rsquo;s statement is broadcast live.
&nbsp;
However, his party shared the image of the purported video call on a laptop screen showing Khan seated in the e-court room wearing a light-blue shirt.
&nbsp;
The News International quoted sources to report that the SC authorities have started the investigations to ascertain how the image was leaked and added that the police will take action against whoever is found involved in this &ldquo;as this was done in violation of the courtroom rules.&rdquo; &ldquo;Directions have been issued to review the CCTV footage and identify the person who captured the image. After this, the frame size of the video link was minimised,&rdquo; it said.
&nbsp;
Khan&rsquo;s party said in a statement that there was no live streaming from the apex court as the registrar maintained that it was the prerogative of the bench to decide.
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Judicial process demands fairness and openness, (and) transparency can only be ensured through public view of proceedings. Refusal to stream proceedings advances unfairness and non-transparency and must be condemned. CJ has changed the process unilaterally and has discredited his own decision that brought him fame soon after he took over,&rdquo; it said.
&nbsp;
Khan has been charged in several cases, including cypher and unlawful marriage, and has remained imprisoned even though he had obtained bail in some other cases.
&nbsp;
He was arrested in August last year and since then has been incarcerated, first in the Attock Jai and now in Adiala Jail and out of sight.
&nbsp;
His appearance in court comes a day after two courts granted him relief in separate cases, including the Al-Qadir Trust matter. A division of the high court led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri granted him bail in the RS 60 billion case, while Judicial Magistrate Suhaib Bilal Ranjha also acquitted him in a case registered against him at the Khanna police station in connection with the Azadi March in 2022.
&nbsp;
Despite the relief, his party showed apprehensions about a ban on visitors in the Adiala jail, saying the move aimed to keep Khan away from the apex court proceedings.
&nbsp;
A three-member bench of the apex court in September 2023 had approved Khan&rsquo;s petition challenging amendments made to the country's accountability laws during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government.&nbsp;

Islamabad

Imran Khan appears before Pak SC, hearing ends without him speaking

An Indian national charged in connection with the killing of a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, appeared before a Canadian court and is asked to re-appear on May 21 alongside three co-accused arrested in the high-profile case that has severely strained India's relations with Canada.
&nbsp;
The 22-year-old suspect in Nijjar's killing, Amandeep Singh appeared via video in a Surrey court on Wednesday, and the matter has&nbsp;been put forward&nbsp;to next week, as per the local media reports.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Nijjar, 45, was killed outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 18, 2023.
&nbsp;
Amandeep was charged on May 11 with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, just over a week after identical charges&nbsp;were announced&nbsp;against three co-accused - Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22) and 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh.
&nbsp;
Amandeep appeared in court in Surrey virtually from Ontario, where he was already in the custody of Peel Regional Police for unrelated firearms charges.
&nbsp;
A judge set his next court date for May 21, when he'll appear alongside the other three men charged with conspiring to kill Nijjar.&nbsp;His appearance before the court was marred by technical delays.&nbsp;Over 2 dozen people gathered outside the courtroom before Amandeep's appearance, holding flags&nbsp;in support of&nbsp;Khalistan.
&nbsp;
Amandeep, Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh are all Indian nationals. Police say Amandeep&nbsp;was splitting&nbsp;his time in Canada between Brampton, Abbotsford, and Surrey.
&nbsp;
They are allegedly members of a hit squad that investigators believe was tasked by the government of India to carry out the murder of Nijjar, according to the Canadian media.
&nbsp;
Amandeep&nbsp;was already caught up&nbsp;in the Canadian justice system at the time of Nijjar's death, CBC News reported.
&nbsp;
The Indian national, who entered Canada on a temporary visa, appeared in a Surrey courtroom to answer charges on an unrelated matter just two days before he&nbsp;lay in wait&nbsp;for Nijjar at the entrance to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, according to the report.
&nbsp;
Amandeep had been arrested in Surrey on a warrant after fleeing from police in March 2023. He was charged with flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and made a first court appearance on June 16, 2023.
&nbsp;
Court documents show that his case came up before the court again 19 days after the killing, on July 7, and was proceeding through the system toward a&nbsp;trial,&nbsp;scheduled for later this&nbsp;year,&nbsp;when he was arrested on separate firearms and drug charges in Brampton last November.
&nbsp;
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
India has dismissed Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated." Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist, was wanted in India on various terror charges.
&nbsp;
India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remained that of the space given to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements in that country.
&nbsp;
Following Trudeau's allegations last year, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens.&nbsp;The visa services were resumed&nbsp;several weeks later.
&nbsp;
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had recently said that by allowing political space to Khalistani separatist elements, the Canadian government is sending a message that its vote bank is "more powerful" than its rule of law.&nbsp;

Ottawa

Indian charged for Nijjar's killing appears before Canadian court

In a recent development, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's luggage underwent scrutiny by Election Commission officials in Panchavati, Nashik, on Thursday.
&nbsp;
This incident follows allegations made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who claimed that Shinde transported bags filled with cash via helicopter to Nashik. However, Shinde's party, Shiv Sena, dismissed Raut's claims, asserting that the bags contained clothes.
&nbsp;
Raut, in a media interaction, questioned the need for financial enticement if political parties truly have the support of the people. He criticised the authorities for focusing on investigating helicopters while neglecting actions against those allegedly involved in such activities.
&nbsp;
Sanjay Shirsat, a spokesperson for Shiv Sena, refuted Raut's allegations, emphasising that the bags carried by Shinde contained only clothes. He dismissed Raut's claims as mere imagination.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Maharashtra gears up for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls scheduled for Monday, May 20. Thirteen constituencies in the state will go to polls, with prominent candidates such as Union Minister Piyush Goyal, actor-politician Bhushan Patil, and public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam vying for victory.
&nbsp;
With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra ranks second in the country after Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats.
&nbsp;
The constituencies slated for polls include Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Kalyan, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South-Central, and Mumbai South.
&nbsp;
In terms of alliances, the BJP is contesting 28 seats, Shiv Sena 15, NCP 4, and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha 1. Chief Minister Shinde has reiterated that there are no internal conflicts within the Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP under Ajit Pawar's leadership, regarding the distribution of Lok Sabha seats among allies.

Nashik

Maharashtra CM's luggage checked by EC officials

At least 11 people&nbsp;were killed&nbsp;and two others injured in lightning strikes at various places across West Bengal&rsquo;s Malda district on Thursday, police said.
&nbsp;
Two&nbsp;among&nbsp;the deceased were minors, both residents of Manikchak police station area, while three hailed from Sahapur under the jurisdiction of Malda police station, police added.
&nbsp;
Two others were from Adina under Gajol police station and Balupur under Ratua police station.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A couple died in Harishchandrapur when they were working in the fields.
&nbsp;
The rest were residents of Englishbazar and Manikchak police station areas. This is a developing story...

Kolkata

11 dead, 2 injured in Malda lightning

Madhavi Raje Scindia, Rajmata of the royal house of Gwalior, wife of the late Congress stalwart Madhavrao Scindia and &nbsp;mother of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, was cremated on Thursday at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.
&nbsp;
The pyre was lit by Jyotiraditya Scindia at the Chhatri Maidan in the evening after he performed a shanti havan in the presence of royal family members from Gwalior and Nepal as well as senior BJP leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
&nbsp;
Earlier in the day, Madhavi Raje&rsquo;s body was brought to Gwalior from Delhi by air ambulance and taken to the royal residence, Jai Vilas Complex. As crowds gathered at the airport and on the route to the Complex, Jyotiraditya Scindia ordered to doors of the vehicle to be opened to allow people a last glimpse of his mother.
&nbsp;
Madhavi Raje, who was critically ill and on ventilator support for the last few days, passed away on Wednesday morning at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi after a three-month battle with pneumonia and sepsis.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
From the royal lineage of Nepal, she was named Kiran Rajya Lakshmi Kumari Devi and was daughter of General Yuvraj Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana and Rani Indira Rajya Lakshmi Kumari. Her great grandfather was the Prime Minister of Nepal and Maharaja of Kaski and Lamjung, Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana.
&nbsp;
She met Madhavrao Scindia for the first time at a five-star hotel in Delhi. As the popular story goes, Madhavrao Scindia, son of Jiwajirao Scindia, the last ruling Maharaja of Gwalior, had just returned to India from the UK where he studied &nbsp;at New College, Oxford. He espied and was very taken in by the young princess ordering ice-cream and chips in the hotel's restaurant and walked up to her, asking why she had to come down from the cooler climes of Nepal to eat something so cold.
&nbsp;
Being too shy, however to take matters further, he asked his mother Vijaya Raje Scindia to send a marriage proposal to her family. Kiran Rajya Lakshmi's people were quicker, however, and sent out a royal invitation to the Gwalior royals before they could.
&nbsp;
Her name was changed to Madhavi Raje after marriage.
&nbsp;
The couple&rsquo;s wedding at Delhi&rsquo;s Imperial Hotel had a star-studded attendance with guests including Indira Gandhi and President S Radhakrishnan.
&nbsp;
Madhavi Raje is survived by her son Jyotiraditya Scindia and daughter Chitrangada Raje Singh.

Gwalior

Rajmata Madhavi Raje Scindia cremated at Gwalior

In a bid to persuade the Eastern Nagaland Peoples&rsquo; Organisation (ENPO) to reverse its decision to boycott the upcoming urban local body (ULB) elections, the Nagaland government has extended a plea, emphasising the significance of participation for the broader welfare of the populace.
&nbsp;
The ENPO, representing seven Naga tribes in the region, has steadfastly pressed for a separate state since 2010, citing prolonged neglect of six districts in eastern Nagaland.
&nbsp;
Following the ENPO's communication to the State Election Commission (SEC) announcing their intention to abstain from the ULB elections scheduled for June 26, the state government reiterated its call during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
&nbsp;
State Minister K G Kenye articulated the government's appeal to the ENPO, underlining the court-directed imperative of the elections, particularly stemming from protracted legal tussles over women&rsquo;s representation in ULBs.
&nbsp;
The Eastern Nagaland populace, in a resolute&nbsp;stance&nbsp;mirrored in the "Chenmoho Resolution" reaffirmed on March 19, vowed non-participation in state and central elections until the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), pledged by the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 7, 2023.
&nbsp;
April's Lok Sabha elections witnessed a stark manifestation of this resolve, with zero voter turnout in the six eastern districts, symbolising a collective discontent with the delay in FNT realization.
&nbsp;
Despite sustained appeals through correspondence and public demonstrations, the ENPO lamented the purported indifference of the Ministry of Home Affairs towards their demands, constraining them to resort to such drastic measures as abstention from electoral processes.
&nbsp;
Clarifying their stance, the ENPO emphasised that their decision transcends mere defiance of democratic principles, instead constituting a principled assertion within the constitutional framework, aimed at spotlighting the legitimate grievances and aspirations of the eastern Nagaland populace.
&nbsp;
Addressing another pertinent issue,&nbsp;Kenye&nbsp;addressed the Centre's decision to revoke the free movement regime along the India-Myanmar border, a significant portion of which lies within Nagaland.
&nbsp;
The state assembly had previously passed a resolution, urging the Centre to reconsider this move, which entails fencing the border and retracting the free movement privilege, allowing movement up to 16 km on either side of the international boundary.

Kohima

Nagaland govt urges ENPO to reconsider boycott stand on ULB elections

Biju Janata Dal nominee Santrupt Misra with a total asset of Rs 482.21 crore, has emerged as the richest Lok Sabha poll candidate among those in the fray for the May 25 elections in Odisha, according to a report.
&nbsp;
With a total asset of Rs 482.21 crore, BJD&rsquo;s MP candidate for the Cuttack segment, Misra, is the richest, followed by Abinash Samal (Rs 36.78 crore), who is contesting from the Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat. 
&nbsp;
Misra, who grew up in Odisha, was the CEO, Birla Carbon; Director, Chemicals; and Director, Group Human Resources for the Aditya Birla Group. Additionally, he is a close confidant of chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The Odisha Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 64 candidates of the six Lok Sabha constituencies going to polls in the third phase in the state.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Voters of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Puri and Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituencies, along with 42 assembly segments coming under these LS seats will exercise their franchise on May 25.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">As per the report, 28 (44 per cent) out of 64 Lok Sabha candidates are crorepatis, and the average of assets per candidate contesting in the phase-III Lok Sabha elections in Odisha stood at Rs 11.80 crore.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">With a total asset of Rs 482.21 crore, BJD&rsquo;s MP candidate for the Cuttack segment, Santrupt Misra, is the richest, followed by Abinash Samal (Rs 36.78 crore), who is contesting from the Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Bahujan Samaj Party nominee of Keonjhar Lok Sabha constituency, Ram Prasad Hembram, is the third richest candidate with a total asset of Rs 35.81 crore, it said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Union Minister and BJP nominee from Sambalpur LS segment, Dharmendra Pradhan has declared that he owns assets worth Rs 6.92 crore, while Sambit Patra, BJP candidate from Puri, has declared assets worth Rs 1.98 crore.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">BJP national spokesperson and Bhubaneswar candidate Aparajita Sarangi has total assets worth Rs 4.62 crore, the report said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Similarly, BJD nominees Pranab Prakash Das (Sambalpur), Arup Mohan Patnaik (Puri) and Manmath Kumar Routray (Bhubaneswar) have declared that they own assets of Rs 2.30 crore, Rs 22.97 crore and Rs 15.57 crore, respectively.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Three candidates with low assets are Dillip Kumar Baral (Rs 4,032), independently contesting from the Puri Lok Sabha seat, SUCI candidate Subash Chandra Bhoi (Rs 19,500) from Puri and Bharatiya Bikash Parishad nominee Natabar Maharana (Rs 25,000) from Bhubaneswar, the report said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Out of 64 candidates, 18 have declared criminal cases against them and out of them, 13 are facing serious criminal cases.

Bhubaneswar

Odisha's richest BJD LS candidate from Cuttack gears up for May 25 polls

Industry analysts project that India's internet economy will surge to $1 trillion by 2030, driven predominantly by the rising e-commerce sector.
&nbsp;
With an anticipated value of $325 billion, e-commerce is set to secure third position globally, according to insights from industry experts.
&nbsp;
In a recent virtual roundtable hosted by InGovern Research Services, key developments in India's e-commerce landscape were examined, with a significant emphasis on the role of customer trust in propelling its growth.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Notably, the year 2023 marked a turning point for the e-commerce industry in India, marked by shifts in consumer behavior, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks.
&nbsp;
Siju Narayan, Chief Experience Officer at RexEmptor Consult LLP, emphasized the challenges facing the rapid expansion of quick commerce, particularly in diversifying product categories.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Madhumita Mohanty, a retail consultant and educator, attributed the growth of e-commerce in India to factors such as increasing mobile phone and internet penetration, rising aspirations, urbanization, and the adoption of Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
&nbsp;
She highlighted the critical role of e-commerce in catering to the demands of consumers in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, where access to diverse products may be limited.
&nbsp;

India's internet economy targets $1 trillion by 2030, driven by E-commerce

As Himachal Pradesh gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, the poll campaigning in the state faces name-calling and personal attacks, such as&nbsp;'Kale naag',&nbsp;'bigda shehzada',&nbsp;and&nbsp;'husn pari'.&nbsp;The fury stemming from the cross-voting by 6 Congress rebels during the Rajya Sabha polls in February can also be seen in the Lok Sabha election campaign. Several senior political figures have condemned this trend as a disturbing development.
&nbsp;
The level of politics is deteriorating&nbsp;every day,&nbsp;senior BJP leader and former chief minister Shanta Kumar&nbsp;said here.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Even leaders&nbsp;who are&nbsp;in the news for their harsh speeches and name-calling say such behaviour is uncalled for when they find themselves at the receiving end of such language.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also spoken out against the nature of campaign rhetoric for the ongoing elections.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh had never witnessed such remarks during elections and this behaviour is against the&nbsp;culture of the state.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
But&nbsp;Sukhu&rsquo;s&nbsp;language against Congress leaders who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls has also been termed by the BJP as&nbsp;'offensive'.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sukhu upset over what he said were attempts to topple his government, dubbed the Congress rebels as&nbsp;"kale naag"&nbsp;(black snakes) and&nbsp;"bikau"&nbsp;(on sale) and stuck to his&nbsp;&ldquo;bikau versus tikau&rdquo;&nbsp;tirade against them during his campaign trail.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Nine legislators &ndash; the six Congress rebels and three independent MLAs &ndash; voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27. They later joined the BJP&nbsp;and&nbsp;the six former Congress MLAs are now contesting the assembly bypolls on BJP tickets from their respective constituencies.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
At a rally in Kutlehar, the assembly constituency represented by Congress rebel Devinder Kumar Bhutto&nbsp;who&nbsp;was disqualified&nbsp;from the House for defying a party whip, Sukhu allegedly&nbsp;remarked&nbsp;&ldquo;Bhutto ko Kooto (beat Bhutto)&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
The BJP filed a complaint with the&nbsp;state&rsquo;s&nbsp;chief electoral officer, accusing Sukhu of inciting violence.
&nbsp;
Another candidate who has been in the thick of controversies since her nomination for the Lok Sabha election is&nbsp;BJP&rsquo;s&nbsp;candidate from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut.
&nbsp;
Soon after her nomination, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate posted a picture of Ranaut and captioned&nbsp;it&nbsp;&ldquo;Mandi main bhav kya chal raha hai&rdquo;.&nbsp;The post, considered derogatory, faced massive backlash, prompting Shrinate to remove the remarks from&nbsp;all of&nbsp;her social accounts. She claimed that they had been posted not by her but by someone else who had access to her accounts.
&nbsp;
Ranaut has also indulged in a fair share of name-calling and&nbsp;has&nbsp;referred to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Vikramaditya Singh &ndash;&nbsp;also&nbsp;her rival for the Mandi seat &ndash; as&nbsp;"bada pappu"&nbsp;and&nbsp;"chhota pappu".
&nbsp;
She has also targeted Congress leaders of the Gandhi-Nehru family, from former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Motilal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi during her campaign, calling the Congress&nbsp;&ldquo;a disease&rdquo;&nbsp;and&nbsp;&ldquo;termite&rdquo;&nbsp;left by Britishers, which was&nbsp;&ldquo;eating the country&rdquo;&nbsp;till 2014.
&nbsp;
The actor has also referred to Vikramaditya as&nbsp;&ldquo;bigda shehzada&rdquo;&nbsp;(spoilt prince), asserting that she was not in politics due to her father or&nbsp;husband&rsquo;s&nbsp;influence.&nbsp;Vikramaditya&rsquo;s&nbsp;father&nbsp;Virbhadra&nbsp;Singh&nbsp;is a 4-time chief minister of the state&nbsp;and&nbsp;his mother&nbsp;Pratibha&nbsp;Singh&nbsp;is the sitting MP from Mandi.
&nbsp;
Pratibha, the state Congress president, has called Ranaut a&nbsp;&ldquo;pari&rdquo;&nbsp;and that people only come to see her.
&nbsp;
Reacting to the remark, the&nbsp;actor's&nbsp;mother&nbsp;Asha&nbsp;Ranaut&nbsp;said senior Congress leaders are&nbsp;making comments like&nbsp;&ldquo;yeh husn pari hai&rdquo;,&nbsp;and&nbsp;&ldquo;yeh kya cheez hai",&nbsp;forgetting that they also have daughters at&nbsp;their&nbsp;home.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Being a mother, I am pained and feel that other mothers are also&nbsp;feeling&nbsp;sad due to such remarks.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Several senior&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;too&nbsp;flagged&nbsp;indecent language used in the campaign. Om Prakash Sood, an 88-year-old businessman, said,&nbsp;"Lines of civility have&nbsp;been crossed, we&nbsp;have never witnessed such a low-level political campaign in Himachal Pradesh, which is known as&nbsp;&lsquo;Dev Bhoomi&rsquo;,&nbsp;where people are respectful and decent."&nbsp;

Shimla

Himachal poll campaigning plagued with name-calling, personal attacks

India is poised to achieve a significant milestone in its economic journey, as projected by Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
&nbsp;
Sanyal predicts that by the fiscal year 2024-25, India's economy will reach the USD 4 trillion mark, propelling it to become the world's fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan.
&nbsp;
Sanyal's optimism stems from India's steady economic growth trajectory, despite facing challenges such as weak exports. He views a 7 per cent growth rate as commendable, considering the prevailing constraints. This fiscal year, India is anticipated to achieve the USD 4 trillion economy milestone, according to Sanyal.
&nbsp;
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier indicated India's trajectory towards becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2027, overtaking Japan and Germany. Currently ranked fifth globally in nominal terms, India's economy stands at approximately USD 3.7 trillion.
&nbsp;
Highlighting Japan's economy slightly ahead at USD 4.1 trillion, Sanyal predicts India's imminent overtaking of Japan's position. He also anticipates India surpassing Germany, currently a USD 4.6 trillion economy, in the near future.
&nbsp;
Sanyal advocates for a pragmatic approach towards economic growth, cautioning against overly aggressive fiscal measures to achieve 8-9 per cent growth. He emphasises the significance of sustained growth around 7 per cent, citing its positive implications for job creation and revenue generation.
&nbsp;
While various institutions project India's growth rate for FY25 differently, Sanyal advises against fixating on achieving exceptionally high growth rates in any specific year.
&nbsp;
He draws attention to Southeast Asian countries' experiences in the mid-90s, cautioning against reckless economic policies that could lead to crises.
&nbsp;
Regarding the internationalisation of the rupee, Sanyal underscores India's aim to establish the rupee as a hard currency over the next decade.
&nbsp;
This objective involves enhancing the rupee's prominence in global trade and financial transactions, without aspiring to become the world's anchor currency. Measures such as inflation rate targeting are part of India's strategy to bolster the rupee's international acceptance and utility.
&nbsp;
Sanyal's insights shed light on India's economic aspirations and the strategic approaches required to realise them. As India continues its journey towards economic prominence, prudent policies and steady growth are essential for sustainable development and global integration.

PM EAC member Sanjeev Sanyal forecasts India as 4th largest economy by FY25

On an otherwise quiet Monday morning at Gurudwara Patna Sahib, PM Narendra Modi was photographed paying obeisance, stirring up a large iron pot in the community kitchen, followed by serving the langer in the langar hall. Like with all things political, Modi&rsquo;s visit to the gurdwara too, received a few nods and raised a few eyebrows.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Located in the state capital, Patna Sahib is one of the five takhts of the Sikhs. But Modi&rsquo;s detractors were not ready to detach the timing of the visit from the visit. It&rsquo;s poll season and all eyes now lead to Punjab, which goes to voting during the last phase of elections.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In fact, many on social media platform X were quick to remind of Modi&rsquo;s visit to Gurdwara&nbsp; Rakabganj Sahib in New Delhi back in December of 2020. The PM visited the Sikh temple on the occasion of the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Tegh Bahadur on a Sunday morning to mark a surprise visit sans any security inconvenience or restriction to the common worshipers.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;Back then again, the timing of the visit did not go unnoticed, nor was he extended any benefit of the doubt by trollers. &ldquo;This morning, I prayed at the historic Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib where the pious body of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was cremated. I felt extremely blessed. I, like millions around the world, am deeply inspired by the kindness of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji,&rdquo;. PM's visit and tweet came amidst intense protests by farmers against the three farm laws enacted by the government. Some also interpreted the visit against the backdrop of the upcoming Legislative elections in the state of Punjab, wherein later the Aam Aadmi Party garnered a sweeping majority by winning 92 out of the 117 seats, making Bhagwant Mann its incumbent Chief Minister.&nbsp;
 
Punjab is unpredictable&nbsp;
&nbsp;
On the anvil are Lok Sabha polls and all 13 of the constituencies are a battle hardly predictable. Punjab is known to have never voted on sectarian lines, unlike many other states, parts and regions of India where caste, community and religion cards have worked.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Even a fleeting look at the outcomes of the past elections makes it amply clear. The 2014 battle fought by the late Arun Jaitley and Captain Amarinder Singh is often cited as one of the many cases in point. While Arun Jaitley, a Hindu, received a thumbs-up from Sikh-dominated areas while representing the SAD-BJP alliance; Captain Amarinder Singh, a Sikh received the majority of the votes from Hindu-dominated areas. If at all, the state&rsquo;s only communal party Shiromani Akali Dal came to power in 2004 under the late Parkash Singh Badal riding on the promises of free electricity and power rather than any religious sentiments.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The state has a tendency to throw away incumbent governments&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Thereby the state also has a tendency to give a chance to every political outfit regardless of the ideology or colour. In 2012, if SAD was voted in, then it was voted out in 2017 in favour of Congress. In 2014, AAP made an entry with an encouraging 4 seats, along with SAD which also received 4 seats. While Congress could secure only 3 and the BJP 2. Five years later in 2019, INC won 8 seats while BJP and SAD 2 each and AAP only 1.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Moving on, in 2022, while Congress&rsquo; incumbent CM Charanjit Singh Channi was shown to be a popular figure in the surveys, the state gave a resounding victory to AAP in the legislative elections. Thereby clearly signifying Punjab was open to new parties, and new leaders and ready to give chances to anyone handing out the hope of stability and development.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
As against the national trends in the past two general elections, the BJP has struggled to find any real footing in the state. Notably, this is the first time that AAP will be testing waters with Lok Sabha polls as an incumbent party.&nbsp;

PM dons a turban, Punjab goes to polls in Phase 7; what to expect?

