Fingers Crossed on Karnataka

Fingers are crossed on what will happen in Karnataka elections that has witnessed intense drama and intrigue. Both Bharatiya Janata Party and ruling party in the State Congress indulged in a no holds barred fight leveling acquisition after acquisition on each other.
As the state prepares for tomorrow's assembly polls, the Election Commission has issued guidelines to political parties and media for strict compliance with the Model code of conduct till the election is over. The Election Commission has also imposed the ban on public opinion programmes in the media. 
The high-voltage campaigning for the Assembly polls concluded last evening. Polling for 223 assembly segments will be held tomorrow and counting will take place on 15th of this month, i.e. Tuesday. 
The election in Jayanagar Assembly constituency has been postponed following the death of BJP candidate B N Vijay Kumar. Total 2636 candidates are in fray out of which 617 are women. BJP has fielded 223 candidates while Congress has fielded 222 candidates. JD(S) is contesting in 201 constituencies. 
More than 58000 polling booths have been set up for over five crores six lakh voters. The young voters' size has also doubled compared to the last assembly elections in the state. It was 7 lakh 22 thousand in 2013 and now 15 lakh 72 thousand young voters were added in the electoral roll.
There are 58008 polling stations set up, including 1312 auxiliary booths. The Election Commission has identified 12001 of them as critical or sensitive booths The Election Commission has deployed 585 companies of Central forces comprising of 45000 personnel for the poll duty. Over 3,50,000 polling personnel are put on poll duty in the booths. 
Before reaching a standstill, Political parties and leaders made last ditch efforts to woo the voters. 
BJP National President Amit Shah and Congress President Pameshwaran addressed a press conference in Bengaluru yesterday. 
Shah accused Congress of adopting unfair means to rig the election. The BJP President said, there was 173 percent increase in the suicide of farmers in Karnataka and law and order situation has taken a nose dive. Shah alleged that 24 BJP and RSS workers were murdered in the state. 
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, his party fought a very good campaign, it stood together, raised fundamental issues and laid down a vision for the development of Karnataka.

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Gold Slips Below Rs 32,000 on low Demand

The prices of gold is experiencing downward train in a country like India that is obsessed with the precious metal.
Gold prices fell by 20 rupees to 31,980 rupees per 10 grams at the bullion market today on easing demand from local jewellers along with subdued global cues, extending its fall for the third straight day.
However, silver recovered by 100 rupees to 40,300 rupees per kg on scattered enquiries from industrial units. Traders said, besides the fall in demand from local jewellers and retailers at the domestic spot market, a weak trend overseas on a firmer dollar, while investors focused on the US jobs data due later in the day for fresh catalysts, kept pressure on gold prices.
Gold prices fell 0.12 percent to 1,310 US dollar an ounce, and silver by 0.15 percent to 16.37 US dollar an ounce in Singapore.

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Data leak: India to Continue Probe Despite Cambridge Analytica Closure

The government will continue with its enquiry into the Cambridge Analytica data leak issue despite the firm announcing closure of business. 
Sources said, the ongoing probe will continue as the liability of the company existed prior to the closure announcement. 
The UK based data analytics and political consulting firm has been under fire in various countries for allegedly harvesting data from almost 87 million Facebook users and leveraging them for political campaigns.
The government had issued notices to both Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, confronting them with questions on data breach issue. The last date for the two companies to respond is 10th of this month.
Yesterday, the British firm announced that it was immediately ceasing all its operations and filing for insolvency in Britain and the United States.

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Congress Allowed Loot of Banks : PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused the successive Congress governments at the Centre of allowing a handful of people to loot banks while denying loans to poor. 

Begining his election campaign in Karnataka, Modi addressed several public rallies. He said, despite the nationalisation of banks poor remained out of the banking system until his government started helming the country. 

Modi said, there was a time when the poor had no bank accounts, they could not even think of going to a bank. He said, the poor were out of economic mainstream and banking system. 

Modi said, his government started the Jan Dhan scheme for them. 

The Prime Minister told the gathering that 28th April got a momentous day in the history of the country when all un-electrified villages were connected with power lines. 

He said, the NDA government will embark on a task of connecting 4 crore households which do not have electricity even after 70 years of independence.

The Prime Minister dared Congress President Rahul Gandhi to speak in any language for 15 minutes about the achievements of Karnataka's Siddaramaiah government without referring to a piece of paper. 

Mr. Modi said, he is a person from the working class and any criticism by Naamdhar, a person from famous family, will not deter him from taking up the development work. 

He assured people of Karnataka that all the pending projects in the state will be speeded up when BJP comes to power. Mr. Modi claimed over two dozen BJP workers were killed under the Congress government in Karnataka in political violence. 

He also spoke about his government promulgating an ordinance to pave the way for providing stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years.

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Karnataka Election : Amit Shah Ups the Ante

Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has established himself as a fearsome strategist not for nothing. He comes with newer moves and counter moves with every poll. It is as if he especially relishes the electoral battles that bring to forth his unfathomable mastery in the poll strategies.
The newest salvo comes as he slough it out in the scorching sun of Karnataka. Shah has said that his  party will give account for the money spent during the 2019 election to  the Lok Sabha.
  "NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra  Modi will give account for the money spent during its five year term in  office," he said  addressing a  public meeting at Hungund.
In the same breath, he challenged Congress President Rahul Gandhib as well.
"Since it is a Assembly  election, he (Rahul) should give details of Siddaramaiah  government's performance during the last five years in office," he said.
Asserting that the BJP will form  the next government in Karnataka, Mr Shah said that Congress has already  lost Assembly elections in 12 States and in May 12 election also same  thing will happen and Congress will lose power.
The move is a smart one as it allows BJP to project itself as a transparent party. At the same time, it puts Congress in a tight spot as the latter is married by corruption scandals.
With this announcement, Amit Shah has upped the ante and now one waits for the response from Congress camp.

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Baseless : Says SC on Plea to Probe Judge Loya's death

The Supreme Court today dismissed a batch of petitions seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge BH Loya.
A bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said there is no reason to doubt the statements of judges accompanying Justice Loya that the death was due to a natural cause.
Holding that there was absolutely no merit in the petitions, the bench said, attempts were made to scandalize the judiciary by leveling serious allegations against judicial officers and judges of the Bombay High Court.
The court said, with these petitions, it is clear that a real attempt and a frontal attack was made on the independence of the judiciary.
It said, frivolous and motivated litigation has been filed to settle political rivalry. Justice Loya, who was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, had allegedly died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on 1st December 2014 when he had gone to attend a wedding.

