Page 7 - President

Prez approves 80 gallantry awards, other decorations to Army personnel

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday approved 80 gallantry awards including six Kirti Chakra and 16 Shaurya Chakra on the eve of the 75th Republic Day. Out of the six Kirti Chakra, three were conferred posthumously, and of the 16 Shaurya Chakra, two posthumously. The Kirti Chakra is India's second highest peacetime gallantry award after Ashok Chakra while the Shaurya Chakra is the third highest peacetime. The Kirti Chakra awardees are Major Digvijay Singh Rawat of 21st Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Deependra Vikram Basnet from the Sikh Regiment's fourth battalion and Havildar Pawan Kumar Yadav from the 21st battalion of the Mahar Regiment, according to the defence ministry. Those conferred the award posthumously are Captain Anshuman Singh from the 26th battalion of the Punjab Regiment (Army Medical Corps), Havildar Abdul Majid of the Parachute Regiment's ninth battalion (special forces) and Sepoy Pawan Kumar from the 55th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifle

R-Day eve address: President Murmu speaks on Ram temple, Isro missions

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the Ram temple will be marked in history as "India's continued re-discovery of its civilisational heritage" and as a grand edifice, giving a befitting expression not only of people's faith but also as a testament to people's enormous trust in judicial process. In her address to the nation on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, the president spoke on various issues including the welfare schemes initiated by the government and said it will be a proud day for the nation when it will be among those countries where homelessness "is a rarity". She also touched on the conflicts that have emerged in several parts of the world and stressed at finding a way out in the light of reason. "When each of the two conflicting sides believes that it is right and the other is wrong, the way out should be found in the light of reason. Unfortunately, instead of reason, fears and prejudices have fuelled passions, leading to relentless violence. There have been a ...

Arvalo faces obstacles as Guatemala's new president to deliver on change

Bernardo Arvalo was sworn in early Monday as Guatemala's new president. Many doubted they would ever see the day as powerful interests aligned against his anti-corruption campaign and authorities threw various legal challenges at him and his party. Arvalo is now president, but those disputes will continue and with little support in Congress he will be hard-pressed to deliver the deep changes in Guatemalan government and society that fuelled his support and a surprise electoral victory. He's considered a political moderate with a background in conflict resolution, skills that should serve him well in Guatemala's current polarization. WHO IS GUATEMALA'S NEW PRESIDENT? Arvalo is the 65-year-old son of former Guatemalan President Juan Jos Arvalo. The elder Arvalo was credited with implementing fundamental protections for workers and spaces for the country's Indigenous population. Bernardo Arvalo was born in Uruguay, where his father was in exile following the ouster in a 1954 CIA-bac

With 40% votes DPP candidate Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan's presidential polls

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Another grand feat accomplished by Isro: Prez Murmu on success of Aditya L1

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday congratulated ISRO for successfully placing India's first solar observatory Adiyta-L1 into its destination orbit, and said the mission will benefit the entire humanity. "Another grand feat accomplished by ISRO! As part of India's maiden solar mission, Aditya L1, the observatory has been placed in the final orbit and reached its destination at Lagrange Point 1," Murmu said in a post on 'X'. "Congratulations to the entire Indian scientist community for the great achievement! This mission will enhance our knowledge of the Sun-Earth System and benefit the entire humanity," she added. Murmu also said that the significant participation of women scientists in ISRO missions "takes women empowerment too onto a higher orbit". The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday placed Adiyta-L1 into its destination orbit Lagrange Point 1. The Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth. It is about one

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar takes over as new JD(U) president; Lalan Singh quits

Lalan Singh had earlier denied that he was going to step down from the JD(U) 's top post

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Trump urges federal court to grant him immunity in election subversion case

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President Murmu extends greetings to citizens on eve of Christmas

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and hoped that everyone rekindles the spirit of mercy and compassion. The festival of Christmas gives the message of love and compassion, she said. "This festival also inspires us for selfless service to the humanity. The teachings of Jesus Christ are always relevant to maintain peace and harmony in the society, Murmu said. On this holy festival, "let everyone rekindle the spirit of mercy and compassion and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ in their lives, the president said. "On the auspicious occasion of Christmas, I extend my hearty greetings to all fellow citizens, especially the Christian brothers and sisters," Murmu said in her message on the eve of Christmas.