The soaring temperatures in Guwahati have prompted a delightful change for the residents of the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden.
&nbsp;
A team of experts has devised a summer diet plan to keep the zoo's inhabitants cool and comfortable. With 1,277 animals, including 181 exotic species and 1,096 indigenous species, the zoo is leaving no stone unturned to cater to the dietary needs of its diverse residents.
&nbsp;
"Summer can be a real challenge for our animals," explained Ashwini Kumar, DFO of the Assam State Zoo. "They become lethargic and tire easily. Our primary goal is to keep them hydrated and prevent any discomfort," he added.
&nbsp;
To achieve this, the zoo has convened a dedicated committee of experts. This panel meticulously revises the animals' dietary needs each year, crafting a customised plan to meet their specific requirements.
&nbsp;
"We've placed a special emphasis on incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables," Kumar elaborated.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"These help to cool their digestive systems and provide essential hydration," he said.
&nbsp;
The zoo's diverse population, encompassing everything from majestic mammals to exotic&nbsp;birds and fascinating reptiles, enjoys a lavish selection of nutritious meals.
&nbsp;
The seven macaws, for instance, typically receive a daily allotment of nuts (50g walnuts, 15g almonds, and 50g sunflower seeds) alongside fruits like mangoes and apples. However, with the mercury rising, these vibrant birds will now be treated to refreshing electrolyte popsicles.
&nbsp;
The zoo's solitary kangaroo, accustomed to a diet of 1kg hydroponic grass, 300g long beans, 50g soybean flake, and 500g carrots, will be introduced to a summer bounty of juicy fruits.
&nbsp;
Mousambis (sweet limes), pears, watermelons, and apples will be added to its menu, providing a welcome burst of hydration and essential vitamins.
&nbsp;
Similar adjustments are being made for the zoo's herbivores, including sambhars, serows, and deer.
&nbsp;
Their usual fare of wheat bran, bengal gram, mustard oil cake, and moong dal will be supplemented with refreshing fruits like cucumbers, papayas, and berries.
&nbsp;
These additions will help to combat the dangers of heatstroke and dehydration.
&nbsp;
The zoo's two orangutans, intelligent and social creatures, will continue to enjoy a diet rich in variety.
&nbsp;
Their daily menu includes 50g beans, two bananas, 200g each of papaya and guava, 200g beetroot, a length of sugarcane, and 150g of sweet lemon.
&nbsp;
To further ensure their well-being during the hot months, the zookeepers will provide them with electrolyte-enhanced water.
&nbsp;
Dr. Panchami Sharma, a senior veterinary officer at the zoo, shed light on the rationale behind the dietary changes.
&nbsp;
"We've significantly increased the amount of seasonal fruits and vegetables in the animals' diets," she explained.
&nbsp;
She further added, "These items are high in water content, which is crucial for staying cool and hydrated."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Dr. Sharma noted that watermelons, mangoes, and apples will be offered not just as whole fruits, but also in juice form, providing a delightful and hydrating beverage option.

Guwahati

Assam Zoo's summer menu keeps animals cool

Rains in Kerala are likely to intensify in the next few days as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted very heavy rainfall in the state between May 18 and 20 due to likely prevalence of strong westerly and south westerly winds in the region.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The IMD issued an orange alert for Palakkad and Malappuram for May 18, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki for May 19 and in seven districts of the state for May 20.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">It also said that while an orange alert has been issued in some districts for May 20, the rainfall would probably be similar to that of a red alert.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">For today, the IMD issued a yellow alert in nine out of the 14 districts of the state.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rain (6 cm to 20 cm). A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 to 11 cm.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The IMD also predicted thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds from today till May 20 in some places in Kerala.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">It further said that squally weather with strong winds are likely to prevail along and off the southern Kerala coast and advised fishermen in those areas not to venture into the sea from May 18 to 20.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">As a result of the heavy rains and winds, there is a likelihood of poor visibility, waterlogging of roads, uprooting of trees, damage to vulnerable structures, possibility of flash floods, landslides, etc, the IMD said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">It advised people to follow traffic advisories, avoid staying in vulnerable structures, stay away from river fronts or areas that face water-logging problems, and not work in the fields during thunderstorms and lightning, etc. 
&nbsp;

Thiruvananthapuram

IMD issues orange alert in several districts of Kerala, forecasts heavy rainfall

Tamil Nadu is one of the best states in the country for an economic zone as the state is one of the most industrialised in India, a senior official of global logistics company DP World has said.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">DP World has started operations at its largest free trade warehouse zone in India in Chennai.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The Chennai facility is the company&rsquo;s second free trade warehouse zone (FTWZ) in India after Mumbai that was established 18 months old.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">DP World&rsquo;s CEO&mdash; Economic Zones, India Subcontinent and MENA, Ranjit Ray, said Chennai also has strategic advantages since it is connected to South Asia, Africa, Australia via the sea route.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Tamil Nadu is one of the best states in the country for an economic zone. We just started business and now have 15 per cent occupancy in six months,&rdquo; he said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">DP World&rsquo;s Chennai economic zone is spread over 6 lakh sq ft with a potential to grow to 2 million sq ft.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Tamil Nadu has been one of the most industrialised states in the country for the last 40-50 years, Ray said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">DP World&rsquo;s Integrated Chennai Business Park (ICBP) economic zone is located within a 40-km radius of key ports, including Kattupalli (15 km), Ennore (11 km), and Chennai (27 km), streamlining cargo transportation to and from the city.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">In India, Ray said DP World has three economic zones&mdash; in Chennai spread over 125 acres, the second one is 85 acres in Mumbai JNPA, and at Cochin that will be operational soon.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Economic zones in India are also called free trade zones or free trade warehousing zones. They are considered deemed foreign territory within the country borders where goods may be imported, handled, assembled, consolidated, re-exported or cleared into domestic area in a hassle-free manner.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
The new economic zone in Chennai will cater to several sectors, including auto, electronics, IT, telecom, healthcare, chemicals, and petrochemicals by providing them with a strategic base in the Indian subcontinent. 
&nbsp;

Chennai

Tamil Nadu among best states for economic zone: DP World CEO

In a move that raises eyebrows, the European Commission has set its sights on Meta Platforms, accusing the social media titan of potentially harming children's mental health and drowing them into addictive behavior through its flagship platforms, Facebook and Instagram.
&nbsp;
While concerns about safeguarding minors are undoubtedly valid, the Commission's decision to launch an investigation seems like yet another instance of regulatory overreach.
&nbsp;
By singling out Meta, the EU risks setting a precedent of stifling innovation and imposing excessive restrictions on digital platforms.
&nbsp;
Meta's alleged transgressions under the Digital Services Act (DSA) appear to be part of a broader trend where governments worldwide are flexing their regulatory muscles to rein in tech giants.
&nbsp;
However, the ability of such heavy-handed tactics remains dubious, often overshadowed by consequences and the erosion of digital freedom.
&nbsp;
Critics argue that Meta's culpability in designing addictive features is merely a symptom of a broader societal issue, where personal responsibility and parental oversight are sidelined in favor of placing the blame on corporate shoulders.
&nbsp;
Moreover, the EU's scrutiny of Meta's age-verification methods and algorithmic designs comes across as reactionary rather than proactive.
&nbsp;
While ensuring child safety online is undoubtedly crucial, it begs the question: Shouldn't parents and guardians play a more significant role in monitoring their children's online activities?
&nbsp;
Critics point that despite Meta's efforts to comply with regulatory standards, the EU seems determined to find fault, raising doubts about the investigation's impartiality.

Brussels

EU takes Meta to task: Protecting children or overreach?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday made a significant announcement during a rally in Bihar's Sitamarhi, declaring the Bharatiya Janata Party's plan to construct a temple dedicated to Goddess Sita in the region.
&nbsp;
Shah expressed the BJP's commitment to this endeavour, stating, "We, the BJP, don't get scared of the 'vote bank'. PM Modi has built the temple of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, and now the work that is left is to build a great memorial at the birthplace of Ma Sita."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Shah emphasised the party's dedication to completing this project, attributing the capability to accomplish such a feat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
&nbsp;
The proposed temple holds significant cultural and religious importance, rooted in Hindu scriptures, which narrate the legend of Sita's origins near Sitamarhi, where she emerged from an earthen pot while Raja Janak ploughed the fields.
&nbsp;
Shah's announcement comes several months after Prime Minister Modi presided over the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, reinforcing the BJP's commitment to religious and cultural heritage.
&nbsp;
Sitamarhi, one of Bihar's 40 constituencies, is set to go to polls in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Amit Shah utilised the platform of the rally to criticise Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, accusing him of engaging in power politics and aligning with the Congress party for personal gains.
&nbsp;
Furthermore, Shah highlighted the BJP-led government's achievements, contrasting them with the alleged negligence of previous administrations. He underscored the importance of development in Bihar, advocating for "vikasraj" (rule of development) over "jungleraj" (rule of lawlessness).
&nbsp;
In the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured victory in 39 out of the 40 seats in Bihar.

Patna

Amit Shah vows to construct grand Sita temple in Bihar's Sitamarhi

In a significant boost to farm exports from Odisha, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the state have marked their foray into the global markets with the first commercial shipment of fresh mangoes and vegetables.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">This feat was made possible through a strategic collaboration between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the state Directorate of Horticulture and Palladium which is the technical support unit for the 'Promotion and Stabilisation of Farmer Producer Organisations (PSFPO)&rsquo; project.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">On May 15, as much as 0.75 tonne of fresh vegetables were exported to Dubai from the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneshwar. This included 0.5 MT supplied by the Madanamohana Farmers Producer Cooperative Society Ltd, an FPO from Dhenkanal district, a statement said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Besides, 1.22 tonne of premium Amrapali and Dussehri variety mangoes from the same FPO were shipped to Italy over the last couple of days, it said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Farmers associated with these FPOs realised 20-30 per cent higher prices for their produce in the export markets as compared to domestic sales, it added.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Lauding the efforts, Sitakanata Mandal, APEDA&rsquo;s Regional Head, said, &ldquo;We wanted to facilitate exports of fresh produce this season. Our partnership with Palladium made this possible as they identified and connected the FPOs with exporters. The work done by Palladium in linking Odisha's FPOs with global markets is praiseworthy,&rdquo; Mandal added.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Biswajit Behera, Associate Director of Palladium, said with over 800 FPOs, Odisha has immense potential to export fresh farm produce worldwide.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The market linkages created with export supply chains will boost farmer incomes and create sustainable business opportunities for the state&rsquo;s FPOs, he stated.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;We aim to provide more such global markets connected to FPOs in remote areas and help them adopt efficient quality control systems to scale up their operations,&rdquo; Behera said. 
&nbsp;