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India Bans Imports of Oxytocin

The Central government has banned the import of Oxytocin and asked the customs department to prevent any attempt to smuggle it into the country.

The move comes after the Prime Minister's Office held a meeting to check the "harmful effects of Oxytocin" as cases of its misuse by some dairy owners and farmers to boost milk production and increase the size of vegetables had come to light.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs, in an order issued recently, has banned all imports of Oxytocin in any name with immediate effect. It said all bona fide requirements of Oxytocin would be met by indigenous production.

There were some reports in the Media regarding misuse of oxytocin injection. However, scientific data on the extent of such practices was not available. The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) had earlier said that no ill effects have been observed in the animals in experiments carried out on the use of oxytocin.

In view of the reports of misuse of oxytocin by dairy owners in milch animals, the manufacture and sale of oxytocin injection was regulated under section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 published vide notification number G.S.R. 29 (E) dated 17.01.2014.

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TRAI Proposes Public Wi-Fi Access Grid

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today mooted an ambitious model of a public Wi-Fi grid that aims to slash Internet access cost by 90 per cent, and push broadband proliferation in India.

TRAI Chairman RS Sharma told reporters that the regulator's concept involves Public Data Office Providers (PDOs) - much like PCOs of yesteryears that galvanised connectivity.

The PDOs will be companies, or even small merchants, interested in providing Wi-Fi hotspots to public using either free or paid model.

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Reservation Policy Is Here to Stay : Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said that the Modi government will neither scrap the reservation policy nor allow anyone else to do so. While addressing the gathering at the Maharashtra BJP's Maha Melava rally on the 38th Foundation Day of the BJP, Shah accused the Opposition of not allowing the Budget session of Parliament to function.

Shah said in a press conference  that the journey of the party has been a difficult journey and full of sacrifices. He said BJP sacrificed maximum number of its leaders after independence as compared to any other political party. 

Shah was addressing a in Mumbai after the Maha-BJP-Maha Melava .The party President said BJP is a democratic party and it follows an ideology. Shah added that BJP from two MPs in Parliament, has now 330 members in Parliament. He said there are 1600 BJP MLAs in the country today.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with thousand of the BJP workers on the occasion of 38th Foundation Day of party.

Addressing through video conferencing, Mr Modi said, the BJP is a party which is completely driven by democratic rules.He said, there is no dynasty and casteism in the party. He said the party has brought a new hope for development of the country. 

Earlier, in his message, Modi said that the BJP is the party of a New India and is privileged to receive the blessings of people of all age groups, across all sections of society. He said party believes in diversity, unique culture of the country and above all the strengths of 125 crore Indians.

Prime Minister thanked people for their unwavering faith in BJP. He said, it is party's commitment that it will continue to devote itself towards India’s transformation.

Modi said that for BJP, the party workers are everything and they are the heart and soul of the party, whose sweat has taken the Party to new heights. He said party remember, with great pride, the heroic service and sacrifice of all party workers who built the BJP and committed themselves towards creating a stronger and better India.

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Journalist Accreditation Could be Permanently Cancelled for Fake News

The government has said that the accreditation of a journalist can be permanently cancelled if the person is found generating or propagating fake news. 

As per the amended guidelines for the accreditation of journalists, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist will be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation. 

In case of a third violation, his or her accreditation will be cancelled permanently, the information and broadcasting ministry said in a release. 

It said any complaint of instances of fake news will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI), if it pertains to print media, and to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), if it relates to the electronic media, for determination of the news item being fake or not. 

This determination is expected to be completed within 15 days by these agencies, the ministry said. Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist, whoever created and/or propagated the fake news, will be suspended till the determination regarding the fake news is made, the ministry said.

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Russia Takes Tough Stand, To Expel 50 diplomats

Russia has stiffened its stand over the spy-poisoning case. It has told Britain that more than 50 of its diplomats will have to leave, amid a deepening row over the poisoning of a former Russian spy and his daughter in the UK.
Moscow initially expelled 23 British diplomats after 23 Russian diplomats were ordered out by London.
Moscow says the UK and Russian diplomatic missions should be the same size in each country.
The British government blames Russia for the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal, but Moscow denies it.
Russia expelled 59 diplomats from 23 countries yesterday and said that it reserved the right to take action against four other nations in a worsening standoff with the West over the poisoning issue.
A day earlier, Moscow ordered the expulsion of 60 U.S. diplomats and the closing of the U.S. consulate in St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, in retaliation for the biggest ejection of diplomats since the Cold War.

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Amit Shah Confident of Winning Assembly Elections in Karnataka

BJP President Amit Shah has expressed that his party will gain absolute majority in Karnataka Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Mysuru today, he said that a strong anti-incumbency is seen against the Congress government in the state.
Mr Shah pointed out that a progressive state with strong IT sector like Karnataka does not have 24 hours electricity, water supply and health infrastructure is in shambles. He said, more than 3,500 farmers have committed suicide, women are unsafe and investments have slowed down.
Mr Shah accused the Congress of using Karnataka as an ATM to fill its coffers. He also accused Congress of doing politics in giving minority status to Lingayats. This move just before the assembly election is a ploy to divide Lingayat votes in the state, he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is campaigning in Chamundeshwari constituency today has attacked BJP through his tweet. He has tweeted that Kannadigas will not trust Mr Shah, as his home state Gujarat witnessed atrocities against Dalits.

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Amit Shah Begins Karnataka Expedition

BJP chief Amit Shah began his two-day visit to election-bound Karnataka with a visit to Suttur Matt in Mysuru today. He took the blessings of Suttur Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahasamiji’s blessings and appreciated the efforts of Swamiji in spreading the values of Indian culture and traditions.
Later, he paid a visit to Amba Vilas Palace and met erstwhile Mysore royal family. Union Minister Ananth Kumar, BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa and Member of Parliament Pratap Simha were present on this occasion. Amit Shah thereafter visited the house of Kyathamaranahalli Raju, an RSS activist who was hacked to death in 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, 23 BJP workers were murdered in the state under Siddaramaiah Government and people have decided to end his rule. He assured the family members of those killed, that the culprits will be booked and punished when Yeddyurappa comes to power.
BJP national President Amit Shah did not reveal the details of his meeting with Mysore royal family. But this visit is considered important in the political circle. Speaking at the Navashakti samavesha in Mysuru he said Congress has lost many elections under Rahul Gandhi and the same will happen in Karnataka.
Later in the day, BJP President will interact with Dalit leaders today. This is the fourth leg of his tour in the state after his visit in north, central and coastal Karnataka regions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too is campaigning in the Mysuru district today which will continue till April 2nd.

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Narayan Rane : A Longtime Sulking Leader

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane is sulking for quite a time now. The veteran leader, hailing originally from Shiv Sena and having shifted later to Congress, is hanging around Bharatiya Janata Party's lobby to get a berth in the Maharashtra cabinet.

However, his hopes do not appear to come to fruition anytime soon as BJP choses to place him on its waiting list. On Wednesday night, Rane met BJP President Amit Shah at his residence and later claimed that the latter promised a Rajya Sabha seat to him in lieu of the ministerial berth. CM Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar as also Narayan Rane's MLA son Nitish were also present in the meeting.

Rane's claim cannot be taken at its face value because BJP has made en number of such promises to him in the past but never fulfilled it. Again, Rane himself makes these claims and there is no word from BJP and that makes the matter even more curious.

Rane had formed a new party called 'Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksh' last October after quitting the Congress and had indicated his organisation may align with the BJP

The 65-year-old leader known for his outspoken nature has pockets of influence in the Konkan region, mainly Sindhudurg district. Rane served as the chief minister in 1999 when he was in the Shiv Sena but is presently the bete noire of the party, a reason why BJP apparently cosied up to him. The Shiv Sena has been bitterly critical of Rane, who had objected to Uddhav Thackeray's elevation in the party.

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray had expelled Rane from the party following which the Maratha leader joined the Congress on July 26, 2005. He was made the revenue minister in the then Congress-NCP government in the state the very next day.

Rane is also known for his aspiration to become the chief minister, an ambition he has professed publicly on many occasion to possess. "I still have an ambition to become the chief minister of Maharashtra. It never dies. I will wait for the right time to come," is his popular refrain. He claims that Congress had promised him to make CM but never made him one.

There were speculations in the past that Rane would join the BJP. However, a large section in the BJP was not in favour of his induction into the party. Rane resigned from the Congress in September last year after accusing the party having reneged on the promise of making him the chief minister. He had also resigned as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.

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ED Action : Mehul Choksi Group's 42 Properties Worth Over Rs. 1,200 cr Attached

Enforcement Directorate has attached 42 properties worth over 1,200 crore rupees belonging to Gitanjali Gems and its promoter Mehul Choksi in connection with PNB scam.
The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The attached assets include 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a mall in Kolkata, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nasik, Nagpur, Panvel and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu.
A 170-acre park in Hyderabad's Ranga Reddy district valued at over 500 crore rupees has also been attached, the ED said on Thursday.
Four flats in Borivali (east) area of Mumbai and nine others in Khemu Towers in Santacruz (east) have been attached as part of the action.
Choksi and designer diamond jewellery businessman Nirav Modi and others are being investigated by the ED and other probe agencies after the PNB scam came to light.
The CBI and the ED have registered two FIRs each to probe the case.
AIR Correspondent reports, the Enforcement Directorate issued a provisional order for attachment of the properties in PNB case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
It had attached total 42 assets including 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a mall in Kolkata, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nasik, Nagpur, Panvel and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu.
A 170-acre park in Hyderabad's Ranga Reddy district valued at over Rs 500 crore has also been attached. The CBI and the ED have registered two FIRs each to probe the case.

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Another Bumper Crop in Offing!

Government has estimated that the foodgrain production will touch a new record of 277.49 million tonnes in 2017-18 crop year as against 275.11 million tonnes last year. 

According to the second estimate for 2017-18 released on Monday, Pulses production is pegged at a record 23.95 MT this year, up by 0.82 MT, from 23.13 MT last year. 

The wheat production is estimated to decline by 1.40 MT to 97.11 MT from the record of 98.51 MT achieved in 2016-17. 

The production of coarse cereals is estimated at record 45.42 MT this year as against 43.77 MT in 2016-17 crop year. 

However, oilseeds production is pegged lower by 1.39 MT at 29.88 MT in 2017-18 as against 31.28 MT during 2016-17. 

The Agriculture Ministry said, as a result of near normal rainfall during monsoon 2017 and various policy initiatives taken by the government, the country has witnessed record foodgrains production in the current year.

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Karnataka : FIR Registered Against Mohammad Nalapad

The police have registered an FIR against Mohammad Nalapad, the Bengaluru district youth Congress leader and son of Shantinagar MLA N A Haris in Karnataka, 

Mohammad Nalapad has been charged for allegedly beating up a person along with 10 of his supporters in a restaurant last night in UB city of Bengaluru. He has also been accused of threatening the victim at a hospital not to register any police complaint. The state Congress has already expelled Nalapad from the party for six years. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has tweeted that he has directed the police to take action as per the rules. Nalapad's whereabouts were not known. The man, identified as Vidwat, has been hospitalised, police said. Nalapad, General Secretary of Bengaluru District Youth Congress, is the son of Shantinagar MLA N A Harris.

According to the FIR, Nalapad and 10 of his supporters thrashed Dollars Colony resident Vidwath after a heated exchange. Vidwath, who already had a fractured leg, was rushed to a nearby hospital, but Nalapad and his supporters reportedly followed him there and threatened against pressing charges.

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Chabahar port : Historic Deal Finalized

Iran has awarded a much-awaited agreement to India over the management of part of its strategic Chabahar port. The historic move could enable India to dodge Pakistan and reach markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

The agreement was signed during a visit to New Delhi by President Hassan Rouhani would lease the operational control of Shahid Beheshti port – phase one of Chabahar port - to India for 18 months, said Press TV, 

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi who oversaw the signing of the agreement together with Rouhani later told reporters in a joint press conference that the expansion of connectivity was important for New Delhi. Modi also emphasized that his country was interested in the construction of a rail link between Chabahar and Iran’s southeastern city of Zahedan – a crucial link that India would need to expand its reach northward. 

"We will support the construction of the Chabahar-Zahedan rail link so that Chabahar gateway's potential could be fully utilized," he said.

"We want to expand connectivity, cooperation in the energy sector and the centuries-old bilateral relationship."

Rouhani for his part emphasized that Chabahar could reinforce Iran and India’s historical ties by serving as a bridge connecting the subcontinent to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.

“We are ready to sign bilateral and trilateral agreements to turn the transit route passing through Chabahar into a strategic pathway serving the reinforcement of regional ties,” he said.

On a related front, Iran’s Minister of Road and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi said Iran and India would jointly operate Shahid Beheshti port, adding that New Delhi would invest as much as $87 million in the project.  Akhoundi emphasized that this would be part of a total investment of $2 billion that India would make in Iran’s port and rail projects.  

