India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed the economic and food supply crisis caused by the Corona epidemic and the Ukraine crisis. He also suggested ways to deal with it.

Prime Minister Modi had reached Samarkand on the night of Thursday, 15 September 2022 to participate in this conference. On Friday, 16 September 2022, he attended the conference and tweeted a picture with other leaders.

In this picture of eight leaders, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen standing on the right and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is on the left.

Narendra Modi thanked the President of Uzbekistan Shaukat Mirziyoyev for his effective leadership of the SCO.

Modi said that today the whole world is trying to recover from the economic crisis after the pandemic.

The member countries of the SCO contribute about 30 percent to the global GDP. At the same time, 40 percent of the world's population resides in these countries. Therefore, the role of SCO countries in dealing with these crises is important.

Modi said that India's economy is expected to grow by 7.5 percent this year, which will be the highest among the world's largest economies.

Modi said that India is supporting innovation in every sector and today there are more than 70 thousand startups in the country, of which more than 100 are unicorns (billion dollar companies).

He said that this experience can also come in handy for many SCO members. For this purpose they are ready to share experiences with SCO countries by setting up a 'Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation'.

emphasis on cultivation of coarse cereals

He said that the world is facing the crisis of food security today. A possible solution to this problem is to promote the cultivation and consumption of coarse cereals.

It is a superfood that has been grown for thousands of years not only in SCO countries but in many parts of the world.

He said that 2023 will be celebrated as the 'UN International Year of Millets'. To promote this, organization of 'Millets Food Festival' under SCO should be considered.

Narendra Modi said that today India is one of the most affordable places for 'Medical and Wellness Tourism' in the world.

He said that cooperation on traditional medicine among SCO countries should be increased and India will initiate a new 'SCO Working Group on Traditional Medicine' for this.

What else did Modi say?

India supports greater cooperation and mutual trust among SCO member states.

The pandemic and the Ukraine crisis caused many disruptions in the global supply chain, causing the world to face energy and food crises.

SCO should make efforts to develop reliable, flexible and diverse chains for this. Along with connectivity, it is also important to give each other full rights of transit.

He said that progress is being made towards making India a 'manufacturing hub'.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the warship INS Vikrant in India has criticized the Narendra Modi government of the BJP at the Center of India.

Tweeting a video of AK Antony, the then Defense Minister of India, Jairam Ramesh said that even before 2014, India was self-reliant.

He wrote, "The then Defense Minister AK Antony launched India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 12 August 2013, while the Prime Minister (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) did it today. Before 2014, a self-reliant India existed.''

AK Antony was the Defense Minister of India in UPA II. In the video, AK Antony is congratulating India for the landing of INS Vikrant and telling that India is the sixth country in the world to build it.

Jairam Ramesh's statement has come at a time when today India is adding its largest warship Vikrant to its fleet.

What is special about INS Vikrant?

It has 2300 compartments inside and you will forget that it is a ship as soon as you enter. The 262 meter long and 60 meter high ship did not feel any special effect of the strong waves of the sea.

Wide paths and stairs connect the ship, so it is not difficult to get from one place to another. Air conditioners do not allow outside humidity and heat to enter.

1700 people will work in the new Vikrant. However, 2000 more people are also working in it, who are responsible for fixing cables, polishing and interior work.

There is a huge medical facility at Vikrant. There is also a 16 bed hospital, two operation theatres, lab. ICU and CT scan. There are five doctors and 15 paramedics here.

30 fighter planes and helicopters can be placed on this ship.

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi dedicated India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to the nation at Kochi, Kerala on Friday, September 2, 2022.

He also unveiled the new flag or emblem of the Indian Navy on the occasion. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Navy Chief R Harikumar were present on the occasion along with many others.

Describing the importance of Vikrant in the program organized on this occasion, Narendra Modi said, "Today, here on the sea coast of Kerala, India, every Indian, is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. Vikrant is huge, huge, majestic. Vikrant Vikrant is special, Vikrant is also special. Vikrant is not just a warship, but a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of 21st century India.

He said, “If the goals are quick, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless. So India's answer is Vikrant. The incomparable nectar of the elixir of freedom festival is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant.''

And what did Modi say?

According to Modi, "Today India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence, has created a new confidence in the country.''

He said, “Every part of INS Vikrant has its own merits, a strength. It also has its own development journey. It is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous skills. The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous.''

