Page 410 - Video Gallery

Will support Hemant Soren unconditionally: JVM chief Babulal Morandi

Ranchi (Jharkhand), Dec 24 (ANI): Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) chief Babulal Morandi on December 24 announced that his party will "unconditionally" support the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) because its party chief Hemant Soren has the required majority. "Our party will support Hemant Soren, unconditionally, because he has the required majority," Morandi told reporters in presence of Soren in Ranchi. JMM-led alliance on December 23 secured majority by winning 47 seats in the 81-member assembly.

Will provide opportunity of promotion: Piyush Goyal on Centre halves 8-member Railway board

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Railway Minister Piyush Goyal while talking about 'existing 8 Group A services of Railways to be reorganised into a Central Service called IRMS said that it will provide opportunity of promotion to the Railways employees on merit basis. He said, "Now greater number of people will get promotion opportunities on basis of merit. 27 General Managers are getting the highest grade of Secretary level".

CM Kejriwal launches Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal launched Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana to provide houses to residents of JJ cluster on December 24. Under the scheme, 65,000 slum families were given certificates according to Delhi Government.

CAA protests: UP Power minister accuses Opposition of taking political advantage of situation

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 24 (ANI): While addressing the press conference in Lucknow on December 24, the Power Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shrikant Sharma spoke on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. He said, "People involved in the violence are being identified and strict action will be taken against them. Opposition parties tried to take political advantage of the situation in the state." "Nobody will be spared," he added.

Cabinet approves National Population Register 2021

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Union Cabinet has given approval to the National Population Register (NPR) on December 24. While addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Cabinet has approved the conducting of census of India 2021 and updating of National Population Register. It is self declaration, no document, bio-metric etc required for it."

Police detains KSU-Youth Congress workers in Kerala's Kannur

Kannur (Kerala), Dec 24 (ANI): Police detained Kerala Students Union (KSU)-Youth Congress workers in Kerala's Kannur on December 24. They were detained after they tried to block the convoy of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in Kannur. Police also dispersed the Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists who had blocked the road.

BHEL Commissions Country's First Lignite-Based 500 MW Thermal Unit

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said on Tuesday it has successfully commissioned the first lignite-based 500 megawatt thermal unit of the 2 x 500 MW Neyveli new thermal power project in Tamil Nadu. Significantly, this is the country's first lignite-fired 500 MW power plant. It is also the highest rating pulverised lignite-fired thermal unit commissioned in the country so far. The plant is based on once-through and tower type boiler design which has been adopted for the first time in the country for a lignite-based thermal unit, BHEL said in a statement. Located in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, the project is owned by NLC India Ltd (NLCIL). The project's second unit is also in advanced stage of commissioning. The key equipment for project was manufactured by BHEL at its Haridwar, Trichy, Hyderabad, Ranipet, Bhopal and Bengaluru works while the construction of plant was undertaken by the company's power sector in southern region at Chennai. BHEL has succe

Cabinet announces post of Chief of Defence Staff

New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting (I-B) Minister Prakash Javadekar announced the post of Chief of Defence Staff on December 24. "Government has approved the creation of post of Chief of Defence Staff. The officer to be appointed as Chief of Defence Staff will be a four star General and will also head the Department of military affairs," said I-B Minister Prakash Javadekar. Chief of Defence Staff will also have a second role, will be the permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. In this role, the CDS will be supported by the Integrated Defence Staff. Chief of Defence Staff will act as Principal Military Adviser to Defence Minister on tri-services matters. The three Chiefs will continue to advise Defence Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective services.

Watch: Vandalism by demonstrators during violent anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru

Mangaluru (Karnataka), Dec 24 (ANI): Several CCTV footages along with other visuals have surfaced depicting the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Mangaluru on December 19 when demonstrators created ruckus and vandalised public properties in the Karnataka city. Several people in Mangaluru had hit the road to protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens on December 19. The protest soon turned violent. Protesters were seen pelting stones at the police. Two people were also killed in alleged police firing.

'We should also include Muslims': WB BJP vice president CK Bose on CAA

Kolkata (WB), Dec 24 (ANI): While speaking to ANI in Kolkata on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), the vice president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, CK Bose said, "Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) states that it is not based on religion. Then why are we stating that it is meant for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs? We should also include Muslims." "If Muslims are not being persecuted in their home country, they will not come to India," he added.

