Page 8 - President

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

The decision brings to an end Gou's years-long pursuit of Taiwan's most-powerful job - at least for now

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

Known as 'Argentina's Trump', Milei secured a landslide victory in the presidential election and promised radical changes

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

Army Major terminated from service by Prez for breaching security protocol

An Indian Army Major posted with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has been terminated from service by President Droupadi Murmu after a high-level investigation found him guilty of breaching laid-down national security norms, sources in the defence and security establishment said on Tuesday. The Army had initiated a probe into the Major's activities in March 2022 when authorities concerned came across his alleged involvement in suspicious activities including possessing and sharing of sensitive information, they said. The sources said the President, who is also the supreme commander of the three services, signed the order terminating the services of the Major around a week ago while exercising powers under the Army Act, 1950. The termination order was issued in mid-September and it was notified following the President's approval. There is no official comment on the termination of the Major. The termination of the service of the Major was based on the findings of a 'Board of Offi

Lord Ram's principles can help us fight with evils in society: Prez Murmu

The President made these remarks during her participation in the Dussehra festivities organized by the Dharmic Leela Committee at the Red Fort

Empower women by making them equal partners in nation-building: Prez Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday greeted citizens on the eve of Durga Puja and said the country must empower women by making them equal and honourable partners in nation-building. "The festival of Durga Puja symbolises the victory of good over evil, awareness over ignorance and truth over falsehood. Worshipped in many forms, Maa Durga gives us the strength to keep the divisive and destructive forces at bay," Murmu said. She asked all to take a pledge to work for the unity and integrity of the country, following good conduct and with the spirit of service. "We must empower women by making them equal and honorable partners in nation-building," the president said. She has sent her greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Durga Puja, a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said. "On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," it added.

Prez denies assent to Delhi Electricity Reforms (Amendment) Bill: Speaker

The Delhi Electricity Reforms (Amendment) Bill 2022 passed by the Delhi Assembly, which sought to raise the retirement age of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) members and chairman from 65 years to 70, has been denied approval by the President, authorities said on Friday. The tenure of the chairman and the members of DERC is five years or attaining the age of 65, whichever is earlier. "The Bill was not approved by the president and returned back," Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel told PTI. No immediate comment was available from the president's office on the issue. When asked about it, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was not apprised of the matter. "I will get it checked," Kejriwal said in a press conference. Official sources said the Bill was returned by the President because the Electricity Act is a central law and it was beyond the jurisdiction of the Delhi Assembly to legislate on it. The legislation was brought to avoid any possible delay in ..

Delighted that India won highest ever number of medals in Asian Games: Prez

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said she was delighted that India has won its highest ever number of medals at the Asian Games and congratulated the winners. "I am delighted that India has won its highest ever number of medals in Asian Games. Congratulations to archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam for securing gold in compound mixed team event! My special compliments to Neeraj Chopra for winning gold in javelin throw event and to the Indian men's team for the gold medal in 4x400m relay event!," she said in a post on X. Deotale's youthful energy blended seamlessly with Vennam's skills, securing the country's maiden gold medal in the compound mixed team event and contributing to their best-ever show in archery at the Asian Games at Hangzhou in China. Star javelin thrower Chopra prevailed in an intense and stirring duel with compatriot Kishore Jena to defend his Asian Games gold. Indian quartet of Anas Muhammed Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and

President Murmu, Vice President Dhankhar pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at the Gandhi Smriti museum here on Monday. They also attended a 'Bhajan Sandhya' at Gandhi Smriti, formerly Birla Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. On the occasion, a message from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also read out. October 2 is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence. "On this International Day of Non-Violence, we commemorate not only the birth of Mahatma Gandhi but also the timeless values he championed: mutual respect and understanding, justice, and the power of peaceful action," the UN secretary-general's message read. Vijay Goel, vice chairman of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, was also present in the programme.

Prez greets citizens on Ganesh Chaturthi eve, says festival inspires all

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi and said the festival inspires all to remain humble in life and promote brotherhood in society. "This festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Ganesha the epitome of knowledge, wisdom and prosperity, is a festival of enthusiasm, joy and happiness," she said. This festival gives the message of working together and also inspires us to remain humble in life and promote harmony and brotherhood in the society, the President said. "May Lord Shri Ganesha help us overcome obstacles so that we can contribute immensely in building a developed nation," Murmu said in her message. The President also extended warm greetings and good wishes to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, it added.

India's first woman PM, President were from Congress: Supriya Sule

NCP leader Supriya Sule on Monday strongly defended the Congress after the BJP criticised it over the Women's Reservation Bill issue, saying the first woman prime minister and president were from the Congress and the legislation was also brought by it. But the bill could not be passed due to lack of numbers, she said. Participating in the discussion in Lok Sabha on "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha -- Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings", Sule urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the Women's Reservation Bill and assured that her party would support it. "Most women MPs have been asking about the Women's Reservation Bill. Everyone sitting here has been concerned about it," she said on the first day of the five-day session of Parliament. Responding to BJP MP Rakesh Singh's remarks asking what had the Congress done about ensuring reservation for women despite being in power for decades, Sule said, "I would like to set the record ...

Indian-origin economist Shanmugaratnam sworn in as Singapore's president

Tharman, who has served Singapore all his life in public service, was overwhelmingly endorsed by the city-state's predominantly Chinese society

Prez Murmu launches NeVA Digital House project of Guj legislative assembly

The launch was conducted in the presence of the Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel

No way Putin will be arrested if he attends Rio G20 meet: Brazil Prez

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly skipped international gatherings, including the G20 Summit in New Delhi, where foreign minister Sergey Lavrov represented Russia

President Murmu, PM Modi welcome G20 leaders, delegates at grand dinner

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed G20 leaders and delegates at a grand dinner hosted for them at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the Summit, here. They welcomed the guests before the start of the dinner at a dais, with its backdrop depicting the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar and India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'. Nalanda university ruins, a UNESCO world heritage site in Bihar, was one of the oldest universities of the world. President Murmu is hosting the ceremonial dinner for the G20 leaders, international delegates and other dignitaries at the Bharat Mandapam. The newly built international convention and exhibition centre and its verdant lawns dazzled at night with colourful illumination while its gurgling fountains and the 'Nataraja' statue placed on front of the state-of-the-art building created a pretty picture. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International

G20 Summit 2023: Ancient musical instruments to be played at special dinner

G20 Summit 2023: The ceremonial dinner will be held at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the summit in the national capital

Prez Murmu confers National Teachers' Award 2023 to 75 awardees in Delhi

According to a government release, each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal