India

Zubair Qureshi
Srinagar, May 23 (IANS) The picturesque Srinagar is currently playing host to the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting under the presidency of India.


Amid the gathering of foreign delegates and global leaders, an exceptional initiative has taken shape at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) – the 'Millet Hub', a special food stall set up to celebrate the International Year of Millets.

Millets, the ancient crops that have been cultivated in Asia and Africa for thousands of years, hold immense cultural and nutritional significance. Recognising their importance, the United Nations General Assembly, inspired by India's initiative, had declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in March 2021.

Now, with the Millet Hub, the Jammu and Kashmir government, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) and the Grass Root Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN), aims to highlight the versatility and benefits of millets while providing a platform for local the entrepreneurs.

Nestled on the banks of Dal Lake, the Millet Hub is a culinary haven where foreign delegates can indulge in the flavours and heritage of millet-based cuisine. The stall offers a diverse range of dishes, showcasing the adaptability of millets and their ability to blend seamlessly with various regional and international flavours.

From traditional millet breads and savoury snacks to innovative millet-based desserts, the menu reflects the creativity and culinary skills of the local self-help groups involved in the project.

During the G20 summit, the Millet Hub welcomed distinguished guests, including J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Jitendra Singh, as well as G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

Addressing a gathering, Union minister Reddy said, "The Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India are dedicated to collaborating with all G20 member countries and international organisations to promote sustainable practices. We believe in harnessing the potential of millets and other eco-friendly approaches to benefit both our society and the environment."

Highlighting the rich craftsmanship of Srinagar, known for its intricate traditional art forms, Jitendra Singh expressed India's readiness to shoulder global responsibilities in terms of economic, environmental, and societal obligations.

Singh also emphasised the aspirations of the youth, saying, "The informed youth of Srinagar recognise the tremendous opportunities offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The common people of Srinagar desire to be active participants in the global journey towards progress."

Sinha, while addressing the session, emphasised the historical significance of Jammu and Kashmir as a centre of knowledge, wisdom, and breathtaking landscapes.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by the region due to state-sponsored terrorism in the past, but highlighted the transformative impact of development schemes initiated by Prime Minister Modi.

Under Modi's leadership, J&K has witnessed remarkable growth, peace and development, positioning it as one of the developed states in the country, he said.

The Millet Hub not only serves as a gateway to the diverse world of millet cuisine, but also aims to empower local entrepreneurs. By providing a platform for self-help groups, the initiative encourages the establishment of their own units, promoting economic growth and self-sufficiency.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) A large number of protestors, led by Olympian wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, gathered here at India Gate on Tuesday to demand the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the president of the wrestling federation.

Brij Bhushan has been accused of sexually harassing young grapplers, including a minor.

Carrying the national flag, the protesters marched to India Gate, near the parliament building, with a strong police presence accompanying them.

Talking to IANS, Sakshi said, "This is the fight for India's daughters. We will hold mahila mahapanchayat outside the new Parliament building on May 28. I request every woman of India to come and join us in this fight for justice."

Just for the record, on May 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building. As per sources, Delhi Police have already been put on high alert.

The wrestlers have, over the past week, taken out four marches to various locations in and around Connaught Place besides paying their respects at Rajghat.

Wrestlers have been staging a dharna at Jantar Mantar since April 23, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan, who has been accused by six female wrestlers, including a minor, of sexual harassment.

The Delhi Police filed two FIRs against the BJP MP last month based on the complaints from the wrestlers. The Police have also recorded statements of seven wrestlers, one of whom is a minor, and interrogated Singh on the allegations of sexual harassment.

So far, there has been no arrest in the two cases.

--IANS

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By Pawan Tripathi
Greater Noida, May 23 (IANS) Ishita Kishore, an alumna of Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), secured the All-India Rank 1 in the Civil Services 2022 final, results of which were declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday.


"I was confident about qualifying, but topping the merit list came as a surprise," said Ishita, 26, who graduated in economics from SRCC in 2017 after doing her Class 12 from the Air Force Bal Bharti School. She had scored 98 per cent in her Class 12 CBSE boards.