Odisha FPOs tap global markets with first export of mangoes, vegetables

'Give me the right roles and right directors, I can do magic', says Actor Sonakshi Sinha as she's all praises for her role in "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar", a Netflix series.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sinha says she decided to change her career trajectory almost a decade ago to focus on roles that challenged her&nbsp;and&nbsp;that's what&nbsp;has led her to projects like "Dahaad" and now "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar".
&nbsp;
While she played a no-nonsense small-town cop in Reema Kagti's critically-acclaimed "Dahaad", Sonakshi is being praised for her turn as the vengeful Fareedan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's pre-Partition era Lahore-set drama about courtesans.
&nbsp;
The actor said it was not easy to pull off dual roles of mother-daughter Rehanna and Fareedan in the eight-part Netflix series&nbsp;but&nbsp;she managed it thanks to Bhansali's trust in her capabilities. Bhansali had earlier produced Sonakshi's 2012 movie "Rowdy Rathore".
&nbsp;
"If you give me the right roles and right directors, I can do magic," Sonakshi said in an interview.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The actor also credits former collaborators Kagti, Vikramaditya Motwane ("Lootera"), and "Akira" director A R Murugadoss for imagining her in a different light.
&nbsp;
"I'm just looking for parts that truly challenge me and help me reach my potential...&nbsp;Once I changed my trajectory into&nbsp;doing&nbsp;the kind of roles that challenged me, I&nbsp;ended up becoming&nbsp;a better actor.&nbsp;And all those experiences have brought me to where I am today," she added.
&nbsp;
Sonakshi, made her debut with &ldquo;Dabangg&rdquo; opposite Salman Khan in 2010 and featured in many films opposite Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn before taking on roles in "Lootera",&nbsp;&ldquo;Akira&rdquo;,&nbsp;&ldquo;Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi&rdquo; and &ldquo;Khandaani Shafakhana&rdquo;,&nbsp;is happy that films led by women are doing well commercially.
&nbsp;
Citing the example of "Crew",&nbsp;the actor said she called up its lead actors Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon to congratulate them for making a "super cool" film.
&nbsp;
"I've been choosing movies&nbsp;that&nbsp;are&nbsp;led&nbsp;by a female protagonist for a while now&nbsp;and&nbsp;I'm enjoying them. The success and failure of those movies haven't set me back in any way. It's been about seven-eight years since I've been doing&nbsp;that&nbsp;so I haven't stopped.
&nbsp;
"I'm going to keep trying until it works... The time is right for movies like that. It's amazing to be a part of an industry that is finally coming around to you, projecting and showcasing women-led films in this manner. I enjoy being the hero of my films," she added.
&nbsp;
Sonakshi, 36, said directors such as Imtiaz Ali, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shetty, and Priyadarshan are now on her wish list.
&nbsp;
"I want to be that actor which a filmmaker can cast in any genre, and&nbsp;in&nbsp;any role... I can play a police officer from rural Rajasthan (in &lsquo;Dahaad&rsquo;)&nbsp;and&nbsp;I can also play a courtesan from Lahore (in &lsquo;Heeramandi&rsquo;), who's exquisite in every way.
&nbsp;
"I can also play an action role as &lsquo;Akira&rsquo; or play a hopeless lover as I did in &lsquo;Lootere&rsquo;,&nbsp;or do the song and dance as in &lsquo;Rowdy Rathore&rsquo;,&nbsp;&lsquo;Dabangg&rsquo; or &lsquo;Son of Sardaar&rsquo;,&nbsp;I can do all of that. I don't want to put myself in any box."
&nbsp;
While Sonakshi's role has earned her acclaim, the show has received polarising reviews.
&nbsp;
Addressing the varied reactions of viewers and critics, the actor said, &ldquo;Everybody's entitled to their opinion&nbsp;and&nbsp;you can't please everyone. I got to learn that early in my career there will always be someone who will have a different taste. So, that's fine, you&nbsp;can&rsquo;t hold that against anyone.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We are&nbsp;very happy&nbsp;to focus on the positives. On Instagram, it&rsquo;s all about &lsquo;Heeramandi&rsquo;, the girls are imitating fashion, makeup, jewellery, and&nbsp;making reels on the songs." The actor is looking forward to the release of &ldquo;Kakuda&rdquo;,&nbsp;a horror-comedy with director Aditya Sarpotdar, a thriller &ldquo;Nikita Roy and the Book of Darkness&rdquo;,&nbsp;helmed by her brother Kussh Sinha, and a romantic thriller with first-time director Karan Rawal.
&nbsp;
"I've worked with established and absolute newcomer directors because I believed in them. Everybody should&nbsp;be given&nbsp;a chance; I was also new at some point of time. If a director has a vision and if I can help him execute that vision, I would love to work with them,&rdquo; Sinha said.
&nbsp;
The actor said she had a blast working on her first&nbsp;horror-comedy&nbsp;&ldquo;Kakuda&rdquo; and&nbsp;it was great to see&nbsp;her brother bloom as a director on &ldquo;Nikita Roy and the Book of Darkness&rdquo;.&nbsp;

'Give me right roles, I'll do magic', says Sonakshi Sinha

The Indian table tennis contingent for the Paris Olympics is set, with veteran Sharath Kamal and World No. 24 Manika Batra poised to lead&nbsp;the charge in a historic first for the country - the team events.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) selection committee unveiled a six-member squad (three each for men and women) on Thursday, adhering to Olympic norms. Additionally, participants for the singles events&nbsp;were finalised.
&nbsp;
Kamal,&nbsp;a seasoned campaigner,&nbsp;will be joined by&nbsp;Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar in the men's team.&nbsp;Manika will spearhead the women's squad alongside Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath. G. Sathiyan and Ayhika Mukherjee will serve as valuable backups as "Alternate Players" in their respective categories.
&nbsp;
Sharath and Harmeet will shoulder the responsibility in the men's singles, while Manika and Sreeja will vie for glory in the women's competition. The selections&nbsp;were meticulously based&nbsp;on the latest world rankings.
&nbsp;
This upcoming Parisian sojourn will mark a momentous occasion for 41-year-old Kamal, who will be making his fifth and final Olympic appearance,&nbsp;having debuted&nbsp;on the grand stage&nbsp;back&nbsp;in 2004.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The selection process,&nbsp;adhering to pre-established TTFI criteria, saw three players practically "selecting themselves" through consistent performances and high world rankings.
&nbsp;
However, a healthy debate arose regarding the women's team's third player. While Manika and Sreeja Akula secured their spots courtesy of their top-50 rankings, Archana Kamath (ranked 103) edged out Ayhika Mukherjee (133) for the final position.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Bengaluru paddler's superior ranking, along with&nbsp;other factors,&nbsp;tilted the decision in her favour.
&nbsp;
Sharath, the highest-ranked Indian at No. 40, led the men's contingent.&nbsp;Harmeet (No. 63) and Manav (No. 62) were separated by a mere slot in the world rankings.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Despite both&nbsp;making the cut, the selectors favoured National champion Harmeet based on his international performance, reflected in a superior win-loss ratio, and his domestic achievements.
&nbsp;
The presence of Massimo Costantini as a special invitee at the selection meeting proved to be a significant factor.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The esteemed foreign expert's insights&nbsp;played a crucial role&nbsp;in finalising the squads. Costantini, returning for his third stint as the Indian team coach, arrived in India earlier this week and will formally take charge soon.
&nbsp;
Alternate players Sathiyan and Ayhika will be part of the travelling contingent but will not&nbsp;be housed&nbsp;in the official Games Village. Their inclusion serves as a safety net in case of unforeseen injuries.

Sharath, Manika to lead table tennis debut for India at Paris Olympics

Stakes are high for former BJP Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur in Mandi Parliamentary constituency, where Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has been fielded.
&nbsp;
It will be a re-test of Thakur&rsquo;s hold in his home district Mandi which falls in the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, especially as BJP, which lost power in the state, won nine out of ten Assembly segments in the district in the 2022 Assembly polls under his leadership. People voted for BJP to save Thakur&rsquo;s prestige, who was the first Chief Minister from the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh from 2017-2022.
&nbsp;
Thakur lost the Lok Sabha election to Pratibha Singh of Congress (now sitting MP) in the 2013 by-poll with a margin of 1.36 lakh votes. Since then he hasn't contested the Lok Sabha poll. In 2014, due to his reluctance, the BJP picked up Ram Swaroop Sharma on the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, who unexpectedly defeated Pratibha Singh by a margin of 39,796 votes. Swaroop won the 2019 election against Aashray Sharma of Congress by nearly 4 lakh votes in a strong Modi wave.
&nbsp;
However, Swaroop&rsquo;s demise in 2021 was followed by the Congress nominee, Pratibha Singh winning the election against BJP&rsquo;s Brigadier (retd) Khushal Thakur when the BJP was in power and Jairam Thakur was the Chief Minister.
Mandi Parliamentary constituency is the toughest in Himachal Pradesh, and along with nine Assembly constituencies of Mandi district (only barring Dharampur which falls in Hamirpur Parliamentary seat), it includes Kullu district, Rampur Assembly segment of Shimla district and tribal Assembly constituencies&ndash;Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur and Bharmour. 
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the scenario in the Mandi Parliamentary constituency is different as it is the first time that the party has chosen to field a popular Bollywood actress, Kangana Ranaut in Mandi. She hails from the Mandi district and has made Mandi a hot seat. Cautiously treading, Congress also gave a ticket to its best bet, Vikramaditya Singh, PWD minister, two-time MLA and son of former six-time Congress CM and former Union Minister, late Virbhadra Singh, in Mandi. 
Vikramaditya entry&ndash; Whose mother, the Pradesh Congress Committee Chief, Pratibha Singh is a sitting MP and whose father Virbhadra Singh had a personal team of old loyalists in Mandi Parliamentary constituency, which he has represented in the past, has made the battle in Mandi more interesting, especially as he is popular among the youth and is a soft-spoken politician.
&nbsp;
Kangana is working hard in the field to build a political connection, but evidently, it&rsquo;s Jai Ram Thakur, who is roughing it day and night, as the poll result is likely to impact his standing within the BJP.
Thakur, who, as Leader of Opposition, is supposed to do regular campaigning in the state, has evidently focused more on the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, coordinating with the party MLAs, holding meetings with workers, and campaigning with the candidate. 
&ldquo;I have the strong backing of Jai Ram Thakur, the favourite of people in Mandi. The people support him wholeheartedly,&rdquo; said Kangana on the sidelines of her poll meeting in Mandi.
&nbsp;
Thakur has so far shown that he is confident that the BJP will get the same support from the Mandi district as it got in the 2022 Assembly polls. "The Congress government has ignored Mandi district in&nbsp; 14 months of rule and has stalled the development projects here. People of Mandi know this very well," he said. 
Yet, a big poser to BJP by the Congress in Mandi is the BJP's back out from the state government&rsquo;s demand to the Centre to declare the worst natural calamity last year as a national calamity and grant a special relief package to bail out Himachal and its people from a crisis. On this, the BJP leaders have preferred to stay mum. 
&ldquo;Mandi Parliamentary constituency suffered badly in natural calamity last year. When affected people were in need, the state government came to their rescue and gave them the required relief. I personally went to the affected areas to take stock of the losses and help the people. Where were BJP leaders and Kangana Ranaut at that crucial time?&rdquo; asked Vikramaditya Singh.

Mandi

Stakes high for Jai Ram Thakur in Mandi

Speaking at an election rally in Jaunpur on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the importance of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, portraying them as an opportunity for India to select a leader capable of leading a robust government that can project the nation's strength on the global stage.
&nbsp;
In his speech delivered at a college ground, Modi rallied support for BJP candidates Kripashankar Singh from the Jaunpur parliamentary constituency and BP Saroj from the Machhlishahr (reserved) seat.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He stressed the pivotal role of voters in shaping the country's leadership, stating, "This election is an opportunity to choose the Prime Minister of the country. Such a Prime Minister who runs a strong government which cannot be dominated by the world but&nbsp;which&nbsp;makes the world aware of India's strength."
&nbsp;
PM Modi highlighted the importance of casting votes for BJP candidates as a means to establish a robust government, asserting, "Therefore, when you vote for our Kripashankar ji from Jaunpur, BP Saroj ji from Machhlishahr, your vote forms a strong government. The votes given to them will go directly into Modi's account."
&nbsp;
Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Har Har Modi', Modi acknowledged the&nbsp;fervor&nbsp;of the crowd, expressing confidence that the alliance opposing the BJP, known as the INDI alliance, would face a formidable challenge in Uttar Pradesh.
&nbsp;
Shifting focus to development, Modi pointed to the transformation occurring in Kashi and Ayodhya,&nbsp;emblematic&nbsp;of the progress spurred by his government's initiatives.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He remarked, "You have seen&nbsp;in Kashi&nbsp;how a strong government works.&nbsp;We are seeing it happen in Ayodhya." By emphasizing the significance of these historically significant cities in the national discourse on development, Modi sought to underscore his government's commitment to inclusive growth.
&nbsp;
The Prime Minister also outlined his vision for a developed India, with Purvanchal, the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, serving as the growth engine. He pledged to work alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to revolutionize the fortunes of Purvanchal over the next five years.
&nbsp;
The Prime Minister's remarks came ahead of the upcoming voting in Jaunpur and Machhlishahr, scheduled for May 25.&nbsp;

Lucknow

'Choose PM who represents India globally,' PM in Jaunpur

In a bustling day of trading, the Indian stock market witnessed a significant surge as the Sensex soared by 670 points, closing on a high note, with the Nifty also registering substantial gains, reaching 22,400.
&nbsp;
The day's rally was propelled by gains in sectors such as Information Technology (IT), Realty, Financial Services (FS), and Consumer Durables.
&nbsp;
However, the performance of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Banks lagged, acting as a drag on the overall market sentiment.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European stocks hovered close to record highs on Thursday following the release of US inflation data.
&nbsp;
The Stoxx 600 Index saw minimal movement in early trade, while the MSCI All Country World Index extended its winning streak for the fifth consecutive day, marking its longest run since July.
&nbsp;
Futures contracts for the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq 100 edged slightly higher after both indices hit new highs in the previous session.
&nbsp;
Investor sentiment received a boost as US core Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures, which exclude volatile food and energy costs, aligned with consensus expectations.
&nbsp;
This alignment eased concerns surrounding inflationary pressures and reinforced expectations of forthcoming interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In Asia, regional markets showed resilience, with Chinese developer shares rallying on optimism surrounding potential policy support from Beijing for distressed builders' unsold homes.
&nbsp;
In commodity markets, copper prices continued their ascent, setting new records amidst global market volatility.
&nbsp;
Oil prices also climbed for a second consecutive day, buoyed by shrinking US stockpiles.
&nbsp;
Overall, global markets displayed a mix of optimism and caution, with investors closely monitoring economic indicators and policy signals amid ongoing uncertainties.

