Page 9 - President Of India

'One nation, no election': Cong's dig at govt after Kovind panel report

The Congress on Thursday attacked the government after a high-level committee recommended simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, alleging that they want to completely dismantle the Constitution with the objective of 'one nation, no election'. In its report submitted to President Droupadi Murmu that ran into over 18,000 pages, the panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind recommended simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days. Asked about the development, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told PTI in Nashik, "The Prime Minister's objective is very clear, he is going around asking for a clear majority, two-thirds majority, 400 seats, and the cat is out of the bag. They want to completely dismantle Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution and with what objective -- 'one nation, no election' that is what they want." In its report, the panel said simultaneous polls will .

Kovind-led panel recommends simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls

Committee recommends constitutional amendment to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls which does not need to be ratified by the states

Ex-President Pratibha Patil hospitalised in Pune, condition stable

Former President Pratibha Patil has been admitted to a hospital in Maharashtra's Pune city for the treatment of fever and chest infection and her condition is stable, officials of the medical facility said on Thursday. Patil, 89, was admitted to the Bharati Hospital here on Wednesday. "Former President Pratibha Patil was admitted to the hospital last night. She is having fever along with some infection in the chest. Her health condition is stable. She is under treatment and is being monitored closely," a senior official from the hospital said. Patil was the first woman to serve as the President of India. She held the top constitutional post from 2007 to 2012.

Prez Murmu conferred with Doctor of Civil Law by University of Mauritius

President Droupadi Murmu was on Tuesday conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius, demonstrating the depth of bilateral ties. Murmu, 65, is here on a three-day state visit during which she will be the chief guest at the country's National Day celebrations on Tuesday. "A special honour emblematic of the depth of India-Mauritius relations! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by @UniOfMauritius," the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X. In her address, President Murmu exhorted Mauritian youth to stay connected with India to nourish their proud past and invest in their bright future, it said. She conveyed best wishes from the people of India on Mauritius' National Day. "I feel especially honoured to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from this prestigious university today. I hope that it will inspire all young people, particularly young women to discover

Prez Murmu's first State visit to Mauritius will mark new milestone in ties

As a significant highlight of the visit, President Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius, marking a new milestone in the longstanding friendship

Former SC judge A M Khanwilkar administered oath as Lokpal chairperson

Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was administered the oath of office as the Lokpal chairperson by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday, officials said. Justice (retired) Khanwilkar, 66, served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016 to July 29, 2022. The President administered the oath of office of chairperson, Lokpal to Khanwilkar at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Sunday evening, according to an official statement. Justice (retired) Khanwilkar was appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal last month, nearly two years after the post fell vacant following the retirement of Pinaki Chandra Ghose on May 27, 2022.

IAF guarding skies, making paramount contribution to space programme: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the Indian Air Force's contribution to the nation's service is etched in "golden letters" and it is not only guarding the skies but also making a paramount contribution to the country's space programme. In her address at a ceremony held at the Hindan Air Force Station to award President's Standard and Colours to four units of the IAF, Murmu said she believed that more and more women will sign up for the force and serve the nation and emphasised that increased representation of women in the force will make it "more inclusive". She also extended her wishes to women on International Women's Day. The President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The IAF's contribution to the nation's service in protecting the country is "etched in golden letters", she said. "It is a matter of joy that the IAF is not only guarding our skies but also making a paramount contribution to India's space programme," the President said. The President said the

Droupadi Murmu presents President's Standard to 45 Squadron, 221 Squadron

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday presented the President's Standard and Colours to four Indian Air Force units. Two squadrons -- 45 Squadron and the 221 Squadron -- received the President's Standard while the 11 Base Repair Depot and 509 signal unit received the President's Colours at a ceremony held at the Hindan Air Force Station here. This is the first time that four units of the IAF have received the President's Standard and Colours together. The President's Standard and Colours is the highest military honour for any armed forces unit. The four units selected for the coveted awards have stellar contributions to the IAF's history. The 45 Squadron, also called the 'Flying Daggers', was raised in 1959. The squadron took part in 'Operation Vijay' for the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule in 1960. The 221 squadron is known as the 'Valiants'. It was raised on February 14, 1963, in Barrackpore equipped with Vampire aircraft. Barely two years after its formation, the squadron w

In a first, 4 IAF units to receive President's Standard and Colours

In a historic first, four units of the Indian Air Force will receive prestigious 'President's Standard and Colours' from President Droupadi Murmu at the Hindan air base on March 8. Murmu will be awarding the President's Standard to 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron and the President's Colours to 11 Base Repair Depot and 509 Signal unit, the defence ministry said. It will be the first time in history of the IAF that four units will be awarded President's Standard and Colours together, it said. The award of the President's Standard and Colours is the highest military honour for any armed forces units. The four units selected for the coveted awards have stellar contributions in the IAF's history. The 221 squadron is known as the 'Valiants'. The history of the squadron dates back to 14 Feb 1963 when it was raised at Barrackpore, equipped with Vampire aircraft. Barely two years after its formation, the Squadron was pressed into action in the Eastern theatre during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, whe

