Aadhaar authentication mandatory in E-auction of PM mementos, gifts

You will have to get verified through Aadhaar registration if you want to buy the memorable mementos and gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The e-auction is set to begin from Saturday.

A senior official of the Ministry of Culture said that Aadhaar authentication will be done to bring transparency in the auction of gifts and mementos. Aadhaar authentication was not necessary during last year’s auction.

To participate in this online auction, interested buyers have to register themselves on this portal and the registration is open to Resident Indians only.

Aadhaar /IANS

“To identify the authenticity of the buyer, Aadhaar authentication is being done during the registration process for both new buyers and those who have already registered in the portal. This Aadhaar authentication process is a one time process and only authenticated buyers can participate in the auction,” said an official of the ministry.

The buyer can participate in the auction by selecting the product listed for live auction. The highest bidder will be approved by the department for making payment.

The Ministry of Culture is organising the fourth edition of the e-auction of the gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is scheduled from September 17 to October 2.

Addressing the media on Friday, Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said, “In 2019 these items were auctioned for people by open bidding. That time 1805 gifts were put on auction in the first round, and in the second round 2772 gift items were put on auction. In 2021, also e-auction was organised in September and we had 1348 items on auction. This year approximately 1200 mementos and gift items have been put on e-auction. The display of the mementos has been done at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. These items can also be viewed on the website.”

Aadhaar card/IANS

Giving more details, the Union Minister said, “Mementos in the auction include exquisite paintings, sculptures, handicrafts and folk artefacts. Several of these are items customarily offered as gifts, such as traditional angavastrams, shawls, headgear, ceremonial swords. Other memorabilia of interest include replicas and models of the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. We also have an exciting section of sports memorabilia”.

He said that Team India’s stellar performance at the Commonwealth Games 2022, the Deaflympics 2022 and Thomas Cup Championship 2022 earned us a place in history and a rich haul of medals. On auction are the memorabilia presented by the teams and winners of the sporting events. There are 25 new sports memorabilia in this edition of the auction, the minister disclosed.

Namami Gange: E-auction of 1200 prestigious, memorable mementos, gifts presented to PM Modi to begin tomorrow

E- auction of more than 1200 prestigious and memorable mementos and gifts presented to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  to begin tomorrow. The e-auction will continue up to 2nd October, 2022.

PM Narendra Modi is the first ever Prime Minister of India, who has decided to auction all the gifts he receives for the noble cause of Namami Gange.

The Ministry of Culture is organizing the fourth edition of e- auction of prestigious and memorable gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi which is scheduled from 17th September to 2nd October, 2022.

Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy briefed the media about the upcoming auction. Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs  Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi were also present during the briefing.

Briefing the media, Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy said , “ In 2019 these items were auctioned for people by open bidding. That time 1805 gifts were put on auction in the first round, and in second round 2772 gift items were put on auction. In 2021, also e-auction was organised in September and we had  1348 items on auction. This year approximately 1200 mementos and gift items have been   put on e-auction. The display of the mementos have been done at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. These items can also be viewed on the website”.

Giving more details, the Union Minister said, “ Mementos in the auction include exquisite paintings, sculptures, handicrafts and folk artefacts. Several of these are items customarily offered as gifts, such as traditional angavastrams, shawls, headgears, ceremonial swords. Other memorabilia of interest include replicas and models of the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya and the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. We also have an exciting section of sports memorabilia”. Union Minister said that team India’s stellar performance at the Commonwealth Games 2022, the Deaflympics 2022 and Thomas Cup Championship 2022 earned us a place in history and a rich haul of medals. On auction are the memorabilia presented by the teams and winners of the sporting events. There are 25 new sports memorabilia in this edition of auction, the minister disclosed.

Union Minister G.K Reddy added, “Narendra Modi is the first ever Prime Minister of India, who has decided to auction all the gifts he receives for a noble cause of conserving the lifeline of the country- the river Ganges through Namami Gange. I urge everyone to participate in the auction liberally and contribute towards the noble mission”.

