Page 2403 - Politics
Kartarpur Corridor to help people visit Guru Nanak's sacred place: PM Modi
Kartarpur Corridor featured in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 50th episode of Mann Ki Baat radio programme on Sunday."Government has made a very important decision - that of opening Kartarpur Corridor so that people of our nation can easily go to Kartarpur in Pakistan and visit the sacred place of Guru Nanak Dev," the Prime Minister said, while expressing his thoughts with the people through radio.On November 22, the Union Cabinet approved the building and development of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to India-Pakistan International Border.A day after this landmark decision, Pakistan government also gave a nod to the opening of Kartarpur corridor next year- the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.Prime Minister Modi, in his radio programme, further stated that next year, not only India but the whole world will celebrate Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary with much fervour."Guru Nanak Dev Ji had worked wholeheartedly for the society; he had shown .
K Kavitha hits out at Sonia Gandhi, Congress
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has accused Sonia Gandhi of ignoring Telangana in her election speech in Medchal on Saturday.K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, said, "Sonia Gandhi visited Telangana and spoke about other states rather than speaking on Telangana state."The TRS MP from Nizamabad also called Sonia a mouthpiece of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu."Sonia's worlds seem to be like Chandrababu Naidu's version. Congress party is trying to implement Andhra Pradesh state agenda in Telangana," Kavitha said.It was under the Mamnohan Singh government under Sonia Gandhi-led United Progressive Alliance that Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014 and Telangana was created with K Chandrasekhar Rao as its chief minister.Further training guns at the Congress, Kavitha accused the party of practising double standards and said, "Sonia Gandhi claims one thing and speak quite the opposite of that in Telangana. But the TRS will always speak ...
Navy chief to begin 4-day Russia visit on Monday
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will begin a four-day visit to Russia on Monday with an aim to explore new avenues for the already close defence ties between the two countries, officials said Sunday. The Navy chief will hold wide-ranging talks with his Russian counterpart, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, and meet a number of top military officials including General VV Gerasimov, Chief of General Staff and First Deputy Defence Minister of Russia, they said. "The visit aims to consolidate bilateral defence relations with Russia, as also to explore new avenues for defence cooperation," Navy Spokesperson Capt. D K Sharma said. Adm. Lanba's visit to Russia comes around a week after the two countries signed a USD 500 million deal for construction of two missile frigates in Goa for the Indian Navy. Under the deal, Russia will provide design, technology know how and key materials to Goa Shipyard Ltd. for the construction of the ships in India. Adm. Lanba is also scheduled to visit the ...
US tourist's killing in Andaman sad incident: MoS External Affairs
Expressing grief over the killing of an American tourist in the North Sentinel Island of Andaman, Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh on Sunday clarified that the government has a policy that nobody should go there.The endangered tribe in the Andaman islands off India's east coast resist outsiders."We have had such incidents earlier too that is why the government had a policy that nobody should go there. It's a separate tribal group, they do not want outsiders. It is a very sad incident. Andaman administration will find out who allowed him to go there," Singh, in an exclusive interview told ANI.Recently, 27-year old John Allen Chau was allegedly killed in North Sentinel Island, by the indigenous islanders, who are among the last of the "uncontacted" tribes in the world."On the basis of the information received by an email of the US Consulate, Chennai on 19 November, the Andaman and Nicobar police immediately lodged a missing report. The police have ...
Goa poll official asked for explanation for attending
A Goa election official has been asked to provide an explanation for participating in a function reportedly organised by a political party. Goa Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Narayan Navti has been called to explain his participation in a function reportedly organised by the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party - an ally in the BJP-led Goa government, in association with a local cultural club. Photographs of the function held at Ponda in South Goa and Navti distributing prizes there are being circulated on social media. "We have called for an explanation from Navti and I will look into the matter," Kunal told PTI Sunday without elaborating further. When contacted, Navti, however, said he was unaware that it was a function organised by a political party, adding he attended it since it was a cultural event. "The organisers are my neighbours. I was not invited by any political party, but by the local Shrikrishna Cultural Club. I went there ..