Sensex surges 670 points while Nifty hits 22,400

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang along with leaders from across the nation conveyed warm wishes to the people of Sikkim on the occasion of the state's 49th Statehood Day.
&nbsp;
Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Indian Union&nbsp;and&nbsp;the monarchy was&nbsp;abolished,&nbsp;on&nbsp;May 16,&nbsp;1975. The state of Sikkim&nbsp;was formed&nbsp;by the 36th Amendment of the Constitution&nbsp;of India in 1975.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In&nbsp;a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu conveyed her wishes&nbsp;appreciating&nbsp;the natural beauty of the state&nbsp;and said, "Greetings to the people of Sikkim on Statehood Day!&nbsp;Sikkim&nbsp;is blessed&nbsp;with sublime natural beauty manifested by snow-laden peaks, dense forests and waterfalls. Preserving their rich cultural heritage, the people of Sikkim have made significant contributions to the country's development through sustainable lifestyle and hard work. May the people and the state&nbsp;continue to&nbsp;prosper and go from strength to strength."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Greetings to the people of Sikkim on Statehood Day! Sikkim is blessed with sublime natural beauty manifested by snow-laden peaks, dense forests and waterfalls. Preserving their rich cultural heritage, the people of Sikkim have made significant contributions to the country&rsquo;s&hellip;
&mdash; President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1790939542012510314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
"Greetings to the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day", Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.
&nbsp;
"This state is known for its scenic beauty and hardworking people. Over the years, Sikkim has made a mark in organic farming. Our government will keep working for the welfare of Sikkim in the times to come", PM Modi said, adding, "I pray that the people of this state are always healthy and prosperous".
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Greetings to the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day. This state is known for its scenic beauty and hardworking people. Over the years, Sikkim has made a mark in organic farming. Our Government will keep working for the welfare of Sikkim in the times to come. I pray that the&hellip;
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1790948578224951408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya also extended&nbsp;felicitations&nbsp;to the state, reflecting on Sikkim's remarkable journey within India's democratic framework since its voluntary integration into the nation in 1975.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Today marks Sikkim's completion of 49 years in the democratic system. The journey from voluntary integration into the world's largest democracy on&nbsp;16 May&nbsp;1975 until today has been profoundly memorable and meaningful for Sikkim and its people," he said.
&nbsp;
"Sikkim has achieved remarkable development in various sectors, including social, economic, cultural, and infrastructure, under the democratic system, setting an example for other states and strengthening democracy," Acharya added.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
मेरा प्यारा सिक्किमे दाजुभाइ, दिदीबहिनीहरूलाई ४९औँ राज्य स्थापना दिवसको हार्दिक शुभकामना। विकसित भारत <a href="https://twitter.com/2047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@2047</a> को लक्ष्य हासिल गर्ने प्रतिबद्धताको साथमा, सिक्किमलाई प्रगति र समृद्धिको दिशा प्रदान गरि राष्ट्र निर्माणमा योगदान पुर्याऊ। प्रगतिको पथमा अघि बढ्दा एकता र देशभक्तिको&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/C62VOJiaNQ">pic.twitter.com/C62VOJiaNQ</a>
&mdash; लक्ष्मण प्रसाद आचार्य (Lakshman Prasad Acharya) (@Laxmanacharya54) <a href="https://twitter.com/Laxmanacharya54/status/1790946125706563662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Chief Minister Tamang, in a social media post, commemorated the pivotal moment when Sikkim embraced democracy, setting forth on a trajectory of progress and prosperity intricately linked with the nation's fate.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Tamang said, "It marks a pivotal moment in history when Sikkim embraced democracy, embarking on a journey of progress and prosperity that has deeply intertwined its fate with that of our nation. Over the past 49 years, Sikkim has carved out a distinct identity and made remarkable advancements."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"As we celebrate this milestone, let us reaffirm our unwavering dedication to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage, traditional values, and the spirit of unity while striving to enhance the quality of life for all our citizens," the Chief Minister said.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On behalf of the people of Sikkim, I thank you Hon&rsquo;ble CM Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/PemaKhanduBJP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PemaKhanduBJP</a> Ji for your warm and thoughtful greetings. <a href="https://t.co/iyC6WnPcpG">https://t.co/iyC6WnPcpG</a>
&mdash; Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@PSTamangGolay) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSTamangGolay/status/1791001311896567931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio along with others also conveyed their greetings taking to their social media handles to the people of Sikkim.
&nbsp;
Brief history of Sikkim:
&nbsp;
In the 17th century, the Namgyal dynasty established the&nbsp;Kingdom of Sikkim.
&nbsp;
By 1890, the kingdom had become a protectorate of the British Empire, although the dynasty continued to rule under the Chogyal, who held the dual role of Buddhist priest-king.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Post-Independence, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru agreed to maintain Sikkim's unique protectorate status, allowing India to oversee its external relations,&nbsp;defense, diplomacy, and communications while preserving its administrative autonomy.
&nbsp;
To facilitate constitutional governance under the Namgyal rule, a state council&nbsp;was instituted&nbsp;in 1953. However, discontent simmered, leading to a popular uprising against the monarchy in 1973, spearheaded by former Sikkim Council member Kazi Lhendup Dorji.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Subsequent riots in front of the Chogyal's palace prompted the monarch to formally seek security assistance from India, eventually resulting in Sikkim signing an agreement with India.
&nbsp;
In&nbsp;1974,&nbsp;a new constitution&nbsp;was adopted, relegating the Chogyal to a ceremonial role.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Indian government subsequently designated Sikkim as an "associated state" in 1974, granting it representation in&nbsp;both&nbsp;the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
By 1975, the Sikkim Prime Minister petitioned the Indian Parliament for statehood, leading to Sikkim's integration as a full-fledged state of India on&nbsp;May 16, 1975, accompanied by the abolition of the monarchy.
&nbsp;

Gangtok

Leaders laud Sikkim's natural beauty and progress on 49th Statehood Day

With Scotland cricket team announcing Karnataka-based Nandini dairy brand as their official sponsor in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the US, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said his government is determined to introduce to the world both the best quality milk products of the state.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Sharing the news on X, he termed it as a &lsquo;significant step&rsquo; in making Nandini a global brand.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;Karnataka&rsquo;s proud Nandini company, known in countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, USA, Dubai, UAE, is now sponsoring Scotland and Ireland in the T20 World Cup. We are determined to introduce to the world both the best quality milk products of the state and the hard work of the state&rsquo;s farmers. This will be a significant step in making Nandini a global brand,&rdquo; the CM said.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">This time, Nandini will shine on the World Cup and so will Kannada, he quipped.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Siddaramaiah also posted the photograph of Scotland men&rsquo;s team captain Richie Berrington wearing a jersey t-shirt with the logo of 'Nandini' brand on the sleeve.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">KMF is the second largest dairy co-operative amongst the dairy cooperatives in the country.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">According to KMF, in South India, it stands first in terms of procurement as well as sales.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">KMF has 16 Milk Unions covering all the districts of the State which procure milk from Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) and distribute milk to the consumers in various towns, cities, rural markets in Karnataka. 
&nbsp;

Bengaluru

Siddaramaiah wishes to promote the co-op brand, after 'Nandini' decides to sponsor T20 WC teams

The cumulative turnout of the first 4 phases of the Lok Sabha elections has been recorded at 66.95%, the Election Commission of India on Thursday shared the data. With this, around 97 crore electors have voted so far in the ongoing electoral exercise.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Below is the voter turnout of the 4 phases, as compared to 2019:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Phase&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2024&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;2019&nbsp;
One&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 66.14%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 69.43%
Two&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 66.71%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 69.64%
Three&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;65.68%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 68.4%
Four&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;69.16%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 65.51%
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A total of 379 seats across 23 states and Union Territories have voted in the first four phases of elections.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The EC said there is an enhanced focus on informing, motivating, and facilitating voters in the remaining three phases of the parliamentary polls and state chief electoral officers have been asked to step up measures.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in a statement, cited, "The Commission strongly believes that partnership and collaboration are essential pillars of the voter awareness programme. It's heartening to see that on the Commission's request, different institutions, influencers, and celebrities having significant reach are working enthusiastically on a pro-bono basis."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A high voter turnout, Kumar felt, would be a message from Indian voters to the world about the strength of Indian democracy.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He urged voters to cast their ballot in huge numbers, as voting day is not a holiday but a day of pride to participate in the festival of democracy.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The poll panel also listed out outreach efforts undertaken by various private and public bodies to enhance voter participation in the elections.
&nbsp;
Banks, post offices, private entities, and telecom platforms are using their public interface to encourage registered voters to turn up at the polling stations on various voting days.

India sustains 66.95% voting in 4 phases

The recent developments surrounding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the excise policy case have stirred significant controversy, with the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) objecting to a campaign speech made by Kejriwal.
&nbsp;
During the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal allegedly stated that voting for his party could prevent his imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court, while addressing Kejriwal's plea against arrest and remand in the excise policy case, emphasised that its order remains clear regarding his surrender on June 2nd.
&nbsp;
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, expressed objection to Kejriwal's remarks, describing them as undermining the institution. Kejriwal's legal counsel, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, countered by suggesting the possibility of filing an affidavit regarding statements made by a government minister concerning the Supreme Court's interim bail order.
&nbsp;
In response, the bench refrained from delving into these matters, asserting that it did not make exceptions for any individual when granting bail. Despite being granted interim bail to participate in Lok Sabha campaigning, Kejriwal faces the obligation to surrender on June 2nd.
&nbsp;
Kejriwal's comments during election rallies, particularly regarding his potential return to Tihar Jail, have drawn criticism, notably from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
&nbsp;
Shah labelled Kejriwal's remarks as a "clear contempt of the Supreme Court" and urged the judges involved to scrutinise whether their order was properly executed.
&nbsp;
In an exclusive interview with a media agency, Shah expressed concerns over the perceived special treatment afforded to Kejriwal by the Supreme Court in the excise policy case. He emphasised that many view the judgement as exceptional, suggesting a departure from routine judicial procedures.
&nbsp;
The unfolding situation underscores the intersection of legal proceedings and political discourse, raising questions about judicial impartiality and the integrity of electoral campaigns.
&nbsp;
As the controversy continues to unfold, it prompts reflections on the balance between legal accountability and political rhetoric in the Indian democratic landscape.

ED raises objections on Kejriwal’s campaign speech; Supreme Court reacts

In a distressing incident, doctors at the Government Medical College Hospital here on Thursday wrongly performed a surgery on the tongue of a 4-year-old girl instead of the intended procedure on her finger.
&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The child had been scheduled for surgery to remove a sixth finger on her hand at the Maternal and Child Care Centre of the Medical College Hospital.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The girl&rsquo;s family alleged that the error came to light when they discovered cotton stuffed in the child&rsquo;s mouth post-surgery, prompting them to investigate further.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Upon closer inspection, they found that the surgery had been performed on her tongue, not on her hand as intended.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Intervening in the matter, Health Minister Veena directed the Director of Medical Education to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident and submit a comprehensive report.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The child is hospitalised, and the family stated their intention to lodge a complaint with the police, seeking action against those responsible for the grave error.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;No one should have such an experience again at the Medical College Hospital,&rdquo; the child&rsquo;s family said. They said that the child had no issue with her tongue.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">The family also said the hospital authorities should take responsibility if any adverse consequences arise for the child due to this procedure.
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;
<p style="background: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">&ldquo;The hospital authorities informed us that it was a mistake as they had scheduled surgery for two children on the same date,&rdquo; a family member said. 
&nbsp;

Docs at Kerala govt hospital operate tongue of a 4-year-old in lieu of hand, probe underway

Jharkhand Rural development minister Alamgir Alam, who was arrested on Wednesday used to receive 1.5 per cent commission in tender allocation by his department to contractors, stated the Enforcement Directorate in the remand petition submitted to Special PMLA court in Ranchi on Thursday.
&nbsp;
ED today produced Alamgir Alam in the court and sought a 10-day remand for questioning. However, the court allowed only a six-day remand.
&nbsp;
The ED has alleged that Alam was the main beneficiary in the tender allocation scam. &ldquo;It was ascertained that the whole process of collection and distribution of commission was taken care of by the assistant engineers posted at the Rural Development Special Division and Rural Works Department.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Further, it was found that Alam&rsquo;s share was 1.5% of the allocated tender amount. In one of the instances it was also found that Alamgir Alam received his share of commission of Rs. 3 crores, which was sent by an Assistant Engineer in September 2022, a transaction facilitated by one of the close aides of Alamgir Alam,&rdquo; said the ED in its petition.
&nbsp;
The ED said that several official documents on the official letterheads and official letters were found with huge cash from the premise of Jahangir Alam, which would have been kept under the possession of Sanjeev Kumar Lal, PS to Alam, which establishes that Sanjeev Kumar Lal was using this premise for keeping documents/ records, cash and other belongings related to Minister Alamgir Alam. &nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
According to ED the role of Alamgir Alam was found to be crucial and pivotal in the investigation based upon the statement of witnesses and material collected and in possession of ED. Further, the proceeds of crime are collected and distributed in an organised manner and the share of the persons involved in the process is fixed for the kind of work they are involved in.