On the occasion, Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “In the last auction people from every state and origin participated in the auction actively”. The minister also urged people this year to participate in the auction of prestigious and memorable gifts presented to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Meenakashi Lekhi highlighted the significance of various momentos presented to the Prime Minister and how the e-auction offers an exceptional occasion to the people to contribute to Namami Gange.

To make the visit even more enjoyable, guided tours in general and guided tours in sign language for the hearing impaired have been arranged. Catalogues in braille will also be made available for the visually challenged. The display area will be open to the public from 17th September to 2nd October and is free for all. The funds raised through the auction will contribute to a worthy cause, the Namami Gange Programme, the flagship project that seeks to conserve and rejuvenate our National River, Ganga.

General public can participate in the e-auction by logging on / registering on this link-

https://pmmementos.gov.in

Decades long wait will end, 8 wild African cheetahs from South Africa to arrive on Friday

Sep 15 (IANS) After waiting for seven decades for the fastest moving wild animal cheetah, India will finally receive the first batch from South Africa by Friday afternoon. A special Jumbo Jet Boeing 747 plane, having all arrangements for specially housing eight cheetahs for 16 hours journey to Rajasthan capital Jaipur, landed in Namibia capital Windhoek on Thursday.

Officials in Madhya Pradesh forest department told IANS that the aircraft with the eight cheetahs, including five females and three males (among them two male siblings) will land in Jaipur on Friday. Thereafter, the fastest moving animals will be flown from Jaipur to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning, three to four hours before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Sheopur district for the memorable birthday.

Windhoek: An Indian aircraft touches down in the Land of the Brave to carry goodwill ambassadors to the Land of the Tiger, in Windhoek, Namibia on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. The flight will receive cheetahs to be brought to Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. PM Narendra Modi will be present in the park on Sept 17 for the reintroduction.

PM Modi will celebrate his 72nd birthday in style – by releasing the cheetahs into Kuno National Park. “A 10-feet high platform has been put up for the PM at Kuno National Park. Cheetahs will be housed in a six-foot cage below that platform. The PM will turn a lever to open the sliding gates of the cage and release the cheetahs in the enclosure created for them,” officials privy with the project said.

After releasing the cheetahs, PM Modi will address ‘Cheetah Mitras’ (friends of cheetahs surrounding villages). These Cheetah Mitras have been tasked with educating people living in some 45 villages near the national park, about how to handle the big cats, should any stray into their neighbourhood.

The cheetahs will be quarantined in a special enclosure for a month after being released in the Kuno National Park. Once the mandatory isolation is over, they will be moved to a larger enclosure for around three months, before being freed in the jungles of the 748 square km Park.

Besides releasing the cheetahs, the Prime Minister will also grace the women self-help groups Sammelan being organised at Karahal in the same Sheopur district. The Sammelan will be attended by women Self Help Group (SHG) members/community resource persons that are being promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

During the programme, the Prime Minister will also be inaugurating four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) skilling centres under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

PM Narendra Modi to visit Madhya Pradesh on 17th September to release wild Cheetahs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on 17th September. At around 10:45 AM, Prime Minister will release Cheetahs in Kuno National Park. After that, at around 12 Noon, he will participate in SHG Sammelan with women SHG members/community resource persons at Karahal, Sheopur.

  • PM to release wild Cheetahs – which had become extinct from India – in Kuno National Park.
  • Cheetahs – brought from Namibia – are being introduced in India under Project Cheetah, which is world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.
  • Bringing Cheetahs back to India will help in the restoration of open forest and grassland ecosystems and also lead to enhanced livelihood opportunities for the local community.
  • In line with the Prime Minister’s commitment towards environment protection and wildlife conservation.
  • Prime Minister to participate in SHG Sammelan at Karahal, Sheopur.
  • Thousands of women SHG members/community resource persons to attend the Sammelan.
  • PM to also inaugurate four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups skilling centres under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

PM at Kuno National Park

The release of wild Cheetahs by the Prime Minister in Kuno National Park is part of his efforts to revitalise and diversify India’s wildlife and its habitat. Cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952. The Cheetahs that would be released are from Namibia and have been brought under an MoU signed earlier this year. The introduction of Cheetah in India is being done under Project Cheetah, which is world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.

Cheetah

Cheetahs will help in the restoration of open forest and grassland ecosystems in India. This will help conserve biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem services like water security, carbon sequestration and soil moisture conservation, benefiting the society at large. This effort, in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment towards environment protection and wildlife conservation, will also lead to enhanced livelihood opportunities for the local community through eco-development and ecotourism activities.

Kuno national park

PM at SHG Sammelan

Prime Minister will participate in the SHG Sammelan being organised at Karahal, Sheopur. The Sammelan will witness the attendance of thousands of women Self Help Group (SHG) members/community resource persons that are being promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

During the programme, Prime Minister will also be inaugurating four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) skilling centres under PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

DAY-NRLM aims at mobilising rural poor households into SHGs in a phased manner and provide them long-term support to diversify their livelihoods, improve their incomes and quality of life. The Mission is also working towards empowering the women SHG members through awareness generation and behaviour change communication on issues like domestic violence, women’s education and other gender related concerns, nutrition, sanitation, health etc.

President Murmu to represent India at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in London

New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu will represent India at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London on September 19.

Murmu will be visiting London from September 17 to 19 to offer condolences on behalf of the Government of India.

Queen Elizabeth, the former head of state of the UK and Head of the Commonwealth of Nations, passed away on September 8.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away, Charles III becomes UK’s new King

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the demise of Queen Elizabeth II.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the British High Commission in New Delhi on September 12 to convey India’s condolences. India also observed a day of national mourning on Sunday (September 11).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a stalwart of our times. She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of UK in this sad hour.”

“In the 70 years of reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, India-UK ties have evolved, flourished and strengthened immensely. She played an important role in the welfare of millions of people around the world as Head of the Commonwealth,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Modi makes telephone call to new UK PM [Details]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with The Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Truss, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

PM Modi congratulated PM Truss on assuming the office of the Prime Minister of UK. He also appreciated her contributions to the India-UK bilateral relationship in her previous roles as Trade Secretary and Foreign Secretary. Both leaders committed to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and UK.

The two leaders discussed various issues of bilateral interest including the progress in the implementation of the Roadmap 2030, ongoing FTA negotiations, defence & security cooperation, and the people-to-people ties between both countries.

 

On behalf of the people of India, Prime Minister Modi conveyed deep condolences to the Royal family and the people of UK on the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

 

PM pays condolences over the demise of renowned archeologist Braj Basi Lal

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid his condolences after the demise of renowned archeologist Shri Braj Basi Lal.

The Prime Minister tweeted;

“Shri BB Lal was an outstanding personality. His contributions to culture and archaeology are unparalleled. He will be remembered as a great intellectual who deepened our connect with our rich past. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

Narendra Modi has paid his condolences
over the demise of Braj Basi Lal

 

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva calls on President Murmu

Ms Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (September 9, 2022).

Welcoming Ms Georgieva to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that the world is passing through the third year of the Covid pandemic. She noted that significant assistance has been provided to many low-income countries by multilateral institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. She said that IMF has to play an important role in maintaining the stability of the International Monetary System.

The President said that today, India is one of the fastest growing major economies of the world. India’s start-up ecosystem ranks high in the world. The success of start-ups in our country, especially the growing number of Unicorns, is a shining example of our industrial progress. What is even more gratifying is that the development of our country is becoming more inclusive and regional disparities are also reducing. The basic mantra of today’s India is compassion – compassion for the downtrodden, compassion – for the needy and compassion – for the marginalized.

President Droupadi Murmu (PIB)

Speaking about the upcoming G-20 Summit in India in 2023, the President said that multilateral cooperation in the G-20 should be based on the principles of inclusion and flexibility, keeping in mind diversity. She expressed confidence that during India’s presidency, the G-20 Forum will move forward with an aspiration to make efforts to further strengthen multilateralism and global governance, in the direction of building a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world for all.

 

India to mourn on Sept 11 as mark of respect to Queen Elizabeth II

As British Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8th September 2022, India has declared one day State Mourning on September 11 as a mark of respect to her.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away, Charles III becomes UK’s new King

On the day of Mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day.