The daughter of an IAF officer and a private school teacher, Ishita, a resident of Greater Noida, cleared the prestigious examination on her third attempt. She has given a preference for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and the UP cadre.

She has been a national-level footballer too, having played in the Subroto Cup in 2012.

In an interview with IANS, Ishita dwelt on how her family had supported her and her strategy for the exams.

IANS: When did you think for appearing for the Civil Services exams?

Ishita: I worked with Ernst and Young from 2017 to 2019, and while working, began thinking of what I wanted in the long-term. Then I thought I should join public service. It is after that I started preparation for the UPSC exams.

IANS: How much time did you devote to preparations?

Ishita: I used to study for 8 to 9 hours a day, or 6 to 7 hours sometimes. If you calculate the average, I used to devote eight hours for preparations. During my studies, my mother used to support me fully.

IANS: What was your strategy for the exams?

Ishita: There were various stages. The UPSC has three levels - the Prelims, the Mains, and then, the Interview. For the Prelims, you need analysis and presence of mind, And yes, you should read the newspaper regularly.

IANS: You appeared in the UPSC exams twice previously. What went wrong?

Ishita: I analysed my mistakes again and again. I understood them and when I resolved the mistakes, the result came as a dream come true.

IANS: Whom do you consider as your idol?

Ishita: Many people, including my father, who was in the IAF, my mother, who handled everything, and my brother.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday congratulated the successful UPSC aspirants and urged them to start working for social and economic change at grassroots and to keep the people of India first.

In a tweet, Kharge said: "Our best wishes to successful aspirants who cleared the UPSC Exams.Those who haven't, do no stop aspiring for public service. As you start working for social & economic change at grassroots, always remember to keep the people of India, first. All the best for a bright future".

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also congratulated the successful UPSC aspirants.

"Many congratulations to all the aspirants who have been successful in this year's UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is heartening to see that the first 4 ranks have been bagged by women. You all have the responsibility to serve the country with dedication and devotion. My best wishes for the future," the Congress leader said in a tweet.

Ishita Kishore topped the Union Public Service Commission examinations, results of which were announced on Tuesday. Interestingly, all the top four ranks in the examination have been bagged by women. As per the UPSC, this time, a total of 933 candidates have been recommended for appointment, of which 183 are chosen as IAS officers.

Of the 933, 345 are from general category, 99 from Economic Weaker Sections, 263 from OBC, 154 from Scheduled Caste and 72 from Scheduled Tribe categories.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday moved a Delhi court seeking a No Objection Certificate in order to get a fresh "ordinary passport" after he surrendered his diplomatic travel document upon his disqualification as an MP.

Gandhi has moved an application in the National Herald case, filed by former union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Subramanian Swamy against him and his mother Sonia Gandhi, their companies and associated persons.

On November 1, 2012, Swamy had filed a private complaint in the court alleging that both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have committed fraud and land grabbing worth Rs 16 billion by acquiring publicly limited company called Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) through their owned private company, Young Indian.

The court had on December 19, 2015, granted bail to Gandhi and others in the case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vaibhav Mehta of the Rouse Avenue Court has sought Swamy's response on Gandhi's application.

"The applicant ceased to be a Member of Parliament in March 2023 and as such he surrendered his diplomatic passport and is applying for a fresh ordinary passport. By way of the present application, the applicant is seeking permission and no objection from this Court for issuance of a fresh ordinary passport to him," the application read.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on Wednesday.

--IANS
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Agartala, May 23 (IANS) Tipra Motha Party (TMP) chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barman, who had held a series of meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on appointment of an interlocutor and constitutional solutions to the problems of the tribals in Tripura, on Tuesday announced that his party would launch agitation in support of their demand.

In a video message, Deb Barman, a former royal scion of Tripura, said that he is not a beggar, and he and his party's fight is for a constitutional solution to the tribal issues and problems.

"I have sold my royal properties in Kolkata to organise agitations for the interest of the tribals. Personally I do not want to get any government post. My only aim is to secure the future of the backward tribals," he said.

Noting that some of his party leaders are keen to join the BJP for their personal interest, he said: "I told them, you may join the BJP, but never complain about your deprivations."