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India, Iran Ink Nine Agreements in Different Areas

India and Iran have reiterated their commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and stressed that there can be no justification for any act of terrorism. 

In a joint statement issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in New Delhi, the two leaders expressed their conviction that the fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and eliminate terrorists and terrorist organizations but should also identify and address conditions conducive to terrorism as well as extremist ideologies. 

The two sides also urged for an immediate end to all support and sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorist groups and individuals. They said, States that aid, abet and directly or indirectly support terrorism should be condemned. 

India and Iran welcomed the growing interaction between their National Security Councils and agreed to enhance regular and institutionalized consultations between them and others concerned on terrorism and security. Both sides also expressed interest in enhancing cooperation possibilities in maritime domain.

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Talks with Iranian President Fruitful : PM Modi

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has termed his talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as fruitful.
India and Iran on Saturday signed nine agreements in different areas after delegation-level talks between PM Modi and President Rouhani in New Delhi. 
The fields in which the agreements were inked include extradition treaty, Chabahar port, medicine and agriculture. 
In a joint statement, Modi said, he had a fruitful discussion with Dr. Rouhani on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. He said, the Iranian President's visit will further deepen and strengthen bilateral ties. 
Modi also said, both countries would like to see a prosperous and terror-free Afghanistan. He said, India and Iran are connected by common Sufi strain and want the region to be free of terror. 
The Prime Minister also thanked Mr Rouhani for providing leadership in developing Chabahar Port which is a gateway to Central Asia.
Both leaders also released a special postal stamp. Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the visiting dignitary and discussed ways to strengthen co-operation in energy, connectivity, IT, education, culture and people-to-people contact. 
The Iranian President was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan Saturday morning. He also visited Rajghat to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Rouhani will meet President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu later on Saturday.
The Iranian President, who is on three-day visit to India, arrived in New Delhi last night after his stay in Hyderabad.

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PNB fraud: CBI arrests PNB's ex-Deputy Manager Gokulnath Shetty

The CBI today made the first arrest in the alleged 11,400 crore rupee Punjab National Bank fraud case in which businessman Nirav Modi and his partner Mehul Choksi are accused. The CBI has arrested three people - former Deputy Manager of the bank, Gokulnath Shetty, Single Window Operator of the bank, Manoj Kharat, and the authorised signatory of Nirav Modi group of firms, Hemant Bhat. The three will be produced before a CBI special court in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, massive searches by the Enforcement Directorate that began on Thursday continued on Friday against Nirav Modi, a jewellery designer and main accused in the PNB scam.

Friday saw raids being conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and Jaipur. Raids by CBI also continued at various places connected with Mehul Choksi. The investigating agency raided 20 locations belonging to Gitanjali group of companies spread across 6 cities in 5 states.

In the raids diamond, gold and jewellery worth 5649 crore rupees have been seized. CBI also registered a case against Mehul Choksi based on the complaint by PNB.

FIR has been filed against 3 companies of Choksi group, Gitanjali Gems, Gili India and Nakshatra Brand Limited. Apart from crackdown by ED, External Affairs Ministry has also tightened its noose around Nirav Modi. It suspended the validity of passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi for four weeks.

Amidst reports of Nirav Modi slipping out of the country, Interpol has also been alerted. Agencies have issued diffusion notice through Interpol.

As investigations into the fraud continue, PNB has suspended 8 more employees which has taken the number of suspended PNB officials to 18.

Government and the BJP have categorically said strict action is being taken in the case and those guilty will not be spared. BJP has alleged that in 2013 during UPA government's tenure, the finance secretary had received a complaint pertaining to the case but owing to some pressure, no action took place.

BJP also said Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited Nirav Modi's jewellery exhibition in 2013.

The scam involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Chowksi came to light when the PNB said it had discovered fraudulent transactions dating back to 2011. The fraud pertains to issuance of letters of undertaking to three companies associated with Nirav Modi.

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India's First Radio festival in Delhi Today

The first ever radio festival of India is being held in New Delhi today to mark World Radio Day. The festival is being organized by International Association of Women in Radio and Television, in collaboration with UNESCO. 
In the inaugural session, Paralympian Deepa Malik in her address said, radio talks about positivity and it is pivotal in celebrating sports. 
She said, at every crucial point of her life, Radio was an integral part. Ms Malik said, a documentary made on her life by All India Radio boosted her self-confidence and help create a hero out of a differently abled woman. 
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Anju Nigam, Director General of AIR Fayaz Sheheryar, Director General of Door Darshan Supriya Sahu and UNESCO representative to India Shigeru Aoyagi addressed the gathering. 
The festival includes live performances, an exhibition, and slotted panel discussions. Apart from touching on the theme for World Radio Day 2018 - radio and sports - the festival is also examining the potential of the medium as a platform for social change, ways to make it more creative and will trace the journey of music on the radio.

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Five killed, Four injured in blast at Cochin Shipyard

In Kerala, five workers were killed and four injured in a blast that occurred in the maintenance dock of Cochin Shipyard today. The blast occurred inside ONGC ship, Sagar Bhusan which was under maintenance in the dock.
All the injured workers have been admitted to hospital. The condition of one injured is reportedly critical. The situation is under control now as per official reports. The deceased were believed to be contract workers.
Minister of Shipping, Nitin Gadkari has directed MD Cochin Shipyard to provide all medical support to victims and initiate enquiry into the incident. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of the five persons in the blast.

Three injured people have been admitted to a private hospital here, a CSL official said adding that the condition of one of them, who suffered 40 per cent burns, is stated to be critical.
The CSL spokesperson earlier today said 11 people trapped inside the ship were evacuated and rushed to city hospitals.
City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh visited the accident site and said those trapped on the ship were evacuated and the situation was under control now.
The blast reportedly occurred in a water tank on the front side of the ship docked in the yard for repair.
The incident occurred at around 10 AM when those on the vessel were about to deboard it for breakfast break.

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Metro project of Pune Much Faster Than Expected - Mahamatro CEO

"The Metro project of Pune is much faster than expected. By eliminating all obstacles, the Metro will run in Pune till 2021. The project is an attempt to start the project in the public from time-to-time using appropriate technology of world-class technology. It will also be made available to all the world-wide facility providers," said Maharashtra Metro Executive Chairman Ramnath Subramanyam.