Award Of Meritorious service medal(military) to Admiral Sunil Lanba(Retd) by Singapore Govt

Singapore President  Halimah Yacob conferred the prestigious Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) [Meritorious Service Medal (Military)] on Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retd), the former Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy. Dr Ng Eng Hen, Defence Minister of Singapore presented the award to Admiral Sunil Lanba (Retd), on behalf of the President, in a solemn Investiture Ceremony, held on 08 Sep 22 at the Ministry of Defence, Singapore.

The award is a recognition of strong bilateral defence ties between India and Singapore as well as stellar contribution of Adm Sunil Lanba to strengthen the engagements between the two Navies. During his tenure as the Chief of Naval Staff, the Indian Navy hosted the 25th edition of Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) at Visakhapatnam in Oct 2018. Adm Sunil Lanba (Retd) fondly recalled having hosted Dr Ng Eng Hen, Defence Minister of Singapore along with Rear Adm Lue Chuan Hong, the then Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy onboard INS Shakti for the concluding day of the Sea Phase of the Exercise. During the sea phase the Defence Minister of Singapore and other dignitaries witnessed, first hand, the level of interoperability achieved by the two Navies wherein high end operational manoeuvres including live missile firings were executed successfully by participating ships, aircraft and submarines of both navies.

Under the leadership of Adm Sunil Lanba, several milestone defence agreements were also signed between the two Navies, including the Bilateral Agreement on Navy Cooperation and Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. Adm Lanba also hosted the inaugural Goa Maritime Conclave in 2017, in which Singapore is one of the participants. During his term as the Chief of Naval Staff, Adm Lanba had attended the International Maritime Review (IMR) commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), the International Maritime and Defence Expo (IMDEX) and the International Maritime Security Conference, co-hosted by the RSN alongside IMDEX-Asia in May 2017.

During his visit to Singapore to receive the Award, Adm Sunil Lanba (Retd) also held interactions with Lt Gen Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force, Singapore Armed Forces and Rear Adm Aaron Beng, Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy. During these interactions, Adm Lanba complimented the leadership of Singapore for sustaining the momentum of bilateral engagements and shared views on new avenues of cooperation.

28-ft statue of Netaji to grace vacant canopy at India Gate tomorrow

A grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, will be unveiled on 8th of September 2022 near India Gate in New Delhi in a jet black granite stone measuring 28 ft. under the Canopy near India Gate, which had King George’s statue originally.

Ever since the plan to install King George V statue by the British was scrapped owing to controversy, the canopy remained vacant. There was a move to install Mahatma Gandhi statue during the late 1980s but opposition from some circles that the Republic Day parade carrying arms and ammunition go against the Mahatma’s message of peace reigned on the government to reject the plan.

India Gate canopy in the 1940s had King George V statue but was removed later.

Finally, the canopy will have the grand statue of Netaji being unveiled on Sept 8, 2022, heralding a befitting tribute to the Indian National Army hero, who fought for Indian freedom based in Japan and Singapore. The statue has been carved from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 MT after spending 26,000 man hours of intense artistic endeavor and the final statue weighing 65 MT will greet the visitors to India gate in New Delhi now.

The statue is completely hand sculpted using traditional techniques and modern tools under a team of sculptors led by Arun Yogiraj.

The statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be unveiled by the Prime Minister in the same place where a hologram statue of Netaji was unveiled earlier this year on Parakram Diwas (January 23) by him to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose inspecting Indian National Army

The 28 feet tall towering statue of Netaji is one of the tallest, realistic, monolithic, handmade sculptures in India.  A 100 feet long truck with 140 wheels was specially designed for this monolithic granite stone to travel the 1665-km distance from Khammam in Telangana to New Delhi.

