Page 34 - Video Gallery

Rajinikanth to be honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award on May 03: Javadekar

New Delhi, Apr 01 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on April 01 informed that superstar Rajinikanth will be awarded with 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award on May 03. Javadekar said, "There were 5 jury members including Asha Bhosle, Mohan Lal, Biswajit Chatterjee, Shankar Mahadevan and Subhash Ghai. The jury members decided to confer Rajinikanth with Dadasaheb Phalke Award. From past 50 years, Rajinikanth is the undisputed king of film industry. The award will be given on May 03."

WB polls: CPI(M) workers allegedly stopped by TMC on way to cast vote, burn tyres to protest

Ghatal (West Bengal), Apr 01 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers agitated at Ghatal during 2nd phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on April 01. They alleged that they were being stopped by TMC workers as they were on their way to cast their vote. Later, the security forces reached the spot and removed the road blockade. The eight-phase West Bengal polls will conclude on April 29.

Owaisi slams CM Mamata for 'gotra' remark, says 'she's practicing communalism politics'

Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Mar 31 (ANI): While speaking to media in Tamil Nadu's Trichy on March 31, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her 'gotra' remark. Owaisi said, "I condemn her remarks in which she is claiming to be from an upper caste community. Where should Muslims and Dalits of West Bengal go, who are not part of 'varna' system? She is practicing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) politics of communalism." "They are made for each other," he added.

'BJP does politics of humanity not of cast and religion: Rajnath Singh in Tamil Nadu

Thally (Tamil Nadu), Mar 31 (ANI): Ahead of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a rally in Thally and said BJP does only politics of humanity and justice not of caste, creed, and religion. Targeting DMK, Defence Minister said, "The DMK tries to gain votes on communal basis. But the BJP does not do politics of caste, creed, and religion. We do politics of humanity and justice. We firmly believe in justice for all and appeasement of none." "We can never forget that the first person to support our former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to form the govt was Jayalalithaa. Inspired by the ideals of MGR, we will work for the empowerment of weaker sections of society," he said.

Rs 10,900 crore approved under PLI scheme for food processing industry: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): While addressing a joint press conference in the national capital on March 31, during the union cabinet briefing the Food and Public Distribution Minister, Piyush Goyal spoke about the incentives and subsidy approved for the food processing industry. Goyal said, "The union cabinet today approved Rs 10,900 crores as incentive or subsidy under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing industry."

Will ensure remunerative prices and boost India's brand in food processing: Javadekar

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): While addressing a joint press conference in the national capital on March 31, during the union cabinet briefing the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar spoke about the announcement made for food processing industry. Javadekar said, "Today, Product Linked Incentive (PLI) announced for food processing industry. Decision taken to ensure remunerative prices and build India brand in food processing, increasing the employment potential and making it global and manufacturing champion."

Coimbatore defence corridor gave Tamil Nadu a new 'Identity': CM Yogi

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Mar 31 (ANI): Ahead of assembly elections in the state, UP CM and BJP Leader Yogi Adityanath held a rally in Coimbatore on March 31 and said that defence corridor gives its state a new identity and maintains its safety. "PM Modi and the then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman established a Defence corridor in Coimbatore as a result of which Tamil Nadu's Wing Commander Abhinandan combated Pakistan when India did surgical strike on it to protect its border," the minister said. "When we look at the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, we find that they insult mothers and use filthy language for them. Those who can't respect women, can't have the right to come to power," he added.

Didn't come here to lie, my name is not Narendra Modi: Rahul Gandhi in Assam

Kamrup (Assam), Mar 31 (ANI): Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 31 stated that if one wants to listen to lies, can switch on TV as PM lies to India 24 hours there. He also said that he hasn't come to Assam to lie as his name isn't Narendra Modi. "I have not come here to lie to you. My name isn't Narendra Modi. If you want to listen to lies - about Assam, farmers, about anything - then switch on your TV, look at Narendra Modi's face and listen to him as much as you want. He lies to India 24 hours," said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Assam govt over death of Dipanjal Das during anti-CAA protest

Kamrup (Assam), Mar 31 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 31, remembered Dipanjal Das, who got killed in Guwahati during anti-CAA protests in 2019 and guaranteed that Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) will not be implemented in Assam. "When I had come to meet family of Dipanjal Das (killed in Guwahati during anti-CAA protests in 2019) I felt that bullets weren't fired at one youth, it was fired at Assam. It was attempted to murder Assam. He wasn't just a youth, he was an idea. He was Assam. Dipanjal Das was a youth of Assam. BJP government didn't do what it was supposed to. They didn't provide him employment and when he stood for Assam peacefully, he was shot dead by BJP-RSS. We give you 5 guarantees, the 1st being that we won't let CAA get implemented in Assam," said Rahul Gandhi.

Delhi's Gazipur market remains crowded despite rising COVID cases

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Despite spike in COVID-19 cases across the country, people are barely seen following COVID norms. The wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Gazipur still continues to witness huge rush even as the national capital is seemingly experiencing another COVID wave. Several buyers and vendors present in the market were seen without masks. Social distancing norms were flouted and the market was seen flooded with the crowd despite the guidelines issued by the government. "Corona cases are rising day by day and this market remains always crowded and social distancing is not maintained. People should maintain social distancing," said Suresh Kumar Gupta, a local. "People are careless, not maintaining social distancing and moving without wearing masks. They are risking their lives along with others. It's a violation of government's rules and this scenario is seen everywhere in Delhi," said Noor Hasan, another local.