Pranab: A filial perspective

Pranab Mukherjee's daughter shares an unputdownable account of her father's diary - filled with entertaining anecdotes, priceless stories, and some controversial perspectives

Fossil fuel-based energy also essential for India: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said the dependence on fossil fuels is definitely decreasing, but fossil fuel-based energy is also essential for India. India has always worked as a responsible country in the field of clean energy, Murmu said, addressing the National Energy Conservation Awards 2023 function here. "But we have also been making it clear from time to time that the dependence on fossil fuel is definitely decreasing but fossil fuel-based energy is also essential in our country," she stated. India is promoting clean coal technologies so that the processes of coal extraction and use become more efficient and environment friendly, she noted. It is the result of our commitment towards the environment that India has moved from 30th to 7th place in the ranking of the Climate Change Performance Index in a period of ten years, she said. The President opined that the health and happiness of all of us lie in the conservation and good health of nature. "If we make optimal ..

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Misuse of technology to create deepfakes threat to society: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said that while the use of artificial intelligence (AI) was making people's lives easier, its misuse to create deepfakes poses a threat to society. She said if technology is used properly, it will benefit society, but its misuse will affect humanity. Murmu also said that investing in girls' education is the most valuable investment in the progress of the country. The president was speaking at the 111th convocation of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) as the chief guest. "Now every youth understands technology as well as uses it. Any resource can be put to good use and misused as well. The same is true with technology as well. If it is used properly, it will benefit society and the country, but if misused it will affect humanity," she said. "Today, the use of artificial intelligence is making our lives easier, but the use of technology for deepfake is a threat to society. In this regard, moral value-based education can show

Need to further strengthen ports infrastructure, increase efficiency: Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said there is a need to further strengthen the infrastructure of ports in the country and increase their efficiency. Murmu said this while gracing the 'Boita Bandana' (boat worship) ceremony, organised by the Paradip Port Authority here. Boita Bandana is an annual festival observed in Odisha, remembering the ancient maritime glory of the state, earlier known as 'Kalinga'. Stating that the government's Sagarmala programme is a commendable step to strengthen the port activities, Murmu said the Government of India is working to realise the vision of 'Ports for Prosperity' and 'Ports for Progress'. The president said that maritime trade has been playing an important role in the trade and economic development of the country. "I am told that 95 per cent of India's total trade in terms of volume and 65 per cent in terms of value are done through sea transport," she said. Stating that India's ports need to function with greater efficiency in line with glo

Foxconn's billionaire founder Gou to drop out of Taiwan presidential race

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Meet Javier Milei, Argentina's President-elect who promised radical changes

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Committed to policy of engagement with int'l community: Maldives president

The Maldives is committed to a policy of engagement with the international community, newly sworn-in President Mohamed Muizzu has said, as he thanked representatives from 49 countries, including India, for showing immense support to his new government. Muizzu, 45, an engineer-turned-politician, took oath as the eighth President of the Maldives on Friday at a ceremony attended by a multitude of foreign dignitaries, including India's Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. "My profound appreciation to more than 190 representatives from 49 countries and many international organisations that attended the oath-taking ceremony today. I am heartened by the immense support shown by the international community towards the new government. We are committed to a policy of engagement," he said. Apart from Rijiju, other South Asian neighbours present for the inauguration ceremony included Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister for Information of Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud; Pakistan's Federal ...

Bihar CM Kumar pays tribute to Maulana Azad on his birth anniversary

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday paid tribute to freedom fighter and India's first education minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, on his birth anniversary."Greetings on National Education Day. The birthday of the country's first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, is celebrated as National Education Day. His significant contribution to the country will always be remembered. Respectful homage to him," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar posted on X in Hindi.Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the country's first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, on his birth anniversary and said "Azad's commitment to education was commendable and his efforts in shaping modern India continue to guide many people""Remembering Maulana Azad on his birth anniversary. A profound scholar and a pillar of India's freedom struggle, his commitment to education was commendable. His efforts in shaping modern India continue to guide many people," PM Modi posted on X.Today is ...

Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury writes to Prez Murmu over selection of CIC

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the government appointed Heeralal Samariya as the CIC without even informing him