Details of Netaji statue unveiling ceremony:

  • The  unveiling event at the canopy will begin with traditional Manipuri Shankh Vadayam and Kerala’s traditional Panch Vadayam and Chanda.  The unveiling of the statue of Netaji would be accompanied to the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye jaa, the traditional INA song.
  • To demonstrate the spirit of Ek Bharat – Shrestra Bharat & Unity in Diversity a cultural festival by 500 dancers drawn from all parts of the country, would be showcased on the Kartvya Path.
  • The glimpse of the same would be shown to the  Prime Minster on the step Amphitheatre near India Gate by around 30 artists who will perform tribal folk art forms such as Sambalpuri, Panthi, Kalbelia, Kargam and dummy horse with live music  by Nashik Dhol Pathik Tasha and Drums.
  • Mangalgaan penned by Pandit Shrikrishna Ratanjankarji on the auspicious occasion of 1st Independence Day of India in 1947 is being presented by Pandit Suhas Vashi along with a team of singers and musicians. Ashish Keskar will be the music director for the presentation.
  • The festival at renamed Kartvya Path (old Raj Path) would commence at 08.45 PM on 8th September, 2022 after the main function and will continue on 9th, 10, & 11th September, 2022 from 7.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
  • A special 10 minute Drone Show on Netaji’s life would be projected at India Gate at 08.00 PM on 9th, 10th & 11th September, 2022.  Both the cultural festival and the drone show would be open to public with free entry.

 

Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti passes away, state declares mourning; Modi condoles

Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Vishwanath Katti aged 61 passed away due to cardiac arrest in Bengaluru on Tuesday night.
The State declared one day mourning.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief on the demise of Karnataka Minister, Umesh Katti.

The Prime Minister tweeted;

“Shri Umesh Katti Ji was an experienced leader who made rich contributions to Karnataka’s development. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”

President to launch TB Mukt Bharat initiative, target 2025

President Droupadi Murmu will virtually launch the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on Friday to reinvigorate the mission of TB elimination from the country by 2025.

Following the government’s initiative to end Tuberculosis or TB in the country five years ahead of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of 2030 by the United Nations, the Abhiyaan will be launched in presence of Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and other officials.

The virtual event will be attended by representatives from State and district health administration, corporates, industries, civil society and NGOs as the country reiterates the commitment towards TB elimination by 2025.

The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has been envisioned to bring together all community stakeholders to support those on TB treatment and accelerate the country’s progress towards TB elimination.

The President will also launch the Ni-kshay Mitra initiative which forms a vital component of the Abhiyaan. The Ni-kshay Mitra  portal provides a platform for donors to provide various forms of support to those undergoing TB treatment. The three pronged support includes nutritional, additional diagnostic, and vocational support.

The launch event aims to highlight the need for a societal approach that brings together people from all backgrounds to achieve the ambitious target of eliminating TB from the country by 2025, ahead of the SDG targets set by the UN.

SDG target to eliminate TB

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. In June 2022, WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a dialogue with WHO’s Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis (CSTF-TB) sought to support the rapid adoption of WHO guidelines at country level.

It has called upon nations to increase access to the best evidence-based interventions for people and communities affected by TB, including prevention, detection and treatment of people with TB and related comorbidities, with the involvement of civil society and affected communities.

PM Narendra Modi to interact with winners of National Awards to Teachers on 5th Sep 2022

On the occasion of Teacher’s day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will interact with the winners of  National Awards to Teachers, 2022 at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg on 5th September, 2022 at 4:30 PM.

The purpose of National Awards to Teachers is to celebrate and honour the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country who through their commitment and hard work have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives  of their students.

Teacher’s day

The National Awards to Teachers accords public recognition to meritorious teachers working in elementary and secondary schools. For the award this year, 45 teachers from across the country have been selected through a rigorous and transparent online three stage process.

 

PM with the winners of National Awards to Teachers on the occasion of Teacher’s Day/Photo:PIB

Modi Addresses Plenary Session of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 2, 2017) addressed the Plenary Session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) where India is a “guest country” this year, and Prime Minister Modi is the “Guest of Honour.”

In his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked President Putin for the opportunity to be present at SPIEF, in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg.  Touching upon India-Russia relations, the Prime Minister said they are moving forward with good momentum. He said there are very few relations between, where the basis of the relationship is mutual trust. He said the India-Russia relationship of the last 70 years, has been based on trust, and deepened, even in a changing world.