Rahul Baba is on Assam visit as a tourist: Amit Shah in Chirang

Chirang (Assam), Mar 31 (ANI): Amid the ongoing state assembly elections, Home Minister Amit Shah targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's alliance with AIUDF's cbhief Badruddin Ajmal during a public rally in Assam's Chirang on March 31. "Rahul Baba is in Assam as a tourist nowadays. He says Badruddin Ajmal is Assam's identity. You tell me if Ajmal is Assam's identity or Bhupen Hazarika, Upendra Nath and Shankar Dev. Black Mountain Badruddin Ajmal can't be Assam's identity," said Home Minister Amit Shah.

We are in Indian Ocean to maintain power balance: French Joint Forces Commander

Kochi (Kerala), Mar 31 (ANI): Rear Admiral Jacques Fayard, French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean on March 31 said that April would witness the Indo-France bilateral 'Varuna Naval Exercise'. "We are part of the Indian Ocean and we're there in the Indian Ocean Region to balance the power in order to be sure that all international laws of the sea, freedom of navigation, multi-nationalism are well respected in this strategic area," he said during his two-day visit to Kochi. "India-France relations in naval area enhanced. We're preparing for 'Varuna Exercise', a high-level interoperability exercise. For us, it's important to be able to participate with Indian Navy in the global security of this strategic region," he added.

Amid COVID surge, Delhi to ramp up daily tests above 80,000

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Amid surge in COVID-19 infections, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on March 31 informed that the state government will increase the daily testing to over 80,000. 992 fresh cases were reported in the national capital on March 30. Satyendar Jain informed, "Yesterday, government issued an order for increasing 220 beds in ICU wards in private hospitals for COVID patients. There is just 25% occupancy in private and government hospitals in Delhi."

Delhi eateries must clear whether they serve 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat: NDMC Mayor

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Eateries under North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) will now have to put up posters stating whether they serve 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat, as informed by Mayor Jai Prakash on March 31. "In Hinduism and Sikhism, 'halal' meat is prohibited. So we approved a proposal, making it mandatory for all restaurants, dhabas and meat shops in North Delhi Municipal Corporation to put up posters stating whether they serve/sell 'halal' or 'jhatka' meat," said NDMC Mayor Jai Prakash.

Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati

Guwahati (Assam), Mar 31 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited and offered prayers at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on March 31. Rahul Gandhi is on his visit to the poll-bound state. He'll also attend two election rallies here. He said, "Congress has given 5 guarantees to voters of Assam. We aren't BJP, we fulfil our promises. Tea garden workers must remember our guarantee of Rs 365 per day minimum wage." The 2nd phase of elections will be held on April 01 in Assam.

There needs to be good faith negotiations for a free Afghanistan: EAM Jaishankar

Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Mar 31 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is in Tajikistan capital Dushanbe for the Heart of Asia conference, on March 31 said peace in Afghanistan would be best achieved if there is consensus within and around the nation, adding that there needs to be good faith negotiations for a free Afghanistan. "We believe that peace would be best achieved if there is an understanding within and around Afghanistan. We also believe that there needs to be good faith negotiations and that we should remain true to principles of 'Heart of Asia'," Jaishankar told ANI.

Sharad Pawar doing well following operation: Maha Health Minister

Mumbai, Mar 31 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar, who has been diagnosed with gallbladder disease, was operated at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed about his health condition. "Sharad Pawar ji is doing well after the operation. Stone has been removed from the Gallbladder successfully," said Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

All 36 Rafale jets to be handed over to India by 2022: French Envoy

Kochi (Kerala), Mar 31 (ANI): French Envoy to India Emmanuel Lenain on March 31 assured that despite pandemic, all 36 Rafale jets will be handed over to India by 2022 as per contract. "It's a matter of great pride, we've been able to deliver on schedule and even ahead of schedule in spite of COVID. Right now 21 Rafale delivered to India, 11 already ferried to India, 3 are right now being ferried and 5 extra will be ferried by end of April," said Emmanuel Lenain in Kochi. He added, "Total in 2022, the 36 aircraft will have been delivered as per contract."

Proposed lockdown in Maharashtra's Aurangabad cancelled

Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Mar 31 (ANI): The lockdown which was to be imposed in Aurangabad from March 31 night has now been cancelled. "Lockdown which was to be imposed from March 31 in Aurangabad, has now been cancelled. We had submitted a proposal regarding lockdown to the government. Revised guidelines will be presented soon," said Sunil Chavan, District Collector, Aurangabad.

India supplied 64 million COVID vaccine doses to 84 countries: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, Mar 31 (ANI): Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan informed that 64 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to 84 countries across the globe. Addressing a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccine production, Dr Vardhan said, "Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we have started a good quality balance between the needs of world and needs of Indians. 64 million doses have been supplied to 84 countries of the whole world."