PM Modi said, "History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time."

"Drop by drop of water becomes like a vast ocean. Similarly, if every citizen of India starts living the mantra of 'Vocal for Local', then it will not take long for the country to become self-reliant.''

“In the past, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean have been ignored for a long time. But today this area is a big defense priority of the country for us. That's why we are working in every direction from increasing the budget for the Navy to increasing its capability.''

What did Modi say on the induction of women in the Navy?

He said, "When Vikrant comes down to protect our maritime area, many women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed on it. With the immense power of the ocean, it is becoming the lofty identity of the new India."

"Now the Indian Navy has decided to open all its branches to women. The restrictions that were there are now being removed. Just as there are no boundaries for the capable waves, so there will be no boundaries or restrictions for the daughters of India.''

Russia said, India is moving rapidly towards self-reliance

On the induction of INS Vikrant into the Navy, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has said that this is a proud moment for India.

He said that India is moving towards self-reliance. This shows that India is moving fast towards becoming a global power. The world needs a strong India.

In India, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched India's first virtual school on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. He has said that this school is for those children who cannot go to school due to some reason.

According to news agency PTI, he has told that students from any corner of India can take admission in 'Delhi Model Virtual School'. The process of application for this has started from Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Kejriwal said, "Today we are launching India's first virtual school 'Delhi Model Virtual School' under the Delhi Board of School Education.''

He said, "Any student can attend the live classes and view the recorded classes at the 'Delhi Model Virtual School'. Right now this school is being started for classes 9 to 12.''

According to Kejriwal, in this school, students will also be made to prepare for competitive exams like IIT JEE and NEET. He has claimed that this school will prove to be a milestone in the field of education.

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, closed all cases related to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The apex court had 10 petitions related to the Gujarat riots, including one filed by the National Human Rights Commission.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Justice UU Lalit, Justice Ravindra Bhatt and JB Pardiwala said that the court had constituted a special inquiry committee in the matter and the trial of eight out of nine cases related to the riots has also been completed.

The Supreme Court said, "Since all the matters have now become unnecessary, the court is no longer required to hear them."

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the SIT, told the court that only one of the nine cases is pending for hearing. This is a matter related to Naroda village area and in this also the last round of cross-examination is going on. In other cases, the hearing has been completed or review petitions have been filed before the High Court, Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court bench said that due to the completion of hearing in 8 cases, the pending petitions have now become unnecessary.

The Chief Justice said that the Naroda riots case will also be heard as per law and the SIT can take action accordingly.

On February 27, 2002, a fire broke out at Godhra station in coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express returning from Ayodhya, in which 59 kar sevaks were killed, after which riots broke out in Gujarat.

More than 1000 people were killed in the Gujarat riots, mostly Muslims.

The Supreme Court of India has decided to close all contempt petitions filed regarding the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. These petitions were filed against the Uttar Pradesh government and some of its officials for failing to prevent the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.

The Supreme Court says that in view of the passage of time and the decision on the Ram temple issue in 2019, these contempt petitions are closed.

A division bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul decided to close all these cases. This case was filed by Aslam Bhure.

The court says that the petitioner in this case, Aslam Bhure, died in 2010.

The court rejected Advocate MM Kashyap's demand that the amicus curiae be brought in in place of the petitioner. The Babri Masjid was demolished by fanatic Hindus on 6 December 1992.

In 2019, the decision of the Supreme Court came on this. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard it for 40 days and the 1045-page verdict was unanimous.

The Supreme Court of India, in its decision, had cleared the way for the construction of the temple, along with granting the right of worship at the site of the Babri Masjid and granting five acres of land at another site for the mosque.

Later, the BJP-led NDA government of India (Narendra Modi government) sent Justice Ranjan Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, which drew a lot of criticism all around.

Whereas in another decision in 2020, all 32 accused including Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, accused of being involved in the conspiracy to demolition of Babri Masjid, were acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has been featured in a Kannada textbook lesson in the Indian state of Karnataka, which is quite viral on social media. It is also being made fun of on social media.

In fact, it is said in this text that Savarkar used to fly on Bulbul's wing in the Cellular Jail of Andaman Islands.

The name of this text is Kalavanu Geddavaru. It means those who go against the stream win. This text is a travelogue written by Katie Gatti. Writer Katie Gatti visited the cell in the jail where Savarkar was imprisoned from 1911 to 1921.

These lessons were included in the revised syllabus by the Textbook Revision Committee in Karnataka headed by Rohit Chakratirtha. This text in the curriculum has been removed after a dispute over it.

Referring to Savarkar's life in prison, the author mentions in a paragraph how there was a small hole in the back wall from which even the sky could not be seen. Bulbul birds used to fly from somewhere and come to the cell through this hole and Savarkar used to visit the motherland everyday sitting on their wings.

Author and data scientist Arun Krishnan said, "I agree that we need to include Savarkar in our school textbooks, but should it be done that way. Savarkar himself would have felt embarrassed seeing this.''

It was told by an official that the author had used it as a metaphor.

In response to this, former Congress minister Priyank Kharge tweeted saying that it does not seem that it was said like a metaphor.

However, Madegowda, managing director of the Text Book Society, told BBC Hindi, "It is the author's imagination. This decision was taken by the Textbook Revision Committee. Till now we have not received any instruction from the government. We are waiting.''

What does BJP have to say

On this matter, BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi said in a conversation with the media that, "The author took the help of imagination to tell how Savarkar's love for the motherland connected him with the people. You need to see it practically. No. If you imagine, you can be in many places in the world.''

Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh declined to comment on the matter.

Controversy has already happened

Even a few months back, the content of textbooks had become a cause of embarrassment for the BJP government in Karnataka. Complaints were made at the time for misrepresenting the statements of Basavanna, a 12th-century social reformer and founder of the Lingayat community.

Real estate company Supertech in India has claimed that the company has suffered a loss of around 500 crores due to the collapse of the twin towers of Noida.

The company's chairman RK Arora himself gave this information on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

RK Arora told news agency PTI that the company has suffered a total loss of Rs 500 crore.

The twin towers built in Noida's Sector 93A were part of the Supertech company's Emerald project. The total market value of 900 apartments built in Twin Towers was around 700 crores.

Arora told PTI that both the towers were built in an area of ​​about 8 lakh square feet.

He said, "We built this tower only after the approval of the Noida Development Authority."

The Apex and Cayenne towers, about 100 meters high, were demolished at 2.30 pm on Sunday, August 28, 2022, following the order of the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court had found violation of norms in the construction of these two towers inside the Emerald Court complex. More than 3700 kg of explosives were used to demolish the towers.

In the Bilkis Bano gang rape case, 134 retired bureaucrats have written a seven-page open letter to Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit.

In this letter, the Chief Justice had appealed to the Chief Justice to quash the order of premature release of 11 convicts in the murder of 14 persons and the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. This case pertains to the 2002 riots in Gujarat.

The Gujarat government had prematurely released the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case on August 15, 2022.

The Constitutional Conduct Group wrote to the Chief Justice that the Gujarat government had committed several mistakes in issuing the premature release order.

The letter said that this decision of the Gujarat government will have an impact not only on the safety of Bilkis Bano and her family but also on the safety of all women in India.

The Constitutional Conduct Group has appealed to the Chief Justice to send all the 11 convicts to jail again.

Retired bureaucrats said that the investigation in this case was done by the CBI, so the approval of the central government has not been taken before granting remission in the sentence.

On the question of security of Indians in Sri Lanka, India has said that the security of all Indians present there is the priority of the government. The government said it was monitoring developments in Sri Lanka.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday, 25 August 2022 that the safety of all Indians outside India and in Sri Lanka is of paramount importance.

In a press conference held in New Delhi, he has advised all Indians who have gone to Sri Lanka to take precautions.

He has also advised that Indian travelers check all important things like currency conversion and fuel situation there.

"Our High Commissioner is in touch with the local administration of Sri Lanka. I don't think anybody has been attacked in Sri Lanka. We have issued guidelines to Indian citizens in this regard.''

Shocking situation of intolerance in Pakistan

Terming the incident of abduction of a Sikh woman in Pakistan as worrying, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said that the level of religious intolerance in Pakistan is shocking.

He said that he considers the incident another example of religious persecution against the minority community in Pakistan.

On the other hand, India has reiterated its old stand regarding talks with Pakistan, saying that it is necessary to have a terrorism-free environment for talks with Pakistan.

Arindam Bagchi has said that India is in touch with Russia regarding the suicide bomber who was allegedly arrested in Russia to kill former BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who came into controversy after making controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad.

However, he declined to divulge further details citing security issues.