The Prime Minister said he is at SPIEF as a representative of 1.25 billion people. He said the world is focused on Asia, and therefore, naturally to India. He said that over the last three years as Prime Minister, the Union Government is making progressive decisions on all fronts. We have today an annual GDP growth rate of 7 per cent, he added.

“Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and “Red carpet instead of Red tape” have been the basis of governance reforms in India, Prime Minister Modi said. He said that political will and clear vision are necessary for reforms. Bureaucracy too has to be vibrant and in tune with leadership, he added.

Noting that diversity is India’s strength, the Prime Minister said that the Goods and Services Tax will be implemented from July 1st, and this will herald a uniform tax system across the country.

Agreeing with President Putin, who spoke before him, the Prime Minister said technology is going to play a key role, and mentioned the Digital India initiative.

The Prime Minister said that with the vision of “New India” skill development is a top priority for India’s 800 million strong talented youth. In this context he mentioned the success of India’s Mars Mission in the first attempt. He said the New India would have youth that are not job seekers but job creators; and can fulfil the global requirements of skilled human resource.

In the services sector, the Prime Minister said the tourism and hospitality sector will receive high priority.

Stressing that one of the four Vedas- the Atharvaveda – encapsulates dedication to nature 5,000 years ago, the Prime Minister said India’s economic growth was based not on exploitation of nature – which is a crime- but on its use and preservation and on respecting it.

He pointed out that India has target of generating 175 Giga Watts of renewable energy by 2022, and added that India is setting up more power generation capacity in renewable energy sector than in thermal. He asserted that India will be a responsible nation with regard to climate and work towards zero-defect, zero-effect manufacturing, entailing no detrimental effect on the environment. He said programmes such as LED bulb distribution had already resulted in huge power savings.

List of MoUs/Agreements signed on the sidelines of the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit (June 02, 2017)

Sl.No. Title of MoUs/Agreements
1. Protocol No.2 to the Agreement dated December 5, 2008 between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation
2. Agreement between Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited and Joint Stock Company “Cascade – Technologies” for setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle for railways
3. Memorandum of Understanding between SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and State Corporation ‘Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)’ on Russian export support and participation in the development of India-Russia capital goods financing/leasing business
4. Agreement on Cooperation between ‘JITF Urban Infrastructure Services Limited’ (Republic of India), ‘Jindal Rail Infrastructure Limited’ (Republic of India), Joint Stock Company ‘Russian Export Centre’ (Russian Federation), and Limited Liability Company Management Company ‘RailTransHolding’ (Russian Federation)
5. Memorandum of Understanding between National Investment Promotion Agency ‘Invest India’ and the Business Council for Cooperation with India concerning the promotion of investment in India and Russia
6. Cooperation Agreement between National Investment Promotion Agency ‘Invest India’ and the Roscongress Foundation
7. Memorandum of Understanding between ‘Sun Group Private Limited’ and Joint Stock Company ‘Pribor’

 

Amazon Replaces Gandhi’s Face with His Quotes on Slippers Now

As Indian PM Narendra Modi replaced Gandhi’s face on Khadi calendar of 2017, the US e-commerce giant Amazon has gone a step ahead to sell slippers with Gandhi face on them, ridiculing the face of India.

Called ‘Gandhi flip flops’, Amazon describes them as “foam rubber flip flops” with Gandhi face and priced $16.99 (Rs.1,200). This is the second time Amazon is trying to deface Indian icon after its earlier bid to sell doormats with the Indian flag Tricolour on them.

Gandhi slippers page replaced after media hue and cry on Amazon

 

After a stern warning from Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Amazon took down all products disrespecting the Tricolour from its Canadian website. But within a week Gandhi flip flops have appeared on its US website selling beach slippers with Gandhi’s face printed on them “professionally.”

When the Indian media flashed the news, the page was removed but the name of Gandhi flip flops remains and a quote by Gandhi was imprinted on them instead of his face. The new tagline reads: “Live as if you were going to die tomorrow” on the left slipper and on the right slipper, it reads: “Live as if you were to live forever”. The second message has Gandhi name next to it.

Gandhi slippers with his quotes replaced his image on Amazon now

The US Amazon also sports Dalai Lama slippers with his quotes:”If you want others happy, practice compassion” and “If you want to be happy, practice compassion” with Dalai Lama name on the right side slipper. The company Musewear may be getting free publicity from the idiotic disrespect given to Indians and Tibetans but Amazon gets the flak finally.

Even Dalai Lama is not spared on Amazon slippers’ sale pitch

In fact, Amazon, which is capturing the Indian market as second biggest e-commerce retailer in its apology to the External Affairs Ministry last week said, “After learning of the product’s listing, we immediately removed them from the Canadian website and implemented measures to ensure that these products could not be sold on any of our other marketplace or websites.”

The Indian government has asked its Ambassador in Washington to sensitize Amazon and Amazon is likely to come under flak in India too once the issue gets wider attention among its trusted buyers online.

 

Dawood Ibrahim UAE Properties Seized, BJP Claims Modi’s Victory

By Pallavi Kumari
pallavik

Following news reports from Dubai about the United Arab Emirates government seizing the properties of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim worth Rs.15,000 crore, BJP has gone to the street basking on its new accomplishment.

In a tweet, the Bharatiya Janata Party said the credit goes to PM Narendra Modi’s "major diplomatic success". It has also claimed that a dossier provided by the Indian government played the trick to narrow down the properties in UAE which allegedly belong to Dawood Ibrahim.

"Major diplomatic success of PM Modi: One of India’s most wanted criminals, Dawood Ibrahim’s properties worth Rs. 15,000 crore seized in UAE," the BJP tweeted on its official social media site.

The Mumbai don who was the most wanted criminal in India for his alleged Mumbai riots in 1993 in which 257 people were killed, is believed to be entering his 60 years of age and hiding in Pakistan’s Karachi.

Already termed a terrorist by the UN, he is accused by India and the US of financing al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist groups. Last year, the UN sanctions committee made changes to its entry on Dawood making it easier to impose sanctions such as blocking wealth and accounts, ban on travel and arms on the person.

Nostradamus Predictions: From Hitler to Modi?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi never claimed himself but his ministers and the BJP coterie around him are bringing him more ridicule than applomb.

While cracking on JNU campus in hurry, Home Minister Rajnath Singh branded all JNU students as "anti-national" only to eat his own words on the floor of the house and they saw what they created instead — Kanhaiya Kumar, JNUSU leader who has become a national hero in less than month that he can outshine even the charisma of Narendra Modi anyday.

Undaunted, another minister in the Home Ministry, that is Union Minister of State Kiren Rijiju has worked overnight or the entire week to calculate and put out what he claims was indeed one of the predictions of French prophet Nostradamus that Narendra Modi in India would ascend to rule India and the world.

Nostradamus is credited with predicting the French Revolution, the atom bomb, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. But none of these he mentioned in perfection but our new age admirers of Doomsday Prophecy avowedly attributed these events to re-interpret his writings.

Perhaps following similar footsteps, Rijiju has compiled some so-called ‘AMAZING FACTS !!!’ and puts out his mathematical calculations which he claimed to have shown BJP’s victory in May 2014 based on number 13.

In Current Lok Sabha

"BJP – 283 Seats 2+8+3 = 13

NDA – 337 Seats 3+3+7 = 13

UPA – 58 Seats 5+8 = 13

Others-148 Seats 1+4+8 = 13

Prediction of Nostradamus “450 years ago of Modi Era”: How ???" he left his followers in wonder but the whole nation has a topic after Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest joled the nation in February.

Rijuju and BJP admirers and think-tanks have come out with the new interrpretation now that the French prophet Nostradamus wrote way back in 1555 that "from 2014 to 2026, a man will lead india, whom initially, people will hate but after that people will love him. Under his leadership India will not only just become the Global Master, but many countries will also come into the shelter of India."

But what about Hitler? Even Hitler was predicted in an obscure way and later they attributed the reference to Hitler. What about Kanhaiya Kumar? Even he was referred to in Nostradamus, if one reads it carefully.