He was speaking at the first session of the fourth National Construction and Transport Council organized by MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Rajbagh, College of Management, Loni Kalbhor. Meanwhile, the inaugural ceremony of the fourth National Council, sports chief Shantilal Kataria, Director of Mitcamp Pvt. Sunita Mangesh Karad, Vice Chancellor of MIT ADT University Dr. Sunil Roy, Registrar of the University Dr. Mahesh Deshpande, Pune Metro Advisor Shashikant Limaye, PCERF Chairman Mr. Vishwas Lokar, Yusuf Inamdar of Jayakumar Infrastructure, Rajiv Nehru, Vitek Singh of Mitkom and others were present on the occasion.

Subramanyam said that the transport system is important for the citizens. For this, local governments and governments play an important role. The Government has a duty to provide facilities to the citizens. So work is being done to strengthen the transport system. Apart from Mahamatro, the metro work is being done in other metropolitan cities except Mumbai. After Nagpur, the work of Pune Metro is going on in the state. Mahamatro will try to provide world-class facilities to the citizens in less time. Common mobility cards, Green Metro Solar stations, different types of station designs, free Wi-Fi, bicycle services, parking facilities, connecting all stations to the city's transport service, providing free footpaths, rainwater harvesting facilities. We are focusing on building Metro Tourism along with world-class Metro facilities. A large number of employment opportunities will be available to the youth through Metro. He said that Mahamatro is working to take the Metro out of the field through efficient manpower.

Chief guest  Shantilal Katariya said that India is a developing country. Therefore, there are huge opportunities for young people in the construction sector in this country. Planning is needed for planned and strong construction. The construction sector does not have importance due to lack of planning. Those who work in this field and who look forward to it as a career, should not be employed, but many have to become workers in the hand. There are a large number of opportunities for students working in the construction and technology and transport system. While working in this field, it can be successful if you experience working experience on the site rather than the AC office.

Pvt. Sunita Mangesh Karad said that infrastructure is the economic tool of India. Greater investments from all over the world in the construction and transport system are being held in India. To create a skilled manpower for this, it is necessary to provide technology and actual work experience. He said at this time that such a national level conference will be required.

Pune Metro Advisor Shashikant Limaye said that setting up of infrastructure is a big challenge ahead of the country. Highways, metro, airports, construction of river basins, flyover are being constructed in large numbers in the country. It requires a skilled manpower. He also said that there are huge opportunities for future successes in many challenges. '

PCERF President Mr. Vishwas Lokar said that students should make a career using the right technology. Pay attention to quality work rather than running behind money. If you work together for the country and for the sake of community building then success will definitely be achieved.

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50% Attendance Must in Mumbai University : Bombay HC

For the students in the Mumbai University, the students must muster 50% attendance or face disqualification. That is what Bombay High Court has said. 

The HC has held that the Mumbai University's ordinance mandating a minimum 50 per cent attendance was in the interest of students and thus, even the highest authority in the university had no power to allow any undue relaxation in the rule.

In the order passed on Thursday, a bench of justices B R Gavai and B P Colabawalla also held that the discretionary powers over students' attendance was vested only with the colleges' respective attendance committees and their principals and that the university can't claim to be the "supreme appellate authority" in such cases. The bench was hearing a petition filed against the Mumbai University's grievance cell by a college in Kandivli.

The petitioner had alleged that the university's cell did not take strict action against the attendance defaulters and that it often allowed such students, who did not have the minimum requisite attendance, to appear for exams.

The petitioner alleged that in March 2017, about 100 commerce students were barred from appearing for their second semester exams since they had less than 50 per cent attendance.

Thirty-eight of these students had approached the university's grievance cell (commerce) and it asked the college to allow the defaulters to take the exams despite the fact that they had less than 50 per cent attendance.

The university's ordinance on students' attendance mandates that each student maintains 75 per cent attendance.

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Finally a Relieving News on Aadhaar

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked the government departments, Ministries and State governments to ensure that no essential service or benefit should be denied to a genuine beneficiary for want of Aadhaar. The news has come as a relieving piece for countless people. 

In a statement, the authority said, it has taken a serious note of some of the cases reported in media about the denial of essential services like hospitalisation or medical help. It said, such claims of denial are being investigated by the concerned agencies and strict action will be taken in case denial has occurred. It said, Aadhaar is meant to bring transparency and accountability in public service deliveries through effective use of technology and it should not be misused and made an excuse to any denial in the services.

The authority said, it will again write a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all the States and Union territories to ensure that Aadhaar Act is implemented for all the schemes at the ground level in service deliveries to beneficiaries so that no denial happens due to want of Aadhaar.

The UIDAI last week had clarified that the Plastic or PVC Aadhaar smart cards are often not usable as the QR code commonly becomes dysfunctional during such unauthorised printing at some vendor/shop. Also, there could be a possibility of sharing Aadhaar details (personal sensitive demographic information) without informed consent with some devious elements.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO, UIDAI said, “So-called Aadhaar Smart card is totally unnecessary and a waste as during such printing its QR code often becomes dysfunctional. The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper or mAadhaar is perfectly valid for all kind of uses. “If a person has a paper Aadhaar card, there is absolutely no need to get his/her Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or so called smart Aadhaar card by paying money. There is no concept such as smart or plastic Aadhaar card.” 

In case a person loses his Aadhaar card, he can download his Aadhaar card free of cost from https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. The print out of the downloaded Aadhaar card, even in black and white form, is as valid as the original Aadhaar letter sent by UIDAI. There is absolutely no need to print it on plastic/PVC card or get it laminated.

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Tussle Over Andhra Pradesh Getting Interesting

The tussle between Bharatiya Janata Party and Telugu Desam Party over the special status to the state is getting interesting day by day. Days after the TDP launched offensive against the ruling party at center, BJP has retorted by saying that the Andhra Pradesh received utmost priority during last three and half yrs under Modi government.

The BJP on Saturday said, Andhra Pradesh has received utmost priority and importance under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government.

In a joint press conference in New Delhi, party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao and Party's AP President and Visakhapatnam MP K. Hari Babu presented a list of institutions, projects and funds sanctioned for the state by the NDA government and asserted that the Centre has taken utmost care of the state.

“The state has received priority and the Centre is committed to its development,” the Rao said,

Referring to the charges made by MPs from AP representing TDP and YSRCP, Rao said it was all propaganda. Hari Babu said, the State has been provided funds for which is entitled to and the rest is under implemetion. The Party also refuted the criticism that the Centre has not done much for development of the State.