Era of women-led development has begun in India, says President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that an era of women-led development has begun in India as girls are taking centre stage in all spheres of the nation building, and the trend is very encouraging for the country. Addressing the 25th convocation of Berhampur University at Bhanja Bihar in Ganjam district of Odisha, she said the participation of women in literature, culture, dance and music has been remarkable. The potential of our daughters is visible in every field from science and technology to police and army. Now, we are moving from the phase of women's development to women-led development, the president said. Noting that around 45,000 students are getting education in Berhampur University's postgraduate departments and its affiliated colleges, she said more than 55 per cent of students are women. Not only this, 60 per cent of the gold medal winners are also women and "half of the researchers, who received doctoral degrees today are also girls", the president said. This is

Agnipath scheme gross injustice to country's youth: Kharge writes to Murmu

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu highlighting the "gross injustice" done to the country's youths seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the Agnipath scheme and urged her to ensure justice for them. The future of nearly 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain due to the ending of the regular recruitment process in the armed forces, Kharge said in his letter to the President. The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. These youths spent years in pursuit of their dream and "the resulting frustration and hopelessness has even led to several reported deaths by suicide", Kharge claimed. "Our youths cannot be allowed to suffer in this manner. I appeal to you to ensure that NYAY and justice is done," he said. In June 2022, the government rolled out the Agnipath recruitment scheme for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three

President Murmu to inaugurate 'Purple Fest' for people with disabilities

More than 10,000 Divyangjan, accompanied by their escorts, will also be present, the ministry said

Sandeshkhali violence: NCSC delegation submits report to Prez Murmu

A delegation of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) which visited West Bengal's Sandeshkhali to probe alleged harassment of women by TMC supporters has submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu, officials said on Friday. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali have claimed that TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters captured swathes of land by force and also sexually harassed them. They are demanding the immediate arrest of Sheikh, who has been absconding since an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that raided his house in connection with an alleged ration scam was attacked by a mob last month. The NCSC delegation visited Sandeshkhali on Thursday and submitted its report to the President after returning to Delhi, the officials said.

President Murmu witnesses ceremonial change-over of Army Guard Battalion

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday witnessed the ceremonial change-over of the Army Guard Battalion stationed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here. During the ceremony, the 6th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment on completion of its tenure as the ceremonial Army Guard Battalion handed over the charge to the 1st Battalion of 5th Gorkha Rifles. Different infantry units of the Army function as the ceremonial Army Guard at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by rotation. The Army Guard Battalion performs ceremonial duties at various important events such as the Guard of Honour to dignitaries, the Republic Day parade, the Independence Day parade and the Beating the Retreat Ceremony, apart from performing ceremonial guard duties at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the event, the president appreciated the officers and soldiers of 6th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment for following the highest standards of military traditions and for performing their duty with full dedication at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She welcomed

President Murmu calls for more action to lift some farmers out of poverty

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called for more action to lift some farmers out of poverty and ensure right price for their produce even as the government is making speedy efforts to boost their income. The comments came in the backdrop of thousands of farmers from Delhi-NCR region taking to the streets seeking hiked compensation for lands acquired by the government and for accepting several demands, including enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops on Thursday. Addressing the 62nd convocation of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) here at Pusa complex, Murmu said farmers are not only "annadata" but also "jeevandata" who are contributing in making the country's economy strong. "We are aware of problems faced by our farmers. Even today, many farmers are living in poverty. To ensure they get the right price (for their produce) and improve their livelihood, we need to work even harder in this direction," Murmu said. She expressed ...

Strong, stable, prosperous Bangladesh is in India's interest: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that a strong, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in India's interest and there is immense political will on both sides to see the relationship grow. Welcoming Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud, who had called on the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu conveyed felicitations to Sheikh Hasina for her unprecedented fourth consecutive term as the prime minister of Bangladesh. She expressed confidence that under her leadership, Bangladesh will achieve new milestones of progress and prosperity. The president said that a strong, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in India's interest, and there is immense political will on both sides to see the relationship grow. Murmu expressed satisfaction at the progress made in almost all areas of bilateral cooperation such as border and security, trade, connectivity, power, infrastructure, and people-to-people contacts, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She note

Potential for India, Guyana to boost ayurveda, millets collaboration: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said there is immense potential to improve collaboration in ayurveda, bio-fuels and agriculture, especially in millets, between India and Guyana. She said that despite being geographically distant, India and Guyana are connected by the virtue of "our colonial past, our diverse and multicultural societies, and the strong bonds of culture, traditions and language with the sizeable Indian diaspora community that has made Guyana its home for nearly two centuries". Welcoming Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Brigadier (retd) Mark Phillips and his delegation, who had called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, the president said there is a need to further diversify the bilateral trade basket. "There is also immense potential to improve collaboration in the fields of ayurveda, bio-fuels and agriculture -- especially in millets," Murmu said, according to a statement issued by the President's Office. She said that by working togethe

WATCH: President Droupadi Murmu takes metro ride in Delhi, video surfaces

A 27-second video clip surfaced on social media, showing President Droupadi Murmu with officials in an empty Delhi metro wagon on Wednesday

Great potential in bilateral trade between India, Suriname: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said there is great potential in the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Suriname in fields such as health, ayurveda, digital technologies, education and tourism. Welcoming a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Suriname, which had called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, she said India-Suriname relations are characterised by warmth and friendship, and based on excellent people-to-people contacts, "linkages in our cultures and traditions as well as commonalities in our approach to issues of global importance". Murmu said there is great potential in the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Suriname, including in the fields of health, ayurveda, agriculture, renewable energy, digital technologies, education, culture and tourism, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement. The president added that parliamentary exchanges are important as they provide an opportunity for interaction between "our

Budget session highlights: PM predicts at least 370 seats for BJP in LS

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