He said that Union Home Minister Shah and Assam Chief Minister Sarma assured them on a several occasions that an interlocutor would be appointed and greater autonomy would be provided to the tribals, but several months had passed and nothing was done.

Criticising Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and other BJP leaders, Deb Barman said that the state government has been depriving the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) by not providing adequate funds to the constitutional body.

According to a Tripura government notification, the Centre's advisor on northeast affairs Akshay Kumar Mishra was supposed to visit Tripura on May 12 to discuss the issues raised by the TMP, but he did not turn up.

In the last week of March, Deb Barman had announced an indefinite hunger strike unless the Centre met the party's demands by March 27 and on March 29, the TMP leaders led by him held a meeting with Sarma in Guwahati.

Sarma while talking to the media in Guwahati on Tuesday, refused to comment about Deb Barman's announcement to launch a stir in support of their demands.

The TMP, after capturing the politically important TTAADC in April 2021, has been demanding elevation of the areas of the autonomous body by granting a 'Greater Tipraland State' or a separate state status under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.

The ruling BJP, CPI-M led Left parties, Congress and the Trinamool Congress have been strongly opposing the demands of TMP.

The tribal based party in its maiden electoral battle fielded 42 candidates, including 20 on tribal reserved seats in the Tripura assembly polls in February and bagged 13 seats and 19.69 per cent votes become the second single largest party after the BJP, which got 32 seats and returned to the power for the second consecutive term.

Just before the March 24 election to the Tripura Assembly Speaker, Deb Barman had said that the Union Home Minister had informed him that the Centre would appoint an interlocutor by March 27 to study the "constitutional solutions" to the TMP's demands for providing more autonomy and socio-economic development of the tribals, who constitute one-third of Tripura's 4 million population.

After attending the BJP-IPFT ministers' swearing in ceremony on March 8, the Union Home Minister, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Assam and Tripura chief ministers held a meeting with Deb Barman and the TMP chief later claimed that Shah has assured him that like in the case of Nagaland, an interlocutor will be appointed to study and resolve the demands of the TMP within three months.

The BJP keeping in mind the tribal votes also requested the TMP leaders to join the BJP led ministry and kept three ministerial berths vacant for the tribal party.

--IANS
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Jaipur, May 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Ajmer in Rajasthan on May 31, said party leaders on Tuesday.

He will address a public meeting on the occasion of completion of nine years of his government. BJP has started preparations to accord a grand welcome to the PM, said party workers.

Party leaders furnished this information saying that earlier it was BJP national president J.P. Nadda who was scheduled to visit. However, now, preparations are being made for PM Modi's scheduled visit. BJP workers said that a place has been proposed for the programme where he will address the public meeting. A decision in this regard will be taken in the BJP meeting to be held on Tuesday.

Modi can also announce 'gifts' on completion of nine years of the government. There is a possibility of scheduling a few inaugurations and foundation laying programmes on this occasion. Earlier, it was expected that Modi will be visiting Sikar, however now party leaders said that he will be coming to Ajmer on May 31.

--IANS
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New Delhi, May 19 (IANS) The Congress on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the Rs 2,000 banknotes introduced with such fanfare after that "singularly disastrous" demonetisation decision of November 8, 2016, are now being withdrawn.

In a tweet, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "Typical of our self-styled Vishwaguru. First Act, Second Think (FAST). 2000 rupee notes introduced with such fanfare after that singularly disastrous Tughlaqi firman of Nov 8 2016 are now being withdrawn."

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said: "The ghost of 8th November 2016 has come back to haunt the nation once again. The greatly propagated move of demonetisation continues to be a monumental disaster for this nation. The PM sermoned the nation on the benefits of the new 2000 notes, today when the printing is stopped what happened to all those promises?"

"The government must explain its motive for such a step. The government continues its anti-people and anti-poor agenda. Hope the media questions the government on such a drastic measure and not attribute it to achip shortage' in the world," he added.

The Congress leaders remarks came after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced to withdraw the Rs 2,000 bank notes from circulation but said that it will continue as legal tender till September 30.

The RBI in an official communique said, "In pursuance of the 'Clean Note Policy' of the RBI, it has been decided to withdraw the 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation".

"The banknotes in 2,000 denomination will continue to be legal tender."