Hari Babu said that in a meeting held on Thursday, two major issues --- the revenue deficit the state had inherited at the time of bifurcation and the implementation of special package -- have been sorted out and concerns over other proposed projects and institutions were also addressed

The Centre will bear all revenue deficit for the entire period of the 14th finance commission and a total of Rs 22,113 crores will be paid to Andhra Pradesh as grant for the five- year period

The Centre has released a sum of Rs 1,269 crore to AP under different heads in the last few days with the gross grant including Rs 417.44 crore for the Polavaram multipurpose project, one of the contentious issues between the allies TDP and BJP, he said.

TDP MPs, along with YSR Congress, in both Houses of Parliament have been protesting for the last few days demanding implementation of all promises made by the NDA government under the 2014 Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

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Fourth National Construction Techies Conference at MIT ADT University

MIT College of Management (MITCOM) of MIT Art, Design and Technology University has organized the 'Fourth National Level Construction Techies Conference. inSIGHT'18' at the University's campus between 12th and 13th February, 2018.

The experts from various fields will be enlightening on the theme of 'Advances in Infrastructure Development and Transportation Systems in Developing India' as said by Prof. Sunita Mangesh Karad (Director, MIT College of Management) in a press conference.

Prof. Sunita Karad said "The main aim is to make students aware about the advanced technology in construction industry and transport system. This national conference .inSIGHT'18 is the fourth edition organised by MIT ADT University."

The students of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Interior Designing, fresh graduates, faculty members and industry practitioners will participate in the conference. The guests will be covering the topics of 'Advances in transportation system, Urban development, Marching towards Smart India, New technologies and Trends in Construction industry, Smart and Sustainable Development' to name a few.

The list of guests invited includes Smart City Project Director Rajendra Jagtap, City Engineer, Pune Municipal Corporation Prashant Waghmare, President of CREDAI Shrikant Paranjpe, Executive Chairman of Maharashtra Metro Rangnath Subramaniam,  Founder of Lodha Trust Manju Lodha,  Chairman of PCERF Vishwas Lokre, Executive Vice President of HCC Group Chetan Hazaree, Kostas Kontomanos, . Member of India Planning Association Subhash Deshpande, VP BIM Neilsoft Praveen Sharma and Sunil Joshi, Sarpanch of Hussuri Osampur in Uttar Pradesh Dilip Tripathi, Chairman of Govardhan Village Gaurang Das,Executive Director of  Rohan Builders Rohan Lunka and Founder of Rurban Touch Solutions Sanjay Chokshi.

There are also competitions such as call for papers, model presentation and mindful managers which have a cumulative prize of above one lakh rupees, as said by Prof. Sunita Mangesh Karad.

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Kerala, Punjab & Tamil Nadu Top NITI Aayog's Health Index

Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu topped the list of Healthy State progressive report released by NITI Aayog today among the larger states in terms of overall performance. The NITI Aayog released the report in New Delhi this afternoon.

While releasing the report, CEO Amitabh Kant said that Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh were the the top three three states in the terms of annual incremental performance. He said, the health index has been evolved through comprehensive study and inputs from World Bank India and Ministry of Health. Mr Kant said, State and Union territory have been ranked in three categories namely larger states, smaller states and Union territories.

He said, among smaller states Mizoram ranked first followed by Manipur and Goa in terms of annual incremental performance. The NITI Aayog CEO said, among Union territories Lakshadweep showed best overall performance as well as highest annual incremental performance. He said, the study of incremental performance of states will ensure the government for better health outcomes.

The report said about one third of the states has registered a decline in there performance in 2016 as compared to 2015. It said, common challenges for the states is to address vacancies in key staff, establishment of Cardiac Care Units and quality accreditation of public health facilities. Speaking on the occasion, Member (Health) in the NITI Aayog, Dr Vinod Paul said, absolute and incremental changes in health outcomes as measured by the Health Index, promotes cross-learning between states and captures the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism.

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Ayodhya Case Purely a Land Dispute Issue : SC

The Supreme Court has said the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid case was purely a "land dispute" and will be dealt with in normal course.

The apex court commenced its final hearings on the Ayodhya dispute yesterday. During the course of an hour-long hearing the court clarified that it was first inclined to hear those who were parties to the dispute in the Allahabad High Court.

It further said those who have tried to wade into the matter before it and seeking impleadment as parties will have to wait as the case before it was a "pure land dispute".

A special bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was hearing the civil appeals, arising out of 2010 verdict of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, which in a 2 to1 majority ruling, had ordered that the disputed land be partitioned equally among three parties, the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The bench also comprised Justices Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer. The court in its order asked the original parties of the title suits to file within two weeks the English translations of documents, exhibits and excerpts from vernacular books, which have been used in the high court.

The bench also expressed its reservation on hearing the matter on day-to-day basis and said, once the matter will start it will go on in normal course. 

The bench said it would hear the appeals in the case on the 14th of next month.

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Another Attack by US Shows Its Earnestness

The United States government has shown yet again that its resolve to fight terrorism is not just rhetoric but a serious preposition. US bombers have struck multiple Taliban targets in a new air offensive over the past four days in far northeastern Afghanistan near the China and Tajikistan borders.

Ever since Donald Trump has assumed charge as the President of US, he has repeatedly talked about fighting terror.

The Southern Command said in a statement that the strikes hit Taliban training facilities in Badakhshan province, preventing the planning and rehearsal of terrorist acts. The bombing also destroyed vehicles that it said the Taliban took from the Afghan National Army and were turning into vehicle-born explosive devices.

The strikes were carried out in part by a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, which dropped 24 guided munitions. The Southern Command, which oversees US military activities in the Middle East and Afghanistan, said it continues to carry out strikes against the Taliban and its support networks in Helmand Province in the south of the country as well.

Strikes and raids by US and Afghan forces have resulted in the removal of more than 30 million Dollars of Taliban revenue since the campaign began in November, 2017, the Command said.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis, defending the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan in a hearing by the House Armed Services Committee, said that the new US strategy of training and advisory support to local troops has the strong backing of NATO allies helping the effort.The number of allies in Afghanistan has actually grown to 41, he said.

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Thank God, 22 Indian Sailors Are Now Free

An oil tanker, with an all Indian crew of 22 members that went missing off the coast of Benin in north-west Africa, has been released by pirates after four days.

Officials said, all the crew members, who endured the over four-day ordeal, are safe. Director General of Shipping Malini Shankar said, the ship, 'Marine Express', has been released and is back under the command of the captain. She said all 22 crew members are safe and the ship has resumed further sailing.

The Marine Express was at the anchorage Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea in Benin when it was taken over by pirates on 1st February.

In a tweet, Swaraj said she is happy to inform that Merchant Ship "Marine Express" with 22 Indian nationals on board has been released. The Minister thanked the government of Nigeria and Benin for their help and support in the release of an oil tanker with 22 Indian crew.