Uddhav offers prayers to Ram Lalla, says emotions of Hindus should not be taken for granted
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray Sunday said the BJP government at the Centre "may not last" if the Ram Temple is not constructed at Ayodhya and demanded that an ordinance be brought in to pave for its way, warning that emotions of Hindus should not be taken for granted. The Shiv Sena chief, who offered prayers at the Ram Lalla temple, said "days, years and generations are passing by but the temple has not being constructed". Noting that Lok Sabha elections are around the corner and only one session of Parliament remains, he asked the government to bring an ordinance. "Shiv Sena has been supporting (them) on the issue of Hindutva and will continue to do so. Bring ordinance or a law but construct temple ...the emotions of Hindus should not be taken for granted," he told reporters here. Thackeray said Hindus are today asking when will the temple be made while maintaining that his visit to Ayodhya is neither for political purposes nor is there any hidden agenda. "I am only asking (BJP) ..
Farmers to hold mega march in Delhi on Nov 29, 30
Over one lakh farmers from across the country plan to assemble in the national capital on November 29 and 30 to participate in a mega march to protest against, what they have termed, the Centre's "failure" to address their issues. Hannan Mollah, convenor of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella body of 208 farmers' and agricultural workers' organisations, said on November 29, the farmers would start the Kisan Mukti March from different corners of Delhi - Bijwasan, Majnu Ka Tila, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar - to Ramlila ground. A cultural programme 'Ek Sham Kisan Ke Naam' dedicated to farmers would be held at the Ramlila ground on the first day of the congregation, where prominent singers and poets would perform. "On November 30, the farmers will start their march from Ramlila ground to Parliament. At Parliament Street, farmer leaders will speak on agrarian issues and also, leaders of different political parties barring the BJP will address the ...
Sikhs in America hail Indian govt's decision to build Kartarpur corridor
The Sikhs in America have hailed the Indian government's decision to build a religious corridor linking border district of Gurdaspur with historic Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara in Pakistan - fulfilling a long pending demand of the community. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. It was established by the Sikh Guru in 1522. The first Gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died. Both India and Pakistan have announced that stretches would be developed in their respective areas. "The Indian government's decision to develop and open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is historic," Jasdip Singh, the chairman of the Sikhs of America, said during his meeting with visiting Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (retd.) V K Singh. A delegation of eminent Sikh of America led by Jasdip Singh on Saturday met the minister here. "From the ...
Taiwan rejects same-sex marriage in referendum
A public vote held in Taiwan rejected the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the island-nation, despite a 2017 high court ruling in favour of such unions.Quoting state media, CNN reported that a question which asked "Do you agree that Civil Code regulations should restrict marriage to being between a man and a woman?" received the largest vote-share - more than seven million votes - amongst five referendum questions related to LGBT rights and education.Out of these, three questions were framed by members from conservative parties while two had been drafted by pro-LGBT activists.On the other hand, the question on same-sex marriage put forth by gay rights activists only garnered three million votes, sending a wave of disappointment amongst supporters."The results of the referendums on Saturday indicate that the three anti-LGBTI rights motions were accepted, with up to 35 per cent of all eligible voters supporting. The two pro-LGBTI rights motions received less than 18 per cent in ...
Don't read much into Swaraj missing Kartarpur ground-breaking: VK Singh
Minister of State for External Affairs, General (retd) VK Singh, cleared the air surrounding External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj not attending the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor, a new border entry and road to allow pilgrims from India to visit a Gurudwara in Pakistan.Emphasising that New Delhi is committed to making the corridor functional at the earliest, Singh said, "Sushma Swaraj has reasons which must be delinked from it. She is committed because of elections and health issues. To read too much into it is wrong. India is committed to ensure Kartarpur corridor comes up fast and would like Pakistan to cooperate."Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is one of the holiest shrines where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. With the partition of India in 1947, the holy place got into Pakistan's control.In a landmark decision, on the eve of Guru Nanak Gurupurab, India on Thursday approved building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in ..
3-day mourning in Karnataka for actor-turned-politician Ambareesh
The Karnataka government on Sunday declared three-day mourning for actor-turned-politician M.H. Ambareesh who died at a private hospital on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest.