Ranchi

Arrested Jharkhand Minister received 1.5% commission in tender allocations: ED

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday welcomed the decision by banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami J&amp;K to become part of mainstream politics here on Thursday.&nbsp;
 Addressing a media gathering &nbsp;in Srinagar, senior BJP leader and former minister Sunil Sharma welcomed the decision of the leaders of the banned socio-political-religious organisation to &nbsp;participate in the Assembly elections held in J&amp;K later this year if the ban imposed on it in 2019 is lifted.
&nbsp;
In another address to the media recently, Ghulam Qadir Wani, senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami from Pulwama, had said the organisation would contest all elections, including the Assembly polls on the condition that the Centre revoke the ban on the outfit.
 Once considered a major separatist organisation, the Jamaat's leaders, members and activists have in recent years faced the Centre&rsquo;s crackdown, with properties linked to it in Srinagar and South Kashmir being seized.
 After the initial five-year ban, the Centre, through its notification issued in February 2024 extended it for another five years.
&nbsp;
Sharma, at the gathering, said, "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, there is no left-right stream allowed, except for expressing trust in the mainstream. Any individual or organisation may come and carry out activities.
 &ldquo;However, individuals who engage in anti-national acts that endanger the nation's peace and integrity will not go unpunished.
&nbsp;
"The BJP applauds the decision made by Jamaat-e-Islami J&amp;K yesterday. It is a good step," Sharma said.
&nbsp;
Responding to questions, Sharma stated that voter participation on May 13 in the Srinagar Parliamentary Segment represented a "big success" of the
Government of India's plans and policies for Jammu and Kashmir after August 2019, as well as the consequence of Article 370 abrogation. On Home Minister Amit Shah&rsquo;s Thursday visit, he said though it was strictly apolitical, the party's leadership and activists were expected to meet Shah &nbsp;in Srinagar."&nbsp;

BJP welcomes Jamaat-e-Islami J&K’s decision to contest upcoming Assembly polls

General Manager of East Central Railway, Anil Kumar Khandelwal confirmed on Wednesday that the train service between India and Bangladesh is on the verge of full-fledged operation as the construction of the Agartala-Akhaura railway link is rapidly nearing completion.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Inspected recently by Khandelwal, the project promises to revolutionise trade and travel between India and Bangladesh.
&nbsp;
This project, considered to be of national importance, is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Railways through Indian Railway Construction Company Limited (IRCON)&nbsp;and funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region&nbsp;(MDoNER).
&nbsp;
The inauguration of the rail link, held virtually in November 2023 by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, marked a historic moment.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It signifies the re-establishment of crucial connectivity between Bangladesh and India's Northeast through Tripura.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
As Prime Minister Modi emphasised earlier, "Through this link, States of northeast India can also be connected to ports of Bangladesh," paving the way for enhanced trade opportunities.
&nbsp;
Sharing the sentiment, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina had highlighted the project's potential to energise commerce and connectivity in both nations.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Spanning a total length of 12.24 kilometers, the dual gauge rail line features a 6.78 km section in Bangladesh and a 5.46 km stretch in Tripura. This vital connection will link Tripura to Akhaura in Bangladesh and, consequently, to its broader railway network.
&nbsp;
Nischintapur in West Tripura is designated as the international immigration station, equipped to handle immigration procedures for passengers.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Additionally, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) declared Nischintapur a Land Customs Station (LCS) in September 2023, streamlining the import and export of goods by land.
&nbsp;
Beyond facilitating international transit, the project boasts another significant advantage &ndash; a drastic reduction in travel time between Agartala and Kolkata.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Currently, the journey takes a staggering 31 hours, requiring a detour through Guwahati and Lumding in Assam. The new rail link will significantly shorten the distance to approximately 460 km, bringing the travel time down to a mere 10 hours.
&nbsp;
This development aligns perfectly with the Central government's policies of 'Act East' and 'Neighbourhood First.'
&nbsp;
&nbsp;As highlighted by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the project is expected to foster the growth of small-scale industries in the border region, bolster tourism in Northeast India, and empower local producers by enabling quicker import and export of goods.
&nbsp;
In June 2023, NFR estimated the total project cost on the Indian side to be ₹862.58 crore, financed by the Ministry for the Development of the Northeast Region.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further extended an additional ₹392.52 crore to support construction on the Bangladeshi side.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The project involved Indian public sector undertaking Indian Railways Construction International Ltd for the Indian portion, while Texmaco Rail and Engineering undertook construction in Bangladesh.
&nbsp;
Expressing optimism about the project's imminent completion, a senior NFR official stated, "Work is progressing rapidly, and soon trains will be operational between Bangladesh and India. People and goods will be able to travel between the two countries, boosting the economy and facilitating development. After arranging talks between countries, it will work in a full-fledged manner."
&nbsp;
The official further elaborated on the ongoing infrastructural advancements within the Northeast Frontier Railway.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Many new lines are being added every year, with around 400 km of new tracks being laid. Almost all states are being connected. Due to heavy rain, railway tracks were damaged at Jatinga Lampur and New Harangajao, but they have now been restored, and all trains are running as usual. Electrification work is also progressing smoothly," he added.
&nbsp;

Agartala

Border project to slash Agartala-Kolkata travel time by 21 hrs

Western Rajasthan is currently under the grip of a severe heatwave, as announced by the Meteorological Centre. This alert extends to certain regions until May 20th. In particular, parts of western Rajasthan are under an orange alert, indicating the severity of the heatwave, while areas in the east are under a yellow alert.
&nbsp;
The heatwave is accompanied by loo, characterised by strong, gusty, hot, dry winds prevalent during the day.&nbsp;Radhe Shyam Sharma, the Director of the Regional Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Jaipur, has highlighted the gravity of the situation.
&nbsp;
He stated that the western part of the state is bracing for a new spell of heatwaves, expected to last for at least a week. Sharma expressed concern over the rapid rise in temperatures, emphasising that in the coming days, temperatures are likely to surpass the 46-47 degree Celsius mark, particularly in regions like Shekhawati and northwest Rajasthan.
&nbsp;
The temperature is expected to escalate by 2-3 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;Moreover, the IMD official warned that the heatwave would gradually advance towards eastern Rajasthan by May 17th.
&nbsp;
This alarming situation is exemplified by recent temperature records, with Sri Ganganagar in Western Rajasthan recording the highest temperature of 44.4 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures ranging between 42-44 degrees Celsius have been observed in isolated pockets across Rajasthan.
&nbsp;
In light of these extreme conditions, healthcare professionals have issued advisories to the public. They recommend wearing full-sleeved shirts when venturing outdoors and minimising exposure to the scorching sun.
&nbsp;
Staying hydrated is crucial, with suggestions to consume water, fruit juices, electrolytes, or ORS regularly. Failure to maintain adequate fluid intake can lead to severe health complications.
&nbsp;
The IMD's predictions for the month of May indicate above-normal maximum temperatures in most parts of the country. Additionally, an increase in the number of heatwave days is anticipated, particularly in regions like south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Gujarat.
&nbsp;
This forecast underscores the importance of taking precautionary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the impending heatwave.&nbsp;The severe heatwave alert issued for Western Rajasthan demands immediate attention and proactive measures from both authorities and citizens alike.
&nbsp;
Cooperation and preparedness are essential to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions and ensure public safety and well-being.
&nbsp;

Jaipur

'Stay Safe': Heatwave alert issued for Western Rajasthan

The release of the Kangana Ranaut-starrer "Emergency" has been postponed amid the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections, the makers have announced.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Ranaut, the lead actor, writer, director, and producer on "Emergency", has been fielded by the BJP for the Mandi constituency in Himachal Pradesh in the polls. The state will vote in the last phase on June 1.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Manikarnika Films Production, the studio behind the upcoming political drama, shared the update on its official X page on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Our hearts are filled with love pouring in for our queen Kangana Ranaut. As she prioritises her duty to the nation and her commitment to serve the country, the release date of our much awaited film 'Emergency' has been postponed," the banner said in the post.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A new release date of "Emergency" will be announced soon, it added. The film has been delayed multiple times; it was previously scheduled to be released on November 24, 2023.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"Emergency" is billed as the story of a watershed moment in the political history of India. Ranaut plays the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
It also features Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Backed by Zee Studios, "Emergency" is a Manikarnika Films presentation and is produced by Renu Pitti and Ranaut.

Kangana starrer 'Emergency' postponed amid elections

Cricket Scotland has announced India's Karnataka-based Nandini dairy as the official sponsor of its national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas.
&nbsp;
The Nandini logo will be present on the leading arm of Scotland men's playing shirts at the tournament, which takes place in West Indies and USA from June 2.
&nbsp;
"Cricket Scotland and Karnataka Milk Federation are pleased to announce Nandini as the official sponsor of the Scotland men's team at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024," the country's cricket body wrote on X.
&nbsp;
The brand name and logo, written in Kannada, can be seen on the sleeves of players' T-shirts that were launched on Wednesday.
&nbsp;
Claire Drummond, Cricket Scotland's commercial manager said in a statement, "It's fantastic to have an established brand backing our men's team as they head onto the global stage and compete against the best in the world, and we're confident that this partnership demonstrates the global appeal of our national team and of Cricket Scotland." Scotland begin their campaign against England on June 4.
&nbsp;
MK Jagadish, managing director of Karnataka Milk Federation, the parent company of Nandini, said, "Our partnership with Cricket Scotland at this World Cup will help Nandini reach a global audience of cricket lovers and is a first step in taking our brand to more countries around the world."

Glasgow

ICC T20 WC: Cricket Scotland announces Nandini dairy as team's official sponsor

Journalist Asif Sultan was granted bail by &nbsp;a special NIA court on Wednesday after five years in prison in a case related to violence by Srinagar Central Jail inmates in 2019. The court ruled there was no point in keeping him under detention.
 An assistant editor with Srinagar-based magazine Kashmir Narrator, Sultan was first arrested in 2018 after his article on slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was published.
 The J&amp;K and Ladakh High Court had in 2022 quashed his detention order under the Public Safety Act (PSA), calling it "illegal".
&nbsp;
&nbsp;However, Sultan was arrested shortly after his release from a UP Jail by the J&amp;K police in a separate case of 2019 related to violence in Srinagar Central Jail.
The police charge sheet was submitted in connection with a firefight in which a police officer was killed by terrorists in Srinagar's Batamaloo area. The terrorists managed to flee .
 The NIA court stated that the state had the rights to deal with such allegations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967. However, "mere use of this statutory provision wouldn&rsquo;t ipso-facto (by that very fact) deny the applicant's right to bail and ignore the other binding requirements."&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The court order said "the impediment contained under chapters VI and VI of the ULA (P) Act is not attracted in the present case."
&nbsp;
"In the humble opinion of the court, the occurrence took place more than 5 years ago, and sufficient time of approximately 2 &frac12; months (72 days) has been given to the investigating agency for the custodial interrogation of the accused/applicant (Asif)," read the court order, adding, "The accused or applicant was already under PSA until February 2024."&nbsp;
 The court said it had not been brought to its attention that the accused individual&rsquo;s conduct in judicial custody did not justify his release on bail.
&nbsp;
"Further detention of the accused person or applicant in custody shall not serve any purpose," the court said, allowing bail to Asif on furnishing a bond of Rs 1 lakh with one surety in the same amount.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Srinagar-based journalist Asif Sultan gets bail in prison violence case