It also said that all banks shall provide deposit and/or exchange facility for Rs 2,000 banknotes until September 30.

--IANS
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Bhubaneswar, May 19 (IANS) Odisha Police's Crime Branch on Friday issued an advisory for telecom service providers to crack down misuse of pre-activated SIMs, which has become a serious issue having a bearing on national security apart from affecting individuals.

ADG, Crime Branch, Arun Bothra has advised the telecom operators to make calls to the Aadhaar-linked phone number for tele verification. Dealers having permanent shops should only be allowed to sell SIMs, he said.

Telecom service providers (TSP) were asked to devise a mechanism for the customers to complain about the fake SIM and to get it deactivated. Those point of sales (POS) who are caught violating the SOP of SIM activation will be blacklisted.

The TSPs have been instructed to strengthen their internal surveillance mechanism to crackdown the activated SIMs lying dormant continuously but are being recharged regularly.

Bothra also made it clear that henceforth in cases involving bulk seizure of such SIMs, the role of all officials concerned of the telecom service provider would also be brought under the purview of the investigation for conspiring to issue such SIMs and suitable legal action shall be initiated against them along with others in the supply chain.

In May 2022, about 20,000 SIMs along with cash of Rs 14 lakh were seized by the police while a SIM box machine with a large number of SIMs seized at Baripada in September 2022 and in another case, 17,000 SIMs were seized at Bhubaneswar.

Recently, the state police's Special Task Force (STF) had arrested Pathani Samant Lenka, 35, Saroj Kumar Nayak, 26, and Soumya Pattanaik, 19, on charges of fraudulently procuring huge numbers of pre-activated SIM cards in others' names and selling the OTPs to some Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO) and ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) agents in Pakistan and in India for large sums of money.

They were also in touch with a female PIO agent who was arrested last year in an Official Secrets Act/Honey-Trap case in Rajasthan, sources said.

The OTPs were misused to open online mule bank accounts and social media like Whatsapp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram etc. and also on online shopping sites like Amazon, Flipkart etc.

The OTP also might have been used in opening email accounts. People will think that these accounts are owned by an Indian but actually they are operated from Pakistan.

During investigation, the STF found prime accused Lenka's links with Pakistani intelligence agents and has decided to invoke the NSA against him, the official said.

The STF has also started investigating whether any official of the telecom provider is also involved in the scam or not.

--IANS
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Bhopal, May 19 (IANS) With Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections just a few months away, both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in the state have been making announcements about freebies to impress the voters.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government headed by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is not just announcing the one after another scheme but also taking steps to implement them.

The Congress, on the other hand, led by state president Kamal Nath, has been making a series of promises.

Chouhan, who was given the tag of 'ghoshna machine' (announcement machine) by the opposition, has now announced to increase the amount of financial assistance from Rs 49,000 to Rs 51,000 under "Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana".

The Madhya Pradesh government provides financial assistance to the women whose marriages are conducted in mass marriage ceremonies under the scheme.

"We have tried to end the injustice meted out to daughters in society by launching several welfare schemes. Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah/Nikah Yojana, Rs 49,000 is being given at present for the wedding of girls belonging to poor sections of the society. It is now raised to Rs 51,000," Chouhan made the announcement during a function held at Sonkatch town in Dewas district, around 160 km from here, on Thursday.

Kamal Nath on the same day (Thursday) announced that electricity charges up to 100 units would be waived off for people in the state and charges up to 200 units would be halved if Congress wins the assembly polls to be held later this year.

However, Thursday's announcement regarding electricity at a cheaper rate was a reiteration as Kamal Nath has been mentioning the same for the last couple of months.

Before these announcements, CM Chouhan announced providing financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to women under "Ladli Behna Yojana" and he has been relentlessly campaigning for it across the state.

In the beginning, the scheme was enough to make an impression among the people, but the Congress announced to provide Rs 15,000 per month under "Nari Samman Yojana".

The Congress also announced providing subsidised LPG cylinders at Rs 500 to households in the state.

Notably, the elections to the 230-member Assembly in Madhya Pradesh are scheduled to be held by the end of this year. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to retain power, while the opposition Congress is endeavouring to return to the helm.

--IANS
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