Korean peninsula: USA's Carter admin pushed for secret talks in '70s
Almost two decades after the end of the Korean War, USA's Jimmy Carter administration had pushed for secret tripartite talks in Jakarta in 1979, declassified documents highlighted.The USA had sought to hold a meeting with South Korea and North Korea to reduce military tensions in Asia, but received a lukewarm response from North Korea, leading to the meeting's cancellation.Then US President Jimmy Carter had shown his appreciation for Indonesia, who played the role of an intermediary, in the document that was released by a US academic, James F. Person. The document has been addressed to Indonesia's then-President Suharto, whose role was acknowledged by Carter."Your statesmanlike gesture has made it possible to begin a process which can only serve to reduce tensions in Asia and contribute to peace in the world," Carter had said according to Yonhap News Agency.Meanwhile, other documents with an earlier date highlight that efforts were made by the USA in 1977 as well towards a trilateral .
VK Singh snubs Akhilesh's 'Army in Ayodhya' remark, says Centre enough to tackle situation
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh on Sunday rebuffed former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's stance that the Army needs to be deployed in Ayodhya to keep the situation under control and asserted that the Centre will make full efforts to maintain the law and order in the region.In an exclusive interview to ANI, Singh stated, "I don't think there is any need for the deployment of Army in Uttar Pradesh as there is enough law and order machinery available there. And I am sure that the government that of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), unlike other parties, will ensure that law and order is maintained."Akhilesh, the Samajwadi Party chief on Friday urged the Supreme Court to deploy Army in Ayodhya, if needed, to keep the situation under control.Speaking to media, Yadav had stated: "The BJP does not believe in either the Supreme Court or the Constitution. The BJP can go to any extent. The kind of environment there is in Uttar Pradesh, especially in Ayodhya, the ...
Italy, EU to work to bring views on 2019 budget closer together - Commission
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Italy and the European Commission will work in the coming days to bring closer their positions on Italy's 2019 draft budget, which the EU executive says breaks EU laws by not reducing the country's huge public debt.
Brexit: Donald Tusk tells European Union to approve deal
European Council President Donald Tusk has recommended that the EU approve the Brexit deal at a summit on Sunday.
Trump signals deal with Mexico on asylum seekers
US President Donald Trump has said migrants seeking asylum in the US via the southern border will wait in Mexico while their claims are moving through legal procedures.
Mexico agrees to support US planned asylum policy
Mexico's incoming government has agreed to support the US government's plan to remake US asylum policy, the media reported.
UK's May pens open letter to Britons lauding Brexit deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May has written a "letter to the nation" vowing to campaign with "heart and soul" for her Brexit deal once EU leaders sign off on it this weekend. May, who hopes to seal the divorce agreement and outline of future ties with Europe at a Brussels summit Sunday, faces a daunting challenge winning the support of Britain's parliament. The Sunday Telegraph reported that members of her own cabinet and EU diplomats are secretly working on "plan B" proposals, fearing lawmakers will reject the current deal. But in the letter published in several newspapers, May insisted her agreement would "honour the result" of the 2016 referendum - when 52 per cent backed Leave - and be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation". "It will be a deal that is in our national interest -- one that works for our whole country and all of our people, whether you voted 'Leave' or 'Remain'," May wrote on Saturday. "It is a deal for a brighter future, which enables us to seize the ...
Mann ki Baat: PM Modi to deliver 50th episode today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the 50th edition of Mann Ki Baat radio programme on Sunday.Today's broadcast becomes all the more special as it will be the 50th episode of the monthly programme.He will be sharing his thoughts on various issues, with the people spread all across the country and the world through All India Radio broadcast starting 11 AM today.The Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast by Prime Minister Narendra Modi started months after him assuming the prime minister's office. The first episode of the monthly radio programme was broadcasted on October 2014. The highlight of this episode was Prime Minister Modi's insistence on the usage of Khadi products, which subsequently boosted the sale of such products by over 100%.The last episode of Mann Ki Baat programme was aired on October 28. During that day's address, Prime Minister Modi outlined the IT for society initiative for promoting selfless service, acknowledged the contribution of Sardar Patel for uniting ...
Turkey against US plans to establish observation posts in Syria
Turkey is uneasy about US' plans to set up observation posts in Syria, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has said.