Indian Army Major develops bulletproof jacket able to withstand sniper bullets

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Indian Army officer, Major Anoop Mishra, has developed a bulletproof jacket with full body protection for the jawans. The jacket can withstand even sniper rifle bullets from 10m distance. Mishra was also hit by a bullet on his jacket during deployment in Jammu and Kashmir. While speaking to ANI, Major Anoop Mishra said, "During one operation, I was hit by a stray bullet on my bullet proof jacket, although the bullet didn't penetrate but it caused a trauma." "So I decided to make my own bullet proof jacket. This jacket can withstand a sniper bullet from even 10 meters," he added.

Mamata Banerjee leads protest march against CAA, NRC in Kolkata

Kolkata (WB), Dec 24 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens in Kolkata. Large number of people participated in the protest march. Nation-wide protests have been intensified after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) on December 13 which sought to give Indian citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants who faced persecution in three neighbouring countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan - and entered India before December 2014.

CAA protest row: Rahul, Priyanka stopped from entering Meerut by UP Police

Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 24 (ANI): Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped from entering UP's Meerut on December 24. They were on their way to meet families of those who were killed in violence that broke out during protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). They are now returning to Delhi after being stopped by police in Meerut. President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) on December 13 which will give Indian citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants who faced persecution in three neighbouring countries-Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Pondicherry University student denied entry at convocation ceremony

Puducherry, Dec 24 (ANI): Rabeeha Abdurehim, MA gold medalist in Mass Communication from Pondicherry University alleged that she was not allowed to attend the convocation ceremony, while President Ram Nath Kovind was present at the venue. Speaking to ANI, Rabeeha Abdurehim said, "I don't know why I was sent out. But I learnt when the students inside asked police they said maybe it is because she is wearing scarf in a different way. That could also be the reason why they sent me out but nobody told me blatantly on my face."

Shimla-based Christ Church to ring historic worship call bell for first time after 35 years

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Dec 24 (ANI): After a long gap of 35 years, people in Shimla will get to hear the sound of a 150-year-old worship call bell at Christ Church, which has been dysfunctional for decades. People in the city are excited that they would be able to hear the sound of the bell after a gap of 35 years. Victor Den, a local resident and a retired mechanical engineer, took it upon himself to restore the bell and the chimes of the church ahead of the Christmas Day. Most Christian denominations ring the Church bell to call the people to worship and convey the message to start the mass or service. According to the locals, the Christ Church was built in Shimla in the year 1857. Foreign tourists in the North Indian hill town are also enthusiastic to celebrate Christmas here and hope that festival will bring people together.

There's total collapse of rule of law in state: WB Governor after being blocked outside by JU students

Kolkata (WB), Dec 24 (ANI): Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jadavpur University after being blocked outside by protesting students stated that the rule of law in the state has collapsed. "It's a painful moment for me as a Chancellor and Governor. There's total collapse of rule of law in the state. The state Govt has put education in captivity," said Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Section 144 imposed in Delhi's Mandi House

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): The Section 144 imposed in Delhi's Mandi House area on December 24. It was imposed in the view of protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Police forces have been deployed at the area. According to Section 144, assembly of four or more people is prohibited in the area. Nation-wide protests have been intensified after the implementation of new Citizenship Act.

CAA protests: Demonstrators gather at Mandi House despite imposition of Sec-144

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Protestors gathered at Delhi's Mandi House area on December 24 to stage demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). These protestors also held placards and raised slogans against the CAA. Section 144 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) is also imposed in Mandi House in view of the protest which means assembly of four or more people is prohibited in the area. Nation-wide protests intensified after implementation of the new Citizenship Act.

Cold wave intensifies in Ludhiana, disrupts daily life

Ludhiana (Punjab), Dec 24 (ANI): With the temperature going down steadily, a thick layer of fog canopied Punjab's Ludhiana on December 24. People are setting up bonfires to get relief and keep themselves warm in chilly winters in Ludhiana. Locals are facing problems in doing their daily activities. The temperature is expected to dip further in the coming days.

Don't use plastic, get 25% off on booking community centers: Panchkula Municipality

Panchkula (Haryana), Dec 24 (ANI): Panchkula Municipal Corporation has decided to offer 25% discount on booking its community centers for those who will not use any plastic in their events. The decision has been taken in view of 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. To avail or claim the discount, organisers have to show photographic and videographic proof of no use of plastic in the ceremony. People are appreciating this move and are giving their full support to the campaign. Speaking on it, Panchkula Municipal Corporation's Executive Commissioner Jarnail Singh said, "We have approximately 10 community centers here so we are offering that those who will book here for any event and won't use any plastic cutlery, they will get 25% rebate. People are opting for this offer and are saying that they won't use any plastic and they are even appreciating this move as well. People are giving us their full support."