Yesterday Swaraj had spoken to her Nigerian counterpart to seek assistance in tracing the missing oil tanker. An official said all the crew members, released by pirates are safe and the ship has resumed sailing. The vessel was at the anchorage Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea in Benin when it was taken over by pirates on 1st February.

It was immediately not clear if a ransom was paid to secure the release of the vessel and the cargo. The Marine Express was at the anchorage Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea in Benin when it was taken over by pirates on February 1.

All the communication systems on the vessel were switched off by pirates before making it sail. In a Facebook post, the ship manning agent Anglo Eastern said the Panama-flagged vessel was the subject of a “pirate attack and seizure”, and also confirmed the safe release. The cargo of 13,500 tonnes of gasoline remains on board, the post added.

An official at the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) had earlier confirmed that the waters in which the vessel was taken over are infested with sea pirates. There had been a few incidents where the pirates had let off hijacked vessels and crew after siphoning-off the on board cargo without demanding any ransom.

In respect of this incident, DGS officials were in contact with the Indian mission in Nigeria, which was coordinating rescue efforts with local agencies. The ship went missing less than a month after another vessel, ‘MT Barret’, disappeared off the coast of Benin in January, and was later confirmed to have been hijacked. The 22 crew members of MT Barret, most of whom were Indians, were reportedly released after a ransom was paid.

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SC Gives an Earful to Khaps

Taking a strong exception to the diktats passed by Khaps on matters of marriage, Supreme Court has come out strongly against honour killings. Apex court said that even if a young adults marry within the prohibited degree of relation there are courts and law to declare it null and void.

CJI Dipak Misra warned that Khaps should not become self-appointed conscience keepers when there is law and courts to deal with marriages prohibited by law. He said that irrespective of tradition, gotra, if there is illegality in marriage, its is for law and courts to deal with it and not Khaps.

The court said that a marriage between two adults was governed by the law. The Supreme Court bench said it would set up a high-level committee consisting of senior police officers to deal with issues relating to intervention in marriages by bodies such as khap panchayats.

The SC had in the past said if an adult man and woman marry, no khap, panchayat, individual or society can question them. In a democracy, if an adult girl or boy gets into marriage, no khap, no individual or no society can question them.

Khap panchayats or associations are notorious for attacking men and women opting for inter- caste marriage. Khaps are caste or community organisations in villages which at times act as quasi-judicial bodies and pronounce harsh punishments based on regressive and age-old customs and traditions.

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India Needs Scientific Temper: Dr. Jayant Narlikar

“We have not been able to develop a scientific temper despite 70 years of us achieving independence and we still get to see superstitions and irrational behavior around us,”said Dr. Jayant Naralikar, Padma Vibhushan, Emeritus Professor, Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) while receiving the Vigyan Tantragyaan Shreshtha Award by Bharat Asmita National Awards Foundation for his contribution to the field of Science and Astrophysics. 

Other awardees felicitated at the Bharat Asmita National Awards along with Dr. Naralaikar were Smt. Rama Bijapurkar, Management Consultant and Educator in the category of Acharya Shrestha Award, Rajeev Satav, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha & Former National President, Indian Youth Congress in the category of Jana Pratinidhi Shrestha, Manoj Joshi, Padmashri, Well Known Actor, Pt. Rajan & Sajan Mishra, Padma Bhushan Renowned Khayal Style Singers all in the category of Jana Jagran Shreshta.

The Award Ceremony was held on 3rd February 2018 at the Swami Vivekanada Mandap, MIT World Peace University Campus and jointly organised by MIT School of Government, MIT World Peace University and Bharat Asmita Foundation.

Also present at the ceremony were Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Well Known Computer Scientist, Dr. Vishwanth Karad, Nanik Rupani, Eminent Industrialist, Rahul Karad, Executive President, MIT World Peace University and Sharad Chandra Darade Patil. The Award Selection Committee comprises of stalwarts like Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Dr. Vishwanath Kard, Shri. Shyam Benegal, Ritu Chhabria, Ritu Nanda, Nadir Godrej and Rahul V. Karad.

Dr. Jayant Naralikar further said, “Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru had envisioned an India which would imbibe scientific attitude or temper but sadly it has not happened. I, on my part, will keep trying to campaign towards restoring a scientific temper among people till my last breath”.

Rama Bijapurkar said, “Often in this world, when one is ready, a teacher will find him and develop him accordingly. The best Gurudakshina one can give to his or her teacher is by going beyond the guru. The most important thing in today’s world is to teach one how to learn.”

Rajeev Satav said, “When I was fighting the 2014 General Elections, I was advised that there is a ‘Modi Wave’ and I should not run for elections this year. But I fought and won against all odds. If you have that ignition in heart, nothing can stop you. I would appeal to today’s youth to join whichever party you like, but contribute to the field of politics in some or the other way.”

Manoj Joshi said, “My father was a teacher of Sanskrit and we led a very simple life. And that is why I feel that despite being in the entertainment industry for years, I have never been fascinated by the glamour world. Acharya Chanakya had said that there is nothing above nation, for us, Rashtraneeti has to be supreme.”

Pt. Rajan & Sajan Mishra said, “Despite achieving tons of knowledge and contributing tremendously to the society, the one who feels that whatever he has done is still little and strives to do more, that person is the real gem of the society. If competition from the education system is removed, then talent will blossom on its own.”

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar said, “The nation that stands for universalization of knowledge has a key role to play in the global society. We have a lot to learn from the awardees who are felicitated tonight. Their life journey holds the vital message of sheer hard work and passion for the field of their liking.”

Rahul Karad explained the background of the awards in his introductory speech. Prof. Gautam Bapat compeered the ceremony and Dr. Saylee Gankar gave away the vote of thanks.

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Reason to Cheer for Donald Trump After Republican Memo's Release

United States President Donald Trump has reason to cheer after the release of the formerly classified Republican memo. "It totally vindicates me," he claimed on Twitter on Saturday (February 3).

Trump's fellow Republicans in the US House of Representatives released on Friday a previously classified memo that portrays senior officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department as being biased against him in the federal investigation into potential collusion between his 2016 presidential campaign and Russia.

The memo raised questions about what its Republican authors called "the legitimacy and legality" of FBI and Justice Department interactions with a special court to gain permission to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign advisor Carter Page, an oil industry consultant with numerous contacts in Russia. It cited "a troubling breakdown of legal processes established to protect the American people from abuses" related to the court, set up under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

A remaining issue is whether Trump uses the memo as rational for firing Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 after the president fired FBI Director James Comey, and oversees Mueller's work.

Democrats said the memo mischaracterizes highly sensitive classified information as part of a coordinated propaganda effort to discredit the FBI and Justice Department and terminate Mueller's investigation, which potentially threatens Trump's presidency.

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team wanted to question President Donald Trump as part of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential elections. The investigation also reportedly involved a probe into whether the President obstructed justice when he allegedly asked ex-FBI Director James Comey to drop an inquiry into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his conversations with the Russian Ambassador, becoming the first senior White House official to cut a cooperation deal in Mueller’s inquiry.

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Maratha Light Infantry to Celebrate 250 Years

The Maratha Light Infantry, one of the oldest regiments of the Army and the recipient of 56 battle honours, has entered its 250th year. 

A host of events have been planned to celebrate its legacy. Colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry Lt Gen PJS Pannu told newsmen on Saturday that the celebrations will open with a function on Sunday at the Manekshaw Centre where a coffee-table book on the infantry, 'Victory and Valour', will be released.

He said, the Maratha Light Infantry was the first infantry to be designated as a light infantry during the British Raj, for being swift-footed. The regiment draws inspiration from the legacy of Maratha warriors, who were adept in guerrilla warfare.

The legacy of the Maratha Light Infantry is illustrious and includes two Victoria Crosses won during the Second World War.

February 4 has a historical significance for the regiment, as on this day in 1670 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had conquered Fort Kondana which is famously known as Sinhgad.

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India Joins Ashgabat agreement

India has joined Ashgabat Agreement on the establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor between the Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The agreement was signed in April 2011, which envisages facilitation of transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. 

External Affairs Ministry said the accession to the Agreement would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central Asia and have a positive influence on its trade and commercial ties with the region. Turkmenistan, as depository state of Ashgabat Agreement, informed India yesterday that all the four founding members have consented to the Accession of India. 

India’s accession to the agreement will come into force on 3rd of this month. India had deposited the Instrument of Accession with Turkmenistan in April 2016.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had given its approval for India to accede to the Ashgabat Agreement on March 23, 2016

The Ashgabat Agreement has Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. Kazakhstan has also joined this arrangement subsequently. Accession to the Agreement would enable India to utilise this existing transport and transit corridor to facilitate trade and commercial interaction with the Eurasian region. Further, this would synchronise with our efforts to implement the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for enhanced connectivity. 

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India Announces World's Largest Health Programme

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Union Budget 2018-19 in the Parliament on Thursday, where he had a challenge to not just realise the 'New India' dream by spurring growth, but also meet expectations of millions of people and different sections of society and businesses of the country.
World's largest government-funded health programme - 'National Health Protection Scheme' was announced. It will cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable families by providing upto Rs 5 lakh per family per year. The government will launch 'Revitalising of Infrastructure and Systems in Education' by 2022 with a total investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in next 4 years.
This budget is significant as it was Modi government's fifth and final full budget. It is also the first one after GST implementation. Clearly, the focus is on low-cost farming. He said besides 'ease of doing business', the government is also focusing on 'ease of living' now. “
Higher Minimum Support Price of all crops shall be increased to at least 1.5 times that of the production cost.Hardwork of farmers resulted in a record production of more than 275 million tonnes of food grain and about 300 million tonnes of horticultural produce,” FM  said.
The Finance Minister expressed hope that economy will grow at 7.2 percent to 7.5 percent in the second half of 2017-18. He exuded confidence that India is on track to grow at 8 percent.
He proposed to raise institutional credit for agriculture to Rs 11 lakh crore for 2018-19. National Livelihood Mission allocated Rs. 5,750 cr in 2018-19.
Bamboo is green gold and restructured National Bamboo Mission will be launched with an allocation of Rs 1,290 crore to promote bamboo sector in a holistic manner, Jaitley said.
Air Pollution in Delhi NCR is a cause for concern, special scheme will be implemented to support Govts of Haryana, Punjab, UP and Delhi NCT to address it and subsidize machinery for management of crop residue, FM said.
By 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal people will have 'Ekalavya' school at par with Navodaya Vidyalas.
Government plans to construct 2 crore more toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission, he informed.
Jaitley said the government has successfully implemented series of structural reforms as a result of which India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. He said FDI has gone up and Indian economy is now a 2.5 trillion economy.

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Bravo India! Government Says Country Cannot Become Refugee Capital of World

The central government has taken a very bold stance that must be applauded by every right thinking citizen. The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it does not want the country to become the refugee capital of the world.

  Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told this to a bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, which was hearing a fresh plea by two Rohingya refugees alleging that the BSF was using chili and stun grenades to stop the refugees from entering India.

The ASG said he needed time to respond to the allegations made by the refugees. He, however, said not everyone can be allowed to cross the border and these matters are best left to the government to decide.

The lawyer appearing for the refugees said the government must be prevented from stopping more Rohingyas from entering India because of the persecution faced by them in Myanmar. The court gave the Centre time till the 7th of March to respond to the fresh plea.

The Rohingya crisis has sparked a debate in the country for a time and has occupied central space in the national debate from time to time. There are two groups in India – one that see Rohingyas as "refugees” and another as “illegal infiltrators". A majority opinion inclines towards the view that Rohingya Muslims are certainly not entitled to the refugee status.

For one, India is an extremely densely populated country and it doesn't need more people. . India has accepted Tibetan refugees because Tibet was occupied by China. Besides, there was a humanitarian and cultural basis to what we did. Rohingyas cannot claim any such affinity.

The Indian government has already termed them as illegal immigrants who "will be deported". It is true that some organizations, mainly human rights bodies, are raising pith in the name of humanitarian cause about the planned deportation of Rohingyas from India. But it is because they want to appear politically correct in the world. The arrival of Rohingyas carry a concern with them that there are terrorists hiding in that big pool of people. Besides, India is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention therefore it is not obliged to accept them.

The government of India must be lauded as it has maintained its stand that the "issue of national security is involved with regard to illegal immigration which our country cannot undermine". The government had on August 9 told Parliament that more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, stay in India. However, aid agencies estimate there are about 40,000 Rohingyas in the country.

Illegal immigrants cannot claim fundamental rights which are otherwise available even to non-citizens, the Centre had told the Supreme Court early this month in its fresh response to the PIL of two Rohingya refugees challenging their deportation to Myanmar.

The National Human Rights Commission had in August issued a notice to the Centre, saying "India has been home to refugees, for centuries" and from the human rights angle, its "intervention is appropriate" in the matter.

The latest stand of the government has to be seen in this light.

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