Innumerable events are lined up across the globe to celebrate International Museum Day, which will be observed on May 18. However, on a deeper level, the day presents an opportunity for a societal health check by examining how museums engage with history, including their own chequered pasts, changing socio-political contexts and increasing demands for recognition by historically-silenced communities.
&nbsp;
While there is no denying that Museums of a country are the gateway to its history and culture, however, for Museums to be truly inclusive, decolonised and spaces of education and research, there is a need to rethink power relations and learnings from past lessons.
&nbsp;
The Covid-19 pandemic popularised virtual museum tours across the world. Suddenly, culture and history became more accessible.
&nbsp;
Digitisation has also changed the relationship of the viewer with the objects on view. But such new forms of access produce their own logic of gatekeeping on the kinds of stories that get told, even as global cultures become more accessible.
&nbsp;
In politics, the talent to leverage outcomes through attraction and not coercion is denoted as &lsquo;soft&rsquo; power. On a larger spectrum, Museums, too, possess this virtue. They serve as a method of soft power through control over the acquisition, curation, display and movement of objects between countries.
&nbsp;
As social institutions that authorise cultural meaning, museums tell particular stories and leave out others. This also imbues them with political meaning.
&nbsp;
In the present era, Museums can be perceived as laboratories of ideas with the medium&rsquo;s ardent approach to resuscitate their traditionally staid image in the public imagination. After all, a crop of new museums are coming up across the world with private funding and investment.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img src="https://api.newsarenaindia.com//uploads/british-museumnaijpg_1715852550517.jpg" width="1500" height="800">
<figcaption>
Glimpse of the collections at the British Museum located at the Bloomsbury area of London. (Left) The Lycurgus Cup, probably made in Rome, AD 300s. This is a special type of glass, known as dichroic, which changes colour when held up to the light. And Brass head of an Ooni (king) of lfe, Nigeria 1300s &ndash; early 1400s. (Image Credit: britishmuseum.org).
</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
Cut to the British Museum, which has the potential to make headlines for every possible reasons. The theft of several museum displays by a former curator has opened up a broader conversation on cultural theft, ownership, reparation and setting right historical wrongs.
&nbsp;
At its centre is the ethical question of how the museum gathered its wealth of artefacts&mdash; a sordid history of empire. This question gets revisited whenever formerly colonised countries demand the repatriation of cultural artefacts forcibly removed by their colonisers.
&nbsp;
In the past few decades, museums around the world have hosted important exhibitions supporting processes of truth-telling and reconciliation. These include exhibitions in Canada responding to the ongoing consequences of its Residential School System and the dispossession of Japanese Canadians, and in Australia addressing the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families.
&nbsp;
In this regard, &lsquo;trust&rsquo; lands up as an imperative factor. A 2021 survey by the Council of Australasian Museum Directors revealed that museums remain one of the most trusted types of organisation amongst the public.
&nbsp;
With this trust comes immense responsibility. Anthropologists Kathryn Lafrenz Samuels and Jon D. Daehnke point out that cultural heritage can produce social harms as well as social goods. Decisions about whose stories are told and how to commemorate the past contribute to a sense of who &lsquo;the people&rsquo; or &lsquo;the public&rsquo; are&mdash; who is included and who is excluded.
&nbsp;
American feminist historian Gerda Lerner, jailed in 1938 for her resistance to the Nazi takeover of Austria before escaping from Europe, knew that &ldquo;history is not a recipe book&rdquo;. The horrors she had seen as a Jew in Europe would not be repeated in their particulars. But, she argued, &ldquo;we can learn by analogy&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
British historian John Tosh explains: &ldquo;The whole point of an analogy is that it notes similarities in things which in other respects are unalike.&rdquo; Provided we are open to both similarity and difference, &ldquo;the effect is to liberate our thinking from the rigidities of current discourse, not by prescribing a course of action but by expanding our sense of the options&rdquo;.
&nbsp;
An analogy for our times may well be the story of Australia&rsquo;s Japanese community, who were interned without legal protection against the might of the state. Their story demands that we examine what we owe each other, as humans, in times of conflict.
&nbsp;
However, certain stories demand that we examine what we owe each other, as humans, in times of conflict. By saying this, it reminds us of the social and democratic contributions of museums as underpinned by the public trust that they hold.
&nbsp;
On the International Museum Day, the need is to give a call on Museums as spaces of truth-telling, reflection and inclusion, thereby acting as guide.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Museums— A means of ‘soft’ power, trust & conflict

In a scathing attack, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) directed criticism towards Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his perceived silence regarding the apparent assault on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Swati Maliwal.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
BJP's national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Kejriwal of exhibiting behaviour akin to that of a "goon" and asserted that the Delhi CM's inaction spoke volumes about his leadership. Kumar, he noted, was photographed with Kejriwal during his visit to Lucknow.
&nbsp;
Bhatia claimed Kejriwal is the&nbsp;main&nbsp;"criminal" in the complaint that his aide Bibhav Kumar had physically attacked Maliwal at the chief minister's residence, as he cited the telephone call she had made to the Delhi Police to report the matter.
&nbsp;
While addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Kejriwal refrained from addressing questions concerning the incident, prompting BJP's condemnation.
&nbsp;
The Aam Aadmi Party convener did not&nbsp;reply to&nbsp;a question about the incident at a press conference he addressed with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was also there, instead replied, saying his party has already made&nbsp;it&nbsp;stand clear on the issue.
&nbsp;
Singh then went on to cite the incidents of crimes against women in Manipur, women wrestlers'&nbsp;complaint&nbsp;against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and the Prajwal Revanna case to hit back at the BJP.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"One should not play&nbsp;political&nbsp;game over the Maliwal issue as the AAP has made its stand clear," Singh had said.
&nbsp;
Singh had earlier admitted to the incident and pledged action. He had also met Maliwal at her residence.
&nbsp;
Bhatia noted that Singh had acknowledged that a condemnable incident had occurred against Maliwal, saying that Kejriwal&nbsp;was expected&nbsp;to act in a case involving a party colleague.&nbsp;
"Instead, the accused is travelling with him like a "twin brother", Bhatia said.
&nbsp;
"This shows Kejriwal has no commitment to justice for women. While the BJP is fighting for justice for an opposition leader," he further added, accusing him of cowardice.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He demanded that the AAP leader should break his silence or resign if he is a coward, Bhatia said.
&nbsp;
Noting that the woman Rajya Sabha MP has been incommunicado, the BJP leader asked if she has been kidnapped or forcibly kept away from the public eye.
&nbsp;
He also took a swipe at Yadav over his attempt to downplay the incident by claiming that it&nbsp;is&nbsp;not a big issue.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Targeting the Samajwadi Party, he recalled later SP leader&nbsp;Mulayan&nbsp;Singh Yadav's controversial defence of some men accused of rape by claiming "they are boys, they at times make mistakes".&nbsp;

Arvind Kejriwal dodges questions on Swati Maliwal row, BJP reacts

A recent Ipsos Research Private Limited report has announced a paradigm shift in India's labor landscape, with 88% of gig workers relying on gig economy platforms as their primary income source.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This revelation signals the emergence of a new breed of hardworking gig workers, foregoing traditional seasonal or part-time employment in favor of entrepreneurial self-employment.
&nbsp;
The flexibility inherent in the gig economy has permeated various industries, fostering mutually beneficial relationships between employers and gig workers.
&nbsp;
With the Indian economy set to grow at 7.5% in 2024, according to the World Bank, the demand for both skilled and unskilled blue-collar workers, particularly in the gig economy, is expected to surge.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This trend is evident in the construction sector, which is experiencing a steady rise in gig worker employment, making it the second-largest employment generator in the country.
&nbsp;
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize recruitment and skill training in India, leveraging the country's burgeoning digital landscape with over 820 million internet users.
&nbsp;
AI-powered platforms accessible through popular channels like WhatsApp and social media are streamlining job searches, matching gig workers with suitable roles, and providing tutorials to enhance their skills.
&nbsp;
This technological advancement holds particular significance for internal economic migrants, empowering them to find jobs that align with their skills and preferences.
&nbsp;
The government has launched several schemes to upskill blue-collar workers, including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and Craftsmen Training Scheme among others.
&nbsp;

AI bridges gaps for blue-collar gig workers

People are looking towards Congress as its hope, and the grand old party will clean sweep in Haryana Lok Sabha polls, claims Congress veteran leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda&nbsp;on Thursday, adding the party is receiving overwhelming public support.
&nbsp;
The state will go to polls in phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25. While the Congress is contesting on&nbsp;nine seats, its INDIA bloc ally AAP has fielded its candidate from the Kurukshetra constituency.
&nbsp;
"People are looking at the Congress with great hope&nbsp;and&nbsp;there is a wave in our favour," Hooda said, exuding confidence that his party and its ally AAP will win all the&nbsp;10&nbsp;seats in&nbsp;Haryana,&nbsp;and that the grand old party will form the next government at the Centre.
&nbsp;
Targeting the BJP dispensation in Haryana, the&nbsp;leader of the opposition&nbsp;in the Haryana Assembly said it is a "non-performing government" and "every section&nbsp;is fed up&nbsp;with it".
&nbsp;
On the BJP replacing Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as the chief minister in March, Hooda said changing faces will not help the ruling party "as people have decided to change this government".
&nbsp;
The Congress leader reiterated his party's demand&nbsp;for the dismissal of&nbsp;the "minority" government and fresh elections in the state.&nbsp;If&nbsp;the government claims it has the numbers, then it should prove its majority, he said.
&nbsp;
"It is clear that the government is in the minority. It has no moral right to stay in power, it&nbsp;should seek a fresh mandate,"&nbsp;he&nbsp;said.
&nbsp;
On May 7, three Independent MLAs withdrew support to the BJP government and announced they would back the Congress. The government&nbsp;which&nbsp;has&nbsp;the support of two other&nbsp;Independents&nbsp;is now two short of the majority mark in the 90-member state assembly.
&nbsp;
However, the House&nbsp;at present&nbsp;has an&nbsp;effective&nbsp;strength of 88&nbsp;with&nbsp;Karnal and Rania assembly seats being vacant. The BJP has 40 MLAs, the Congress 30, and the JJP 10 in the House. The INLD and the Haryana Lokhit Party have one member each, while the total number of Independent MLAs is six.
&nbsp;
Hooda further targeted the BJP government over farmers' issues and unemployment.
&nbsp;
"Farmers&nbsp;were given&nbsp;lathis and bullets instead of MSP,&nbsp;the youth were given unemployment instead of education and jobs, and the wrestlers&nbsp;were dragged&nbsp;on the streets instead of giving them respect," he said.
&nbsp;
The BJP government "harassed" every section of the state, including workers, employees, traders, and sarpanches.
&nbsp;
"But people will seek an account of their actions in the elections," he added.
&nbsp;
Hooda said when Congress was in power, Haryana was doing well on several fronts, including per capita income, investments, and providing employment opportunities to people&nbsp;and&nbsp;the law and order situation was also much better.
&nbsp;
"Where have they taken the state now? The state is now number one in unemployment, law and order has deteriorated&nbsp;and&nbsp;everyone feels unsafe. This government has failed on all fronts," he said.
&nbsp;
He claimed the ruling BJP does not have a single achievement to its credit.
&nbsp;
Hooda said the Congress has&nbsp;been strengthened&nbsp;in recent weeks with several leaders, including former MLAs, from other parties joining it.

Hooda's confident of Congress clean sweep in Haryana

"I had the opportunity to join the party's campaign trail in West Bengal during which I saw great enthusiasm among voters for the BJP. I am sure the party will win 32 out of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies", he told reporters here.
&nbsp;
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP&nbsp;had&nbsp;won 18 seats out of 42 Lok Sabha constituencies, the best show by the saffron party in Bengal so far.
&nbsp;
On BJP's prospects, Saha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of 400-plus seats for the NDA.
&nbsp;
"We all are working to achieve the target. I have already visited West Bengal and campaigned for the party. I will go again to Bengal to canvass for the party. We are confident that the BJP-led NDA will win more than 400 Lok Sabha seats (out of 543 seats)", he said.
&nbsp;
The Chief Minister is scheduled to leave for Kolkata later in the day to join the party's campaign for the last three phases.
&nbsp;
The Chief Minister dismissed the opposition's claim that the BJP would secure fewer than 200 seats, stating that it was merely an attempt to rally their party's supporters.&nbsp;

Tripura CM predicts BJP victory in 32 Bengal LS seats

Security forces on Thursday foiled the infiltration bid of a group of terrorists near the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Kupwara district, officials said.&nbsp;
 Local media quoting reliable sources said the infiltration attempt was foiled in the Tangdhar area when Army personnel at the LoC spotted the men and confronted them early in the morning.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sources said they believed two terrorists had been gunned down during operations.
&nbsp;
Meanwhile, a search operation was continuing in the region to track infiltrators who could have escaped.
&nbsp;
There were no immediate updates on the situation.
 In a similar incident last month, one terrorist was killed as the Army prevented an attempted incursion along the LoC in Uri, Baramulla area.
 This is a developing story. More details will follow.

2 terrorists killed as Army foils infiltration bid in J&K

Sunil Chhetri, the unassuming talisman of Indian football, has announced his retirement from international duty after the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait next month.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Chhetri's glittering career, spanning two decades, will come to a fitting end at the Mecca of Indian football, Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.
&nbsp;
Chhetri's journey began not with a burning passion for the&nbsp;sport,&nbsp;but as a means to an end - a coveted spot in a reputed college. Football, however, ran deep in his veins.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
His father, Kharga Chhetri, a former Indian Army footballer, nurtured a dream of seeing his son achieve what he couldn't.
&nbsp;
Sunil's early forays into the sport began with Delhi's City Club (2001-02), followed by a momentous signing by Mohun Bagan, one of India's footballing giants, in 2002.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;His exploits&nbsp;there&nbsp;(eight goals in 18 appearances) paved the way for his inclusion in the Indian U-20 side and&nbsp;subsequently, the senior national team.
&nbsp;
His international debut in 2005, at the tender age of 20, was a cause for both pride and anxiety for his father.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
While Sunil revelled in his achievements, Kharga Chhetri's concerns lay in the security arrangements for the Indian team in strife-torn Balochistan, Pakistan, where the match&nbsp;was held.
&nbsp;
Despite his initial reservations, Kharga's belief in his son never wavered. Sunil's&nbsp;natural talent shone&nbsp;through,&nbsp;as he excelled at every school he attended. Born&nbsp;in Secunderabad with&nbsp;footballing&nbsp;pedigree (his mother, Sushila, played for the Nepal national team), Sunil seemed destined for greatness.
&nbsp;
Even after establishing himself in the national team, the prankster in Sunil remained.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, things took a turn in 2011 when&nbsp;he was handed&nbsp;the captain's armband&nbsp;by coach Bob Houghton&nbsp;following Bhaichung Bhutia's retirement.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The weight of leadership transformed Sunil. His&nbsp;role transcended mere&nbsp;goalscoring; he shouldered the burden of the team's performance.
&nbsp;
Throughout his captaincy, Sunil thrived under immense pressure, often deprived of adequate support from his teammates in major tournaments.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
While he enjoyed the guidance of Bhaichung Bhutia in his early years, the void left by the 'Sikkimese Sniper's' departure was significant. The&nbsp;following years saw the emergence of talented players, but none quite matched the brilliance of Chhetri or Bhutia.
&nbsp;
Sunil's fortunes became synonymous with the national team's. He&nbsp;acknowledged the pressure that came with the armband, "It's not only you, it's&nbsp;the team now," he had said in an interview.
&nbsp;
Despite the challenges, Sunil persevered. He&nbsp;navigated the stormy waters of&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;football administration, riddled with apathy, corruption, and sexual harassment allegations.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
To extend his international career in the absence of an able successor, Sunil had turned vegan on the advice of his good friend, Virat Kohli, whose sport enjoys unprecedented popularity in this part of the world.
&nbsp;
Through it all, he remained steadfast on the field, donning the blue jersey and the captain's armband with unwavering dedication.
&nbsp;
In a cricket-obsessed nation, Sunil, with his&nbsp;goal-scoring&nbsp;prowess,&nbsp;managed to shift&nbsp;the spotlight towards football, albeit temporarily.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sunil&nbsp;Chhetri's retirement marks the end of an era. He&nbsp;leaves&nbsp;behind&nbsp;a legacy of exceptional talent, leadership, and unwavering commitment.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
His&nbsp;journey,&nbsp;from a playful backbencher to a revered&nbsp;captain,&nbsp;is an inspiration for&nbsp;aspiring footballers across the country.

Sunil Chhetri, the man who made cricket-crazy India look at football

The Supreme Court on Thursday steered clear of the political talk about it having made an exception for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in granting him interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls but said "critical analysis of the judgement is welcome".
&nbsp;
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to consider claims and counter claims by advocates for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kejriwal on statements related to grant of interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor.
&nbsp;
"We have not made any exception for anybody. We said in our order what we felt was justified," the bench said.
&nbsp;
Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to Kejriwal's speeches in poll rallies that if people voted for AAP, he would not have to go back to prison on June 2.
&nbsp;
"It is his assumption, we cannot say anything," the bench told Mehta.
&nbsp;
It added, "Our order is very clear about when he has to surrender. It is the order of the Supreme Court. The rule of law shall be governed by this order."
&nbsp;
Mehta alleged that Kejriwal had violated the bail condition by his assertion.
&nbsp;
"What is he trying to imply? It is like a slap on the institution," the Solicitor General said.
&nbsp;
Justice Khanna said the court's order is clear that he has to surrender on June 2.
&nbsp;
"We have not said anything in the order that he cannot speak about the case," the bench said.
&nbsp;
Without naming Home Minister Amit Shah, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who was appearing for Kejriwal, referred to an interview where he said many believe the court accorded "special treatment" to the AAP leader.
&nbsp;
The bench told Singhvi it will not go into that.
&nbsp;
The senior lawyer denied that Kejriwal had made any statement about having to go back to jail if people did not vote for his party. Singhvi said he can swear an affidavit to that effect.
&nbsp;
The top court was hearing Kejriwal's plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case stemming from the alleged excise scam.
&nbsp;
On May 10, the apex court had granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the last day of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, and directed him to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
&nbsp;
The Delhi chief minister was arrested on March 21.
&nbsp;
The court had, however, barred Kejriwal from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat, and signing official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor's approval.
&nbsp;
The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.&nbsp;

SC: No special treatment for Kejriwal in bail decision

Geeta, a hearing and speech-impaired woman who returned to India from Pakistan in 2015, is all set to appear for her Class 8 examination, which the Madhya Pradesh State Open School Education Board will conduct.
&nbsp;
The board official said on Thursday that 33-year-old Geeta's application had been approved, allowing her to appear for the examination starting next week.
&nbsp;
"While approving Geeta's application, we have allowed her to appear for the Class 8 examination, and she will get her admit card soon," Director of the State Open School Education Board Prabhat Raj Tiwari told PTI.
&nbsp;
Officials said that the Class 8 examination conducted by the State Open School Education Board will begin on May 21 and conclude on May 28.
&nbsp;
Anand Service Society, an Indore-based NGO, has been helping Geeta to appear for the Class 8 exams, its secretary, Gyanendra Purohit, said.
&nbsp;
He said Geeta's real name is Radha. She currently lives with her mother, Meena Pandhare, in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.
&nbsp;
After returning to India from Pakistan, Geeta stayed in Indore for nearly five years. She cleared the Class 5 exam in 2020, but Purohit said she could not proceed with further studies due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons.
&nbsp;
Citing his video call interaction with Geeta using gestures, he said she wants to become financially independent by studying.
&nbsp;
"If Geeta clears the Class 8 exam, she can become eligible for government recruitment for Class IV employees under the quota for persons with disability," he said.
&nbsp;
Purohit mentioned that Geeta is preparing for her 8th-grade exam with the assistance of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-based NGO Progressive Life Centre.
&nbsp;
According to officials, Geeta is estimated to be 33 years old. She ended up in Pakistan nearly 23 years ago after mistakenly boarding a train as a child. Pakistan Rangers found her alone on the Samjhauta Express at the Lahore railway station.
&nbsp;
The deaf and mute girl was adopted by Bilquis Edhi of Pakistan's social organisation, Edhi Foundation, and she was kept with her in Karachi.
&nbsp;
Thanks to the special efforts of the late Sushma Swaraj, the external affairs minister at the time, Geeta was able to return to India on October 26, 2015. The next day, she was sent to the residential complex of an NGO in Indore. Geeta has been living in Maharashtra since reuniting with her family in the state in 2021.
&nbsp;

Indore

Geeta, hearing & speech-impaired woman, preps for class 8 exams after India return

The Sikkim transport department announced the launch of an Artificial Intelligence-driven traffic management system across the state on May 25.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The system aims to modernise traffic management and improve regulation efficiency by automatically verifying documents and detecting violations.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sikkim?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sikkim</a>'s Transport Department is launching an advanced <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AI</a> driven Traffic Management System" on May 25, 2024. This system will automatically verify vehicle documents and detect traffic violations, issuing e-challans accordingly. <a href="https://t.co/cFUbq92emn">pic.twitter.com/cFUbq92emn</a>
&mdash; AKASHVANI NEWS GANGTOK (@airnews_gangtok) <a href="https://twitter.com/airnews_gangtok/status/1790328991989301480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
"With a view to modernise traffic management and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of traffic regulation, Sikkim government is introducing Artificial Intelligence-driven traffic management system," the transport department said.
&nbsp;
According to a department notice, "All vehicle owners (including government vehicles) are therefore informed to keep all their vehicle documents up to date. Any discrepancies arising out of the issue of E-challan may be brought to the attention of the SPs/RTOs of the district."
&nbsp;

Sikkim to roll out AI-powered traffic management system on May 25

Ravikaran Kahlon who&nbsp;was expelled from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on May 15, citing, anti-party activities, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party today, on May 16, within 24 hours following the expulsion.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kahlon was welcomed into the saffron party fold by Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and party leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The induction ceremony took place in Chandigarh.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kahlon is the son of former Punjab Assembly speaker and rural development and panchayat minister Nirmal Singh Kahlon.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Kahlon had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls from the Dera Baba Nanak seat.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Badal on Wednesday expelled Kahlon from the primary membership of the SAD for "anti-party" activities and "backstabbing" the party. Akali Dal chief cited that indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SAD President S Sukhbir Singh Badal expelled Dera Baba Nanak assembly incharge S Ravikaran Singh Kahlon from primary member ship of the party for anti party activities &amp; for back stabbing the party. S Badal said that indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost.
&mdash; Dr Daljit S Cheema (@drcheemasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/drcheemasad/status/1790768864717926849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

Expelled from SAD, Ravikaran Kahlon joins Punjab BJP

Cricket is about to get a whole lot more inclusive. The upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas will be a landmark event for hearing and visually impaired fans in India, thanks to a special broadcasting initiative by Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network.
&nbsp;
For the first time&nbsp;ever, the broadcasters will offer an Indian Sign Language (ISL) feed alongside an audio descriptive commentary. This innovative move aims to make the cricketing extravaganza truly accessible to a wider audience.
&nbsp;
The special feed will cover 10 key matches, including all India fixtures, the semi-finals, and the grand finale. This ensures that die-hard Indian fans with disabilities won't miss out on the action.
&nbsp;
Hailing the initiative, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, emphasised the government's commitment to inclusivity. He expressed his belief that this will significantly enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently-abled cricket enthusiasts.
&nbsp;
"The Government of India is committed to creating an inclusive society and I strongly believe that this initiative will enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently-abled sports enthusiasts," he said in a press release.
&nbsp;
The platform becomes the first OTT service in India to offer live cricket with an ISL feed.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar India, reiterated the platform's dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. He highlighted how these enhancements aim to ensure that the excitement of cricket transcends all barriers.
&nbsp;
"This underscores our commitment to promote inclusivity and serve all users. With these enhancements, we aim to ensure that the excitement of cricket knows no bounds," Sivanandan said.
&nbsp;
Sanjog Gupta, Head of Disney Star (Sports), said the innovation has got&nbsp;good&nbsp;response in the ongoing IPL.
&nbsp;
"Our mission of serving sports fans is powered by such pioneering initiatives which seek to remove barriers of access and engagement for fans from all walks of life. The initiative also serves to present a more inclusive picture of India's favourite sport and is of immense pride for the sporting fraternity," he said.
&nbsp;
He further lauded the initiative for presenting a more inclusive picture of India's favourite sport, a development that brings immense pride to the sporting fraternity.
&nbsp;
The ISL feed will feature a dedicated translator who will provide a sign-language interpretation of the match's on-field action, offering a ball-by-ball update for deaf viewers. For visually impaired fans, the audio descriptive feed will be enriched with voice-over technology. This technology can convert text and visuals displayed on screen into an audio output, creating a rich and immersive commentary experience.
&nbsp;
Alok Kejriwal, Founder and CEO of India Signing Hands, a non-profit organisation advocating for equal opportunities for the deaf community, applauded the move.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He expressed confidence that it will open doors to the captivating world of cricket for countless deaf and visually impaired individuals.
&nbsp;
With an estimated 6.3 crore deaf and 4 crore visually impaired people in India, according to the World Health Organisation, this move has the potential to revolutionise the way cricket is experienced by a significant segment of the population.&nbsp;

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